Senate advances a package of confirmations and bills including opioid-treatment fees, worker notification and traffic penalties
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Summary
The Washington State Senate confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments and passed several bills on the floor, including Senate Bill 5988 (opioid treatment accreditation fees), SB 6106 (worker notification), SB 5890 (speeding/reckless driving), SB 5536 (property distribution), and SB 6097 (tribal participation in conservation futures). A series of confirmations was also completed.
In a single floor session the Washington State Senate confirmed gubernatorial appointments and moved multiple bills to passage.
Appointments: The Senate confirmed gubernatorial appointment number 9286, Colin Bannister, to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board following remarks from Senator Schoessler; the recorded roll call showed 47 ayes and 2 excused. Additional confirmations included Amina Hussain (appointment 9289) to the Washington State University Board of Regents and other university board appointees; those confirmations carried by constitutional majority as recorded on the floor.
Health and regulation: Senate Bill 5988, which authorizes the Department of Health to charge fees to provide accreditation services to opioid treatment programs (citing conformity with 42 CFR part 8), was advanced to final passage after Senators said programs support paying fees so the Department can maintain oversight. The final tally reported on the floor was 47 ayes, 1 nay and 1 excused.
Employment: Senate Bill 6106 (securing timely notification of benefits for laid‑off employees) was passed with a clarifying amendment to ensure bargaining representatives receive information; Senator Cleveland described the amendment as agreed and protective of confidentiality. The final roll call showed 48 ayes and 1 excused.
Public safety: Senate Bill 5890, a measure addressing excessive speeding that had been revised with input from law enforcement, was advanced and passed. Supporters cited traffic‑safety data; the floor record shows passage with 45 ayes, 3 nays and 1 excused.
Family law and property: Senate Bill 5536, on equitable distribution of real property and liabilities on dissolution, was carried with debate about family law practice concerns; the bill passed with 41 ayes, 7 nays and 1 excused.
Conservation/tribal participation: Substitute Senate Bill 6097 extends eligibility for the Conservation Futures Program to federally recognized tribes. The Senate passed the bill 32–16 with 1 excused; floor opponents expressed concern about private property rights while proponents framed the measure as an inclusion of tribes in an existing program.
Next steps: Bills declared passed by the Senate will proceed according to legislative procedures to the House or to enrollment and transmittal, depending on their status. Confirmations take effect as provided by law.
