Senate committee confirms four gubernatorial appointees and advances three bills including quantum economic development

The Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee on Feb. 5 reported four gubernatorial appointments with recommendations for confirmation and advanced three bills to the next stages of the legislative process.

Votes at a glance

- Joe Nguyen — gubernatorial appointment No. 9211 (Director, Department of Commerce): reported with a recommendation that the appointment be confirmed (voice vote; confirmation recommendation subject to signatures).

- Charles (Charlie) Clark — gubernatorial appointment No. 9207 (Director, Department of Financial Institutions/Financial Services): reported with a recommendation that the appointment be confirmed (voice vote; confirmation recommendation subject to signatures).

- Claude Rangel — gubernatorial appointment No. 9110 (Washington State Horse Racing Commission): reported with a recommendation that the appointment be confirmed (voice vote; confirmation recommendation subject to signatures).

- Schuyler (Schuyler/Schuyler-variant transcriptions appear) Haas — gubernatorial appointment No. 9069 (Washington State Lottery Commission): reported with a recommendation that the appointment be confirmed (voice vote; confirmation recommendation subject to signatures).

Legislation advanced

- SB 5451: Relating to quantum economic development — The committee voted to give the bill a "do pass" recommendation and send it to the Ways & Means Committee. The bill would create an advisory committee to advance quantum technology economic development, require the Department of Commerce to provide staff, and establish a grant program (subject to legislative appropriation). A fiscal note was requested but not yet available at the time of the committee action.

- SB 5492: Sustainable state tourism promotion — The committee adopted two in-line amendments (A0.1 offered by the chair; B0.1 offered by Senator Dozier) that require the Tourism Marketing Authority board to follow direct lived-experience requirements and to have the board chair appoint the tourism advisory group within two weeks of the bill’s effective date. The committee rolled the amendments into the proposed substitute, gave the bill a "do pass" recommendation and sent it to the Rules Committee.

- SB 5178: Sodium nitrite regulation — The committee voted to give the bill a "do pass" recommendation and send it to the Rules Committee. The bill places restrictions and recordkeeping requirements on the sale and shipment of sodium nitrite products at or above specified concentrations, requires sellers to verify commercial necessity, establishes labeling and civil penalties, applies the Consumer Protection Act to violations, and includes an emergency clause.

What committee staff said

Committee staff Clem McCarthy and John Kim briefed members on the agenda and bills before executive session. John Kim summarized SB 5451 and noted the requested fiscal note for that measure had not yet been posted. McCarthy reviewed the appointments and the items scheduled for executive session.

Procedure and votes

For each of the four appointments the committee used voice votes and recorded a recommendation for confirmation "subject to signatures"; the transcript records committee members answering "aye" with no roll-call tallies provided. The three bills received committee-level recommendations to advance: SB 5451 to Ways & Means, SB 5492 to Rules with adopted amendments, and SB 5178 to Rules.

The committee adjourned after signing recommendations and advancing the measures.