Tonight on Legislative Review:
Senate Bill 6137 – College Sports Betting – The Washington State Senate cleared a bill allowing tribal casinos to accept bets on in-state college games from the University of Washington, Washington State University, and Gonzaga University. Microbetting on individual student-athletes remains prohibited. Supporters emphasize keeping gambling regulated and local, while opponents, including Jesse Salomon, raised concerns about pressure and harassment on players. The bill passed the Senate 41–8 and now moves to the House.
Senate Bill 5833 – Unattended Pets in Vehicles – Lawmakers debated new rules allowing drivers to leave their car running for up to 30 minutes to keep pets safe in extreme weather. Sponsored by Keith Wagoner, the measure passed unanimously, 48–0. Supporters, including Manka Dhingra, said it resolves conflicts in current law while prioritizing animal safety.
House Bill 2107 – Construction Hazard Notification – This bill speeds up reporting of serious safety hazards on construction sites. The Department of Labor and Industries would be required to notify employers within 10 working days after identifying a hazard, a process previously tested in a pilot program. Sponsored by Suzanne Schmidt, and supported by Liz Berry, the bill passed the House unanimously, 94–0, and now moves to the Senate.