Take Action for next week hearings
We have many hearings next week; be sure to sign in at least one hour before the hearing. Please do not put FAN in the organizational field for committee hearings for now, as it has caused confusion in these early weeks. We do encourage you to highlight your affiliation with FAN in your other letters and communications!
NEXT WEEK SIGN IN PRO for FAN-SUPPORTED BILLS
HB 1579 Independent Prosecutor, which would create a state office to ensure fair and transparent prosecutions of criminal conduct arising from police use of force, is scheduled for executive session in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday 1/22. Please email the chair and vice chairs of this committee letting them know you support the proposed substitute, which establishes the office of independent prosecutor in the Attorney General Office and limits the caseloads to the death investigation caseload from the Office of Independent Investigations.
SB 6251 Coordinating Regional Behavioral Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention Services will be heard by the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care on 1/23 at 8:00am.
SB 6005 ReWrap Act will be heard by Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology on 1/23, at 1:30pm.
SB 6216 Establishing a Statewide Network for Student Mental and Behavioral Health will have a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on 1/24, at 10:30am.
SB 6007 Better Standards for Grocery Workers will be heard by the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee on 1/25, at 8:00am.
SB 6191 Affordable Homes Act (REET 2.0) will be heard by the Senate Ways & Means Committee on 1/25, at 4:00pm.
HB 2239 Supporting Student Wellbeing through Social-Emotional Skills instruction will be heard by House Committee on Education on 1/25, at 8:00am.
Kristin’s Policy Updates
2024 Legislative Session WEEK 2
The week began with resolutions honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”
On Monday the House Community Safety, Justice & Reentry committee heard HB 1325 Reevaluating Sentencing for Emerging Adults. This bill addresses a vital intersection of justice, morality, and science. It proposes adjusting sentencing considerations for young adults up to age 25, aligning with contemporary understanding of brain development and recognizing that young people, especially those in vulnerable positions, are still maturing and capable of tremendous growth and change. HB 1325 acknowledges that our current system disproportionately impacts communities of color and offers a chance for review.
Tuesday was a bustling day at the Capitol with members of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility dressed in orange ready to witness and testify on public safety bills in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee. These bills included: Require a Permit to Purchase Firearms (HB 1902/SB 6004); Dealer Responsibility (HB 2118); and Restricting Bulk Firearm Purchases (HB 2054). FAN continues our long-standing commitment to increase gun responsibility and public safety.
The Legislature also heard both the Senate and House bills on Gift Card Consumer Protection (SB 5987) and Gift Cards Unclaimed Property (HB 2095). FAN testified on HB 2095 before the House Committee on Finance. The bill proposes to redirect unspent gift card funds to public services, like free school meals for children, support for food banks and public health initiatives. HB 2095 only applies to companies with revenues $100 million and above. Currently, large corporations in Washington retain millions in unspent gift card funds. These funds, often forgotten in wallets and drawers, amount to significant sums – unclaimed wealth that could be serving the public good. Starbucks alone reported $215 million in unspent gift cards in 2023. HB 2095 seeks to close this loophole; by transferring unspent gift card balances to the state after three years, we can create a new revenue stream for vital public services. This is not a novel idea; more than 70% of Fortune 500 companies already transfer unspent gift card funds to state unclaimed property programs. This bill brings Washington in line with common practices, promoting fairness and corporate accountability.
FAN also testified in support of HB 2030 Free the Vote Act before the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations. HB 2030 would allow incarcerated individuals to be able to vote. The bill would limit the revocation of voting rights, and support societal reintegration, recognizing the transformative potential of individuals and the importance of their participation in the democratic process.
House Committee on Environment & Energy heard HB 2070 CURB Pollution Act which would integrate environmental justice in the permitting process. The bill would help address the long-standing issue of disproportionate pollution impact on low-income, communities of color, and Indigenous peoples in Washington. The CURB Pollution Act would elevate the voices of frontline communities in environmental decision-making, as well as require monitoring and reducing previously unaddressed health-impacting pollutants. This embodies our moral responsibility to heal and safeguard both our environment and our communities.
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology heard SB 6052 Holding Oil Companies Accountable, prime sponsored by the Chair of Environment Sen. Joe Nguyen on behalf of the Governor. The bill’s goals are to shed light on the mechanisms influencing fuel prices in Washington, to ensure that our residents are not subjected to unfair practices and to guarantee transparent and justifiable changes in gas prices.
FAN testified on Thursday in support of HB 2276 Affordable Homes Act (REET 2.0) which would increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing, homelessness services, and supportive housing for people with disabilities by increasing the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) for properties sold for over $3 million, and exempt property sales of $1 million and below. FAN noted that faith communities are active participants in addressing the housing crisis. We encounter the struggles for affordable housing firsthand and respond with action. For example, Columbia City Church of Hope is collaborating with El Centro de la Raza in Seattle in creating 87 units of low-income housing, and Shiloh Baptist Church is in partnership with the Tacoma Housing Authority to provide homes for veterans.
FAN testified in support of SB 5427 Biased Incidents Hotline, alongside other organizations. The FBI’s statistics on hate crimes show a concerning trend of increasing incidents in recent years. These crimes were primarily driven by biases based on race, religion and LGBTQ identity. SB 5427 proposes a centralized system in the Attorney General’s office for reporting and tracking hate crimes and biased incidents, thereby facilitating data collection and pattern recognition to understand the scale and nature of the problem we are facing. The bill also provides victims with immediate access to resources and support, ranging from counseling to legal assistance.
On Friday, the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness heard HB 1859 Eviction Protection for Long Term Care Residents. HB 1859, championed by Rep. Tara Simmons, represents a significant advancement in ensuring fair and just treatment for residents of long-term care facilities in Washington. This bill seeks to rectify a glaring disparity in our legal system, where residents in assisted living and other long-term care settings lack the same rights to appeal evictions as those in nursing homes. Recognizing the vulnerability and the need for equitable treatment of all individuals in long-term care, HB 1859 proposes to extend the right to a legal review and fair hearing to all residents.
Executive Session actions to celebrate:
HB 2114 Improving Housing Stability for Tenants passed out of the Housing Committee.
HB 2058 Free School Meals passed unanimously from House Education Committee.
HB 2049 ReWrap Act passed out of House Environment committee by a vote of 8-7
Resources for You and Your Communities
During these quickly moving weeks of session, we want to gather these resources for your easy reference as you advocate:
- FAN Legislative Preview recording
- Advocacy 101 training recording
- FAN’s Legislative Agenda updated on our website.
- Issue Fact Sheets from our coalition partners with information on bills.
- Bill Tracker as legislation moves through committee hearings.
- Take Action page which includes a link that you can use to write your own legislators
- Legislative Hotline to leave a brief phone message for your legislators: 800-562-6000
Washington State Legislature. website with more of everything you need!
Register for Interfaith Advocacy Day
Registration is filling up for Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia on Thursday February 8! We have a space limit of 200 this year, so please don’t delay—registration closes January 29, or before if filled. The sooner we know you’re coming; FAN staff will be able to arrange legislative meetings for you.
You’ll have a chance to hear plenary and workshop presentations, caucus with people from your district, and meet with your legislators or their aides. We are intending to have an online opportunity in late January to meet others in your legislative district before IFAD to strategize your day in Olympia—more information will be shared with those who register. Put together a carpool and plan to join us! Overnight accommodations are available February 7 at Gwinwood Retreat Center in Lacey for those coming from further away; the cost is $35 per person. Please contact FAN Events Manager Alex at robinson@fanwa.org if you are interested.
Eastern WA Legislative Conference January 27
FAN is pleased to co-sponsor the 2024 Eastern Washington Legislative Conference on Saturday, January 27, at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church, 8:30am to 3pm. It will be in-person/hybrid with a link for those who wish to participate on Zoom.
The gathering will feature plenary panels and workshops on the theme Renewing Our Hope for the Future.
Registration is $32 in person with lunch or $25/person for a group of five or more. Online registration is $20, or $15/person in a group of five+. There are scholarships. For information, call 509-535-4112 or register at The Fig Tree.
Save the Date for Yakima Advocacy Day
Our friends in Yakima are planning an advocacy day for Saturday, February 24, 9am-3pm. Sponsored by Between the Ridges: Alliance for the Common Good, a new organizing project in the Yakima Valley, and co-sponsored by FAN, Yakima Association of Faith Communities, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, and other community groups. Goals include developing local advocacy, civic engagement, engage with statewide advocacy, and mobilize voters. Lunch will be provided, and donations accepted. More information and registration to come.
Lobby Days with our Coalition Partners
Tuesday, January 23, 8:30am-3:30pm, online. PSARA Virtual Lobby Day.
Tuesday, January 23, 12:30-6:00pm, in-person. Annual Farmworkers Tribunal.
Wednesday, January 24, 9:00am-5:00pm, in-person. Civil Survival Lobby Day
Tuesday, January 30, 9:00am-4:00pm, in-person. WLIHA Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day
Wednesday, January 31, 9:00am-4:30pm, in-person. OneAmerica Lobby Day
Thursday, February 1, Time TBA, in-person. Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition Hunger Advocacy Day. Join the Hunger Action Day Training online, Wednesday, January 10 from 9:00-10:00am. Please e-mail Tomo Duke@fanwa.org for the link.
Wednesday, February 7, 9:00am-4:00pm, online. Multi-faith Restorative Justice Coalition Advocacy Day.
Wednesday, February 7, (9:00am-6:00pm) in-person. WAISN Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Day.
Thursday, February 8, 9:00am-3:00pm, in-person. FAN Interfath Advocacy Day 2024.
Thursday, February 15, 8:30am-3:30pm, in-person. Jewish Community Relations Council Lobby Day. Contact alizam@jewishinseattle.org for information.
Monday, February 19, 9:00am-3:00pm, in-person. APRI Seattle, Charles Rolland African American Lobby Day.
Opportunities
Look for opportunities to meet with your state legislators during their Town Halls–either by phone, online or in-person–as an excellent way to raise your priorities during session without traveling to Olympia. Find your legislator and look on their website for town hall opportunities.
Join our coalition and network partners to advocate for bills you care about:
1/22/24 5:00pm, Working Families Tax Credit expansion Letter to the Editor workshop on Zoom
1/22/24 noon, Health Equity for Immigrants-Unemployment Insurance Volunteer to Phone Bank and 1/25 (5 pm)
1/24/24 7:00pm, Immanuel Presbyterian Church Advocacy Action. Join weekly online during the legislative session. Email Beth Prevo for more details bethiep123@comcast.net.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, January 21, in-person and online. Homelessness: Myths, Statistics and Policy Alternatives events with First United Methodist Church and Meaningful Movies: Discussion of Razing of Liberty Square and Stories of Us: Camp Second Chance. In-person and online.
Wednesday, January 24, 11:00am, online. Join the Social Security Works WA coalition and Alex Lawson to learn how to protect these crucial benefits. E-mail robby.stern@gmail.com to learn more.
Saturday, January 27, 8:30am-Noon, Catholic Social Teaching Retreat Series: Dignity of Work & Rights of Workers, in-person, Kirkland.
Friday-Sunday, February 2-4, Embodying Curiosity and Openness to Change, in-person, Newport Presbyterian, Bellevue. Learn at the 2024 Meekhof Lecture from Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia, a leader in innovation and diversity in the Presbyterian Church about the Ecology of Community.
Saturday-Sunday, February 3-4, Refugee Shabbat, in-person, Congregation Beth Shalom, Seattle. Join in supporting the global Jewish movement for refugee protection and welcome. As borders turn away asylum seekers and climate change worsens existing challenges, it’s crucial to reaffirm our commitment to refugees.
Sunday, February 4, 1:00-2:30pm, Rosa Parks’ 111th Birthday Celebration, in-person, Veradale United Church of Christ, Spokane Valley.
Saturday, March 2, Noon, WA Poor People’s Campaign March to Stay Alive, in-person, WA State Capitol, Olympia. Join in the Mass Poor People’s Assembly in Olympia.
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