Looking ahead to 2022 Legislative Session
As we wait for the final crescendo of this year’s legislative actions, it is time to start taking stock of the legislative proposals that did not make it through every legislative hurdle necessary to become law. This is not the full breakdown of every unsuccessful bill, but rather focused specifically on the six bills WACD tracked this session which made it through one chamber of the legislature but did not complete the circuit through the other body. I chose this approach because it indicates this legislation is extremely likely to be seen again next year.
These bills span the gamut, from incorporating remote meetings into the Open Public Meeting Act (OPMA) to creating an in-state meat and poultry inspection program. When a bill comes so close to becoming law, usually there are additional conversations among legislators and stakeholders before trying again the next year. WACD and some member districts will be interested in participating or observing some of those discussions over the summer.
HB 1056 – Concerning open public meeting notice requirements and declared emergencies.
- Died in Senate Rules Committee.
- Would have formalized OPMA rules in an emergency (rather than rely on 30-day extensions by the Governor)
- Would have required that public meetings being held remotely/limited in-person attendance be open to the public.
- Would have required public agencies to post agendas online for regular and special meetings.
HB 1099 – Improving the state’s climate response through updates to the state’s comprehensive planning framework.
- Died in Senate Transportation Committee.
- Would have added “climate change mitigation” to the goals of the Growth Management Act and the comprehensive plans some cities and counties must adopt under GMA.
HB 1117 – Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state’s comprehensive planning framework.
- Died in Senate Rules Committee.
- Would have added salmon recovery to the goals of the Growth Management Act and the comprehensive plans some cities and counties must adopt under GMA.
- Also known for its “net ecological gain” provisions.
HB 1329 – Concerning public meeting accessibility and participation.
- Died in Senate Rules Committee.
- Would have encouraged public agencies to provide remote access to public meetings, and to record and post the recordings online.
- Would have required public comment at regular meetings.
- Would have required the opportunity for remote public comment, upon request, if it was deemed feasible.
SB 5045 – Establishing a state meat and poultry inspection program.
- Died in House Appropriations Committee.
- Would have created a Meat and Poultry Processing and Marketing Assistance Program
- Would have directed WSDA to work with USDA to operate a state meat and poultry inspection program
- Would have established a grant program within the Commission to provide funding for local meat and poultry processing facilities through conservation districts.
SB 5342 – Concerning irrigation district elections.
- Died in House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.
- Would have updated irrigation district election procedures, including permitting absentee voting.