Legislative

10 September

Ballot initiative aims to postpone deadline to opt-out of new long-term care tax

wsvma   |   Legislative

This fall, voters may have the chance to weigh in on making the state’s new long-term care program an opt-in system. The new law as written is a mandatory program with a single opt-out timeframe that is approaching shortly. Workers in Washington only have until Nov. 1 to opt-out, which has been set up to help pay for nursing care and other support services for people who can’t care for themselves. The new 0.58% state payroll tax, paid entirely by employees,...

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02 July

Alleviating veterinary shortages: Efforts reintroduced in Senate

wsvma   |   Legislative

A bill championed by the AVMA has been reintroduced in the Senate that would enable more veterinarians to receive student loan relief, and help increase access to rural veterinary care across the country. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Enhancement Act would remove the federal withholding tax on service awards, making more funds available to recruit veterinarians to states in need of essential services to maintain public and animal health. Veterinarians participating in the VMLRP receive up to $25,000 a...

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27 May

Washington’s new long-term care payroll tax is coming soon to: Important informational webinars offered

wsvma   |   Legislative, State Regulatory

Did you know that WA passed legislation and employees will pay a new payroll tax starting on Jan. 1, 2022, to fund a long-term care (LTC) trust? It is going to be funded by W-2 wage-earning employees, including practice owners. But will you benefit from your own contributions? A webinar featuring Dr. Darby Affeldt and Chris Sitek will discuss this and much more during this timely webinar. Topics they’ll cover include: The WA State Cares Fund Payroll deductions begin Jan....

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30 April

Newly signed bill by Gov. Inslee amends definition of compounding

wsvma   |   Legislative, State Regulatory

Substitute House Bill 1445 (SHB 1445) amends the definition of compounding for the practice of pharmacy in RCW 18.64.011(6). The current definition of "compounding" includes simple processes, such as adding water to an antibiotic or for instance, adding saline to a COVID-19 vaccine. Neither the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the official United States Pharmacopeia (USP) considers those processes to constitute compounding. SHB 1445 changes the definition to: (6) "Compounding" means the act of combining two or more...

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26 March

Take Action: Ask Congress to advance One Health legislation

wsvma   |   Federal Regulatory, Legislative, One Health

With strong support from the AVMA, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has reintroduced legislation that would be an important step in implementing a nationwide, One Health approach to combat zoonotic diseases. The Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act (S. 861 /H.R. 2061 ) focuses on prevention and improved coordination among federal agencies. It would direct the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Interior to develop a One Health Framework that would accomplish these goals: Advance workforce development related to...

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19 February

AVMA State Legislative Update

wsvma   |   Legislative, Uncategorized

This issue of the State Legislative Update includes select summaries of bills and regulations introduced in January and tracked by the AVMA Division of State Advocacy. With a majority of state legislatures convening this month, we expect considerable activity in the weeks ahead. COVID-19 State policymakers continue to propose legislation in attempts to answer questions that have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic. Connecticut CT SB 560 would establish a task force to study the feasibility of using scent dogs to identify persons...

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05 February

WSVMA Legislative Report

wsvma   |   Legislative

The Washington State Legislature convened on January 11 for a planned 105-day session and is in its fourth week. The House will conduct most of its business remotely, while a few legislators will be in Olympia. The Senate is attempting a hybrid model, where some legislators are on the floor, while others participate remotely. Despite the remote nature of the 2021 session, over 700 bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate to date. One major change this year...

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22 January

Rep. Mike Chapman to be special guest at WSVMA Legislative Townhall Jan.28

wsvma   |   Legislative, WSVMA News

The WSVMA is hosting a Legislative Townhall, From Olympia to Your Veterinary Practice – A 2021 Legislative Preview, on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at 12pm. The town hall is to provide members with an update on legislative and regulatory activity expected for 2021. Featured speakers include WSVMA President Dr. Richard DeBowes, Legislative Advocate Greg Hanon, Chair of WSVMA-PAC Dr. Mike Bellinghausen, and CEO Candace Joy. [caption id="attachment_19730" align="alignleft" width="150"] Representative Mike Chapman[/caption] We’ll also feature Rep. Mike Chapman from the 24th District in...

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08 January

What’s New – Jan. 28, 2021 a WSVMA Legislative Townhall

wsvma   |   Legislative

The WSVMA is hosting a Legislative Townhall, From Olympia to Your Veterinary Practice – A 2021 Legislative Preview, on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at 12 pm. The townhall is to provide members with an update on legislative and regulatory activity expected for 2021. Featured speakers include WSVMA President Dr. Richard DeBowes, Legislative Advocate Greg Hanon, Chair of WSVMA-PAC Dr. Mike Bellinghausen, and CEO Candace Joy. We’ll also feature a state legislator (TBD) that will speak to attendees. Legislators love veterinarians and welcome...

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06 November

Washington election results

wsvma   |   Legislative

While much of our nation’s focus on election day was on the presidential race, the General Election in Washington State included a variety of important local decisions as well. There are almost 4.9 million voters registered in Washington State. On election night over 3.355 million votes were counted for a turnout of 68.64%. As of Friday morning, November 6, 3.795 million or 77.64% of the ballots have been counted. An estimated 235,000 ballots remain to be counted, although this number...

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