OLYMPIA, Wash. — With just a week remaining in Washington’s legislative session, Governor Bob Ferguson is set to decide the fate of about 40 House bills Monday.
On Monday at 9 a.m., Governor Ferguson will announce whether he will sign or veto 35 pieces of legislation, including bills focused on teen work restrictions and wildfire prevention efforts.
House Bill 1121 would allow 16 and 17-year-olds enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) programs to work the same hours during the school year as they can during school breaks.
Currently, these students face stricter work hour limits than their peers in state-approved college programs, such as Running Start.
Supporters of the bill say the change would help students gain valuable job skills and better prepare for future careers by offering more career readiness opportunities beyond traditional college pathways.
CTE programs would still require approval from local school districts.
Another bill up for consideration by Ferguson is House Bill 1563, which aims to improve wildfire prevention efforts in Washington.
Lawmakers argue that both prescribed and cultural burns are underutilized in the state, despite evidence showing their effectiveness in preventing wildfires.
The bill also notes that about 3 million acres in Eastern Washington alone need active management or disturbance, such as prescribed burns.
Concerns about burns becoming uncontrollable and potential liability have limited their use.
To address these fears, the bill would establish a Prescribed Fire Claims Fund Pilot Program.
If a fire were to get out of control and cause unintended damage, the state would help pay for some of those unexpected costs through the fund.
For a full list of bills up for Ferguson’s consideration, click here.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
