By Jim Hedrick, GSI WA State Lobbyist and Spokane Regional Advocate
Friday afternoon, especially early in session, is customarily a slow time for the legislative week. Committee hearings usually wrap up in the 1:30 to 3pm time slot and legislators who can’t commute during the week and don’t have committees usually take off for their homes or are in their offices. This Friday afternoon saw the House take to the first floor action of the session, however no bills were on the floor calendar. House Democrats took up House Resolution 4607 to amend the House Rules, those internal protocols by which the House governs itself.
Democrats changed the threshold needed to end debate or “call for the previous question” from a two-thirds (65) to a simple (50) majority vote on all recognized motions or amendments. This is to ensure Democrats can hold off debate later in session when floor speeches and numerous amendments or “papering a bill” comes into play by the minority party trying to run out the clock on bills at cutoff. Another change by majority House Democrats was eliminating the practice of allowing the governor’s designees into the House Chamber while the House is in session; a courtesy that has been extended to the chief executive for decades.
As a backlash of Governor Ferguson striking a bi-partisan tone during his inaugural address, House Democrats will allow the governor, but not his full entourage to enter the chamber. House Republicans offered several amendments from establishing a public hearing process on conference reports to limiting the number of bills a legislator can introduce in an election year. None of the Republican amendments were adopted. The day came to a close at about 4:30pm, still enough time for many to get home.
This week saw movement on several major legislative issues, including waste management and rental housing.
Waste Management
Recycling reform is poised to dominate the 2025 Washington State Legislature, with two competing bills at the forefront. HB 1150, sponsored by Rep. Liz Berry (D-36) and known as the “Recycling Reform Act,” proposes a producer responsibility program to shift recycling costs from consumers to producers. The program would impose fees on producers based on the type and recyclability of their packaging and paper products. The bill garnered strong support during a House Environment & Energy Committee hearing, with 925 individuals and organizations— including Zero Waste Washington, the Washington Education Association, and Climate Solutions—signing in favor. Labor groups like Teamsters JC 28 also backed the bill, citing job creation opportunities. However, opposition was vocal. The Washington Waste & Refuse Association and the Washington Hospitality Association raised concerns, including potential household cost increases of $36–$57 per month, as indicated by studies from New York. Critics also called for a comprehensive needs assessment. HB 1071, sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey (D-27), takes a slower approach, advocating for a needs assessment before advancing recycling reforms. While supported by industry groups, HB 1071 has drawn criticism from environmental organizations that argue immediate action is necessary. These debates follow similar proposals, like the Wrap Act of 2023 and the Re-Wrap Act of 2024.
Rental Housing
HB 1217, introduced by Rep. Emily Alvarado (D-34), focuses on rent stabilization and tenant protections. Passed by the House Housing Committee on January 20, the bill:
- Caps rent and fee increases at 7% annually, prohibiting increases during the first 12 months of tenancy.
- Requires advanced notice for rent increases and regulates fees, deposits, and lease terminations.
- Establishes enforcement mechanisms, including lawsuits and actions under the Consumer Protection Act.
- Directs the Department of Commerce to create a landlord resource center and conduct a social vulnerability assessment on rent stabilization.
The bill passed the committee along party lines, with nine Democrats voting in favor and eight Republicans opposed. Newly elected Rep. Adison Richards (D-26) voted “without recommendation.” A Senate companion bill, SB 5222 (Trudeau, D-27), is also under consideration. Given the 2025 Senate’s potentially less conservative makeup, rent stabilization measures may have better chances of passage compared to 2024.
Final Legislative Appointments
Final appointments also took place this week. Rep. Emily Alvarado (D-34) transitioned to the Senate, with Brianna Thomas (D), a senior advisor to Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, filling her House seat. Thomas previously ran unsuccessfully for Seattle City Council twice. Meanwhile, Janice Zahn (D), a Bellevue City Councilmember and Port of Seattle employee, succeeded Rep. Tana Senn (D-41), who now serves as the Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Results Washington
Governor Bob Ferguson announced this week the appointment of former journalist Jesse Jones as the new director of Results Washington, the agency tasked with improving government performance for the people of Washington. Results Washington was established by Governor Jay Inslee in 2013 through Executive Order 13-04 and works with state agencies to set measurable goals, gather performance data, and conduct regular public reviews to enhance efficiency. Jones, a nationally recognized, award-winning investigative reporter, has spent over three decades driving change through results-oriented journalism. His impactful work includes exposing ticket scalping practices, advocating for free credit freezes, and investigating real estate contracts that locked homeowners into decades-long commitments—efforts that contributed to changes in Washington state law.
Fish & Wildlife Commission
On his next to last day in office Governor Inslee appointed two individuals to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. Lynn O’Connor, a business owner and former park aide and ranger, for an eastern Washington seat and Tim Ragen, a marine mammal research expert and Vice Chair since 2024, would continue serving in a Western Washington seat. Against the backdrop of a report released this week by the Ruckelshaus Center, Governor Ferguson on Thursday asked the Senate to “redact” the Inslee appointees.
The joint UW/WSU study gives the governor and lawmakers reason to question the effectiveness of the commission’s structure and what can be done to improve it — including potentially dissolving the citizen-led panel altogether. Based on interviews with more than 100 people who have knowledge and experience with the commission, the report assessed the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s structure, funding, transparency, communication with the public, and ability to deal with climate change and biodiversity loss. The report found there was significant confusion around the scope of the department’s work, its finances, and how it communicates with Tribes and the public. It also said there’s murkiness surrounding the department’s legal mandate. The future of the Commission as a direct cabinet-level agency under the governor or dissolved altogether will be a continuous topic for the 2025 session and probably into next year.
About the Author
Jim Hedrick is GSI’s State Lobbyist and Owner of H2 Government Relations. Jim has advocated on behalf of our community for more than 20 years and has 25 years of experience in the Washington State legislative and public policy venue as a fiscal analyst, legislative advocate, and political advisor to the Governor, state agency directors, and legislative officials.
About this Blog
This is week 2 of our Legislative Session. Read what happened during week 1.
*As part of GSI’s year-round work with our community to advance policies that support the success of local businesses, we’re active in Washington State’s current legislative session – tracking bills, advocating on behalf of our community, planning our annual trip to Olympia, communicating our State Agenda, and working with our lobbyist, our Regional Advocacy Committee, and our elected officials, to advance priorities that support local businesses and enhance our community. Learn more about what we do to create a greater voice for the future of our region and view this year’s State Agenda.
