Governor's office signs multiple Washington bills including new fire service board, greenhouse gas reporting and clergy reporting changes

Speaker 2 signed a package of Washington state bills in a ceremonial event that enacted measures on fire service oversight, cosmetology training for textured hair, more frequent greenhouse gas reporting, expanded reentry council membership, mandatory reporting for clergy, an extension of the state Sunset Act and administrative changes to the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment.

Speaker 2 said House Bill 1628 "creates the Washington State Fire Service Policy Board to advise the state fire marshal's office," adding the board will "develop strategies to enhance fire service training and resources across Washington state" and include representatives from "firefighters and fire commissioners, chiefs, and marshals." The speaker signed the bill into law and arranged a photo with attendees.

On workforce and consumer protection, Speaker 2 described House Bill 1874, sponsored by Representative Melanie Morgan, which "requires cosmetologists to receive training on how to care for textured hair, paired with natural curls, waves, or coils" to increase locations able to serve clients with textured hair and to "prevent any mistreatment or harm on textured hair types." Speaker 2 noted Representative Morgan was unable to attend and signed the bill.

On climate reporting, Speaker 2 said Senate Bill 5036 "mandates yearly updates on Washington's greenhouse gas emissions," changing the reporting cycle from every two years to annual reports beginning in 2030, with summary data provided in odd-numbered years until then. The speaker framed the change as a way to provide more frequent data so policymakers can adjust strategies to meet state climate goals before signing the bill.

Senate Bill 5139 was presented as a change to the statewide reentry council intended to "ensure that crime victims and survivors and incarcerated individuals have a voice in shaping" reentry policy. Speaker 2 said the bill adds seats — including two for survivors and victims and two for incarcerated individuals — and additional seats for state agencies involved in reentry work; the bill was signed.

On child-protection policy, Speaker 2 described Senate Bill 5375 as a measure that "requires members of the clergy to report child abuse and neglect, even if the information is divulged in confession or sacred confidence," noting Washington had been one of five states that did not designate clergy as mandatory reporters. The speaker said protecting children "is the most important thing" and signed the bill into law.

House Bill 1372, Speaker 2 said, "extends the Sunset Act until 2045," giving the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) more flexibility in reviewing state programs scheduled for termination. Speaker 2 said the changes are aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness of JLARC reviews and signed the bill.

Finally, Speaker 2 presented Senate Bill 5455 as a refinement of the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment, saying the bill "simplifies administrative requirements," allows partnerships with local governments and other entities, clarifies that community outreach is not subject to scientific review, and provides authority for the endowment to select its own program administrator. Speaker 2 signed the bill and acknowledged the endowment's role in funding research and creating jobs.

Votes at a glance: All bills presented at the ceremony were signed into law by Speaker 2. Specific roll-call votes or tallies were not part of this event and were not recorded in the transcript.

The event included several group photographs after individual signings and concluded with organizers instructing attendees where to pick up materials and follow up. No additional legislative action or follow-up deadlines were announced in the transcript.