State Government and Tribal Relations Committee reports eight bills out with due-pass recommendations

The State Government and Tribal Relations Committee met in executive session and reported eight bills out of committee with due-pass recommendations as it approached policy cutoff day.

The committee heard staff briefings on eight bills and related amendments, debated several measures — notably changes to overseas voting rules, agency language-access requirements and Public Records Act review — and voted to move each bill forward to the next stage.

Committee staff, for the record, identified House Bill 2,514 (creating a work group for the Global War and Terror Memorial) and said there were no amendments in the packet. Vice Chair Stearns urged a voice vote and staff announced seven ayes, zero nays; "By your vote, House Bill 2,514 is reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation," the chair said.

On House Bill 2,352, which aligns the state's conflict-of-interest threshold with a 1% municipal threshold, Vice Chair Stearns urged members to support transparency. Representative Walsh signaled a mixed vote but expressed support for transparency. Roll call produced six ayes and one nay and the bill was reported out with a due-pass recommendation.

House Bill 2,475 was amended to replace a mandate that agencies follow Office of Equity guidelines with a requirement that agencies submit implementation plans, timelines and an estimate of resources needed. Representative Walsh said the amendment "improves the underlying bill" in some respects but warned the measure "could be broader," citing concerns that the bill does not explicitly reference Washington tribes and their language-preservation needs. The committee adopted the amendment and reported substitute HB 2,475 out with a due-pass recommendation (4 ayes, 3 nays).

The committee considered multiple amendments to House Bill 2,206 on uniform and overseas voting, including measures to clarify the definition of an "overseas voter," require registrants to provide overseas and last Washington addresses, and technical cleanups. Representative Walsh argued that certain nexus requirements are important to preserve UOCAVA's original purpose for military voters, saying broadening the tool could "dilute its effectiveness" and open the system to potential abuse. After amendment votes, the committee reported substitute House Bill 2206 out with a due-pass recommendation.

Members debated House Joint Resolution 42-10, a proposed constitutional amendment to remove directional limits on regular legislative sessions. Supporters said more flexible session timing could allow better policy work; others cautioned it could move the state toward a year-round legislature. The committee reported the resolution out with a due-pass recommendation (5 ayes, 2 nays).

In lighter business, the committee unanimously reported House Bill 2,447, designating the bluntnose sixgill shark as Washington's state shark (7 ayes, 0 nays), drawing informal remarks about education and public interest.

On House Bill 2,661, a proposal to modernize the Public Records Act, the committee adopted a striking amendment directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to examine the topics listed in the bill, authorize JLARC to form a work group if desired, require remote work-group meetings, and report findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by Oct. 1, 2027. Members emphasized the burden on smaller governments and the need for careful, funded modernization; the substitute was reported out with a due-pass recommendation (7 ayes, 0 nays).

Finally, House Bill 2,572, addressing voting services for tribal members, overseas and service voters, and voters with disabilities, drew discussion about increasing participation on tribal reservations and the creation of an electronic ballot portal for certain voter groups. Representative Walsh reiterated long-standing concerns about electronic voting security. The committee reported HB 2,572 out with a due-pass recommendation (4 ayes, 3 nays).

Votes at a glance: - HB 2,514 — Create work group for Global War and Terror Memorial: reported out, due-pass recommendation; voice vote announced 7 ayes, 0 nays. - HB 2,352 — Align conflict-of-interest threshold to 1%: reported out, due-pass recommendation; roll call 6 ayes, 1 nay. - HB 2,475 — Agency language-access implementation (substitute with Omley 3-14): substitute reported out, due-pass recommendation; roll call 4 ayes, 3 nays. - HB 2,206 (substitute House Bill 2206) — Uniform and overseas voting with adopted amendments: substitute reported out, due-pass recommendation; roll-call margin recorded in committee. - HJR 42-10 — Constitutional amendment on session timing: reported out, due-pass recommendation; roll call 5 ayes, 2 nays. - HB 2,447 — Designate bluntnose sixgill shark as state shark: reported out, due-pass recommendation; voice vote unanimous (7 ayes, 0 nays). - HB 2,661 (substitute) — Public Records Act modernization directing JLARC review: substitute reported out, due-pass recommendation; roll call 7 ayes, 0 nays. - HB 2,572 — Voting services for tribal members, overseas/service voters and voters with disabilities: reported out, due-pass recommendation; roll call 4 ayes, 3 nays.

Committee next steps and context: staff noted fiscal notes remain outstanding for a few measures; the chair scheduled an 8 a.m. committee hearing next Tuesday to continue work on tentative agreements and short work sessions. The meeting adjourned after members thanked committee and caucus staff.