[DEOC] Legislative updates/wrap up for week 1

[Sophia Agtarap]

Good morning, DEOC--

The first week of the legislative session wraps up today and I wanted to give you a brief update. I've copied Sam and Arlen here as your resources.

Take good care as you move about!

Items to note:


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Supplemental Operating Budget<https://www.sbctc.edu/resources/documents/colleges-staff/programs-services/legislative-outreach/2024/2024-operating-request.pdf>
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WA CTC Student Association legislative agenda (attached)
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Legislative news/wrap ups will be posted on Fridays here<https://www.sbctc.edu/blogs/legislative-news/>. You can also sign up to receive updates on that same page.

Some of the bills I've been asked to monitor/am providing input:

HB 1889<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1889&Year=2023&Initiative=false>

Description: An individual who is not lawfully present in the United States is eligible for a professional license, commercial license, certificate, permit, or registration as allowed under Title 8 U.S.C.  Sec. 1621. A state agency or regulatory authority shall not deny an application for a professional license, commercial license, certificate, permit, or registration solely on the basis of a person's immigration or citizenship status if the person has met all other qualifications.

Comments: This Bill is one step closer to ensuring that all Washington residents, regardless of immigration status, can fully achieve their potential and pursue their career goals while making greater contributions to the state’s economy and future. The bill does not address employability as it is a federal issue.

Supporting document: Report from C4C<https://ourcolleges.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Pro-Licenses-for-Washington-Immigrants-C4C-Report.pdf>

HB 5778<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5778&Year=2023&Initiative=false>/SB 1940

Description: AN ACT Relating to protecting the rights of workers exercising their right to refrain from attending meetings or listening to their employer's speech on political or religious matters; adding new sections to chapter 49.44 RCW; and creating a new section.

Comments: As political and religious coercion in the workplace grows and impacts the ability to feel a sense of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice, workers from diverse identities and social, political, and religious backgrounds are at risk for retaliation when choosing not to attend captive audience meetings.

HB 5917<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5917&Year=2023&Initiative=false>
Description:  SB 5917 would make it a hate crime to maliciously and intentionally write, paint, draw, or otherwise mark a public or private building or structure based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or mental, physical or sensory disability. The bill makes it clear that these acts of vandalism are still a hate crime even if they are not made to a specific person's property.

Comments: This legislation would help protect our students, faculty, staff, and infrastructure from intentional and malicious images and writings that convey hatred (and thus are meant to stoke hatred) toward others based on their race, sexual orientation, gender expression etc...Some of the definitions of the bill are limiting and need to be revisited.

HJR 4208<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=4208&Year=2023&Initiative=false>
Description: (The Washington) Constitution is amended to remove male-gendered pronouns. Provisions are reworded to avoid using such pronouns, or they are replaced with gender-neutral pronouns.
Comments: Changing Constitution to change male-gendered pronouns to inclusive pronouns is in alignment with SBCTCs commitments to equity and inclusion and fostering a culture of belonging.
SB 6026<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6026&Year=2023&Initiative=false>
Description: An employee or contractor may not use a name to address a student other than the name listed on a student's birth certificate, or derivatives thereof, without the written permission of a student's parents or guardians even if this goes against the wishes of a student for autonomy of their name, gender identity and expression.

Comments: Washington public schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, including transgender and gender-expansive students--this is the current practice and should continue to be upheld.


SCR 8414<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=8414&Year=2023&Initiative=false>
Description: SB 8414 would create a Joint Select Committee on Civic Health consisting of 13 members: the Lieutenant Governor and 6 members each from the Senate and House, equally divided between Democrats and Republicans. This bill has no impact on CTCs.
Comments: This bill creates a legislative joint select committee and has no effect on CTCs. WSU and UW are represented in the creation of this bill.

HB 1951<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1951&Year=2023&Initiative=false>
Description:
An act promoting ethical artificial intelligence by protecting against algorithmic discrimination. The law would mitigate "Algorithmic discrimination" wherein automated decision tools contribute to prejudice or discrimination on the basis of protected classes under RCW 49.60.010 by regulating the use of AI in specific decision making processes related to hiring or termination, education and vocational training, admissions, financial aid or scholarships, housing or lodging, rental or short-term housing, utilities, internet or telecommunications access, transportation, family planning and adoption services, assessments by CPS, healthcare, health insurance, mental healthcare, dental or vision, financial services, voting and criminal justice proceedings.
Comments: As understanding of artificial intelligence continues to deepen and evolve, so too must our diligence in understanding the ways that AI may, like other systems, cause harm and exclusion if gone unchecked. This bill has existed in prior forms, in prior sessions.
HB 2112<https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2112&Year=2023&Initiative=False>
Description: Requires public and private institutions of higher education to provide opioid and fentanyl prevention education and awareness to all students; Requires public and private institutions of higher education to make naloxone and fentanyl strips available to students on campus; Requires public and private institutions of higher education to provide education and training on administering naloxone to staff working in residence halls.
Comments:  It is imperative that naloxone be placed directly with the people who are most at risk of an overdose or are most likely to witness an overdose:  classmates, roomates, family members, friends and even relative strangers. Education for students and better access to the life-saving opioid reversal drug, Narcan can save lives.
[Compass]
  Sophia Kristina R. Agtarap (she/siya)

  Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

  Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges


[cid:00ccb078-b68d-4269-92db-0f49afc88b18]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/428a9a0a3cb14afe82036360d2d894a8@sbctc.edu?anonymous&ep=signature>                Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/428a9a0a3cb14afe82036360d2d894a8@sbctc.edu?anonymous&ep=signature>
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