Washington State Legislature

425 Stories

Government

WA lawmakers pass housing, firearm bills ahead of cutoff, leave rent control, recycling bills behind

Wednesday marked the final day for legislators to pass bills from the chamber they originated in, meaning most bills that didn't receive a vote on the floor will no longer be considered this session.
Jeanie Lindsay
Politics

Which WA bills survived this week's legislative deadline?

Which bills are moving forward and which are getting left behind?
Angela King

Jeanie Lindsay

Amy Radil
Finland's president addresses WA Legislature on historic first stop of U.S. visit

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö made history Monday as the first foreign head of state to address the Washington Legislature.
Jeanie Lindsay
Government

Racist covenants excluded many from homeownership. WA lawmakers seek to remedy 'decades of direct harms'

Homebuyers from historically marginalized groups may be getting some help with their down payments. That’s the goal of a bill making its way through the Washington State Legislature.
Joshua McNichols
Health

Two bills to protect abortion rights move forward in Olympia

Two bills in Olympia to protect abortion rights took important steps forward on Tuesday. One seeks to protect people including those who travel to Washington seeking abortions. It was the first abortion rights bill to pass the state House this session.
David Hyde
Government

Will commercial airport site search in WA get do-over in Olympia?

A controversial effort to find a solution to Washington's growing air travel demands would get a do-over under a bill making its way through the Statehouse, but some critics remain dissatisfied.
Jeanie Lindsay
Politics

The calm before WA's budget storm: 2023 legislative session so far

We're just about halfway through the 2023 legislative session. That means budget talks are on the horizon.
Angela King

Jeanie Lindsay

Amy Radil
Environment

WA lawmakers eye ban on 2-mile-long trains

A bill, approved by the House Transportation Committee Thursday afternoon, would prohibit most trains over 7,500 feet long. Advocates say the move would reduce the danger of rail accidents.
John Ryan
Government

Democratic lawmakers steer pay-per-mile into slow lane to replace gas tax, eventually

Would you prefer to pay a couple of cents for every mile you drive in exchange for not having to pay gas tax or those steep electric car registration fees? A mileage-based tax is the top choice of Pacific Northwest policymakers to make up for the long-term decline in gas tax revenue. But imposition of any new tax tends to be politically fraught, and this one is no exception.
Tom Banse
Health

Lead or formaldehyde in your makeup? WA lawmakers want to eliminate them

Some lipsticks and foundations sold in Washington state contain lead, and some body lotions and hair products contain formaldehyde, according to the state ecology department. Lawmakers in Washington state want to change that.
Eilís O'Neill

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