Rep. Chris Stearns (D)

HB 2211: Granting local taxing authority to fund criminal justice

This bill, if passed, would provide a county legislative authority until Jan. 1, 2027, to impose a criminal justice sales and use tax without voter approval. It also would provide a city within a county that has not imposed the sales and use tax at the full rate by July 1, 2024, until January 1, 2027, to legislatively impose the remainder of the tax up to the full rate.

It also includes a provision which would add co-responder and diversion treatment services to the definition of criminal justice purposes for which a second sales and use tax can be used.

HB 2135: Including federally recognized tribes as part of the Washington emergency management division emergency worker program

The Military Department, under the direction of the state’s Adjutant General, is responsible for administering a comprehensive emergency management program for the state. Each political subdivision of the state must establish or jointly create a local organization for carrying out emergency management functions in accordance with the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

This bill would expand the Military Department’s Emergency Worker Program to include members of federally recognized tribes. “The definition of emergency worker is expanded to include a person who is registered with a federally recognized tribe, so long as the Department receives a tribal government resolution declaring the tribal government’s intention to be a participant in the Emergency Worker Program,” the bill’s summary reads.

HB 2019: Establishing a Native American apprentice assistance program.

This if passed would establishes the Native American Apprentice Assistance Program and allow for grant funding and assistance to Native American apprentices.

By Cameron Sheppard