WAWG
By Diana Carlen
WAWG Lobbyist
Last Friday was the deadline for bills to pass out of their policy committees from the opposite chamber. Monday was the deadline for bills to pass out of fiscal committees unless they are bills needed to pass the budget. This Friday, March 4, at 5 p.m. is the last day to pass opposite house bills, except initiatives and alternatives to initiatives, budgets and matters necessary to implement budgets.
With less than two weeks left of the regular legislative session, the primary focus of the Legislature and the Governor’s office will be reaching agreement on a final supplemental budget. The legislature is scheduled to adjourn the regular legislative session on March 10.
Budget negotiations begin after Senate and House pass supplemental budget proposals
Early last week, the House and Senate each rolled out their versions of the supplemental operating budget. By Friday, each chamber had voted their differing versions of the budget out of their respective chambers.
While both proposals fund mental health and wildfires, they remain apart by more than $400 million in overall spending. The budget approved by House Democrats (it passed the House on essentially a party-line vote) adds about $476 million in spending to the state’s current two-year budget. The House proposal raises teacher starting salaries from $35,000 to $40,000 per year and offers teachers a $650 annual bonus for continuing professional certification. The budget proposes paying for salary increases by ending the following six tax breaks:
• Limit Exemption: REET on Foreclosure Sales – $34.4 million
• Limit Exemption: Sales Tax for Non-Residents – $21.9 million
• Repeal Exemption: Sales Tax on Bottled Water – $23.2 million
• Repeal Preferential B&O Rate: Resellers of Prescription Drugs – $17.6 million
• Repeal Preferential B&O Rate: International Investment Services – $16.3 million
• Repeal Preferential B&O Rate: Travel Agents and Tour Operators – $6.1 million
The House proposal also taps the state’s emergency rainy day fund to pay for fire suppression efforts from last year and well as funding for homeless programs. A three-fifths vote of the Legislature is required to use money from the rainy day fund.
The Senate proposal passed by Senate Republican-controlled majority adds about $49 million in spending on the current budget, mostly focused on mental health and wildfires. Unlike the House proposal, it does not raise any taxes nor tap into the rainy day fund.
Ecology Withdraws Proposed Clean Air Rule
Last Friday, Ecology announced that it was withdrawing its proposed Clean Air Rule to update the rule after receiving significant public input. Ecology plans to release a new proposed rule and supporting documents for public review in the spring. Previously scheduled public hearings in March will be rescheduled to a later date. Ecology plans to finalize and adopt the rule by September.
Senate Energy Committee passes solar incentive bill that includes “poison pill”
Last week, Sen. Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale) released a striking amendment to legislation extending solar incentives (E2SHB 2346) that included a provision that terminates all solar incentives if the Department of Ecology adopts the Clean Air Rule limiting carbon emissions in the state. The Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee passed the bill out of committee on Thursday with the striker language offered by Sen. Ericksen. The bill has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee but has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.