From the Office of Rep. Steve Bergquist

Every session gets its share of controversial bills that people tend to have very strong opinions about; these are a few of the ones introduced this year.

The bills are listed in bill number order and I've included the digest, which is a very brief description of the bill's intent. If you want more information on any of them, click on the bill number to go to the bill status, history, and available documents.

NOTE: Inclusion on this list does not indicate that the legislation is progressing through the legislative process, only that it has been introduced this biennium.

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* 1. HB 1488 / SB 5339: Reducing criminal justice expenses by eliminating the death penalty 
Eliminates the death penalty and provides that all persons convicted of
aggravated first degree murder must be sentenced to life in prison without
the possibility of release or parole.

Note: The recent Washington State Supreme Court ruling declared the death penalty "invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner."

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* 2. HB 2184 / SB 5395: Comprehensive sexual health education
Requires each public school to provide comprehensive sexual health education as an integral part of the curriculum that is evidence-informed, medically and scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive for all students. The sexual health education information and skills-based instruction will: (1) Encourage healthy relationships that are based on mutual respect and affection and are free from violence, coercion, and intimidation; (2) Teach how to identify and respond to attitudes and behaviors that contribute to sexual violence; and (3) Emphasize the importance of affirmative consent as a requirement before sexual activity. School districts must grant a parent of legal guardian's request to have their child excused from instruction in sexual health education.

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* 3. HB 2240 / SB 6077: Bans high capacity magazines
Prohibits a person from manufacturing, possessing, distributing, importing, transferring, selling, offering to sell, purchasing, or otherwise transferring a large capacity magazine. Allows a person who legally possessed or inherits a large capacity magazine owned prior to the ban to keep the magazine with certain restrictions. Defines "large capacity magazine" as an ammunition-feeding device with the capacity to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition, or a conversion kit or parts from which the device may be assembled.

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* 4. HB 2453 / SB 6379: Just cause evictions
Enumerates the causes for which a landlord may evict, refuse to renew, or terminate any tenancy subject to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.

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* 5. HB 2856: Implementing a moratorium on facial recognition technology
Puts a three-year moratorium on the use of facial recognition technology by both government agencies and private companies in Washington state. And creates a task force to review existing research, document potential threats, and provide recommendations regarding appropriate regulation of facial recognition.

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* 6. HB 2913 + HB 2914: Creating a gas tax and dedicating the revenue to fish barrier removal
Implements a gas tax increase of 0.7 cents in 2020, with an increase in 1 cent per year until 2030. The revenues of the tax would provide the funds for fish barrier removal projects (i.e. culverts) necessary to comply with the federal court injunction.

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* 7. SB 6516: Reducing the work week to 32 hours
No employer can employ their workers for a work week longer than 32 hours, unless the employee receives overtime compensation (minimum of 1.5x regular pay) for the additional hours worked.

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* 8. SB 6586: Implementing a per mile fee on electric and hybrid vehicles
Currently, electric and hybrid vehicles are subject to a $225 fee. That flat fee would be eliminated and a per mile fee on electric or hybrid vehicles would be established and implemented beginning July 1, 2024.

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* 9. What do you think?
   Leave a comment with your thoughts, feedback and suggestions.

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* 10. Your responses are anonymous, so if you'd like a personal reply:
    1. Send me an email; or
    2. Leave your name and phone number (optional)

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