OLYMPIA — The state Legislature’s 60-day session began Monday. Here are four things to look for that could affect your life, based on Associated Press Legislative Preview session last week with lawmakers.

1. Housing and homelessness will be priorities

Democratic legislators who control both chambers said they will introduce a bill to “fix” a new law that gave tenants more time to pay rent before facing the threat of eviction. Critics have said some property managers have exploited “loopholes” in the law to blunt protections for tenants. Landlords have rejected that charge.

Lawmakers also will consider a “just cause law” that would require landlords to provide a valid business reason for terminating a month-to-month lease.

Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed spending more than $300 million to add 2,100 shelter beds and take other steps to reduce homelessness.

Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane, cast doubt on whether there are enough votes in the Senate to tap the state’s rainy-day fund, as Inslee recently proposed to pay for those initiatives. It would require a “super-majority” — which is at least 60 percent of the votes in the Senate and House.

“I know that we’re going to prioritize housing and homelessness. I’m just not sure we’ll end up doing it that way,” Billig said.

2. Don’t expect lower car tabs anytime soon

Voters last November approved Initiative 976. In addition to capping car tabs at $30 — actually $43.25, counting fees — I-976 would reduce or remove the authority of state and local governments to charge several motor vehicle taxes and fees that pay for transportation projects.

The initiative is on hold because of a legal challenge.

House Speaker-designate Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said the House will consider the impact of I-976, especially its implications for “folks who are most vulnerable.” Democratic lawmakers have said they anticipate making deep cuts in the transportation budget in response to I-976, but hope to do so without damaging services, such as transit for the disabled and those with lower incomes.

House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, said the GOP will propose bills to cap car tabs at $30 and gradually shift state sales-tax revenue from vehicle purchases to the transportation budget, and away from the budget used for day-to-day government operations including education.

Democrats control the House by a 57-41 margin. They also hold a 29-20 majority in the Senate, but their effective control is 28-21 because Democrat Tim Sheldon caucuses and usually votes with the Republicans.

3. Improving the state’s gun background checks system is more likely than gun control measures

The Senate’s number one priority on gun safety will be to create a centralized background check system for gun purchases, Billig said.

Jinkins also said the state needs to make sure the system, which is split among hundreds of local law enforcement agencies, is working properly.

A House committee will hold hearings on bills to ban assault-type weapons and limit high-capacity magazines, but it’s unclear whether the House will pass them, Jinkins said. Billig also said he hasn’t counted the votes yet.

Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, disagreed with Democrats referring to their bills as “gun safety.”

“It’s gun control and gun seizure. It is semi-automatic weapons because we don’t have assault rifles …. We need to remember it’s not about gun owners. It’s about criminals and criminals pay the penalty for abusing their rights,” he said.

4. It’s unlikely lawmakers will adopt a capital gains tax or other tax increase

Billig said there has been bipartisan interest in recent years in making the state tax system more fair, but he hasn’t seen a bill “that will pass in 60 days to help with tax fairness.” Washington is at the top of states with regressive tax systems, which take a larger percentage of income from lower-income earners than those with higher incomes.

Jinkins noted that she has sponsored legislation to start levying a capital gains tax for seven years, but she wouldn’t say whether the House would pursue it this year. The proposed tax would apply to the sale of high-valued assets such as stocks and bonds.

“We don’t have our budget written yet. So I can’t tell you yes or no if that will happen,” she said.

Inslee proposed a capital gains tax for last year’s 105-day legislative session, but it didn’t go anywhere. He hasn’t called for election-year action.