HB 2364
In CommitteeHouse
Poverty reduction task force
Concerning the legislative-executive poverty reduction task force.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill renames and expands the existing poverty reduction task force to focus on economic justice and align with the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. It broadens membership to include more diverse community representatives, strengthens collaboration with community-based organizations and advisory councils, and requires state agencies to report on equity-focused outcomes and budget impacts.
- Replaces the 'WorkFirst poverty reduction oversight task force' with the 'economic justice and well-being task force' and updates its duties to align with the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty.
- Expands task force membership from 11 to 22 voting members, including additional representation from state commissions for African American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, and LGBTQ+ communities, and the Women’s Commission.
- Creates or renames the 'economic justice and well-being advisory council' (formerly the intergenerational poverty advisory committee) to provide expert, community-based input and recommendations to the task force.
- Requires the task force to collaborate with the Washington Economic Justice Alliance and use data disaggregated by race, region, and other factors to ensure equity in poverty-reduction strategies.
- Mandates state agencies to report regularly on progress toward poverty-reduction goals, program performance, and the impact of budgets on vulnerable populations.
- Requires a report to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2026, reviewing and updating the 10-year plan to dismantle poverty.
Who is affected
- State agencies (e.g., Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Employment Security Department, etc.) — State agencies responsible for delivering social services (e.g., health, education, employment, corrections) must collaborate with the task force, provide regular reports on program performance and budget impacts, and implement strategies aligned with the 10-year poverty reduction plan.
- Low-income families and individuals receiving public assistance — Low-income families and individuals receiving public assistance (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, WorkFirst) may experience changes in program design, eligibility, or support services as the state refocuses on equity and long-term self-sufficiency.
- Community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and service providers — Community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and service providers will have new opportunities to advise the task force and advisory council, and help shape evidence-based strategies to reduce poverty.
- Legislators and executive branch leaders serving on the task force — Legislators and state agency leaders appointed to the task force must coordinate across branches and agencies, review data, and recommend policy changes to reduce poverty.
- Historically underrepresented communities (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, Indigenous, women, LGBTQ+) — Underrepresented communities—including Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, Indigenous, women, and LGBTQ+ populations—will be specifically included in decision-making and program design to ensure equity.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Expands task force and advisory council membership to include state commissions for African American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, LGBTQ+, and Women’s affairs—ensuring historically excluded communities have formal, voting-level input into poverty-reduction strategy design and evaluation, strengthening equity-centered governance.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2), (4)(b), (e), (f); Sec. 4(4)(f), (g), (k)Mandates state agencies to report on program performance and budget impacts *specifically for vulnerable populations*, requiring agencies to track outcomes by race, region, and other factors—enabling more targeted allocation of Medicaid, behavioral health, and maternal health resources to reduce disparities.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 3(4)(a), (c), (g); Sec. 4(10)(e)Requires collaboration with lived experience experts, community-based organizations, and families impacted by poverty—ensuring housing policies (e.g., rental assistance, shelter access, eviction prevention) reflect real-world barriers and community-defined solutions rather than top-down assumptions.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 3(4)(e), (f); Sec. 4(10)(d)Requires development of equity-focused outcome measures and monitoring of the 10-year plan’s strategies—creating accountability for reducing racial disparities in policing, incarceration, and child welfare involvement, which disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(4)(b), (d); Sec. 4(10)(a), (b)Mandates inclusion of advocacy groups, lived-experience individuals, and service providers in advisory council appointments—giving low-income workers, formerly incarcerated people, and community-based job trainers direct influence over workforce development and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach strategies.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2), (4)(e); Sec. 4(4)(f), (g)
Potential Concerns (5)
Mandates state agencies to coordinate with and report to the task force and advisory council, increasing administrative burden on local implementation of social services (e.g., DSHS, ESD, DCYF field offices), potentially diverting staff time and resources from direct service delivery to compliance and reporting.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(4)(a), (e), (f), (g); Sec. 4(10)(a)-(e)Requires state agencies to collect and report disaggregated data on vulnerable populations (e.g., by race, immigration status, gender identity), raising privacy and surveillance concerns—particularly for undocumented immigrants, LGBTQ+ youth, and formerly incarcerated individuals—who may avoid seeking services due to fear of data exposure or immigration enforcement.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(6)(b), (c); Sec. 4(10)(d)Requires collaboration with the Washington Economic Justice Alliance and inclusion of business community representatives, but the structure gives advisory (non-binding) input to the task force—meaning business interests may gain influence without accountability, while low-wage workers and service providers have no guaranteed decision-making power.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(4)(d), (e); Sec. 4(10)(e)Requires the Department of Social and Health Services to provide staff support for both the task force and advisory council, and allows reimbursement for travel only for certain members—potentially excluding low-income advisory council members who rely on public transit or cannot afford out-of-pocket costs, limiting equitable participation.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 3(8), (9); Sec. 4(12)Requires a report by December 2026 updating the 10-year plan, but the bill lacks enforceable timelines or funding mechanisms—meaning recommendations may be delayed or deprioritized during budget shortfalls, reducing reliability for educators and school districts relying on state coordination for poverty-related student supports.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(7); Sec. 4(10)(c)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income families and individuals receiving public assistance (e.g., TANF, SNAP, Medicaid) may benefit from more responsive, culturally competent services and reduced racial disparities in program access—but could face increased scrutiny if data collection practices are not paired with strong privacy safeguards.
Community-based organizations and advocacy groups gain formal advisory roles and influence over policy design, potentially increasing funding and capacity—but may face new reporting burdens or pressure to align with state priorities over grassroots demands.
Historically underrepresented communities (Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, Indigenous, LGBTQ+) gain guaranteed representation in decision-making, strengthening equity—but may still face structural barriers if agencies fail to implement recommendations or allocate adequate resources.
State agencies gain clearer mandates for equity-focused reporting and collaboration, but may face increased administrative costs and accountability pressure—particularly DSHS, ESD, and DCYF, which deliver core safety-net programs.
Legislators and executive branch leaders on the task force gain influence over poverty-reduction strategy—but must coordinate across branches and agencies, which may slow decision-making and dilute partisan leverage in budget negotiations.