How They Voted: 19th, 20th District Lawmakers Vote on Death Penalty, Sex-Ed, Clean Fuels and More

State lawmakers are halfway through the current legislative session in Olympia, and they’ve already cast votes on a range of topics. 

Find proposed legislation and how your 19th and 20th Legislative District lawmakers voted below. 

The information is courtesy of washingtonvotes.org.

Senate Bill 6492: Addressing workforce education investment funding through business and occupation tax reform. Passed the Senate on Jan. 30 by a vote of 28-21. 

This bill would replace the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax surcharge to fund aid for college students that was enacted last year. Instead of surcharges, it proposes an increase in the general service business and occupation tax rate from 1.5 percent to 1.8 percent for businesses with gross income in excess of $1 million. It would also impose a separate additional 1.22 percent surcharge on large advanced computing businesses. The effect of the bill would be to replace surcharges on about 80,000 businesses in the state with a larger tax increase on about 16,000 businesses. The new tax would be collected starting in April of this year. Proponents of the bill said that last year’s enactment of B&O tax surcharges was intended to make a dramatic investment in higher education, but that the program is too complicated to administer and doesn’t generate enough money. This bill, they said, would provide critical funding for state financial aid programs, ensure educational opportunities for students across the state, and encourage expansion of high demand programs. Opponents said the bill is not a practical model for most businesses and could increase healthcare costs, because independent health care practitioners are not exempt from the proposed increases. They also said that not all higher education institutions would receive benefits under this bill. The bill was sent to the House Finance Committee for further consideration.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No

House Bill 1110: Reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation fuels. Passed the House on Jan. 29 by a vote of 52-44 (two members excused).

This bill would direct the state Department of Ecology to impose low-carbon fuel limits on gasoline and other transportation related fuels with a “clean fuels” program. Under the bill, carbon emissions of transportation fuels would have to be reduced to 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2028 and 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2035. The mandatory program would begin Jan. 1, 2021. Proponents said low-carbon fuels benefit air quality by reducing particulate matter emissions, preventing unnecessary deaths and protecting the vulnerable. Clean fuel standards provide incentive for electric vehicle infrastructure that is otherwise expensive and difficult to build out, they said. Opponents argued that the bill would harm Washington residents by raising gas prices, which are already among the highest in the nation, and raising other costs, including food prices, while not really helping the environment. The bill which also passed last year n the House but did not move in the Senate, was sent to the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee.

Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen — No

Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis — No

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama — No

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen — No

Senate Bill 6037: Concerning business corporations. (Requiring gender-diverse boards of directors.) Passed the Senate on Jan. 24 by a vote of 32-14 (three members excused).

This bill would require that public companies in Washington state must have gender-diverse boards of directors by Jan.1, 2022. The requirement would be met if individuals who self-identify as women comprise at least twenty-five percent of the directors. If a public company does not meet the requirement it would have to prepare a discussion and analysis of its plans to attain gender diversity and deliver that information to its shareholders. The bill would also makes other changes to align the Washington Business Corporations Act with the American Bar Association’s 2016 Model Corporation Act. Proponents during committee testimony argued that lack of diversity remains a problem and there are complex and consistent barriers for women to join corporate boards. They said this bill will encourage boards to look more broadly to fill board vacancies. Opponents did not testify. The bill was sent to the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No

House Bill 1793: Establishing additional uses for automated traffic safety cameras for traffic congestion reduction and increased safety. Passed the House on Jan. 30 by a vote of 56-40 (two members excused).

This bill would establish a pilot program through the end of 2021 to expand the use of automated traffic safety cameras in or near downtown areas of cities with populations greater than 500,000. Violations to be recorded by the cameras would include: Stopping when traffic is obstructed; stopping in intersections or crosswalks; stopping or traveling in a restricted lane; and stopping or parking at locations restricted for emergency response vehicle entry or exit. Proponents said this bill would help manage busy, congested streets. Opponents pointed out that another bill is moving through the Legislature right now that would allow cameras to be used for general law enforcement purposes, including traffic management. The bill, also passed last year, but did not advance in the Senate, has not been referred to the Senate as yet.

Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen — No

Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis — No

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama — No

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen — No

House Bill 1847: Addressing aircraft noise abatement. Passed the House on Jan. 30 by a vote of 58-37 (three members excused). 

This bill would expand the dimensions of noise impact areas for the purpose of abating aircraft noise in areas surrounding an airport. It would extend these areas to 10 miles (instead of 6 miles) beyond the paved north end and 13 miles (instead of 6 miles) beyond the paved south end of any runway. In committee testimony, proponents said that since air traffic has become concentrated in various zones around the country, the FAA will soon be expanding their own mitigation zones. This bill would ensure that the state does not have mitigation zones that are smaller than what the enhanced federal FAA zones will be. No opponents testified. The bill has not yet been sent to the Senate for further consideration.

Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen — Yes

Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis — No

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama — No

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen — No

Senate Bill 5395: Concerning comprehensive sexual health education. Passed the Senate on Jan. 22 by a vote of 28-21.

This bill would mandate comprehensive sex education in every public school and for every grade as an integral part of the curriculum. This requirement would be phased in beginning with students in grades six through 12 by Sept. 1, 2020, and then for students in grades kindergarten through five by Sept. 1, 2021. Under the bill, the curriculum must be evidence-informed, inclusive for all students regardless of their protected class status, skills-based, encourage healthy relationships based on mutual respect that are free from violence, coercion, and intimidation. It would teach children how to identify and respond to attitudes and behaviors contributing to sexual violence and would emphasize the importance of conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. Current state law only requires schools to teach students about HIV and AIDS prevention, starting in fifth grade. The bill was sent to the House Education Committee for further consideration. The bill also passed the Senate last year, but did not advance in the House before the session ended.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No

Senate Bill 5165: Concerning discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status. Passed the Senate on Jan. 17 by a vote of 26-20 (three members excused).

This bill would prohibit discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status by employers, potential employers, labor organizations, or employment agencies unless a state or federal law, regulation, or government contract requires a distinction or differential treatment. It would also prohibit discrimination in real estate transactions and overcharging or impairing access to public accommodations based on citizenship or immigration status. The bill was sent to the House Civl Rights and Judiciary Committee for further consideration. The bill also passed the Senate last year, but did not advance in the House before the session ended.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No

Senate Bill 5740: Creating the secure choice retirement savings program. Passed the Senate on Jan. 17 by a vote of 26-20, (three members excused). 

This bill would require employers to automatically enroll their employees into an individual retirement account under a new Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program created in the state Department of Commerce. Under the bill, an employer would be required to offer its employees an opportunity to contribute to an IRA established under the program. Employers would be required to provide their employees with information on the program, and deliver and facilitate information regarding the program, disclosures, and necessary forms. Proponents of the bill said it would provide a reasonable way to help employers assist their employees save for retirement. Some small companies cannot afford to administer a savings plan and are at a competitive disadvantage to larger employers who have the ability to offer retirement benefits, they said. Opponents said this proposal is a dramatic departure from the voluntary marketplace, and that of 40 states considering a mandatory enrollment program 35 rejected it. They also said that an automatic IRA enrollment plan would add more requirements of small businesses. The bill was sent to the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee for further consideration. The bill also passed the Senate last year, but did not advance in the House before the session ended.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — Yes

House Bill 1010: Concerning the disposition of forfeited firearms by the Washington State Patrol. Passed the House on Jan. 23 by a vote of 56-42. 

This bill provides that forfeited firearms in the possession of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) which are not retained for agency use may be auctioned or traded to licensed dealers or destroyed. It would require that within six months after the effective date of the act, the WSP must develop and put in place policies addressing criteria for determining when firearms should be destroyed. Proponents said that the bill would bring equality to the different law enforcement agencies in Washington. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is currently the only agency that may not destroy forfeited firearms. The WSP should not be an arms dealer or be in the chain of possession of a weapon that later gets used in a crime, they said. Opponents of the measure said that he number of firearms sold or traded by agencies that are used in subsequent crimes is very small, and the money that can be made selling forfeited firearms can be used to help domestic violence victims, or people who are in marginalized communities or need protection from hate crimes. The bill has not yet been referred to the Senate.

Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen — No

Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis — No

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama — No

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen — No

House Bill 1783: Creating the Washington state office of equity. Passed the House on Jan. 21 by a vote of 56-41 (one member excused).

This bill would establish the Washington State Office of Equity (Equity Office) within the Governor’s Office to promote access to equitable opportunities and resources that reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide across state government. Its primary duty would be to develop policies and provide technical assistance and training for agencies on maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and culturally sensitive workforce. The bill was sent to the Senate State Government, Tribal Relations and Elections Committee for further consideration.

Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen — No

Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis — No

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama — No

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen — No

Senate Bill 5323: Reducing pollution from plastic bags by establishing minimum state standards for the use of bags at retail establishments. Passed the Senate on Jan. 15  by a vote of 30-19.

This bill would ban stores from giving single-use plastic carryout bags to their customers. The ban includes paper and recycled plastic bags unless they meet stringent recycled content requirements. Under the bill, retailers would also be required to collect an 8-cent per bag tax for each recycled content large paper or plastic carryout bag provided. These provisions would supersede local bag ordinances, except for ordinances establishing a 10-cent per bag charge in effect as of Jan. 1, 2019. The bill was sent to the House Environment and Energy Committee for further consideration. SB 5323 passed the Senate by a 31-14 vote (four members excused) last March, but did not advance in the House before the session ended. Majority Democrats brought the bill back up for a vote with less than 24 hours notice and no opportunity for additional public input. Re-passage of SB 5323 by the Senate is the furthest that statewide bag-ban proposals have advanced in the legislative process, since the idea of regulating and taxing shopping bags were first proposed in 2013.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No

Senate Bill 5811: Reducing emissions by making changes to the clean car standards and clean car program. Passed the Senate on Jan. 15 by a vote of 26-23.

This bill would impose California’s automobile emission rules on vehicle owners in Washington. Under the bill, car makers would be assigned credits based on the kind of fuel efficient cars they bring into the state. Those credits would then be used to set quotas for how many zero-emission vehicles manufacturers must ship into the state and for dealers to offer for sale, regardless of whether consumers want them or not. The stated goal of the bill is to have about 2.5 percent of all cars brought into Washington be the equivalent of zero-emission vehicles. The bill was sent the House Environment and Energy Committee for further consideration. SB 5811 passed the Senate by a 26-22 vote (one member excused) last March but did not advance in the House before the session ended. No opportunities for additional public input were provided ahead of this week’s vote.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — No

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No

Senate Bill 5947: Establishing the sustainable farms and fields grant program. Passed the Senate on Jan. 15 by a vote of 32-17. 

This bill would establish a grant program intended to help agriculture reduce its carbon output. Subject to funding, the Washington State Department of Agriculture would be required to develop a sustainable farms and fields grant program that would allow more producers to enroll in conservation programs, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use, and to help reduce the overall carbon footprint of the state. Sustainable farms and fields grants could be applied towards down payments on equipment or other types of loans; blended use of fossil-fuel based pesticides and fertilizers and non-fossil-fuel based pesticides and fertilizers; or costs associated with installation of carbon farming practices or agroforestry practices. The bill was sent to the House Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for further consideration. SB 5947 also passed the Senate by a vote of 32-15 (two members excused) last year but did not advance further before the session ended. Again, no opportunities for additional public input was provided ahead of this week’s vote.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No

Senate Joint Memorial 8014: Concerning logging and mining in the upper Skagit watershed. Passed the Senate on Jan. 15, by a vote of 29-19 (one member excused). This memorial would request that British Columbia work with the city of Seattle and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission to prevent logging and mining in the Upper Skagit watershed, in order to ensure the area’s environmental and recreational resources are permanently protected. Proponents of the measure say it is important to let the British Columbia government know that Washington state is concerned about logging and mining operations in the Upper Skagit watershed. They say that proposed mining activities in this area pose a significant risk to the health of fish and wildlife species, and that waste from mining activities can be toxic to juvenile salmon. The Skagit river provides important habitat for the various species of salmon, including chinook, steelhead, and bull trout. The memorial was sent to the House Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for further consideration.

Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview — Yes

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia — No