SB 5285 requires the workforce training and education coordinating board to conduct a workforce assessment for the agriculture, natural resources, outdoor recreation, and environment sectors to assess the available data on current and projected employment levels and hiring demand for skilled mid-level workers in those sectors. The bill passed both chambers and was signed into law on May 4.
Legislative News
2017 Beef Day at the Legislature
Beef Day at the Legislature was April 6, 2017. The Washington Cattlemen’s Association and Cattle Feeders Association barbecued tri-tip beef and served a free lunch to legislators, staff, and anyone in attendance. Asparagus growers were also on hand to treat lunchgoers to grilled asparagus. The Dairy Ambassador and the Dairy Federation participated by handing out milk and cookies.
Cattlemen preparing lunch
A member of the Washington State Patrol grabs lunch at Beef Day 2017.
Washington Dairy Ambassador Alicia Smarciarz handing out milk
Reps. Dave Hayes and Matt Shea getting milk
Sen. Jim Honeyford visits with Dr. Alan Schreiber, director of the Washington Asparagus Commission.
Sen. Judy Warnick watches Jack Field of the Cattle Feeders Association prepare a tri-tip roast.
Reps. Tom Dent and Brad Klippert receiving cookies
Beef Day 2017 with the Legislative Building in the background
Some Bills Survive First Cutoff Date of 2017 Legislative Session
The 2017 regular legislative session has now passed its first significant cutoff. So far 2,080 bills have been introduced, and policy-related bills needed to be approved by a policy committee by Friday, Feb. 17 to remain alive in the legislative process.
The deadline for bills to pass fiscal committees is this coming Friday, Feb. 24, and the deadline for bills to pass their house of origin is Wednesday, March 8.
Below are summaries and status reports of some bills that we have been working on or closely following.
Bills of Interest – Feb. 21, 2017
Below is a link to the list of bills that we are tracking. This document lists only bills that survived the Feb. 17 policy committee cutoff.
We will continue updating this list with more information and positions.
Bill tracking can be found here.