We're in week 3 of the 2018 legislative session.  Here's this week's update.

House Appropriations Approves Document Recording Fee Bill
On Monday, the House Appropriations approved a second substitute of House Bill 1570. Here is the latest description and amendment.   You can track legislation we're following on our bill tracking page.

House Committee to Hear Bill to Expand ECEAP Eligibility Expansion
The House Early Learning and Health Services Committee will hold a hearing 8 a.m. Friday, January 26 on HB 2659 which will expand definition of full enrollment for the early childhood education and assistance program to include children in families living below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Here is the action alert on this bill. In the Senate,  Senator Rolfes introduced SB 6419 which would improve flexibility for providers by allowing them to increase the proportion of families enrolled who have income over 110 percent of federal poverty level from 10 percent of program participants to 25 percent. It would also make homeless children categorically eligible for ECEAP. 

Legislature Approves Capital Budget
On January 19, the Governor signed into la, to take effect immediately, the 2017-19 Capital Budget (SB 6090).  The capital budget contains more than $1 billion for school construction and money forlow-income housing projects. Last year was the first time in modern history lawmakers failed to pass a capital budget. Unfortunately,the compromise bill did not pass until just after the deadline necessary to apply for federal low-income housing tax credits from the state Housing Finance Commission. 

Don't Forget Lobby Day is February 1st
Governor Inslee will provide opening remarks for our evening reception. Learn more.

Get Regular Updates in Your Email
We will keep you posted on the latest legislative activities and action alerts by email. Sign up here.