[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6325511,"mediaKeyId","2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5","parentId",2333136,"title","Committee hears bill to fund local law-enforcement aviation units; hearing set for executive session","audioSeconds",1882,"startMs",86000,"endMs",1968000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5&start=86&end=1968","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5/thumbnail_86000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325511/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-fund-local-law-enforcement-aviation-units-hearing-set-for-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325511-79bd976a2a3bd07bb78321ade8b6972f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187709&Signature=OiCjhLAf29U03K1heZRwpIQ4DHquQXD0h4ZBDIkeg0dRTW3huX3PvYjL-Gm2-djd5zdT9XbkByK-AvNxNp7GcHPRE6F3sHsk7BTTaJhR9yh-Z4AXTRITQcaDfHJJoM06RePRIR-mVg2szfD4omURKNd0EUX-59AgTU40x0XCzrQ1nEaYnRl6fK2339kBksRflEKUvZw~G4n7JsN8smntx-KOZowN6tmW43mFtyrvHu~ClBOP~gAHA8f-ipWSwCJL0gVTOPBXQOUW75pDHuAmZUvrHFNvA606wGRsUhrrVJitgGJqiCViUTlfw7ueAAusFuZaXtkuBCeC1RQrvCV5Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Feb. 18 heard testimony on House Bill 1969, which would create a grant program administered by the Washington Military Department to support local law-enforcement aviation units for maintenance, operations, search-and-rescue costs and wildfire response.

Martha Whaling, staff to the committee, told members the bill would require the military department to create the grant program and specify distribution of funds: “Half of the funds must be provided to the support units for maintenance and operation. The remaining funds must be used for search and rescue costs, which include training. And if there are any remaining funds, they are provided to the Washington State Patrol's aviation section,” Whaling said.

The bill also would make sheriff’s offices eligible for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) aerial fire-response assistance when the aviation asset is owned or leased by the sheriff’s office and would require DNR to include sheriff usage in its annual wildfire report. Whaling noted the bill’s wildland-fire suppression provisions have an expiration date of July 1, 2027.

Representative Brian Burnett, the prime sponsor and former Chelan County sheriff, described operational needs and local examples to illustrate demand. “Safety is priority number one,” Representative Burnett said, adding that rural counties run dozens of missions a year in high-elevation terrain and rely on aviation for life-saving rescues and recoveries.

James McMahon, policy director for the Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs, said the four counties that operate law-enforcement helicopters (King, Snohomish, Chelan and Spokane) routinely provide statewide assistance and should not be expected to subsidize missions alone. “These are life-saving measures,” McMahon said.

Local emergency-service leaders and sheriffs testified in support. King County Sheriff Patricia Cole Tindall said her office has provided helicopter support statewide without charging other jurisdictions and urged sustainable state funding. David Ellis, chief of police for Spokane Valley and undersheriff for Spokane County, described missions ranging from lost hikers to wildfire reconnaissance and urged creation of a dedicated state fund.

Wenatchee Valley Fire Department representative Brian Brett said his department operates helicopters and partners with DNR seasonally; he asked that taxpayers in small jurisdictions not bear the full cost of regional missions.

Department of Natural Resources Director for Governmental and External Affairs Pat Sullivan and State Forester George Geissler said DNR appreciates the bill’s intent but raised safety and interoperability concerns for wildfire missions. “Our concern is primarily with the safety of our firefighters, as well as the air crews that are out there flying,” Geissler said, noting some aircraft must meet federal training and maintenance standards for wildland-fire deployments.

Committee members and the sponsor acknowledged there will be appropriation decisions if the legislature funds the program. The committee closed the hearing and scheduled House Bill 1969 for executive session the following day, Feb. 19, for further action.

Votes or formal committee action on the bill were not taken at the Feb. 18 hearing; staff said the bill will be discussed during executive session.

Why it matters: Supporters said the proposal would spread costs for high-expense aviation units that perform statewide search-and-rescue and wildfire duties; state ecological and safety standards for firefighting aviation will shape any final language and eligibility.

Ending note: Committee staff noted the bill’s wildfire-suppression provisions include a July 1, 2027 expiration, and members said they will continue negotiation on safety, training and fiscal details in appropriations and the upcoming executive session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans - 2/18/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Feb. 18 heard testimony on House Bill 1969, which would create a grant program administered by the Washington Military Department to support local law-enforcement aviation units for maintenance, operations, search-and-rescue costs and wildfire response.","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},6325497,"Committee sends digital-equity bill forward after restoring broadband goals and updating outreach language",1255,2188000,3443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5&start=2188&end=3443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","/articles/6325497/Washington/Committee-sends-digital-equity-bill-forward-after-restoring-broadband-goals-and-updating-outreach-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325497-cb864fa6e3df7954d4afb1b26a7456e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187709&Signature=bcHdrTcdfqO~Z4x4DO-f-3k8-Di-G4Zlr3ls8bTZBxWp6BH8k0MlI3ZheGos0rEC3IxFu7vjUN3VPmK1Y0BUoj6qZUaXnrYg83Y1E8IVBvTXB9tVBZN0IxT2tRyT-qXiMVcvQBECOIU8Fr7HyCzJIQuSmI9S4gTBBkB9T8hLWmoxHRaZXck0Xy40hSubwerbFMvWC7yWsJ0tC64mgxveGuTUC07XN3NbMl2mCA8~91HNzNMZDJdWznS6dn3Vs0ViedonNqQnsO0tbw~-ik~gT~qbfTl2KurNfMgRH17OH68r2cRng5qGyZW7hFeYtUvJWe2xSntsEhDgj1UqcnQMMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Feb. 18 voted to report substitute House Bill 1503 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after adopting two amendments that reinstate statutory broadband goals and revise outreach terminology.

Emily Poole, committee staff, summarized the bill and two amendments. Amendment Pool 103 (by Representative Ryu) restores state broadband goals for 2024, 2026 and 2028 and removes a target that had been scheduled for 2030; the amendment also requires a review and update of goals by 2028 with input from stakeholders. Amendment Pool 102 (also by Representative Ryu) replaces the bill’s earlier phrase “hard to reach and low income communities” with the federal standard language “unserved and underserved communities and populations.”

Representative Paul and others argued for digital-equity and adoption measures, noting the importance of broadband for education, health and economic development. Representative Waters said she would vote no, citing turnover and operational issues within the state broadband office and caution that policy changes might slow BEAD implementation. The committee adopted both amendments and then voted 9 ayes to 4 nays to report the substitute bill out of committee.

Clarifying detail: During debate, a legislator referenced anticipated federal BEAD funding, stating an expectation of roughly $1.23 billion over five years to reach unserved areas; that federal funding figure was cited as context for state planning.

Why it matters: The bill addresses digital equity, not only infrastructure but outreach and adoption; restoring statutory goals and using standard federal terminology could shape state coordination with federal broadband programs.

Ending note: The substitute will proceed with a due-pass recommendation; members said further work on implementation and coordination remains necessary.","Substitute House Bill 1503, relating to digital equity and broadband goals, was reported out of committee after adoption of two amendments that reinstated statutory broadband goals and changed outreach language to 'unserved and underserved' communities; the committee recorded a 9-4 vote in favor.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325501,"Committee advances substitute to let large jurisdictions create civilian crisis response teams; labor and scope concerns voiced",868,2096000,2964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5&start=2096&end=2964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5/thumbnail_2096000.jpg","/articles/6325501/Washington/Committee-advances-substitute-to-let-large-jurisdictions-create-civilian-crisis-response-teams-labor-and-scope-concerns-voiced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325501-535468019e8eecc23d3272709680517d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187709&Signature=Cph4ePgUIK7BK91xL83vbH9K~FpjeoOcTqPLYoe81ho0X~PUn4oZP7SVFRmhZ7GpcT4X~MU-8Fm~bqrPYCojUCmwQLfCUbg6M~lcGDnJBZtCNUT4233yMPHPiU0be52Rxwfmq-dhZo53EgLzECyjUMCZdM3i9ZWbwcVH1OnGFuhJDn698vWDyNB58BFYgJmdfTk-cYG6LFklmJcgj2jTgwvCRTU7B2q8dc20KbjHaAcP7K0P9sFS8PCgFlrJGfNyyZKeUoOW8sJh~ihc8~8Sc~fQm8Hmtc6Ri0iYHFnRzamcygG~wdRvCOqmbrj3ZxQ48-1t3j11f--MFDhHcQP3fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Feb. 18 reported substitute House Bill 18-16 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after debate about expanding crisis-response teams beyond Seattle and concerns about collective-bargaining and implementation in other jurisdictions.

Martha Whaling, staff to the committee, summarized the proposed substitute (H-1486) as allowing any political subdivision with a population greater than 200,000 to create a crisis-response team that may be deployed in the field to certain 9-1-1 calls. The substitute requires the executive head to consult with active entities to set minimum qualifications, training, deployable areas and hours of operation, and it specifies that the crisis response team is a parallel first responder to law enforcement and fire response and therefore subject to existing collective-bargaining rules.

Representative Thomas, sponsor of the proposed substitute, framed the bill as broadened and stakeholder-informed and urged a yes vote: “No bill is perfect, but this one’s on its way,” Representative Thomas said. Representative Penner and Representative Keaton expressed opposition, saying the substitute substantially expands the bill’s scope and raises unaddressed collective-bargaining and public-safety concerns for jurisdictions beyond Seattle.

During roll call the committee recorded eight ayes and five nays; the committee chair announced the substitute was reported out with a due-pass recommendation.

Why it matters: The substitute changes authorization from a Seattle-centered pilot to a model available to many large jurisdictions. Supporters said it could provide alternative, specialized responses to behavioral-health and crisis calls; opponents argued the substitute has not been sufficiently stakeholdered statewide and could create friction with collective-bargaining obligations.

Ending note: The substitute will move forward to the next stage with a committee recommendation; members and sponsors said they will continue stakeholder engagement on labor and operational details.","A substitute to House Bill 18-16 was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after debate over scope and collective-bargaining issues; the substitute expands authorization to any political subdivision with more than 200,000 residents and requires consultation on qualifications and operations.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325506,"Committee advances bill expanding veteran benefit eligibility after amendment",632,1986000,2618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5&start=1986&end=2618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333136-7920e9b41fd1d71c65ece8e8c95a5ff5/thumbnail_1986000.jpg","/articles/6325506/Washington/Committee-advances-bill-expanding-veteran-benefit-eligibility-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325506-7b9cda1ce56cbfd1dd9e821960ba9b9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187709&Signature=FUQoXpwr~0kDySlwO3dsK8STCFIJCa7w3K49OVAfsesOQK7sVn22gAkZ7ELNPuypgtYkdDsf2mtxAHVC9b~REwjekvx1QT~W8c16aUiRmdXJCmiAOX0I3IH21AAUgSregBr~lD3dhCgBsswR7~t3pADULVHjwOJhexiKN2Q3roupE9T63WYGNG72EgzyXE1tLEAqsU~wkKh5QOV1yBXD1E4d8TfSkd8iv52Ya949G8NuytvBoGEiz29DEIQ7qQ2A1sPOmPEHZDUlzrn~zIKc1MO710jDCjtQ3pjFt342TYP4h0KJdPw00Y1GrM67Qc4CAp0QfSdnrWNWsKJPirPIXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Feb. 18 adopted an amendment to House Bill 17-38 that expands eligibility for certain retirement and state benefits by clarifying qualifying military service and discharge status, then voted to report the substitute bill out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Martha Whaling, staff to the committee, said the amendment WALE 220 aligns the bill’s definitions with other language in the Revised Code of Washington and defines a qualifying discharge to include “honorable, generally under honorable conditions, or any characterization of service where the reason for discharge was solely based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” language intended to address unfair historical discharges.

Representative Shavers, speaking in support, said the measure improves employment opportunities for veterans and their spouses and urged members to vote yes. Representative Donaghy and others voiced support during discussion.

Committee members voted to adopt WALE 220; the amendment was incorporated into a substitute bill. The committee then voted to report substitute House Bill 17-38 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The roll-call recorded 13 ayes and no nays.

Why it matters: The bill changes statutory definitions that determine eligibility for state retirement and employment preferences for veterans and could affect benefit and hiring processes where discharge characterization is a barrier.

Clarifying detail: Staff reported a one-time Department of Licensing impact of $27,000 in the first biennium; no other fiscal impacts were identified in the briefing.

Ending note: Committee staff recorded the due-pass recommendation and will forward the substitute bill to the next legislative stage.","The committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 17-38 to align veteran definitions and expand qualifying discharges, then voted to report the substitute bill out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill to fund local law-enforcement aviation units; hearing set for executive session

Committee sends digital-equity bill forward after restoring broadband goals and updating outreach language

Committee advances substitute to let large jurisdictions create civilian crisis response teams; labor and scope concerns voiced

Committee advances bill expanding veteran benefit eligibility after amendment