
January 13, 2025 2025 legislative session begins The 2025 legislative session kicks off this week with pomp and circumstance and committee hearings. New legislators will be sworn in today, January 13, Governor Inslee will give his final State of the State address to the Legislature on the 14th, and the new Governor and other statewide elected officials will be sworn in the 15th. January 15 will also mark the return of the traditional Inaugural Ball, which was suspended during the pandemic. There are many new faces in the Legislature this year and still a few new faces to come, as shifting positions and appointments have created other vacancies. We are excited to see a number of legislators who come from city government. In particular, we want to welcome these city officials now serving in the Legislature: Sen. Adrian Cortes (Battle Ground) Rep. Victoria Hunt (Issaquah) Rep. Lisa Parshley (Olympia) Rep. Josh Penner (Orting) Rep. Osman Salahuddin (Redmond) Rep. David Stuebe (Washougal) In addition to the ceremonial events this week, committee hearings will be held, with Gov. Inslee’s proposed budgets up for hearing in their respective fiscal committees. As noted in the articles below, cities have concerns about some of the proposed reductions to important programs. This is a good time to weigh in with your local legislators about the importance of the Public Works Assistance Account for all cities and towns. To follow all the action happening in the Legislature this week and throughout session, check out our full Legislative Bulletin and bill tracker and join us every Friday for our weekly City Action Calls. As always, if you have questions about bills or the legislative process, please feel free to contact the Government Relations team. We are happy to help. Candice Bock Government Relations Director Governor-elect Ferguson releases budget priorities as Gov. Inslee’s budget proposals scheduled for hearings The proposed operating, capital, and transportation budgets for the upcoming 2025-27 biennium are scheduled for hearings in their respective fiscal committees. The proposed budgets for the 2025-27 biennium include reductions to several of AWC’s priorities, notably the Public Works Assistance Account and basic law enforcement training, but fund other city priorities. Meanwhile, as the new administration transitions into office, Governor-elect Ferguson has also released his own budget priorities for the upcoming biennium, which include $4.4 billion in state budget reductions and additional funding for a $100 million grant program for hiring law enforcement officers. Learn more about budget impacts on cities. Public Works Assistance Account at risk of losing over $100 million Gov. Inslee’s 2025-27 budget proposal takes aim at the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) by sweeping $100 million to the state’s general fund and increasing existing diversions to other accounts. The proposed budget is a strong signal that the account is at risk this year, with state revenues down and state agency budgets restricted. Now is the time to act: Tell your local legislators how critical this funding is and how it has helped your community. Cities must rally to protect the PWAA—find out what you can do. Broad coalition supports revising the outdated property tax cap AWC is prioritizing our efforts to revise the local, optional 1% property tax cap for this upcoming legislative session. We are joined by a large coalition of local government associations, a variety of labor organizations, and individual cities and counties. Read the coalition’s summary outlining their support and reach out to us if you’d like to join in. We will be providing updates here in Bulletin and on our Friday calls throughout the session where you can expect to find opportunities to join in and testify. State of the Cities 2025—Five-year report available now! AWC reflects on 20 years of work and looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing municipal leaders serving their communities. This report is a comprehensive overview of the conditions that impact our cities and towns today, as well as over the last five years, and considers what challenges and opportunities city leaders must anticipate in the near future. More Celebrate the Public Works Board’s 40th Anniversary! This year, the Public Works Board (PWB) marks its 40th year of serving Washington’s local governments with vital support for their infrastructure projects. Since its founding in 1985, the PWB has awarded more than $3 billion in loans and grants to over 2,000 infrastructure projects across the state. Use this as an opportunity to spread the word about the important support cities receive from the PWB and advocate for ongoing, full funding for the Public Works Assistance Account. If you’re in Olympia on January 30, stop by the State Treasurer’s office between 4-7 pm to celebrate with PWB members, staff, and legislators. RSVP here. Add your project to the 2025-27 Public Works Board infrastructure pipeline PWB staff maintain a list of local projects seeking funding from the Public Works Assistance Account to understand and track the “infrastructure project pipeline” across Washington. Complete this brief survey to provide the PWB with information on your city’s known projects ready for construction within the next two to four years. Learn how to testify on a bill Did you know there are four ways to engage in the legislative process? Watch this video to learn how you can sign in to testify on a bill remotely or in person, indicate your position on a bill, or submit written comments on a bill. With so many options for getting involved, your city advocacy can be stronger than ever before! Check out the video on best practices for testifying as well, here. CityVoice Podcast: Exploring the conditions of Washington cities with Candice Bock AWC conducts an annual City Conditions Survey to gather information on the condition of cities and towns in our state. The survey covers a wide range of topics including finance, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and more. In Part 1 of a two-part podcast, we sit down with Candice Bock, AWC's Director of Government Relations, to talk through how Washington cities are faring in the areas of finance and public safety. Listen here. Visit AWC’s bill tracker for easy access to the bills you’re most interested in and to filter by the information you’re looking for, whether it’s a brief description of a bill, the status of bills you’re tracking, or AWC’s comprehensive coverage. Tip: Don't forget to bookmark the tracker and check it regularly for the latest updates. Text Check out the bills added to the tracker this week: Affordable housing New version of lot-splitting bill returns. (HB 1096) More Proposal to amend local design review, again. (HB 1160) More Budget & finance Governor’s proposed budgets scheduled for hearings: Operating (HB 1198/SB 5167) More Capital (HB 1216/SB 5195) More Ttransportation (HB 1227/SB 5161) More County utility tax proposal scheduled for hearing. (SB 5088) More Economic development Public facilities districts could see some new changes for the first time in years. (HB 1037/SB 5138) More General government Bill permits breaking car windows to save vulnerable people and pets. (HB 1046) More Open government New bill explores creating a “transparency ombudsman.” (HB 1055) More Public safety & criminal justice Bill to grant Attorney General authority to investigate city police departments returns in 2025. (HB 1056) More Bill seeks to lower the impaired driving threshold. (SB 5067) More Bill proposes restricting weapons in public buildings and parks. (SB 5098) More Changes proposed to law enforcement questioning juvenile witnesses and victims of crime. (SB 5052) More Public works & infrastructure Bill proposes testing for PFAS chemicals in biosolids. (SB 5033) More Proposal to ensure “prompt pay” on public works projects returns, with updates from CPARB. (SB 5176) More AWC submitted comments on the amendments to the Public Records Act Model Rules proposed by news outlets. Cities joined other local governments in highlighting concerns with some of the proposals. More Work session on a wealth tax proposal scheduled in the House Finance Committee. The Department of Revenue completed its report last year, and it is one option under consideration to bridge the state’s budget shortfall. More The Environmental and Land Use Hearings Office, Pollution Control Hearings Board, and Shoreline Hearings Board are updating their procedural rules. Informal feedback is due January 31. More The JLARC lodging tax reporting system is now open for reporting 2024 lodging tax expenditures. The annual report is due May 16. More Office of the Insurance Commissioner announces new billing protections for ground ambulance patients. The new law bans balance billing or “surprise billing” for covered emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transportation. More AWC’s legislative priority to increase fiscal tools to address local public safety challenges has an emerging bill. More No movement yet on impending decision by the state Supreme Court regarding indigent defense caseload standards. More Register for Friday City Action Calls (city members only) January 17 \| Online AWC hosts Friday City Actions calls at 12:30 pm each Friday during the legislative session. In these meetings, AWC lobbyists provide the latest updates and city officials have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. You’ll need to register each week. Don’t miss City Action Days – Register now February 19-20 \| Lacey Held annually during the legislative session, this popular event for city officials includes updates on city legislative priorities, insider panels, and intel on the latest legislative hot topics. The conference includes a “hill climb,” where attendees are encouraged to meet with legislators to discuss city priorities at the state Capitol. Register now!
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