Monday, January 11, marks the official start of the 2016 Legislative Session. Lawmakers are tasked with making decisions that will have tremendous impact on the people of our state over the next few years, including its public education, health care and human services systems. The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs is committed to keeping you up to date on legislative issues and committee meeting schedules that pertain to areas affecting the Asian Pacific American communities.

Visit our Advocacy webpage to learn more about our legislative priorities, bills we are tracking and how to access the legislature.

On January 12, 2016, Governor Inslee will deliver his State of the State Address at 12:00 PM. Watch it live here.

The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs would like to highlight the following public hearings that may be of interest to the community:

Education

The House Education Committee will hold a public hearing on January 12 on House Bill 1541, which contains the recommendations to address the educational opportunity gaps.

January 11, 2016

  • HB 1295: Concerning breakfast after the bell programs
  • HB 1855: Waiving local graduation requirements for certain students.
  • HB 2248: Concerning transition services for special education students.

January 12, 2016

  • HB 2329: Including certain residents who do not have a high school diploma or credential and the number of students expected to enroll in basic education for adult courses at community and technical colleges in caseload forecast council forecasting.
  • E2SHB 1541: Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap, based on the recommendations of the educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee.
  • SB 6163: Authorizing district charter schools.

January 13, 2016

  • 2SHB 1999: Coordinating services and programs for foster youth in order to improve educational outcomes.
  • HB 2323: Creating the Washington achieving a better life experience program.

January 14, 2016

  • SHB 1295: Concerning breakfast after the bell programs
  • SHB 1855: Waiving local graduation requirements for certain students.
  • E2SHB 1541: Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap, based on the recommendations of the educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee.
  •  HB 2248: Concerning transition services for special education students.

January 15, 2016

  • 2SHB 1999: Coordinating services and programs for foster youth in order to improve educational outcomes.
  • HB 2323: Creating the Washington achieving a better life experience program.

Health and Human Services

January 12, 2016

  • HB 2339: Addressing health coverage for residential treatment.
  • HB 1438: Permitting cities, towns and counties to prohibit the production, processing and sale of marijuana under Initiative Measure No. 502 only by public vote.
  • HB 2307: Providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace for pregnant women.

January 13, 2016

  • HB 2313: Concerning the age of individuals at which sale or distribution of tobacco and vapor products may be made.
  • HB 2340: Addressing the Washington state health insurance pool.

Economic Development

January 13, 2016

  •  HB 2129: Bringing Washington state government contracting provisions into compliance with federal law as it relates to small works bonding requirements.
  •  SB 6033: Establishing a task force to examine state and local regulations that affect small businesses.

January 15, 2016

  • HB 2334: Concerning the excise taxation of martial arts.

Public Safety

January 13, 2016

  • HB 2280: Making felony driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, or any drug a class B felony.

January 15, 2016

  • EHB 1632: Concerning domestic violence.

Judiciary

January 14, 2016

  • SHB 1917: Concerning video and/or sound recordings made by law enforcement or corrections officers.

Legislative Committees

Visit the Committee webpage for a full list of committees and their weekly agendas.

Resources