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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2023 legislative session officially ended on Sunday, April 23. It was an honor and privilege to represent the 17th Legislative District in Olympia. It was a great learning experience, and I met many amazing people. I look forward to continuing the conversation with all of you throughout the interim as we work together to make life better for all Washingtonians.
Three of My Bills Make it to the Governor
To that end, I’m pleased to report that three of my bills are on their way to becoming law. As a freshman legislator, I’m humbled and grateful to everyone who helped these bills be successful.
The governor has already signed House Bill 1730, which will take effect on July 23. It allows, under specific and limited circumstances, young adults between the ages of 18 to 21 to be employed in establishments traditionally classified as “off-limits” to persons under the age of 21. It also makes it legal for anyone at least 18 years old to perform services unrelated to the sale or service of alcohol to enter and remain on premises, but only to carry out the duties of their employment and only under certain conditions.
House Bill 1731 has also reached the governor and is waiting for his signature to officially become law. This legislation will allow short-term rental operators, such as individuals who rent properties through Airbnb, to acquire permits to offer their guests a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival. This is a simple way for short-term renters to build positive relationships with their guests through a friendly gesture.
House Bill 1772 passed both chambers and is scheduled to be signed by the governor on Monday, May 1. This legislation will make it illegal to manufacture, import, offer, or sell in Washington a consumable product that contains cannabis or any form of tetrahydrocannabinol in combination with beer, wine, spirits, or any other type of liquor in the same product. Mixing alcohol and THC can be dangerous, and this bill will make it illegal for products to contain both substances simultaneously.
State Government Budgets Finalized
Our most important responsibility as legislators is to negotiate and pass the three state government budgets: operating, transportation, and capital.
Capital budget: Budget writers from both sides worked together to create this $8.98 billion spending proposal, which includes $4.18 billion from the sale of newly authorized, general obligation bonds. The remaining $4.8 billion is comprised of a combination of reversion of previously authorized bonds, other dedicated funding sources, and federal funds. It also leaves $95.4 million in bond capacity for next year’s 2024 supplemental capital budget.
The capital budget makes appropriations for projects tangible in nature that have a long useable life, such as schools and other public buildings, behavioral and mental health facilities, parks, low-income housing, water infrastructure, and habitat, including $19.3 million for 17th District projects, such as:
- $2 million for the Washougal Civic Campus Project (Camas).
- $1.5 million for the West Fork Washougal Conservation.
- $1.25 million for the Green Mountain Wildlife Recreation program.
- $1 million for the Port of Skamania Cascades Business Park (North Bonneville).
- $1 million for the Rock Creek Bridge replacement.
- $1 million for the Fenton Community Park.
- $1 million for Criminal Justice Regional Training Facilities.
- $750,000 for Stevenson-Carson High School.
- $730,000 for the Camas Public Library.
- $669,000 for the Jones Creek Fish Barrier removal.
- $515,000 for Lacamas Lake Water improvements (Camas).
For a complete list of our local projects, click on this link, select the 17th Legislative District in the drop-down window, and then hit the “view report” button.
Operating Budget: Despite ongoing economic concerns, the good news is state tax collections remain strong, and budget writers have $2.7 billion more in revenue for 2023-25 compared to what was assumed in last year’s budget.
However, the 2023-25 operating budget increases spending to $69.8 billion, representing a $5.6 billion increase over current spending levels. The budget leaves a very small ending fund balance and does not meet the four-year balanced budget requirement without aggressive assumptions about agency underspends.
It also leaves only $2.1 billion in reserves by the end of the four-year outlook period. This is less than the state treasurer’s minimum target of 10% of annual NGF-O revenues and less than the 50-state average.
Transportation Budget: We also passed the two-year transportation budget, which spends a total of about $13.5 billion, including $4.6 billion for highway improvements throughout the state. That includes $275 million for the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River, with intent language committing $1 billion for the project.
Overall, this budget contains $12.4 million in funding for transportation projects in the 17th District, most of which will go towards new auxiliary lanes for the State Route 14/Interstate-205 to 164th Avenue interchange.
For a complete list of transportation projects included in the final budget plan, click on this link, select the 17th Legislative District in the drop-down window, and then hit the “view report” button.
House Majority Fails to Fix State v. Blake Decision
One of the most important issues we needed to resolve this session was fixing the State v. Blake decision. In 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled the state’s felony drug possession statute was unconstitutional. By invalidating the statute, the possession of hard drugs – like fentanyl, methamphetamines, and heroin – became legal in Washington state.
That same year, the Legislature voted to penalize drug possession charges with a misdemeanor and mandated two pre-arrest referrals for substance abuse by law enforcement before an arrest. However, that law expires on July 1.
There were several different attempts to address this issue, including the final proposal – an amended version of Senate Bill 5536 – that was brought to the floor in the last few hours of the session on Sunday evening. It failed, with 15 Democrats joining House Republicans in voting no.
The original Senate version of this bill, which had bipartisan support from three of the four caucuses, would have been a more effective way to address this issue. Unfortunately, that means unless the governor calls a special session before the current law expires on July 1 – and lawmakers agree on a solution – possession or use of controlled substances will be legal. People will continue to abuse drugs, and we will keep losing lives. This is one of the biggest disappointments this session.
17th District Lawmakers to Host Zoom Town Hall
I will join my seatmate Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, and Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, for a virtual town hall meeting Wednesday, May 3, from 6 to 7 p.m.
The one-hour meeting held over the Zoom platform will give you an opportunity to learn more about the 2023 legislative session, which ended April 23.
In addition to reviewing some of the bills that passed in the Senate and House of Representatives and providing an update on their own legislation, we also plan to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Those who wish to participate in the meeting must click here to register for the event online.
Please Contact Me During the Interim
Thank you again for your allowing me to serve you. It’s an honor to be your voice in the Legislature, and I look forward to hearing from you throughout the interim. My door is always open, so please continue to contact me to share input. Thank you!
It’s an honor to serve
Kevin Waters
