[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364078,"mediaKeyId","2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a","parentId",2165383,"title","Panel reviews HB 1541 to add Native American and National Guard representation to Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee","audioSeconds",1227,"startMs",2943000,"endMs",4170000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a&start=2943&end=4170","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a/thumbnail_2943000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364078/Washington/Panel-reviews-HB-1541-to-add-Native-American-and-National-Guard-representation-to-Veterans-Affairs-Advisory-Committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364078-b47bf4fbbe084e11ea3d9c2c8ed45807/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163244&Signature=oGtUE1mAmekQaDg1zmg-lqeb0V9wWCa5Sui4GQvxn0Br3VvE4YPagU4c9cgYPSx9GC-hmHwxUDVyXHI1iy61U8Hk1-jGs-dJEuaWORRlhWBLuRhKc9cdM0DivPqLWglFBLu6CLqqSuZGcaDtowV7-HRmgOR3wRsTwM1Pvf8C1sMNqJbuhLt-NBhgn0Rg69eOVDpajNMt66lsoTU6JVKjmnNlB5BsRXCwoOH5FKuzqqoNn7dWFHrHDXUeda6v0KWtB~lopnTwKu3Sdqy9TT8F-9~0kXTzKWgmxvLTjHDBI~rpFqXW4Nd2pC6f8ErAV-YsS8WbXIhIOPKGFIlz6yvcgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Hunter Abell introduced House Bill 1541, which modifies the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAC). The VAC is a 17-member advisory body to the governor and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs on veterans’ matters; the department operates four veterans homes in Orting, Retsil, Spokane and Walla Walla.

The bill would keep the committee at 17 members but reallocate two positions that had been reserved for residents of veterans homes (Orting and Retsil) into four at-large veteran member positions. It also provides the governor the option to appoint a member of a state-recognized Native American tribe and a veteran who is a current or former member of the Washington National Guard from among the ten veterans service organization seats.

Why sponsors proposed the change: Representative Abell and Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director David Puente told the committee that the two facility-designated seats have often been vacant because residents of inpatient veterans homes cannot practically travel to VAC meetings statewide; the VAC has adopted a liaison model in which committee members or liaisons visit homes. The proposal aims to better represent Native American veterans and National Guard veterans, two groups the agency and VAC members say can be underserved.

Support and testimony: Director David Puente testified the department and the VAC requested the change after outreach and town halls in multiple counties; he noted VA outreach and tribal veteran representative training, and described the goal of improving access to benefits and services for tribal veterans and Guard members. Vincent McDonald (Colville tribal veterans program) and Rick (Richard) Thomas (Veterans Legislative Coalition/former First Special Forces Group commander) testified in favor; the Veterans Legislative Coalition submitted a unanimous endorsement.

Questions and concerns: Representative Penner asked whether the Orting and Retsil resident seats have been vacant; the sponsor and staff said they have been vacant for some time and that the liaison model is intended to preserve home-level input without requiring residents to travel. Committee members suggested the sponsor could work with stakeholders to adjust language if needed; Director Puente said the department would continue outreach to underserved veteran groups and hold VAC town halls around the state.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing on HB 1541 after testimony and discussion; no committee-level amendment or vote on the bill occurred at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans - 1/29/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Hunter Abell introduced House Bill 1541, which modifies the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee to add appointment flexibility for tribal and National Guard representation.","taxTitle","Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20265,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364072,"Committee amends and approves substitute of HB 1201 to encourage companion-animal accommodations in emergency shelters",647,4204000,4851000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a&start=4204&end=4851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a/thumbnail_4204000.jpg","/articles/6364072/Washington/Committee-amends-and-approves-substitute-of-HB-1201-to-encourage-companion-animal-accommodations-in-emergency-shelters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364072-676ecfe4551a13f08e88bdf9ebd33f8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163245&Signature=b4-F9dJ5k6xbhIJ6FbPj~KJR8fs3SphwQt57AVfIzW5EQ9d5lkqyo~vw7f2EGmreW2v43mpuXmcqeeh~8DzuulpDwuI~sGZGCfYTceJoQvkMDXIIs9xdNv4uFaT1jWyowsTVoFTzq-9-VEiGEtu3Uq1WnJ7YlSzaFstkl0hHV4FraCPATvGFkkpAGK6oxBo9KXmrwClyh~WB1Eil04UgmOD4KQr2MiEYg981cz4qIvxpB6DNZNI9b6K7N~WubUU3TplxKUAqy1-iDk6NOtVifhMnNnkNA~I5ScSy68cMzQZiofCmnbRXajY1lZrTHKNff~4Vrvu5AUPR1dFmf1CD9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Chair Kloba moved and the committee considered proposed substitute House Bill 1201, which would require local jurisdictions to identify accommodations for companion animals in emergency or extreme-weather shelter planning “to the extent practicable.”

The committee adopted amendment WALE 207 (moved by Representative Penner) to replace the phrase “county or city” with “political subdivision” so that the requirement applies to counties, cities and towns where the statute governing emergency management uses the broader term. The proposed substitute had already added a requirement to identify a co-shelter and changed the statutory term “pet” to “companion animal.” Staff described the proposed substitute H-0928.2 and the single amendment in the executive-session briefing.

Motion and amendment: Vice Chair Kloba moved that the proposed substitute be reported out with a due-pass recommendation; Representative Penner moved amendment WALE 207 and it was adopted by voice vote. The motion on the substitute as amended was then reported to a roll-call vote.

Roll-call outcome: The committee recorded individual votes during the roll call. The final tally announced by staff was 12 ayes and 1 nay (Representative Volz voted “nay without recommendation”). Recorded individual votes in the transcript were: Representative Ryu — aye; Representative Klobuch — aye; Representative Barnard — aye; Representative Cortez — aye; Representative Donaghy — aye; Representative Keaton — aye; Representative Paul — aye; Representative Penner — aye; Representative Shavers — aye; Representative Simmons — aye; Representative Thomas — aye; Representative Volz — nay without recommendation; Representative Waters — aye. Staff announced the tally as 12 ayes, 1 nay. The committee reported substitute House Bill 1201 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation as amended.

Why it matters: Supporters urged passage on the grounds that companion animals can be a source of comfort and safety for people who need emergency shelter, and that planning in advance reduces disruptions in emergency operations. Witnesses and members noted logistical concerns such as allergy accommodation, waste management and the phrase “to the extent practicable” to avoid an unfunded mandate.

Ending: The committee’s action was procedural: substitute HB 1201, as amended by WALE 207, was reported out with a due-pass recommendation and will move forward in the legislative process.","Vice Chair Kloba moved the proposed substitute for House Bill 1201, which would require political subdivisions to identify co-shelters or companion-animal accommodations in emergency planning, and the committee reported the substitute out with a due-pass recommendation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":44,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364082,"Committee hears supporters say HB 1406 will provide flexibility and boost funding equity for associate development organizations",1416,1527000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a&start=1527&end=2943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a/thumbnail_1527000.jpg","/articles/6364082/Washington/Committee-hears-supporters-say-HB-1406-will-provide-flexibility-and-boost-funding-equity-for-associate-development-organizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364082-0ace18a6471131a21d31a26d802f852c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163244&Signature=GP4wL2C8kaVNorj9E1s5K1KtHecG5Oy0WfVcy829bRLb-VQndNfmyv2seokHtCJlT~jd6DwAkoroD3mIWFSoQSvRBVPPwhd0DyLIILGMIluQMytwdJ5piCPNBqE~F4OMomr6QaMPwieqAJTTu4qIZBDiwD7R4E5MibjOioSK~IWhd6fQvhV5WPLSHkxRq5OIfSWq6knIXDpgtzqoHNsWi1cFQBwnBZ-z53Y9Wi~p5BS8w8ZLmhCYQtEqIcs2zEO1-C3s0CUClkZ~rVucVRwsXMDDLDqhvqcFQeqvpk9U5EGddhBzePi-WBp2xyRf9qz230oe0ITvgk6Wj7EuOek5gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Martha Whaling, staff to the committee, briefed members on House Bill 1406, which would change funding and reporting rules for associate development organizations. Whaling told the committee that the bill removes certain King County reporting requirements, alters funding caps and formulas for urban and rural ADOs, and allows matched local allocations to be met in cash, in-kind, or a combination with an in-kind limit of 25%.

Supporters from statewide and regional economic-development organizations urged passage. Suzanne Dale Estee, executive director of the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA), said ADOs underpin economic-development efforts statewide and that recent duties and equity metrics have increased responsibilities without commensurate funding. Jennifer Baker, president and CEO of the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC), described the council’s return on investment and business wins that generated capital investment and jobs.

Rural ADO perspectives: Jenny Dickinson (Port of Columbia, Columbia County ADO) and Jonathan Smith (Yakima County Development Association) described constrained local resources in rural areas and said the funding changes would allow programs that otherwise would not exist—examples include broadband to businesses, an artisan food-processing business park, and childcare center development. Dickinson and other witnesses told the committee ADOs played a mission-critical role during and after the COVID-19 pandemic by coordinating relief, technical assistance and business support.

Key funding changes described by staff: The bill removes the 90¢ per capita language. Urban counties would receive a matched allocation with a maximum increased to $500,000 (previously $300,000). Rural counties would receive a matched allocation within a range of $85,000 to $150,000 (previously smaller maximums described in statute). The matched allocation may include in-kind contributions up to 25% of the local match.

Why it matters: Witnesses said ADOs deliver services to companies, connect to regional and local partners, and generate private investment that produces jobs and tax revenue. Testimony emphasized ADOs’ role in rural economic development and noted that resources have not kept pace with growing responsibilities.

What the bill does not do at this hearing: No committee vote was taken on HB 1406 during this meeting; the prime sponsor’s brief remarks were mostly expressions of appreciation for ADO work and a push to reduce reporting burdens.

Ending: Multiple ADO representatives asked the committee to support HB 1406 to maintain and expand regional capacity for economic development across urban and rural Washington.","House Bill 1406 would modify funding formulas and reporting for associate development organizations (ADOs), increasing urban caps, setting rural funding ranges, removing the 90¢ per capita mechanism, and allowing in-kind matches up to 25%. ADO leaders testified the changes would reduce administrative burden and support rural capacity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364088,"Panel hears testimony on HB 1408 to create sustained sales-tax funding for community preservation authorities",1451,74000,1525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a&start=74&end=1525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165383-a6eda93083f20f895b111893eb452e0a/thumbnail_74000.jpg","/articles/6364088/Washington/Panel-hears-testimony-on-HB-1408-to-create-sustained-sales-tax-funding-for-community-preservation-authorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364088-3d370540d04985649bb66afabcf14c79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163244&Signature=mDQqmzcVxZ7t-rS8cU1RWif9qivmNGgFqc-GG-DUgBKKv0HX6~lLI~EGLNdSxX24AyP8XQjiSZUpa7mDhOY8UfyoXNZ6ZL6C3mI7dyFc5ObLh9cxyYDb~UqyYyc00iUamDcNiiQSTHLjQ-heaKIWf2kNaALjqiNaro-9SlTpa4UcXxJSkQFm2CNRua5yE9f8jYek1noAZpfkPtZIVo2I0AfdrUT3lgtY76vmNMZ90o~nQpJxyBdoqKqomcUgtJmYDmEsIWIMGG-eCjIHoA3jt2QTXh~TT5DN-8gXeIvUZMIsbVNTg7ccPF79EHo~RINX-MjpHDbiElmdgFTPk86YWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, sponsor of House Bill 1408, told the Technology, Economic Development and Veterans Committee that the bill would create a dedicated funding source for community preservation and development authorities, citing the Seattle Chinatown-International District and Pioneer Square as examples of neighborhoods the measure would serve.

The bill would require the Department of Revenue and the state treasurer to deposit 30% of sales-and-use tax on retail sales at qualified facilities into a new CPDA state account beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Deposits would be split equally between two subaccounts for operating and capital purposes. The bill sets a statutory expiration date of Jan. 1, 2037, but allows extension depending on a JLARC review due Dec. 1, 2034.

Why it matters: Proponents said the funding is intended to help small businesses, preserve historic buildings, address unreinforced masonry, and support public-safety efforts in neighborhoods affected by large public projects and stadium traffic. Opponents were not recorded during the hearing; the item was taken as a committee hearing rather than a vote.

What supporters said: Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos said the CPDA model was created to support ‘‘ethnic enclaves in urban centers’’ and noted that the Seattle Chinatown-International District had been named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of 11 most endangered historic places. Kathleen Barry Johnson, executive director of Historic South Downtown (the Pioneer Square CPDA), said HB 1408 would provide sustainable funding to help small businesses, the creative economy, and efforts to fix unreinforced masonry and improve housing and public safety.

Other supporters included Armando Garzon, owner of Color Studios in Pioneer Square, who urged passage to preserve creative spaces and retain artists; and Christopher Ellis of the Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Union, who emphasized job creation through masonry retrofit work.

Key provisions and timing (as described to the committee): JLARC is directed to review CPDA funding by Dec. 1, 2034, with findings on whether funding meets objectives such as repairing unreinforced masonry, addressing litter and debris, and meeting housing needs. CPDAs must submit biennial reports to the Legislature beginning Nov. 1, 2025. The sales-and-use tax direction takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

What the bill does not do in committee testimony: The hearing included no committee vote on HB 1408 during this meeting. Proponents described the funding mechanics and local impacts but did not present enacted statutory text beyond the staff briefing summary. Staff clarified administrative steps for the Department of Revenue and state treasurer to calculate and deposit the revenue.

Context and next steps: Supporters framed HB 1408 as a long-sought, targeted revenue source for CPDAs created in statute but historically underfunded since 2007. The committee closed the hearing on HB 1408 and moved to other agenda items. Further committee consideration, amendment or a formal vote could occur in later hearings or on the floor.

Ending: Testimony at the hearing emphasized preservation, small-business stabilization and public-safety uses for CPDA funding; supporters asked the committee to recommend passage so CPDAs can build on recent state investments and prepare for large regional events such as the 2026 World Cup.","Lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 1408, which would direct a portion of sales-and-use tax from specified stadiums to two Community Preservation and Development Authorities (CPDAs) and require JLARC review and biennial reporting by the CPDAs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel reviews HB 1541 to add Native American and National Guard representation to Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee

Committee amends and approves substitute of HB 1201 to encourage companion-animal accommodations in emergency shelters

Committee hears supporters say HB 1406 will provide flexibility and boost funding equity for associate development organizations

Panel hears testimony on HB 1408 to create sustained sales-tax funding for community preservation authorities