Washington Legislature 2022: A short summary of what passed

Brooklynn Hillemann

Washington State Journal

Gov. Jay Inslee said lawmakers delivered on his call to take “big, bold, action,” after the 60-day legislative session ended March 10 in Olympia, with a $64.1 billion supplemental state budget approved at the midnight deadline.

Besides boosting spending by $5 billion in the current two-year budget cycle, legislators approved the first major transportation funding package since 2015.

Speaker of the House, Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said: “We wanted to advance every single Washingtonian, and we’ve done that with the work we’ve done.”

CARES paused: Legislators paused the state’s long-term care benefit program by 18-months. Democrats and Republicans argued the program was not solvent; more than 473,000 residents opted out of the program for a private plan. The law delays the collection of the tax until July 2023.

Gun restrictions: Legislators approved a bill prohibiting the manufacture, sale or distribution of gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. A bill passed prohibits weapons at ballot counting sites and school board meetings and bans open carry of firearms at local government meetings and election-related facilities. Those with concealed pistol licenses are exempt.

Police reform: Washington lawmakers last year passed more than a dozen police accountability measures. Many argued the reforms had unintended consequences on police agencies. Bills passed clarified that officers may use .50 caliber less-than-lethal rounds and can use reasonable force to take someone in crisis into custody. The bills define when police can use reasonable force.

Move Ahead Washington: The nearly $17 billion 16-year package invests in transit projects including the building of new hybrid electric ferries, funding walking and biking corridors, replacing the Interstate 5 bridge at the Oregon border and replacing fish passage culverts. It is funded with revenue from the new cap-and-trade program, federal money, a one-time transfer of $2 billion from the state operating budget surplus and increases in vehicle and driver licensing fees.

The budget: Democrats passed a $5 billion boost to the state’s current two-year budget. The funds increase the number of school counselors and nurses, pay raises for state employees, increase rates for childcare providers and provide rental assistance.

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