With so many national lawsuits going against the Trump Administration, one wonders if A.G. Bob Ferguson knows what’s going on in this Washington. Ferguson sued Trump and the federal government 20 times in 2017-18. While middle-of-the-road voters might roll their eyes, Ferguson’s real target – the liberal Democratic activists he’ll need to run for governor – are eating it up. (MyNorthwest)

Of course, Gov. Inslee is no slouch when it comes to pursuing national headlines. We’re with Jason Rantz, asking of our state’s alleged leaders: “Shouldn’t the first priority of state government be to address the issues of the state?” (MyNorthwest)

Maybe Inslee’s answer is in his interview with POLITICO (a little more of that national exposure). “It’s a great awakening that we have to fight on a state-by-state basis…It comes down to Democratic governors who are standing up for action and the Republicans who are standing in the courthouse door just taking orders from the NRA.” A George Wallace allusion, classy. (POLITICO)

Five things you should know about the energy tax that is headed your way via initiative this coming November, including just how much you’re going to have to pay in outrageous and unnecessary fees: here. (Washington Policy Center)

Seattle’s new Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law provides a legal avenue for police to remove guns from the homes of people who are considered a threat. “We now have to go to someone’s house and knock on the door and say, ‘We’re from the government. Can we have your guns?’…That can get very dangerous…It could be anything from specific threats, behavior that is associated and disturbing or unsettling in some manner…Or it could be someone who is expressing suicidal ideation,” Sergeant Eric Pisconski told KIRO’s Dave Ross. (KIRO)

Police failed to arrest protesters downtown on Friday because of the First Amendment. Seattle police Deputy Chief Chris Fowler told The Seattle Times, “Courts have found that the First Amendment trumps a lot of other laws and a lot of other conveniences.” Harder to follow was the department’s logic on traffic, as summarized by the Times: “Seattle traffic is already so bad and so easily disrupted that any single incident, such as Friday’s protest…can turn the roads into commuter nightmares.” That’s a reason to not keep the streets clear? (The Seattle Times)

Deaths within King County’s homeless population increased 115% since 2012 according to the medical examiner’s office. “I think the biggest surprise was the drastic number of people with methamphetamine in their systems…We know that more people are using multiple drugs.” The number of people who have been found with methamphetamine in their systems post-mortem has jumped from 18% to 63% in the last six years. (MyNorthwest)

Red-light traffic cameras are in Lynnwood to stay after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by a man who claimed the cameras were a violation of his civil rights, ruling the claims were “illogical” and “meritless.” (The Everett Herald)

House Minority Leader Rep. Dan Kristiansen (R-Snohomish) will not seek re-election this fall. Kristiansen was elected eight times in the 39^th LD, starting in 2002. “It was just time…It’s been something I’ve been considering for quite a while. I’d rather leave on my terms…I’ve been thrilled to serve in this capacity.” (The Everett Herald)

Three tribes joined in a lawsuit against major pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors. The Port Gamble S’Klallam, Suquamish and Jamestown S’Klallam tribes filed in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Monday. “The suit contends that the companies manufacturing, marketing, and distributing opioids carried out a scheme to make doctors and patients believe that prescription opioids were safe, non-addictive, and could be used without long-term effects…That effort, as well as the failure of the companies to track orders and distribution of the drugs as required by law, shows companies created an illicit market for highly addictive drugs that have ravaged tribal communities.” (The Kitsap Sun)

All three Spokane County Commissioners are asking Gov. Inslee to veto a bill that would expand their board to five members. Proponents, including Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane) argue it would add representation in “the most populous county in the state to operate under Washington’s original, three-commissioner form of government.” The three current commissioners “said the bill ignores the will of the voters who defeated a ballot measure calling for a five-member commission in 2015.” (The Spokesman-Review)

The Dept. of Health ruled in favor of the two Spokane County medical examiners who had 14 autopsies under review after the families of the deceased questioned the examiners’ findings. “As these were death determinations, the standard of care shifts from patient harm to following protocol, procedure, and best practice as it relates to pathology and the practice of a medical examiner…In these cases, the expert found the two MEs did in fact meet the standard of care. After consideration of the 14 investigations and the expert review, a panel of Commissioners closed the investigations as having met the standard of care.” (The Spokesman-Review)

Rep. Terry Nealey (R-Dayton) will not seek re-election after serving nine years as a representative in the 16^th LD. “After a great deal of soul searching, I have decided it is best to retire from the Legislature at the end of my term in January and spend more time with my family.” (The Union-Bulletin)

Garth McKinney, vice president of Maher Property Management in Yakima, is challenging Rep. Norm Johnson (R-Yakima) for his seat in the 14^th LD and will be running as a Republican. McKinney is joining Sasha Bentley, who is running as a Democrat. (The Yakima Herald)

Barbara Harrer has been mayor of Harrah for 41 years. Her tenure as the mayor of the 650-person town “is among the longest in the state.” Harrer intends to seek re-election again this fall, saying of her years of service, “It’s no big deal…It’s serving the community…There are a few things I’d like to get done…but it depends on whether the Lord will let me.” (The Yakima-Herald)

Relating to the use of law enforcement officers using deadly force | HB 3003 | in Senate Committee on Law & Justice | Would enact I-940, which would “change the law to a more detailed, multipart threshold of ‘good faith’ that takes into account what a ‘reasonable officer’ might have done under the circumstances,” as well as “consider an officer’s intentions to determine if he or she acted in good faith, as well as mandate more mental-health and de-escalation training for officers.” (The Seattle Times)

Allowing unions to legally demand home healthcare workers pay union fees  | SB 6199 | passed Senate 26-21-0-2 (2/10), passed House 50-0-48-0 (3/1), headed to Governor’s Desk | “In 2014 the U.S. Supreme Court in Harris versus Quinn said that Medicaid-paid providers do not have to pay union dues…This bill is a big step backwards,” said Rep. Joe Schmick (R–Colfax) during the floor debate in the House. “This is nothing more than a payback to a union,” Rep. Joyce McDonald (R-Puyallup) said during the debate as well. (The Chronicle)

Relating to protecting an open internet in Washington | HB 2282 | passed House 95-5-0-0 (2/9), passed Senate 35-14-0-0 (2/27) | “The actions by the states…are almost certain to end up in courts. The F.C.C. has asserted it has the only authority to oversee broadband internet services, because the data on the internet passes across multiple state lines. In the rules it passed last year to reduce the regulations, the agency explicitly said states could not create their own rules.” (The New York Times)

Relating to trigger modification devices | SB 5992 | passed House 56-41-0-1 (2/23), passed Senate 31-18-0-0 (2/27)

Relating to the uniform parentage act | SB 6037 | passed House 50-47-0-1 (2/27), passed Senate 27-21-0-1 (2/7)

Five bills related to domestic violence and abuse (The Seattle Times):

Adding domestic violence harassment to the list of offenses for which a person is prohibited from possessing a firearm | SB 6298 | passed House 94-4-0-0 (2/27), passed Senate 39-10-0-0 (3/5), headed to Governor’s Desk

Developing model policies to create workplaces that are safe from sexual harassment | SB 6471 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/27), passed Senate 48-0-0-1 (2/8), headed to Governor’s Desk

Encouraging the disclosure and discussion of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace | SB 5996 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/27), passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), headed to Governor’s Desk

Concerning an employee’s right to file a complaint or cause of action for sexual harassment or sexual assault in mandatory employment contracts and agreements | SB 6313 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/14), passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), headed to Governor’s Desk

Protecting survivors of domestic assault from employment discrimination | HB 2661 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/7), passed Senate 44-5-0-0 (2/28), headed to Governor’s Desk

Granting relatives, including but not limited to grandparents, the right to seek visitation with a child through the courts | SB 5598 | passed House 43-6-0-0 (3/6), passed Senate 44-5-0-0 (1/25)

Requiring a systemwide credit policy regarding international baccalaureate exams | ESB 5917 | passed Senate 47-2-0-0 (3/6), passed House 87-11-0-0 (3/2)

Increasing transparency of contributions by creating the Washington state DISCLOSE act of 2018 | SSB 5991 | passed Senate 33-16-0-0 (3/6), passed House 53-45-0-0 (2/28)

Concerning the reauthorization of the underground storage tank program | SB 6159 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/28)

Defining dyslexia as a specific learning disability and requiring early screening for dyslexia | E2SSB 6162 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 96-2-0-0 (3/1)

Extending the duration of the collaborative for the advancement of telemedicine | SB 6163 | passed Senate 48-0-1-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/27)

Concerning the Washington uniform common interest ownership act | SSB 6175 | passed Senate 38-11-0-0 (3/6), passed House 56-41-0-1

Concerning the federal lands revolving account | ESB 6211 | passed House 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (3/2)

Concerning spoken language interpreter services | 2SSB 6245 | passed Senate 32-16-1-0 (3/6), passed House 53-44-0-1 (3/1)

Providing early intervention services for eligible children | ESSB 6257 | passed Senate 48-1-0-0 (3/6), passed House 79-19-0-0 (2/28)

Concerning state charity care law | SSB 6273 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/28)

Helping foster and homeless youth complete apprenticeships | 2SSB 6274 | passed Senate 34-15-0-0 (3/6), passed House 55-43-0-0 (2/28)

Concerning an employee’s right to file a complaint or cause of action for sexual harassment or sexual assault in mandatory employment contracts and agreements | SSB 6313 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/28)

Clarifying the authority and procedures for contracting by public port districts | ESSB 6329 | passed Senate 48-1-0-0 (3/6), passed House 91-7-0-0 (2/28)

Concerning implementation of mandatory provisions of the federal rule on flexibility, efficiency, and modernization in child support enforcement programs regarding health care coverage | SSB 6334 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/28)

Concerning paraeducators | SSB 6388 | passed Senate 48-1-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/27)

Concerning private case management of child welfare services | SB 6407 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 97-0-0-1 (3/1)

Concerning access to the Washington early childhood education and assistance program | SSB 6419 | passed Senate 48-1-0-0 (3/6), passed House 70-28-0-0 (3/1)

Expanding the activities of the children’s mental health services consultation program | SSB 6452 | passed Senate 48-0-0-1 (3/6), passed House 97-0-0-1 (3/1)

Developing model policies to create workplaces that are safe from sexual harassment | SB 6471 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/27)

Creating a pilot project for tribal compact schools | SSB 6474 | passed Senate 44-5-0-0 (3/6), passed House 86-11-0-1 (3/1)

Increasing the availability of assisted outpatient behavioral health treatment | ESSB 6491 | passed Senate 48-1-0-0 (3/6), passed House 92-5-0-1 (3/1)

Increasing transparency and accountability for intercollegiate athletic programs | SSB 6493 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 95-3-0-0 (3/2)

Ensuring that no youth is discharged from a public system of care into homelessness | SSB 6560 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/27)

Expanding civics education in public schools | 2SHB 1896 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/9)

Providing higher education support for gold star families | E2SHB 2009 | passed Senate 48-0-0-1 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/28)

Establishing a child care collaborative task force | SHB 2367 | passed Senate 48-0-0-1 (3/6), passed House 69-29-0-0 (2/9)

Concerning election security practices around auditing and equipment | ESHB 2406 | passed Senate 48-0-0-1 (3/6), passed House 97-1-0-0 (2/12)

Concerning procedures in order to automatically register citizens to vote | E2SHB 2595 | passed Senate 27-21-0-0 (3/6), passed House 50-48-0-0 (2/12)

Creating the hunger-free students’ bill of rights act | ESHB 2610 | passed Senate 31-17-0-0 (3/6), passed House 59-39-0-0 (2/13)

Extending existing telecommunications authority to all ports in Washington state in order to facilitate public-private partnerships in wholesale telecommunications services and infrastructure | SHB 2664 | passed Senate 49-0-0-0 (3/6), passed House 98-0-0-0 (2/27)

Addressing workplace practices to achieve gender pay equity | 2SHB 1506 | passed Senate 36-12-0-1 (3/6), passed House 69-28-0-1 (1/17)

Concerning the January 1, 2020, implementation of the school employees’ benefits board program | ESSB 6241 | in dispute (3/6)

Regulating the use of cannabinoid additives in marijuana products | E2SHB 2334 | passed House 58-40-0-0 (3/6)

Concerning the processes for reviewing sexually violent predators committed under chapter 71.09 RCW | HB 2271 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (3/6)

Relating to making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events | SHB 3002 | passed House 51-47-0-0 (3/6)

Establishing a fee for certification for the residential services and supports program to cover investigative cost | ESSHB 1792 | passed House 50-48-0-0 (3/6)

Concerning tax relief for adaptive automotive equipment for veterans and service members with disabilities | 2S2SHB 2269 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (3/6)

Promoting renewable natural gas | ESSHB 2580 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (3/6)

Creating a graduated reentry program of partial confinement for certain offenders | SSHB 2638 | passed House 85-13-0-0 (3/6)

Establishing a fee for certification for the residential services and supports program to cover investigative costs | ESHB 1792 | passed House 50-48-0-0 (3/6)

Concerning tax relief for adaptive automotive equipment for veterans and service members with disabilities | 2SHB 2269 | passed House 98-0-0-0 (3/6)

Finance (House)

Extending the expiration date of the public utility tax exemption for certain electrolytic processing businesses | SB 6007

Concerning the sale of manufactured/mobile home communities | SSB 5627

Concerning funding for the support of common schools | SSB 6614

Concerning the electrification of transportation | SSB 6080

Law & Justice (Senate)

Relating to law enforcement | HB 3003

Appropriations (House)

Creating the orca protection act | ESSB 5886

Do you like The Morning Briefing? Forward this to a friend! It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].

If you don’t want to receive this email each morning, click here to opt-out of The Morning Briefing.