AWSP Blog

In the beginning, there were close to 300 bills pre-filed even before the Legislature convened. And then, once started, new bills continue to be introduced. Included among those are a number of bills affecting pensions, health, and job benefits.

The great mystery is the upcoming release of the agreed upon 2019–21 budget. It is to be released Saturday, the 27th. While budget negotiations were occurring behind closed doors, both chambers passed a number of bills. A few pertain to this report.

After this last deadline, attention now moves to both chamber floors. Action will primarily consist of both chambers debating and voting on bills that have passed either chamber. I’ve earlier explained the concurrence, dispute, and/or conference committee avenues of resolution. Simultaneously, meetings often held in backrooms away from public and member scrutiny, are being held as issues like the budget and revenue enhancements are bargained.

Following marathon hearings by the fiscal committees in both houses, the chambers are now publicly engaged in floor action where numerous bills are debated and voted upon. As is generally the norm, for every nine bills brought to either floor and approved by the body, the tenth bill becomes hotly contested. That’s when the theatrics occur. One example, is after passing a number of bills fairly easily, a bill dealing with union dues, SHB 1575 brought things to a halt as the Republicans demanded the bill be read in its totality, a very rare occurrence.

“No! No! No!” was the constant refrain heard as the committees and floor debated numerous amendments to the budget proposals. Requests for spending totaled more than the amount either house was willing to spend or to make a priority. Concurrently, policy committees continued to hear and then move bills. All of which have been reported previously in greater detail.