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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030323 FW_ Legislative Bulletin _ March 3_ 2023 ________________________________ From: Washington State Association of Counties Sent: Friday, March 3, 2023 2:59:57 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Greg Brotherton Subject: Legislative Bulletin | March 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 March 3, 2023 <https://mcusercontent.com/6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a/images/deee067b-8d4c-3a3a-a72a-403f29828a1c.png> The View From Olympia ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=c5f7d367f7&e=03d5c964a3> We have reached that time of Session in which our workload, at least in terms of the volume of bills we are tracking, is significantly reduced. Policy cutoff, fiscal cutoff, and now floor action is quickly decreasing the number of bills that will continue on in the legislative process. Wednesday, March 8th, will give us a greater picture of what we will continue to work on in the second half of Session. There are still many bills to work on despite the ongoing reduction. Read more <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=1dcd7f565c&e=03d5c964a3> <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=4260a4baa9&e=03d5c964a3> * Legislative Priorities <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=0a658e723f&e=03d5c964a3> * Accessing the Legislature Remotely <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=2e18245511&e=03d5c964a3> * Committee Schedules <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=1224929ed4&e=03d5c964a3> * Remote Testimony <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=9f9877b375&e=03d5c964a3> Upcoming Events WSAC Virtual Assembly <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=fbfdf61d64&e=03d5c964a3> Monday, March 6 LSC Virtual Update Friday, March 10 Promoting Public Health Workforce ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=408882a6da&e=03d5c964a3> Public health in Washington State has lost nearly a quarter of its workforce since 2008—with some local agencies losing 50% or more. Since January 2020, our state has lost over 60% of its local leadership. Workforce depletion is a consistent trend across the country. A recent study by the DeBeaumont Foundation found that nearly one-third of our current workforce is considering leaving public health within the next year. This intensifies local instability and the inability to respond to threats and emergencies. Complex threats and recession budget cuts make it hard for the public health system to protect and serve Washington’s families and communities. Program cuts and service reductions have become the norm for local agencies—creating a diminished workforce just when it’s needed in order to focus on the pandemic’s impact on families, childhood development, and community resiliency. It’s time to rebuild our system to better protect against threats and improve our communities’ health. Read more <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=e226072bb6&e=03d5c964a3> Rural Sales Tax Credit Extension, Tort Liability, and a Miscellaneous Round-Up (Again!) ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=8c0505db92&e=03d5c964a3> Our .09% rural sales tax credit extension bill, a major WSAC priority, continues to move forward. HB 1267 has passed out of the House unanimously and is expected to be heard in the Senate shortly. In the meantime, we continue to work with the state auditor to come up with consistent and clear reporting standards that make it easy for both local and state officials to track and report projects. SB 5059, the prejudgment interest tort liability bill we have opposed because of its hit to our risk pools and ability to get insurance, did not pass out of Ways & Means before the fiscal cutoff and is dead for the remainder of this Session. Read more <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=d92271d979&e=03d5c964a3> Conquering Consumer Compostable Confusion ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=fc3e417b1f&e=03d5c964a3> Maybe your family is at the county fair, joyfully devouring the local dairy booth’s hand-churned cherry ice cream you’ve waited a full year to taste. Perhaps you’re treating yourself to an afternoon cold brew at your local coffee shop before taking a quiet stroll along Main Street. The story likely ends with you holding plastic spoons, straws, or cups that are labeled “compostable,” “biodegradable,” or maybe say nothing at all. You want to do the right thing, but the recycling world can be a confusing place, and your kids roll their eyes at you anytime you even look at the wrong disposal bin. HB 1033 seeks to help you with this all-too-common dilemma by establishing Stakeholder Advisory Committee (Committee) that would make recommendations to the legislature on developing standards to manage compostable plastic products, identify how we can meet Washington’s organics management goals, all the while ensuring compost remains clean and marketable. Read more <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=e3e879c3b6&e=03d5c964a3> Transportation and Infrastructure Update ________________________________ <https://wsac.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6943e0d4535671f24022ca02a&id=e6b3881318&e=03d5c964a3> The first two cutoffs have come and gone. Here’s an update regarding some important bills we are continuing to work on after the policy and fiscal cutoffs. Click the link to the article below to learn more about the bills we support and those we are requesting amendments for, along with their current status. 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