Nursing Association in Olympia prepares for 2025 Legislative Session

This week marked the one-third mark of the 2025 legislative session, with Friday, February 21st being the deadline for bills to be voted out of policy committees in the House of Origin. It is important to note that fewer than 20% of bills introduced actually become law, making it a significant milestone for bills to pass this initial hurdle. The next deadline, February 28th, is approaching quickly, where bills with a fiscal impact on the state budget must be approved by the main fiscal committees: Finance, Appropriations, Transportation, and Ways & Means.

During this critical time, legislators will be working long hours in these committees, reviewing and voting on various bills. However, there are exceptions for bills deemed “necessary to implement the budget” or “NTIB,” which allows them to bypass these cutoff dates. This designation ensures that certain bills, especially those supported by the majority party, can continue to progress until the legislative session concludes. Bills with minimal fiscal impact will be forwarded directly to the Rules Committee for further assessment.

The House Democrats recently unveiled a website showcasing their proposal for a no-revenue budget. This budget plan will be closely monitored to understand how it addresses the state’s budget shortfall and potential implications for various sectors.

Moving on to specific legislative priorities, Workplace Violence in Healthcare settings, addressed by HB 1162/SB 5162, is currently under review by the House Appropriations Committee. There is a fiscal note from DSHS that stakeholders are actively working to mitigate. This bill must pass out of the committee before the fiscal cutoff date on February 28th to progress through the legislative process.

Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions in Healthcare, highlighted by HB 1881/SB 5704, unfortunately, this bill did not advance out of committee before the policy cutoff on February 21st. WSNA remains committed to advocating for this policy in the future, collaborating with stakeholders to address concerns and promote access to quality, affordable care and services.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) for striking or lockout workers, discussed in SB 5041, is currently under review by the Senate Ways & Means Committee to assess the fiscal impact on the state. With a looming deadline of February 28th, this bill must undergo a public hearing and receive a vote to continue advancing in the legislative session. SB 5041 aims to provide striking workers with access to UI benefits, promoting fair labor practices and balance between workers and employers.

The BEST mentor program for novice school nurses (SNOW), as outlined in HB 1352/SB 5270, faced challenges as it did not progress out of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee by the policy cutoff date. Despite the setback, WSNA remains dedicated to expanding the BEST mentor program to support and retain novice school nurses, particularly in rural districts.

Equal reimbursement for services provided by Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs), addressed in HB 1430, has made progress, moving from the House Rules Committee to the House Floor Calendar. This bill aims to ensure equitable reimbursement for ARNPs and PAs, aligning their compensation rates with physicians and recognizing the quality of care they provide.

In addition to these priorities, various other bills are being monitored throughout the legislative process with potential impacts on WSNA members. These bills address a wide range of issues, from access to personnel records to increasing tobacco and vapor product taxes, highlighting the diverse legislative landscape and its implications on healthcare and workers in Washington State.

As the legislative session progresses, WSNA will continue to advocate for its priorities and monitor developments that impact its members. Stay tuned for further updates on key bills and initiatives affecting healthcare and nursing professionals.