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Washington state lawmakers have passed legislation that will align the timber and forestry sector with the state’s carbon emission goals. The Senate voted 46-3 on March 5 in favor of passing House Bill 2528, which would recognize the amount of carbon that trees absorb from the atmosphere and allow that amount to be accounted for after the potential implementation of a carbon emission tax. The House passed the measure in January in a 95-0 vote. Cindy Mitchell, senior director of public affairs for Washington Forest P...
OLYMPIA -- Facing a shortfall of $450 million, lawmakers this week patched together a budget to fund highway maintenance, the Washington State Patrol and other transportation projects. The Senate Transportation Committee developed a proposed transportation budget that would maintain short-term stability following the revenue shortfall caused by the passage of I-976 — the $30 car tab initiative. Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, said assembling this budget through the revenue crisis required more bipartisan cooperation than i...
Democratic caucuses in the House and Senate rolled out separate spending plans that include hundreds of millions of dollars to address climate change, homelessness, and behavioral health. Without imposing new taxes, the proposed expenditures unveiled on Feb. 24 would add $1.5 billion to the existing budget. Lawmakers’ credit increased revenues the state has enjoyed to strong economic growth, but $318 million of the money comes from one-time sources. The budget proposed by Senate Democrats is a 2.2% increase in spending, b...
OLYMPIA – Washington state lawmakers will consider a gradual transition from the state’s current gasoline tax to a system that would charge drivers fees based on how many miles they travel. This comes amid rising concerns over the amount of revenue available to fund transportation and the maintenance of roads and highways due to increasing fuel-efficiency among vehicles, as well as concerns that owners of older and less fuel-efficient vehicles are carrying a larger tax burden. The House Transportation Committee heard a rep...
OLYMPIA -- Legislators are organizing bipartisan support for the timber industry amid the realization that forestry draws carbon from the atmosphere and could help the state meet carbon-reduction goals. House Bill 2528 and companion Senate Bill 6355 intend to support the growth of forestry and promote the production and use of timber products in the state. Trees use carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere as part of the photosynthesis and growth process. Some studies suggest that wood is about 50% carbon by mass. Cindy Mitchell, s...
OLYMPIA -- Legislation requested by the governor's office and supported by Democratic senators aims to ban flavored vaping products and impose sweeping regulations on the industry. If passed, Senate Bill 6254 would limit the nicotine concentration of vaping products, ban certain flavoring chemicals and require manufacturers, distributors and retailers to obtain licenses from the state Liquor and Cannabis Board. The bill would also give the board authority to inspect businesses and ensure compliance. The measure is proposed...
OLYMPIA -- A proposal by Senate Democrats would require concealed pistol license applicants to complete a safety course. Senate Bill 6294 would require conceal-carry permit holders to complete a eight hours of training that would include safe handling and storage of firearms, state laws regarding the use of deadly force, conflict resolution, suicide prevention and live-fire shooting exercises. Presently, conceal-carry permits are valid for five years and require only a criminal background check by local law enforcement and...
As Initiative 976, the car tabs measure approved by voters in November, is held up in the State Supreme Court, Republicans proposed laws that would guarantee the $30 car tabs Washington voters approved. “It is just a clean $30 car tab,” said Sen Phil Fortunado, R-Auburn. “That’s what people voted for, that’s what we’re doing.” Unlike I-976, which is facing a court fight over its constitutionality, Fortunado said his sponsored bill, Senate Bill 6350, is simple in nature and will likely not be challenged in court. “It re...
OLYMPIA — Residents and visitors will get a break if lawmakers approve a proposal to do away with Discover Pass fees for using state parks. Senate Minority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville, have co-sponsored SB 6174, which would no longer require park visitors to pay $10 for a one-time parking permit, or buy the $30 annual parking Discover Pass. Sen. Schoesler is critical of the tax proposals voted in last year’s legislative session. He said the results of the tax advisory votes on las...
