Senate confirms three appointments and passes a package of bills including tourism assessment and Clean Energy fixes

The Washington State Senate moved through a series of confirmations and final passage votes on March 9, 2026, confirming three gubernatorial appointees and declaring constitutional majorities on multiple bills after concurring in House amendments.

Confirmations: The Senate confirmed Charles G. Knudson (Senate gubernatorial appointment 9135) to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board after remarks from Senator Nobles; the clerk announced 48 yays and the confirmation. Noah Skartvett (appointment 9266) was confirmed to the Gambling Commission following Senator Conway’s remarks on Skartvett’s firefighting and paramedic background; the clerk recorded 43 yeas, 5 nays. Kelly K. Fukai (appointment 9262) was confirmed to the Spokane Colleges Board of Trustees with 48 yays.

Bills and concurrence votes: The Senate concurred in House amendments and declared passage for a batch of bills. Senator Hunt summarized changes to substitute senate bill 5982 to clarify how the Clean Energy Transformation Act applies to consumer‑owned utilities and certain electricity consumers, including exemptions for de minimis fossil fuel use for emergency backup. Senator Trudeau described technical edits in engross substitute senate bill 6002 separating ALPR (automatic license plate recognition) data from dash‑cam and body‑cam data, among other changes; the chamber concurred and recorded a constitutional majority on final passage for many measures.

Tourism assessment and HB 2325: The Senate adopted a striking amendment (No. 953) to Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325 to create a tourism self‑supported assessment program (new chapter proposed in 43 RCW). Senator Richeli said the changes were negotiated with sponsors, OFM, the governor’s office and the tourism association and added State Auditor review and limited immunity provisions for the Washington Tourism Marketing Association and a ratepayer oversight board. The amendment was adopted and the amended bill advanced to third reading and final passage.

Process notes: Several bills passed by recorded roll calls with constitutional majorities; where roll calls recorded mixed yea/nay counts these were announced by the clerk before measures were declared passed. The Senate then stood at ease and recessed for lunch and caucus until 1:20 p.m.