Wednesday, April 2 is the next legislative cutoff. This is for bills to be voted out of the opposite chambers policy committee. As of April 1, 2,249 bills have been filed. 

Budget is the main focus of the past several weeks. Though all budgets - capital, transportation, and operating - have been release, public health is focused on the operating budget:

• Operating budgets from both chambers are public with the process now in concurrence (both chambers must come to agreement on one budget versus the current two). HB 1198 & SB 5167  What we know about the budget:
  • Both budgets are predicated on a multi-billion-dollar reduction in spending, focus on funding K-12 education, and revenue enactments.
  • Foundational Public Health Services are pretty much maintained at current levels in both budgets. The numbers are not the same - House vs. Senate. It appears that the House FPHS recommendation will be taken:
    • General Fund contribution: $146,091,000 for both '26 and '27
    • FPHS account spending authorization: $32,048,000
    • TOTAL: $324,230,000 for the biennium
  • Snohomish STI Clinic Funding - Senate budget
    •  2026: $689,000
    • 2027: $689,000
• A new omnibus bill focused on a flavor ban and tobacco/vape tax has been introduced (HB 2068 & SB 5803).  This omnibus bill combines several concepts proposed from other bills into one. Highlights of this bill:
  • Implements a flavor ban in 2027
  • Enacts several taxes estimated to generate ~$150M per year

On the policy side:

• HB 1531: The communicable disease education bill is in Rules waiting to be pulled for floor consideration.

•  HB 1946: Concerning Tribal representation on the Board of Health is also in Rules waiting to be pulled for floor consideration.

•  SB 5163: This bill seek to modernize the child fatality rules. This bill is now in Senate Ways & Means awaiting public hearing.

•  HB 5030: This bill aims to increase access to education by providing waived fee for obtaining birth certificates to those meeting income requirements. This bill is now in House Appropriations for a public hearing on April 4.

We are also beginning to have bills pass both chambers and sent to the Governor for signature. Key bills for us that are on their way for final signature:

• SB 5244 - Providing an exemption for women, infants, and children program staff to perform hematological screening tests.

•  SB 5577 - Concerning Medicaid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs.

RCW 70.05.060 – Powers and duties of local board of health and Snohomish County Code Chapter 2.300