Author Archives: brianzylstra

Senate passes second Padden bill removing red tape from construction of smaller condominiums

A year ago, the Legislature unanimously approved a bill from 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that helps encourage home ownership in Washington by making it easier to construct smaller condominium buildings.

A similar condo-construction measure introduced by Padden is advancing this year following passage today by the Senate on a 49-0 vote. The proposal now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 5792 would exclude buildings with 12 or fewer units that are no more than three stories high from the definition of “multiunit residential building” if one story is utilized for above- or below-ground parking or retail space.

“This bill builds on last year’s efforts to have more housing options for Washington’s middle class,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “Condominiums provide an affordable path to homeownership for first-time homebuyers.”

When SB 5792 received a public hearing in the Senate Law and Justice Committee last month, several people testified in favor of it, including Spokane Valley City Council member Rod Higgins, Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson, Greenstone Corporation’s Jim Frank and officials from the Washington Realtors Association and the Building Industry Association of Washington.

The law created last year by Padden’s Senate Bill 5058 exempts buildings with 12 or fewer units that are no more than two stories high from the definition of “multiunit residential building.”

Padden said the combination of that law and this year’s new bill should result in more homeownership in the state.

“Washington has one of the lower homeownership rates in the nation, and both policies can help our state address this problem,” said Padden. “These smaller condominiums would still have the same building requirements that a townhouse or single-family house would have.”

For fourth straight year, Senate passes Padden bill to combat impaired driving

With traffic deaths in Washington reaching their highest point in over 30 years, the Senate today again approved an anti-impaired driving bill sponsored by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden. It is the fourth straight year the Senate has passed such a measure.

Senate Bill 5032, which was passed 43-5, would expand the period for reviewing prior convictions of impaired driving to 15 years, from the 10 years now in state law, when determining whether a new offense of impaired driving is charged as a felony. The proposal would increase the penalty from a gross misdemeanor to a felony offense for any person who has three or more prior DUI offenses within that “lookback” period.

“Washington has seen a significant increase in traffic deaths over the past few years. Drunk driving and drug-impaired driving, especially by repeat offenders, are two leading causes,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “This bill tries to remove the most dangerous drivers from our roads and highways and into treatment or being accountable by the state criminal justice system.”

During his floor speech in support of the bill, Padden said it tries to address a crisis on Washington roads and highways.

“So many repeat impaired offenders are the ones who have vehicular homicides, vehicular assaults, and they are causing havoc on our roadways for innocent victims,” Padden told senators. “The numbers have gone up so much, especially on the alcohol/drug combination impaired driving. In 2023, there were over 800 deaths on Washington roadways.

“This bill has a good balance – strong on treatment but also strong on accountability,” added Padden.

Before the Senate approved SB 5032, Padden successfully added a floor amendment that permits a person who participates in a deferred prosecution for a first gross misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI) or physical control of a vehicle under the influence (PC) charge to participate in a second deferred prosecution on a person’s next DUI under very strict sideboards.

Noting how tomorrow is Groundhog Day, Padden said the response to his bill is reminiscent of the motion picture “Groundhog Day,” in which the lead character repeatedly relives the same day.

“In 2021, the Senate approves the bill – and the House lets it die. In 2022, and again this past year, the Senate approves the bill – and the House lets it die. We’ve seen this movie enough, and it’s doing nothing to make Washington safer.”

Padden, the Republican leader on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, said many traffic fatalities in the state involve drivers who have had as many as eight DUI offenses, but the current 10-year lookback period is not long enough to allow the state to impose stronger punishment against such offenders.

“Repeat impaired-driving offenders commit most of the vehicular homicides and vehicular assaults in Washington. This bill tries to prevent those horrible and senseless crimes,” said Padden, a former Spokane County district court judge. SB 5032 would give offenders a chance to undergo a highly structured treatment program, he added.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, there were 740 traffic deaths in the state in 2022 (the highest in over 30 years), including 389 fatalities involving drug- or alcohol-impaired driving. There were 674 traffic deaths in 2021, including 345 fatalities involving impaired driving. In 2020, Washington had 574 traffic fatalities, including 282 involving impaired driving.

Democrats refusing to act on six voter initiatives sent to Legislature

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers February 1, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here.

Dear friends and neighbors,

It is looking more and more likely that the six initiatives now before the Legislature will wind up going before Washington voters this November.

In late December, petitions containing more than the required number of valid voter signatures for the six measures were delivered to the Office of Secretary of State’s Elections Division, which then conducted a standard signature-check process.

Sponsors said each of the six initiatives had at least 424,896 signatures, well over the minimum of 324,516 signatures needed to be certified, and more than the recommended total of 405,000. According to the initiatives’ sponsors, the combined total number of signatures for the six measures was 2,684,663. 

As Secretary of State Steve Hobbs certified each of the six initiatives, it was delivered to the Legislature for consideration.

This graphic shows that Washington voters have rejected 11 income-tax proposals. It is appearing more likely that they will have their say again this fall on a measure that would ban any local or state government in Washington from imposing an income tax.

By the end of this past week, all six initiatives had been certified and sent to the Legislature:

  • Initiative 2113 deals with police pursuits. It would erase certain requirements that since 2021 have prevented law-enforcement officers from pursuing a suspect unless they think someone has committed certain crimes, including a violent offense or driving while impaired. It has been sent to the Senate Law and Justice Committee for consideration.
  • I-2117 would repeal the state’s costly climate policy, called “cap-and-trade” by some but “cap-and-tax” or “cap-and-gouge,” by opponents who note this law has caused gas prices to rise substantially. The climate policy became state law in 2021 and took full effect early last year. It is now in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.
  • I-2081 would give parents the right to review K-12 instructional materials and require parental notification of school-provided medical services. It has been referred to the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.
  • I-2109 would repeal the state capital-gains tax that was passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature in 2021. It is now in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
  • I-2111 would ban any local or state government in our state from imposing an income tax. Like I-2109, this measure is in the Ways and Means Committee.
  • I-2124 would allow people to opt out of the mandatory payroll tax for the state-run long-term care program. It is before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.

Legislators have three options with initiatives to the Legislature: 1) adopt the initiative as written, in which case it becomes law; 2) refuse to pass it, which would result in the measure automatically being placed on the statewide ballot next fall; 3) propose and approve an alternative initiative, in which case both the original initiative and the alternative would both appear together on the fall statewide ballot.

Regretably, Senate Democrats so far have refused to even schedule public hearings on any of the six initiatives. Any initiative not enacted this session will be placed on the statewide ballot this fall for you and other voters to decide.      

If you have questions about how to participate in state government this year or thoughts to share on anything in this e-newsletter, please give me a call or send me an email. 

Thank you, as always, for the honor of representing you in Olympia!

Best Regards,

Senator Mike Padden

Panel passes pollinator proposal

A bill I introduced at the request of a Mount Spokane High School student to help bees and other pollinators is buzzing through the Senate this year.

The Senate Local Government, Land Use and Tribal Affairs Committee on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 5934, a bipartisan measure that aims to promote the use of pollinator-friendly shrubs or bushes in landscaping.

Mount Spokane High School senior Julia Costello approached me this past fall about sponsoring the bill.

Julia is a Girl Scout working to complete the requirements to earn the Gold Award, which is equivalent to earning the Eagle Scout award as a Boy Scout. One of Julia’s Gold Award requirements is working with a legislator on sponsoring a bill. Julia made a compelling case why improving pollinators’ habitat is beneficial. It was nice for Julia to see this bill pass out of committee. It has been an honor and pleasure to work with her.

Before passing SB 5934, the Senate panel approved an amendment that establishes that a local government may encourage, but does not have to require, applicants for project or commercial-building permits to include pollinator-friendly plants in any landscaped area. 

Spokane Conservation District Director Vicki Carter sent a letter in support of SB 5934.    

The proposal will be sent to the Senate Rules Committee, which serves as the final hurdle before bills reach the Senate floor for a vote by the entire Senate.

Gonzaga Prep student serves as page

Last week I had the pleasure of sponsoring Anthony DeGon (in photo above), a sophomore at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, during his week as a Senate page at the Capitol.

Anthony told me he is very interested in representative government, so I think he really enjoyed his time here in Olympia and seeing how the Legislature works.

He enjoys playing football, soccer, skating and reading in his free time. He also is an active member of the Prep debate team. He wants to attend college to further his future by studying political psychology. Anthony is the son of Alice DeGon. 

The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working in the Legislature. Students are responsible for transporting documents between offices, as well as delivering messages and mail. Pages spend time in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a mock committee.

Committee OKs Padden health-care bill

Last Thursday, the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee passed Senate Bill 5920, my proposal that would allow our state Department of Health to have more psychiatric beds in our state. 

This proposal would reinstate authority for the Department of Health until 2028 to grant certificate-of-need exemptions related to increasing psychiatric-bed capacity by allowing additional psychiatric beds or construction of a new psychiatric hospital.  

A couple of years ago, a company was deterred from building a psychiatric hospital in Spokane Valley due to the certificate-of-need process. It was built in California instead, which does not require a certificate of need. The federal government figured out long ago that certificates of need do not work; it repealed federal certificate-of-need requirements in 1987.

SB 5920 addresses a need for vulnerable people and illustrates how certificates of need hurt Washingtonians. The need for more beds is clear, and the certificate-of-need law is an unnecessary barrier. States with these laws have higher costs and fewer medical services.

Two weeks ago, Elizabeth Hovde, who testified in favor of SB 5920 during its public hearing before the Health and Long Term Care Committee, wrote about the bill for the Washington Policy Center. You may read her article here.

TVW interview on “ditch the switch” bill

Senator Manka Dhingra (left) and I were interviewed last week by The Impact host Mike McClanahan about SB 5795, our legislation to “ditch the switch” by keeping Washington on year-round standard time.    

Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of doing a sit-down interview at the TVW headquarters in Olympia for the weekly show “The Impact”. Host Mike McClanahan had invited Redmond Senator Manka Dhingra and me to discuss Senate Bill 5795, the proposal that we are sponsoring this year to “ditch the switch”  by keeping Washington on year-round standard time instead of going back and forth between standard time and daylight saving time each year. You may watch our interview here.

“The Impact” airs on TVW on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Unfortunately, the chair of the Senate State Government and Elections Committee, Senator Sam Hunt of Olympia, after originally scheduling SB 5795 for a vote, chose not to bring up SB 5795 for a vote before the committee cutoff yesterday. Unless something significant happens between now and the end of session, it appears that the “ditch the switch” bill will need to wait till next year, which means that Washingtonians will be forced to continue switching between standard time and daylight saving time each year. 

State senators send letter to Congress in support of Snake River dams

Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River. 

One federal issue that has the attention of many Washington state legislators is the fate of the four lower Snake River dams between Clarkston and the Tri-Cities. Last December’s announcement by the Biden administration that it and four Northwest tribes were “partnering to restore wild salmon habitats in the Columbia River Basin” while exploring the possibility of breaching the four dams in the future has been a major concern for state lawmakers, especially those from eastern Washington.

That is why I spearheaded a letter last week in support of the four Snake River dams, signed by 20 state Senate Republicans members. The letter was sent to 5th District U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the committee’s ranking member and chair and ranking member of the House Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee.   

Earlier this week, I met with two officials with Modern Electric Water Company – an electric and water utility in Spokane Valley – who visited Olympia, General Manager Joe Morgan and Government Relations and Communications Coordinator Chelsea Martin. Chelsea last week sent a letter of support for the dams on behalf of Modern Electric Water Company to Representative McMorris Rodgers and the other three U.S. House members.    

Senator Padden this week talked about energy issues and the four lower Snake River dams with two officials from Spokane Valley’s Modern Electric Water Company, General Manager Joe Morgan (left) and Government Relations and Communications Coordinator Chelsea Martin (middle).  

Contact us!

If you have a question or concern about state government, please do not hesitate to contact our office. During the session we are conducting business from our Senate office in Olympia. We are here to serve you!

Phone: (360) 786-7606

Olympia Office: 215 Legislative Modular Building, Olympia, WA 98504-0404

Email address: Mike.Padden@leg.wa.gov

PLEASE NOTE: Any email or documents you provide to this office may be subject to disclosure under RCW 42.56. If you would prefer to communicate by phone, please contact Sen. Padden’s Olympia office at (360) 786-7606.

To request public records from Sen. Padden, please contact Randi Stratton, the designated public records officer for the Secretary of the Senate and Senate members.

Panel passes Padden pollinator proposal

Legislation requested by a Mount Spokane High School student to help bees and other pollinators is buzzing through the Senate this year.

The Senate Local Government, Land Use and Tribal Affairs Committee today approved Senate Bill 5934, a bipartisan measure introduced by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that aims to promote the use of pollinator-friendly shrubs or bushes in landscaping.

Mount Spokane High School senior Julia Costello approached Padden this past fall about sponsoring the bill.

“Julia is a Girl Scout working to complete the requirements to earn the Gold Award, which is equivalent to earning the Eagle Scout award as a Boy Scout,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “One of Julia’s Gold Award requirements is working with a legislator on sponsoring a bill. Julia made a compelling case why improving pollinators’ habitat is beneficial, and I’m glad to see this bill pass out of committee today. It has been an honor and pleasure to work with her.”

Costello’s testimony in favor of the bill during its Jan. 11 public hearing before the committee can be viewed here.

Spokane Conservation District Director Vicki Carter sent a letter yesterday to Padden in support of the proposal. Part of Carter’s letter reads: “Pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects, play a fundamental role in the pollination of crops, contributing to the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Their vital role in sustaining agriculture cannot be overstated, as approximately 75% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators for successful reproduction. Therefore, taking steps to protect and enhance pollinator populations is essential for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.”

Before passing SB 5934, the Senate panel approved an amendment that establishes that a local government may encourage, but does not have to require, applicants for project or commercial-building permits to include pollinator-friendly plants in any landscaped area.

The proposal is expected to be sent to the Senate Rules Committee, which serves as the final hurdle before bills reach the Senate floor for a vote by the entire Senate.

Senate committee passes another Padden bill removing red tape from construction of smaller condominiums

In 2023 the Legislature unanimously approved a bill from 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that helps encourage home ownership in Washington by making it easier for smaller condominium buildings to be constructed.

During this year’s legislative session, Padden has introduced a similar condo-construction proposal. The bipartisan measure was approved yesterday by the Senate Law and Justice Committee.

Senate Bill 5792 would exclude buildings with 12 or fewer units that are no more than three stories high from the definition of “multiunit residential building” if one story is utilized for above- or below-ground parking or retail space.

“This legislation builds on last year’s new law that supports our state’s efforts to have more housing options for Washington’s middle class,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “Condominiums offer an affordable path to homeownership for first-time homebuyers.”

Those who testified in favor of SB 5792 before the panel included Spokane Valley City Council member Rod Higgins, Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson, Greenstone Corporation’s Jim Frank and officials from the Washington Realtors Association and the Building Industry Association of Washington.

SB 5792 is expected to be sent to the Senate Rules Committee, the final hurdle before a bill reaches the Senate floor.

The law created last year by Padden’s Senate Bill 5058 exempts buildings with 12 or fewer units that are no more than two stories high from the definition of “multiunit residential building.”

Padden said the combination of that law and this year’s new bill should result in more homeownership in the state.

“Washington has one of the lower homeownership rates in the nation, and both policies can help our state address this problem,” said Padden. “These smaller condominiums would still have the same building requirements that a townhouse or single-family house would have,” added Padden.

Bipartisan bill to ‘ditch the switch’ in Washington receives Senate hearing

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers January 25, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here.

Dear friends and neighbors,

If there is one issue most people agree on, it’s the dislike of moving their clocks from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring and then back to standard time in the fall. There have been scientific studies connecting several health problems with switching back and forth between standard time and daylight saving time, including greater risks of heart attacks and more frequent workplace injuries.

That is why I have introduced a bipartisan bill that would allow Washington to finally “ditch the switch” by keeping us on standard time permanently.

A proposed substitute version of Senate Bill 5795 came before the Senate State Government and Elections Committee last week. The measure’s lead co-sponsor, 45th District Senator Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, and I testified before the panel. TVW’s coverage of the SB 5795 hearing may be viewed here and here.

The substitute version of SB 5795 has a “trigger” mechanism in which if Congress approves a bill having states be on year-round daylight saving time, Washington state would then be on year-round daylight saving time.  

If the bill becomes law, the change would go into effect on November 4, one day after daylight saving time ends on November 3. 

Senators Padden (left) and Dhingra are shown testifying last week on Senate Bill 5795 before the Senate State Government and Elections Committee. 

“Research shows that the transition between standard time and daylight saving time and back again causes a range of negative health effects, including worse stress, an increased number of car and workplace accidents, and even greater rates of suicide. Those serious detrimental effects on Washingtonians’ health are why it’s so important that we do away with springing forward and falling back,” said Dhingra about the bill.

I am partnering with legislators from Oregon, California and Idaho to propose bills that would keep these four Western states on year-round standard time.  It is encouraging that legislators in these neighboring states plan to introduce bills this year to move their states to year-round standard time.

Arizona and Hawaii are already on permanent standard time. Because Congress has already decided states may be on permanent standard time if they choose, Washington and other states would not need the federal government to pass a bill authorizing states to be on year-round standard time.

If you have questions about how to participate in state government this year or thoughts to share on anything in this e-newsletter, please give me a call or send me an email. 

Thank you, as always, for the honor of representing you in Olympia!

Best Regards,

Senator Mike Padden

Senate passes bill to keep repeat property offenders behind bars longer

A bill I introduced that could keep repeat property offenders behind bars longer was approved last week by the Senate on a 38-10 vote.

Senate Bill 5056 would allow prosecutors to seek up two additional years on a sentence for first-degree robbery offenders if they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is a habitual property offender. 

We have a real crisis in the explosion of property crimes, including thefts of vehicles,, catalytic converters and electric-charging equipment. What this bill tries to do is keep habitual, repeat offenders behind bars for longer periods of time. That will decrease the property-crime rate substantially. Law-enforcement officers say relatively few people commit most of the property crimes in this area.   

Under the measure, prosecutors may seek the special allegation of habitual property offender if the defendant meets certain criminal-history criteria, such as recent, repeat instances of property crime.  

During the Senate Law and Justice Committee’s public hearing on SB 5056 in 2023, officials with the Washington Retail Association and Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs testified in favor of the proposal. The proposal also received positive testimony from Jessica Laughery of Hutton Settlement. 

SB 5056 now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration. 

Bill to reduce impaired driving passes committee, nears full Senate vote

Impaired driving is a worsening problem on Washington’s roads and highways. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, there were 740 traffic deaths in our state 2022 (the highest in over 20 years), including 389 fatalities involving drug- or alcohol-impaired driving. There were 674 traffic deaths in 2021, including 345 fatalities involving impaired driving. In 2020, Washington had 574 traffic fatalities, including 282 involving impaired driving.

A proposal I prime-sponsored that aims to reduce impaired driving on Washington’s roads and highways is advancing through the Senate.

Senate Bill 5791 was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee this past Thursday. The proposal would require the Washington State Patrol to establish a pilot program to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of oral fluid swabs as part of the enforcement of impaired-driving laws.  

SB 5791 is on the Senate’s second-reading calendar, which means it could receive a full Senate vote at any time.

Impaired driving continues to be a growing problem on our state’s roads, so the Legislature needs to take additional steps to combat it. Oral-swab testing represents one more tool for law enforcement in reducing impaired driving. It’s important for law enforcement to see how effective the oral-swab tests would help in determining if drivers are legally impaired. If the pilot program under this proposal proves to be effective, the Legislature can make oral-swab testing a permanent part of the state’s efforts to decrease impaired driving in Washington.

During its public hearing in the transportation committee, many people testified in favor of the proposal. Supporters include the Washington State Patrol, Chuck DeWeese with the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, Christopher Kirby of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and Ashley Bonus with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

TVW’s coverage of the SB 5791 public hearing is available for viewing here.

Cougar Canyon Academy student serves as Senate page

Abby Trudel, a 10th-grader at Cougar Canyon Academy in Spokane, spent last week working as a Senate page at the Capitol. It was my honor to sponsor Abby. She did an excellent job paging and gained some valuable insight into the legislative process. Abby is the daughter of Allan and Vicki Trudel.

Abby, 14, has been studying and performing ballet for eight years, and loves to read, run, and crochet in her free time. She also volunteers at her church with the youth groups by caring for toddlers and other young children to help out in her community.

I was happy to sponsor two of her older siblings when they were Senate pages in recent years.

The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to spend a week working in the Legislature. Students are responsible for transporting documents between offices, as well as delivering messages and mail. Pages spend time working in the Senate chamber and attend page school to learn about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Students also draft their own bills and engage in a mock session.

Parental rights initiative certified, sent to Legislature

A citizen initiative to expand parental rights was certified late last week by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and sent to the Legislature for consideration. Initiative 2081 would give parents the right to review K-12 instructional materials and require parental notification of school-provided medical services. I-2081 has been sent to the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee for consideration, but it is not expected to receive a public hearing.

In all, Secretary Hobbs has certified and delivered five initiatives to the Legislature.

  • Initiative 2113 deals with police pursuits. It would erase certain requirements that since 2021 have prevented law-enforcement officers from pursuing a suspect unless they think someone has committed certain crimes, including a violent offense or driving while impaired. I-2113 has been referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee.
  • I-2117 would repeal the state’s costly climate policy, called “cap-and-trade” by some but “cap-and-tax” or “cap-and-gouge,” by opponents who note this law has caused gas prices to rise substantially. The climate policy became state law in 2021 and took full effect early last year. The measure is now in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.
  • I-2109 would repeal the state capital gains tax that was passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature in 2021. It is now in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
  • I-2111 would ban any local or state government in Washington from imposing an income tax. This measure is expected to be sent to the Ways and Means Committee.

One more initiative to the Legislature is still going through the signature-verification process and is expected to be certified in the near future.

Legislators have three options with initiatives to the Legislature: 1) adopt the initiative as written, in which case it becomes law; 2) refuse to pass it, which would result in the measure automatically being placed on the statewide ballot next fall; 3) propose and approve an alternative initiative, in which case both the original initiative and the alternative would appear together on the fall statewide ballot.

Contact us!

If you have a question or concern about state government, please do not hesitate to contact our office. During the session we are conducting business from our Senate office in Olympia. We are here to serve you!

Phone: (360) 786-7606

Olympia Office: 215 Legislative Modular Building, Olympia, WA 98504-0404

Email address: Mike.Padden@leg.wa.gov

PLEASE NOTE: Any email or documents you provide to this office may be subject to disclosure under RCW 42.56. If you would prefer to communicate by phone, please contact Sen. Padden’s Olympia office at (360) 786-7606.

To request public records from Sen. Padden, please contact Randi Stratton, the designated public records officer for the Secretary of the Senate and Senate members.

Senate committee passes Padden bill to reduce impaired driving

A bill from 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that aims to reduce impaired driving on Washington’s roads and highways is advancing through the Senate.

Senate Bill 5791 was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee this past Thursday. The proposal would require the Washington State Patrol to establish a pilot program to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of oral fluid swabs as part of the enforcement of impaired-driving laws.

“Impaired driving continues to be a growing problem on our state’s roads, so the Legislature needs to take additional steps to combat it,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “Oral-swab testing represents one more tool for law enforcement in reducing impaired driving. It’s important for law enforcement to see how effective the oral-swab tests would help in determining if drivers are legally impaired. If the pilot program under this proposal proves to be effective, as it has proven to be in Indiana, the Legislature can make oral-swab testing a permanent part of our state’s efforts to decrease impaired driving in Washington.”

During its public hearing in the transportation committee, many people testified in favor of the proposal. Supporters include the Washington State Patrol, Chuck DeWeese with the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, Christopher Kirby of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and Ashley Bonus with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

TVW’s coverage of the SB 5791 public hearing is available for viewing here.

SB 5791 is on the Senate’s second-reading calendar, which means it could receive a full Senate vote at any time.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Washington road deaths reached a 21-year high in 2022. There were 740 traffic deaths in 2022, including 389 fatalities involving drug- or alcohol-impaired driving. There were 674 traffic deaths in 2021, including 345 fatalities involving impaired driving. In 2020, Washington had 574 traffic fatalities, including 282 involving impaired driving.

Western Legislative Coalition Announces Multi-State Effort for Standard Time

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho formed a working group to propose legislation in respective states to make the Pacific Standard Time permanent.

In Washington, Senate Bill 5795, introduced by Senator Mike Padden, received a public hearing on Tuesday in the Senate State Government and Elections Committee.

“If there is one issue most people agree on, it’s the dislike of moving their clocks from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring and then back to standard time in the fall,” said Padden of Spokane Valley. “There have been scientific studies connecting several health problems with switching back and forth between standard time and daylight saving time, including greater risks of heart attacks and more frequent workplace injuries. This bill would allow Washington to finally ‘ditch the switch’ by keeping us on standard time permanently.”

Oregon state Senator Kim Thatcher of Keizer will introduce SB 1548 when Oregon’s legislative session starts on Feb. 4.

“Oregonians have long-expressed their desire to stop changing the clock,” said Thatcher. “Some prefer daylight saving time over standard time, and many don’t care which – they just want to stop changing the clock. Since daylight saving time is just not possible without congressional approval, and after waiting five years for Congress to approve a DST bill that passed here in Oregon in 2019, standard time has become a common-sense choice for 2024 and doesn’t need approval from Congress. Research also shows standard time is the healthier choice! I’m grateful to have the privilege of working with our surrounding states as they, too, introduce bills to ditch the switch!”

In California, Assemblyman Tri Ta of Westminster has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1776 and is awaiting a committee hearing. “California voters are tired of disruptive time changes that have outlived their usefulness,” said Ta. “I am honored to join this multi-state coalition, and I know that this will make a difference to promote the health of the people of California and across the American West.”

The principal co-author of AB 1776, Senator Roger Niello of Fair Oaks, shared, “I am glad to be collaborating with representatives of multiple states to make standard time permanent.” He continued, “Different legislative processes and timelines can be challenging, but we are all working together to make Pacific Standard Time permanent so that our constituents can avoid the disruptive process of adjusting their clocks twice a year and adapting to the time change.”

“In Idaho our standard time bill has been drafted as RS30948 and will move to the House State Affairs Committee within the next 10 days, where we are confident of its passage,” said Idaho state Representative Joe Alfieri of Coeur d’Alene.

Here is the current list of representatives that are part of the working group to make the standard time permanent:

California

Senator Roger Niello

Assemblyman Tri Ta

Idaho

Representative Joe Alfieri

Oregon (Note: The Oregon Legislature begins its 2024 session on Feb. 4.)

Senator Kim Thatcher

Washington

Senator Mike Padden

 

Governor’s rosy state-of-the-state speech defies reality

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers January 18, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here.

Dear friends and neighbors,

The 2024 legislative session has entered its second week. After the full Senate gathered on January 8 for its opening-day ceremonies and to swear in a new senator, our focus has shifted to committee meetings in which bills receive public hearings, allowing us to learn about these proposals and to listen to people testify either in support or opposition to them.

This initial “committee phase” of the 60-day session will last a few more weeks, as Senate policy committees face a January 31 deadline to pass bills originating in the Senate and the Senate fiscal committees (Transportation, and Ways and Means, which oversees the operating budget and any bills requiring state funding) have a February 5 cutoff for Senate bills sent to either panel.

The 2024 session cutoff calendar is here.

The most significant news story from the opening week was Governor Inslee’s annual “state of the state” speech before a joint legislative session. Because the governor announced he is not seeking re-election this year, it’s very possible this was the last time he addressed the full Legislature.

As you might expect, Inslee used his speech to tout what he believes are accomplishments under his watch these past dozen or so years. In fact, early on he said, “I’m happy to report we have been, we are, and we will always be the strongest state in the nation,” adding “in fact, the state of our state is stronger than ever.”

15th District Senator Nikki Torres gave the Republican response to Governor Inslee’s state-of-the-state speech last week. 

However, his rosy comments about the state differ from the current reality. During her Republican response to the governor’s speech, my colleague, 15th District Senator Nikki Torres of Pasco, painted a much different view of our state – and she cast blame on the governor and Democrat legislators for some of Washington’s problems. 

“The state of our state is strong thanks to the hard work, heart and spirit of the people of Washington,” Senator Torres said at the start of her response. “But on a number of important issues, our government has let our great people down. Under one-party rule in Olympia, our state has become less safe, less affordable, and in far too many ways, we are failing our children.”

Senator Torres is absolutely correct. Our state has serious problems that have resulted from bad laws passed by the Democrats and signed by Inslee. 

You may view her speech here.

If you have questions about how to participate in state government this year or thoughts to share on anything in this e-newsletter, please give me a call or send me an email. 

Thank you, as always, for the honor of serving as your state senator!

Best Regards,

Senator Mike Padden

Democrats’ costly property-tax hike bill to receive hearing this afternoon

The John A. Cherberg Building, where the Senate Ways and Means Committee holds its meetings.

One of the worst and most costly bills of this session is scheduled to receive a public hearing later today. 

Senate Bill 5770 is the Senate Democrats’ very costly and long-term property-tax increase proposal. SB 5770 is scheduled for a public hearing today at 4 p.m. in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The committee meeting is in Senate Hearing Room 4 of the John A. Cherberg Building on the Capitol campus.

If you oppose this bill, you can sign in opposition, submit written testimony or testify in person or via Zoom. If you want to watch the public hearing on this costly proposal but don’t have TVW among your channels, go to tvw.org to watch it online.

Go here to see the list of sponsors.

As introduced, Senate Bill 5770 would triple the growth rate of annual property tax collections for local governments in Washington. Governments currently can collect 1% more annually in property tax, plus any revenues attributable to the value of new construction, without having to seek voter approval. This proposal would change that increase from 1% to 3%. The state Department of Revenue has estimated that the proposed substitute version of SB 5770 would increase taxes by a whopping $7 billion over the next 10 years, with the compounding effect of the increase continuing to escalate over time.

I will strongly oppose SB 5770 if it reaches the Senate floor this session. It is a very bad bill that should not be approved by the Legislature.

Initiative on police pursuits sent to Legislature

The first of six initiatives expected to be sent to the Legislature this session finally has been delivered. Last Thursday, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs certified Initiative 2113, which deals with police pursuits. Hobbs, a former state senator, later that day brought the measure to the Senate for our chamber to consider.

The initiative would erase certain requirements that since 2021 have prevented law-enforcement officers from initiating a chase unless they suspect someone has committed certain crimes, including a violent offense or driving while impaired.

I-2113 which received more than 400,000 signatures from registered Washington voters, according to the initiative sponsors, has been referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee for consideration. Legislators have three options with initiatives to the Legislature: 1) adopt the initiative as written, in which case it becomes law; 2) refuse to pass it, which would result in the measure automatically being placed on the statewide ballot next fall; 3) propose and approve an alternative initiative, in which case both the original initiative and the alternative would both appear together on the fall statewide ballot.    

Go here to read the Spokesman-Review’s story on I-2113 going to the Legislature late last week.

Last year, I introduced bipartisan legislation (Senate Bill 5034) that would restore the ability of law-enforcement officers to engage in a vehicular pursuit. The bill is in the Senate Law and Justice Committee.    

This session, 2nd District Senator Jim McCune, R-Graham, has introduced Senate Bill 6133, which aims to protect the state’s 1,000-plus cannabis retailers, many of which have been the targets of violent robberies, smash and grabs, assaults and other crimes. “Pot shops” often are targeted for robberies by “Kia Boys,” juveniles and young adults who take advantage of the state’s weak police-pursuit laws. One such robbery occurred last year at a local cannabis shop near the Idaho border. SB 6133 is in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, but no public hearing has been scheduled. January 31 is the last day for the committee to pass the bill. 

Two Padden bills receive hearings

Senator Padden testifies before the Senate Transportation Committee on Senate Bill 5791, his proposal that aims to reduce impaired driving.

Among the many bills that have already received public hearings in the Senate committees were two measures I have introduced for this session.

Senate Bill 5791 was brought before the Senate Transportation Committee last week on Tuesday. It aims to help reduce impaired driving on our roads and highways. SB 5791 calls for the Washington State Patrol to establish a pilot program to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of oral fluid roadside information used as part of the enforcement of impaired-driving laws.   

During its public hearing in Transportation, many people testified in favor of the proposal. Among those in support were the Washington State Patrol, Chuck DeWeese with the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, Christopher Kirby of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and Ashley Bonus with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

TVW’s coverage of the SB 5791 public hearing is available for viewing here.

My other bill that received a hearing last week is Senate Bill 5934, which was reviewed by the Senate Local Government, Land Use and Tribal Affairs Committee last Thursday.

Mount Spokane High School senior Julia Costello approached me about sponsoring this bill. Julia is a Girl Scout working to complete the requirements to earn the Gold Award, which is equivalent to earning the Eagle Scout award as a Boy Scout. One of Julia’s Gold Award requirements is working with a legislator on sponsoring a bill. It has been an honor and pleasure to work with her; Julia’s testimony in favor of the bill can be viewed here.

The goal of this proposal is to increase habitat for pollinators by increasing the use of the many types of shrubs or bushes that are good for pollinators. Watch TVW’s coverage of my testimony on the bill here.

Central Valley High School observes Americans of Chinese Descent History Month, created by new state law

One of the bills passed by the Legislature last year was Senate Bill 5000, which recognizes contributions of Americans of Chinese descent. I voted for SB 5000 when it passed the Senate. This new law designates January as Americans of Chinese Descent History Month and encourages (but does not require) public schools to designate time for appropriate activities in commemoration of this monthlong event. I’m pleased that Central Valley School District Superintendent John Parker supports this new law and has worked with his school district to observe Americans of Chinese Descent History Month. This photo shows a display of books and other items that have ties to China or Chinese Americans. The display is in Central Valley High School.     

Last January, Central Valley High School student Lucy He received a legislative certificate of appreciation for winning the Chinese American History Month national essay contest.

Contact us!

If you have a question or concern about state government, please do not hesitate to contact our office. During the session we are conducting business from our Senate office in Olympia. We are here to serve you!

Phone: (360) 786-7606

Olympia Office: 215 Legislative Modular Building, Olympia, WA 98504-0404

Email address: Mike.Padden@leg.wa.gov

PLEASE NOTE: Any email or documents you provide to this office may be subject to disclosure under RCW 42.56. If you would prefer to communicate by phone, please contact Sen. Padden’s Olympia office at (360) 786-7606.

To request public records from Sen. Padden, please contact Randi Stratton, the designated public records officer for the Secretary of the Senate and Senate members.