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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020323 FW_ Legislative Bulletin _ February 3_ 2023 ________________________________ From: Washington State Association of Counties Sent: Friday, February 3, 2023 3:01:24 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Greg Brotherton Subject: Legislative Bulletin | February 3, 2023 ________________________________ ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. ________________________________ Your bi-monthly update on county related legislative activity February 3, 2023 <https://mcusercontent.com/6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a/images/deee067b-8d4c-3a3a-a72a-403f29828a1c.png> WSAC Legislative Reception a Success! ________________________________ <https://mcusercontent.com/6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a/images/8aa3e155-6285-b047-2996-313039d098e2.jpg> This past Wednesday evening, WSAC’s Legislative Steering Committee (LSC) and Board of Directors were joined by 35 State Representatives and Senators for WSAC’s 2023 Legislative Reception. Additional attendees included local elected officials, county policy and government staff, legislative and caucus staff, state, and federal agencies. Topics discussed included housing, transportation, behavioral health, climate, and land use. LSC members highlighted local contexts to state policies, and emphasized the importance local government has in implementing the Legislators’ priorities. It was a great opportunity to network and chat with one another! WSAC extends our gratitude and appreciation to our Legislators and staff that spent the evening with your local government colleagues! Thank you! <https://mcusercontent.com/6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a/images/ca81933d-6bc2-4be5-b58a-c4c458c46b93.png> RESOURCES Quick Links * Legislative Steering Committee <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=542970d92b&e=03d5c964a3> * Legislative Priorities <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=9a8e6447de&e=03d5c964a3> * Accessing the Legislature Remotely <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=1e6ac38853&e=03d5c964a3> * Committee Schedules <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=f817512ac2&e=03d5c964a3> * Remote Testimony <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=c8604fecc7&e=03d5c964a3> Upcoming Events WSAC Virtual Assembly <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=17e29adf7a&e=03d5c964a3> Monday, February 6 LSC Virtual Update Friday, February 10 Trueblood and HB 1515 ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=40736d8593&e=03d5c964a3> This week, the Senate heard SB 5440 (Dhingra) – Governor request legislation. However, the Law & Justice Committee heard a proposed substitute, introduced by Sen. Dhingra, in lieu of the original bill. We greatly appreciate the pared-down version of the bill as the original version was just not workable for counties. The proposed sub still leaves counties concerned for a variety of reasons. The proposed substitute provides that the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) may place defendants, who have been charged with felonies and found to be incompetent, in an appropriate facility for restoration, which may include placement in a county jail-based competency restoration unit.G Read more <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=a17b240da9&e=03d5c964a3> The Foster Fix ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=539c8644d7&e=03d5c964a3> The Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources, & Parks Committee will hear SB 5517 on Monday, February 6, at 1:30 PM. SB 5517 proposes implementing recommendations from the Joint Legislative Task Force on Water Resource Mitigation, also known as the Foster Task Force. This bill addresses several issues stemming from the 2015 Washington Supreme Court decision Foster v. Ecology, City of Yelm, and Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board. In that decision, the Court made it more difficult for the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to approve water rights change applications without direct, in-time, in-place mitigation. It also rendered Ecology’s ability to utilize the “overriding considerations of public interest (OCPI)” exception for impairment to approve water rights applications when public benefits far outweigh any impact on stream flows nearly impossible. Read more <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=5fdfa3305d&e=03d5c964a3> Rural Sales Tax Credit Extension, Prejudgment Interest, and Frivolous Public Records Lawsuits ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=9c62df608a&e=03d5c964a3> Our .09% rural sales tax credit extension bills, a major WSAC priority, continue to move forward. HB 1267 has passed out of the House Committee on Local Government and will be heard in the House Committee on Finance on February 7. The companion bill, SB 5613, will also be heard on the 7th in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs. Read more <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=97884c1d2b&e=03d5c964a3> Public Works Assistance Account ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=7504b05df3&e=03d5c964a3> The Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) is critical to ensuring that local jurisdictions can provide and maintain safe and reliable infrastructure in their communities. The legislature’s appropriation of PWAA revenue to The Public Works Board (PWB) funds programs that help maintain the health of residents, protects the environment, and fosters economic development. This access for local governments to affordable loan financing, allows them to respond to growth by modernizing systems and maintaining their existing infrastructure. The PWB helps provide Washington’s citizens with access to modern and functional infrastructure while also providing affordable monthly utility rates. 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