Climate Action This Week: Community Oversight Boards and Independent Investigations; Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Recycling; Buy Clean, Buy Fair; Emergency Shelters and Housing

We have a big list this week, and as many of you have noticed, the opportunity to sign in with a position expires when the hearing starts, and written comments can only be submitted for 24 hours after the hearing. So, we’re presenting these in the order the hearings take place, to help you manage your time.

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* 1 & 2. Community Oversight Boards HB 1203 and Independent Investigations HB 1267

In solidarity with Black-led organizations and communities of color, we are advocating for police accountability. 

The Community Oversight Boards would require statewide independent, community oversight for any police department with 10 or more officers.  It would empower community oversight boards to investigate and resolve all complaints within 120 days, and ban current police officers or close relatives from serving on them.

The Independent Investigations bill would establish a state-level entity for criminal investigation of injuries or death from police use of deadly force, custodial injuries as well as deaths and sexual assault by police. It creates a state level prosecutor independent of county prosecutors. The bill builds on the recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Independent Investigations of Police Use of Force..  

Both are scheduled for a public hearing in the Committee for Public Safety on Tuesday, January 26, 8:00 AM.

Follow this link to provide a written comment on Community Oversight Boards, HB 1203 via the legislative website. 

“Position” - please select “Pro”. The first sentence of the written comment should be: I strongly support HB 1203. Then choose 1-2 additional sentences from the options below or feel free to write your own. 

Follow this link to provide a written comment on Independent Investigations, HB 1267 via the legislative website.

“Position” - please select “Pro”. The first sentence of the written comment should be: I strongly support HB 1267. Then choose 1-2 additional sentences from the options below or feel free to write your own.

Talking points for both bills:
  • In 2015, a Reuters Investigation found only 10% of 215 complaints against police led to any disciplinary action within the Tacoma Police Department.
  • Police in Washington state have killed more than 90 people since December 2018, when Initiative 940 became law.
  • Other professionals, such as health care workers and accountants, are subject to public oversight.
  • Directly impacted families and community members must have a significant place at the table in addressing police accountability so that their lived experiences inform the development of policy.

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* 3. Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Recycling SB 5022

Seattle folks you’re off the hook on this one! This action is recommended for non-Seattleites only.

This bill executes three recommendations from the Department of Ecology:
  • Plastic beverage containers must contain no less than 50% post-consumer recycled plastic by 2030. 
  • The sale and distribution of certain styrofoam food service and packing materials and coolers are banned beginning June 1, 2024.
  • If a retail establishment chooses to provide single-use straws, utensils, cup lids and condiment packaging those items can only be made available on customer request, beginning January 2022.
Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy and Technology on Tuesday, January 26, 10:30 AM.

Non-Seattleites, please follow the link below, complete the fields and select “Pro” in the position button.

Please sign in here to support Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Recycling, SB 5022

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* 4. Buy Clean, Buy Fair HB 1103

This bill aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve fair labor standards in public procurement, maximizing the public good from every dollar spent. It would require reporting on working conditions and the carbon intensity of certain building materials purchased for state-funded building projects and establish a public database to promote transparency.

This bill spotlights clean and responsible manufacturers and pushes the state to consider carbon pollution and working conditions when purchasing materials for public works. 

Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget on Tuesday, January 26, 1:30 PM.  

Follow the link below, complete the fields and select “Pro” in the position button. 
Please sign in here to support Buy Clean, Buy Fair, HB 1103

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* 5. Emergency Shelters and Housing HB 1220

This bill updates Washington’s Growth Management Act to require our cities and counties to plan for a diversity of housing options in their comprehensive plans to meet every income level. This update will help cities to plan for a diversity of affordable homes. 

Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government on Wednesday, January 27, 10:00 AM.  

Follow the link below, complete the fields and select “Pro” in the position button. 
Please sign in here to support Emergency Shelters and Housing, HB 1220. 

If you have extra time, please add a written comment as well!

Follow this link to provide a written comment via the legislative website.

“Position” - please select “Pro”. The first sentence of the written comment should be: I strongly support HB 1220. Then choose 1-2 additional sentences from the options below or feel free to write your own. 
  • It’s important to require our cities and counties to plan for and accommodate affordable housing that addresses the needs of those with moderate, low, very low and extremely low income.   
  • I'm glad that this bill requires cities to identify and address historical racial bias, exclusion or displacement.  
  • This bill helps to improve economic stability by providing affordable homes for teachers, childcare workers, and many other essential members of our community.

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-- The 350 WA Civic Action Team

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