Washington becomes 10th state to enact semi-automatic rifle ban, law effective immediately
The law blocks the sale, distribution, manufacture and importation of more than 50 gun models, including AR-15s, AK-47s and similar style rifles. The measure does not bar the possession of the weapons by people who already have them.
New Washington gun law already faces federal court challenge
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a trio of bills meant to address gun violence Tuesday, one banning the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles, one imposing a 10-day waiting period on firearms purchases and one clearing the way for lawsuits against gun makers or sellers in certain cases.
Legislative session ends as WA lawmakers pass two-year, $69 billion budget
Lawmakers in Washington state closed out the legislative session by adopting a $69 billion operating budget for the next two years that pays for teacher and state employee raises, and devotes new money to mental health support, emergency housing and rental aid.
Fact focus: Posts distort Washington estranged minors law
A bill written to protect young people seeking reproductive health services or gender-affirming care that was widely misrepresented online passed the Democrat-controlled Washington legislature Wednesday.
Gov. Inslee signs bill to remove death penalty from state law in Washington
Five years after the state Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill officially striking it from Washington law.
Semi-automatic rifle ban passes Washington state Legislature, heads to Gov. Inslee's desk
The Washington law would block the sale, distribution, manufacture and importation of more than 50 gun models, including AR-15s, AK-47s and similar style rifles. The bill will go into effect immediately once it’s signed by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Bill to set minimum marriage age of 18 stalls in Washington Legislature
A bill in Washington state to require a minimum marriage age of 18 has stalled again in the Legislature. Washington is one of just a handful of states that don’t specify a minimum age for marriage.
Inslee signs bill to strengthen prosecution of hate crimes
Beginning in July, hate crimes will be classified as crimes against a person – including assaults that do not end in physical injury.
Gov. Inslee signs bill allowing speed safety cameras in active work zones starting July 2024
Starting July 2024, work zones on Washington state highways will begin using automated speed safety cameras whenever construction crews are present.
Seattle, feds seek to end most oversight of city's police
The U.S. Justice Department and Seattle officials asked a judge Tuesday to end most federal oversight of the city’s police department, saying its sustained, decade-long reform efforts are a model for other cities whose law enforcement agencies face federal civil rights investigations.
Washington Supreme Court upholds capital gains tax in effort to balance state's tax code
The Washington Supreme Court on Friday upheld the state's new capital gains tax, which was adopted by lawmakers in an effort to balance what is considered the nation's most regressive tax code.
Momentum grows for creating Washington 'bias incident' hotline that could pay alleged victims with tax money
A failed Washington state bill that would establish a hate crime hotline and compensate victims of such crimes is gaining momentum and support in the hopes that it will pass in the coming legislative session.
Man pleads guilty to stalking Washington state lawmaker
Starting in 2021, Isiah Long harassed Republican Rep. Michelle Caldier, of Port Orchard, and the harassment continued after he was warned and then ordered to stop contacting her, according to court documents.
Domestic extremism bill would criminalize free speech, create 'Ministry of Truth,' advocacy group warns
Washington lawmakers are taking aim at disinformation, anti-government ideologies and white supremacism, but some critics call it a "dangerous" attempt to police speech.
'The data shows it is saving lives': WA Coalition for Police Accountability stands firm on police pursuit data
Data examining Washington's police pursuit law that went into effect in 2021 has come under scrutiny but the person who helped craft it says it shows HB 1054 is working as it intended.
King County Council to votes to send behavioral health levy to April's election ballot
King County leaders voted on Tuesday to send a $1.25 billion dollar behavior health levy to voters in April's upcoming special election ballot.
Seattle could broaden anti-discrimination law to add caste
Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant wants to add caste to the city’s anti-discrimination policy, saying discrimination takes place throughout the U.S. based on the South Asian practice of assigning people their social status at birth.
Washington lawmakers hear testimony on 7 abortion bills
Abortion rights proposals have been front and center in Olympia, Washington, this week as state lawmakers heard hours of public testimony on seven proposals that would reinforce abortion access.
Proposed bill seeks to ban assault weapons in Washington
HB 1240 is being heard in committee, some argue this is what Washington needs following a spike in gun violence, but others say it's an infringement of their rights.