Happy Friday, friends.
It’s Friday the 13th, the Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champs, and I’ve been happily watching more Winter Olympics than the regular news. Hope you’ve got something fun lined up for the weekend.
Let’s do this.
Association News
- WSEMA Conference: Put it on your calendars!!! September 21-24 at the Muckleshoot.
- Strategic Planning Committee: Our new Strategic Planning Committee Chair, Matt Green will be kicking off 2026 initiatives TODAY at 2pm. Join if you can!
WSEMA 2026 Strategic Planning Kickoff
Friday, Feb 13 · 2-3 PM
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/nmc-vnfk-mjc
Or dial: +1 405-586-4106 PIN: 318666601
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/nmc-vnfk-mjc?pin=4207826056663
- Legislative Watch: I remember when someone said that since this was a short session….it would be a quiet session. Yeah… about that. 😊 We’ve been hustling on bills and advocating to ensure emergency management perspectives are heard and reflected. Here are the latest updates:
· HB 2089 (Supporting wildfire mitigation): Passed executive session. Referred to Rules. Looks like this bill may make it to the floor for a vote.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?year=2025&BillNumber=2089
o Neutral
· HB 2183 (heat response plans): Referred to Appropriations. Did not make it out of appropriations.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?year=2025&BillNumber=2183
o Opposed in current version. Creates unfunded mandate and responsibility could fall back to Emergency Management as plan facilitator.
o Sent letter to Representative.
· HB 2203 (Creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations): Placed on second reading in Rules. Looks like this bill will make it to the floor for a vote.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2203&Year=2025
o Support
· HB 2275 (wildfire prevention council and fund): Public hearing was on Jan. 21. No movement.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2275&Year=2025&Initiative=False
o Opposed
· HB 2351 (protecting emergency responders): Referred to Rules Review. Looks like this bill may make it to the floor for a vote.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2351&Year=2025
o Support
· SB 6046 (Civil Air Patrol): Referred to Appropriations. SB will make it to floor for vote.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=6046&Chamber=Senate&Year=2025
o Support
· HB 2379 (suspension of tolling in an emergency): Placed on second reading of Rules. Looks like this bill may make it to the floor for a vote.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2379&Year=2025
o Support.
· SB 5853 (mass notification system for elected officials): Public hearing occurred on Feb. 5th in Ways & Means. No further movement.
o https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5853&Year=2025&Initiative=false
o Neutral
Survey link to provide input on bills: WSEMA Legislative Bill Survey
Emergency Management in Washington
- Emergency Management Day at the Capitol: February 26th is Emergency Management Day at the Capitol! Please come! I hope to see you there. Flyer attached.
- And please reach out to your legislators and invite them to connect and visit us. It’s a great opportunity to build that relationship!
Closing Note
I hope you get to catch some Olympic moments, rest your brain a bit, and enjoy the weekend.
Kyle