WA Legislature - Update
(January 17, 2025)

WA Legislature - Update (January 17, 2025) - Takeaways

DUI legislation was advanced in the Senate where two organized retail theft bills were staged for introduction, and the House would hear about transferring cannabis production authorities to WSDA.

Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Friday January 17th, the 5th day of the 2025 regular session.

My top 3 takeaways:

  • Introductions of legislation went as planned on Thursday and two new organized retail theft bills were readied in the Senate.
    • HB 1341 - “Concerning the medical cannabis authorization database.”
    • HB 1346 - “Removing cannabis industry barriers.”
      • Out of State Ownership
      • Representative David Hackney introduced legislation seeking to lift requirements which limit ownership of Washington cannabis business licenses to state residents and the bill was referred to WA House CPB.
    • HB 1347 - “Concerning cannabis testing laboratories.”
      • Clarifying WSLCB Certification Authority
      • Representative Kristine Reeves introduced legislation intended to better distinguish WSDA accreditation from WSLCB certification of private cannabis testing labs.  The bill was referred to the WA House CPB.
    • HB 1348 - “Concerning employee ownership of licensed cannabis businesses.”
      • Cannabis ESOPs
      • Representative Hackney also introduced legislation regarding employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) specific to the cannabis sector which was referred to WA House CPB.
    • SB 5347 - “Concerning organized retail theft.”
      • Organized Retail Theft Definition
      • On Friday, Senator Fortunato planned to introduce legislation which would change the definition of “organized retail theft” in RCW 9A.56.350 to be inclusive of multiple thefts over a year long period rather than six months.
      • According to the draft introduction report, the bill would be referred to WA Senate LAW during the pro forma floor session starting at 12:30pm [ TVW ].
    • SB 5348 - “Creating a sentencing enhancement for organized retail theft.”
      • Organized Retail Theft Sentencing Enhancement
      • Fortunato also planned to introduce legislation which would add a year to the sentencing range for property thefts in excess of $25K aggregate value.
      • According to the draft introduction report, the bill would be referred to WA Senate LAW.