Legislative Session Ends with Rx, Financial Fraud, and Housing Wins

A great deal has changed since the 2020 legislative session began on January 13. Even though the last few weeks of the session were challenging as we juggled the coronavirus pandemic and monitored supported bills, we ended the intense 60-day session with several significant wins that tackle the rising cost of lifesaving medication, expand the financial fraud and identity theft investigation and prosecution program, and remove specific barriers to increase our housing stock via accessory dwelling units.

With your help, we took an important step to lower the high cost of prescription drugs in our state. By signing House Bill 2662 and Senate Bill 6087, Governor Inslee and our legislators have put their constituents’ interests ahead of pharmaceutical company greed.According to a recent AARP survey, nearly half of Washington adults who report using insulin for themselves or a family member say their out-of-pocket spending on insulin has increased in the last four years. As a result, about 20 percent (of respondents or their family) have had to make adjustments such as cutting back on necessities like food, fuel, and electricity (24%), taking less medication than what is prescribed (21%), or skipping a dose to save money (18%).

We commend Representative Jacquelin Maycumber (R-7) and Senator Karen Keiser (D-33) for their leadership, and all those who voted for the measures for taking a stand against drug company price gouging. House Bill 2662 will cap patient out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $100 per month, and form a workgroup to create a centralized purchasing process for insulin based on the state model for purchasing childhood vaccines. Senate Bill 6087 will likewise cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month. On March 18, Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 6074 sponsored by Senator Manka Dhingra (D-45). Financial exploitation continues to be the most reported issue to Adult Protective Services. This legislation was introduced to support two Financial Fraud and Identity Theft Task Forces in eastern and western Washington. These task forces bring together law enforcement, prosecutors, and financial institutions to conduct large-scale investigations of financial fraud, identity theft, and financial exploitation. Program funding was scheduled to expire July of this year but has been extended until July 1, 2030.

Finally, we know that Washington has a severe residential housing shortage and mounting housing costs. Many states have explored creative solutions to increase options. One tactic to address the shortage has been building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on existing properties. Not only do ADUs increase the housing supply, but they also provide an additional source of income to homeowners who are struggling to pay mortgages and property taxes. While we have made incremental steps in previous legislative sessions to ease regulations to build additional ADUs, there have been several barriers that have prevented homeowners from taking full advantage of the option. These include off-street parking requirements, limits to the size and number of units allowed on the property, and an owner-occupancy requirement.

Enter Senator Marko Liias (D-21), who introduced Senate Bill 6617, which addresses ADU regulations. With the passage and signing of this bill, twenty-eight of Washington's 39 counties that fall under the Growth Management Act are required to authorize up to two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) per housing lot and removes the provision that requires off-street parking for most ADUs that are within a quarter-mile of a major transit stop. The legislation also eliminates a requirement that the owner of the property lives on site. By removing these barriers, we can build more affordable housing in existing neighborhoods to help people age in place, earn additional income, and offer more rental options to residents.

Washingtonians have been persistent, repeatedly contacting their legislators to demand action and pass these needed bills. We could not have made it this far without your strong voices. We applaud our fellow Washingtonians and commend our legislators and Governor Inslee for their support.