Committee reports several bills out of committee after executive session; key privacy and voting-access amendments considered

A legislative committee met in executive session Feb. 25 and reported several bills out of committee with due-pass or due-pass-as-amended recommendations, advancing measures on voting access, public-records exemptions, agency reporting and sports wagering.

The panel incorporated amendments and recorded several roll-call votes. Second substitute Senate Bill 6035, a multipart measure on voting services for military, overseas and Native American voters as well as voters with disabilities, was reported out with an amendment that removes authority to implement an electronic ballot portal for some covered voters and instead requires a feasibility study; the committee adopted amendment OMI 385 and reported the bill out 5–1 with one excused. Representative Farvar described the bill as "an important piece of legislation to make sure that we are ensuring access to voting," while Representative Walsh said the adopted amendment "alleviate[s] a lot of concerns" but that her side would cast mixed votes.

Substitute Senate Bill 6081, which would narrow nondisclosure limits for certain records to survivors of specified crimes, was reported out 4–2 with one excused after committee debate and a failed amendment that would have further restricted application to survivors only. Representative Dolio urged support as a privacy protection for transgender residents, while some members expressed concern about background-check consequences.

The committee also adopted an amendment (SHIP224) to require Senate confirmation of the governor's appointee as executive director of the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs and reported substitute Senate Bill 6034 out 6–0 with one excused.

On sports wagering, the committee adopted amendments to prohibit in-game prop bets tied to coaching decisions and to create a gross-misdemeanor offense for threatening sports officials in connection with major wagers; Senate Bill 6137 was reported out 5–1 with one excused.

Votes at a glance

- Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035 (voting access; electronic ballot portal changes): Adopted amendment OMI 385 (study provision); reported out of committee with a due-pass-as-amended recommendation; roll call 5 ayes, 1 nay (Chase), 1 excused (Stearns).

- Substitute Senate Bill 6081 (limits on nondisclosure for certain records): Reported out with due-pass recommendation after votes and failed amendment; roll call 4 ayes, 2 nays, 1 excused.

- Substitute Senate Bill 6034 (codify Governor's Office of Indian Affairs; confirmation requirement): Amendment SHIP224 adopted; reported out 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 excused.

- Senate Bill 6084 (clarifies repeat-voting prohibition): Reported out by voice vote (6–0, 1 excused).

- Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968 (agency credentials; credentials definition includes certain permits under chapter 90.48 RCW): Reported out 4 ayes, 2 nays, 1 excused.

- Senate Bill 6137 (sports wagering; prop bets & threats): Adopted amendments H3,653.1 and H3,637.2; reported out 5 ayes, 1 nay, 1 excused.

What this means

Reporting a bill out of committee sends it forward for consideration by the full chamber with a recommendation from the committee. The panel's votes show consensus on several technical or noncontroversial items (for example, codification of the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs), and closer divisions on bills that touch on privacy, voting-technology implementation and regulatory mechanics.

Next steps

All reported bills proceed according to chamber rules for scheduling and floor action. Committee staff said many of the measures will be opened for public hearing in the coming days.