In executive session Friday, the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations reported several bills out of committee with recommendations, voting to move measures on language access in elections, voting plans for jails and state hospitals, public-records reform, a state marine forest designation, and a fire board.

Key outcomes

- Substitute House Bill 1381 — Reported out with a due-pass recommendation after adoption of an amendment that removed a pilot program; committee roll call recorded 4 ayes and 3 nays. Representative Farvar moved the motion to report the bill; Representative Mena, Representative Stearns, Representative Dolio and Representative Farvar voted aye; Representatives Waters, Walsh and Chase voted nay.

- Proposed substitute House Bill 1146 — Reported out with a due-pass recommendation after votes on two proposed amendments. Amendment Omely 196 (prohibiting jails and state hospitals from outsourcing duties in jointly adopted voting plans) failed; Amendment Omely 197 (removing a cause of action for the Attorney General and a UW study requirement) also failed. The final roll call on the substitute was 4 ayes, 3 nays (Mena, Stearns, Dolio, Farvar aye; Waters, Walsh, Chase nay).

- House Bill 1055 — Reported out with a due-pass recommendation by voice vote, recorded as 7 ayes, 0 nays; proponents described it as a narrow reform to streamline public-records access and assistance for rural counties.

- House Bill 1631 — Reported out with a due-pass recommendation by voice vote, recorded as 7 ayes, 0 nays; sponsors said it would establish a state marine forest to recognize and protect bull kelp understories important to orca and salmon.

- House Bill 1628 — Reported out with a due-pass recommendation after roll-call; tally reflected members voting in favor except Representative Chase, who recorded a “nay, without recommendation.” The committee clerk recorded the final tally as reflecting passage and the bill was reported out.

What members said

Supporters of the voting-access bill (HB 1146) said the measure would create jointly adopted voting plans for counties, jails and state hospitals and add accountability mechanisms, including an Attorney General cause of action and a contract for a study. Opponents raised concerns about operational burdens for smaller rural jails and potential fines; Ranking Member Waters said a $25,000 penalty per violation could harm small county jails.

Representative Walsh said he opposed some provisions in HB 1146, arguing the Attorney General’s cause of action and the UW study requirement were inappropriate; Walsh moved an amendment to remove those provisions but the amendment failed.

Several bills were advanced without recorded roll-call opposition (HB 1055 and HB 1631). The committee clerk announced final tallies where recorded and staff will transmit reports and recommendations according to legislative process.