WA governor has signed nearly 100 bills into law so far. Here are some of the key ones
As the 2023 Washington legislative session draws to an end, Gov. Jay Inslee took last week signing a number of bills into law.
So far, the governor has signed nearly 100 bills from this year’s session, which adjourns Sunday, April 23.
At a press conference Thursday, Inslee said he was pleased with the progress that lawmakers have made so far, particularly with financing and permitting new housing, climate change, and gun legislation.
“This is shaping up to be an extremely productive session and I appreciate everyone’s hard work,” the governor said. “But we’re not done yet, obviously.”
Last Wednesday, lawmakers faced their last cutoff date to pass bills from the opposite chamber. Some of that legislation will need to be sent back to the chamber where it originated in order for lawmakers to concur, or not concur, on amendments made in the opposite chamber.
Lawmakers will spend the next few days of the session working on those bills, as well as negotiating operating, capital and transportation budgets.
A complete list of all the bills the governor has signed into law so far are available on the governor’s website. Here are some of the key bills signed into law by Inslee so far:
Addressing the fentanyl crisis
Enhanced House Bill 1209: Also known as the Tyler Lee Yates Act, this legislation makes the purchase, sale and possession of pill presses a Class C Felony. Both House and Senate chambers passed the bipartisan-sponsored bill unanimously after lawmakers said the presses have been used to make counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. The bill was signed into law on Thursday.
Insulin caps
Senate Bill 5729: In 2020, lawmakers directed health insurance companies to cap out-of-pocket expenses for insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply. In 2022, that cap was lowered to $35 for a 30-day supply, but the law was set to expire on Jan. 1, 2024. The bill signed by Inslee removes the expiration date, permanently establishing limits on the cost of insulin in the state.
New speed cameras
Senate Bill 5272: Under this new law, the Washington State Department of Transportation is authorized to install and use speed cameras in highway work zones, but only until June 30, 2030. Citing concerns about increased traffic fatalities, the Senate passed the measure in February with a 47-2 vote, and House lawmakers voted unanimously to approve the proposal. The bill goes into effect on July 23.
Death with Dignity Act expanded
Senate Bill 5179: Washington voters first approved the Death with Dignity Act in 2008 for those with fewer than six months to live. Under this new law, access to providers who have authorization to assist is expanded to include advanced registered nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Additionally, the law allows the medication used in the process to be mailed and eliminates waiting periods after medication is requested. The governor signed the bill on April 6, and the law will go into effect on July 23.
Name changes for transgender individuals
Senate Bill 5028: This new law will not only make it easier for transgender individuals to change their names, but will ensure that those records can be sealed to protect the privacy of people who go through the transition process. The bill first passed the Senate in February with a 45-3 vote, and in March passed in the House with a 64-32 vote. The law will go into effect on July 23.
Language access services
Senate Bill 5304: Signed into law Friday, this bill will require the Department of Social Health and Services to test language access providers to ensure that they are fluent enough to communicate with patients who require interpretation services. Certification would be granted for providers after they are able to pass oral and written tests. Senate lawmakers voted unanimously in March to pass the measure, while House lawmakers voted to pass the proposal 94-4 on April 5.
Interstate compacts
House Bill 1069: Lawmakers in both chambers voted unanimously to pass this piece of legislation that establishes the Counseling Compact. The compact allows professional mental health counselors in Washington state to practice remotely in the 17 other states that are a part of the compact; mental health professionals in other states in the compact also can practice remotely in Washington. The bill is intended to fill gaps in mental health care, and was signed Thursday by the governor.
House Bill 1001: Similarly, Inslee signed another bill on Thursday that will allow Washington to enter into the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact with 23 other states. Under the new law, audiologists or speech-language pathologists can practice remotely in other states who have signed into the compact. Both chambers passed the measure unanimously.
This story was originally published April 15, 2023 at 12:34 PM.
