 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 38 | ||
| SIXTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE | ||
| Thursday, March 5, 2009 | 53rd Day - 2009 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=2009.
HB 1007-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Chase, Morrell, Liias, Anderson, Upthegrove, Seaquist, Hudgins, and Moeller)
Creating a sustainable energy trust.
Promotes the development of renewable energy technologies and the application of energy efficiency measures by authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency improvement costs.Requires the housing finance commission, if economically feasible, to develop and implement a sustainable energy trust program to provide financing for qualified improvement projects. In developing the sustainable energy trust program, the commission shall establish eligibility criteria for financing that will enable it to choose eligible applicants who are likely to repay loans made or acquired by the commission and funded from the proceeds of commission bonds.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 27 | CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1038-S
by House Committee on General Government Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Orcutt, Blake, Kretz, Van De Wege, Warnick, McCune, Pearson, Kristiansen, and Kessler)
Regarding specialized forest products.
Finds that the specialized forest products work group created pursuant to section 2, chapter 392, Laws of 2007 produced a number of consensus recommendations to the legislature as to how the permitting requirements of chapter 76.48 RCW can be improved. In making recommendations, the work group focused on the goals enumerated in RCW 76.48.010.Declares an intent to enact those recommendations contained in the report submitted to the legislature from the specialized forest products work group in December 2008 that require statutory modifications.Declares an intent for the department of natural resources, along with other state and local agencies, to take those administrative actions necessary to execute the recommendations contained in the report that do not require statutory changes.Modifies specialized forest products permit requirements addressed by chapter 76.48 RCW.Creates the specialized forest products outreach and education account.Reorganizes the specialized forest products laws found in chapter 76.48 RCW.Provides penalties.
| Feb 3 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 10 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 26 | APPG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1165-S2
by House Committee on General Government Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Campbell, Priest, Dickerson, Hudgins, Rodne, Cody, Nelson, Chase, O'Brien, Dunshee, Kenney, Wood, Hunt, McCoy, Upthegrove, Hasegawa, Anderson, Appleton, Pedersen, Hunter, Darneille, Roberts, Rolfes, White, Kagi, Ormsby, Conway, Orwall, Simpson, Goodman, Van De Wege, and Santos)
Providing for the safe collection and disposal of unwanted drugs from residential sources through a producer provided and funded product stewardship program.
Requires every producer of covered products sold in or into Washington state to participate in a product stewardship program for unwanted products from residential sources.Requires a producer, group of producers, or stewardship organization operating or intending to operate a product stewardship program to submit a product stewardship plan to the board of pharmacy before engaging in the collection of unwanted covered products.Requires each drug wholesaler that sells any covered product in or into the state, beginning in 2011, to provide a list of producers of the covered product to the board of pharmacy.Requires the board of pharmacy to: (1) Approve or reject the plan. If it approves a plan, the board shall notify the applicant of its approval. If it rejects a plan, the board shall notify the applicant of its decision and its reasons for rejecting the plan;(2) Send a written warning and a copy of the new chapter created in the act and any rules adopted to implement the new chapter to a producer who is not participating in a product stewardship program approved by the board and whose covered product is being sold in or into the state; and(3) Annually invite comments from health care facilities, health care practitioners, pharmacists, local governments, and citizens on their satisfaction with the services provided by a product stewardship program.Authorizes the board of pharmacy to refuse, suspend, or revoke the license of a product stewardship program.Authorizes the secretary of the department of health to establish fees for administering the new chapter created in the act.Creates the pharmaceutical product stewardship program account.Allows the director of the department of ecology to lend money from the state toxics control account to the pharmaceutical product stewardship account if necessary to ensure that money is available in the pharmaceutical product stewardship program account for the initial administration of the product stewardship program for unwanted drugs from residential sources.Prescribes penalties.
| Jan 21 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Environmental Health at 1:30 PM. | |
| Jan 28 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environmental Health at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 17 | Public hearing in the House Committee on General Government Appropriations at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 26 | APPG - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1172-S2
by House Committee on General Government Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Nelson, and Rolfes; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development)
Implementing a transfer of development rights program.
Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose or another source of funding made available for this specific purpose, to establish a regional transfer of development rights program in central Puget Sound, including King, Kitsap, Snohomish, and Pierce counties and the cities and towns within these counties to foster voluntary county, city, and town participation in the program so that interjurisdictional transfers occur between the counties, cities, and towns, including transfers from counties to cities and towns in other counties.
| Jan 21 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 2 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 25 | Public hearing in the House Committee on General Government Appropriations at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 26 | APPG - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1235-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Kenney, and Carlyle; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board)
Regarding tuition fees at institutions of higher education.
Addresses tuition fees at institutions of higher education.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Higher Education at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 13 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Higher Education at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 24 | Executive session in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 12:30 AM. | |
| Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:00 PM. | ||
| Feb 27 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1393-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Kessler, Eddy, Ormsby, Van De Wege, Liias, Morrell, Roberts, Upthegrove, and Sullivan)
Addressing residential real property construction improvements through consumer education, warranty protections, contractor registration requirements, and worker certification standards.
Expands application requirements for registration as a contractor.Authorizes the department of labor and industries to deny an application for registration or suspend an active registration if the department has determined that a different state has taken enforcement action against the applicant or registrant for activities that would be a violation of chapter 18.27 RCW (registration of contractors) if they had occurred in Washington state.Requires a registered contractor, by or against whom a petition in bankruptcy has been filed, to notify the department of labor and industries of the proceedings in bankruptcy, including the identity and location of the court in which the proceedings are pending, within ten days of the filing.Creates the office of consumer education for home construction in the office of the attorney general to be the primary point of contact for consumers in matters related to residential construction.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Judiciary at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Judiciary at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 27 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1450-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Takko and Blake)
Modifying the definition of "public facilities."
Revises the definition of "public facilities" in chapter 43.160 RCW (economic development--public facilities loans and grants).
| Jan 28 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 18 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 27 | CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1484-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Van De Wege, Orcutt, Hurst, McCoy, and Blake)
Expanding the riparian open space program to include lands that contain critical habitat of threatened or endangered species.
Requires the forest practices board to establish by rule a program for the acquisition of riparian open space and critical habitat for threatened or endangered species as designated by the board. Acquisition must be a conservation easement. Lands eligible for acquisition are forest lands within unconfined channel migration zones or forest lands containing critical habitat for threatened or endangered species as designated by the board.
| Feb 3 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 10 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 17 | Public hearing in the House Committee on General Government Appropriations at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 27 | CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1522-S2
by House Committee on General Government Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Dunshee, Hunt, Hasegawa, Williams, and Chase)
Regarding repair and reuse of electronic products by registered collectors.
Regulates the repair and reuse of electronic products by registered collectors of those products.
| Feb 11 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Environmental Health at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environmental Health at 6:00 PM. | |
| Feb 26 | APPG - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1566
by Representatives Kirby, Williams, and Simpson; by request of Insurance Commissioner
Granting the insurance commissioner certain authority when the governor declares a state of emergency.
Authorizes the insurance commissioner to, when the governor proclaims a state of emergency, issue an order that addresses any or all of the following matters related to insurance policies issued in this state: (1) Reporting requirements for claims;(2) Grace periods for payment of insurance premiums and performance of other duties by insureds;(3) Temporary postponement of cancellations and renewals; and(4) Medical coverage to ensure access to care.Allows an order by the insurance commissioner to remain effective for not more than thirty days unless the commissioner extends the termination date for the order for an additional period of not more than thirty days or for subsequent additional periods of not more than thirty days. The commissioner may extend the order if, in the commissioner's judgment, the circumstances warrant an extension.
| Jan 23 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions & Insurance. | |
| Jan 29 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 3 | FII - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| FII - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). | ||
| Executive action taken in the House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance at 8:00 AM. | ||
| Feb 5 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 9 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 3 | Floor amendment(s) adopted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. | ||
HB 1619-S
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives White, Kenney, Sullivan, Carlyle, Nelson, Hasegawa, Liias, Green, Miloscia, Orwall, Maxwell, and Simpson)
Concerning the use of capital projects funds by school districts.
Authorizes certain school district capital projects funds to be used for major renovation of facilities and systems when the repairs will extend the useful life of the facility or system beyond its original planned useful life, major equipment repair, painting of facilities, and other major preventative maintenance purposes.Expires July 1, 2013.
| Feb 3 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 9 | CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 3:30 PM. | ||
| Feb 13 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 19 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 3 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Floor amendment(s) adopted. | ||
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. | ||
HB 1876
by Representatives McCune, Miloscia, Haler, Klippert, Campbell, Rodne, Schmick, O'Brien, Roach, Warnick, Short, Conway, Cox, and Orcutt
Providing funds for disabled veterans through voluntary donations.
Creates the disabled veterans assistance account.Requires the department of licensing to provide an opportunity for certain vehicle owners to, at the time of initial or renewal registration, voluntarily donate five dollars to be deposited in the disabled veterans assistance account to be used by the department of veterans affairs for activities that benefit veterans including, but not limited to, providing programs and services that assist veterans with the procurement of durable medical equipment, mobility enhancing equipment, emergency home or vehicle repair, emergency food, or emergency shelter.Provides that the act applies to registrations due or to become due on or after January 1, 2010.
| Jan 30 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
| Feb 11 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | TR - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| TR - Majority; do pass. | ||
| Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. | ||
| Feb 20 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 26 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 3 | Floor amendment(s) adopted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. | ||
HB 1956-S
by House Committee on Local Government & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Chase, Ormsby, Darneille, Van De Wege, Dickerson, and Simpson)
Authorizing the housing of homeless persons on property owned or controlled by a church. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Authorizing churches to host temporary encampments for homeless persons on property owned or controlled by a church. )
Authorizes a church to host temporary encampments for the homeless on property owned or controlled by the church whether within buildings located on the property or elsewhere on the property outside of buildings.Prohibits a local government from enacting an ordinance or regulation or taking any other action that: (1) Unreasonably interferes with the decisions or actions of a church regarding the location of housing or shelter for homeless persons on property the church owns or controls;(2) Unreasonably prohibits or attempts to regulate the housing of homeless persons on church property based upon the property's proximity to a school or day care center; or(3) Requires a church to obtain insurance pertaining to the liability of a municipality with respect to homeless persons housed on church property or otherwise requires the church to indemnify the municipality against such liability.
| Feb 18 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 19 | LGH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 10:00 AM. | ||
| Feb 20 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 26 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 3 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Floor amendment(s) adopted. | ||
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 41; absent, 0; excused, 0. | ||
HB 2304
by Representatives Jacks, Appleton, Goodman, and Williams
Concerning child victims and witnesses.
Addresses child victims and witnesses.
| Mar 4 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 5014
by Senators McAuliffe, Hargrove, Brandland, and Stevens; by request of Department of Social and Health Services
Concerning the exemption of the special commitment center under the public records act. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning exempting special commitment center and private detention facility security information from public disclosure. )
Exempts from public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW, those portions of records containing specific and unique vulnerability assessments or specific and unique emergency and escape response plans at a secure facility for persons civilly confined under chapter 71.09 RCW (sexually violent predators) or a private detention facility.
| Dec 8 | Prefiled for introduction. | |
| Jan 12 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
| Jan 20 | Public hearing and executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections at 1:30 PM. | |
| Jan 22 | HSC - Majority; do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 10 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 3 | Floor amendment(s) adopted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. | ||
SB 5486-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Carrell, Jacobsen, Swecker, Kilmer, and Shin)
Requiring a comprehensive lakes management strategic plan.
Directs that a comprehensive strategy for lakes protection and restoration be developed, portions of which may be implemented within current authority and funding, and that the strategy further include recommendations for further legislative authorization and funding to achieve a comprehensive statewide lakes protection and restoration program.Requires the department of ecology to: (1) Prepare a comprehensive lakes management strategic plan 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; and(2) With the assistance of the lakes management advisory committee, provide recommendations for creating dedicated state funding assistance for lakes restoration and protection to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives.Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5501-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Pflug, Franklin, Parlette, Murray, and Kohl-Welles)
Concerning the secure exchange of health information.
Requires the administrator of the state health care authority to designate one or more lead organizations to coordinate development of processes, guidelines, and standards to: (1) Improve patient access to and control of their own health care information, enabling their active participation in their own health care; and(2) Implement methods for the secure exchange of clinical data as a means to promote continuity of care, quality of care, patient safety, and efficiency in medical practices.Requires the office of financial management, within available funds, to contract with an independent research organization to evaluate implementation of the act.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5523-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Pridemore, and Tom)
Including court commissioners employed by the supreme court, court of appeals, superior courts, district courts, and municipal courts in the judicial benefit multiplier program of the public employees' retirement system.
Includes court commissioners employed by the supreme court, court of appeals, superior courts, district courts, and municipal courts in the judicial benefit multiplier program of the public employees' retirement system.Provides that the act shall be implemented only within funds specifically appropriated for the administrative expenses associated with its purpose.
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5557-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Pridemore)
Adopting the recommendations of the citizen commission for performance measurement of tax preferences.
Adopts the recommendations of the citizen commission for performance measurement of tax preferences to clarify the legislative intent of certain deductions and exemptions.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5721-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Tom, Hobbs, Oemig, Jarrett, McAuliffe, Pridemore, Shin, and Kohl-Welles)
Changing school levy provisions.
Revises school levy provisions.Recognizes that school districts request voter approval for two-year through four-year levies based on their projected levy capacities at the time that the levies are submitted to the voters.Declares an intent to permit school districts with voter-approved maintenance and operation levies to seek an additional approval from the voters, if subsequently enacted legislation would permit a higher levy.Delays the current sunset provision for the inclusion of the difference between funding that would be provided under Initiatives 728 and 732 and the amounts actually funded by the legislature.
| Feb 10 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 20 | Public hearing and executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5732-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, McCaslin, Regala, and Hargrove)
Concerning traffic infractions for drivers whose licenses or privileges are suspended or revoked.
Requires a person who violates RCW 46.20.342(1)(c)(iv) (driving while license suspended in the third degree) in a jurisdiction that does not have a relicensing diversion program to be provided with a certified abstract of his or her driving record by the court or the prosecuting attorney, in addition to a list of his or her unpaid traffic offense related fines and the contact information for each jurisdiction or collection agency to which money is owed.Authorizes superior courts or courts of limited jurisdiction in counties with a population less than thirty thousand or cities with a population less than twenty thousand to participate or provide relicensing diversion programs to persons who violate RCW 46.20.342(1)(c)(iv).Requires superior courts or courts of limited jurisdiction in counties with a population of thirty thousand or more or cities with a population of twenty thousand or more to participate or provide relicensing diversion programs to persons who violate RCW 46.20.342(1)(c)(iv).Requires a relicensing diversion program to be designed to assist suspended drivers to regain their license and insurance and pay outstanding fines.Requires counties and cities that operate relicensing diversion programs to provide certain information to the administrative office of the courts on an annual basis.Requires the administrative office of the courts to compile and analyze the data required to be submitted and develop recommendations for a best practices model for relicensing diversion programs.
| Feb 11 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 25 | JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5753-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Berkey, Benton, Hobbs, Sheldon, Marr, and Kline)
Providing real estate excise tax exemptions to stabilize neighborhoods.
Finds that: (1) There is a substantial inventory of unsold or foreclosed vacant homes on the market that is driving property values down and destabilizing neighborhoods;(2) These homes present an opportunity to provide affordable homes to low-income families; and(3) Providing targeted incentives to housing developers will stimulate the sale of these vacant homes to low-income buyers now and stabilize neighborhoods affected by this growing inventory.Provides incentives through excise tax relief on sales of qualifying residential housing units to qualifying buyers.Authorizes a city or county that imposes taxes under chapter 82.46 RCW (counties and cities--excise tax on real estate sales) to, by ordinance or resolution, adopt the exemption authorized in section 2 of the act in respect to such taxes.
| Feb 18 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing & Insurance at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 25 | FIHI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5788-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Benton, Pflug, Hobbs, Shin, and Kline)
Addressing state funding for low-income housing.
Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to include a life-cycle cost analysis in its process for evaluating proposals for state funding for low-income housing.Requires the housing finance commission to include a life-cycle cost analysis in its process for evaluating proposals for competitive multifamily project funding.Requires, by September 30th of each year, a county receiving certain funding to submit to the department of community, trade, and economic development a report describing the distribution of funds for the preceding fiscal year.
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing & Insurance at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 25 | FIHI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5791-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Franklin, Keiser, Fraser, Jarrett, Kohl-Welles, Shin, and McDermott)
Creating the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program.
Creates the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program.Finds that: (1) Small and medium sized businesses find it difficult to offer retirement plans because of the complexity and costs;(2) The program provides a simple and cost-effective way for employers to offer an important employee benefit; and(3) The program provides a simple and inexpensive way for workers to save for retirement.Authorizes private employers to provide employees with the opportunity to enroll in the program, including providing for payroll deductions for those employees that enroll in the program.Authorizes employers with employees enrolled in the program to contract with the enrolled employees to defer or contribute a portion of the enrolled employees' compensation, in accordance with the program rules.Establishes the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program principal account and the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program administrative account.
| Feb 25 | FIHI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing & Insurance at 3:30 PM. | ||
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | ||
SB 5807-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Brandland, Fraser, McAuliffe, King, Oemig, and Shin)
Concerning the use of capital projects funds by school districts.
Authorizes certain school district capital projects funds to be used for renovation of facilities and systems that extends the useful life of the facility or system beyond its original planned useful life, painting of facilities, major equipment repair, and other major preventative maintenance purposes.
| Feb 18 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 25 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 5816-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Eide, Delvin, King, Jarrett, Sheldon, Berkey, and Hatfield)
Concerning vehicle dealer documentary service fees.
Requires disclosure of certain information on vehicle dealer documentary service fees.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5828-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Jarrett, McAuliffe, Tom, and Hobbs)
Authorizing certain school districts and educational service districts to designate a district treasurer.
Authorizes the board of directors of a school district to designate by resolution an employee of the district or some other person having experience in financial or fiscal matters to act as the district treasurer, including an employee of another school district or an educational service district through an interlocal agreement under chapter 39.34 RCW.Authorizes the board of directors of an educational service district to designate by resolution an employee of the educational service district or some other person having experience in financial or fiscal matters to act as the educational service district treasurer.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 25 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5846-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Tom, Kohl-Welles, and McDermott)
Concerning requirements, exemptions, and penalties for covering vehicular loads of dirt, sand, or gravel.
Requires a vehicle with a model year of 2011 or later that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 16,001 pounds or more, and is designed primarily to haul loads of materials, such as dirt, sand, or gravel, to be equipped with a permanently affixed manual or automated load covering device, and requires any person operating the vehicle on a public highway with a load of dirt, sand, or gravel to engage the load covering device.Exempts a person operating a vehicle on public highways from this requirement when operating the vehicle: (1) In response to emergency conditions, including flooding or natural disaster;(2) On a public highway that is closed for repair or emergency purposes; or (3) For the purpose of dropping sand or de-icer on the roadway pursuant to instruction from a state or local authority.Provides that, if a violation occurs in the course of the person's employment, the person's employer is liable for a monetary penalty of one thousand dollars. However, the employer is not liable if, prior to the violation, the employer installed a permanently affixed load covering device to the vehicle and the person failed to engage the load covering device when hauling loads of dirt, sand, or gravel on a public highway.Eliminates the six-inch freeboard exception on January 1, 2014.
| Mar 2 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5892-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser and Shin; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Concerning prescription drug use in state purchased health care programs.
Authorizes state purchased health care programs to maximize appropriate prescription drug use in a cost-effective manner.
| Feb 16 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5902-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Pridemore, Fraser, McAuliffe, Kline, Kohl-Welles, and McDermott)
Promoting accessible communities for persons with disabilities.
Promotes accessible communities for persons with disabilities.Finds that more than nine hundred thousand Washington state residents with disabilities continue to face barriers to full participation that could be easily eliminated.Creates the accessible communities account and provides that two hundred dollars from each penalty imposed under certain subsections in RCW 46.16.381 (special parking for persons with disabilities) must be deposited into the account.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 26 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5918-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, King, McDermott, Holmquist, Hobbs, and McAuliffe)
Regarding paraeducator tutor certification.
Requires the superintendent of public instruction to adopt rules establishing paraeducator tutor certification requirements.
| Feb 18 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 25 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5930-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice and Tom)
Regarding public employees' health care costs.
Requires the public employees' benefits board to, unless otherwise provided by law or contract, authorize premium contributions for an employee and the employee's dependents that average fifteen percent of the total premium cost.
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5935-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McDermott and Kohl-Welles)
Regarding public school education programs for the prevention of child abuse.
Finds that: (1) The number of children who have been found to be victims of abuse is unacceptable;(2) This victimization often leads adult survivors into struggles with depression, alcohol and drug addiction, and other mental illnesses; and(3) There is evidence that indicates effective abuse prevention and personal safety education can be very valuable in efforts to reduce incidents of abuse.Declares an intent to: (1) Address this issue by establishing guidelines for schools to integrate effective programs that teach students skills to prevent abuse; and(2) Involve communities and families in the work of the schools to enhance the efforts to prevent child abuse.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to: (1) In consultation with professionals in the field of child abuse prevention and interested organizations, establish a statewide child abuse prevention program to be incorporated into existing programs at each public school; and(2) Implement and conduct these activities using only federal funding provided through the United States department of education for school safety and prevention programs.Requires the program to be in place and made available to school districts by January 1, 2010.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 25 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5957-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Fraser)
Regarding the department of natural resources' authority for transactions involving certain commercial lands, natural resource lands, or forest lands at risk of development.
Prohibits the department of natural resources from acquiring additional urban commercial properties as state lands after the effective date of the act.Requires the department of natural resources to: (1) Develop a long-term strategy to dispose of the nine existing urban commercial properties and reinvest the proceeds in working natural resource lands that are at risk of conversion or working natural resource lands that will protect and enhance the value of existing trust land holdings and provide a comparable rate of return as the disposed lands;(2) When acquiring lands at risk of conversion, evaluate the investment return for these natural resource lands at risk of conversion by separately determining the investment value of the lands for natural resource management and the value of the lands for development;(3) Identify in its biennial budget request any added purchase costs from these lands due to the investment in the development value of lands at risk of conversion; and(4) Manage forest lands acquired under chapter 79.19 RCW (land bank) under the sustainable harvest plan.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5958-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senator Oemig)
Regarding vision screening for public school students.
Authorizes additional visual screening for public school students who exhibit a striking behavior or discipline change, or a sudden drop in academic performance to determine whether the change in behavior, discipline, or grades is due to visual impairment.
| Feb 18 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 25 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5973-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, McAuliffe, Oemig, Shin, Hobbs, Kohl-Welles, and Kline)
Closing the achievement gap in K-12 schools.
Requires the superintendent of public instruction to disaggregate all student data related reports by at least the following subgroups of students: White, Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander/Hawaiian Native, low income, transitional bilingual, migrant, special education, and students covered by section 504 of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794).Requires the professional educator standards board to convene a working group with expertise in a wide array of cultures and cultural contexts to identify a list of model standards for cultural competency and make recommendations to the education committees of the legislature on the strengths and weaknesses of those standards.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide guidance to school districts where data indicates significant achievement gaps among subgroups of students and for large numbers of those students.Requires the center for improvement of student learning to work in collaboration with the commissions on Asian-American affairs, Hispanic affairs, and Asian-Pacific American affairs and representatives from the five achievement gap study groups commissioned in 2008 to review the challenges and solutions addressed by the five achievement gap study groups' reports and develop a plan for implementation of strategies intended to address the achievement gap.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 25 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6000-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Benton, Tom, and Roach)
Modifying real estate disclosure requirements regarding homeowners' associations.
Modifies real estate disclosure requirements regarding homeowners' associations.
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing & Insurance at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 25 | FIHI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 6012-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Swecker, Eide, Kilmer, King, Jarrett, and Haugen)
Increasing the maximum amount of financial assistance that may be granted or loaned by the department of transportation to certain airports.
Increases the maximum amount of financial assistance that may be granted or loaned by the department of transportation to airports owned or controlled by municipalities or federally recognized Indian tribes.
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6015-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation (originally sponsored by Senators Murray, Delvin, and Marr)
Creating the position of the governor's adviser on commercialization and innovation within the office of the governor.
Creates the position of the governor's adviser on commercialization and innovation within the office of the governor for the purposes of advising the governor on how best to promote innovation in the development and commercialization of proprietary technology, consistent with the state's comprehensive economic development plan (the Washington innovation economy).
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 25 | EDTI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6016-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Benton, McAuliffe, Swecker, McDermott, Roach, Delvin, Stevens, Honeyford, McCaslin, Morton, and Shin)
Regarding educator training to enhance skills of students with dyslexia.
Declares that, since 2005, the legislature has provided funding for five pilot projects to implement research-based, multisensory literacy intervention for students with dyslexia.Finds that the students receiving intervention support through the dyslexia pilot projects have made substantial and steady academic gains.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction, within available resources, and in consultation with certain school districts, and with an international nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting efforts to provide appropriate identification of and instruction for individuals with dyslexia, to: (1) Develop an educator training program to enhance the reading, writing, and spelling skills of students with dyslexia by implementing the findings of the dyslexia pilot program; and(2) Develop a dyslexia handbook to be used as a reference for teachers and parents of students who are dyslexic.Requires each educational service district to report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction the number of individuals who participate in the training developed and offered by the educational service district.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 25 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 6020-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Haugen)
Concerning the compilation, collection, and release of traffic accident information in compliance with certain federal law.
Addresses the compilation, collection, and release of traffic accident information in compliance with certain federal law.
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6051-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Murray, Pflug, Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe, Jarrett, Eide, Kline, Fairley, Jacobsen, and McDermott)
Removing an expiration date applicable to heritage and arts program funding.
Delays an expiration date relating to heritage and arts program funding from the hotel-motel tax in King county.
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6077-S
by Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy (originally sponsored by Senator Rockefeller)
Improving water management.
Authorizes a person entitled to divert or withdraw waters of the state to elect to forego water use or a portion thereof without the period of nonuse being included within the five-year period of nonuse constituting relinquishment, when the person provides prior written notice to the department of ecology regarding reduced use.Requires the department of ecology to prepare a data gap analysis that evaluates existing groundwater and surface water information on water levels and water quality within each water resource inventory area of the state.
| Feb 25 | EWE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6088-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Swecker, Haugen, Eide, Marr, Sheldon, Berkey, Benton, and Shin)
Addressing commute trip reduction for state agencies.
Transfers certain duties from the department of general administration to the department of transportation regarding commute trip reduction programs.Requires the department of transportation, in collaboration with certain entities, to develop a joint comprehensive commute trip reduction plan for all state agencies, including institutions of higher education, located in the Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater urban growth areas.Requires state agencies within the three urban growth areas, not more than ninety days after adoption of the plan, to implement a commute trip reduction program consistent with the objectives and strategies of the plan.Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Mar 2 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6090-S
by Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy (originally sponsored by Senator Pridemore)
Modifying provisions of the greenhouse gas emissions standards under chapter 80.80 RCW.
Revises provisions of the greenhouse gas emissions performance standards under chapter 80.80 RCW (greenhouse gases emissions--baseload electric generation performance standard).
| Feb 25 | EWE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6095-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Swecker)
Clarifying that retirement costs continue to be authorized as a charge included in the Puget Sound pilotage district tariff.
Clarifies that retirement costs continue to be authorized as a charge included in the Puget Sound pilotage district tariff.Provides that under no circumstances shall the state be obligated to fund or pay for any portion of retirement payments for pilots or retired pilots.
| Mar 2 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 6115
by Senators Benton, Carrell, Hewitt, McCaslin, Roach, Swecker, Stevens, Delvin, Honeyford, Morton, Schoesler, King, Becker, Parlette, Holmquist, and Sheldon
Changing provisions relating to sex offenders.
Enhances penalties for and monitoring of sex offenders.
| Mar 4 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 6116
by Senators Murray and Kohl-Welles
Funding arts and heritage programs, tourism promotion, youth sport activities, regional centers, publicly owned stadiums, community development, and low income housing in a county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more.
Funds arts and heritage programs, tourism promotion, youth sports activities, regional centers, publicly owned stadiums, community development, and low-income housing in a county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more.
| Mar 4 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |