Legislators Turn Back to Budget Matters in Final Month of Session

Cannabis-use bill prohibiting pre-employment screening of applicants passes House, heads back to Senate for concurrence

State Director Patrick Connor reports from Olympia on the small-business agenda for the legislative week ending March 31

Following the second policy committee cut-off on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Legislature shifted most of its work to fiscal committees again where bills with a budget impact will receive further scrutiny. Some floor action also occurred this week, primarily on non-controversial bills.

Fiscal committees will continue public hearings and executive sessions through Tuesday, April 4. The House and Senate will take to the floor full time beginning April 5 through the end of session. Sunday, April 23, is the last day allowed for this year’s 105-day regular session.

Environment

HB 1589, limiting future expansion of natural gas lines, was approved by the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. It was referred to Senate Rules where it awaits a place on the floor calendar for consideration by the full Senate. NFIB opposes the bill.

Health Care

HB 1357, modernizing prior authorization processes, was heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, and has been scheduled for executive action next week. NFIB supports the bill.

Labor

HB 1068, allowing independent medical exams to be videotaped, is still in the Senate Rules Committee. NFIB opposes the bill.

HB 1106, expanding unemployment insurance benefits for workers voluntarily quitting due to shift changes impacting child- or elder-care, or to care for their own or a family member’s health condition, is now on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar, making it eligible for a floor vote at any time. NFIB opposes the bill.

HB 1197, allowing psychologists to be attending providers for workers’ compensation PTSD claims by first responders, is still in the Senate Rules Committee pending further action. NFIB opposes the bill.

HB 1217, establishing a 12% annual interest penalty for wage complaints and forming a workgroup to study how other states handle wage claims, was approved by the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee and has already been placed on the 2nd Reading Calendar by the Rules Committee. NFIB opposes the bill.

HB 1320, authorizing workers to sue over personnel file disputes, was heard by the Senate Ways & Means Committee this week and has been scheduled for executive action on April 3. NFIB has opposes the bill.

HB 1491, limiting jobsite searches of workers’ private vehicles, is also scheduled for executive action in Senate Ways & Means on April 3. NFIB supports the bill.

SB 5110, authorizing workers to sue employers for various alleged workplace violations, is now in the House Rules Committee awaiting further action. NFIB opposes the bill.

SB 5123, prohibiting pre-employment screening of applicants for cannabis use, passed the House, 57-41. Four Republicans – Reps. Low, Robertson, Rude, and Walsh – voted in favor, while five Democrats voted no – Reps. Davis, Leavitt, Paul, Ryu, and Walen. NFIB opposes the bill.

SB 5217, ergonomics, ended up being sent to the House Appropriations Committee where it was heard Thursday, March 30, and approved Friday, March 31. The bill will go to the House Rules Committee next. NFIB opposes the bill.

SB 5454, making PTSD a presumptive illness for nurses under the state’s workers’ compensation system, is scheduled for executive action in the House Appropriations Committee on April 4. NFIB opposes expanding presumptive determinations in workers’ comp claims.

Regulatory

HB 1534, homeowner recovery fund and contractor bond increase, was heard in Senate Ways & Means this week, and has been scheduled for executive action on April 4. NFIB supports the bill.

HB 1742, business licensing and unclaimed property penalty waivers, was also heard in Senate Ways & Means this week, and has been scheduled for executive action on April 4. NFIB supports the bill.

Past Weekly Reports and Related Information