February 26 is Asian Pacific American Legislative Day. APA’s from all over Washington will convene at the Capitol in Olympia to rally and meet with legislators to voice their concerns.
The Commission would like to invite the public to participate in these activities at the Capitol:
Save the date for the annual Ethnic Commission Legislative Reception, which will take place on March 16, 2015 in the Columbia Room on the ground floor of the Legislative Building beginning at 6 PM.
February 20th is the first bill cut-off date for this session. Legislators have voted on bills to recommend to move out of committees of origin and into other committees for consideration. Review the bill cut-off dates.
The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs would like to highlight the following bills of interest that are continuing to move this session (visit our Bill Tracker for additional bills we are tracking this session):
Education
- HB 1541 Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap, based on the recommendations of the educational opportunity gap and oversight and accountability committee
- HB 1760 Providing students with skills that promote mental health and well-being and increased academic performance
- HB 1783 Expanding dual language and bilingual instruction for early learners through secondary students
- HB 1408 Concerning the development of a definition and model for “family engagement coordinator” and other terms used interchangeably with it
- HB 1570 and SB 5312 Creating flexibility for the educator retooling conditional scholarship program
- HB 2006 and SB 5787 Concerning a model policy and procedures for language access by limited-English proficient parents of students
- HB 1491 and SSB 5452 Improving quality in the early care and education system
Health & Human Services
- SB 5689 Concerning the scope and costs of the diabetes epidemic in Washington
- SB 5519 Enacting the comprehensive marijuana reform act
- SB 5401 Allowing the Washington state liquor control board to accept donations for funding informational material for the purpose of improving public awareness about marijuana consumption
- SB 5402 Ensuring safe, responsible, and legal acquisition of marijuana by adults
Economic Development & Security
- HB 1355 Increasing the minimum hourly wage to twelve dollars over four years
- SHB 1436 and SB 5404 Concerning homeless youth prevention and protection
- SHB 1314 Implementing a carbon pollution market program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions