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February 13, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The legislative session is based on strict “cutoff” dates required for bills to advance through the lawmaking process. In a 105-day session, cutoff dates do not occur as quickly as during the 60-day session. For 60-day sessions, like the one this year, the compressed calendar leaves bills little time to advance if questions arise.
Today, February 13th, is the “floor cutoff,” which is the deadline for the Senate to pass Senate bills and for the House to pass House bills, except for bills necessary to implement the budgets. Once the floor cutoff has passed, my Senate colleagues and I will return to committee meetings to focus on bills approved by the House. The House committees will begin to consider Senate-approved legislation.
 The Washington State Capitol in Olympia sits atop a hill overlooking Capitol Lake.
Major session topics
The legislature approved the 2023-2025 budgets during last year’s long session, so this year’s session is a shorter session. Regardless of length, each session inevitably involves many items and key topics. Things have been very busy with over 3,000 bills initially under consideration. Here are some of the major topics of the session:
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State Budget Updates: The legislature meets annually each January but alternates between longer sessions of 105 days when developing the state’s two-year budgets and shorter sessions of 60 days when updating those budgets. This year, the Legislature is meeting for a 60-day session with a primary focus on updating the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. Modest updates, rather than major changes, are expected for each of the three budgets.
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Initiatives to Legislature: Several initiatives have been filed to the legislature related to the capital gains tax, climate commitment act, police pursuits, long-term care, and others. These measures were a result of citizen signatures collected in 2023. The legislature can either approve the initiatives as delivered or propose alternatives. If an alternative is approved, both measures advance to a statewide vote. If no action is taken, the initiative advances directly to the ballot.
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Special Education Funding: Washington has a constitutional obligation to provide ample funding to our educational system. Many school districts struggle with the increasing costs of special education staffing and compliance. The legislature took significant steps during the 2023 session to enhance funding for special education and more measures are being considered this session. Helping schools meet their special education needs continues to be a bipartisan effort.
 The Legislature has crossed its halfway point for the 60-day session. Today’s “House of Origin” cutoff is a key step in narrowing the bills under consideration.
Major session topics (continued)
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Transportation Cost Escalations: The legislature approved a 16-year, $17 billion transportation investment plan in 2022, known as “Move Ahead Washington.” Since its approval, several major transportation projects have experienced significant cost escalations due to recent inflationary factors, staffing shortages, and supply chain issues. Legislators are seeking solutions related to supplemental funding for its transportation plan and how to complete its timeline.
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Capital Gains Tax Revenues: A new capital gains tax was approved in 2021, subject to repeal this November. The 7% tax applies to gains of more than $250,000 in stocks, bonds, and certain real estate. The first-year revenues collected totaled nearly $900 million. Approximately $400 million was collected more than what was anticipated. The additional funds must be spent on school construction projects. Legislators are considering what to do, if anything, with these excess funds this year.
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Climate Commitment Act: The legislature approved the Climate Commitment Act in 2021, which is also subject to repeal this November. It established an annual cap on greenhouse gas emissions and an allowance auction program. Auction revenues exceeded $1.8 billion in its first year of implementation, far beyond what was forecasted. Analysts estimate Washington gas prices have increased between 25 and 50 cents per gallon due to the program. Debate continues about spending the excess auction revenues.
Brad Hawkins – Washington State Intern (1997)
 In the “blast from the past” category, I served as a Washington State Senate Intern during the 1997 session for Sen. Harold Hochstatter from the 13th District. For information about the Senate Internship Program, click here.
Brad Hawkins – Washington State Senator (2024)
 With the help of our photographers, I re-created my intern photo from 27 years ago.
How to follow legislative activities
To follow legislative activities, please visit www.leg.wa.gov. This site includes access to floor calendars, committee schedules, bill tracking services, roll call votes, and official agendas. If you are unsuccessful at finding your information, you can contact the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. My office also has three staff members plus a communications officer who assist me each day.
We communicate regularly by phone, email, video conference, and in person. All of these options are available to constituents who want to follow my legislative activities. Television Washington or TVW.org allows the public to follow committee hearings and floor debates. If you have questions about the legislative process or the status of individual bills, the Legislative Information Center is also an excellent resource.
Here are some helpful ways to follow legislative and agency activities:
 Thank you to Mayor Russell Wiita and City of Sultan officials for their recent visit to the State Capitol to discuss city issues, including US-2 improvements, Mountain View Park, and public safety. It is an honor to represent the City of Sultan.
 Thank you City of Sultan for presenting me with this “Certificate of Appreciation.”
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
My position as State Senator exists to serve you. If you have any questions about the session timeline, state budgets, or other topics, please contact me at senatorbradhawkins.org. Please call our Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 if you need immediate assistance at any time. Be sure to like and follow me on Facebook @SenatorBradHawkins, for my latest updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely
 Brad Hawkins
State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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