Inslee Signs $2.2B Emergency COVID-19 Relief Bill

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill authorizing the expenditure of $2.2 billion in federal funding to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This process of getting to a post-pandemic era has just begun," Inslee said. "We intend to come out of this pandemic stronger, in part because of this legislation."

The legislation in question, House Bill 1368, sends millions in funding to multiple relief efforts, including:

• $714M to K-12 schools.
• $618M to the state's public health response, including vaccination and contact tracing efforts.
• $365M for emergency eviction rental and utility assistance.
• $240M for business assistance grants.
• $50M for child care.
• $26M for local food banks.
• $91M for income assistance, of which $65M will be directed towards helping the state's immigrant population.

Because HB 1368 was crafted as an emergency relief package, its spending was authorized immediately following the signing.

"The importance of this bill cannot be understated," said Sen. Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island). "We're getting the money out right now, instead of waiting until May."

At Friday's signing, the governor thanked Washingtonians for their hard work and resilience and expressed hope that the relief bill would make the pandemic easier to weather.

"The focus this year is relief, recovery, and resilience, and this legislation will make big progress in all three," Inslee said. "Washingtonians have been exemplary, leading the country in the fight against the COVID pandemic and we have had big success in that regard, but it has not come without economic and emotional cost."