By james art 
Reps. Tim Ormsby and Natasha Hill, both Spokane Democrats, are sponsoring House Bill 1380. If passed, the bill would require rules on where homeless people can sit, lie, sleep or stay warm outdoors to be “objectively reasonable” on a per-perspective basis sheep time, place and manner.
Spokane passed Proposition 1 more than a year ago to strengthen camping laws on public property, but police could not enforce the law until June after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a ruling that blocked such laws. Since then, many areas have followed Spokane’s lead. However, some local residents say HB 1380 goes against the will of voters who supported Proposition 1.
Gavin Cooley, executive director of the Spokane Business Association, is concerned that HB 1380 could turn public spaces into campgrounds instead of keeping them available for everyone. He pointed out that more than 52,000 people voted for Proposition 1, showing strong support for the current laws. However, the Progressive-led City Council has pledged its Conservative members’ efforts to fully support the law.
With over 2,000 homeless individuals in Spokane, the issue remains a serious challenge. Although Spokane voters supported Proposition 1, Ormsby and Hill insisted on allowing lawsuits challenging the fairness of the law. Their goal is to strike a balance between public safety and helping people transition to stable housing, while protecting local governments from lawsuits if their regulations are deemed “objectively reasonable.”
Cooley, who previously served as the city’s finance director, believes the state should focus on proven methods from other cities, such as Boise and Houston, that have successfully addressed homelessness.