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Home My WebLink AboutWALK ON Legislative update Phone (360) 385-9100 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us Board of County Commissioners 1820 Jefferson Street PO Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Heather Dudley-Nollette, District 1 Heidi Eisenhour, District 2 Greg Brotherton, District 3 LEGISLATIVE REPORT FROM COMMISSIONER EISENHOUR TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2/10/25 MATTERS WHERE WE WERE ASKED TO TAKE ACTION: • HB 1113 - Accountability and access to services for individuals charged with a misdemeanor. Our legislative team recommended we SUPPORT this bill as an LSC as the bill represents a legislative effort to balance accountability with rehabilitation for individuals charged with misdemeanors in Washington State. By providing a framework for charge dismissal contingent upon compliance with tailored conditions, the bill aims to reduce recidivism and promote individualized justice. However, WSAC should make clear that considerations regarding public safety, resource allocation, and consistent application must be carefully addressed to ensure the bill's objectives are met effectively. The vote yielded 15 in support, including us, with 10 voting against. This ballot required 85% for passage so WSAC did not support this bill. • I reached out to our delegation to ask for them to sign on to HB 1702 which would implement a councilmatic county utility tax of 1-3%. This was a WSAC priority bill. The state and cities have authority up to 6%. • Jefferson County signed in PRO on two bills in the past two weeks o HB 1592 - Ensures the state and counties are partners in providing services that meet the constitutional right to effective access to justice through effective legal representation. I checked in with the PA on this before supporting. WSAC asked counties to support this as it is a WSAC priority bill. o HB 1593 - Establishing a prescribed fire claims fund pilot program. WA Conservation Action asked us to support this. I check with Chief Black first and we both signed on in support for EJFR and Jefferson County. JEFFERSON COUNTY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES – updates: Budget Priorities Hwy 19/20 and Mill Road Gateway Intersections: • We secured letters of support for this request from PTPM, EJFR, PortofPT and JHC and I delivered those to our Legislators this week. Design funding for a mid-County Aquatic Center: • SAME AS LAST REPORT: Jefferson County is requesting $250,000 to complete the initial design work via a Local Community Project request to Representative Tharinger. Greg will submit in advance of the 2/21 deadline. $3M for completion of Phase 1 of the Port Hadlock Wastewater treatment system: • SAME AS LAST REPORT: Local Community Project form has been submitted $500K for Hoh Rainforest access preservation on the Upper Hoh Road: • Much more work has occurred with Public Works, the State and Federal delegation on this $1.9M appropriation via TLT for inclusion of Jefferson County’s Cape George project: • Governor’s budget only recommended funding the top 5 projects making this unlikely POLICY PRIORITIES: Support flexibility for Local Areas of More Intense Rural Development (LAMIRDS): Some approaches to address these issues currently at play: • 5471 – Gainer – Middle Housing bill – WSAC Supporting - Authorizing middle housing in unincorporated growth areas and unincorporated urban growth areas, certain limited areas of more intensive rural development, and fully contained communities. Chapman is a sponsor. • Companion bills HB 1345, SB 5470 – Allowing for detached accessory dwelling units outside of urban growth areas WSAC Supporting both Amend RCW 82.46.75 to allow additional counties to impose an excise tax for housing: • HB 1480 – expands existing ability (via RCW 82.46.075 and 2002 c 343 s 1) to impose a real estate excise tax (REET) for the purpose of developing affordable housing, subject to the will of the voters, to all counties. Still hearing that there will be a committee day later in session to hear all similar bills. Policy cut-off is 2/21. Support a Local Option Sales Tax on Short Term Rentals: • Companion bills have been introduced – HB 1763 and SB 5576 – Levy and collect a special excise tax of six percent on each retail sale of the furnishing of lodging constituting a short-term rental In creating producer responsibility in solid waste and recycling. Ensure that new legislation includes opportunities for affordable, accessible recycling in rural counties outside the I-5 corridor. • Two approaches currently still at play o HB 1071 / SB 5058 (Chapman sponsored) – proposes study of strategy to achieve higher recycling rates in WA. Doesn’t solve current problems we have with the recycling stream. o HB 1150 / SB 5284 – this is the improved upon WRAP / RE-WRAP act being supported by solid waste managers, including ours, because it has fixed their previous concerns and makes improvements. Additional funding sources for O&M and increased access to vouchers for affordable and permanent supportive housing. • HB 1263 - Updating eligible uses for the essential needs and housing support program (for low income elderly or disabled adults transitioning off HEN, receiving SSI and have housing need) - Passed house of origin, in Appropriations. On the move! Preserving mobile home parks as affordable housing. • HB 1217 – Housing stability for tenants’ bill – Limits rents increases to 7% annually, includes mobile home parks and other types of housing. Exec’d out of Housing, in appropriations.