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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's hard to believe we are more than a month into the 105-day session. This Monday, Feb. 15th, was policy cut off. That means policy bills must be passed out of committee in their house of origin, or we consider them “dead” for the session. Legislation with fiscal impacts are the only exception to this rule.
Next week is another big deadline: fiscal cut-off, which means all fiscal bills—unless necessary to implement the budget—must be passed out of committees like the House Appropriations, Transportation, and the Senate Ways and Means, in their house of origin.
Here are some important business-related bills I'm monitoring closely as we pass these deadlines:
- House Bill 1436 – Encouraging economic recovery by reducing regulatory burdens during declared public health crises.
- House Bill 1456 – Concerning minimum staffing levels for Washington main street programs.
- House Bill 1474 – Strengthening penalty and audit tools for employer violations in unemployment insurance.
- House Bill 1483 – Concerning workforce development in the beverage alcohol industry.
- House Bill 1486 – Concerning qualifications for unemployment insurance when an individual voluntarily leaves work.
- House Bill 1488 – Concerning the management of plastic packaging materials.
- House Bill 1492 – Concerning extended benefits in the unemployment insurance system.
- House Bill 1493 – Concerning job search monitoring.
- House Bill 1495 – Providing that qualified dealer cash incentives paid to auto dealers are bona fide discounts for purposes of the business and occupation tax.
- House Bill 1520 – Providing business and occupation tax relief for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- House Bills 1525 – Concerning enforcement of judgments.
- House Bill 1528 – Adjusting commute trip reduction policies in light of the global pandemic.
Redistricting update
In my recent update, I discussed the importance of citizen involvement in the every-ten-year redistricting process. If you'd like to sign-up for the Redistricting Commission's newsletter, click here. The commission's first remote access meeting takes place on Feb. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, send an email to comment@redistricting.wa.gov.
Virtual Town Hall
Transparent and accessible state government is even more important when we are forced to operate remotely. That's why I'm excited to announce that I'll be hosting my first “virtual” town hall meeting.
Please consider joining me online via Zoom on Thursday, March 18, at 6 p.m. for a discussion about topics related to the 2021 legislative session. The conference call only accommodates 500 attendees. Click here to register early.
Thank you!
Contact me if you have concerns or ideas about bills being considered during this legislative session. Email is the most convenient way to contact me, but you can also call or send a letter. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Eslick
