The Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LC) considers issues relating to labor issues, including unemployment insurance, industrial insurance/workers’ compensation, prevailing wage, collective bargaining, worker rights and benefits, and the Washington Cares Act. The committee also considers commerce issues, including the regulation of certain professions and businesses, and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis.
The cannabis retail advertising bill was advanced prior to cutoff but two other bills fell short, the patient data sharing bill was signed by the Governor, and two WSLCB appointees were confirmed.
The board chair proposed external advisory group changes, while keeping the format and leadership of the Cannabis Advisory Council and Prevention Roundtables largely the same.
The producer unions legislation was passed, a new medical cannabis program expansion bill was staged for introduction, and time was running out for three bills ahead of cutoff Wednesday.
The final cutoff on Wednesday had begun to limit opportunities for remaining cannabis-related legislation although three bills had been calendared and awaited consideration in the Senate.
Representatives passed legislation seeking to rein in use of management agreements, the social equity bill was calendared, and the House would convene Saturday but no cannabis bills were well positioned.
On Friday legislators passed the first cannabis bill of 2025 and senators planned to hear testimony on legislation authorizing collective bargaining rights for plant-touching workers on Saturday.
Five cannabis-related bills were advanced on Tuesday but two were left behind as the Opposite House Policy Committee Cutoff encroached at close of business on Wednesday.
Following two public hearings on Monday and passage of the House operating budget, seven cannabis-related bills were up for executive sessions on Tuesday ahead of the next cutoff.
Before the next cutoff on Wednesday, senators would consider the WSLCB lab authority bill just as agency Enforcement tried to stretch that authority to encompass non-mandatory samples.
The cannabis policy committee in the Senate shuffled legislation to address House bills before the next cutoff as the behemoth operating budget was maneuvered between the chambers.
