South Kitsap Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update

The final day for bills to exit their house of origin is TODAY. It will likely be a late night for our legislators in Olympia.

Even though a bill should be out of "it's Chamber" by now, doesn't mean it dead.

I have updated the Bill Watch list, with the current status of the bills we have been watching.

43 Bills remain "alive". There may be a few new ones that have been added. As bills "die" they are often added to bills that have/were passed as amendments. Pretty sneaky.

You should contact your legislators if you have any questions or concerns about any of these bills.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT

Legislation of Note

AWB’s Government Affairs team is tracking a number of bills this legislative session. Here is a detailed update on a few.

Workplace Law and Human Resources

• Ergonomics: Senate Bill 5217 passed the chamber 27-21 last week, with two Democrats joining Republicans in voting against it. The bill, now in the House, would repeal a longstanding law prohibiting the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) from adopting rules related to ergonomics or musculoskeletal disorders. AWB advocated for an amendment to improve the bill but still opposes this unnecessary bill. L&I already has the ability to regulate this issue without creating specific rules and regulations that add costs for employers to do business without creating better outcomes for workers. Learn more in this 2022 AWB Amplified video.

• Personnel records: House Bill 1320 passed the House 56-40 and moved to the Senate. AWB opposes the bill, which requires employers to provide an employee’s complete personnel file within 14 days of a request without allowing for reasonable redactions to protect other employees. It also includes a private right of action, which AWB opposes. The bill will be especially burdensome for small businesses.

Tax and Fiscal Policy

• Tourism promotion funding: House Bill 1258, a priority for AWB, unanimously passed the House last week. The bill would increase the tax revenue deposited into the statewide tourism marketing account, which promotes tourism across Washington. The bill supports programs that bring more visitors to Washington, helping boost local economies especially in underserved areas. Tourism is the state’s fourth-largest industry, employing more than 182,700 and generating $21.4 billion in annual spending. 

• Impact fee on ticket sales: AWB continues to oppose House Bill 1510, which would add an impact fee to ticket sales to pay for community preservation and development. The bill awaits a vote in the House. The bill would add a $1 fee on the price of admission for each ticket in qualified facilities.

• Wealth tax: AWB opposes Senate Bill 5486, which would establish a wealth tax. The bill has a hearing today in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. AWB will testify against the bill.

• Flat penalties: AWB supports House Bill 1834, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland. The bill would affect the penalties and process for reconciliation of apportionable income when businesses file their B&O taxes. The current penalties ratchet upward by 10 percentage points each month; this bill would set them as a flat penalty. The bill has a hearing today in the House Finance Committee. AWB will testify in support of this bill.

Environment and Energy

• Energy infrastructure permitting: A substitute version of House Bill 1216, sponsored by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, passed the House over the weekend after receiving several changes supported by AWB. The bipartisan vote on the House floor was 75-20. AWB continues to support HB 1216 and appreciates the changes, which make it easier for state facilities to make investments to help reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We urge legislators, however, to resist the temptation to put in additional barriers that complicate the process of siting and permitting the facilities the state needs to meet its greenhouse gas targets.

Be sure to check out other bills currently on our Bill Watch List.