County legislative update: commissioners weigh in on hearings‑examiner bill, ITA bed costs and a conditional capital request for courtroom space

County legislative staff updated the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on March 19 about the status of several bills and county requests in the 2025 legislative session, including measures affecting school funding, transportation, public safety sales tax authority and land‑use appeal processes.

Key points:

- Session timing and budget constraints: Staff reported the Legislature was in day 66 of a 105‑day session and that recent revenue forecasts show substantial operating and transportation shortfalls. Operating budget shortfalls were described in the aggregate as in the billions, and transportation funding shortfalls were described as roughly $4 billion over several years, limiting new capital spending.

- Education bills and MSOC/special‑education advocacy: Staff said two education measures (referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 5192 and Senate Bill 5263) were in appropriations and that the county’s legislative team would submit sign‑in testimony in support before committee deadlines. Commissioners asked for a coordinated letter highlighting reductions in the state share of K‑12 funding and urging more MSOC and special‑education resources.

- Hearings‑examiner bill (Senate Bill 5719): Commissioners discussed a bill that would significantly change local appeals by making a hearings examiner’s decision final (the transcript references language that would limit appellate review by the board and vest final administrative authority with hearing examiners). Commissioners expressed strong concern about removing the board appeal layer and discussed signing in opposition; staff confirmed they would check with the county planning/CPED director and recommended opposing the measure as drafted.

- ITA beds, Maple Lane and courtroom capacity: Commissioners and staff discussed recent state planning for additional Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) beds and the county’s operational and facility impacts. Legislative staff and court representatives reported that additional state ITA capacity (beds) is expected to come online over the next one to three years, which will increase county court hearings and administrative workload. County staff had originally prepared a $6.55 million capital request to create additional courtroom space to support ITA hearings and related workload; given tight state capital budgets, Senator Bateman asked whether the county could accept a smaller amount. The board signaled conditional support for pursuing a $2.0 million capital allocation, provided county central services and the court confirm that scope of work could deliver a usable courtroom or remodel that meets the need. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate quickly with the court and central services to confirm deliverable scope before accepting the smaller appropriation.

Why it matters: the hearings‑examiner bill would alter local land‑use appeal pathways and could shift final permit authority away from elected county decision makers. The county’s ITA/courtroom discussion links state behavioral‑health facility expansions to local operational and capital costs; commissioners asked staff to pursue available state capital funding but only if a deliverable, cost‑effective solution can be confirmed.

Next steps and actions taken at the meeting: commissioners asked legislative staff to sign in opposition to Senate Bill 5719 as drafted and directed staff to pursue the $2.0 million capital request conditionally while staff confirm scope and deliverability with the court and central services. Staff were also asked to file pro‑testimony for the county on the MSOC and special‑education bills and to provide a written update after consultations with senator offices and judicial stakeholders.