2023 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
This 2023 legislative session in Olympia- Cosmetologists of WA United has had the privilege and opportunity to work with Brooke Davies legislative lobbyist for the entire 2022-23 year. This is due to and in appreciation of enrolled COWU Member Advocates and their keen support of the Personal Services industry through our statewide trade association. Their voting participation, fundraising & yearly dues affords the industry a daily and strong presence in Olympia. This has proven invaluable towards proactive work on legislation that impacts our careers and businesses. Brooke works closely with COWU Western Washington Legislative Lead, D’Arcy Harrison, and they are able to corral and finagle conversations with bill sponsors in addition to weekly check-ins, updates & legislative reports for enrolled Advocates.
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This long session started the new biennium (every proposed bill is active for 2 years over 2 sessions.) This was a budget year that focused on what areas and programs get funding- but the Democrats particularly prioritized legislation on environmental issues, housing, policing, health data and more. The Washington state revenue forecast was released on Monday, March 20th, which showed that over the next two years, the state is likely to bring in less revenue than predicted in November.
- The forecast of funds is $483 million less than expected for the 2023-25 biennium and $541 million less for the 2025-27 biennium. The Senate released its 2023-25 Operating Budget proposal.
- The proposed budget looks to spend $69.2 billion over the next two years, with $5.1 billion in increased spending for education, housing, behavioral health, public safety, and climate change.
- Of the $5.1 billion in extra spending, the Senate proposes a $2.9 billion increase for education, $298 million towards housing and shelter for the homeless population, $424 million for behavioral health, and $7 million for public safety.
- The Senate also proposes using $679 million from the funds raised from the Climate Commitment Act to go towards carbon sequestration, energy-efficient homes, and clean energy projects. The bill proposes setting aside $3.8 billion for reserves for an economic slowdown.
Additionally- The Washington State Supreme Court ruled on the capital gains tax that the legislature passed in 2021. With a decision of 7-2, they reversed a lower court decision and upheld the tax, stating that it is an excise tax. This tax applies a 7% tax on the sale of financial assets (for example: stocks or bonds) that have a profit over $250,000, and it is expected to bring in $500 million. The money will go towards early childhood education programs.
FOR UP TO DATE INFO ON THE BUDGET THAT PASSED USE THIS GOOGLE SEARCH.
In regards to legislation that directly impacts Personal Services in WA state- COWU has been engaged & proactive on 2 main pieces of legislation.
- House Bill 1017: (PASSED) Which would allow cosmetology school students to start their testing journey on the path to licensure 100 hrs before hours completion and graduation. COWU signed in from the beginning in support after a head’s up from Member Advocate Frank Trieu of Evergreen Beauty Colleges. He worked in collaboration with another association to get the bill introduced via Rep. Ryu. COWU testified in both chamber’s committee as PRO. The bill passed unanimously through both chamber committees and unanimously in each chamber! A win for newbies to the industry and Personal Services as a whole! Lowering barriers of entry without lowering regulatory standards is a a positive move!
- HB 1047: (PASSED) It proposed to ban a specific list of 8 toxic chemicals in cosmetic products. Some of these ingredients are not only prevalent in makeup and lotions but also haircare products like relaxers, straighteners, perms, gels, etc. Some are used as preservatives and some are active ingredients. Their aim in eliminating these ingredients is to protect women of color (recognized as “vulnerable populations”) who are heavily targeted with products that contain these ingredients.
- ortho-phthalates;
- PFAS;
- formaldehyde and chemicals determined by Ecology to release formaldehyde; (Or “FRA’s: Formaldehyde Releasing Agents)
- methylene glycol;
- mercury and mercury compounds;
- triclosan;
- m-phenylenediamine and its salts; and
- o-phenylenediamine and its salts.
In 2019, the Legislature established an administrative process for the regulation by the Department of Ecology (Ecology) of priority chemicals in priority consumer products. Under this process, certain chemicals were defined as priority chemicals, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls—PCBs, phthalates, organohalogen flame retardants and other flame retardants identified under the Children’s Safe Products Act, and phenolic compounds. Ecology is also authorized to designate additional chemicals as priority chemicals every five years if they meet qualifying criteria, consistent with a schedule established in the 2019 law
This bill originally came through an ecology committee and somehow flew under the radar as the bill’s sponsor did not originally consult with professionals who work with these products everyday. When we became aware of the bill, we ignited opposition to battle it. How can you propose to eliminate ingredients that directly impact professionals without at least broaching a conversation with them?
Brooke Davies (our lobbyist) advised our industry to push back in the House chamber so we could pressure the bill’s sponsor, Rep Mena, to discuss potential amendments that would address the issues we highlighted. The association accepts the science & data that these ingredients are harmful- however, balancing safety with impact to small businesses must be reviewed. Especially as we desperately work to recover the industry in the ripples of pandemic effects on global supply chain, price point of supplies, debt interest rates and inflation. With that, Rep Mena offered an amendment that we accepted that gave technical support and consideration to small business and pros that work with the products. See the substitute bill here This bill was passed unanimously through the House Environment & Energy Committee and through the House Chamber 55 D – 41 R.
Additionally, in the Senate we continued to negotiate for time & consideration regarding “Formaldehyde Releasing Agents” since no other state in the US or the European Union has attempted to ban these items outright as of yet. Some hair straighteners an/or relaxers do not contain formaldehyde but when heat is applied it can be released and cause exposure to cancer causing carcinogens as well as potential issues to pregnant mothers + babies. Therefore, Sen Saldana offered an additional amendment that addressed timeline and approach of this category of ingredients.
See the amendment here. The bill passed the Senate Ways + Means Commitee 28 D- 20 R. It also passed the Senate Chamber on party lines.
The difference of this session over past work in Olympia?
What a difference a lobbyist makes! “Its been smooth like butter!“
Having a savvy and smart advocate like Brooke as boots on the ground speaking with legislators (in person) has morphed our association into a dual strategy effort. We don’t have to resign ourselves to ONLY reacting to legislation and opposing it. Now, we are slowly showing WA legislators each session that we are also engaged in positive collaborations to IMPROVE and BETTER legislation for the state AND our industry.
Let’s hope we can continue to afford Brooke Davies as she has earned respect from many in our state capital and she is a tremendous professional working on our behalf! They still talk about our grassroots effort in 2019. They joke about bills and say, “Will this make the hairstylists mad??” So….. our job now is to stay a consistent grass roots presence in the state capital in partnership with a lobbyist so they will NEVER underestimate us and our power again. And GUESS WHAT??????
……… YOU are the secret ingredient to that recipe.
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