10 bills the 2020 Legislature approved that could affect you

Friday was the deadline for the House to consider Senate bills, and vice versa (except for bills needed to approve the budget and a few other categories).

Here are 10 bills that could affect your life or your community that lawmakers approved Friday. They’re close to the finishing line, which is Gov. Jay Inslee signing them into law. The 60-day legislative session ends March 12.

1. TAXES

HB 1590 would allow a county council to approve a 0.1 percent sales and use tax for affordable housing without putting it on the ballot. In a county that hasn’t imposed the full sales tax rate by Sept. 30, city councils can approve the remainder either by putting it on the ballot or having the council approve it.

2. GUN CONTROL

People convicted of unlawful aiming or discharging of a firearm or animal cruelty would be prohibited from possessing a firearm under HB 2623.

3. STUDENT DEBT

HB 2513 would prohibit colleges and universities from withholding a student’s official transcript as a way to try to collect debt if the student needs it for applying for a job, transferring to another higher education institution, applying for financial aid, or joining the military or the National Guard.

4. BACKYARD COTTAGES

Cities may allow up to two accessory dwelling units on all lots with a single-family house, duplex, triplex, fourplex, rowhouse, townhome, or apartment building under SB 6617.

5. ETHNIC STUDIES

SB 6066 would expand ethnic studies to K-6 students. Supporters of the bill said students in grades 7-12 learn about power, privilege, and oppression; learn about their ancestral roots and the contributions of women, African-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and several other groups.

6. ATHLETE HEALTH

Public schools would be required each year to report information about diagnosed concussions sustained by students during sports events to the state Department of Health, under HB 2731. The goal of a central database is to use real-time data to minimize future injuries.

7. TYPE 1 DIABETES

HB 2662 would cap the cost of insulin at $100 per month for patients and set up a centralized insulin purchasing program. Insulin is prescribed to people with type 1 diabetes, which destroys beta cells in the pancreas so the body can’t produce insulin.

8. PULL TABS

The price of a single chance punchboard or pull-tab would increase from $1 to $5. There are about 1,000 pull-tab licensees in the state. Supporters said SB 6357 potentially would increase revenue for bars, which compete with the state Lottery that can sell $30 tickets.

9. COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT

For Plan 1 members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Teachers’ Retirement System — who retired by July 1, 2019 — benefits would increase by 3 percent (up to a maximum of $62.50 per month) under HB 1390. The increase would take effect July 1.

10. FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

SB 6280 would regulate the use of ongoing facial recognition surveillance to provide evidence of serious criminal offense. Law enforcement or other government agencies would be required to get a search warrant or court order.

This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 5:45 AM.