While some bills made it through the halfway point, and will continue to be considered, other bills have fallen by the wayside.
Gov. Jay Inslee told reporters on Thursday that he was disappointed that a bill limiting vaccination exemptions did not make it to the House floor for a vote. He said the Department of Health will find “new, creative ways” to get information about vaccines to parents this year, and he hoped to see the bill return next year.
Doug Reuter, the father of the namesake of Joel’s Law, told AP that he was hoping to see lawmakers pass House Bill 1450, which would have expand the criteria for involuntary treatment.
House Republicans posted a list of bills the caucus was following. Dead bills listed in the House Republicans’ “good” category include House Bill 1446, which would have permitted certain restaurant employers to pay 16- and 17-year olds less than minimum wage; and House Bill 1741, which would have allowed disabled people to enter state land without a Discover Pass.
Senate Democrats also released a listed of dead bills that its caucus had backed. The list included Senate Bill 5752, regarding creating statements of impact on ethnic and racial minorities for bills affecting criminal justice, human services, and education, and Senate Bill 5527, which would have extended the deadlines for voter registration.
We also asked on Twitter what bills people wished made it through.
@venicebuhain @TVWnews 5376 & 2051. But you probably knew we'd say that. #LeSigh. Time to focus on budget! http://t.co/ekOQ1W8Wtt
— WA Housing Alliance (@WLIHA) March 12, 2015
@venicebuhain SB5742 so we could *not* arrest people without a warrant. Very sad as it was so bi-partisan. Similar bill was HB2091.
— G Todd Williams (@WA_News_Junkie) March 12, 2015
https://twitter.com/juliedebolt1/status/575830721836662784