 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 8 | ||
| SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Thursday, January 24, 2008 | 11th Day - 2008 Regular Session | |
| HOUSE |
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This publication includes digest and history for bills, joint memorials, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, initiatives, and substitutes. Engrossed measures may be republished if the amendment makes a substantive change.
Electronic versions of Legislative Digests are available at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/digests.aspx?year=2008.
HB 3132
by Representatives Springer, Conway, Warnick, Wood, Williams, Goodman, and Ormsby
Regarding the licensing of home inspectors.
Licenses and regulates home inspectors.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3133
by Representatives Liias, Ormsby, Miloscia, Sells, Roberts, Priest, Hunt, Appleton, Rolfes, Loomis, Sullivan, Goodman, Morrell, McIntire, Wood, Hurst, Nelson, and Santos
Requiring a minimum of three years' notice on closures or conversions of mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities.
Requires a covenant by the landlord that, except for acts or events beyond the control of the landlord, the mobile home park will not be converted to a land use that will prevent the space that is the subject of the lease from continuing to be used for its intended use for a period of three years after the beginning of the term of the rental agreement.The covenant must appear in print that is in bold face and is larger than the other text of the rental agreement; be set off by means of a box, blank space, or comparable visual device; and be located directly above the tenant's signature on the rental agreement.Requires the landlord to give the tenants three years' notice in advance of the effective date of a change.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
HB 3134
by Representative Simpson
Concerning state officer's and state employee's ethical conduct with regard to private gain.
Provides RCW 42.52.160 does not prohibit the selling of merchandise or services under the terms of a contract with an official wellness program of a state agency.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 3135
by Representatives Takko, Condotta, Conway, Armstrong, Hunt, Hinkle, Dunshee, Loomis, Sullivan, Newhouse, VanDeWege, and Morrell
Increasing public utility district bid limits.
Increases public utility district bid limits to address inflation and increased material costs.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 3136
by Representatives DeBolt, Kessler, Orcutt, Alexander, Hunt, Ormsby, Blake, Williams, Pearson, Kristiansen, VanDeWege, and Kretz
Regarding mitigation for hydraulic projects undertaken in response to a flood event.
Provides the department of fish and wildlife shall not require mitigation for emergency oral permits issued under RCW 77.55.021(8) issued in response to a flood event.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 3137
by Representatives DeBolt, Kessler, Orcutt, Alexander, Hunt, Blake, Williams, Rolfes, Loomis, Sullivan, VanDeWege, Haler, Kelley, Dunn, Kretz, Ross, Bailey, McCune, Skinner, Herrera, and Ormsby
Providing property tax relief for property damaged in the 2007 floods.
Provides real and personal property reduced in value and subject to an abatement under RCW 84.70.010 is exempt from the state portion of the property tax for three calendar years, beginning in the calendar year in which the property initially qualifies under RCW 84.70.010. Property taxes already paid during the calendar year in which the property initially qualifies under this section are subject to refund under RCW 84.69.020.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 3138
by Representatives DeBolt, Williams, Kessler, Hunt, Blake, Alexander, Bailey, Sullivan, Pearson, Kristiansen, Roach, VanDeWege, Haler, Kelley, Dunn, Kretz, Ross, Kenney, Skinner, Herrera, and Ormsby
Providing tax relief for property damaged as a result of a natural disaster.
Provides the tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales of tangible personal property and labor and services used for constructing, repairing, decorating, or rebuilding a residence or associated structures that was owned and occupied by an eligible person as a principal place of residence during calendar year 2007, when the construction, repair, decorating, or rebuilding is as a result of flood damage occurring during December 2007.Provides chapter 82.12 RCW does not apply with respect to the use of tangible personal property and labor and services for constructing, repairing, decorating, or rebuilding a residence that was owned and occupied by an eligible person as a principal place of residence during calendar year 2007, when the construction, repair, decorating, or rebuilding is as a result of flood damage occurring during December 2007.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 3139
by Representatives Conway, Wood, Green, Moeller, Simpson, and Ormsby
Providing for stays of industrial insurance orders on appeal.
Provides an order by the department of labor and industries awarding benefits shall become effective and benefits due on the date issued. Subject to this act, if the department order is appealed the order shall not be stayed pending a final decision on the merits unless ordered by the board.Provides if upon reconsideration requested by a worker or medical provider, the department has ordered an increase in a permanent partial disability award from the amount reflected in an earlier order, the award reflected in the earlier order shall not be stayed pending a final decision on the merits.Provides if a self-insured employer appeals an order setting the claimant's time loss rate, the claimant shall receive any time loss or pension benefits based upon the rate calculation that the employer most recently submitted to the department and payment of benefits at this rate shall not be stayed pending a final decision on the merits.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3140
by Representatives Conway and Santos
Concerning property tax statements.
Requires tax statements to show the amount of: (1) Regular levies, by taxing district; and(2) Excess levies, by taxing district.Provides, if a taxpayer, as shown by the tax rolls, holds solely a security interest in the real property as described in RCW 84.40.045, the county treasurer shall provide the person making payments to the taxpayer a copy of the tax statement; however, the copy must clearly indicate that it is not a bill for collection of property taxes.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 3141
by Representatives Liias, Chase, Ericks, Loomis, Rolfes, Miloscia, Upthegrove, Appleton, Dickerson, Kenney, and Ormsby
Concerning sustainable residential weatherization for low-income households.
Provides low-income weatherization proposals shall provide that full levels of all cost-effective, structurally feasible, sustainable residential weatherization materials, measures, practices, and related repair, as determined by the department of community, trade, and economic development shall be installed and employed when a low-income residence is weatherized.Requires the department to allocate funds appropriated from the low-income weatherization assistance account among proposals accepted or accepted in part so as to: (1) Achieve the greatest possible expected monetary and energy savings by low-income households and other energy consumers over the greatest period of time;(2) Promote the greatest possible health and safety improvements for residents of low-income households; and(3) Leverage, to the extent feasible, technologically advanced and environmentally friendly sustainable technologies, practices, and designs.Provides, through all of its housing programs, the department shall continually strive to be a state leader in promoting and utilizing technologically advanced and environmentally friendly sustainable technologies, practices, and designs.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 3142
by Representatives Liias, Chase, Walsh, Ericks, Loomis, Miloscia, Rolfes, Linville, Dickerson, Green, Morrell, Kelley, Wood, Nelson, Santos, and Ormsby
Creating the affordable housing and community facilities rapid response loan program.
Establishes the affordable housing and community facilities rapid response loan program in the department of community, trade, and economic development to assist eligible organizations to purchase land or real property for affordable housing and community facilities preservation or development in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods or communities with a significant low-income population that is threatened with displacement by such gentrification.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
HB 3143
by Representative Liias
Increasing the authority membership of single county public transportation benefit areas.
Provides in no case shall the governing body of a single county public transportation benefit area be greater than eleven members and in the case of a multicounty area, fifteen members.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 3144
by Representatives Liias, Loomis, Hunt, Miloscia, Rolfes, Upthegrove, Linville, Green, VanDeWege, Morrell, Conway, Kelley, Nelson, Santos, and Ormsby
Creating a consumer protection web site and information line.
Requires the department of information systems to coordinate among state agencies to develop a web site to serve as a consumer protection portal. The department shall use the business portal and the office of regulatory assistance portal as a model. The web site shall serve as a one-stop web site for consumer information.Requires, by September 1, 2008, state agencies to report to the department on whether they maintain resources for consumers that could be made available through the consumer protection portal.Requires the department to create a toll-free information line to assist consumers in accessing services available through the consumer protection portal created under this act.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 3145
by Representatives Kagi, Haler, Roberts, Walsh, Pettigrew, Dickerson, Conway, Green, Goodman, Kenney, Wood, and Ormsby
Implementing a tiered classification system for foster parent licencing.
Provides the department shall select two geographic areas for phase one of the implementation of a foster parent specialized licensing classification. Phase one of the specialized licensing classification shall begin not later than July 1, 2008. The department shall approach implementation of the program with the goal of expanding the program statewide, based on the experience of the phase one sites.Provides based on the experiences and lessons learned from implementation of the program at both phase one locations, the department shall develop recommendations for expanding the program and phasing it in, statewide. The department shall report to the governor and the appropriate members of the legislature by December 1, 2008.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
HB 3146
by Representatives Upthegrove, Takko, Sullivan, Blake, Green, and Kelley
Requiring a comprehensive lakes management strategic plan.
Requires the department to prepare a comprehensive lakes management strategic plan. The plan shall serve primarily to guide state programs that provide technical and financial assistance to other state agencies, local governments, special purpose districts, and nongovernmental entities for the protection and restoration of the state's freshwater lakes.Requires not later than December 31, 2009, the department of ecology with the assistance of the lakes management advisory committee to prepare recommendations for creating dedicated state funding assistance for lakes restoration and protection.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 3147
by Representatives Upthegrove, Takko, Blake, Green, Williams, Kelley, Wood, and Ormsby
Protecting lake water quality by reducing phosphorus from lawn fertilizers.
Declares except as provided in this act, after January 1, 2010, a person may not apply to turf a fertilizer containing the plant nutrient phosphorus.Declares a person may not apply a fertilizer to an impervious surface. Fertilizer released on an impervious surface must be immediately contained and either legally applied to turf or any other legal site or returned to the original or other appropriate container.Allows a city or county to adopt an ordinance providing for enforcement of the requirements of this act. A city or county adopting an ordinance has jurisdiction concurrent with the department to enforce this section.Requires the department to produce consumer information on the application restrictions under this act, and on recommended best practices for turf fertilizer and other residential landscaping uses.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 3148
by Representative Moeller
Concerning firearm licenses for persons from other countries.
Provides it is a class C felony for a nonimmigrant alien residing in Washington to carry or possess any firearm, without having first obtained an alien firearm license.Requires the chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county to within sixty days after the filing of an application of a nonimmigrant alien residing in the state of Washington, issue an alien firearm license to such person to carry or possess a firearm for the purposes of hunting and sport shooting.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 3149
by Representatives Sommers, Haler, Conway, Kenney, Fromhold, McIntire, Anderson, and Darneille; by request of State Investment Board
Changing state investment board personnel compensation provisions.
Establishes a retention pool account in the custody of the state treasurer, funded from the earnings of the funds managed by the state investment board.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 3150
by Representatives Simpson, Williams, Santos, and Ormsby
Making certain disclosure and ethics laws applicable to initiative and referendum sponsors.
Requires every prime sponsor or sponsors of a ballot proposition to, within two weeks of filing the affidavit for a proposed initiative or referendum, file with the public disclosure commission a statement of financial affairs for the preceding twelve months.Requires the prime sponsor or sponsors of a ballot proposition to, before filing an affidavit for a proposed initiative or referendum, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation in substance as follows: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington."Provides a prime sponsor or sponsor of a proposed ballot proposition may not accept financial remuneration from the ballot proposition campaign funds in excess of the annual salary of a legislator as established in chapter 43.03 RCW.Provides no prime sponsor or sponsors of a ballot proposition may accept gifts, other than those specified in this act, with an aggregate value in excess of fifty dollars from a single source in a calendar year or a single gift from multiple sources with a value in excess of fifty dollars.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 3151
by Representatives Alexander, DeBolt, Hunt, and McCune
Extending the commencement-of-construction date for a sales and use tax for public facilities districts in national disaster counties.
Extends the commencement-of-construction date for a sales and use tax for public facilities districts in national disaster counties.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 3152
by Representatives Roach, Sells, Hurst, McCune, Haler, Morris, Jarrett, Priest, Williams, Goodman, Morrell, Darneille, Ericks, Rodne, Kelley, Walsh, Ross, Warnick, Kenney, Ahern, and Ormsby
Regarding training and guidelines for teachers of students with autism.
Provides that the professional educator standards board shall develop autism awareness and training policy guidelines for schools to ensure that teachers responsible for autistic children are well-prepared and up-to-date on the most effective methods of teaching children with autism.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HB 3153
by Representatives Roach, Ahern, Hurst, McCune, Blake, Loomis, Pearson, Williams, Haler, Kelley, and Warnick
Increasing penalties for vehicular homicide involving intoxicating liquor or any drug.
Provides vehicular homicide is a class A felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW, except that, for a conviction under RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), the mandatory minimum specified in RCW 9.94A.540 shall apply, and an additional two years shall be added to the sentence for each prior offense as defined in RCW 46.61.5055 other than a previous violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a).Provides an offender convicted of the crime of vehicular homicide under RCW 46.61.520(1)(a) shall be sentenced to a minimum term of total confinement: (1) Not less than five years for a first violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a);(2) Not less than ten years for a second violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a); or(3) Not less than fifteen years for a third or subsequent violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a).Provides for vehicular homicide the period of revocation shall be two years, except that for a violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a) the period of revocation shall be ten years for a first violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), twenty years for a second violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), or thirty years for a third or subsequent violation of RCW 46.61.520(1)(a).
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 3154
by Representatives Upthegrove, Simpson, Dickerson, Wood, Williams, Hudgins, Eddy, Goodman, McIntire, and Ormsby
Establishing goals to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
Provides to support the implementation of RCW 47.04.280 and 47.01.078(4), the department of transportation shall adopt broad statewide goals to reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled by 2050 consistent with the stated goals of Executive Order 07-02.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 3155
by Representatives Upthegrove and Hudgins
Concerning port district levies in large counties located on Puget Sound.
Provides the following provisions apply only to a county bordering Puget Sound with a population of greater than one million five hundred thousand citizens: (1) All general purpose taxes levied for collection in 2009 and thereafter and not dedicated to debt service shall be transferred to the state treasurer for deposit into the Puget Sound recovery local account created in RCW 90.71.400;(2) An additional amount of tax may not be levied under RCW 53.36.020 after the effective date of this act for the payment of bonds or other indebtedness of the district; and(3) For taxes levied for collection in 2009 and thereafter, the general purpose levy under RCW 53.36.020 may not exceed five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value against the assessed valuation of the taxable property. However, the levy rate may be increased in an amount equivalent to any reduction in the levy rate of a levy used to pay bonds or other indebtedness of the district.Provides a port district located in a county bordering Puget Sound with a population of greater than one million five hundred thousand citizens may not use banked levy capacity to pay or secure bonds or other indebtedness of the district.Provides a port district located in a county bordering Puget Sound with a population of greater than one million five hundred thousand citizens may not, after the effective date of this act, contract indebtedness or borrow money for port district purposes, or issue general obligation bonds for port district purposes, to be paid for with a levy for general port purposes under RCW 53.36.020.Creates the Puget Sound recovery local account in the state treasury.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
HB 3156
by Representatives Goodman, Lantz, Rodne, Williams, McIntire, Green, and Kelley
Changing licensing provisions concerning driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Requires an officer to warn the driver that if the driver's license, permit, or privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, or denied the driver may be eligible to immediately apply for an ignition interlock driver's license.Creates the ignition interlock device revolving fund in the custody of the state treasurer to assist in covering the monetary costs of installing, removing, and leasing an ignition interlock device for indigent people who are required under this act and RCW 46.61.5055 to install an ignition interlock device in all vehicles owned or operated by the person.Provides, beginning January 1, 2009, any person licensed under chapter 46.20 RCW who is convicted of any offense involving the use, consumption, or possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle in violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, other than vehicular homicide or vehicular assault, or who has had or will have his or her license suspended, revoked, or denied under RCW 46.20.3101, may submit to the department an application for an ignition interlock driver's license. The department, upon receipt of the prescribed fee and upon determining that the petitioner is eligible to receive the license, may issue an ignition interlock driver's license.Creates a pilot program for the purpose of monitoring compliance by persons required to use ignition interlock devices and by ignition interlock companies and vendors.Provides the court shall order any person convicted of a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504 or an equivalent local ordinance to apply for an ignition interlock driver's license from the department under this act and to have a functioning ignition interlock device installed on all motor vehicles operated by the person.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 3157
by Representatives Takko, Warnick, and Simpson
Increasing estimated cost minimums required on water-sewer district contracts for materials and work.
Requires all work ordered, the estimated cost of which is in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars, to be let by contract and competitive bidding.Requires any purchase of materials, supplies, or equipment, with an estimated cost in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars, to be by contract.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 3158
by Representatives Flannigan, Hudgins, Morrell, and Darneille
Creating transportation improvement districts for the maintenance and operation of certain bridges.
Allows a transportation improvement district to be created by the legislative authority of any city or town in which is located a mechanical lift bridge under state jurisdiction that links two employment centers as defined by a regional planning body; crosses a federally designated navigable waterway; provides access for emergency services to and from a major container shipping port; is on a local, state, or national historic register; is located on an arterial street that was formerly a state highway; and has received a substandard score on an engineering evaluation standard.Provides the legislative authority of a city or town creating a transportation improvement district shall agree to assume jurisdiction of the bridge upon the formation of the transportation improvement district and carry out the improvements financed by the transportation improvement district as well as ongoing maintenance and operating costs following rehabilitation or reconstruction of the bridge.Provides the legislative authority of a city or town that has created a transportation improvement district under this act may impose a sales and use tax within the boundaries of the transportation improvement district in accordance with the terms of chapter 82.14 RCW.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 3159
by Representatives Chandler, Roach, Dunn, Bailey, and McCune
Improving voter registration integrity.
Requires the summoning court to immediately notify the applicant, county auditor, and secretary of state if it receives a written declaration or otherwise learns that a declarant does not meet the qualifications set forth in RCW 2.36.070 (1), (2), (3), or (5).Provides a voter application is considered complete only if it contains the applicant's full legal name, complete valid residence address, date of birth, signature attesting to the truth of the information provided, a mark in the check-off box confirming United States citizenship, a mark in the check-off box confirming no felony conviction or, if the applicant has a felony conviction, proof of restoration of voting rights, and an indication that the provided driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security number has been confirmed by the secretary of state.Requires, once each year, the secretary of state to conduct an audit of county registration records regarding cancellation of deceased voters. The audit shall consist of a comparison of the deceased voter information received with the county registration records to ensure that the appropriate cancellations are made.Provides whenever the secretary of state or a county auditor receives information from the courts regarding a juror's ineligibility to serve based on age, citizenship, residence, or felony conviction pursuant to RCW 2.36.072(3)(b), the secretary or county auditor shall verify the reason for ineligibility and take appropriate action to cancel or transfer the registration.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 3160
by Representatives Springer, Newhouse, Ericks, Goodman, Armstrong, Linville, McDonald, Kessler, Dickerson, Wood, Wallace, Hunter, Blake, Clibborn, Morrell, Williams, Loomis, Liias, Kelley, Eddy, Takko, Warnick, Jarrett, Rodne, Sullivan, Roach, VanDeWege, Kenney, and Ormsby
Addressing the availability of nutrition information.
Requires a covered food facility to make certain nutrition information available to consumers for each standard food item.Expires January 1, 2013.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3161
by Representatives Smith, O'Brien, McDonald, McCune, Takko, Pearson, Bailey, Ahern, Herrera, Kristiansen, Haler, Warnick, Schindler, Sump, Orcutt, Kretz, Walsh, Hasegawa, Jarrett, Roach, Williams, Simpson, Morrell, Rodne, Kelley, Dunn, and Hurst
Requiring certain sex offenders to pay the costs of electronic monitoring.
Provides the board shall recover the costs of the electronic monitoring from the offender to the extent that the board determines the offender is financially able.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. | |
HB 3162
by Representatives VanDeWege, Kessler, Linville, Green, Kelley, Pedersen, Blake, Hudgins, Takko, Ormsby, Rolfes, O'Brien, Dunshee, Loomis, Eddy, Simpson, Goodman, Williams, Morrell, Ericks, Liias, Wood, Springer, and Santos
Providing a property tax exemption for the first fifty thousand dollars of assessed value of commercial and residential real property.
Provides residential property is exempt from the state portion of the property tax on fifty thousand dollars of assessed value.Provides a commercial property owner may apply to the county assessor to exempt fifty thousand dollars of assessed value for the state portion of the property tax for a single parcel of property.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 3163
by Representatives Kelley, McCune, Green, Williams, Morrell, and Conway
Creating a military improvement zone program.
Creates the military improvement zone program in the department of community, trade, and economic development. The principal purpose of the program is to authorize and promote financing tools that encourage high quality development and affordable housing in the areas nearest to federal military bases. The program must be administered by the department with the advice of the department of revenue.Requires the department to conduct an examination of land use tools and funding options that local governments can implement to encourage high-quality development of the neighborhoods nearest the state's military bases; affordable housing for military personnel; and infrastructure for this housing that is consistent with the highest public health, safety, and welfare standards.Requires the department to conduct a military improvement zone pilot program. The pilot program must promote the development of high-quality infrastructure and affordable housing in improvement zones. The program must also determine the effectiveness of the program in increasing the development of high-quality infrastructure and additional affordable housing in improvement zones.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Community & Economic Development & Trade. | |
HB 3164
by Representatives Kelley, Green, VanDeWege, Simpson, Morrell, Darneille, McIntire, Liias, Kenney, Santos, and Ormsby
Creating the homeownership security account to allow private organizations to contribute funds in support of financial education, and homeownership counseling and education.
Creates the homeownership security account in the custody of the state treasurer. Expenditures from the account may be used solely for the purposes of preventing predatory lending and providing homeownership education, information, and counseling.Allows the director of financial institutions or the director's designee to provide funds from the account for the establishment, administration, and implementation of financial literacy and education programs.Allows contributions from either private or nonprofit organizations to be deposited in the homeownership security account created in this act.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection. | |
HB 3165
by Representatives Kelley, Orcutt, Green, Rolfes, Seaquist, Springer, Rodne, Ross, Linville, Goodman, Appleton, Sullivan, Kessler, Roach, Alexander, Grant, Eddy, VanDeWege, Campbell, Smith, Simpson, Morrell, Liias, Dunn, Bailey, Kenney, McCune, and McDonald
Providing a business and occupation tax exemption for new small businesses.
Provides a business and occupation tax exemption for new small businesses during the first twelve months of operation.Provides that the exemption authorized only applies to the first two hundred thousand dollars reported on the excise tax returns for the twelve-month period.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 3166
by Representatives Sullivan, Priest, Haler, Santos, and Ormsby
Concerning the design of the state assessment system and the WASL.
Declares that because the state's assessment contract will be renegotiated before the end of 2008, the 2008 legislature has an opportunity to provide policy direction in the design of the state assessment system and the design of the Washington assessment of student learning.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HB 3167
by Representatives Hunt, Campbell, Hudgins, Dickerson, Chase, Williams, and McIntire
Evaluating environmental health conditions in state office buildings.
Requires the department of health to convene and chair a work group to study approaches and techniques that are effective at minimizing the potential for adverse environmental health effects on occupants of state office buildings.Provides that the work group shall make recommendations to the legislature on practical and cost-effective opportunities to minimize the potential for adverse environmental health effects on building occupants of state-owned and leased office buildings related to building construction, remodeling, occupancy, and ongoing maintenance.Requires the work group to include indoor environmental quality considerations such as regulatory and research information, contaminants and contaminant sources, physical factors, mitigation measures, and cost.Provides that recommendations must be presented in a report to the governor and to the legislature by December 1, 2008.Requires the department of health to conduct a study of at least two state-owned office buildings and at least one privately owned office building leased by the state in the Olympia area to measure and monitor air, water, and general building conditions as they relate to environmental hazards that negatively impact working conditions.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Select Committee on Environmental Health. | |
HB 3168
by Representatives Goodman, Kagi, Walsh, Haler, Roberts, Pettigrew, Hinkle, Sullivan, Kessler, Green, Hudgins, Darneille, McIntire, Liias, Kelley, Kenney, Hankins, Nelson, Santos, and Ormsby
Regarding the creation of the Washington head start program.
Requires the department of early learning to develop a plan to implement a statewide Washington head start program which must align the state early childhood education and assistance program with federal head start program eligibility criteria, guidelines, and performance standards.Requires the department of early learning to deliver a report with plan recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2008.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
HB 3169
by Representatives Haler, Priest, McCune, Ahern, and Santos
Revising the essential academic learning requirements and statewide academic assessment system.
Revises the essential academic learning requirements and statewide academic assessment system.Requires the state board of education to appoint academic standards panels comprised of exemplary educators from Washington and nationally and internationally recognized individuals with knowledge and expertise in student learning standards at various grade levels and in various subject areas, and by September 1, 2010, recommend significant revisions to the essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations in reading, writing, mathematics, and science, to be adopted by the superintendent of public instruction.Requires, by the 2014-15 school year, the superintendent of public instruction to submit to the United States department of education a proposal to use a growth model of school accountability for the purposes of the no child left behind act of 2001.Requires the state board of education to examine possible uses for the high school Washington assessment of student learning within the statewide academic assessment system including, but not limited to, requiring students to pass some or all of the subject areas of the assessment for high school graduation.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HB 3170
by Representatives Williams, Conway, and Ormsby
Regarding the practice of landscape architecture.
Modifies licensing requirements for landscape architects.Modifies provisions concerning the licensure board for landscape architects.Establishes new minimum evidence satisfactory to the licensure board that the applicant is qualified for licensure as a professional landscape architect.Modifies examination provisions for landscape architect certificates of licensure.Lists which types of activities and persons are not affected by landscape architect provisions.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3171
by Representatives Upthegrove, Williams, Rolfes, Nelson, Cody, Dunshee, Lantz, and Simpson
Clarifying interests in certain state lands.
Declares that the intent of this act is to fulfill the state's fiduciary duty to the state land trust beneficiaries by preserving any interest it may have in the mineral resources on these lands until the question of title to such resources is determined.Provides that until a judgment is entered by a Washington appellate court that determines title to the sand, gravel, and rock resources in certain parcels of land located on Maury Island, the department of natural resources shall not authorize any portion of the state-owned aquatic lands that comprise the Maury Island aquatic reserve designated by commissioner order dated November 8, 2004, for industrial uses or for transportation of materials from a surface mine as defined under RCW 78.44.031, mining operation, or other industrial activities, and may not authorize the construction of docks or other improvements associated with these uses.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Ecology & Parks. | |
HB 3172
by Representatives Condotta and Chandler
Reforming worker's compensation.
Declares that for a worker to receive benefits for an injury under Title 51, there must be a specific medical diagnosis directly related to the injury that must contribute by a factor of at least fifty percent to the worker's inability to work.Redefines "permanent total disability".Adds additional limitations to receiving payment of worker's compensation benefits.Caps certain recovery of wages under worker's compensation at one hundred four weeks.Authorizes the department of labor and industries or a self-insurer to offer a worker, or the worker's beneficiary if the worker is deceased, a lump sum settlement to close a worker's compensation claim that has been allowed. A settlement offer accepted by the worker or his or her beneficiary shall discharge the employer of record from any further obligation concerning the claim and release the state and self-insurer from further benefit obligations.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3173
by Representatives Condotta, Armstrong, Chandler, Dunn, Kretz, Bailey, and McCune
Ensuring valid voter signatures on petitions count.
Requires, concerning individual voter signatures on an initiative or referendum petition, the secretary of state must accept and not reject a valid voter signature if it matches the signature on the voter's registration as long as the requirements in this act are fulfilled.Provides initiative and referendum petitions shall not require the signature gatherer to put their name, address, city, state, and zip code on the petition to ensure the safety of those individuals and to protect them from, and make them less susceptible to, intimidation, retaliation, or harassment.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 3174
by Representatives Kirby, Haler, Chase, Linville, Hasegawa, Fromhold, Sullivan, Pettigrew, Skinner, Roach, Orcutt, Morrell, Ericks, Kelley, Dunn, Kenney, Santos, and Ormsby
Providing incentives for financial institutions to encourage investment in qualified community development entities.
Provides incentives for financial institutions to encourage investment in qualified community development entities.Provides that a taxpayer that makes a qualified equity investment is entitled to a tax credit against the tax otherwise imposed under chapter 82.04 RCW.Provides that no tax credit claimed under this act is refundable or saleable on the open market.Requires the department of revenue to limit the monetary amount of qualified equity investments permitted under this act to a level necessary to limit tax credit utilization at no more than fifteen million dollars of tax credits in any fiscal year.Requires the issuer of the qualified equity investment to certify to the department of revenue the anticipated dollar amount of such investments to be made in this state during the first twelve-month period following the initial credit allowance date.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection. | |
HB 3175
by Representatives Conway, Pettigrew, Chase, Linville, Hasegawa, Fromhold, Sullivan, Skinner, Roach, McIntire, Condotta, Orcutt, Morrell, Ericks, Kelley, Dunn, Kenney, Santos, and Ormsby
Providing business and occupation tax incentives to encourage investment in qualified community development entities.
Provides business and occupation tax incentives to encourage investment in qualified community development entities.Provides that a taxpayer that makes a qualified equity investment is entitled to a tax credit against the tax otherwise imposed under chapter 82.04 RCW. Provides that no tax credit claimed under this act is refundable or saleable on the open market.Requires the department of revenue to limit the monetary amount of qualified equity investments permitted under this act to a level necessary to limit tax credit utilization at no more than fifteen million dollars of tax credits in any fiscal year.Requires the issuer of the qualified equity investment to certify to the department of revenue the anticipated dollar amount of such investments to be made in this state during the first twelve-month period following the initial credit allowance date.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Community & Economic Development & Trade. | |
HB 3176
by Representatives Kenney, Conway, Condotta, Grant, McIntire, Ericks, Blake, Walsh, Hankins, Haler, and Williams
Authorizing wine warehouses to handle bottled wine.
Authorizes wine warehouses to handle bottled wine.Provides that the handling of bottled wine includes packaging and repackaging services, bottle labeling services, creating baskets or variety packs that may or may not include nonwine products, and picking, packing, and shipping wine orders direct to consumer.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3177
by Representatives Sommers and Dunshee
Reducing the membership of the state expenditure limit committee.
Removes the attorney general or the attorney general's designee from the state expenditure limit committee.Replaces the attorney general or the attorney general's designee with the director of financial management to adjust or project the expenditure limit if necessary.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 3178
by Representatives Ross, Warnick, Newhouse, Hinkle, and Chandler
Authorizing mandatory drug testing of peace officers.
Authorizes a city, county, town, port district, or any other taxing district to institute mandatory drug testing after a traffic collision or shooting and random drug testing for all peace officers employed by it, after approval by the voters.Provides that random peace officer drug testing imposed pursuant to this act must conform to certain requirements.Provides that drug testing pursuant to this act must be carried out within the terms of a written policy that has been distributed to all peace officers subject to the policy.Provides that the drug test results obtained pursuant to this act must be treated as sensitive information and be released only to persons within the agency who have senior administrative personnel authority and to their immediate staff.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3179
by Representative Ross
Limiting provocation as a defense for dog bites.
Limits provocation as a defense for dog bites.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 3180
by Representatives Ormsby, Green, Morrell, Liias, Dunn, and Wood
Addressing housing reform policies to achieve greater efficiencies in housing investments.
Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to work in consultation with the affordable housing advisory board and representatives from nonprofit housing development organizations and affordable housing advocacy groups in the state to identify development costs and fees associated with affordable housing development projects financed through the Washington housing trust fund under chapters 43.185 and 43.185A RCW and to make recommendations for strategies to reduce these costs and fees.Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development and the office of the insurance commissioner to work in collaboration to analyze statutory and regulatory requirements regarding liability insurance for housing developers and identify economical alternatives to obtain required liability coverage for affordable housing projects funded by the Washington housing trust fund under chapters 43.185 and 43.185A RCW.Creates the housing trust fund floating loan program within the department of community, trade, and economic development, where the department may use funds from the housing trust fund floating loan account created in this act to provide short-term, zero-interest or low-interest loans to eligible organizations making application to the Washington housing trust fund for affordable housing developments projects that are ready to proceed, but for which there is inadequate housing trust funds available during the current funding round.Adds the use of funds to promote increased housing density as a consideration for the housing finance commission general plan of housing finance objectives.Requires the housing finance commission to report to the legislature annually regarding implementation of the plan with updates to the plan every two years.Requires the housing finance commission to adopt rules to assure that tax exempt bonds issued under chapter 43.180 RCW for multifamily affordable housing developments be awarded first to qualified applications submitted by qualified nonprofit organizations.Provides that affordable housing developments funded by the Washington housing trust fund under chapters 43.185 and 43.185A RCW are exempt from department of transportation rules regarding commercial relocation.Creates the housing communities program within the department of community, trade, and economic development to provide technical assistance and organizational capacity building programs to private, community-based nonprofit organizations that primarily serve communities of color or multilingual communities.Makes an appropriation from the Washington housing trust fund solely for deposit into the nonprofit equity account created in this act for the purposes of this act.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
HB 3181
by Representatives Wood, Ahern, Ormsby, Barlow, Crouse, and Schindler
Addressing the authority of the board of directors of a public facilities district.
Requires, for promotional activities, the board of directors of certain public facilities districts to identify the proposed expenditure in its annual budget and adopt written rules governing promotional hosting by employees, agents, and the board.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
HB 3182
by Representatives Lantz, Simpson, Armstrong, Ormsby, Roach, Morrell, and Santos
Authorizing applications for past part-time service credit for members of the school employees' retirement system.
Authorizes applications for past part-time service credit for members of the school employees' retirement system.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 3183
by Representatives McDonald, Flannigan, and Dunn
Exempting park maintenance equipment operated by certain local jurisdictions from vehicle license and license plate requirements.
Exempts park maintenance equipment operated by certain local jurisdictions from vehicle license and license plate requirements.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 3184
by Representatives Miloscia and Santos
Modifying provisions relating to the Washington state housing finance commission.
Modifies provisions relating to the Washington state housing finance commission.Adds the use of funds to promote increased housing density as a consideration for the commission's general plan of housing finance objectives.Requires the commission to report to the legislature annually regarding implementation of the plan with updates to the plan every two years.Increases the maximum total amount of outstanding indebtedness of the commission.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
HB 3185
by Representatives Appleton, Dunshee, and Crouse
Providing for a water system acquisition and rehabilitation program.
Creates a water system acquisition and rehabilitation program.Declares the program will be jointly administered with the public works board and the department of community, trade, and economic development. All financing provided through the program must be in the form of grants that partially cover project costs. The maximum grant to any eligible entity may not exceed twenty-five percent of the funds allocated to the appropriation in any fiscal year.Directs the joint legislative audit and review committee to prepare a report on the program.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Capital Budget. | |
HB 3186
by Representative Nelson
Authorizing the creation of beach management districts.
Authorizes the creation of beach management districts.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
HB 3187
by Representatives Pettigrew, Haler, Hunter, Kagi, Schual-Berke, Appleton, Loomis, Sullivan, Dickerson, Green, Lantz, Hudgins, Simpson, Darneille, McIntire, Roberts, Kenney, Wood, Santos, and Ormsby
Establishing systems to support families who have adopted children from foster care.
Requires,subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose, the department of social and health services to contract for an information and referral services provider to support families with children adopted out of foster care and to contract for education advocacy services for children adopted out of foster care.Requires the department to provide outreach to parents of children adopted out of foster care and encourage adoptive parents to seek an annual assessment of the functioning of the adoptive child with the family to determine if there are services needed to help maintain or strengthen the adoptive placement.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
HB 3188
by Representatives Roach, Hurst, McCune, and Dunn
Exempting waste vegetable oil from excise tax.
Exempts waste vegetable oil from excise tax.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 3189
by Representatives Roach, McCune, Kelley, Ahern, and Santos
Regarding the revision of mathematics standards.
Expresses the legislature's intention that the revised mathematics standards by the office of the superintendent of public instruction will: Set higher expectations for Washington's students by fortifying content and increasing rigor; provide greater clarity, specificity, and measurability about what is expected of students in each grade; supply more explicit guidance to educators about what to teach and when; enhance the relevance of mathematics to students' lives; and ultimately result in more Washington students having the opportunity to be successful in mathematics.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HJM 4029
by Representatives Liias, Loomis, Ericks, Sells, Rolfes, Seaquist, McCoy, Upthegrove, Hunt, Williams, Linville, Appleton, Smith, Morrell, McIntire, and Pearson
Requesting that Congress fund the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative.
Requests that Congress continue to mandate and fund the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative to protect, preserve, and restore the environmental health of the Puget Sound.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HJM 4030
by Representatives Pearson, Clibborn, Morrell, Kristiansen, Smith, and Dunn
Requesting the 172nd Street overpass of Interstate 5 in Arlington to be named the "Oliver "Punks" Smith Interchange."
Requests that the 172nd Street overpass of Interstate 5 in Arlington be named the "Oliver "Punks" Smith Interchange."
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HJM 4031
by Representatives Santos, Pettigrew, and Kenney
Requesting that Congress and the President demand Ethiopia fulfill its human rights obligations.
Requests that Congress and the President of the United States demand that the Ethiopian government immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and journalists and fulfill its obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as incorporated in its constitution, the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and established norms of human rights, democratic principles, and the rule of law.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
SB 6747
by Senators Kastama and Franklin
Regarding the designation of residential time in parenting plans.
Provides a standard court order regarding the designation of residential time in parenting plans.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 6748
by Senator Kastama
Addressing funding for certain transportation benefit district highway projects.
Provides that certain transportation benefit districts may impose a sales tax for more than ten years if part of the tax is used to fund highway construction.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6749
by Senators Kauffman, Kohl-Welles, and Keiser
Recodifying RCW 19.48.130 as a section in the minimum wage act.
Recodifies RCW 19.48.130 as a section in the minimum wage act.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6750
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Roach, Kline, Keiser, Pridemore, McDermott, and Franklin
Providing for stays of industrial insurance orders on appeal.
Provides an order by the department of labor and industries awarding benefits shall become effective and benefits due on the date issued. Subject to this act, if the department order is appealed the order shall not be stayed pending a final decision on the merits unless ordered by the board.Provides if upon reconsideration requested by a worker or medical provider, the department has ordered an increase in a permanent partial disability award from the amount reflected in an earlier order, the award reflected in the earlier order shall not be stayed pending a final decision on the merits.Provides if a self-insured employer appeals an order setting the claimant's time loss rate, the claimant shall receive any time loss or pension benefits based upon the rate calculation that the employer most recently submitted to the department and payment of benefits at this rate shall not be stayed pending a final decision on the merits.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6751
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Roach, Pridemore, McDermott, Keiser, Franklin, and Kline
Allowing individuals who left work to enter certain apprenticeship programs to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
Allows individuals who left work to enter certain apprenticeship programs to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6752
by Senators Kastama, Shin, and Hatfield
Providing new market development tax credits.
Provides that a person making a qualified equity investment is allowed a credit against the business and occupation tax due during the taxable year including the credit allowance date.Expires July 1, 2012.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Management. | |
SB 6753
by Senators Fraser, Swecker, Rockefeller, and Pridemore
Regarding changes in calling burn bans for solid fuel burning devices.
Modifies provisions for calling burn bans for solid fuel burning devices.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | |
SB 6754
by Senators Haugen and Hatfield; by request of Governor Gregoire
Financing the state route number 520 bridge replacement project.
Allows the department of transportation to collect tolls on the existing state route number 520 bridge or on a replacement state route number 520 bridge.Requires the executive director of the Puget Sound regional council, the secretary of the department of transportation or his or her designee, and a member of the state transportation commission from King county to form a state route number 520 tolling implementation committee.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6755
by Senators Brown, Zarelli, Spanel, Berkey, Parlette, Pridemore, Eide, Hewitt, and Shin; by request of State Investment Board
Changing state investment board personnel compensation provisions.
Establishes a retention pool account in the custody of the state treasurer, funded from the earnings of the funds managed by the state investment board.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6756
by Senators Jacobsen, Franklin, and Kohl-Welles
Licensing genetic counselors.
Declares that the secretary of health has the authority to issue licenses to applicants who have met the education, training, and examination requirements for obtaining a license for the practice of genetic counseling.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6757
by Senators Murray, Hewitt, and Kohl-Welles
Concerning the practice of architecture.
Provides that an architect or architectural firm registered in any other jurisdiction recognized by the state board of registration for architects may offer to practice architecture in this state if it is clearly and prominently stated in such an offer that the architect or firm is not registered to practice architecture in the state of Washington and prior to practicing architecture or signing a contract to provide architectural services, the architect or firm must be registered to practice architecture in this state.Modifies the qualifications for applicants who wish to register as architects.Modifies procedures for the architect's certificate of registration examination.Requires any business entity, including a sole proprietorship, offering architecture services in Washington state to register with the state board of registration for architects, regardless of its business structure.Requires, for renewals of certificates, a registered architect to demonstrate professional development since the architect's last renewal or initial registration.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6758
by Senators Murray, Delvin, Honeyford, Rasmussen, Hewitt, and Pridemore
Allocating water from the Columbia and Lower Snake rivers for biofuels irrigation and organic crop irrigation.
Establishes an allocation of an annual aggregate of one hundred thousand acre feet of water from the Columbia river mainstem and the Lower Snake river mainstem in perpetuity. The waters allocated under this act are available for appropriation and use for biofuel irrigation and organic crop irrigation. The department is authorized and directed to issue permits and certificates for the uninterruptible appropriation and use of the water allocated under this act, but solely for the purpose of biofuel irrigation and organic crop irrigation.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | |
SB 6759
by Senator Morton
Precluding the application of chapter 76.09 RCW, the forest practices act, to certain publicly beneficial activities.
Precludes the application of chapter 76.09 RCW, the forest practices act, to activities that are unrelated to commercial forest practices and related to a public benefit.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
SB 6760
by Senators Regala, Zarelli, Rasmussen, Roach, and Fairley
Requiring an exchange of land parcels on the Fircrest school campus and modifying the developmental disabilities community trust account.
Requires that the board of natural resources and the department of social and health services shall exchange appropriate parcels of land of equal appraised value on the Fircrest school campus.Modifies provisions related to the developmental disabilities community trust account.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6761
by Senators Haugen, Swecker, Spanel, and Rasmussen
Regarding service areas for wetlands mitigation banks.
Provides criteria for determining service areas for wetlands mitigation banks.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6762
by Senators Brown, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Marr, and Franklin
Requiring independent community impact study if nonprofit hospital to be acquired.
Requires an independent community impact study before the approval of an application for acquisition of a nonprofit hospital.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6763
by Senators Tom, Kohl-Welles, and Kline
Concerning background checks.
Provides that, in order to receive federal grant money under the NICS improvement act, the Washington state patrol, the department of licensing, and the administrative office of the courts shall establish a work group, with the Washington state office of the attorney general, to develop a written plan for providing an estimate of certain persons prohibited from possessing a firearm.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6764
by Senators Rasmussen, Roach, Shin, and Hewitt
Creating a business and occupation tax credit for enhancing educational opportunities for children with disabilities.
Creates a business and occupation tax credit for enhancing educational opportunities for children with disabilities.Provides that each person claiming a tax preference that requires a survey under this act must report information to the department by filing a complete annual survey, which is due by March 31st of the year following any calendar year in which the tax preference is taken.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6765
by Senators Parlette and Keiser
Concerning the Washington state health insurance pool.
Directs the office of the insurance commissioner to convene a task force to recommend the best options for equitable, stable, and broad-based funding sources for the Washington state health insurance pool.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6766
by Senators Brandland and Rasmussen
Requiring the children's administration in the department of social and health services to become accredited.
Provides that all field offices and the headquarters office of the children's administration in the department shall become accredited by a nationally recognized child welfare accrediting entity no later than December 31, 2008.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 6767
by Senator Prentice
Financing regional special events centers promoting adult and youth-oriented sports activities.
Provides that if a public facilities district imposes sales and use tax and the legislative authority of a county imposes sales and use tax for certain stadiums, the combined total tax levied may not exceed 0.066 percent.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6768
by Senator Weinstein
Providing for certain requirements and restrictions on purchases of used vehicles.
Provides that a used vehicle dealer must make certain disclosures in writing.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Housing. | |
SB 6769
by Senators Schoesler and Fairley
Removing obsolete provisions of the Revised Code of Washington.
Removes obsolete provisions of the Revised Code of Washington.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6770
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Holmquist, McAuliffe, Hewitt, and Delvin
Regarding alcoholic beverage regulation.
Modifies licensing provisions related to bonded wine warehouses, domestic wineries and breweries, microbreweries, retailers, and hotels.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6771
by Senators Haugen, Murray, and Pflug
Eliminating regional transportation investment districts.
Eliminates regional transportation investment districts.Repeals certain sections of Titles 29, 36, 47, and 82 RCW.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6772
by Senators Haugen, Tom, Marr, and Pridemore
Concerning regional transportation governance.
Changes the legal designation of each "regional transit authority" to "regional transportation authority," and any existing regional transit authority shall, within ninety days of the effective date of this act, by resolution of its board change its legal designation to a "regional transportation authority." Authorizes a regional transportation authority to be created in an area within the boundaries of a county or counties.Requires a regional transportation authority to prepare, adopt, and implement a comprehensive and integrated corridor-based multimodal regional mobility investment plan that plans, prioritizes, and finances improvements to highways, streets, roads, and public transportation that will serve the residents of the region, and to amend the plan to meet changed conditions and requirements.Provides that a regional transportation authority shall work cooperatively, and in a coordinated fashion, with the department of transportation's administrative region serving the authority area, and with the regional transportation planning organization serving the authority area. The authority shall establish a negotiated process with the department of transportation, and other applicable local planning offices, that ensures the respective agencies are planning for a comprehensive and integrated corridor-based multimodal regional transportation system.Modifies relevant tax provisions concerning regional transportation authorities.Eliminates regional transportation investment districts and repeals appropriate provisions.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6773
by Senator Kastama
Providing a sales and use tax exemption for environmentally certified residential and commercial construction.
Provides a sales and use tax exemption for environmentally certified residential and commercial construction.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | |
SB 6774
by Senators Kastama, Shin, and Rockefeller
Promoting regional industry cluster growth.
Promotes regional industry cluster growth.Revises the competitive grant program to fund activities designed to further regional cluster growth.Devotes five percent of funds received for the grant program to: (1) Identifying and sharing with grant recipients the public and private resources available that could be more intensively devoted to assist industry clusters; and(2) Identifying mechanisms by which public resources can be coordinated and more efficiently delivered to support the growth and competitiveness of industry clusters.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Management. | |
SB 6775
by Senators Kauffman, Kilmer, Shin, Kastama, Franklin, Kohl-Welles, and Rasmussen
Addressing the digital literacy and technology training needs of low-income and underserved areas through state support of community technology programs.
Addresses the digital literacy and technology training needs of low-income and underserved areas through state support of community technology programs.Creates the technology opportunity program to support the efforts of community technology programs throughout the state.Allows a tax credit for telecommunications companies against taxes due under chapter 82.04 RCW in an amount equal to fifty percent of contributions made in any fiscal year directly to support the program.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Management. | |
SB 6776
by Senators Kline, Roach, Fraser, Fairley, and Swecker
Modifying state whistleblower protections.
Authorizes the state auditor to investigate, within available resources, reports of improper governmental activities made by whistleblowers to any public official pursuant to RCW 42.40.050. Any public official receiving the report must submit a record of that report to the auditor within fifteen business days of receiving it.Requires that governmental employees be provided annual notice of their rights under chapter 42.40 RCW. Such reminders may be in agency internal newsletters, notices included with paychecks or stubs, e-mail notices sent to all employees, or other such means that are both cost-effective and reach all employees of the government agency, division, or subdivision.Revises provisions protecting whistleblowers from reprisals or retaliatory actions.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6777
by Senators McDermott, Brown, Murray, Kohl-Welles, and Pridemore
Clarifying interests in certain state lands.
Requires that, until a judgment is entered by a Washington appellate court that determines title to the sand, gravel, and rock resources in specified lands, the department shall not authorize any portion of the state-owned aquatic lands that comprise the Maury Island aquatic reserve for industrial uses or for transportation of materials from a surface mine, mining operation, or other industrial activities, and may not authorize the construction of docks or other improvements associated with these uses.Expires January 1, 2011.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | |
SB 6778
by Senators McDermott, Fairley, Brown, Oemig, Kline, Shin, and Kohl-Welles
Allowing voter registration up to and on election day.
Changes voter registration procedures to allow voter registration up to the day of a primary, special election, or general election, beginning October 1, 2010.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6779
by Senators Marr, Weinstein, Kline, and McDermott
Revising provisions setting the compensation of jurors.
Requires employers with more than ten employees to pay regular wages to their full-time employees who serve on a grand, petit, coroner's, or district court jury, during the period of their jury service.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6780
by Senators Hatfield, Holmquist, Rasmussen, Delvin, Morton, Sheldon, Schoesler, Hewitt, Honeyford, and Shin
Providing a sales and use tax exemption for farm machinery and equipment sold at an auction.
Provides a sales and use tax exemption for farm machinery and equipment sold at an auction.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 6781
by Senators Tom and Weinstein
Regarding mathematics and science teachers.
Requires the professional educator standards board to issue a report with recommendations, for strengthening the state's corps of primary and secondary school mathematics and science teachers.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
SB 6782
by Senators Kline, Weinstein, Rasmussen, and Brandland
Regarding the impermissible motive element of a claim under chapter 49.60 RCW.
Requires showing that the impermissible motive element in a discrimination claim is substantial, rather than requiring showing that it is the only factor or the main factor underlying the claim.Abrogates a defense that the complaining party would have been subject to the same treatment absent the impermissible motive.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6783
by Senators Kline, McCaslin, Fairley, Kastama, Regala, McAuliffe, Sheldon, Shin, Marr, and Rasmussen
Making the office of prosecuting attorney a nonpartisan office.
Makes the office of prosecuting attorney a nonpartisan office.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6784
by Senators Kline and Fairley
Changing Washington's vesting laws.
Establishes that applications for a proposed division of land, building permit, or other project approval are subject to zoning, permitting, and other land use control ordinances at the time the local government takes final action on the applications.Establishes when development rights vest in cases in which a petition is pending before a growth management hearings board or a local government undertakes review of a comprehensive land use plan.Establishes when land use or development rights vest for certain classes of large development projects.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6785
by Senators Fraser, Pridemore, Regala, Rockefeller, and Kohl-Welles
Regarding integrated pest management.
Establishes standards for integrated pest management including producing long-term prevention or suppression in a cost-effective manner, with minimum impact on human health, the environment, and nontarget organisms.Specifies that prevention may include elements of sanitation, habitat modification, cultural techniques, and other methods.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | |
SB 6786
by Senators Franklin, Holmquist, Kastama, and Marr
Creating a legislative task force on menu labeling.
Creates a legislative task force on menu labeling.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6787
by Senators Marr, Schoesler, and Morton
Addressing the authority of the board of directors of a public facilities district.
Requires, for promotional activities, the board of directors of certain public facilities districts to identify the proposed expenditure in its annual budget and adopt written rules governing promotional hosting by employees, agents, and the board.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |