A few big things Washington legislators passed in 2024
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Washington state lawmakers adjourned a 60-day session Thursday after passing new gun control measures, three citizen initiatives and bills to try to curb the use of fentanyl.
Here's a closer look at a few things they did.
Gun bills
Lawmakers approved legislation to ban guns at public libraries, zoos, aquariums and transit stations, plus another bill that will make it a civil infraction to fail to report a stolen or lost firearm within 24 hours.
Yes, but: A measure that would have required people to get a permit before buying a gun fizzled out.
Initiative action — and inaction
The Democratic-controlled Legislature passed three Republican-backed citizen initiatives, which are now set to become law in June without having to go to voters.
- I-2113 will roll back a 2021 law that restricted when police can chase suspects who flee in vehicles.
- I-2081, dubbed a "parents' bill of rights," will guarantee that parents can review their children's school curriculum, among other provisions.
- I-2111 blocks state and local governments from enacting personal income taxes.
Lawmakers punted on three other proposed initiatives, including ones to repeal the state's capital gains tax and cap-and-trade law, which will go to voters in November.
Limiting book bans
A measure headed to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk aims to slow conservative efforts to ban books in classrooms and school libraries.
- The bill says that school officials can't ban library books or course materials solely because the material focuses on protected classes, such as Black, Hispanic, Indigenous or LGBTQ people.
- The legislation also requires school districts to set up a formal process for challenging educational materials, while blocking challenges from people who aren't parents or guardians of students in the district.
Housing bills
Lawmakers passed a bill to make it easier to construct small condominium buildings, along with another measure to explore building code changes that would allow smaller housing units.
- Another proposal headed to Inslee's desk would require cities to allow "co-living" or "micro-housing" where people share kitchens but have their own bedrooms.
Several other high-profile housing proposals failed to pass, including a measure that would have capped annual rent increases.
Fentanyl overdoses
Lawmakers approved a plan to launch a statewide overdose prevention campaign, as well as a dedicated fund to fight opioid overdoses among tribal members.
- Another bill aims to have public schools teach students more about the dangers of opioid use.
- The Legislature also increased money in the state budget for opioid treatment and behavioral health programs.
Transportation dollars
Lawmakers approved about a $1 billion boost to the state transportation budget, trying to keep highway projects on track despite ballooning cost projections.
- That includes an additional $196 million for ferries; another $275 million for the I-405 and State Route 167 corridor; and $78 million for improvements along State Route 520 in Seattle.
Another $150 million aims to keep the state on track to replace hundreds of fish-blocking culverts by 2030, in line with a federal court order.