WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative Digest No. 14

SIXTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE
Wednesday, February 1, 201224th Day - 2012 Regular Session

SENATE
SB 5970-SSB 6002-SSB 6017-SSB 6025-SSB 6037-SSB 6047-SSB 6068-S
SB 6107-SSB 6116-SSB 6239-SSB 6549SB 6550SB 6551SB 6552
SB 6553SB 6554SB 6555SB 6556SB 6557SB 6558SB 6559
SB 6560SB 6561SB 6562SB 6563SB 6564SB 6565SB 6566
SI 502
HOUSE
HB 1144-S2HB 2228-SHB 2229-SHB 2233-SHB 2316-SHB 2318-SHB 2330-S
HB 2512-SHB 2578-SHB 2582-SHB 2585-SHB 2749HB 2750HB 2751
HB 2752HB 2753HB 2754HI 502

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=2012.


House Bills

HB 1144-S2

by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Crouse, Eddy, Morris, Haler, Kelley, Liias, Jacks, Frockt, and Hudgins)


Concerning renewable energy investment cost recovery program.


(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 1/30/12)


Modifies renewable energy investment cost recovery program provisions relating to: (1) Placement of a solar energy system on property owned by a nonprofit organization or a nonprofit housing organization;

(2) Required information on an application for the investment cost recovery incentive;

(3) Authorizing Washington State University to charge for services to cover costs of processing applications;

(4) Investment cost recovery incentive rates for a hydrokinetic energy system manufactured in the state;

(5) Option for local government entities to purchase a solar energy system; and

(6) Public utility tax credit allowance for light and power businesses.
-- 2011 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 25Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 10:00 AM.
Feb 9Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 1:30 PM.
Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
Feb 25WAYS - Majority; 2nd 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 1Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 32nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 5First reading, referred to Environment, Water & Energy.
Mar 15Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 10:00 AM.
Mar 23Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 1:30 PM.
Mar 24EWE - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
And refer to Ways & Means.
Minority; do not pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Referred to Ways & Means.
Mar 29Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:00 PM.
Apr 22By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
-- 2011 1ST SPECIAL SESSION --
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Apr 26By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
-- 2011 2ND SPECIAL SESSION --
Nov 28By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 9By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Jan 26Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.
Jan 30Rules suspended.
Returned to second reading for amendment.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 81; nays, 15; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

HB 2228-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Jinkins, Appleton, Reykdal, Stanford, Ryu, Maxwell, Pollet, Ormsby, Cody, Upthegrove, Roberts, Kagi, Wilcox, Ladenburg, and Hasegawa)


Allowing for redistribution of medications under certain conditions.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Allows practitioners, pharmacists, medical facilities, drug manufacturers, and drug wholesalers to donate prescription drugs and supplies to pharmacies for redistribution without compensation or the expectation of compensation to individuals who meet certain criteria.

Requires pharmacies, pharmacists, and prescribing practitioners that elect to dispense donated prescription drugs and supplies to give priority to individuals who are uninsured and at or below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 12Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2229-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Jinkins, Hasegawa, Darneille, Wylie, Cody, and Roberts)


Regarding reporting compensation of certain hospital employees.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Requires hospitals to report employee compensation to the department of health.

Requires the department of health to create a form to satisfy the reporting requirements.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 12Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2233-S

by House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Hunt, Haigh, Pedersen, Appleton, Morris, Billig, Fitzgibbon, Eddy, Sells, Tharinger, Jinkins, Hasegawa, Pollet, Wylie, Upthegrove, and Roberts)


Creating a procedure for the state's retrocession of civil and criminal jurisdiction over Indian tribes and Indian country.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Creates a procedure for the state's retrocession of civil and criminal jurisdiction over Indian tribes and Indian country.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 18Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs at 8:00 AM.
Jan 26SGTA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs at 6:00 PM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2316-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Hinkle, and Green)


Regarding the disclosure of health care information.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Modifies access and disclosure provisions relating to mental health and sexually transmitted diseases.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 16Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2318-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Hinkle, Bailey, and Jinkins)


Concerning shared decision making.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Revises the definition of "patient decision aid" for purposes of RCW 7.70.060 relating to shared decision making and medical treatment consent forms.

Allows the state health care authority to charge a fee to a certification applicant to defray the costs of the assessment and certification of the patient decision aid.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 18Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2330-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Jinkins, Darneille, Pollet, Wylie, Appleton, Goodman, Pedersen, Roberts, Van De Wege, Carlyle, Maxwell, Fitzgibbon, Hudgins, Reykdal, Santos, McCoy, Clibborn, Kagi, Lytton, Moscoso, Springer, Eddy, Liias, Hunt, Moeller, Tharinger, Billig, Kenney, Ryu, Dickerson, Stanford, and Ormsby)


Concerning health plan coverage for the voluntary termination of a pregnancy.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Requires a health plan that provides coverage for maternity care or services to also provide a covered person with substantially equivalent coverage to permit the voluntary termination of a pregnancy.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 19Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.

HB 2512-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Harris, Kelley, Rivers, Appleton, Dahlquist, Cody, and Buys)


Including pharmacists in the legend drug act.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Allows the sale, delivery, or possession of a legend drug when the drug is ordered or prescribed by a licensed pharmacist to the extent permitted by established drug therapy guidelines or protocols and authorized by the board of pharmacy and approved by a practitioner authorized to prescribe drugs.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 23Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2578-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representative Moeller)


Concerning disciplinary actions against the health professions license of the subject of a department of social and health services finding.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Prohibits an individual, who applies for or holds a license or temporary practice permit and has a final finding issued by the department of social and health services of abuse or neglect of a minor, or abuse, abandonment, neglect, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, from practicing a health care profession in this state until proceedings of the appropriate disciplining authority have been completed.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 25Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2582-S

by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Johnson, Cody, Ross, Jinkins, Green, Walsh, Hinkle, Clibborn, Liias, Kenney, Klippert, Smith, Alexander, Warnick, Fagan, Bailey, Ahern, Asay, Dahlquist, Kretz, DeBolt, Angel, Kelley, Hunt, Dickerson, Ladenburg, Orcutt, Zeiger, Wilcox, Finn, Wylie, Probst, Darneille, Moscoso, Kagi, and Tharinger)


Requiring notice to patients for certain charges at a health care facility.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Requires health care facilities, that charge a facility fee, to provide notice to patients of items that comprise the facility fee and an estimate of the cost to the patient.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 25Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
Jan 26HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Rules 2 Review.

HB 2585-S

by House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Haler, Eddy, Seaquist, and Zeiger)


Creating efficiencies for institutions of higher education.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Exempts purchases by institutions of higher education, less than one hundred thousand dollars, from certain competitive bidding and competitive solicitation requirements.

Authorizes institutions of higher education to: (1) Make payments in advance for equipment maintenance services to be performed up to sixty months after such payment;

(2) Implement compensation changes for classifications the human resources director has approved for inclusion in higher education health care special pay;

(3) Make changes for other health care classifications that the institutions may identify;

(4) Make direct deposits to financial institutions for payment of salaries and wages of employees; and

(5) Use all appropriate means for making and paying for travel arrangements based on standard industry practices and federal accountable plan requirements.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 25Public hearing in the House Committee on Higher Education at 8:00 AM.
Jan 26HE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Higher Education at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Referred to Education Appropriations & Oversight.
Feb 1Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Education Appropriations & Oversight at 8:00 AM. (Subject to change)

HB 2749

by Representatives Hansen, Liias, Moeller, Armstrong, and Ryu; by request of Washington State Patrol


Concerning unlawful ferry conduct.


Addresses the crime of unlawful ferry conduct and provides that the crime is a misdemeanor.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Transportation.

HB 2750

by Representatives Liias, Fitzgibbon, Reykdal, Dunshee, Hasegawa, Stanford, Pollet, and Ryu


Providing for the full accounting of environmental expenses associated with coal-based electricity generation.


Requires electrical companies to provide an annual report to the utilities and transportation commission concerning electricity provided by the company, from coal power plants owned in whole or in part by the company, to one or more retail electric customers.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Environment.

HB 2751

by Representatives Clibborn, Liias, Pollet, and Ryu


Concerning local transportation revenue.


Authorizes certain transportation benefit districts to impose up to forty dollars of the annual vehicle fee authorized in RCW 82.80.140.

Authorizes counties to impose a local surcharge of not more than one percent of the value on vehicles registered to persons residing within the county.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Transportation.

HB 2752

by Representatives Darneille, Hasegawa, Pettigrew, and Santos


Restoring some of the nursing facility payment methodology changes made during 2011.


Restores certain nursing facility payment methodology changes made in chapter 7, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Health & Human Services Appropriations & Oversight.

HB 2753

by Representatives Orcutt and McCune


Strengthening the review process for tax incentives.


Requires enacted bills that create a new tax preference or expand or extend an existing tax preference, to include legislative intent provisions, establishing the policy goals and any related metrics that might provide context and/or data for purposes of reviewing the tax preference.

Requires certain tax preferences that take effect on or after July 1, 2012, to expire on the June 30th that is the tenth June 30th subsequent to the effective date of the tax preference.

Prohibits the joint legislative audit and review committee, when reviewing a tax preference with a specific expiration date, from concluding that the legislative intent was for the tax preference to be temporary in nature unless the legislative history or legislative intent expressly provides that it is temporary.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

HB 2754

by Representatives Hunt, Appleton, Pollet, Roberts, and Santos


Requiring DNA evidence prior to the imposition of the death penalty.


Establishes the DNA testing act.

Prohibits the state from imposing the death penalty upon any person convicted of aggravated first degree murder unless DNA evidence is introduced and assists in the person's conviction.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Judiciary.


Senate Bills

SB 5970-S

by Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Carrell, Conway, Becker, Swecker, Morton, Shin, Kilmer, Hobbs, and Chase)


Addressing a veteran's preference for the purpose of public employment.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Addresses a veteran's preference for public employment purposes.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 12Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 27Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 31Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

SB 6002-S

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Parlette, Morton, and Shin)


Making adjustments to the school construction assistance formula.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Changes the school construction assistance formula by excluding students residing outside the school district who are enrolled in alternative learning experience programs.

Provides financial assistance for school districts affected by the transition to the new funding formula.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM.
Jan 26Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM.
Jan 27WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Jan 30Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 31Made eligible to be placed on second reading.

SB 6017-S

by Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Ranker and Nelson)


Addressing the financial audits of local governments.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Requires the state auditor, if a local government has received a formal or informal opinion from the attorney general on a specific matter relating to the exercise of its duties, to interpret any questions of law regarding that local government's exercise of its duties consistent with the attorney general.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 12Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 27Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

SB 6025-S

by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Padden, Eide, Becker, Shin, and Tom)


Eliminating the mandatory retirement provision for district judges.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Eliminates the mandatory retirement provision for district judges.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 11Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM.
Jan 26Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 5:30 PM.
Jan 30JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 31Made eligible to be placed on second reading.

SB 6037-S

by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Delvin, Carrell, Honeyford, and Kline)


Limiting access to reports and records of autopsies and postmortems.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Limits access to, and dissemination, distribution, or publication of, reports and records of autopsies and postmortems.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 13Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM.
Jan 26Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 5:30 PM.
Jan 30JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

SB 6047-S

by Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Chase, Swecker, Honeyford, Fraser, Shin, Parlette, and Tom; by request of Secretary of State)


Allowing the state library to recover costs associated with research requests from persons who are not Washington residents.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Authorizes the state library to charge an amount for research that is requested of the state library by a person who is not a resident of Washington to recover the cost of fulfilling the request.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 12Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 27Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

SB 6068-S

by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Zarelli, and Frockt)


Providing for religious objection to autopsy.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Provides a clear process for resolving matters of religious beliefs and the conduct of autopsies in those cases where agreement is not reached through consultation, compassion, and compromise.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 17Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 5:30 PM.
Jan 30JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 31Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

SB 6107-S

by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Becker, Keiser, Conway, Swecker, Pridemore, Harper, King, Kilmer, Schoesler, Fain, Frockt, Haugen, Honeyford, Hatfield, Hill, and Parlette)


Concerning prescription review for medicaid managed care enrollees.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Requires contracts with medicaid managed care plans to include a requirement that certain patients be placed in a comprehensive medication management process with the primary care provider or state licensed pharmacist.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 16Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM.
Jan 26Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM.
Jan 27HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
And refer to Ways & Means.
Minority; without recommendation.
Jan 30Referred to Ways & Means.

SB 6116-S

by Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Swecker, Pridemore, Ranker, and Murray)


Concerning on-site sewage program management plans.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Authorizes a local board of health to: (1) Adopt and manage certain on-site sewage program management plans;

(2) Impose and collect rates or charges necessary to pay for the actual costs of administration and operation of the plan; and

(3) Contract with the county treasurer to collect the rates or charges.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 19Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 27Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 31Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

SB 6239-S

by Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Murray, Pflug, Hobbs, Litzow, Kohl-Welles, Ranker, Tom, Harper, Pridemore, Keiser, Kline, Regala, Eide, Rolfes, McAuliffe, Brown, Nelson, Chase, Fraser, Frockt, Conway, Kilmer, and Prentice; by request of Governor Gregoire)


Concerning civil marriage and domestic partnerships.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Ends discrimination in marriage based on gender and sexual orientation.

Requires the secretary of state to notify certain same-sex domestic partners that the state law on the rights and responsibilities of state registered domestic partners will change in relation to certain same-sex registered domestic partners.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 26GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 27Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 31Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

SB 6549

by Senators Becker, Swecker, Stevens, Litzow, Hill, and Roach


Adopting a model policy to require a third person to be present during interviews.


Requires the state school directors' association to adopt a model policy to implement provisions relating to interviewing children during an investigation of alleged abuse or neglect.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections.

SB 6550

by Senators Frockt, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Ranker, and Kline


Concerning tax reform.


Establishes the higher opportunity promise for education act by reforming tax laws.

Provides for submission of the act to a vote of the people.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

SB 6551

by Senators Stevens, King, Morton, Schoesler, Holmquist Newbry, and Swecker


Providing transparency and legislative oversight of tribal fuel tax agreements.


Provides transparency and legislative oversight of tribal fuel tax agreements.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Transportation.

SB 6552

by Senator Morton


Clarifying the definition of qualifying utility in the energy independence act.


Exempts certain electric utilities from the definition of "qualifying utility" for purposes of the energy independence act.

Requires the state auditor's office to: (1) Verify the number of distribution line miles owned by an electric utility for the purposes of establishing criteria for being a qualifying utility;

(2) Refer to certain data to confirm the utility's number of customers; and

(3) Perform a calculation to determine the utility's number of customers per mile of distribution line.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

SB 6553

by Senators Prentice, Conway, Chase, Benton, Carrell, McAuliffe, Nelson, Harper, Frockt, Kohl-Welles, Fraser, Pridemore, and Roach


Regarding school district employer pooled benefits.


Modifies requirements for school district employer pooled benefits.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

SB 6554

by Senator Kastama


Consolidating the liquor control board into the gambling commission.


Combines the liquor control board and the gambling commission into a new agency to be known as the gambling and liquor commission.

Abolishes the liquor control board and transfers its powers, duties, and functions to the gambling and liquor commission.

Declares an intent to transfer functions of the liquor control board having to do with collection of taxes and other licensing, audit, and regulatory functions to the department of revenue.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.

SB 6555

by Senators Hargrove, Shin, and Roach


Providing for family assessments in cases involving child abuse or neglect.


Provides for family assessments in cases involving child abuse or neglect.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections.
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections at 1:30 PM.

SB 6556

by Senators Keiser and Regala


Establishing a diabetes action team public-private partnership.


Creates a diabetes action team public-private partnership to assess and determine the reach and impact on the state of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.

Creates the diabetes action team public-private partnership account.

Expires January 1, 2014.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.
Feb 2Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 12:15 PM. (Subject to change)

SB 6557

by Senator Zarelli


Directing existing real estate excise taxes to the general fund.


Removes the requirement to deposit excise taxes on the sale of property into the public works assistance account.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

SB 6558

by Senators Ranker and Hargrove


Using conservation achieved by a qualifying utility in excess of its biennial acquisition target under the energy independence act.


Allows conservation achieved by a qualifying utility, in excess of its biennial acquisition target, to be used to meet its subsequent biennial target.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

SB 6559

by Senators Ranker, Hargrove, and Shin


Modifying the definition of nonpower attributes in the energy independence act.


Provides exemptions to the definition of "nonpower attributes" for purposes of the energy independence act.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

SB 6560

by Senators Ranker and Hargrove


Modifying the definition of high-efficiency cogeneration in the energy independence act.


Revises the definition of "high-efficiency cogeneration" for purposes of the energy independence act.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

SB 6561

by Senators Ranker and Hargrove


Adding spent pulping liquors and liquors derived from algae and other sources to the definition of renewable resource in the energy independence act.


Revises the definition of "renewable resource," for purposes of the energy independence act, by: (1) Removing black liquor by-product from paper production; and

(2) Including spent pulping liquors and liquors derived from algae and other sources.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

SB 6562

by Senators McAuliffe, Eide, and Shin


Requiring the establishment of an automated external defibrillator program for each high school in the state.


Requires the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with school districts, to develop and implement an automated external defibrillator program for each high school in the state.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6563

by Senators Brown, Harper, Hobbs, Murray, Pridemore, Delvin, Kohl-Welles, Chase, Shin, and Conway


Merging plan 1 and plan 2 of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system.


Merges plan 1 and plan 2 of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

SB 6564

by Senators Keiser and Tom


Prohibiting roll your own tobacco machines.


Prohibits a person from maintaining a machine at a retail establishment that enables a person to process tobacco, or a product that is made or derived from tobacco, into a roll or tube.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.

SB 6565

by Senators Murray, Prentice, Shin, Frockt, Kline, and Conway


Expanding resident student eligibility for purposes of the state need grant program.


Expands resident student eligibility for purposes of the state need grant program.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

SB 6566

by Senators Litzow and Hobbs


Adjusting when a judgment lien on real property commences.


Requires judgments of the superior court for the county in which the real estate of the judgment debtor is situated to commence upon the time of the filing by the county clerk upon the execution docket.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31First reading, referred to Judiciary.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 10:00 AM.


Initiatives

HI 502

by People of the State of Washington


Authorizes the liquor control board to regulate and tax marijuana for persons twenty-one years of age and older and adds a new threshold for driving under the influence of marijuana.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 30Referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs.

SI 502

by People of the State of Washington


Authorizes the liquor control board to regulate and tax marijuana for persons twenty-one years of age and older and adds a new threshold for driving under the influence of marijuana.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 30First reading, referred to Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections.