WA Legislature - Update
(January 15, 2025)

WA Legislature - Update (January 15, 2025) - Takeaways

Legislators heard their first cannabis-related legislation on Tuesday and planned to consider a bill on Wednesday which would empower employee collective bargaining at cannabis producers.

Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Wednesday January 15th, the 3rd day of the 2025 regular session.

My top 3 takeaways:

  • On Tuesday January 14th, Washington State House Consumer Protection and Business Committee (WA House CPB) members hosted a work session with Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) staff and heard public testimony on the first cannabis related bill to require the agency to publish certain data dashboards.
    • WSLCB leaders offered a presentation on “Alcohol Regulation and Current Issues.”
    • WA House CPB members also hosted their first public hearing on a cannabis-related bill, HB 1066 (“Creating a data dashboard to track use of regulated substances”).
      • Prime sponsor and WA House CPB member Kristine Reeves introduced her legislation by noting it was identical to HB 2182, legislation which she mistakenly claimed was advanced to the Senate floor in 2024 as the bill was not taken up in the opposite house.
      • Only two individuals signed up to testify, representing public health and prevention interests in support of more proactive transparency from the WSLCB.
      • Ten others signed up not wishing to testify representing public health and cannabis sector interests unified in their support for the legislation; only one “Concerned Citizen” registered opposition.
  • Introductions of new legislation went as planned on Tuesday, and two new bills were staged for introduction on Wednesday including a House companion for the DUI bill and legislation incentivizing justice-involved individuals to seek designation and treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs).
    • HB 1276 - “Concerning organized retail theft.”
      • Retail Theft Sentencing Enhancement
      • The bill was introduced on Tuesday morning and referred to the Washington State House Community Safety Committee (WA House CS) as expected.
      • By the end of the day, a bipartisan coalition of six additional co-sponsors had signed up: Marshall, Couture, Bronoske, Nance, Caldier, Timmons, Pollet.
    • HB 1315 - “Concerning impaired driving.”
    • SB 5290 - “Allowing persons who complete substance abuse programs to seek dismissal of certain controlled substance related charges.”
      • Pre-Hearing SUD Treatment
      • Senators Manka Dhingra and Jesse Salomon planned to introduce legislation which would incentivize individuals to pursue dismissal of certain drug possession charges should they undergo SUD assessment and treatment prior to their readiness hearing.
      • According to the draft introduction report, the bill was scheduled for referral to the Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee (WA Senate LAW) on Wednesday during a pro forma floor session scheduled for 11:15am.
  • On Wednesday, representatives planned to hear testimony on legislation requiring the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (WA PERC) to adjudicate disputes between cannabis production employees and managers.
    • 8am: WA House LAWS - Committee Meeting [ Event Details ]
      • Public Hearing
        • HB 1141 - Cannabis Production Unions
          • It was unusual for cannabis bills to garner a mention in House or Senate Democratic Caucus communications, but HB 1141 was included in the "House Hot Sheet" on the first day of the regular session.  By the end of the day, 24 co-sponsors had signed in support of the bill.
          • The bill analysis of HB 1141 was published on Tuesday morning and provided some helpful context.  It confirmed that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) “excludes certain groups of workers in the private sector from its coverage, including agricultural workers.” Yet cannabis production is explicitly not regarded as “agriculture” for tax purposes in Washington state statute.
          • The analysis also noted a relevant precedent: “The only private sector workers that the PERC's jurisdiction extends to are symphony musicians employed by symphony orchestras with gross revenue of more than $300,000, who are not otherwise covered by the NLRA.”
    • 11:30am: WA Legislature - Joint Session [ TVW ]
      • Inaugural Address of Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson