Legislative Digest No. 41

	WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative Digest No. 41

SIXTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE
Tuesday, March 10, 2009		58th Day - 2009 Regular Session

SENATE

SJR 8216

HOUSE

HB 1940-S	HB 1950-S	HB 1952-S	HB 1953-S	HB 1981-S	HB 2052-S	HB 2072-S
HB 2075-S	HB 2095-S	HB 2179-S	HB 2196-S	HB 2198-S	HB 2214-S	HB 2223-S
HB 2245-S	HB 2249-S	HB 2252-S	HB 2254-S	HB 2261-S	HB 2267-S	HB 2275-S
HB 2278-S	HB 2283-S	HB 2287-S	HB 2289-S	HB 2297-S	HB 2305	HB 2306

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.

House Bills

HB 1940-S

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Bailey, Morrell, Alexander, Hinkle, and Chandler)

Requiring that school district and educational service district employees' basic benefits be determined and administered by the state health care authority.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires health and related insurance benefits for school district employees and educational service district employees to be provided through the public employees' benefits board plans administered by the state health care authority beginning September 1, 2012.

Authorizes school districts and educational service districts to contractually agree with the state health care authority to benefits eligibility criteria that differ from the criteria applicable to state employees.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 18	Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM.
Mar 2	WAYS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.

HB 1950-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representative Orcutt)

Requiring assessors to give notice of the true and fair value of real property regardless of whether there was a change in value.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires assessors to give notice of the true and fair value of real property each year property is revalued under RCW 84.41.030 regardless of whether there has been a change in the value from the prior year.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 20	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 6	Placed on second reading.

HB 1952-S

by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Ormsby, Blake, Flannigan, Maxwell, Pettigrew, Springer, Hudgins, Liias, Morrell, White, Conway, Hasegawa, Chase, Sullivan, Dickerson, Wood, and Santos)

Regarding the building communities fund program competitive process.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Revises proposed project requirements with regard to the building communities fund program.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 11	Public hearing in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 8:00 AM.
Feb 12	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 10:00 AM.
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 4	Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 6	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.

HB 1953-S

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Bailey, Seaquist, Hurst, Van De Wege, Green, Simpson, Crouse, Orcutt, Ormsby, Williams, and Hinkle; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy and LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board)

Allowing department of fish and wildlife enforcement officers to transfer service credit.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Allows a member of plan 2 who was a member of the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 while employed as an enforcement officer for the department of fish and wildlife to make an election no later than December 31, 2009, filed in writing with the department of retirement systems, to transfer all service credit previously earned as an enforcement officer in the public employees' retirement system plan 2 or plan 3 to the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 17	Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM.
Mar 2	WAYS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 6	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

HB 1981-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Driscoll, Parker, Wood, and Ormsby)

Modifying the rural county tax credit provided in chapter 82.62 RCW.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Modifies the eligibility to qualify for the rural county business and occupation tax credit provided in chapter 82.62 RCW (tax credits for eligible business projects in rural counties).

Provides that the act applies with respect to applications for credit under chapter 82.62 RCW received by the department of revenue on or after January 1, 2010.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 6	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

HB 2052-S

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representative Cody; by request of Health Care Authority)

Delaying the implementation of the health insurance partnership.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Delays implementation of the health insurance partnership until January 1, 2011, subject to sufficient state or federal funding being provided specifically for this purpose.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 19	Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
Feb 20	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	WAYS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 6	Placed on second reading.

HB 2072-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Clibborn, and Wood)

Concerning transportation for persons with special transportation needs.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Modifies the purposes, duties, and composition of the agency council on coordinated transportation.

Requires the agency council on coordinated transportation to: (1) Appoint a work group for the purpose of identifying relevant federal requirements related to special needs transportation, and identifying solutions to streamline the requirements and increase efficiencies in transportation services provided for persons with special transportation needs;

(2) Work with relevant federal representatives and agencies to identify and address various challenges and barriers;

(3) Appoint a work group to consider certain recommendations resulting from the study identified in section 1(1) of the act; and

(4) In cooperation with the department of social and health services and the Washington state patrol, make progress toward the goal of establishing a single clearinghouse for driver background checks within the department of social and health services or another appropriate agency.

Creates a local coordinating coalition in each nonemergency medical transportation brokerage region, as designated by the department of social and health services, that encompasses certain counties. The purpose of a local coordinating coalition is to advance local efforts to coordinate and maximize efficiencies in special needs transportation programs and services, contributing to the overall objectives and goals of the agency council on coordinated transportation.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to establish a uniform process designed to track the additional expenditures for transporting homeless students.

Requires a municipality, as defined in RCW 35.58.272, and each regional transit authority to work collaboratively with the appropriate local coordinating coalition or coalitions to advance the coordination of and maximize efficiencies in transportation services provided to persons with special transportation needs.

Delays the repeal of chapter 47.06B RCW (coordinating special needs transportation).

Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 17	Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM.
Feb 27	TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 6	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Floor amendment(s) adopted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

HB 2075-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representative Hunter)

Concerning the excise taxation of certain products and services provided or furnished electronically.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Conforms the sales and use taxation of downloaded digital goods to the streamlined sales and use tax agreement.

Imposes sales and use taxes and provides tax exemptions on certain items.

Prohibits the state from extending its taxing authority to a business by considering a business's use of Washington-based servers to store digital goods.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 19	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.

HB 2095-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Orwall, Finn, Upthegrove, Simpson, Rodne, and Quall)

Clarifying the permitting, training, and licensing process for driver training schools.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Revises the composition of the driver instructor's advisory committee and eliminates reimbursement to a member for travel expenses.

Addresses the following relating to driver instructors: (1) License validity and requalification examinations;

(2) Background check requirements; and

(3) Drug and/or alcohol-related violations.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 9	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

HB 2179-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representative Eddy)

Authorizing cities located in counties having a population of more than one million five hundred thousand to provide and contract for supplemental transportation improvements.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Authorizes certain city legislative authorities to provide or contract for supplemental transportation improvements to meet mobility needs within the city's boundaries subject to certain requirements.

Authorizes a legislative authority of any member city, in districts comprised of more than one member city, to petition the district to provide supplemental transportation improvements.

Requires certain public transportation systems to coordinate its transit service with any supplemental transit service provided or contracted for by a city.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

HB 2196-S

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Ericks and Ormsby)

Including service credit transferred from the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 1 in the determination of eligibility for military service credit.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Includes service credit transferred from the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 1 in the determination of eligibility for military service credit.

Applies to members who retired on or after January 1, 1998.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	WAYS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 4	Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 6	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

HB 2198-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Hinkle, Van De Wege, Hasegawa, Takko, Jacks, Appleton, Williams, Chase, Eddy, Morris, Roberts, and White)

Requiring rental car businesses to have a sufficient number of child restraint systems available to their customers.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires a rental car business to have a sufficient number of child restraint systems available at all times to meet the reasonably expected demand by rental car customers.

Allows a rental car customer who reserves a child restraint system to cancel the reservation or other agreement without penalty if the child restraint system is not provided to the customer within one hour of the customer's arrival at the rental location.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 6	Placed on second reading.

HB 2214-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representative Simpson)

Concerning airport operators financing consolidated rental car facilities and common use transportation equipment and facilities.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Addresses the financing of consolidated rental car facilities and common use transportation equipment and facilities, with regard to airport operators.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 19	Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM.
Feb 27	TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 4	Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 6	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.

HB 2223-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Clibborn, Johnson, and Morrell)

Exempting applicants who operate commercial motor vehicles for agribusiness purposes from certain commercial driver's license requirements.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Exempts an applicant who operates a commercial motor vehicle for agribusiness purposes from the course of instruction completion and employer skills and training certification requirements under RCW 46.25.060.

Expires July 1, 2014.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; without recommendation.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 9	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.

HB 2245-S

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representative Cody; by request of Governor Gregoire)

Clarifying public employees' benefits board eligibility.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Authorizes the public employees' benefits board to: (1) Determine eligibility criteria for benefits; and

(2) Establish eligibility rules for half-time employees.

Authorizes the health care authority to use different eligibility criteria when contracting to provide coverage for a school district, local government, or tribal government.

Allows school districts and educational service districts that purchase employee benefits through the public employees' benefits board program to be charged on a school-year basis rather than a fiscal year basis.

Makes eligibility determinations subject to periodic review.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	WAYS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 6	Placed on second reading.

HB 2249-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representative Hunter)

Modifying local government revenue options in counties with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Establishes new annexation mechanisms and related fiscal provisions that apply in counties with more than one million five hundred thousand residents.

Authorizes the legislative authority of a county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more to impose an excise tax on the privilege of engaging in business as a utility. The tax only applies to the unincorporated areas of the county. Expires January 1, 2012.

Authorizes a city or town located partially or wholly within a county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more, subject to certain requirements, to impose a tax upon the gross income or gross receipts of a water-sewer district.

Allows cities and counties to use the voter-approved real estate excise tax for park maintenance and operation expenditures.

Directs the state auditor to conduct a performance audit of any county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more to specifically determine whether policy changes and programs the county has adopted since January 1, 2009, will effectively reduce overhead and other costs, improve services, and streamline operations. Expires January 1, 2012.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

HB 2252-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunter and Goodman)

Funding for arts and heritage programs, regional centers, human services, low-income housing, and community development in a county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires revenue deposited in a special county arts, regional center, low-income housing, and community development fund from sales and use taxes on car rentals, restaurants, and lodging, as provided in the act, to be used only for regional centers, art museums, cultural museums, heritage museums, heritage and preservation programs, the arts, the performing arts, low-income housing, community development, and human services.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

HB 2254-S

by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives White, Dunshee, and Kenney; by request of Office of Financial Management)

Concerning construction financing for colleges and universities.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Allows building fees deposited in capital projects accounts for certain institutions of higher education and community and technical colleges to be used for debt service payments on higher education projects that use certificates of participation for construction projects approved by the legislature.

Authorizes the University of Washington to use the building account for debt service on bonds for projects approved by the legislature.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 6	Placed on second reading.

HB 2261-S

by House Committee on Education Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Sullivan, Priest, Hunter, Anderson, Maxwell, White, Quall, Liias, Dammeier, Rodne, Wallace, Pedersen, Kelley, Goodman, Springer, Hope, Nelson, Miloscia, Carlyle, Hunt, Morris, Morrell, Probst, Pettigrew, Eddy, Simpson, Kenney, Moeller, Smith, Condotta, McCoy, Kagi, Chase, Rolfes, Clibborn, Ormsby, Haler, and Cox)

Concerning the state's education system.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Declares an intent to: (1) Fulfill the legislature's obligation under Article IX of the state Constitution to define and fund a program of basic education for children residing in the state and attending public schools;

(2) Establish a general and uniform system of public schools; and

(3) Adopt a schedule for the concurrent implementation of the redefined program of basic education and the resources necessary to support it, beginning in the 2011-12 school year and phased in over a six-year time period.

Sets forth financing formulas based on a prototypical school model using certain input.

Creates the basic education steering committee to monitor and oversee implementation of the new definition of basic education.

Requires the office of financial management and the office of the superintendent of public instruction to: (1) Convene a technical working group to recommend a revised program of basic education, the details of the funding formulas, and a concurrent implementation schedule;

(2) Convene an effective teaching and compensation working group to include representatives of the professional educator standards board, the Washington education association, the Washington association of school administrators, the Washington state school directors' association, the association of Washington school principals, school districts of varying sizes, and other interested stakeholders with expertise in educator compensation; and

(3) Convene a technical working group to develop options for a new system of supplemental school funding through local school levies and local effort assistance.

Requires the department of early learning and the office of the superintendent of public instruction to convene a working group to develop the basic education program of early learning.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to convene a technical working group to propose a design and implementation time frame for the comprehensive data accountability systems for financial, student, and educator data under section 303 of the act.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 25	Public hearing in the House Committee on Education Appropriations at 8:00 AM.
	Public hearing in the House Committee on Education Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	APPE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Referred to Ways & Means.
	Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Education Appropriations at 12:00 PM.
Mar 6	Public hearing and executive session in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 12:00 PM.
Mar 9	WAYS - Executive action taken by committee.
	WAYS - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Education Appropriations.
	Minority; do not pass.

HB 2267-S

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Haigh, Hunt, and Kenney)

Protecting the collective bargaining rights of certain exempt employees.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Protects collective bargaining rights of certain exempt employees.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	WAYS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

HB 2275-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Kretz, Springer, Shea, Sullivan, Blake, Jacks, Warnick, Short, Hinkle, Schmick, Armstrong, Parker, and McCune)

Providing a sales and use tax exemption for the nonhighway use of propane by farmers.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Provides a tax exemption on the sale or use of propane fuel for a farm fuel user for nonhighway use.

Expires July 1, 2019.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 27	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 5	Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 9	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 1.

HB 2278-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Pettigrew, Chandler, Blake, Johnson, Bailey, and Schmick)

Concerning the sales and use tax exemption for livestock nutrient management equipment and facilities.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Modifies the sales and use tax exemption for livestock nutrient management equipment and facilities by providing a fixed list of equipment and facilities that are subject to the exemption.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 27	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 6	Placed on second reading.

HB 2283-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Santos, Armstrong, Condotta, Ericks, Ormsby, and Kelley)

Providing sales and use tax exemptions to eligible data centers located in a rural county as defined in RCW 82.14.370(5).

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Provides a sales and use tax exemption for sales to qualifying businesses of: (1) Server equipment, to be installed, in an eligible computer data center, and for sales of labor and services rendered in respect to installing such server equipment; and

(2) Temperature and climate control infrastructure and power infrastructure, including labor and services rendered in respect to constructing, installing, repairing, altering, or improving such infrastructure.

Requires the joint legislative audit and review committee to complete a tax preference review under RCW 43.136.055 for the act by January 1, 2011.

Expires July 1, 2011.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 27	Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Mar 2	FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.

HB 2287-S

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Kessler and Van De Wege)

Concerning paper conservation.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Requires the department of general administration to establish a pilot program for three state agencies.

Requires the pilot program agencies to: (1) Purchase one hundred percent recycled content white printing and copy paper;

(2) Develop and implement a paper conservation program; and

(3) Develop and implement a paper recycling program to help encourage recycling of all paper products with a goal of recycling one hundred percent of all copy and printing paper.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 27	Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	WAYS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Mar 6	Placed on second reading.

HB 2289-S

by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representative McCoy)

Expanding the energy freedom program.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Modifies the energy freedom program and account in order to receive federal funds and other sources of funding.

Expands the mission of the energy freedom program to accelerate energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, and deployment of innovative energy technologies.

Supports, through the energy freedom program, research, demonstration, and commercialization of energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy improvements, and innovation energy technologies.

Expires most of the act on June 30, 2016.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 24	Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.
Feb 27	CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Minority; do not pass.
	Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.
Mar 2	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 4	Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 6	1st substitute bill substituted.
	Floor amendment(s) adopted.
	Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
	Third reading, passed; yeas, 88; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 2.

HB 2297-S

by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives White and Kenney)

Concerning the convention place station expansion of the state convention and trade center.

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Authorizes the corporation to proceed with: (1) The convention place station expansion of the state convention and trade center; and

(2) Long-term financing for the purpose of paying costs of constructing and equipping the expansion project only upon authorization of the legislature of the long-term financing.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 2	CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
	Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
	Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.

HB 2305

by Representatives Blake, Dunshee, and Takko

Funding the state wildlife account.

Requires the lottery commission to: (1) Subject to approval of the legislature, conduct an online keno game in which the drawing or selection of winning tickets occurs more frequently than once every twenty-four hours but not less than every four minutes; and

(2) Transfer, from revenue derived from the online keno game account to the problem gambling account created in RCW 43.20A.892, an amount equal to one-twentieth of one percent of net receipts.

Provides funding to the state wildlife account.

Creates the online keno game account.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 9	First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor.

HB 2306

by Representatives Carlyle, Ericks, Dunshee, and Pedersen

Creating opportunity grant programs at four-year institutions of higher education.

Declares an intent to: (1) Design a college affordability program that systemically addresses certain issues for middle-income families to afford a college education; and

(2) Empower the four-year institutions of higher education to raise tuition during a six-year period and target a portion of the new revenue to those middle-income students who would not otherwise qualify for state financial aid.

Establishes the opportunity grant program at the University of Washington, Washington State University, Central Washington University, and The Evergreen State College, which is supplemental to the state need grant program and is intended to provide financial assistance to middle-income students with incomes up to one hundred twenty-five percent of state median family income adjusted for family size.

Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to: (1) Evaluate the effects of the change in tuition policy and financial aid created by the act;

(2) Recommend alternatives for the guaranteed education tuition program; and

(3) Deliver its findings to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by December 2012.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 9	First reading, referred to Higher Education.

Senate Joint Resolutions

SJR 8216

by Senators Haugen, Swecker, Fraser, and Jacobsen

Dedicating a portion of the state property tax levy to state parks.

Proposes an amendment to the state Constitution by dedicating a portion of the state property tax levy to state parks.

-- 2009 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 7	First reading, referred to Ways & Means.