Greetings from the Church & Society/Social Justice Committee!
Critical work is continuing in the current Washington State legislative session which runs through April. During these early weeks of the session, most work happens in committee hearings which can include public testimony. Committees determine what happens to a proposed bill. If a bill is passed by the committee, it proceeds in the legislative process. So NOW is the time for us to let our state legislators know what we think about specific bills!
Please voice your support for one or more of the bills listed below. Faith Action Network and Earth Ministry (two First Church partners) provided information and links about the bills they support. Also listed are bills supported by Grandmothers against Gun Violence.
It’s simple! Just click on each bill below to register your support online. It typically takes less than one minute for each bill. At the end of this article, also see helpful instructions and other options for communicating with your state legislators.
Faith Action Network (FAN)
This week, FAN recommends taking action on the House Bills (HB) below that are up for consideration by legislative committees. Click each link to email your legislators through the FAN website. An email prompt is provided, but you also can add your own words about why these bills are important to you.
Wealth Tax: HB 1406 (Rep. Frame) Wealth Tax – Washington State has one of the most regressive tax codes in the nation, where the highest income earners pay only 3% in taxes while the lowest income earners pay as much as 17%. This bill would add a 1% tax on those who have annual earnings of $1 billion or more and would tax extraordinary financial intangible assets. Email your Representatives to ask if they support this bill, especially if they are on the Finance Committee.
Ranked Choice Voting: HB 1156 (Rep. Harris-Talley) – This bill would permit local jurisdictions to adopt alternate voting systems such as Ranked Choice Voting which allows voters to rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference.
Restoring Voter Eligibility: HB 1078 (Rep. Simmons) Restoring Voter Eligibility for persons convicted of a felony offense – In Washington State, people convicted of a felony offense are currently able to have their voting rights restored, but they must be informed of this right and reapply to vote. This bill would automatically restore voting rights for those convicted of a felony. Email Speaker Jinkins and urge her to bring this bill up for a vote on the House floor.
Earth Ministry
This First Church partner recommends we support House Bills (HB) and Senate Bills (SB) summarized below.
Housing: HB 1220 – This update to the Washington State Growth Management Act would help ensure cities plan to make housing available to families at all income levels, with a focus on addressing racial disparities and fighting displacement of low-income communities and communities of color. The bill would require cities to identify places of high displacement risk and implement anti-displacement policies. Factsheet on HB 1220 – Futurewise
Reducing Plastic Pollution & Improving Recycling: SB 5022, HB1118 – This bill supports recycling and reduction of waste and litter by: (1) banning an array of polystyrene (Styrofoam) materials as of June 2023; (2) requiring plastic beverage containers to be manufactured from postconsumer recycled plastic (to 15% by weight by 2023 and to 50% by weight by 2031); and (3) requiring restaurants and food service businesses to provide straws, utensils, condiment packages, and beverage cup lids only on request or in self-serve bins. Factsheet on SB 5022 – Zero Waste WA
Clean Cars 2030: HB 1204, SB 5256 – This bill provides that all new light-duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later must be electric to be registered in Washington. Model year 2029 and earlier gasoline-powered cars can still be bought, sold and registered. The bill will foster a gradual, smooth, and certain transition to vehicles powered by clean energy. Clean Cars 2030 Factsheet – Coltura
Grandmothers against Gun Violence (GAGV)
According to GAGV, opponents of the bills summarized below are outnumbering people who support gun safety by five to one. Legislators pay attention to these statistics.
Restrict high-capacity gun magazines: SB 5078 and its companion HB 1164 – These would limit magazines to 17 rounds of ammunition. This pertains to future purchases only (current legal ownership of higher magazines would not be illegal). Smaller magazines require the shooter to stop and reload, providing time for intervention.
Prohibit the open carry of weapons at permitted demonstrations and on the capitol complex: SB 5038 – Weapons in politically-charged situations increase the risk of violence and intimidation discourages First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.
Hold police accountable by addressing inequities in enforcement and the use of force: HB 1054, HB 1089, and HB 1310 – There is a connection between gun violence and our country’s long history of suppressive violence toward people of color. Restrictions on the use of force and equipment by law enforcement reduce the risk of gun violence. Police reform, led by broad community engagement and support, is essential to end racism and gun violence.
How YOU can voice your views on legislative bills
- Call the legislative hotline (1-800-562-6000) to send your state legislator a message;
- Email your state legislators (using the email address formula firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov); or
- Use the instructions below to register your support online, after clicking on HB and SB links above.
1. Go to https://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/
2. Enter the bill number (see bill numbers listed above), then select “search.”
3. When the web page for the selected bill comes up, find and select “comment on this bill.”
4. Enter your address to “verify” your legislative district number and state legislators, then select which legislators you would like to receive your comment.
5. Select “Support” or “Oppose” or “Neutral”
6. In the “Comments” box, add a comment which can be as brief as “Please support this bill.” It is not necessary for you to explain the substance of a bill, but you may explain why you support the bill, and, if you have a personal experience to share, please do that.
7. Select “Submit comment.”