February 7, 2025
Roughly a quarter of the way into the 2025 legislative session, 1,442 bills have been introduced, and legislative business is moving quickly. Majority Democrats are navigating work with the new governor, Bob Ferguson (D), collaborating with Republicans while drawing firm lines against the Trump Administration.
Washington’s Response to the Trump Administration
After President Trump won only 39% of the state’s 2024 vote, Washington Democrats quickly pushed back against his policies.
- Gov. Ferguson launched a Family Separation Rapid Response Team via Executive Order 25-04 to support children affected by deportations.
- Attorney General Nick Brown (D) sued to block Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship, winning a temporary restraining order.
- Superintendent Chris Reykdal (D) issued guidance reaffirming undocumented children’s right to education under Plyler v. Doe and advised schools not to share student information with immigration authorities unless required by law.
We want to know how early Trump Administrations actions are impacting your organization. Get in touch with LSW’s Public Affairs Manager, Curtis Knapp.
Recycling Reform in the 2025 Legislature
Recycling reform is a key issue in the 2025 Washington State Legislature, with two competing bills in play. HB 1150 (Recycling Reform Act), sponsored by Rep. Liz Berry (D-36), shifts recycling costs from consumers to producers through a fee-based system. The bill has strong backing from environmental groups and labor unions but faces opposition from industry groups concerned about rising household costs. HB 1071, sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey (D-27), advocates for a needs assessment before implementing reforms, a slower approach supported by industry but criticized by environmentalists.
LSW, in collaboration with BIO and AdvaMed, successfully worked to exempt FDA-regulated packaging, including biologics and vaccines, from both bills, ensuring continued access to critical medical products. We are continuing to monitor the legislation to ensure that packing for medicine and medical devices is properly addressed as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
Recent updates
- AI Transparency (HB 1168, Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee): Substitute bill adopted without exempting FDA-approved medical devices. Now in House Appropriations, but no hearing set. We are continuing to educate lawmakers on the differences between consumer AI and healthcare AI, including the need to ensure that any new AI regulations align with federal policy and allow the life sciences industry to continue innovating.
- Personal Data Privacy (HB 1671, TEDV Committee): Follow-up to last year’s health data privacy law, hearing set for Tuesday. This bill incorporates FDA, HIPPA and public health amendments LSW secured in previous health care data privacy laws.
- Right to Repair (HB 1483/SB 5423): Excludes medical products. Senate bill is in Environment, Energy & Technology Committee this week.
- Workforce Investment (SB 5400, Senate Labor & Commerce Committee): Raises the B&O tax surcharge cap on large computing companies from $9M to $15M annually, and carves out $20M for journalist grants. Awaiting substitute bill with industry input. We continue to stress the importance of funding high demand degree programs to support life sciences organizations that pay the B&O surcharge.
- Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing (HB 1444, House Health care & Wellness Committee): Public hearing last week with LSW’s support, awaiting committee vote.
- Rare Disease Council (HB 1238/SB 5064): Both bills have passed policy committees and are awaiting action from fiscal committees.
Have questions, comments, or concerns about these bills or any other pending legislation? Get in touch with LSW’s Public Affairs Manager, Curtis Knapp.