The Year of the Monkey

Lunar New Year is on Monday, February 8! Celebrate the Year of the Monkey by attending various community events. View a calendar of Lunar New Year activities on the International Examiner website.

Legislative Update for the Week of 2/8

The 10th annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day will take place on Thursday, February 11 at the Capitol. The Commission recognizes the diverse histories and rich contributions of our refugee and immigrant populations to the State of Washington.

The fiscal cut-off is on Tuesday, February 9. This deadline applies to all bills that have a fiscal note attached to them or propose a change in the budget. Next week, legislators will be spending most of their time on the floor of the House or Senate voting on bills. Bills have until 5:00 PM on February 17 to pass the House or Senate, otherwise they are unlikely to pass this session.

The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs would like to highlight the following bills that may be of interest to the community (view the complete list of bills we are tracking this session):

Education

  • 4SHB 1541: Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap, based on the recommendations of the educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee.
  • HB 2823: Creating a program to provide students and the community with the means to report anonymously concerning unsafe or violent activities, or the threat of these activities.
  • SSB 5675: Expanding dual language and bilingual instruction for early learners through secondary students.
  • HB 2373: Making provisions to evaluate student mental health services and provide students with skills that promote mental health and well-being and increase academic performance.

Health & Human Services

  • SHB 2793: Providing for suicide awareness and prevention education for safer homes.
  • HB 2313: Concerning the age of individuals at which sale or distribution of tobacco and vapor products may be made.

Economic Development

  • HB 2129: Bringing Washington state government contracting provisions into compliance with federal law as it relates to small works bonding requirements.
  • SB 6180: Creating a disadvantaged business enterprise advisory committee within the transportation commission.
  • SB 6591 and HB 2942: Concerning the issuance of nondomiciled commercial drivers’ licenses and commercial learners’ permits to nonresidents.

Civil Rights & Justice

  • E2SHB 1745 and SB 5668: Enacting the Washington voting rights act.
  • HB 2682: Providing automatic voter registration at qualified voter registration agencies.
  • HB 2362: Concerning video and/or sound recordings made by law enforcement or corrections officers.
  • SB 6530: Providing public notices of public health, safety, and welfare in a language other than English.