SB 5934 — Concerning pollinator habitat.
Last action — Effective date 6/6/2024.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 02, 2024. Enacted.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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6 sponsors
1 primary, 5 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (3 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
24 added · 167 removedPlain-language change summary
The revised version of SB 5934 has shifted from a requirement for local governments to mandate at least 25% of a project’s landscaped area to be pollinator habitat, to a more optional approach where cities can encourage the inclusion of pollinator-friendly plants and even offer incentives for doing so. This change reflects a shift from a strict obligation to a more flexible system aimed at promoting pollinator habitats. This matters because it may make it easier for local governments to implement these measures, thereby potentially increasing voluntary participation in protecting pollinators while maintaining some level of support through information and incentives.
S-4217.2S-3787.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5934 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2024 Regular Session By Senate Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Senators Padden, Van De Wege, Dhingra, Liias, Salomon, and Warnick)Warnick READPrefiled FIRST01/02/24. TIME 01/31/24.
Read first time 01/08/24.
Referred to Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs.
amendingand RCWadding 64.38.057a andnew 64.90.512;section to chapter 36.70B RCW.
adding a new section to chapter 35.63 RCW;
adding a new section to chapter 35A.63 RCW;
and adding a new section to chapter 36.70 RCW.
A new section is added to chapter 35.6336.70B RCW to read as follows:
(1) AIf citya mayproject encouragepermit, ana applicantcommercial ofbuilding permit, or a projectresidential building permit orincludes commerciallandscaping, buildinga permitlocal government must require the applicant to include pollinatorat friendlyleast plants25 inpercent anyof landscapedthe planted area as pollinator habitat to the extent practicablepracticable. by:
(a)(2) ProvidingA local government must provide the list of native forage plants as developed by the department of agriculture in compliance with RCW 39.04.410 to applicantsthe forapplicant projectof permits;the permit.
(b)(3) ProvidingFor informationpurposes regarding the benefits of pollinatorsthis andsection: pollinator habitat;
and (c) Offering incentives, including expedited processing or reduced application fees, for permit applicants that include pollinator habitat as part of the permit application.
(2) A city may set restrictions related to beehives, but may not adopt an ordinance banning beehives.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
p.
1 SSB 5934 (a) "Commercial building permit" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 19.27.015.
(b) "Pollinator habitat" means an area of land that is or may be developed as habitat beneficial for the feeding, nesting, and reproduction of all pollinators.
(c) "Project permit" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 36.70B.020.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
2.
A new section is added to chapter 35A.63 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A code city may encourage an applicant of a project permit or commercial building permit to include pollinator friendly plants in any landscaped area to the extent practicable by:
(a) Providing the list of native forage plants as developed by the department of agriculture in compliance with RCW 39.04.410 to applicants for project permits;
(b) Providing information regarding the benefits of pollinators and pollinator habitat;
and (c) Offering incentives, including expedited processing or reduced application fees, for permit applicants that include pollinator habitat as part of the permit application.
(2) A code city may set restrictions related to beehives, but may not adopt an ordinance banning beehives.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(c) "Project permit" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 36.70B.020.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
3.
A new section is added to chapter 36.70 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A county may encourage an applicant of a project permit or commercial building permit to include pollinator friendly plants in any landscaped area to the extent practicable by:
(a) Providing the list of native forage plants as developed by the department of agriculture in compliance with RCW 39.04.410 to applicants for project permits;
21 SSBSB 5934 (b)(c) Providing"Residential informationbuilding regardingpermit" has the benefitssame ofmeaning pollinatorsas anddefined pollinatorin habitat;RCW 19.27.015.
and (c) Offering incentives, including expedited processing or reduced application fees, for permit applicants that include pollinator habitat as part of the permit application.
(2) A county may set restrictions related to beehives, but may not adopt an ordinance banning beehives.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Commercial building permit" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 19.27.015.
Show all 75 changed lines (35 more)
(b) "Pollinator habitat" means an area of land that is or may be developed as habitat beneficial for the feeding, nesting, and reproduction of all pollinators.
(c) "Project permit" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 36.70B.020.
Sec.
4.
RCW 64.38.057 and 2020 c 9 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The governing documents may not prohibit the installation of drought resistant landscaping, pollinator habitat, including beehives compliant with local regulation, or wildfire ignition resistant landscaping.
However, the governing documents may include reasonable rules regarding the placement and aesthetic appearance of drought resistant landscaping, pollinator habitat, or wildfire ignition resistant landscaping, as long as the rules do not render the use of drought resistant landscaping, pollinator habitat, or wildfire ignition resistant landscaping unreasonably costly or otherwise effectively infeasible.
(2) If a property is located within the geographic designation of an order of a drought condition issued by the department of ecology under RCW 43.83B.405, an association may not sanction or impose a fine or assessment against an owner, or resident on the owner's property, for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns for the duration of the drought condition order.
(3) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or restrict the establishment and maintenance of a fire buffer within the building ignition zone.
(4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
p.
3 SSB 5934 (a) "Building ignition zone" means a building and surrounding area up to two hundred feet from the foundation.
(b) "Drought resistant landscaping" means the use of any noninvasive vegetation adapted to arid or dry conditions, stone, or landscaping rock.
(c) "Firewise" means the firewise communities program developed by the national fire protection association, which encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others in the effort to protect people and property from wildfire risks.
(d) "Pollinator habitat" means an area of land that is or may be developed as habitat beneficial for the feeding, nesting, and reproduction of all pollinators.
(e) "Wildfire ignition resistant landscaping" includes:
(i) Any landscaping tools or techniques, or noninvasive vegetation, that do not readily ignite from a flame or other ignition source;
or (ii) The use of firewise methods to reduce ignition risk in a building ignition zone.
Sec.
5.
RCW 64.90.512 and 2020 c 9 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The declaration of a common interest ownership and any governing documents adopted by an association may not prohibit the installation of drought resistant landscaping, pollinator habitat, including beehives compliant with local regulation, or wildfire ignition resistant landscaping.
However, the declaration or governing documents may include reasonable rules regarding the placement and aesthetic appearance of drought resistant landscaping , pollinator habitat, or wildfire ignition resistant landscaping, as long as the rules do not render the use of drought resistant landscaping, pollinator habitat, or wildfire ignition resistant landscaping unreasonably costly or otherwise effectively infeasible.
(2) If a property is located within the geographic designation of an order of a drought condition issued by the department of ecology under RCW 43.83B.405, an association may not impose a fine or assessment against an owner, or resident on the owner's property, for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns for the duration of the drought condition order.
p.
4 SSB 5934 (3) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or restrict the establishment and maintenance of a fire buffer within the building ignition zone.
(4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Building ignition zone" means a building and surrounding area up to two hundred feet from the foundation.
(b) "Drought resistant landscaping" means the use of any noninvasive vegetation adapted to arid or dry conditions, stone, or landscaping rock.
(c) "Firewise" means the firewise communities program developed by the national fire protection association, which encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others in the effort to protect people and property from wildfire risks.
(d) "Pollinator habitat" means an area of land that is or may be developed as habitat beneficial for the feeding, nesting, and reproduction of all pollinators.
(e) "Wildfire ignition resistant landscaping" includes:
(i) Any landscaping tools or techniques, or noninvasive vegetation, that do not readily ignite from a flame or other ignition source;
or (ii) The use of firewise methods to reduce ignition risk in a building ignition zone.
52 SSBSB 5934
Show all 75 changed rows (35 more)
View plain text versions (3)
- Bill View text pdf
- Substitute Substitute Bill pdf
- Substitute Substitute Passed Legislature Current pdf
Action History
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Effective date 6/6/2024.
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Chapter 337, 2024 Laws.
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Governor signed.
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Delivered to Governor.
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Speaker signed.
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President signed.
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Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
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Senate concurred in House amendments.
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Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
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Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
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Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
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Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
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Referred to Rules 2 Review.
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LG - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
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Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:00 AM.
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Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.
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First reading, referred to Local Government.
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Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.
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Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
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1st substitute bill substituted (LGLT 24).
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Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
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Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
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Minority; without recommendation.
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LGLT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
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Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs at 8:00 AM.
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Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs at 10:30 AM.
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First reading, referred to Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs.
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Prefiled for introduction.
Sponsors
- Judy Warnick · Cosponsor
- Jesse Salomon · Cosponsor
- Marko Liias · Cosponsor
- Manka Dhingra · Cosponsor
- Padden · Primary
- Van De Wege · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 145 not signed on · 1 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Padden
Co-sponsors (5)
- Judy Warnick Republican
- Jesse Salomon Democrat
- Marko Liias Democrat
- Manka Dhingra Democrat
- Van De Wege
Not signed on (145)
145 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 145 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Billig | — | Yea |
| Hawkins | — | Yea |
| Keiser | — | Yea |
| Kuderer | — | Yea |
| Mullet | — | Yea |
| Padden | — | Yea |
| Randall | — | Yea |
| Rivers | — | Yea |
| Van De Wege | — | Yea |
| Wilson, L. | — | Yea |
| Annette Cleveland | Democrat | Yea |
| Bob Hasegawa | Democrat | Yea |
| Claire Wilson | Democrat | Yea |
| Claudia Kauffman | Democrat | Yea |
| Derek Stanford | Democrat | Yea |
| Drew Hansen | Democrat | Yea |
| Jamie Pedersen | Democrat | Yea |
| Javier Valdez | Democrat | Yea |
| Jesse Salomon | Democrat | Yea |
| Joe Nguyen | Democrat | Yea |
| John Lovick | Democrat | Yea |
| June Robinson | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Wellman | Democrat | Yea |
| Liz Lovelett | Democrat | Yea |
| Manka Dhingra | Democrat | Yea |
| Marko Liias | Democrat | Yea |
| Noel Frame | Democrat | Yea |
| Rebecca Saldaña | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharon Shewmake | Democrat | Yea |
| Steve Conway | Democrat | Yea |
| T'wina Nobles | Democrat | Yea |
| Victoria Hunt | Democrat | Yea |
| Yasmin Trudeau | Democrat | Yea |
| Chris Gildon | Republican | Yea |
| Curtis King | Republican | Yea |
| Drew MacEwen | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Holy | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Wilson | Republican | Yea |
| Jim McCune | Republican | Yea |
| John Braun | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Warnick | Republican | Yea |
| Keith Wagoner | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Schoesler | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Boehnke | Republican | Yea |
| Nikki Torres | Republican | Yea |
| Perry Dozier | Republican | Yea |
| Phil Fortunato | Republican | Yea |
| Ron Muzzall | Republican | Yea |
| Shelly Short | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 96 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (98)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Chambers | — | Yea |
| Chandler | — | Not Voting |
| Cheney | — | Yea |
| Chopp | — | Yea |
| Hutchins | — | Yea |
| Kretz | — | Yea |
| Maycumber | — | Not Voting |
| Mosbrucker | — | Yea |
| Robertson | — | Yea |
| Sandlin | — | Yea |
| Wilcox | — | Yea |
| Alex Ramel | Democrat | Yea |
| Alicia Rule | Democrat | Yea |
| Amy Walen | Democrat | Yea |
| April Berg | Democrat | Yea |
| Beth Doglio | Democrat | Yea |
| Bill Ramos | Democrat | Yea |
| Brandy Donaghy | Democrat | Yea |
| Chipalo Street | Democrat | Yea |
| Chris Stearns | Democrat | Yea |
| Cindy Ryu | Democrat | Yea |
| Clyde Shavers | Democrat | Yea |
| Dan Bronoske | Democrat | Yea |
| Darya Farivar | Democrat | Yea |
| Dave Paul | Democrat | Yea |
| David Hackney | Democrat | Yea |
| Davina Duerr | Democrat | Yea |
| Debra Entenman | Democrat | Yea |
| Debra Lekanoff | Democrat | Yea |
| Emily Alvarado | Democrat | Yea |
| Gerry Pollet | Democrat | Yea |
| Greg Nance | Democrat | Yea |
| Jake Fey | Democrat | Yea |
| Jamila Taylor | Democrat | Yea |
| Jessica Bateman | Democrat | Yea |
| Joe Fitzgibbon | Democrat | Yea |
| Joe Timmons | Democrat | Yea |
| Julia Reed | Democrat | Yea |
| Julio Cortes | Democrat | Yea |
| Kristine Reeves | Democrat | Yea |
| Larry Springer | Democrat | Yea |
| Lauren Davis | Democrat | Yea |
| Laurie Jinkins | Democrat | Yea |
| Lillian Ortiz-Self | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Callan | Democrat | Yea |
| Liz Berry | Democrat | Yea |
| Marcus Riccelli | Democrat | Yea |
| Mari Leavitt | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary Fosse | Democrat | Yea |
| Melanie Morgan | Democrat | Yea |
| Mia Gregerson | Democrat | Yea |
| Mike Chapman | Democrat | Yea |
| Monica Jurado Stonier | Democrat | Yea |
| My-Linh Thai | Democrat | Yea |
| Nicole Macri | Democrat | Yea |
| Roger Goodman | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharlett Mena | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharon Tomiko Santos | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharon Wylie | Democrat | Yea |
| Shelley Kloba | Democrat | Yea |
| Steve Bergquist | Democrat | Yea |
| Steve Tharinger | Democrat | Yea |
| Strom Peterson | Democrat | Yea |
| Tana Senn | Democrat | Yea |
| Tarra Simmons | Democrat | Yea |
| Timm Ormsby | Democrat | Yea |
| Tina Orwall | Democrat | Yea |
| Vandana Slatter | Democrat | Yea |
| Alex Ybarra | Republican | Yea |
| Andrew Barkis | Republican | Yea |
| April Connors | Republican | Yea |
| Carolyn Eslick | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Corry | Republican | Yea |
| Cyndy Jacobsen | Republican | Yea |
| Dan Griffey | Republican | Yea |
| Drew Stokesbary | Republican | Yea |
| Ed Orcutt | Republican | Yea |
| Jenny Graham | Republican | Yea |
| Jim Walsh | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Schmick | Republican | Yea |
| Joel McEntire | Republican | Yea |
| Keith Goehner | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin Waters | Republican | Yea |
| Leonard Christian | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Klicker | Republican | Yea |
| Mary Dye | Republican | Yea |
| Michelle Valdez | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Steele | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Volz | Republican | Yea |
| Paul Harris | Republican | Yea |
| Peter Abbarno | Republican | Yea |
| Sam Low | Republican | Yea |
| Skyler Rude | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie Barnard | Republican | Yea |
| Stephanie McClintock | Republican | Yea |
| Suzanne Schmidt | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Dent | Republican | Yea |
| Travis Couture | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 48 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 2% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Billig | — | Yea |
| Hawkins | — | Yea |
| Keiser | — | Yea |
| Kuderer | — | Yea |
| Mullet | — | Yea |
| Padden | — | Yea |
| Randall | — | Yea |
| Rivers | — | Yea |
| Van De Wege | — | Yea |
| Wilson, L. | — | Yea |
| Annette Cleveland | Democrat | Yea |
| Bob Hasegawa | Democrat | Yea |
| Claire Wilson | Democrat | Yea |
| Claudia Kauffman | Democrat | Nay |
| Derek Stanford | Democrat | Yea |
| Drew Hansen | Democrat | Yea |
| Jamie Pedersen | Democrat | Yea |
| Javier Valdez | Democrat | Yea |
| Jesse Salomon | Democrat | Yea |
| Joe Nguyen | Democrat | Yea |
| John Lovick | Democrat | Yea |
| June Robinson | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Wellman | Democrat | Yea |
| Liz Lovelett | Democrat | Yea |
| Manka Dhingra | Democrat | Yea |
| Marko Liias | Democrat | Yea |
| Noel Frame | Democrat | Yea |
| Rebecca Saldaña | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharon Shewmake | Democrat | Yea |
| Steve Conway | Democrat | Yea |
| T'wina Nobles | Democrat | Yea |
| Victoria Hunt | Democrat | Yea |
| Yasmin Trudeau | Democrat | Yea |
| Chris Gildon | Republican | Yea |
| Curtis King | Republican | Yea |
| Drew MacEwen | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Holy | Republican | Yea |
| Jeff Wilson | Republican | Yea |
| Jim McCune | Republican | Yea |
| John Braun | Republican | Yea |
| Judy Warnick | Republican | Yea |
| Keith Wagoner | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Schoesler | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Boehnke | Republican | Yea |
| Nikki Torres | Republican | Yea |
| Perry Dozier | Republican | Yea |
| Phil Fortunato | Republican | Yea |
| Ron Muzzall | Republican | Yea |
| Shelly Short | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 5934?
- SB 5934 is sponsored by Judy Warnick (Republican), Jesse Salomon (Democrat), Marko Liias (Democrat), Manka Dhingra (Democrat), Padden, and Van De Wege.
- What is the current status of SB 5934?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 02, 2024. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 5934?
- Track SB 5934 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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