Action Alerts
|
Click on the links below to learn more about bills currently being reviewed in the state legislature. You can “take action” on these most pressing bills by following the links below. Please sign in as individuals and not as representing the League of Women Voters. Thank you for taking action! |
Priority Actions Standardize Statewide Procedures for Correcting Missing or Mismatched Ballot Signatures SB 5890, Reducing Ballot Rejection Rates, aims to minimize ballot rejections by introducing opportunities for statewide voter education and offering support and guidance to county election offices and workers. The emphasis on voter registration and encouragement is crucial, as each rejected ballot represents a voice left unheard. The proposed legislation seeks to enhance accessibility and community education, particularly targeting groups with historically high rates of ballot rejection. ⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 5890 here before 12:30 PM on February 14. Pass Bills to Improve Washington's Recycling Outcomes There are two bills related to recycling that may be heard on the floor of the House this week, if they have not already seen action over the weekend. These bills are separate and passing both will provide the best waste reduction and recycling outcomes for Washington! The two bills are: - HB 2049 The ReWRAP Act, which extends producer responsibility by incentivizing producers to use reusable, recyclable, or compostable packing. It also expands standardized recycling and supports Washington's circular economy.
- HB 2144 The Bottle Bill, which will provide a deposit return system for qualifying beverage containers (between four ounces and one gallon), including glass, metal, plastic bottles, or cans used for beverages intended for human consumption. The exception is dairy and baby formula containers.
⚠️ Even if you have previously registered your support, please contact your Representatives in support of HB 2049 and HB 2144 here by February 13. |
|
|
This Week in the Legislature
|
As this newsletter is being produced, the Legislature is working hard passing bills on the floor and spending time in caucus where Democrats and Republicans discuss and strategize which bills they will be voting on next.
This phase of legislative action, referred to as “floor action” began last week and will continue until Tuesday evening, February 13. On Wednesday, February 14, each chamber will resume committee work, hearing bills that were passed by the opposite chamber.
As a result of the nonstop activity over the weekend and early in the week ahead, things are very much in flux and it’s hard for us to provide up to the minute information about what action is needed. Issue Chairs may be seeking your help to persuade legislators to pull bills to the floor for a vote when it appears they haven’t been yet; or our Issue Chairs may be awaiting what happens and working on preparing for bills in committees at the end of the coming week.
However, the weekly updates below tell you what we know as of this publication about the League’s priority bills and their progress. Please read about the issues you are concerned about and take action where there is an action alert provided.
You can also participate in the Monday morning ACT meetings, at which speakers talk in more depth about specific issues. Register here.
Thank you for your interest and for taking action! |
|
|
Breaking Down the Legislature
|
|
|
The fifth week of the 60-day 2024 Legislature in the second half of the biennium has just passed. The week ahead is week six, with four to go. This is the transition from committee work to voting on bills “on the floor” of each chamber. Bills must be passed in their house of origin by the cutoff on February 13 or they will die.
The next step will be to resume committee hearings on bills passed by the opposite chamber. This begins on February 14. The workload will be reduced because not every bill considered by one chamber will be passed on to the other.
The House and Senate are expected to release their respective budgets at the end of this week or early the following week. Hearings have been held on the Governor’s proposed budget, but the House and Senate will each have their own proposals for operating, capital and transportation budgets. They will each hold hearings on those and then when each chamber has passed theirs, there will be a reconciliation process so that both chambers adopt the same budgets—thereby creating the State’s final supplemental budget. |
|
|
The 2024 Legislative Issues
|
|
|
League of Women Voters of Washington
1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101
206-622-8961 | 1-800-419-2596 | www.lwvwa.org |
|
|
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters of Washington
1511 Third Ave, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101
United States |
|
|
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews). If you would like to update your contact information and subscription preferences, please click here. |
|
|
|
