Lunell Haught, President
Joan Lawson, Advocacy Portfolio Director
Amy Peloff, Editor

April 4, 2021 Vol. 53, Issue 13
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Testify for a Bill Online

Action Alerts

Click on the links below to learn more about bills currently being reviewed in the state legislature. You can "take action" on these most pressing bills by sending a suggested, editable email to legislators, encouraging them to vote to promote the League issue in question.

Take Action to End Debt-Based Driver's License Suspensions

Under current law, two people charged with a moving violation may be subjected to vastly different consequences based solely on their ability to pay the resulting fine. Those who are unable to pay can be charged with the crime of Driving While License Suspended in the 3rd degree (DWLS3), which may result in additional fines and even jail time. DWLS3 is one of the most commonly charged crimes in Washington and disproportionately impacts people of color and young adults. The law needs to be reformed, but SB 5226 as amended does not do the job. Tell your representatives to restore the bill to its original form and stop punishing people for “driving while poor.”

► Ask your state representatives to vote no.

The Senate Must Vote Now for a Price on Carbon

We are running out of time to put a price on carbon. Ask your senator to vote for SB 5126, the Washington Climate Commitment Act. This investment now will save money later.

► Ask your senator to vote yes on the SB 5126, the Climate Commitment Act.

Visit the Current Actions page to learn how to support all actions.

April 11 Deadline to Get Bills Passed

By Deb Carstens, Criminal Justice Issue Chair

We are nearing the end of the 2021 legislative session, with a big deadline coming up a week from today! Bills must pass out of the opposite house (i.e. House bills must pass the Senate and Senate bills must pass the House) by 5:00 pm on April 11. Please see this week’s Action Alerts as well as the web pages for each issue to find our priority bills. Take a moment to email your legislators (you can find your legislative district here) and ask them to vote YES when those bills come to the floor.

LWVWA Issues

The LWVWA supports the following League Legislative Issues in the current Washington state legislative session. Click on an issue to learn more, including current and upcoming bills affecting the issue. In this virtual legislative session, you can also testify for a bill online.

DEMOCRACY

Elections | Voting rights restoration passes the Senate.

Election Security | Ensure secure, accurate, and transparent elections.

Money in Politics | Speak up for SR 1 in Congress.

Redistricting and Census | Speak Up Schools have started. Don't miss out on the fun. Your voting power starts here.

FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECTS

Climate Change | Many climate bills still working through the legislative process.

Energy | Energy bills this session mostly focused on reducing climate change.

Natural Resources | Northwest older forests find new significance combating global warming.

Transportation | A new transportation budget will be adopted this year and emphasis will be on reducing the net impact of transportation systems on climate change.

ENSURING SOCIAL JUSTICE

Criminal Justice | Tell your legislators to vote YES on priority bills!

Social Justice | Visit our Issue Web Page for additional social justice bills that need action.

Gun Safety | Ask your representatives to vote yes on ESSB 5038.

Housing and Homelessness | Increased investment in affordable housing and homelessness prevention programs.

Health Care, Behavioral Health and Reproductive Rights | Take action to control total health system expenditures.

IMPROVE EDUCATION

Public Education | Fully fund K-12 education and increase funding for student support services, including broadband access.

ESTABLISHING FAIR REVENUE

Adequate and Fair Revenue and Budget | Help pass fair and adequate revenue

How to testify for a bill online

In addition to contacting your legislators via Action Alerts, bill comments, emails and phone calls, you can register to testify remotely, submit written testimony or have your position noted for the legislative record. Speak for yourself and explain your personal interest in the bill. Unless you obtain permission, you should not emphasize the League in testimony.

Just follow these steps:

Visit the "Participating in Committee Hearings" section of the Washington State Legislature's website.
Press the "Register to Testify Remotely" button, even if you just want to submit written testimony or have your position noted for the record.
Select House or Senate.
Use the dropdown menus at the top to select the committee and the hearing date and time.
Select the bill you’re interested in, then select the type of testimony — oral, written or noting your position for the record — and follow the directions provided.
Fill out your identifying information, then hit "Submit" at the bottom.

Calendar

Friday, April 2—Last day to pass bills out of committee and read them into the record on the floor from House fiscal committees, Senate Ways and Means and Senate transportation committees.
Tuesday, April 6 at 5 p.m.—The IF Project Screening and Panel Discussion. Register online.

Other ways to follow the state legislature

Washington State Legislature website, leg.wa.gov.
Washington state's public affairs TV network, TVW.org.