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Anti-camping measure delayed; Republicans say cities need clarity as college grant funding is considered
Summary
Republican leaders said House Bill 2989, a proposal limiting local anti-camping enforcement, was delayed for further work amid city concerns; they also expressed conditional support for restoring funding to Washington College Bound and College Grants while urging careful budgeting.
Republican members at the press availability said House Bill 2989 — a proposal they described as limiting local authority to enforce anti-camping ordinances unless shelter placements exist — was delayed in committee while sponsors and stakeholders continue to work on clarifying language.
"That bill was delayed, due to the fact that there's continued work being done on the bill," said a Republican member who addressed the homeless-policy proposal, adding she anticipates the bill will be up for a housing committee vote next week and that cities have submitted letters expressing concerns over bed availability, park safety and the potential for lawsuits.
Reporters also asked about a bill to restore funding to Washington College Bound and Washington College Grants for private universities. Republican leaders said they were philosophically supportive of restoring funding to private nonprofit institutions such as Heritage University but emphasized it must be addressed in the budget process without relying on new taxes.
What’s next: Sponsors said they are preparing a striker and additional amendments on the anti-camping measure; committee scheduling will determine the next steps. On college grants, leaders said the caucus would pursue restoration through the budget process rather than through new tax measures.
