“Yes! To Affordable Groceries” registered as a ballot committee with the Public Disclosure Commission this week, seeking to prevent the spread of local soda taxes. “This is the first step in a process to explore a statewide ballot measure that will keep groceries affordable and free of new local taxes.” The group, according to a flyer, isn’t seeking to roll back Seattle’s soda tax. (The Seattle Times)

Thurston Conservation District board members are under investigation. Called “a dysfunctional entity” by the Washington State Conservation Commission, the Thurston board has had members both resigning and publicly stating their negative opinions about the rest of their colleagues in recent weeks. (The Olympian)

Snohomish County will not prosecute people caught with less than 2 grams of a drug. County Prosecutor Mark Roe says lack of resources is the reason. “In 2017 our felony division, with no additional personnel, filed 700 more cases into Superior Court than in 2016. That resulted in caseloads far beyond what our trial deputies can handle effectively. Additionally, when we file more cases our county public defenders, because of the reasonable caseload standards adopted by the Supreme Court, get more attorneys. We do not. We just get further and further behind.” (MyNorthwest)

Rep. Jay Rodne (R-Snoqualmie) announced he will not be running for re-election. Rodne, first elected to the House in 2004, wrote on Facebook, “It’s amazing how fast the years have flown by and with my kids now in college, about to graduate and embark upon their own lives as adults, I too am looking forward to making this transition to new opportunities, new challenges and new ways to give back.” Former 5^th District representative Chad Magendanz, a Republican who lost a tight race for state Senate in 2016, announced he will run for the House seat. (The Seattle Times)

Former Chelan County Deputy Jennifer Tyler’s lawsuit against the Chelan Sheriff’s Office begins this week. Tyler filed the suit in 2013, contending that she was retaliated against by the office after she testified against a former boss. (Wenatchee World)

Darren Pitcher resigned from his position as president of Spokane Falls Community College “to focus on his health and family.” Pitcher has been under investigation over workplace behavior. (Spokesman-Review)

Sen. Mike Baumgartner (R-Spokane) is not running for re-election and will instead run for Spokane County Treasurer. Baumgartner said he will emphasize “fiscal transparency and fiscal conservative values if elected,” and will endorse Rep. Jeff Holy (R-Cheney) for his Senate seat. (Spokesman-Review)

Concerning records disclosure obligations of the legislative branch | SB 6617 | 41-7-1-0 Senate vote (2/23), 83-14-0-1 House vote (2/23) | “Our constituent services staff tell us that [the 4,300 phone calls and 8,100 emails regarding Senate Bill 6617] is unprecedented in the Inslee Administration.” (The Seattle Times)

Raising the legal age for buying a semiautomatic rifle to 21 | SB 6620 | in Senate Ways & Means Committee | “We are long overdue for us to send a message to our children that they matter more than providing easy access to military-style weapons.” (The Everett Herald) 

Three bills that “seek to protect union financial interests at the expense of worker rights…reward(ing) labor unions for their generous campaign contributions.” (Washington Policy Center)

• Forcing home care workers to pay dues to SEIU | SB 6199 | passed Senate 26-21-0-2 (2/10), in House Rules Committee
• Allowing unions to deduct dues without written permission | HB 2751 | passed House 50-48-0-0 (2/12), in Senate Rules Committee
• Giving union executives 30 minutes to cajole public employees into union membership | SB 6229 | passed Senate 27-20-0-2 (2/12), passed House 58-40-0-0 (2/27), headed to Inslee’s Desk

Clarifying the authority and procedures for contracting by public port districts | ESSB 6329 | 46-1-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 91-7-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning the use of perfluorinated chemicals in food packaging | ESHB 2658 | 30-17-0-2 Senate vote (2/28), 56-41-0-0 House vote (2/12)

Adding part-time employees to state civil service | HB 2669 | 27-21-0-1 Senate vote (2/28), 50-47-0-0 House vote (2/12)

Concerning access to homeless housing and assistance | E2SHB 1570 | 27-21-0-1 Senate vote (2/28), 51-47-0-0 House vote (2/7)

Improving students’ mental health by enhancing nonacademic professional services | 2SHB 1377 | 43-3-0-3 Senate vote (2/28), 64-34-0-0 House vote (2/9)

Helping foster and homeless youth complete apprenticeships | SB 6274 | 35-12-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 55-43-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Establishing the prevailing rate of wage based on collective bargaining agreements or other methods if collective bargaining agreements are not available | SB 5493 | 32-15-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 70-28-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Protecting agricultural workers and community members from pesticides | SB 6529 | 45-2-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 57-41-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning health plan coverage of reproductive health care | SSB 6219 | 26-22-0-1 Senate vote (1/31), 50-48-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Requiring fair reimbursement for chiropractic services | ESB 5518 | 45-3-0-1 Senate (2/7), 86-12-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Increasing transparency of contributions by creating the Washington state DISCLOSE act of 2018 | SSB 5991 | 32-17-0-0 Senate vote (32-17-0-0), 53-45-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Requiring coverage for hearing instruments under public employee and medicaid programs | E2SSB 5179 | 48-0-0-1 Senate vote (1/19), 80-18-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning health care for Pacific Islanders residing in Washington under a compact of free association | SSB 5683 | 46-2-0-1 Senate vote (2/8), 57-41-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Restricting the practice of conversion therapy | SB 5722 | 32-16-0-1 Senate vote (1/19), 66-32-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Addressing the disposition of certain fees collected by the department of financial institutions for the securities division | SB 6024 | 46-0-0-3 Senate vote (2/9), 89-9-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Revising conditions under which a person is subject to exclusive adult jurisdiction and extending juvenile court jurisdiction over serious cases to age twenty-five | E2SSB 6160 | 35-12-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 58-40-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Allowing industrial insurance coverage for posttraumatic stress disorders of law enforcement and firefighters | SSB 6214 | 47-0-0-2 Senate vote (2/9), 91-7-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning expansion of extended foster care eligibility | SSB 6222 | 47-0-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 68-30-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Providing early intervention services for eligible children | ESSB 6257 | 46-0-0-3 Senate vote (2/8), 79-19-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning facilities financing by the housing finance commission | SB 6371 | 44-2-1-2 Senate vote (2/9), 59-39-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning the award of fees for limited license legal technicians in certain domestic violence cases | SB 5213 | 45-0-1-3 Senate vote (2/9), 94-4-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning public hospital district health and wellness promotion activities and superintendent appointment and removal | HB 2539 | 58-39-0-1 House vote (2/12), 46-2-0-1 Senate vote (2/28)

Allowing minors to consent to share their personally identifying information in the Washington homeless client management information system | HB 1630 | 96-2-0-1 House vote (2/8), 45-4-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Protecting survivors of domestic assault from employment discrimination | HB 2661 | 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/7) 44-5-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning enforcement of the electrical laws | ESHB 1952 | 96-0-0-2 House vote (1/24), 45-4-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning civil arbitration | EHB 1128 | 77-19-0-2 House vote (1/18), 41-8-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Prohibiting employers from asking about arrests or convictions before an applicant is determined otherwise qualified for a position | 2SHB 1298 | 52-46-0-0 House vote (2/7), 33-16-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Changing the designation of the state behavioral health authority | 2ESHB 1388 | 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/7), 44-2-3-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning the collection of youth voter registration sign up information | 2SHB 1513 | 52-46-0-0 House vote (2/12), 27-22-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning the state building code council | E2SHB 1622 | 73-24-0-1 House vote (2/8), 30-19-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning legal financial obligations | E2SHB 1783 | 86-12-0-0 House vote (1/11), 32-17-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Addressing the budgeting process for core state services for children | EHB 2008 | 63-34-0-1 House vote (1/24), 33-16-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Exempting impact fees for low-income housing development | SHB 2538 | 96-2-0-0 House vote (2/8), 45-4-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning procedures in order to automatically register citizens to vote | E2SHB 2595 | 50-48-0-0 House vote (2/12), 29-20-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning state charity care law | SSB 6273 | 47-0-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning the reauthorization of the underground storage tank program | SB 6159 | 47-0-0-2 Senate vote (2/13), 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Expanding the access to baby and child dentistry program to serve children with disabilities | SSB 6549 | 47-0-0-2 Senate vote (2/12), 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning certificates of veterinary inspection for animals brought into the state | SB 6369 | 47-0-0-2 Senate vote (2/13), 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Implementing the federal produce safety rule | SB 6319 | 47-0-0-2 Senate vote (2/13), 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Promoting preapprenticeship opportunities for high school students | SHB 2685 | 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/7), 48-0-1-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning the handling of child forensic interview and child interview digital recordings | ESHB 2700 | 98-0-0-0 House vote (2/7), 49-0-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Enhancing crime victim participation in the criminal justice system process | SHB 1022 | 95-1-0-2 House vote (1/18), 49-0-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning foster youth health care benefits | SHB 2530 | 94-4-0-0 House vote (2/8), 49-0-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Defining the process for best interest determinations of students in out-of-home care | ESHB 2684 | 97-0-0-1 House vote (2/8), 49-0-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning election security practices around auditing and equipment | ESHB 2406 | 97-1-0-0 House vote (2/12), 49-0-0-0 Senate vote (2/28)

Concerning the collection of a motor vehicle excise tax approved by voters of a regional transit authority in 2016 | SB 5955 | 30-14-0-5 Senate vote (3/1)

Allowing excess local infrastructure financing revenues to be carried forward | HB 2858 | 96-2-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Concerning confinement in juvenile rehabilitation facilities | ESHB 2907 | 71-27-0-0 House vote (2/28)

Technology & Economic Development (House)

Enhancing consumer access, affordability, and quality of broadband and advanced telecommunications services | E2SSB 5935

Concerning the electrification of transportation | ESSB 6187

Ways & Means (Senate)

Concerning quality in assisted living facilities | EHB 2750

Concerning confinement in juvenile rehabilitation facilities | ESHB 2907

Improving security in schools and the safety of students | SB 6620

Transportation (Senate)

Modifying the alternative fuel vehicle sales and use tax exemptions for the purposes of expanding the exemptions and amending related provisions | HB 2653

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