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 1054: Establishing requirements for tactics and equipment used by peace officers
Prohibits peace officers or law enforcement agencies from using chokeholds and neck restraints; using police dogs to arrest or apprehend; acquiring or using tear gas and certain types of military equipment; and seeking, and a court from issuing, a search or arrest warrant granting an express exception to the "knock and announce" rule. Restricts vehicular pursuits and firing upon moving vehicles. 

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* 2. HB 1091 / SB 5231: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel
By no later than January 1, 2023, the Department of Ecology must adopt rules establishing a Clean Fuels Program limiting the greenhouse gas emissions attributable to each unit of transportation fuel to 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2028 and 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2035.

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* 3. HB 1164 / SB 5078: Addressing firearm safety by banning large 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 1234: Prohibiting weapons in state capitol buildings and grounds and certain other governmental buildings
Prohibits firearms and other weapons at the state capitol grounds, its buildings, and certain other governmental buildings.

SB 5038: Prohibiting the open carry of certain weapons at public demonstrations and the state capitol
Prohibits the open carry of a firearm or other weapons at or near public permitted demonstrations, the state capitol grounds, its buildings, and other legislative locations. Provides an exception for state and local law enforcement officers.

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* 5. HB 1267: Concerning investigation of potential criminal conduct arising from police use of force, including custodial injuries, and other officer-involved incidents
Establishes the Office of Independent Investigations within the Office of the Governor for the purpose of investigating deadly force incidents involving peace officers.

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* 6. HB 1406: Improving the equity of Washington state's tax code by creating the Washington state wealth tax and taxing extraordinary financial intangible assets
Establishes a 1 percent wealth tax on intangible financial assets of more than $1 billion. Intangible financial assets include bonds, stocks, commodities contracts, etc.

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* 7. HB 1496: Creating a more progressive tax system in Washington by enacting an excise tax on sales and extraordinary profits of high valued assets
Imposes a capital gains tax beginning January 1, 2022. The capital gains tax is imposed on the sale or other voluntary exchange of long-term capital assets, such as stocks, bonds, investment property, etc. The tax rate is 7 percent on real property and 9.9 percent on all other long-term capital assets. For individuals filing single returns, the first $200,000 in long-term capital gains is exempt, while for individuals filing joint returns, the first $400,000 is exempt. Additional exemptions included. Significant revenues dedicated to child care expansion and affordability.

SB 5096: Concerning an excise tax on gains from the sale or exchange of certain capital assets
Imposes a 9 percent capital gains tax beginning January 1, 2022. The capital gains tax is imposed on the sale or other voluntary exchange of long-term capital assets, such as stocks, bonds, investment property, etc. For individuals filing single returns, the first $25,000 in long-term capital gains is exempt, while for individuals filing joint returns, the first $50,000 is exempt. Additional exemptions included.

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* 8. SB 5047: 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 2018 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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* 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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