Senate advances large package of bills to floor calendars; housing measure singled out as session priority

The Washington State Senate on Tuesday moved a broad slate of measures from the committee ('white sheet') lists onto floor calendars, advancing bills on housing, health care, education and public safety.

Lawmakers approved a salmon‑colored package of bills en bloc and then individually advanced dozens of measures to upcoming floor consideration. Presiding Officer called Senate Bill 6026 — a bill addressing residential development in commercial and mixed‑use zones — “objectively speaking the single most important housing bill you will all vote upon this legislative session,” saying it has the potential to add more housing units than many other measures combined.

Why it matters: advancing a bill to the floor calendar is a procedural step that enables full-chamber debate and possible final votes. Several bills advanced with short sponsor remarks describing policy intent; most were cleared by voice vote. One item drew a recorded division: Senate Bill 6045 (collective bargaining framework for agricultural workers) advanced after a show‑of‑hands recorded 10 ayes and 6 noes.

Major measures advanced and…