Legislative Session Update

Governor Jay Inslee delivered the 2018 State of the State on January 9th and called on legislators to “forge a prosperous path for the next generation.”

Next week, the Legislature will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Monday afternoon, legislation that would create a premium assistance program for Washington residents who are citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau is scheduled to be heard by lawmakers. Funding that would implement House Bill 1291 and Senate Bill 5683 was included in Gov. Inslee’s 2018 supplemental budget proposal.

Later in the week, legislators will hold public hearings on automatic voter registration, reducing carbon pollution, wrongful injury or death statute, and more.

Learn more about next week’s legislative schedule.

Bill Tracking

The Commission is tracking legislation that may be of interest to Asian and Pacific Islander communities that pertain to civil rights & justice, economic development, education, and health and human services. The Commission will periodically update its bill tracking list with the status of the bills.

View the bill tracking list.

Members of the Legislature welcome your feedback and messages. You can leave a message by contacting the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. For limited English proficient callers, the Hotline offers interpreter services for many languages. Visit our webpage for additional ways to access the Legislature.

Rulemaking Hearing on WAC 34-04-080

The Commission will be holding a public hearing for the purpose of conducting rulemaking to adopt the new fee schedule for public records requests established in RCW 42.56.120, as amended by section 3, chapter 304, Laws of 2017. Members of the public are welcome to provide feedback at the Rulemaking Hearing, which begins at 1:00 PM. More details are available via the Washington State Register, WSR 17-24-071.

Additionally, the Commission will be reviewing its 2018 legislative agenda and priorities, sharing updates from the 2018 legislative session, and discussing the direction of its Needs Assessment. Public Comment will be available from 11:30 to 11:40 AM.

Visit the Commission’s website to learn more about the Public Board Meeting.

Governor’s office recruiting for Ruth Woo Fellowship

The office of Gov. Jay Inslee, in partnership with the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA), is recruiting individuals with a commitment to civil rights and equality for the Ruth Woo Fellowship.

The fellowship is named after Ruth Woo, a civil rights leader who fought for social justice and equality for all people. Her early involvement in politics included working for Gov. Dan Evans during the Asian American civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Over many decades, Ruth mentored would-be chiefs of staff, county executives, state Supreme Court justices, and governors. Ruth passed away in Seattle on July 13, 2016 at the age of 89.

The Ruth Woo Fellow will be based in the Governor’s office in Olympia and gain a hands-on learning experience in state government. In addition, the Ruth Woo Fellow will have an opportunity to make important connections with community leaders and elected and public officials connected to Ruth Woo and to learn more about her life and work.

The fellowship, which is part of the Governor’s Leadership Academy, seeks currently enrolled college and graduate students who are interested in public service and understand the importance of achieving social justice and equality for all Washingtonians. The Ruth Woo Fellow will begin the 10-week program in June and will receive compensation for their 28 hours/week internship.

Information about the program and application process is available on CAPAA’s website.

Serve on the Commission

The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) has an advisory board made up of twelve Governor-appointed commissioners representing the state’s diverse Asian Pacific American communities. CAPAA is currently accepting applications for candidates interested in serving on the Commission.

The Commission serves to improve the well-being of Asian Pacific Americans by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, health and other areas. If selected, the individual will help examine and define issues pertaining to the rights and needs of Asian Pacific Americans. Commissioners also make recommendations to the Governor and state agencies with respect to desirable changes in program and law.

Commissioners serve on a voluntary basis and have the responsibility to maintain communication with the community they represent as well as to the Board. They are expected to keep the community and board informed on issues, legislative activity, and statutes affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Commissioners serve three year terms. As part of their duties, Commissioners are expected to attend CAPAA’s public board meetings that are held five times a year around the state.

Upcoming Community Events & Opportunities