2025 Week 2 Legislative Update-Aerospace Futures Alliance (AFA)
- AFA
- Feb 4
- 4 min read
By Jennifer Ziegler, AFA Lobbyist- January 26, 2025
With its second week complete, Washington State’s 2025 Legislature is in full swing. This week, Legislators held additional work sessions to learn more about the issues in play and bill hearings clipped along at a steady pace.
We are now less than one month away from this session’s first major legislative cutoff date of February 21. Known as the “Policy Committee Cutoff,” this is the last day that bills can be read in their house of origin policy committee. There are exceptions to the policy cutoff dates such as fiscal and transportation bills, as well as any bills deemed necessary to implement the budget. The purpose of each cutoff date is to winnow down bills and help legislators identify and move priority bills through the legislative process.
Changes to the makeup of Washington state’s legislative body continue! Representative Emily Alvarado (D-West Seattle) has been appointed to fill the 34th Legislative District Senate seat that opened up when Senator Joe Nguyễn was appointed to be the next Washington State Commerce Director by Governor Ferguson, as outlined in this Washington State Standard article. City of Seattle Senior Labor and Policy Advisor Brianna Thomas has been appointed to fill Representative Alvarado’s open seat in the House, as reported in this Senate Democrat press release. Janice Zahn from the Bellevue City Council has been appointed to fill Rep. Tana Senn’s seat in the 41st legislative district. Overall, there are now twenty freshman legislators making up the legislative body this session, as reported in this Washington State Standard article.
Below is a summary of session highlights from this week and events for next week.
Budget
This week, the Senate Ways & Means Committee held several work sessions. On January 20, the committee held a work session overviewing Washington state’s tax structure.
In this recent interview, Governor Bob Ferguson (D) reiterated his strong preference to address Washington state’s projected $12 billion budget deficit over the next four years by cutting government spending, rather than adopting new revenue sources. However, Democrats have introduced several new revenue proposals to help solve the budget deficit. One concept that has not been introduced in bill form at this time, but has been floated as an idea is a payroll tax levied on high-salary employees in larger companies, as reported in this The Center Square article. Both the Senate Republican Leader, Senator John Braun (R-Chehalis), and the House Minority Leader, Representative Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) stated at a press conference this week that they strongly oppose this type of payroll tax.
Business & Labor
Under SB 5217, pregnancy-related work accommodations would be expanded for pregnant and post-partum workers. This bill requires an employer to pay an employee for break and travel time to express milk during work hours at the employee's regular compensation rate. It also allows a person who is breastfeeding to request a delay or excusal from jury service if the person is unable to serve due to breastfeeding. SB 5217 had a hearing on January 20 and is scheduled for executive action on January 31. Currently, state law mandates pregnancy-related accommodations for businesses with 15 or more employees and does not require compensation for lactation breaks, as noted in this press release.
A proposed substitute of SB 5041 expanding unemployment insurance benefits for striking or lockout workers had a hearing on January 21. This bill would allow striking workers to apply for and receive unemployment benefits. Workers would be eligible for the benefits approximately two weeks after they began striking and they could receive the benefit for up to four weeks, as reported in this Northwest Public Broadcasting article. Employees who have worked over 680 hours in the year would be eligible. SB 5041 has the support of labor groups and is experiencing opposition from many business advocates, as reported in this KING News article and this Washington State Standard article.
Several bills regarding Washington state’s Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) had hearings this week. PFML premium rates would be set based on the Office of Actuarial Services (OAS) annual report under SB 5292. This bill had a hearing on January 21. It would also require OAS annual report to provide for a rate to close the rate collection year with a three-month reserve, in addition to the current requirement to maintain a four-year solvency. Finally, the bill eliminates the statutory formula used to calculate the rate and the 1.2% rate cap.
Additionally, HB 1213, expands protections for workers on leave using the PFML program. This bill had a hearing on January 21 and is scheduled for executive action on January 31. Among other things, this bill reduces the minimum claim for benefits under the PFML Program from eight consecutive hours to four consecutive hours. It also extends employment protection rights in the PFML Program to any employee who began employment with their current employer at least 90 calendar days before taking leave, regardless of the size of the employer. Also related to PFML, SB 5191 expands access to this program to dockworkers. It was passed out of committee with this amendment on January 24.
Environment, Energy & Natural Resources
SB 5360 was introduced by Senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) with the intent of strengthening penalties against corporations, who experience pollution spills and other issues that harm the environment. A proposed substitute of this bill was scheduled for a hearing on January 24.
Transportation
Both the House and the Senate Transportation Committees spent significant time in work sessions this week as highlighted below.
On January 21, the Senate Transportation Committee held a work session that included updates on the below topics.
● Transportation agency introductions
On January 23, the same committee held work sessions to provide local and regional government introductions on the below:
● Ports
Education
On January 23 the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee held a work session about degree attainment with presentations from the Washington Student Achievement Council and the Washington Roundtable.
Shuttle tours to Moraine Lake often include stops at other nearby locations after sunrise. Once visitors have enjoyed the morning light over the lake, the tour may continue to Lake Louise, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, or other scenic points moraine lake sunrise shuttle in Banff National Park. This extended journey offers even more value and lets guests make the most of their time in the area. It’s a well-rounded adventure with minimal effort required.
Interoperability is another important feature. Behavioral health software should integrate with labs, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers. When systems can share information seamlessly https://lightningstep.com/ it enhances care coordination and reduces duplication of services.
These baskets encourage the recipient to take a moment for themselves, even in the midst of sadness. The calming effect of a spa-themed basket helps reduce stress kid gift basket delivery canada and can serve as a small escape during an overwhelming time of loss and mourning.
In colder climates, heating services are essential for keeping homes warm during winter. Furnaces, boilers https://valiantairsolutions.com/ and heat pumps are common components of HVAC systems used for heating.
Dirty air ducts can circulate pollutants such as pet dander, pollen, and mold spores throughout your home. This can worsen air duct cleaning grand rapids allergies and respiratory conditions. By cleaning your air ducts, you help reduce these airborne contaminants, promoting cleaner air and a safer breathing space for your family.