The WVCC Advocacy Committee is reviewing and focusing on these bills in the coming week.
- Senate Bill 5868 - Concerning the use of .09 funds for affordable housing - Expanding the use of the rural counties public facilities sales and use tax to include affordable workforce housing.
Senate Bill 5868, sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to assist local governments with affordable workforce housing “infrastructure or facilities” was approved last week. The bill would expand the permissible uses of the rural county public facilities sales and use tax to include affordable workforce housing. Hawkins’ bill adjusts the statute related to this existing tax without adding to the tax itself or extending the tax.
- House Bill 1868 - Concerning staffing needs in healthcare facilities - Improving worker safety and patient care in health care facilities by addressing staffing needs, overtime, meal and rest breaks, and enforcement.
House Bill 1868, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), addresses staffing needs, overtime, meal and rest breaks, and enforcement, making Washington the second state to mandate safe staffing standards for hospitals.
The major concern under this bill is that hospitals who are unable to meet the ratios, would be forced to close units to additional patients and in some cases may have to discontinue services entirely.
- Senate Bill 5649 - Concerning WA PFML - Modifying the Washington state paid family and medical leave act.
The bill now includes a requirement for the department to immediately contract with the Office of the State Actuary for an actuarial review of the program. The department will have established actuaries to assist with fund and balance projection and performance. The bill will also add a three-year long review and performance audit of the program. The bill will create a task force comprised of the advisory committee and the Legislature to make recommendations for long-term stability for the department to execute.
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