Governor signs package of bills expanding benefits for elders, workers and patient protections

The governor signed a package of bills in a ceremonial event at the Governor's Office, saying the measures will support women’s advocacy, preserve emergency care, ease program administration for workers and expand access for tribal elders and military families. "This bill will help the commission diversify funding sources during a difficult time for our state budget," the governor said of one measure giving the Washington State Women's Commission authority to solicit gifts, grants and endowments.

The bill package included measures across several policy areas. House Bill 1012 allows the Washington State Women's Commission to solicit gifts, grants and endowments to support its advocacy. Under House Bill 1244, drivers with multiple traffic tickets may avoid a license suspension or end a suspension early by completing a safe-driving course; the governor noted that a license suspension can "have very significant impacts on someone's ability to maintain employment and care for themselves and their family." Senate Bill 5110 lowers the age of eligibility for community and technical college tuition-and-fee waivers for tribal elders from 60 to 55, a change requested by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to better reflect differing tribal definitions of elder.

The governor also signed bills aimed at administrative and equity issues. Senate Bill 5191 assigns premium…