The Washington State Office of Equity (WA Equity) was created in 2020 to "change the way government develops and implements its policies, practices, and processes (systems change)." Its mission is to "Promote equitable access to opportunities, power, and resources across government that reduce disparities and improve outcomes statewide." Originally envisioned through the Washington State Office of Equity Task Force convened in late 2019, HB 1783 (“Creating the Washington state office of equity”) was signed into law in April 2020. Funding for the Office was initially cut by the Governor as the pandemic took hold and the office was subsequently funded during the 2021 legislative session.
Washington State Office of Equity
(WA Equity)
Public
Structural Relationships
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Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor) -
Washington State Office of Equity
(WA Equity)
Information Set
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Handout - Who is the Office of Equity? - v1 (Sep 4, 2024) [ Info ]
Observations
The Week Ahead
(December 9, 2024)
Legislators planned to host work sessions in advance of the 2025 session which would occasion the final convening of the House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(August 20, 2024) - Research Updates
Research staff talked about an economics report on the cannabis sector regarding opportunity for additional licenses, plus the operating procedures and initial briefs from the group.
The Week Ahead
(September 18, 2023)
Legislators would hear about a study into “whether current levels of cannabis production align with market demand and capacity” before a WSLCB work group discussed cannabis education.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(August 9, 2023) - Summary
The board heard about implementation of legislation and possible request bills; social equity applications; lab authority transfer; plus updates on medical endorsements and hiring.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(July 12, 2023) - Summary
Staff went through subjects discussed during the CANNRA external stakeholder meeting, plus updates on licensing, social equity, and interest in a new traceability system.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(June 14, 2023) - Summary
A legislative implementation platform, applicant status and changes to the social equity program, and an enforcement briefing were among topics talked about by agency leaders.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(May 1, 2023) - SB 5080
With broad effects on definitions, timelines, portability, and the number of cannabis licenses in the social equity program, the Governor called passage of SB 5080 “a really important deal.”
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(February 28, 2023) - Summary
The board got a status update on legislation, discussed an impending social equity licensing window, and learned about a new format for staff guidance on rulemaking petitions.
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
(January 19, 2023) - Summary
WSLCB officials were peppered with questions as they discussed their regulatory practices around youth access, social equity, hemp, and agency reorganization with lawmakers.
WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting
(January 10, 2023) - SB 5080 - Public Hearing
Most speakers welcomed WSLCB request legislation expanding the social equity program, though several testifying wanted to see changes to avoid “oversaturation” of the retail market.