2025 Legislative Session Update
Friday, January 31, 2025
Today marks the 19th day of the 2025 Legislative Session in Washington State which means we still have 86 days left before Sine Die (end of session). We are now 3 weeks away from the first cutoff of session, the “Policy Cutoff” on Friday, February 21. Until then, we will see more and more policy bills being introduced and heard in committees.
Democratic Budget Update
The timing of the much-anticipated biennial budget was announced earlier this week at a press availability for Democrat Leadership. While they didn’t give an exact date, it was noted that we should expect the three budgets, to include the Operating, Capital, Transportation, to be released during the last two weeks of March. This aligns with when budgets are typically released during a long session, but we have seen them released earlier.
Also at the press availability, on Tuesday, January 28, Democrat Leadership was asked about the possibility of new tax revenue which they replied that no idea is ahead of the others which sounded like they haven’t decided which tax would have the best chance at passage, but they lean that the “wealthy” should pay their fair share. They are currently looking at former Governor Inslee’s Budget to review potential revenue options.
You can view the Legislative Democratic Media Availability here.
Supermajority to Suspend Floor Debate Changed to Majority
Last week, House legislators voted 54-33 to alter that rule requiring a supermajority to suspend debate on a bill on the House Floor. This Rule that existed in the Washington State Legislature’s House of Representatives for 132 years has changed to only require a majority to end debate. The House is composed of 59 Democrats and 39 Republicans.
Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, told legislators during the House floor debate on Friday regarding House Resolution 4607 adopting House rules for the session that, “We’re setting ourselves up on a dangerous path,”. Speaking in favor of an amendment to restore the supermajority requirement to end debate, he said “this underlying House rules is going to take away our ability or take away the ability of the minority party to have a robust discussion … and that’s very concerning.”
Speaking against the amendment and in favor of a simple majority vote to suspend debate was Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Seattle, who said the change was necessary to avoid instances where debate lingers on in an effort to delay the legislative process and potentially stymie legislation favored by the majority party.
Replacement For Resigning WA State Lawmakers
Last month Governor Bob Ferguson appointed Senator Joe Nguyen (D) from the 34th Legislative District to lead the state Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Senate seat was vacant. Recently the Metropolitan King County Council appointed House member Emily Alvarado (D) to replace him. The 34th legislative district consist of West Seattle, Vashon Island, White Center and part of Burien.
The council also approved Brianna Thomas (D) as Alvarado’s replacement for position 1 in the state House of Representatives. Thomas currently works as the senior policy and labor adviser for the Seattle mayor’s office and previously was chief of staff for then-Seattle City Councilmember M. Lorena González.
After Governor Ferguson picked Tana Senn (D), former state Representative in the 41st Legislative District to lead the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), the council chose Janice Zahn (D) to replace Tana ins the Houe of Reprsenatives. Zahn is the chief engineer at the Port of Seattle and has been serving on the Bellevue City Council since being elected in 2017. The 41st legislative district includes all of Mercer Island and Newcastle, with portions of Bellevue, Renton, Issaquah, and Sammamish.
Both the House and Senate positions will be on the ballot in a special election in November, with the winners serving through 2026.
Governor Ferguson & DOC Investment of $14.6 Million in Grants for Affordable Housing
On Thursday, January 30, Governor Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Commerce announced $14.6 million in grants to support shovel-ready housing projects that will create more than 1,800 affordable units in 10 counties. These projects will include affordable housing for seniors and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. These are part of the CHIP program or the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program, which was established in 2021 through the Department of Commerce.
Future funding is contingent on appropriation in the 2025-27 State Capital Budget, now under consideration by the Legislature.
In the Governor’s inaugural address he stated that, “Washingtonians need more housing — lots more housing. We must make it easier, faster and less expensive to build housing of all kinds.” He is committed to housing affordability and building a path for the 1.1 million units needed in Washington state in the next 20 years.
We will keep you updated on important and relevant legislation throughout the session.
If you are wanting or asked to testify on a bill, please click this link on instructions and helpful hints on the testimony process.
