FAN Legislative Session Update: Week of March 25, 2025
"Showing Up for Justice, Standing with Communities, and Speaking Truth to Power"
This past week was pivotal in Washington’s legislative session, marked by budget hearings, passage of housing and gun safety bills, and powerful moments of advocacy. FAN showed up in solidarity at the Capitol, testifying in support of critical legislation that uplifts the values of dignity, human rights, and safety for all.
This year’s budget debate is a defining moment for Washington’s values. With a $15 billion shortfall on the horizon, now is the time to push for fair, sustainable revenue solutions that don’t fall hardest on those with the least. The proposed taxes on extreme wealth, high corporate payrolls, and outdated exemptions are important steps toward a more equitable system—one that can fund education, housing, food security, and public safety for all Washingtonians.
We will continue to monitor the budget negotiations and advocate for progressive revenue options that reflect our shared values of equity, compassion, and justice.
🧾 State Budgets Take the Spotlight
Both chambers unveiled and held public hearings for their versions of the 2025–2027 biennial Operating Budget:
- HB 1198 – House Operating Budget (Reps. Ormsby/Gregerson)
- SB 5167 – Senate Operating Budget (Sens. Robinson/Nobles)
Senate Budget Highlights – Total Budget: $78.5 Billion
The Senate’s budget plan includes $6.5 billion in spending reductions over next four years, including a 5% pay cut for state employees (furlough days) and the use of $1.6 billion from the Rainy Day Fund—Washington’s emergency reserves. While these measures attempt to balance the books, they reflect the growing strain on the state’s finances. For more information on the Senate Budget proposal: Senate budget proposal protects core services, strengthens long-term fiscal stability - Washington Senate Democrats
House Budget Highlights – Total Budget: $77.8 Billion
The House takes a slightly different approach, preserving essential services like housing and food assistance and scaling back on certain planned expansions, such as parts of the Fair Start for Kids Act. For more information on House Budget proposal: House Democratic Operating Budget Holds the Line on Housing, Food Assistance, and Maintains Critical Services and Programs – Washington State House Democrats
April 2 marks the final policy committee cutoff for bills from the opposite chamber to be approved. Any policy bills that haven’t passed out of committee by this deadline are considered likely dead for the session, unless deemed Necessary to Implement the Budget (NTIB). This period marks a flurry of activity as advocates and lawmakers work quickly to move priority bills forward.
The following Bills passed Opposite House Policy Committees this week:
HB 1217 Rent Stabilization would protect tenants from excessive rent increases by implementing a 7% limit on annual rent increases for existing tenants and manufactured homeowners. [Senate Committee on Housing]
SB 5714 Declaring civil immigration enforcement as unprofessional conduct of bail bond recovery agents. [House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business]
SB 5123 Protections for Students would expand protections for K-12 students in public schools related to gender expression and identity, housing status, ethnicity, neurodivergence, and immigration status. [House Committee on Education]
HB 1163 Permit to Purchase Firearms would implement a comprehensive permit system for firearm purchases to reduce firearm-related deaths and curb illegal gun trafficking. [Senate Law & Justice]
SB 5106 State Recognition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha would establish these religious days as state recognized unpaid holidays. [House State Government & Tribal Relations]
HB 1432 Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services would help enforce insurance coverage parity for mental and behavioral health. [Senate Health & Long-term Care]
SB 5041 Unemployment insurance benefits for striking or lockout workers. [House Labor & Workplace Standards]
FAN Advocacy: Testimony Spotlight
✝️ SB 5436 – Protecting Access to Religious Worship
House Community Safety Committee
FAN’s Policy Director, Kristin Ang, testified in strong support of this bill, which protects the right to enter and leave places of worship without fear, obstruction, or threats.
“Faith communities across Washington have reported increased harassment, vandalism, and threats. SB 5436 upholds the rights of all Washingtonians to practice their faith safely, without fear of interference or violence.”
This legislation responds to the rise in religiously motivated hate crimes and reaffirms our state’s commitment to religious liberty and community safety.
🕊️ HB 1232 – Private Detention Facilities Accountability
FAN urged lawmakers in the Senate Human Services Committee to pass this bill, which seeks greater transparency and oversight for private immigration detention facilities, including Tacoma’s Northwest Detention Center (NWDC).
“Oversight agencies, including health professionals and legal monitors, have been denied access to investigate complaints of abuse. The world is watching—and it is clear that Washington must act to address the ongoing human rights violations occurring within its borders.” HB 1232 reinforces our state’s responsibility to ensure human dignity and state accountability in all places of detention.
🚸Protections for Students (SB 5123, Nobles): Expands protections for K-12 public school students related to gender expression and identity, housing status, ethnicity, neurodivergence and immigration status.
"This is such an important bill for our time, protecting the authenticity, creativity, and compassion of the next generation, as well as the lives of children who are most vulnerable. Each child is beloved and needs nurturing and protection. We ask that you act on hope rather than fear."
🗞 News Highlights from Washington State
In Memoriam: Washington mourns the passing of former House Speaker, Frank Chopp, a tireless champion for affordable housing and social justice, as well as Ralph Munro, former WA Secretary of State for 20 years (’81-‘01).
Judge Strikes Down I-2066, Citing Constitutional Violations and Voter Misinformation. A King County Superior Court judge has ruled that Initiative 2066, a controversial natural gas measure in Washington State, is unconstitutional. The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of local officials and environmental, climate, and health advocates, who argued that the initiative was misleading and overly broad. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs that I-2066 violated the state constitution’s single-subject rule, which requires initiatives to focus on only one issue. According to the ruling, the initiative's language was too expansive and lacked clarity, making it difficult for voters to understand its full impact. | 
