Legislative Updates Legislative Update: Week 15 April 21, 2023 Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Email We have nearly reached the end of legislative session – the legislature will release their budget agreement on Saturday at noon and vote on it on Sunday! A few quick updates: ESHB 1238 (school meals bill) is headed to the Governor’s desk! When fully implemented, 58% of Washington’s K-12 students will be able to eat school meals without barriers or stigma. 2SHB 1559 (basic needs/postsecondary hunger bill) is going to the Governor’s desk for signing! This bill creates a framework for comprehensive response to hunger on community college and university campuses: establishes campus taskforces to develop an annual plan for services and outreach, establishes campus benefits hubs, and provides benefits navigators at the public universities and community colleges to help students apply for benefits. There will also be two pilots of meals vouchers programs so income eligible students are better able to access meals at their campus dining halls. 1260 (ABD bill) is headed to the Governor’s desk for signing! 1260 makes improvements to the Aged Blind and Disabled program, including eliminating the requirement that ABD benefits be paid back to the state when the recipient enrolls in Social Security. 1477 (Working Families Tax Credit bill) was signed into law by Governor Inslee on Thursday, 4/20! Take Action Now! Send an email to your representatives calling on them to prioritize anti-hunger and anti-poverty investments in the budget reconciliation process!
