Bills: HB2236, HB2281, HB2514, HB2551, HB2668

Keywords: housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism, HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War

Bills: HB2514, HB2551, HB2236, HB2470

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard several bills. Substitute House Bill 2281 would require state agencies to consult with tribes before actions affecting tribal traditional cultural places and, under the substitute, would prohibit undue burdens on tribal traditional cultural practices unless justified by a compelling state interest and least restrictive means. Supporters, including tribal representatives, said the bill would better protect sacred sites and give tribes an enforceable remedy; an industry representative asked for narrower, clearer language. House Bill 2514 would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror memorial on the Capitol campus, including names to honor, site options, design, and funding; the sponsor said it would help turn an existing authorization into a concrete plan and fundraising path. House Bill 2551 would let school districts with ending fund balances at or below 3% seek OSPI approval to sell real property to restore financial stability and avoid binding conditions, with rules to ensure transparency and limit use to once every five years. The Tacoma School District supported the bill as a tool to manage severe budget pressure, while a committee member raised concerns about possible effects on local land use and gentrification. Substitute House Bill 2668 would direct Fish and Wildlife to identify alternate locations for the Bob Oake Game Farm and seek future capital funding to relocate and remediate the current site because of nitrate contamination affecting the Centralia area aquifer. Centralia officials, county public health, and tribal representatives said relocation is needed to protect drinking water and avoid much larger future treatment costs, while noting the farm should continue operating elsewhere. The committee also took executive action on the proposed substitute for House Bill 2470, which would increase school construction assistance for projects on military bases by adding 15% to the state match. Supporters said military families need safe, quality school facilities; one member voted no, citing concerns about federal responsibility and the bill’s relationship to school district financial pressures. The substitute passed the committee 15-1, with three excused.

Bills: HB2514, HB2352, HB2475, HB2206, HJR4210, HB2447, HB2661, HB2572

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary: The State Government and Tribal Relations Committee met on policy cutoff day and took executive action on eight measures. Members first heard brief descriptions of House Bill 2514, creating a work group for the Global War on Terror Memorial; House Bill 2352, aligning the state conflict-of-interest threshold with the 1% municipal threshold; House Bill 2475, concerning agency implementation of Office of Equity guidelines; House Bill 2206, updating uniformed and overseas voting rules; House Joint Resolution 4210, removing directional limits on regular legislative sessions; House Bill 2447, naming the bluntnose sixgill shark the state shark; House Bill 2661, modernizing the Public Records Act through a JLARC review/work group; and House Bill 2572, expanding voting services for tribal members, overseas and service voters, and voters with disabilities. The committee adopted Amendment Omley 314 to HB 2475, changing the bill so agencies would report how they would implement equity guidelines, rather than being required to follow them directly. HB 2475 then passed 4-3, with some members supporting the flexibility and others objecting that the bill was too narrow and did not adequately address tribal language access. On HB 2206, several amendments were withdrawn; Omley 297 and Omley 288 were adopted, while Omley 294 and Omley 295 were rejected. The adopted changes clarified the definition of overseas voter and made a technical cleanup, and the substitute bill passed 4-3. Members supporting the bill emphasized ballot access and consistency with federal law, while opponents raised concerns about voter nexus to Washington and possible security or abuse issues. HB 2514, HB 2352, HB 2447, HB 2661, HB 2572, and HJR 4210 all advanced out of committee as well. HB 2514 passed unanimously, HB 2352 passed 6-1, HB 2447 passed unanimously after lighthearted discussion, HB 2661 passed unanimously after adoption of the Walsh striking amendment shifting the task force work to JLARC, HB 2572 passed 4-3 with concerns focused on the electronic ballot portal, and HJR 4210 passed 5-2, with supporters saying it would give the legislature more time to make policy and opponents warning it could open the door to a year-round legislature. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and announced the committee would reconvene the following Tuesday for a tentative agreement and work session.