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Fix Democracy First Legislative Weekly 02/21/2022

Posted on February 21, 2022

WA Democracy Legislation Weekly Newsletter February 21, 2022

Washington State Democracy Legislation & Action Needed

SESSION UPDATE: Last Tuesday, February 15th, was the cutoff date to for bills to pass their respective chamber. Several bills are no longer moving forward and will no longer be considered for this session. Any bill not passed this year, will have to be reintroduced next session in 2023 and will have new bill numbers. Please note a b ill status can quickly change, so click on the link to the bill page to find the latest information. Updated actions and comment requests are linked below. Thank you!

Other Ways to Follow WA State Legislation:
• Visit WA State Legislature website @ leg.wa.gov
• View WA Legislative Hearings @ TVW.org

BILLS STILL ALIVE:

Voting Rights Act Enhancements:

SB 5597 – WA Voting Rights Act Enhancements

Status & Hearings: PASSED the Senate on Feb 10th.  It had a public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations on Feb 17th, and scheduled for executive session on Feb 23rd @ 8 am.

Bill Summary: 

  • Codifies factors which establish a presumptive case of vote dilution in violation of the Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA).
  • Establishes a mechanism for claimants who send successful notices of potential WVRA violations to recover costs of up to $50,000 from jurisdictions for research needed to send the notice.
  • Requires certain jurisdictions to obtain pre-clearance for changes to covered voting practices.
  • Establishes a data repository at the University of Washington to assist jurisdictions and researches in election best practices.
*Register your support for SB 5597*
Submit Your Comments to Support HERE

Prison Gerrymandering:

SB 5583 – Local redistricting to reflect last known residence for incarcerated persons

Status & Hearings: PASSED the Senate on Feb 8th. Scheduled for a public hearing in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee on Feb 21st @ 1:30 pm, and executive session on Feb 23rd @ 8 am. 

Bill Summary: It is the responsibility of each county, municipal corporation, and special purpose district with a governing to periodically adjust census data for local redistricting to reflect the last known place of residence for incarcerated persons.

*ACTION NEEDED*
Sign in PRO by Feb 21st @ 1:30 pm for SB 5583 HERE
*Also register your SUPPORT for SB 5583*
Submit Your Comments to Support HERE

Redistricting Plan:

SB 5560 – Procedures for approval and submission of the redistricting plan

Status & Hearings: PASSED the Senate on Feb 2nd.  It had a public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations on Feb 17th and scheduled for executive session on Feb 21st @ 1:30 pm. 

Bill Summary: 

  • Redistricting plan must include at least:(a) Maps showing the division of the state into congressional and legislative districts; and(b) complete descriptions of each district using official census units, such as tracts and blocks, sufficient to codify the plan.
  • The redistricting plan must be prepared and published and be made available to the public at the time the plan is submitted to the legislature.
  • The commission must make a redistricting plan publicly available at least 72 hours before voting to approve the plan. Once the plan has been made publicly available, any amendments to the plan must be debated and voted on in open session, and at least 24 hours must pass after any amendments are adopted before the commission may vote on final approval of the plan.
*Register your support for SB 5560
Submit Your Comments to Support HERE

Community Councils:

HB 1769 – Sunsetting Community Councils

Status & Hearings: PASSED the House on Feb 12th. Scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Housing & Local Government Committee on Feb 22nd @ 8 am, and executive session on Feb 23rd @ 10:30 am.

Bill Summary: Sunsets the last two community councils in Washington state in Houghton Community Council in Kirkland and East Bellevue Community Council in Bellevue.

*ACTION NEEDED*
Sign in PRO by Feb 22nd @ 8 am for HB 1769 HERE
*Also register your SUPPORT for HB 1769*
Submit Your Comments to Support HERE

Ballot Impact Statements:

HB 1876 – Adds a fiscal impact statement to ballot measures

Status & Hearings: PASSED the House on Feb 12th. It had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government and Elections on Feb 18th, and awaiting executive action.

Bill Summary: This bill would add public investment impact disclosures for certain ballot measures that repeal, levy, or modify any tax or fee and have a fiscal impact showing how adoption of the measure would cause a net change in state revenue.

*Register your SUPPORT for HB 1876
*Submit Your Comments to Support HERE

Election Officials Protection:

SB 5148 – Concerning the harassment of election officials.

Status & Hearings: PASSED the Senate on Jan 12th.Referred to the House Public Safety Committee and still awaiting a hearing.

Bill Summary: Elevates the crime of harassment to a Class C felony when the harassment is directed at an election official with the Secretary of State or county auditor’s office.

*Register your SUPPORT for SB 5148*
Submit Your Comments to Support HERE

BILLS NOT MOVING FORWARD THIS SESSION:

Secure Automatic Voter Registration:

SB 5636 – Expanding and Enhancing Automatic Voter Registration

Bill Summary: Modifies voter registration at the Department of Licensing (DOL) and Health Benefit Exchange to make registration of eligible applicants automatic with the agency transaction unless subsequently declined in writing. 

Ranked Choice Voting:

Local Options for Ranked Choice Voting

HB 1156 &  SB 5584 –  Bill Summary: Permits the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in elections for offices in counties, cities, towns, school districts, fire districts, and port districts, and establishes certain requirements for RCV ballot design and vote tabulation.

Ranked Choice Voting for Presidential Primaries – 2 bills 

HB 1926 & SB 5851 – Bill Summary:  The presidential primary shall be conducted using ranked choice voting, unless a party has fielded two or fewer candidates, in which case the presidential primary for that party shall be conducted in substantially the same manner as a state primary under this title. 

Advisory Votes:

SB 5182 – Eliminating Advisory Votes

Bill Summary: 

  • Repeals the requirement that advisory votes for tax increase legislation appear on the ballot and voters’ pamphlet.
  • Requires that a fiscal impact statement appear in the voters’ pamphlet for legislation passed affecting state revenues.
  • Requires that a pie chart showing operating budget expenditures for the most recent biennium appear in the voters’ pamphlet.

Election Officials Protection:

HB 1618 – Prohibiting weapons at election-related offices

  • Restricts the carrying and possession of firearms and other specified weapons in certain election offices and facilities.
  • Requires posted notice of such restrictions at election offices and facilities.

Odd-Year Elections:

HB 1727 – Eliminating Odd-Year Elections

Bill Summary: Eliminates odd-year elections in Washington State, including special elections. Includes all state, county, city, town, and district general elections for the election of federal, state, legislative, judicial, county, city, town, and district officers, and for any measure (referendums and ballot initiatives) for adoption and approval or rejection. The benefit and goal is to increase voter participation, as currently odd-year elections have the lowest turnout and decisions are often made by a minority of the voters.

Public Disclosure:

HB 1919 – Public Disclosure Commission Recommendations

Bill Summary:

  • Updates campaign reporting deadlines to ensure voters have weekly access to campaign financing information to match the longer period ballots are available for voting.
  • Clarifying for the voter when political ads are endorsing a candidate who is running in a different election or a race other than the current one, and ads that encourage votes for a person who is not a candidate as of the date the ad is run.

 Conservation Districts

HB 1910 – Conservation District Elections

Bill Summary: This bill would put all conservation district elections on the regular ballot, all positions will be elected, landownership requirement will be removed, and public disclosure will be required. 

Close Lobbying Revolving Door:

SB 5170 – Employment After Public Service in State Government

Bill Summary:

  • Prohibits various state officers and employees from receiving compensation for certain lobbying activities for one year after leaving state service.
  • Requires state officers and employees subject to that prohibition to file post-employment disclosure statements.
  • Requires display of post-employment disclosure statements on the Executive Ethics Board’s website. 

Women’s Suffrage Day:

HB 1485 – Women’s Suffrage Day a Legal Holiday

Bill Summary: Designates March 22 to be a state legal holiday, recognized as Women’s Suffrage Day.


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Trump team urged Ukraine to take U.S. deportees amid war, documents showBy Adam Taylor, SARAH BLASKEY and Siobhán O'GradyThe Washington PostThe Trump administration earlier this year urged the Ukrainian government to accept an unspecified number of U.S. deportees who are citizens of other countries, according to documents reviewed by The Washington Post, an extraordinary request of a nation at war and dependent on American military and financial support for its survival.The documents do not indicate how officials in Kyiv responded to the late-January proposal, relayed by a senior U.S. diplomat, that called for sending third-country nationals to Ukraine amid Russia’s deadly, devastating invasion — and despite the absence of a functioning airport there due to continual air attacks. A Ukrainian diplomat informed the U.S. Embassy only that her government would offer a response once it formulated a position, according to the documents, which show that similar proposals were issued to several other countries around the same date.Ukraine has not accepted any third-party nationals from the United States, and there is no indication that Kyiv seriously considered the American proposal. Two Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter, who like some others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss interactions with the Trump administration, said the topic never reached the government’s highest level. One of the officials said he was unaware of any “political demands” made by the United States regarding its desire for Ukraine to take in deportees.The State Department said in a statement that “ongoing engagement with foreign governments” was “vital to deterring illegal and mass migration and securing our borders.” The agency referred questions about the Ukraine proposal to the Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond to requests for comment.These documents and others reviewed by The Post offer new insight into President Donald Trump’s attempt to dramatically expand deportations as he seeks to upend U.S. immigration policy using unorthodox and potentially controversial means. Dated January to May, they show that since taking office, his administration has worked aggressively, and often out of public view, to grow the number of nations that will accept third-country nationals from the U.S., routinely dangling incentives or leveraging the prospect of improved relations with Washington in pursuing its objectives.A few governments in Latin America, including El Salvador, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, have agreed to receive deportees who are not their citizens. The Trump administration courted some of these countries, granting Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele a White House visit and paying his government millions of dollars to house U.S. deportees in a notorious prison. Others it has bullied with tariff threats and other measures — including, in the case of Panama, threats to retake the Panama Canal.Yael Schacher, director for the Americas and Europe at the humanitarian organization Refugees International, said it appears the Trump administration is targeting governments “it knows want to curry favor and are under pressure.”Before and after last year’s election, Trump’s rhetoric repeatedly signaled his willingness to leverage Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. military aid, pronouncements that appeared to grow more brash once he entered office in January. Tensions peaked in late February, with a remarkable Oval Office argument between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, cooling slightly only after Kyiv conceded to some of the administration’s demands, including an agreement granting U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.Schacher, an immigration historian, also noted the administration’s efforts to woo Rwanda — an African nation with a poor human rights record that is also at the center of U.S.-led efforts to end a long-running conflict. Its leaders have agreed to take in third-country nationals deported by the U.S.Previous U.S. governments have worked with foreign nations to receive third-country nationals, Schacher said, “but the extent of this outreach is new.”“What’s unusual,” she added, “is the variety of arrangements, their ad hoc nature, their clear quid pro quos and the amount of money the administration will put behind them.” ... See MoreSee Less

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U.S. Senator Patty Murray is fighting to protect and ensure the Department of Education continues to serve our country. ... See MoreSee Less

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Knock knock.Who’s there?The annual Norm and Shirley Miller Leadership dinner with keynote speaker, Governor Bob Ferguson!Get your tickets at:secure.actblue.com/donate/nsmdld2025 ... See MoreSee Less

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Voters: "Can we please get lower grocery prices?"Trump: "The best I can do is mess with Canada." ... See MoreSee Less

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"So what if I'm violating the emoluments clause, I don't know about anything in the Constitution," said the openly corrupt official.www.axios.com/2025/05/06/trump-coin-democrats-crypto-stablecoin?fbclid=IwY2xjawKHMoFleHRuA2FlbQIx... ... See MoreSee Less

Exclusive: Democrats target Trump's meme coin, family's crypto empire

www.axios.com

Concerns over the Trump family's crypto ventures is threatening the passage of the bipartisan GENIUS Act.
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Party Calendar

May 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    May 1, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • May Day!! Day of Mobilization

    May Day!! Day of Mobilization

    May 1, 2025  5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    Join us for this day of mobilization. We are standing to demand a country that puts our families over those with fortunes—public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, prosperity over free market politics.

    May Day 2025 we are standing united. We're organizing for a world where every family has housing, healthcare, fair wages, union protection, and safety—regardless of race, zip code, or immigration status.

    See more details

• •
2
3
  • Cinco de Mayo Booth

    Cinco de Mayo Booth

    May 3, 2025  8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    Peanuts Park, 109 S 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301, USA

    Signup Here

    See more details

  • Cinco de Mayo Parade Walk!

    Cinco de Mayo Parade Walk!

    May 3, 2025  9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Meet near the Pasco police training parking lot, 204 W Clark St, Pasco

    The parade route is 1.1 miles. Please arrive early to make sure you can find parking and find us. A google map link will be posted on social media the morning of to help you find our exact staging location. Call or text 509-987-5472 if you need help finding us. The parade will start at 10am.

    Ok to bring Free Sergio signs - we will have handouts for the crowd. Please wear white, red, blue or green. Let's celebrate the day and share a handout about Indivisible TC.

    See more details

  • Cinco de Mayo Parade

    Cinco de Mayo Parade

    May 3, 2025  9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
    Pasco City Hall, 525 N 3rd Ave, Pasco, WA 99301, USA

    See more details

  • Cinco de Mayo Booth

    Cinco de Mayo Booth

    May 3, 2025  11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
    Peanuts Park, 109 S 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301, USA

    Signup Here

    See more details

• • • •
4
5
6
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    May 6, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Free Sergio Eat in

    Free Sergio Eat in

    May 6, 2025  5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    7425 W. Clearwater, Kennewick

    Join us to support Sergio and Gabby!!
    We will be having an “Eat In”.
    When: Tuesday, May 6th 5-7pm
    Where: at their food truck, 7425 W. Clearwater
    We must stand together for this family!! And have some delicious food.
    #FreeSergio
    In solidarity!

    See more details

  • Richland City Council

    Richland City Council

    May 6, 2025  7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• • •
7
  • BCDCC Organization Committee Meeting

    BCDCC Organization Committee Meeting

    May 7, 2025  6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    Richland Public Library 955 Northgate Dr, Richland, WA 99352

    Agenda:

    PCO Recruiting

    Votebuilder Training (VAN Training #1)

    Postcards

    See more details

  • BenCoDems Organizing Committee

    BenCoDems Organizing Committee

    May 7, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Dr, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    Conference room A

    See more details

• •
8
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    May 8, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • Labor Unions 101 Training

    Labor Unions 101 Training

    May 8, 2025  6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IW21k8gUSS2xkg-ladIbRA#/registration

    Osta Davis from the Washington State Labor Council will be joining us to teach democrats about how unions interact with the political ecosystem and how to collectively organize!
    May 8th at 6 PM

    See more details

• •
9
  • Tri-City Democrats Meeting/Potluck

    Tri-City Democrats Meeting/Potluck

    May 9, 2025  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    For current location please visit https://www.facebook.com/TriCityDems/

    See more details

•
10
11
12
  • Benton County Executive Board

    Benton County Executive Board

    May 12, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair.

    See more details

•
13
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    May 13, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Kennewick City Council Workshop

    Kennewick City Council Workshop

    May 13, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

    See more details

• •
14
15
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    May 15, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • Norm and Shirley Miller Democratic Leadership Dinner

    Norm and Shirley Miller Democratic Leadership Dinner

    May 15, 2025  5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Riverfront Hotel, 50 Comstock St. Richland, WA.

    Join us early at 5:00 pm for socializing with many who share the same views and values!
    A select no-host bar will be available throughout the evening.

    Dinner and program begins at 6:00 pm.

    Keynote Speaker: Governor Bob Ferguson
    Purchase tickets here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nsmdld2025

    See more details

  • Realities of Running for Office Panel

    Realities of Running for Office Panel

    May 15, 2025  6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lthQudirR-eRa8pLV0Otuw#/registration

    This training will be a panel of candidates and consultants moderated by Jessica Forsythe from Emerge WA, about what the realities of running for office are like and how to be a good candidate!
    May 15th at 6 PM

    See more details

• • •
16
17
18
19
20
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    May 20, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council

    Richland City Council

    May 20, 2025  7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
21
22
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    May 22, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

  • How to Fundraise Training

    How to Fundraise Training

    May 22, 2025  6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-L-HU3JhS7-OeBxnVMvtAQ#/registration

    Learn how to effectively fundraise and raise money for your local organizations. Joe Barden, The state party Development Director will teach you about the ins and outs of the process!
    May 22nd at 6 PM

    See more details

  • BCDCC General Public Meeting

    BCDCC General Public Meeting

    May 22, 2025  6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair.

    See more details

• • •
23
24
25
26
27
  • TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    TCD Democrats Protest Tuesday

    May 27, 2025  3:45 PM - 5:45 PM
    John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:45pm to 5:45PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/

    See more details

  • Richland City Council Workshop

    Richland City Council Workshop

    May 27, 2025  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA

    See more details

• •
28
  • How to Build a Message Training

    How to Build a Message Training

    May 28, 2025  6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wuf_qJ9sTAytiGwdaakqnw#/registration

    This training will be led by Be Clear, a messaging firm who helps political organizations effectively message their policies and causes to the public. This training will cover best practices for messaging the important work you do to the public.
    May 28th at 6 PM

    See more details

•
29
  • Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs

    May 29, 2025  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    https://zoom.us/j/94107976607?pwd=qZeb9jUuH9e3DwVvukrhqxuwrNTWvv.1

    Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! Zoom link below, let me know if you need the mobile version. These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends.

    See more details

•
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