Final adjournment of this year’s scheduled 60-day session took place at about 11:35 p.m. on March 10, after final passage of key budget and transportation bills.
The final supplemental budget, which was released a day prior after closed-door negotiations between House and Senate Democrats, brings the two-year operating budget to $64.1 billion — the largest in state history.
Majority Democrats also worked out the final details of their 16-year, $17 billion “Move Ahead Washington” transportation funding package.
A proposed 6-cent per gallon tax on fuel exports was removed from the final plan and replaced with transfers from the state general fund and the Public Works Trust Fund.
Also approved on final passage this week was a measure to ban the manufacture, sale and transfer of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and proposals to clarify and roll back some of the police-reform measures that were signed into law last year.
Senate Bill 5693 — making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations
Passed the House on Final Passage on March 10 by a vote of 57-41
This is the final supplemental budget proposal negotiated by House and Senate Democrats to add some $5 billion to the $59 billion 2021-23 spending plan approved last year. The plan brings the total two-year operating budget to $64.1 billion—the largest in state history. It includes a tax break for small businesses across the state, but provides no general tax relief for Washingtonians, despite a record surplus of tax collections projected by state economic forecasts. Included in the budget is a sizeable pay raise for state employees and spending increases in a broad range of state programs.
Rep. Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) Yes
Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) Yes
Senate Bill 5693 — making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations
Passed the Senate on final pssage on March 10 by a vote of 29-19 (one member excused)
Senate votes on the final bill.
Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) Yes
Senate Bill 5974 — addressing transportation resources
Passed the House on Final Passage on March 10 by a vote of 54-44
This is the revenue bill advanced by majority Democrats to fund their $17 billion, 16-year “Move Ahead Washington” transportation package. The bill does not contain a gas tax increase but would hike the fees drivers and vehicle owners pay. The original proposal contained a 6-cent per gallon fuel export tax that would have impacted Washington energy producers and raised fuel prices in neighboring states. The proposed tax was dropped from the final bill, and the expected $2 billion in revenues was partially replaced by transfers from the state general fund and Public Works Trust Fund.
Rep. Chapman Yes
Rep. Tharinger Yes
Senate Bill 5974 — addressing transportation resources
Passed the Senate on final passage on March 10 by a vote of 29-20
Senate votes on the final bill.
Sen. Van De Wege Yes
Senate Bill 5078 — addressing firearm safety measures to increase public safety
Passed the House on March 4 by a vote of 55-42 (one member excused)
This bill would ban the manufacture, distribution, and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The ban would limit not just high-capacity magazines for rifles, but also for semi-automatic pistols that often hold more than 10 rounds. The final bill removed a provision in the original bill that would have prohibited the possession of such magazines by persons who already owned them. It would also exempt law enforcement agencies and members of the armed services from the restrictions. The bill was passed by the Senate last month and is now headed to the governor for his signature.
Rep. Chapman Yes
Rep. Tharinger Yes
House Bill 2037 — modifying the standard for use of force by peace officers
Passed the Senate on March 4 by a vote of 32-16 (one member excused)
This bill was a bipartisan effort to correct what was seen by many as an overreach in police-use-of-force legislation signed into law last year. It would change existing law to permit the use of force, if necessary, to detain someone as part of an investigation. It passed the House last month by a broad bipartisan margin of 87-11 votes. In the Senate, passage of the bill was led by 21 votes from the Republican caucus. The bill has been delivered to the governor for his signature.
Sen. Van De Wege Yes
