The Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC)released its 2015 annual report and recommendations to address the opportunity gaps. EOGOAC Co-Chair Frieda Takamura and Sili Savusa represent the Commission on the Committee. The recommendations address school discipline, cultural competency, data disaggregation, English Language Learners, wrap-around services, and family engagement.
The Commission would like to invite the public to participate in these activities at the Capitol:
- February 19, 2015 is the Day of Remembrance, the annual day of recognition in remembrance of Japanese Americans interned during World War II. The Day of Remembrance will be observed in the south House Gallery. For planning purposes, please notify the offices of Senator Bob Hasegawa and Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos if you plan to attend by contacting Jackson@leg.wa.gov no later than February 9.
- 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.
Below are a list of bills and public hearing opportunities that the community may find of interest:
EDUCATION
Early Learning and Human Services Committee will have a public hearing on HB 1436 that would create the Office of Homeless Youth Programs to coordinate statewide services and programs geared towards homeless prevention and reduction efforts. The committee will also have a hearing on HB 1642 which sets aside grant funding to which nonprofit organizations may apply to provide substance prevention, abuse and educational programs to youths.
February 4, 2015 – 1:30PM
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O’Brien Building
Olympia, WA 98504
HB 1436 – Concerning homeless youth prevention and protection.
HB 1642 – Creating the youth substance abuse prevention and education program.
The Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee will have a public hearing on SB 5688 which charges the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to convene a work group to recommend comprehensive social emotional learning benchmarks for grades K12. The list of competencies include: self-management, self-awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making.
The committee will also be hearing SB 5679 which mandates OSPI to establish interagency agreements with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, DSHS and other agencies to foster effective collaboration to provide transitional services for special education students.
SB 5690 requires schools who receive funding for the Learning Assistance Program to submit an annual action plan detailing partnerships with community based organizations. This advances the state’s knowledge regarding how to effectively operationalize and increase student-level interventions.
February 5, 2015 – 8:00AM
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504
SB 5688 – Providing students with skills that promote mental health and well-being and increase academic performance.
SB 5679 – Concerning transition services for special education students.
SB 5690 – Concerning school-community learning assistance program action plans.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
There is scientific evidence linking residents’ health outcomes such as asthma, lead poisoning, and unintentional injuries to substandard housing. HB 1720 allots funding that would go to weatherization and energy efficient activities as well as the moderate to significant repair and rehabilitation of residential structures particularly in low-income housing.
House Committee on Community Development and Housing & Tribal Affairs
February 5, 2015 – 8:00AM
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O’Brien Building
Olympia, WA 98504
HB 1720 – Concerning Healthy Housing
The House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services will hear HB 1673 that would provide excise taxes collected from marijuana sales to programs that would prevent or reduce substance abuse.
February 6, 2015 – 10:00
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O’Brien Building
Olympia, WA 98504
HB 1673 – Concerning substance abuse prevention and treatment programs funded by the marijuana excise tax.
GOVERNMENT AND BUDGET
The House State Government Committee will hear HB 1745, known as the Voting Rights Act of 2015. This bill would authorize district-based elections, requiring re-districting and new elections in certain circumstances, establishing a cause of action to redress lack of voter opportunity.
February 5, 2015 – 1:30 PM
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O’Brien Building
Olympia, WA 98504
HB 1745 – Enacting the Voting Rights Act
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
February 5, 2015 – 3:30 PM
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504
SB 5097 – Concerning the Capital Budget