Shuffling elections, pricey EpiPens and octopus farms

It’s day 33, here is what’s happening in the Legislature.

OLYMPIA – We’ve just passed the midway point of the legislative session.

On Monday, the fiscal and transportation committees had their house of origin cutoff, with some committees enduring seven-hour meetings full of public testimony and executive action.

Now, the lawmakers can be found on their respective chamber floors debating each bill’s future.

Here are some bills that made it through their chambers this week:

Out of pocket costs

House Bill 1979 unanimously passed on the House floor Tuesday. The bill from Rep. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, puts a $35 cap on epinephrine autoinjectors, or EpiPens, and inhalers.

Prices have recently skyrocketed for the life-saving devices, costing families hundreds of dollars, Paul said.

Last month, a two-pack of EpiPens at Everett’s Safeway on Broadway cost $389 without insurance. A 30-day supply of an albuterol inhaler cost $78 without insurance.

A change to the original bill will provide access to just the generic versions of the drugs, for no more than $35.

It now advances to the Senate’s Health and Long Term Care committee.

Local elections

The House passed a bill Thursday morning giving local governments the option to shift their elections to even-numbered years.

The idea behind the bill is to increase voter turnout in local elections, which are usually held in odd-numbered years.

In the 2020 presidential election, 85% of Snohomish County voters turned in a ballot. In 2023, 36% of voters participated in city council, mayoral and school board elections.

It proved to be contentious on the floor, leading to disagreements and numerous failed amendments from Republicans.

If national, state and local elections are held in the same year, ballots could be lengthy, Republicans noted.

Republican lawmakers shared concerns of voter fatigue on a potential 2024 ballot with six citizen initiatives, a presidential election, numerous statewide races and at the very bottom, local candidates.

“This will polarize elections, and crush and crowd out the smallest races,” said Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn.

Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, noted Secretary of State Steve Hobbs’ opposition to the bill. “We should listen to our experts,” Corry told the House.

Hobbs, a former Democratic state senator from Lake Stevens, opposes the bill as it could divert attention from local issues, Corry said.

Odd-year elections put a spotlight on the unique issues local areas face, Corry added.

Democrats tried to emphasize that the switch would be optional for counties and that they want to make it available for jurisdictions that want to try it out.

It passed 52-45, with all Republicans and a few Democrats voting in opposition.

Octopus farming

One bill introduced by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, sparked high emotions on the floor Tuesday afternoon.

The bill would prohibit octopus farming in the state, a practice that does not happen anywhere in the state or the country.

Peterson told the House the bill is a proactive step to ensuring the state doesn’t pollute its waters.

“It’s not only to make sure that we’re ensuring the safety of our waters and the cleanliness of our waters, I think it’s also a signal to the rest of the country and even the world,” he said.

Many Republicans opposed the bill. Rep. Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, argued the bill doesn’t make sense when practices like abortion are still legal in Washington.

“Right now, we’re talking about a bill that seeks to protect cephalopods,” he said. “Those same protections of life aren’t given to unborn human beings.”

The bill passed the House floor by a vote of 70-27 and will advance to the Senate’s committee on agriculture and natural resources.

Graffiti

To end on a note of bipartisanship, a bill unanimously passed in the House Tuesday to require restitution or community service for people who vandalize public or private buildings with graffiti.

The bill would give courts the option to order a minimum of 24 community service hours, which could include cleaning up their own graffiti.

“Maybe if this happens enough times, and they have to spend a good portion of their afternoons or weekends doing this, maybe it might be enough to deter them from doing it again,” said Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, the prime sponsor.

Rep. Carolyn Eslick spoke in support of the bill, noting her time as the mayor of Sultan, which gave her plenty of insight into the problem of graffiti, she said.

News Clippings

Compiled by: House Democrats | House Republicans

On Television

Nonprofit TVW covers state government in Olympia and selected events statewide. Programs are available for replay on the internet, and the channel is widely available on Washington cable systems.

TVW schedule | Current and recent video | Shows

Links

Contact your legislator | District lookup | Bill lookup

Legislature: Home | House | Senate

Beat Reporters

Jenelle Baumbach (Everett Herald) | Hallie Golden (Associated Press) | Jim Brunner (Seattle Times) | Jerry Cornfield (Washington State Standard) | Laurel Demkovich (Washington State Standard) | Grace Deng (Washington State Standard | Ellen Dennis (Spokesman-Review) | Jeanie Lindsay (NW News Network) | Melissa Santos (Axios) | Shauna Sowersby (McClatchy newspapers) | Claire Withycombe (Seattle Times)

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.