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
-
Washington State Office of the Governor
(WA Governor) -
Washington State Office of Equity
(WA Equity)
Information Set
-
Handout - Who is the Office of Equity? - v1 (Sep 4, 2024) [ Info ]
Observations
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(October 12, 2022) - DEI and Social Equity Updates
Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at WSLCB were discussed along with the budding social equity program, related community engagement efforts, and request legislation for 2023.
WSLCB - Board Meeting
(October 12, 2022) - Summary
Just as social equity rulemaking at WSLCB was concluded, a report alleging abusive behavior by a former task force leader reinvigorated lingering public skepticism over agency progress.
WA SECTF - Public Meeting
(April 26, 2022) - Summary
The final licensing and community reinvestment recommendations from the task force were presented, discussed, and voted upon before members scheduled remaining work.
WA SECTF - Work Group - Community Reinvestment - Public Meeting
(April 14, 2022) - Summary
- USA - Washington
- Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis Community Reinvestment Work Group (WA SECTF - Work Group - Community Reinvestment)
Work group members as well as public participants shared their thoughts on the spending of community reinvestment dollars and workforce training at the group’s final meeting.
WSLCB - Executive Management Team
(April 13, 2022) - Social Equity
Legislative, licensing, communications, and director updates contributed to the discussion amongst WSLCB leadership about activity towards social equity in cannabis.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(March 31, 2022) - SB 5693
The Governor shared his thoughts on the supplemental budget before signing it; the measure created two hemp task forces, a community reinvestment fund, and other cannabis-centric changes.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(March 15, 2022) - Summary
The caucus meeting touched on existing rulemaking; a proposal to label cannabis vapor cartridges; the highs and lows of the legislative session; and a newly appointed board member.
The Week Ahead
(March 14, 2022)
Three cannabis-related bills were passed by the legislature in 2022—out of 31 introduced—yet WSLCB and social equity task force work continued nonetheless.
The Week Ahead
(March 7, 2022)
In the final week of a contentious short session, legislators would have to sprint to pass SB 5983, a bill to protect public health but also fundamentally restructure cannabis law.
The Week Ahead
(February 28, 2022)
Four synthesized cannabinoid regulation bills had been introduced after cutoff, cannabis-related amendments were in the operating budget, and new QC rules were imminent.