[{"_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",6322595,"mediaKeyId","2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d","parentId",2347205,"title","Committee adopts substitutes, sends three bills to rules after executive session","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",6250160,"endMs",6443840,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d&start=6250&end=6443","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d/thumbnail_6250160.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322595/Washington/Committee-adopts-substitutes-sends-three-bills-to-rules-after-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322595-91c72ab62b2843e2a3ac82dee58ba65b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061103&Signature=L16Hbndgq1tSnMsZqiiPNQkNSlzmFVjYbhgnZ~JhKPSIJaT2qKfN29korY2~pDAYXBEC5gxI2D4DRtXxHosIpHF-Is5VQENqemyeFFIHK3Yt8dKtP2rMKY4zoAammXKXY8ITJza0WWiXn4c8BOUXoL9FJ7eVWD5c8dblAVT9hVrf24LJKooj95j8wxxsG1tfJWRyhS9foy8TJO8pvYSfvpcs5hm5Ak4zXf-lMhuidQyT~2S64fELbHZWO0HF4uHCQKtl7ZxLBILQjvToQOIqflSmQvFkqwqfob6r89VqsS~D7MVmXad~7RD1iPoWSPNbtObZlWSPA9NE3SnkmnGgjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","OLYMPIA — After public hearings the Senate Financial Services and Trade Committee went into executive session and acted on three bills, adopting proposed substitutes and recommending each bill for further consideration with a due‑pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.

Summary of committee actions (voice votes; counts not specified in the transcript):

- SB 5,331 (violations of the insurance code): The committee adopted the proposed substitute A (which, among other changes in the draft, limits restitution to demonstrated economic damages, excludes certain providers from restitution eligibility, clarifies when obligations arise for interest calculation and preserves dispute resolution under the balance‑billing law). The committee then moved that the proposed substitute receive a due‑pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The motion carried by voice vote; the transcript records the outcome as \"passed subject to signature.\" (Mover not specified in transcript; voice vote recorded.)

- SB 5,328 (licensing and regulation of earned wage access services): The committee adopted the proposed substitute B and then adopted amendment B1; members moved to roll amendments into a new proposed substitute and to give the proposed substitute a due‑pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The recorded action states that the bill \"passes subject to signature.\" (Voice vote; counts not specified.) The bill's proposed substitute adds a bifurcated regulatory approach: employer‑integrated services regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and consumer‑directed wage access services treated as loans under the Consumer Loan Act; it also increases surety bond requirements, sets fee caps and grants DFI enforcement and reporting authority (the committee also discussed a proposed transactional database and potential DFI fees to support it).

- SB 5,677 (associate development organizations): The committee adopted proposed substitute C and moved that it receive a due‑pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The proposed substitute restores certain reporting measures for small‑business assistance in King County, adds additional reporting and race/ethnicity data collection on recipients of direct support, and adjusts match requirements; a fiscal note was discussed as pending and potentially higher given increased reporting requirements. The motion to send to Rules passed by voice vote; the transcript records \"bill passes subject to signature.\"

Clerk’s note: transcript reports voice votes and \"aye\" responses but does not include recorded tallies or named seconders. The committee chair reminded members of deadlines for filing additional amendments by noon the following day.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade February 19, 8:00 am","oneSentenceSummary","During executive session the Senate Financial Services and Trade Committee adopted substitutes and recommended due pass to Rules for SB 5,331, SB 5,328 and SB 5,677.","taxTitle","Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20500,"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},6322604,"Committee hears workers, insurers and repair shops on bill to create appraisal right in auto claims",1682,1740015,3422120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d&start=1740&end=3422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d/thumbnail_1740015.jpg","/articles/6322604/Washington/Committee-hears-workers-insurers-and-repair-shops-on-bill-to-create-appraisal-right-in-auto-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322604-39ee02f8eb2f930d7655ece286f756b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061103&Signature=Vz-aEnoIqws7ZJtqIBx~sab6gJCnanYODYBMAy-F1YfIsYDsu5G01o~R3~73mnOZkAQQXDaub0D8naS~KzIPRn9Tt8qAWaeC3~DN-T7Tubt1nWlNM-JcJ~1DgOPcCgg-nD2zgHPSPBe-2Gl-s0wASsG5mUdtsOqsk0ZgAPKwETwnN~7ZRoT5BioRkk~WlgGEvlFt-naF2juwQvcEhCc7UdqA0E9lXNrvOmGxHWaKGntzrXOkcbzeCl0TBp9R761rSHwdV~uvh-LSf-yiB13tXBJISNHRBeE04w55ZYgdMPrjdG3MkTH1LK8FnGxIUo48S6CR8WKtmn12VcfqV-mO6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","OLYMPIA — The Senate Financial Services and Trade Committee heard testimony on SB 5,721, a bill that would create a statutory right to appraisal for first‑party physical‑damage auto insurance claims issued or renewed in 2026 and later.

Committee staff briefed members that the bill would establish time frames to invoke appraisal, require appraisers and umpires to be competent and disinterested, set a process when the two appraisers cannot agree, and require the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to register umpires and identify one if the parties cannot. The bill would make each party responsible for their appraisal costs but contains a cost‑shifting provision: if the appraisal award is at least $500 greater than the insurer’s pre‑appraisal adjusted amount, the insurer must reimburse the policyholder for appraisal costs, reasonable attorney fees and other necessary costs.

Senator Steve Stanford, the bill’s prime sponsor, said the measure aims to give consumers “a fair appraisal of the damages and a fair settlement of the claim,” noting an uptick in complaints tied to virtual or photo‑only estimates.

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, represented by David Fort, testified in strong support. Fort said the right to appraisal would give consumers a dispute‑resolution pathway that doesn’t require litigation or hiring an attorney.

Collision repair businesses, independent appraisers and trade associations testified in support, saying insurers’ photo‑based or out‑of‑state estimates often understate repair costs. Micah Strom, a collision shop owner, said estimates can be “50% to 75% less” than a shop’s in‑person estimate and that modern vehicles with advanced driver‑assisted systems require accurate repairs. Jeff Butler, a licensed public insurance adjuster, and Justin Lewis, president of the Washington Independent Collision Repairers Association, urged passage and said unfair initial insurer estimates have forced consumers to pay out‑of‑pocket to ensure safe repairs.

Consumer advocates and a longtime insurance litigator, Pat LaPlay of the Washington State Association for Justice, also supported the bill, describing the proposed standards for appraisers and the $500 remedial provision as consumer protections.

Insurer trade groups opposed or expressed concern. Kenton Bridal of the Northwest Insurance Council and Chris Tefft of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association said many insurers already include appraisal clauses and warned that mandating a uniform appraisal process could increase disputes, slow repairs and raise costs. They also questioned provisions that would involve the insurance commissioner in umpire selection and the bill’s cost‑shifting to insurers when the appraisal award exceeds the insurer’s amount by $500.

No committee vote was taken at the hearing. Supporters urged the committee to move the bill forward; opponents asked for language changes limiting commissioner involvement and the one‑size‑fits‑all mandate.

","The Senate Financial Services and Trade Committee heard testimony on SB 5,721, which would give policyholders a statutory right to appraisal in first‑party auto physical‑damage claims and spell out appraisal procedures, timelines and cost‑shifting rules.",{"_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},6322609,"Senate committee hears testimony on bill to bar sale of weight‑loss and muscle‑building supplements to minors",1653,65780,1719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d&start=65&end=1719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d/thumbnail_65780.jpg","/articles/6322609/Washington/Senate-committee-hears-testimony-on-bill-to-bar-sale-of-weightloss-and-musclebuilding-supplements-to-minors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322609-2edfe723be162426c12fa0d435a66e50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061103&Signature=PbBDPKn3216EdovuTrPrCxebCGHgDin~Wq0s-5xVCBI2E9cyb-LPRpmuUt9QWdaXg4pqWdn7vk7pUFNKDaa3NU3EUhuzbrNZ0C7teNE~8XyzGsZnKokmYdvZ7DxSQ8uAGp-MiN20tjp2WeOB2yfMo4bRrvCKxgb~UhXal60QRYF6IBXbIIOrkn75lvExSn2a9Erc1ocps2ub5FobSUPtAIVjJhjnyA8Vw0zytWlY~x8FYkhJ9eM7y2TOG9pi1k7uv6Ww8dXxInKGeuiZTIR0vIruUtkivAqz8taByIgtPjqFPcBZMOKePXDkh5OTw3H-f~BAAMmmeiRO48HlY-2-Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MADISON, Wash. — The Senate Financial Services and Trade Committee on Wednesday took public testimony on SB 5,622, legislation that would ban in‑store and online sales of over‑the‑counter diet pills and dietary supplements marketed for weight loss or muscle building to people under 18.

John Kim, staff to the committee, told senators the proposal is patterned on a 2023 New York law and would prohibit a retail offer, sale or promotional giveaway of such products within the state to someone under 18. The bill sets out proof‑of‑age requirements for retailers, allows retailers to use transaction‑scan devices under limits, and authorizes the state attorney general to enforce the law and seek injunctions and penalties; a fiscal note was requested, Kim said.

The bill’s prime sponsor, Senator John Lubbock, 40th District, told the committee the measure is intended to prevent “negative outcomes for our youth,” saying adolescents are being targeted by companies that market untested or dangerous products. \"The American Academy of Pediatrics has strongly cautioned against teens using these products,\" Lubbock said during his sponsor remarks.

During a nearly three‑hour public hearing, more than a dozen witnesses spoke. Several high‑school students testified in support, citing peer‑reviewed studies and public‑health warnings. Aden George, a Washington state high‑school student, said a Harvard study found one in 10 adolescents worldwide have used unregulated weight‑loss pills and cited a New England Journal of Medicine figure that dietary‑supplement exposures lead to about 23,000 U.S. emergency‑room visits annually. \"These pills can result in organ failure, heart attacks, strokes, and even death,\" George said.

Other student supporters echoed concerns about hidden stimulants and contaminants in supplements and that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lacks premarket authority over many dietary supplements because of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. Corley Zhuang, a high‑school junior testifying in favor of the bill, said, \"There is not enough federal, state, and state regulation for supplements,\" and urged senators to \"prioritize youth lives and listen to the science.\" Several students said they were open to amendments so long as age protections for minors remained.

Industry representatives and grocery and retail groups testified in opposition or expressed concern about the bill’s breadth and practical effects on retailers. Tyler Cannon, representing the Natural Products Association, said federal regulators already impose “rigorous quality standards” and argued the bill rests on an unproven link between supplements and eating disorders. Peter Galbowski of the Association of Washington Business and Katie Beeson of the Washington Food Industry Association said the bill’s definitions could sweep in common wellness products, creating storage, staffing and liability challenges for small retailers. Carlos Gutierrez of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association said his trade group would be neutral if the law were limited only to products specifically marketed for weight loss, but said the current draft’s ingredient‑based lists and vague metabolization language were too broad.

Some testifiers cautioned the panel about constitutional and federal preemption risks. Committee staff noted that legal challenges to the New York law have already been filed in federal court; John Kim said those cases remain pending and that plaintiffs there alleged First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment claims and argued federal law (the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) preempts state law.

Committee members asked about the bill’s exemptions and enforcement. Staff said the text excludes standard protein powders and foods marketed as containing protein unless those products contain other ingredients that fall within the bill’s definitions; the bill would list factors a court could consider when deciding whether a product is marketed for weight loss or muscle building.

The public hearing closed after roughly three hours of testimony. No final committee action or vote on SB 5,622 was taken during the hearing.

Looking ahead: committee staff said a fiscal note had been requested and that sponsors and industry representatives indicated a willingness to negotiate narrower definitions and other draft changes.

Sources: committee briefing by John Kim; public testimony by Senator John Lubbock and multiple student and industry witnesses.

","The Senate Financial Services and Trade Committee on Wednesday took public testimony on SB 5,622, legislation that would ban over‑the‑counter diet pills and dietary supplements marketed for weight loss or muscle building to anyone under 18.",{"_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},6322600,"Lawmakers hear creation of Washington public bank; proponents point to Bank of North Dakota model, bankers voice concerns",2268,3444560,5713340,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d&start=3444&end=5713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347205-54dbb6b8a9dd50ce9d43ced81485f25d/thumbnail_3444560.jpg","/articles/6322600/Washington/Lawmakers-hear-creation-of-Washington-public-bank-proponents-point-to-Bank-of-North-Dakota-model-bankers-voice-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322600-f3f1cfb80f9728fc14e42c161db1c767/orig.mp4?Expires=1771061103&Signature=mn5fLoFSaBTDOfhUfA-nGk~qYHE2yMeWEsPWfGNKegotHxXxgkt2PbKO~FMUJ8xQtW8FE1141CYcOYUqC9t5W8jCusEgZLOyX3oDQQxQ8i~2RkzyOw6x4f1UMQ-OBB8AesR20-JYwsxzbvf4AAckgF7-PXxqe9UZgCHc8lamcE2hKqw2~XvUnQdxaDeWobzdNGj56MJZSDbRXPU0KIXhXZLzJrUsy-VsGw72ttYHPL07jaJAZpfDtz4Yyd7fSdE9OX5Fahk26LPV7WBS1GowqO7GwHrf7dvX7Qk5VPwADgj9GgVEpKYcU77KpyGEDhJHC-mV84rlVyOzZpRs6V~wHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","OLYMPIA — The Senate Financial Services and Trade Committee held a public hearing on SB 5,754, a proposal to create a Washington State Public Bank that would be owned by public members and able to lend to local and tribal governments and support infrastructure and economic development.

Committee staff described the bill’s structure: the bank would be established by appropriation, governed by a nine‑member board (including five directors appointed by bank members, three gubernatorial appointees, and the state treasurer as an ex officio member) and housed administratively within the office of the state treasurer. The bill would permit local and tribal governments to join as members and to borrow from the bank; bonds issued by the bank would be obligations of the bank, not the state, staff said. A fiscal note had been requested; staff noted a 2023 study of an earlier proposal estimated multi‑year start‑up costs in one variant.

Senator Bob Hasegawa, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill is intended to expand the state’s financing capacity for infrastructure, housing and economic development without raising taxes. Hasegawa and supporters pointed to the Bank of North Dakota as a working U.S. example in which state ownership has been used to support local lending and economic development.

Proponents included Marco Rossi of Washingtonians for Public Banking, who said Washington has lost local banking capacity since the 2008 recession and that a public bank could provide affordable credit for community‑scale projects. Kim Conavan, a city council member and attorney, and Catherine Lundowski, a retired nurse, also testified in support, citing North Dakota’s long track record.

Opponents included the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington. Glenn Simichek, president of the Washington Bankers Association, cited an earlier compilation of studies that concluded a state bank would be unlikely to achieve proponents’ objectives and could face political interference; he flagged a provision directing the treasurer to transfer state general‑fund and concentration account deposits into the public bank as “troubling.” Brad Tower of the Community Bankers of Washington warned that state deposits are a \"river, not a lake\" and criticized using demand deposits for long‑term lending, saying such a mismatch could create interest‑rate and liquidity risk.

Other opponents also raised concerns about exemption from certain standard safety nets and the potential for the bank to operate outside traditional federal oversight; proponents countered that the Bank of North Dakota model demonstrates resilience and local benefits, including higher community bank participation in loans and local economic returns.

The public hearing concluded with committee members requesting additional data. Staff said they will research the state’s current banking‑services costs and return with fiscal figures at a later time.

","Senate committee heard pro‑ and con testimony on SB 5,754 to create a Washington State Public Bank. Supporters said a state‑owned bank could leverage public deposits to fund infrastructure and housing at lower net cost; bankers and community banks raised risk, oversight and deposit liquidity concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts substitutes, sends three bills to rules after executive session

Committee hears workers, insurers and repair shops on bill to create appraisal right in auto claims

Senate committee hears testimony on bill to bar sale of weight‑loss and muscle‑building supplements to minors

Lawmakers hear creation of Washington public bank; proponents point to Bank of North Dakota model, bankers voice concerns