FIFTY NINTH LEGISLATURE - REGULAR SESSION

FIRST DAY

House Chamber, Olympia, Monday, January 10, 2005

       The House was called to order at 12:00 Noon by Chief Clerk Nafziger.

       The flag was escorted to the rostrum by the Joint Service Color Guard. The Chief Clerk led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The House observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami. Prayer was offered by Father Bob Kenney, St. Michael's Parish, Olympia.

       "Almighty and eternal God, we ask you to bless the people of the State of Washington with security, prosperity, generosity and peace.

       We pray for he members of this legislature, who are entrusted to guard our political welfare. May they be enabled to discharge their duties with honesty and ability. May the light of divine wisdom direct the deliberations of these men and women, and be evident in all of their proceedings.

       We pray that these representatives will be blessed with wisdom and strength of purpose in the exercise of their high office. May they provide clear direction and a sound ethical foundation for building a society marked by authentic justice and freedom, with unfailing respect for the dignity and rights of each individual.

       We pray for these men and women; may they serve faithfully, and with personal integrity, the people who have chosen them as their representatives. May they remember the words of President Lyndon B. Johnson: "We are one nation and one people. Our fate as a nation and our future as a people rest not upon one citizen, but upon all citizens." We also pray that these representatives may remember the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt: "Our strength is our unity of purpose."

       Almighty and eternal God, bless these representatives with tranquility in the face of storms, encouragement in the face of frustration, and humility in the face of success.

       We likewise commend to your unbounded mercy all citizens of the State of Washington. May we be preserved in union and in peace.

       We pray to you, who are Lord and God, for ever and ever, Amen."

       The Apollo Club Choir of Wenatchee sang "Washington My Home" and "Roll On Columbia".

       The Chief Clerk requested that Representatives Kenney and McCune escort Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the Supreme Court of the State of Washington to the Rostrum.

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE

The Honorable Speaker of the House

Legislature of the State of Washington

Olympia, Washington

Mr. Speaker:

I, Sam Reed, Secretary of State of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the following is a full, true, and correct list of persons elected to the office of State Representative at the State General Election held in the State of Washington on the second day of November, 2004, as shown by the official returns of said election now on file in the office of the Secretary of State:

REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED NOVEMBER 2, 2004

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the State of Washington at Olympia, this tenth day of January 2005.

SAM REED

Secretary of State

RESIGNATION OF MEMBER

November 23, 2004

The Honorable Governor Gary Locke

P.O. Box 4002

Olympia WA 98504

Dear Governor Locke:

This is to inform you that I am resigning my position as State Representative from the 19^th Legislative District, effective November 25, 2004. Additionally, I will not be accepting this office when the Legislature reconvenes on January 10, 2005.

Sincerely,

Brian Hatfield

State Representative, 19^th District

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER

JOINT RESOLUTION 04-001

OF COWLITZ, GRAYS HARBOR,

PACIFIC AND WAHKIAKUM COUNTIES

FILLING VACANT HOUSE

POSITION IN 19^TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

                                                                                                               WHEREAS, Representative Brian Hatfield has submitted his resignation for his position as representative for the 19^th Legislative District and that position is now vacant; and

                                                                                                               WHEREAS, the State Democratic Central Committee has submitted a list of three names for consideration by the Joint Boards of Commissioners for Cowlitz County, Wahkiakum County, Pacific County, and Grays Harbor County; and

                                                                                                               WHEREAS, the Joint Boards of County Commissioners for Cowlitz County, Wahkiakum County, Pacific County, and Grays Harbor County have convened in joint session and duly considered the three names submitted by the State Democratic Central Committee, now, therefore;

                                                                                                               IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Joint Boards of County Commissioners for the counties of the 19^th Legislative District meeting in special session, that Dean Takko be and is hereby appointed to fill the vacant position of Representative for the 19^th Legislative District.

                                                                                                               IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the clerk of the joint board forward this resolution to the Governor and the Secretary of State.

                                                                                                               APPROVED this 21^st day of December, 2004.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF COWLITZ COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF PACIFIC COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

OF WAHKIAKUM COUNTY

                                                                                                               The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.

OATH OF OFFICE

Chief Justice Gerry Alexander administered the Oath of Office to the members and congratulated them.

{{29675}}RESOLUTION

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2005-4600, by Representatives Kessler and Armstrong

BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives Rules Committee shall meet no later than Wednesday, January 19, 2005, the tenth legislative day, to consider and make recommendations on permanent rules for the House of Representatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That no later than Friday, January 21, 2005, the twelfth legislative day, the House of Representatives shall meet to consider adoption of permanent House Rules for the Fifty-ninth Legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That temporary House Rules for the Fifty-ninth Legislature be adopted as follows:

TEMPORARY RULES OF

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FIFTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE

2005-2006

Definitions

        Rule 1. "Absent" means an unexcused failure to attend.

        "Term" means the two-year term during which the members as a body may act.

        "Session" means a constitutional gathering of the house in accordance with Article 2 § 12 of the state Constitution.

        "Committee" means any standing, conference, joint, or select committee as so designated by rule or resolution.

        "Bill" means bill, joint memorial, joint resolution, or concurrent resolution unless the context indicates otherwise.

Chief Clerk to Call to Order

        Rule 2. It shall be the duty of the chief clerk of the previous term to call the house to order and to conduct the proceedings until a speaker is chosen.

Election of Officers

        Rule 3. The house shall elect the following officers at the commencement of each term: Its presiding officer, who shall be styled speaker of the house; a speaker pro tempore, who shall serve in absence or in case of the inability of the speaker; and a chief clerk of the house. Such officers shall hold office during all sessions until the convening of the succeeding term: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That any of these offices may be declared vacant by the vote of a constitutional majority of the house, the members voting viva voce and their votes shall be entered on the journal. If any office is declared vacant, the house shall fill such vacant office as hereinafter provided. In all elections by the house a constitutional majority shall be required, the members shall vote viva voce and their votes shall be entered on the journal. (Art. II § 27)

Powers and Duties of the Speaker

        Rule 4. The speaker shall have the following powers and duties:

        (A) The speaker shall take the chair and call the house to order precisely at the hour appointed for meeting and if a quorum be present, shall cause the journal of the preceding day to be read and shall proceed with the order of business.

        (B) The speaker shall preserve order and decorum, and in case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct within the chamber or legislative area, shall order the sergeant at arms to suppress the same and may order the sergeant at arms to remove any person creating any disturbance within the house chamber or legislative area.

        (C) The speaker may speak to points of order in preference to other members, arising from the seat for that purpose, and shall decide all questions of order subject to an appeal to the house by any member, on which appeal no member shall speak more than once without leave of the house.

        (D) The speaker shall sign all bills in open session. (Art. II § 32)

        (E) The speaker shall sign all writs, warrants, and subpoenas issued by order of the house, all of which shall be attested to by the chief clerk.

        (F) The speaker shall have the right to name any member to perform the duties of the chair, but such substitution shall neither extend beyond adjournment nor authorize the representative so substituted to sign any documents requiring the signature of the speaker.

        (G) The speaker, in open session, shall appoint committee chairs from the majority party of the house and shall appoint members to committees in the same ratio as the membership of the respective parties of the house, unless otherwise provided by law or house rules.

        (H) The speaker shall serve as chair of the rules committee.

        (I) The speaker shall have charge of and see that all officers, attaches, and clerks perform their respective duties.

        (J) The speaker pro tempore shall exercise the duties, powers, and prerogatives of the speaker in the event of the speaker's death, illness, removal, or inability to act until the speaker's successor shall be elected.

Chief Clerk

        Rule 5. The chief clerk shall perform the usual duties pertaining to the office, and shall hold office until a successor has been elected.

        The chief clerk shall employ, upon the recommendation of the employment committee and, subject to the approval of the speaker, all other house employees; the hours of duty and assignments of all house employees shall be under the chief clerk's directions and instructions, and they may be dismissed by the chief clerk with the approval of the speaker. The speaker shall sign and the chief clerk shall countersign all payrolls and vouchers for all expenses of the house and appropriately transmit the same. In the event of the chief clerk's death, illness, removal, or inability to act, the speaker may appoint an acting chief clerk who shall exercise the duties and powers of the chief clerk until the chief clerk's successor shall be elected.

Duties of Employees

        Rule 6. Employees of the house shall perform such duties as are assigned to them by the chief clerk. Under no circumstances shall the compensation of any employee be increased for past services. No house employee shall seek to influence the passage or rejection of proposed legislation.

Admission to the House

        Rule 7. It shall be the general policy of the house to keep the chamber clear as follows:

        (A) The sergeant at arms shall admit only the following individuals to the wings and adjacent areas of the house chamber for the period of time beginning one-half hour prior to convening and ending one-half hour following the adjournment of the house's daily session:

        The governor or designees, or both;

        Members of the senate;

        State elected officials;

        Officers and authorized employees of the legislature;

        Former members of the house who are not advocating any pending or proposed legislation;

        Representatives of the press;

        Other persons with the consent of the speaker.

        (B) Only members, pages, sergeants at arms, and clerks are permitted on the floor while the house is in session.

        (C) Lobbying in the house chamber or in any committee room or lounge room is prohibited when the house or committee is in session unless expressly permitted by the house or committee. Anyone violating this rule will forfeit his or her right to be admitted to the house chamber or any of its committee rooms.

Absentees and Courtesy

        Rule 8. No member shall be absent from the service of the house without leave from the speaker. When the house is in session, only the speaker shall recognize visitors and former members.

Bills, Memorials and Resolutions - Introductions

        Rule 9. Any member desiring to introduce a bill shall file the same with the chief clerk. Bills filed by 10:00 a.m. shall be introduced at the next daily session, in the order filed: PROVIDED, That if such introduction is within the last ten days of a regular session, it cannot be considered without a direct vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all the members elected to each house with such vote recorded and entered upon the journal. (Art. II § 36)

        Any member or member-elect may prefile a bill with the chief clerk commencing twenty (20) days before any session. Prefiled bills shall be introduced on the first legislative day.

        All bills shall be endorsed with a statement of the title and the name of the member or members introducing the same. The chief clerk shall attach to all bills a substantial cover bearing the title and sponsors and shall number each bill in the order filed. All bills shall be printed unless otherwise ordered by the house.

        Any bill introduced at any session during the term shall be eligible for action at all subsequent sessions during the term.

Reading of Bills

        Rule 10. Every bill shall be read on three separate days: PROVIDED, That this rule may be temporarily suspended at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present; and that on and after the fifth day prior to the day of adjournment sine die of any session, as determined pursuant to Article II, Section 12 of the state Constitution or concurrent resolution, or on and after the third day prior to the day a bill must be reported from the house as established by concurrent resolution, this rule may be suspended by a majority vote.

        (A) FIRST READING. The first reading of a bill shall be by title only, unless a majority of the members present demand a reading in full.

        After the first reading the bill shall be referred to an appropriate committee.

        Upon being reported out of committee, all bills shall be referred to the rules committee, unless otherwise ordered by the house.

        The rules committee may, by majority vote, refer any bill in its possession to a committee for further consideration. Such referral shall be reported to the house and entered in the journal under the fifth order of business.

        (B) SECOND READING. Upon second reading, the bill number and short title and the last line of the bill shall be read unless a majority of the members present shall demand its reading in full. The bill shall be subject to amendment section by section. No amendment shall be considered by the house until it has been sent to the chief clerk's desk in writing, distributed to the desk of each member, and read by the clerk. All amendments adopted during second reading shall be securely fastened to the original bill. All amendments rejected by the house shall be passed to the minute clerk, and the journal shall show the disposition of such amendments.

        When no further amendments shall be offered, the speaker shall declare the bill has passed its second reading.

        (C) SUBSTITUTE BILLS. When a committee reports a substitute for an original bill with the recommendation that the substitute bill do pass, it shall be in order to read the substitute the first time and have the same printed. A motion for the substitution shall not be in order until the second reading of the original bill.

        (D) THIRD READING. Only the last line of bills shall be read on third reading unless a majority of the members present demand a reading in full. No amendments to a bill shall be received on third reading but it may be referred or recommitted for the purpose of amendment.

        (E) SUSPENSION CALENDAR. Bills may be placed on the second reading suspension calendar by the rules committee if at least two minority party members of the rules committee join in such motion. Bills on the second reading suspension calendar shall not be subject to amendment or substitution except as recommended in the committee report. When a bill is before the house on the suspension calendar, the question shall be to adopt the committee recommendations and advance the bill to third reading. If the question fails to receive a two-thirds vote of the members present, the bill shall be referred to the rules committee for second reading.

        (F) HOUSE RESOLUTIONS. House resolutions shall be filed with the chief clerk who shall transmit them to the rules committee. If a rules committee meeting is not scheduled to occur prior to a time necessitated by the purpose of a house resolution, the majority leader and minority leader by agreement may waive transmission to the rules committee to permit consideration of the resolution by the house. The rules committee may adopt house resolutions by a sixty percent majority vote of its entire membership or may, by a majority vote of its members, place them on the motions calendar for consideration by the house.

        (G) CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS. Reading of concurrent resolutions may be advanced by majority vote.

Amendments

        Rule 11. The right of any member to offer amendments to proposed legislation shall not be limited except as provided in Rule 10(E) and as follows:

        (A) AMENDMENTS TO BE OFFERED IN PROPER FORM. The chief clerk shall establish the proper form for amendments and all amendments offered shall bear the name of the member who offers the same, as well as the number and section of the bill to be amended.

        (B) COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS. When a bill is before the house on second reading, amendments adopted by committees and recommended to the house shall be acted upon by the house before any amendments that may be offered from the floor.

        (C) SENATE AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILLS. A house bill, passed by the senate with amendment or amendments which shall change the scope and object of the bill, upon being received in the house, shall be referred to the appropriate committee and shall take the same course as for original bills unless a motion not to concur is adopted prior to the bill being referred to committee.

        (D) AMENDMENTS TO BE GERMANE. No motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment; and no bill or resolution shall at any time be amended by annexing thereto or incorporating therein any other bill or resolution pending before the house.

        (E) SCOPE AND OBJECT NOT TO BE CHANGED. No amendment to any bill shall be allowed which shall change the scope and object of the bill. This objection may be raised at any time an amendment is under consideration. The speaker may allow the person raising the objection and the mover of the amendment to provide brief arguments as to the merits of the objection. (Art. II § 38)

        (F) NO AMENDMENT BY REFERENCE. No act shall ever be revised or amended without being set forth at full length. (Art. II § 37)

        (G) TITLE AMENDMENTS. The subject matter portion of a bill title shall not be amended in committee or on second reading. Changes to that part of the title after the subject matter statement shall either be presented with the text amendment or be incorporated by the chief clerk in the engrossing process.

Final Passage

        Rule 12. Rules relating to bills on final passage are as follows:

        (A) RECOMMITMENT BEFORE FINAL PASSAGE. A bill may be recommitted at any time before its final passage.

        (B) FINAL PASSAGE. No bill shall become a law unless on its final passage the vote be taken by yeas and nays, the names of the members voting for and against the same be entered on the journal of each house, and a majority of the members elected to each house be recorded thereon as voting in its favor. (Art. II § 22)

        (C) BILLS PASSED - CERTIFICATION. When a bill passes, it shall be certified to by the chief clerk, said certification to show the date of its passage together with the vote thereon.

Hour of Meeting, Roll Call and Quorum

        Rule 13. (A) HOUR OF MEETING. The speaker shall call the house to order each day of sitting at 10:00 A.M., unless the house shall have adjourned to some other hour.

        (B) ROLL CALL AND QUORUM. Before proceeding with business, the roll of the members shall be called and the names of those absent or excused shall be entered on the journal. A majority of all the members elected must be present to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, seven members with the speaker, or eight members in the speaker's absence, having chosen a speaker pro tempore, shall be authorized to demand a call of the house and may compel the attendance of absent members in the manner provided in Rule 21(B). For the purpose of determining if a quorum be present, the speaker shall count all members present, whether voting or not. (Art. II § 8)

        (C) The house shall adjourn not later than 10:00 P.M. of each working day. This rule may be suspended by a majority vote.

Daily Calendar and Order of Business

        Rule 14. The rules relating to the daily calendar and order of business are as follows:

        (A) DAILY CALENDAR. Business of the house shall be disposed of in the following order:

        First: Roll call, presentation of colors, prayer, and approval of the journal of the preceding day.

        Second: Introduction of visiting dignitaries.

        Third: Messages from the senate, governor, and other state officials.

        Fourth: Introduction and first reading of bills, memorials, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions.

        Fifth: Committee reports.

        Sixth: Second reading of bills.

        Seventh: Third reading of bills.

        Eighth: Floor resolutions and motions.

        Ninth: Presentation of petitions, memorials, and remonstrances addressed to the Legislature.

        Tenth: Introduction of visitors and other business to be considered.

        Eleventh: Announcements.

        (B) UNFINISHED BUSINESS. The unfinished business at which the house was engaged preceding adjournment shall not be taken up until reached in regular order, unless the previous question on such unfinished business has been ordered prior to said adjournment.

        (C) EXCEPTIONS. Exceptions to the order of business are as follows:

        (1) The order of business may be changed by a majority vote of those present.

        (2) By motion under the eighth order of business, a bill in the rules committee may be placed on the calendar by the affirmative vote of a majority of all members of the house.

        (3) House resolutions and messages from the senate, governor, or other state officials may be read at any time.

Motions

        Rule 15. Rules relating to motions are as follows:

        (A) MOTIONS TO BE ENTERTAINED OR DEBATED. No motion shall be entertained or debated until announced by the speaker and every motion shall be deemed to have been seconded. A motion shall be reduced to writing and read by the clerk, if desired by the speaker or any member, before it shall be debated and by the consent of the house may be withdrawn before amendment or action.

        (B) MOTIONS IN ORDER DURING DEBATE. When a motion has been made and seconded and stated by the chair, the following motions are in order, in the rank named:

        (C) THE EFFECT OF POSTPONEMENT - MOTIONS TO POSTPONE OR COMMIT. Once decided, no motion to postpone to a day certain, to commit, or to postpone indefinitely shall again be allowed on the same day and at the same stage of the proceedings. When a question has been postponed indefinitely, it shall not again be introduced during the session. The motion to postpone indefinitely may be made at any stage of the bill except when on first reading.

        (D) MOTIONS DECIDED WITHOUT DEBATE. A motion to adjourn, to recess, to lay on the table and to call for the previous question shall be decided without debate.

        All incidental motions shall be decided without debate, except that members may speak to points of order and appeal as provided in Rule 22.

        A motion for suspension of the rules shall not be debatable except that the mover of the motion may briefly explain the purpose of the motion and one member may briefly state the opposition to the motion.

        (E) MOTION TO ADJOURN. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except when the house is voting or is working under the call of the house; but this rule shall not authorize any member to move for adjournment when another member has the floor.

Members Right to Debate

        Rule 16. The methods by which a member may exercise his or her right to debate are as follows:

        (A) RECOGNITION OF MEMBER. When any member desires to speak in debate or deliver any matter to the house, the member shall rise and respectfully address the speaker and pause until recognized.

        (B) ORDER OF SPEAKING. When two or more members arise at once, the speaker shall name the one who is to speak.

        (C) LIMITATION OF DEBATE. No member shall speak longer than ten (10) minutes without consent of the house: PROVIDED, That on and after the fifth day prior to the day of adjournment sine die of any session, as determined pursuant to Article II, Section 12 of the state Constitution or concurrent resolution, or on and after the third day prior to the day a bill must be reported from the house as established by concurrent resolution, no member shall speak more than three (3) minutes without the consent of the house. No member shall speak more than twice on the same question without leave of the house: PROVIDED, That the chair of the committee or the mover of the question may close debate if it is consistent with Rule 18 (Previous Question).

Rules of Debate

        Rule 17. The rules for debate in the house are as follows:

        (A) QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. Any member may rise to a question of privilege and explain a personal matter, by leave of the speaker, but the member shall not discuss any pending question in such explanations.

        (B) WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION, BILL, ETC. After a motion is stated by the speaker or a bill, memorial, resolution, petition, or remonstrance is read by the clerk, it shall be deemed to be in possession of the house, but may be withdrawn by consent of the house at any time before decision or amendment.

        (C) READING OF A PAPER. When the reading of any paper is called for and is objected to by any member, it shall be determined by a vote of the house.

        (D) DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS. Any materials of any nature distributed to the members' desks on the floor shall be subject to approval by the speaker and shall bear the name of at least one member granting permission for the distribution. This shall not apply to materials normally distributed by the chief clerk.

        (E) ORDER OF QUESTIONS. All questions, whether in committee or in the house, shall be propounded in the order in which they are named except that in filling blanks, the largest sum and the longest time shall be put first.

        (F) DIVISION OF POINTS OF DEBATE. Any member may call for a division of a question which shall be divided if it embraces subjects so distinct that one being taken away a substantive proposition shall remain for the decision of the house; but a motion to strike out and to insert shall not be divided. The rejection of a motion to strike out and to insert one proposition shall not prevent a motion to strike out and to insert a different proposition.

        (G) DECORUM OF MEMBERS. While the speaker is putting the question, no member shall walk across or out of the house; nor when a member is speaking shall any member entertain private discourse or pass between the speaking member and the rostrum.

        (H) REMARKS CONFINED. A member shall confine all remarks to the question under debate and avoid personalities. No member shall impugn the motive of any member's vote or argument.

        (I) EXCEPTION TO WORDS SPOKEN IN DEBATE. If any member be called to order for words spoken in debate, the person calling the member to order shall repeat the words excepted to and they shall be taken down in writing at the clerk's table. No member shall be held in answer or be subject to the censure of the house for words spoken in debate if any other member has spoken before exception to them shall have been taken.

        (J) TRANSGRESSION OF RULES - APPEAL. If any member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses the rules of the house the speaker shall, or any member may, call the member to order, in which case the member so called to order shall immediately sit down unless permitted to explain; and the house shall, if appealed to, decide the case without debate; if there be no appeal, the decision of the chair shall prevail.

        If the decision be in favor of the member called to order, the member shall be at liberty to proceed; if otherwise, and the case shall require it, the member shall be liable to the censure of the house.

Ending of Debate - Previous Question

        Rule 18. The previous question may be ordered by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present on all recognized motions or amendments which are debatable.

        The previous question is not debatable and cannot be amended.

        The previous question shall be put in this form: "Representative __________ demands the previous question. As many as are in favor of ordering the previous question will say 'Aye'; as many as are opposed will say 'No'."

        The results of the motion are as follows: If determined in the negative, the consideration goes on as if the motion had never been made; if decided in the affirmative it shall have the effect of cutting off all debate and bringing the house to a direct vote upon the motion or amendment on which it has been ordered: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That when a bill is on final passage or when the motion to postpone indefinitely is pending, one of the sponsors of the bill or the chair of the committee may have the privilege of closing debate after the previous question has been ordered.

        If an adjournment is had after the previous question is ordered, the motion or proposition on which the previous question was ordered shall be put to the house immediately following the approval of the journal on the next working day, thus making the main question privileged over all other business, whether new or unfinished.

Voting

        Rule 19. (A) PUTTING OF QUESTION. The speaker shall put the question in the following form: "The question before the house is (state the question). As many as are in favor say 'Aye'; and after the affirmative vote is expressed, "as many as are opposed say 'No'."

        (B) ALL MEMBERS TO VOTE. Every member who was in the house when the question was put shall vote unless, for special reasons, excused by the house.

        All motions to excuse a member shall be made before the house divides or before the call for yeas and nays is commenced; and any member requesting to be excused from voting may make a brief and verbal statement of the reasons for making such request, and the question shall then be taken without further debate.

        Upon a division and count of the house on the question, only members at their desks within the bar of the house shall be counted.

        (C) CHANGE OF VOTE. When the electric roll call machine is used, no member shall be allowed to vote or change a vote after the speaker has locked the roll call machine. When an oral roll call is taken, no member shall be allowed to vote or change a vote after the result has been announced.

        (D) PRIVATE INTEREST. No member shall vote on any question which affects that member privately and particularly. A member who has a private interest in any bill or measure proposed or pending before the legislature shall disclose the fact to the house of which he is a member, and shall not vote thereon. (Art. II § 30)

        (E) INTERRUPTION OF ROLL CALL. Once begun, the roll call may not be interrupted. No member or other person shall visit or remain at the clerk's desk while the yeas and nays are being called.

        (F) YEAS AND NAYS - RECORDED VOTES. Upon the final passage of any bill, the vote shall be taken by yeas and nays and shall be recorded by the electric voting system: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That an oral roll call shall be ordered when demanded by one-sixth (1/6) of the members present. (Art. II § 21)

        The speaker may vote last when the yeas and nays are called.

        When the vote is by electric voting machine or by oral roll call on any question, it shall be entered upon the journal of the house. A recorded vote may be compelled by one-sixth (1/6) of the members present. A request for a recorded vote must be made before the vote is commenced.

        (G) TIE VOTE, QUESTION LOSES. In case of an equal division, the question shall be lost.

        (H) DIVISION. If the speaker is in doubt, or if division is

called for by any member, the house shall divide.

Reconsideration

        Rule 20. Notice of a motion for reconsideration on the final passage of bills shall be made on the day the vote to be reconsidered was taken and before the house has voted to transmit the bill to the senate.

        Reconsideration of the votes on the final passage of bills must be taken on the next working day after such vote was taken: PROVIDED, That on and after the fifth day prior to the day of adjournment sine die of any session, as determined pursuant to Article II, Section 12 of the state Constitution, or concurrent resolution, or on and after the third day prior to the day a bill must be reported from the house as established by concurrent resolution, then reconsideration of votes on the final passage of bills must be taken on the same day as the original vote was taken.

        A motion to reconsider an amendment may be made at any time the bill remains on second reading.

        Any member who voted on the prevailing side may move for reconsideration or give notice thereof.

        A motion to reconsider can be decided only once when decided in the negative.

        When a motion to reconsider has been carried, its effect shall be to place the original question before the house in the exact position it occupied before it was voted upon.

Call of the House

        Rule 21. One-sixth (1/6) of the members present may demand a call of the house at any time before the house has divided or the voting has commenced by yeas and nays.

        (A) DOORS TO BE CLOSED. When call of the house has been ordered, the sergeant at arms shall close and lock the doors, and no member shall be allowed to leave the chamber: PROVIDED, That the rules committee shall be allowed to meet, upon request of the speaker, while the house stands at ease: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That the speaker may permit members to use such portions of the fourth floor as may be properly secured.

        (B) SERGEANT AT ARMS TO BRING IN THE ABSENTEES. The clerk shall immediately call a roll of the members and note the absentees, whose names shall be read and entered upon the journal in such manner as to show who are excused and who are absent without leave.

        The clerk shall furnish the sergeant at arms with a list of those who are absent without leave, and the sergeant at arms shall proceed to bring in such absentees; but arrests of members for absence shall not be made unless ordered by a majority of the members present.

        (C) HOUSE UNDER CALL. While the house is under a call, no business shall be transacted except to receive and act on the report of the sergeant at arms; and no other motion shall be in order except a motion to proceed with business under the call of the house, a motion to excuse absentees, or a motion to dispense with the call of the house. The motion to proceed with business under the call of the house and the motion to excuse absent members shall not be adopted unless a majority of the members elected vote in favor thereof. The motion to dispense with the call of the house may be adopted by a majority of the members present.

Appeal from Decision of Chair

        Rule 22. The decision of the chair may be appealed from by any member, on which appeal no member shall speak more than once unless by leave of the house. In all cases of appeal, the question shall be: "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment of the house?"

Standing Committees

        Rule 23. The standing committees of the house and the number of members that shall serve on each committee shall be as follows:

        ((1. Agriculture & Natural Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

        2. Appropriations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

        3. Capital Budget. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

        4. Children & Family Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

        5. Commerce & Labor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

        6. Criminal Justice & Corrections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

        7. Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

        8. Finance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

        9. Financial Institutions & Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

        10. Fisheries, Ecology & Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

        11. Health Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

        12. Higher Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

        13. Judiciary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

        14. Juvenile Justice & Family Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

        15. Local Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

        16. Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

        17. State Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

        18. Technology, Telecommunications & Energy. . . . . . . . .17

        19. Trade & Economic Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

        20. Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29))

        1. Appropriations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

        2. Capital Budget. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

        3. Children & Family Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

        4. Commerce & Labor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

        5. Criminal Justice & Corrections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

        6. Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade. . . . . . . . 23

        7. Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

        8. Finance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

        9. Financial Institutions & Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

        10. Health Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

        11. Higher Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

        12. Housing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

        13. Judiciary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

        14. Juvenile Justice & Family Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

        15. Local Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

        16. Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

        17. Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

        18. State Government Operations & Accountability. . . . . . . 9

        19. Technology, Energy & Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . 11

        20. Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Committee members shall be selected by each party's caucus. The majority party caucus shall select all committee chairs.

Duties of Committees

        Rule 24. House committees shall operate as follows:

        (A) NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING. The chief clerk shall make public the time, place and subjects to be discussed at committee meetings. All public hearings held by committees shall be scheduled at least five (5) days in advance and shall be given adequate publicity: PROVIDED, That when less than eight (8) days remain for action on a bill, the Speaker may authorize a reduction of the five-day notice period when required by the circumstances, including but not limited to the time remaining for action on the bill, the nature of the subject, and the number of prior hearings on the subject.

        (B) COMMITTEE QUORUM. A majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

        (C) SESSION MEETINGS. No committee shall sit while the house is in session without special leave of the speaker.

        (D) DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES.

        (1) Only such bills as are included on the written notice of a committee meeting may be considered at that meeting except upon the vote of a majority of the entire membership of the committee to consider another bill.

        (2) A majority recommendation of a committee must be signed by a majority of the entire membership of the committee in a regularly called meeting before a bill, memorial, or resolution may be reported out: PROVIDED, That by motion under the eighth order of business, a majority of the members elected to the house may relieve a committee of a bill and place it on the second reading calendar.

        Majority recommendations of a committee can only be "do pass," "do pass as amended," or that "the substitute bill be substituted therefor and that the substitute bill do pass."

        (3) Members of the committee not concurring in the majority report may prepare a written minority report containing a recommendation of "do not pass" or "without recommendation," which shall be signed by those members of the committee subscribing thereto, and submitted with the majority report.

        (4) All committee reports shall be spread upon the journal. The journal of the house shall contain an exact copy of all committee reports, together with the names of the members signing such reports.

        (5) Every vote to report a bill out of committee shall be taken by the yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for and against, as well as the names of members absent, shall be recorded on the committee report. Any member may call for a recorded vote, which shall include the names of absent members, on any substantive question before the committee. A copy of all recorded committee votes shall be kept by the chief clerk and shall be available for public inspection.

        (6) All bills having a direct appropriation shall be referred to the appropriate fiscal committee before their final passage. For purposes of this subsection, fiscal committee means the appropriations, capital budget, finance, and transportation committees.

        (7) No standing committee shall vote by secret written ballot on any issue.

        (8) During its consideration of or vote on any bill, resolution, or memorial, the deliberations of any standing committee of the house of representatives shall be open to the public.

        (9) A standing committee to which a bill was originally referred shall, prior to voting the bill out of committee, consider whether the bill authorizes rule-making powers or requires the exercise of rule-making powers and, if so, consider:

        (a) The nature of the new rule-making powers; and

        (b) To which agencies the new rule-making powers would be delegated and which agencies, if any, may have related rule-making powers.

Standing Committees - Expenses - Subpoena Power

        Rule 25. Regardless of whether the legislature is in session, members of the house may receive from moneys appropriated for the legislature, reimbursement for necessary travel expenses, and payments in lieu of subsistence and lodging for conducting official business of the house.

        The standing committees of the house may have the powers of subpoena, the power to administer oaths, and the power to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of chapter 44.16 RCW. Before a standing committee of the house may issue any process, the committee chairperson shall submit for approval of the executive rules committee a statement of purpose setting forth the name or names of those subject to process. The process shall not be issued prior to approval by the executive rules committee. The process shall be limited to the named individuals.

Vetoed Bills

        Rule 26. Veto messages of the governor shall be read in the house and entered upon the journal. It shall then be in order to proceed to reconsider the bill, refer it, lay it on the table, or postpone its consideration to a day certain.

        The merits of the bill may be debated before the vote is taken, but the vote on a vetoed bill cannot be reconsidered.

        In case of a bill containing several sections or items, one or more of which has been objected to by the governor, each section or item so objected to shall be voted upon separately by the house. Action by the house upon all vetoed bills shall be endorsed upon the bill and certified by the speaker.

        Vetoed bills originating in the house, which have not been passed notwithstanding the veto of the governor, shall remain in the custody of the officers of the house until the close of the term, after which they shall be filed with the secretary of state.

Suspension of Compensation

        Rule 27. (1) Any member of the house of representatives convicted and sentenced for any felony punishable by death or by imprisonment in a Washington state penal institution shall, as of the time of sentencing, be denied the legislative salary for future service and be denied per diem, compensation for expenses, office space facilities, and assistance. Any member convicted of a felony and sentenced therefor under any federal law or the law of any other state shall, as of the time of sentencing, be similarly denied such salary, per diem, expenses, facilities, and assistance if either (a) such crime would also constitute a crime punishable under the laws of Washington by death or by imprisonment in a state penal institution, or (b) the conduct resulting in the conviction and sentencing would also constitute a crime punishable under the laws of Washington by death or by imprisonment in a state penal institution.

        (2) At any time, the house may vote by a constitutional majority to restore the salary, per diem, expenses, facilities, and assistance denied a member under subsection (1). If the conviction of a member is reversed, then the salary, per diem, and expense amounts denied the member since sentencing shall be forthwith paid, and the member shall thereafter have the rights and privileges of other members.

Smoking

        Rule 28. Smoking of cigarettes, pipes, or cigars shall not be permitted at any public meeting of any committee of the house of representatives or within House facilities.

        "No smoking" signs shall be posted so as to give notice of this rule.

Parliamentary Rules

        Rule 29. The rules of parliamentary practice comprised in Reed's Parliamentary Rules shall govern all cases in which they are not inconsistent with the standing rules and orders of the house.

Standing Rules Amendment

        Rule 30. Any standing rule may be rescinded or changed by a majority vote of the members elected: PROVIDED, That the proposed change or changes be submitted at least one day in advance in writing to the members together with notice of the consideration thereof. Any standing rule may be suspended temporarily by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present except as provided in Rule 10.

Rules to Apply for Assembly

        Rule 31. The permanent house rules adopted at the beginning of the term are to govern all acts of the house during the course of the term unless amended or repealed.

Legislative Mailings

        Rule 32. The House of Representatives directs the house executive rules committee to adopt procedures and guidelines to ensure that all legislative mailings at public expense are for legitimate legislative purposes.

Liquor

        Rule 33. The House of Representatives shall strictly adhere to the liquor laws of the state of Washington, including provisions relating to banquet and special occasion permits. The proper permits must always be obtained before consumption of liquor in any house facility.

       Representative Kessler moved the adoption of the resolution.

       Representatives Kessler and Armstrong spoke in favor of the adoption of the resolution.

{{29676}}       HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4600 was adopted.

ELECTION OF THE SPEAKER

MOTIONS

       Representative Morrell: "Thank you, Mr. Chief Clerk. Members of the House, honored guests, I am privileged to stand before you today to place the name of Representative Frank Chopp in nomination for Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives.

       In the six years since he was first nominated – and elected – as Speaker, Representative Chopp has exercised leadership by challenging us, both sides of the aisle, all the members of the House of Representatives to strive not only for common ground but for higher ground. Higher ground does not come easily and happens only when all voices and ideas are heard.

       I spend time observing people. What are their values? Do their values match their actions? What is it in a person that drives their passion? I watch what happens when the going gets tough, people are angry at you, what do you do? Do you really listen to opposing views and try to come to an understanding of those views and how do you make your final decisions. After working with and watching Representative Chopp as a leader for the past several years I have concluded that his passion comes from his love of this State and its people. He listens to all sides trying to find the common ground to build upon and make final decisions. It is messy, not always perfect and sometimes it takes a lot more time than we may like but this exchange of ideas is what democracy is all about.

       Whether in the minority, in the tie, or in the majority, he has always believed that the best way to make public policy is not by pitting one group of Washington citizens against another, but by building on the values and ideals that we all share and Representative Chopp holds dearly—health, prosperity, hope, security, strong families and communities, freedom, faith, knowledge, a bright future for our children, resourcefulness, dignity, respecting diversity, integrity, opportunity for all.

       While recognizing that the differences we have are often very real and often very deep, Representative Chopp believes that we share more than we don’t; that we have more in common than we don’t; that whether we are from urban areas, suburban areas, rural areas, whether we’re from Aberdeen or from Zillah, the best public policy we make is when we work together for a strong, unified Washington.

       So it is with great pride and respect in this great House that I nominate Representative Frank Chopp to be Speaker of the House of Representatives.

       Thank you Mr. Chief Clerk."

       Representative Armstrong: "Thank you, Mr. Chief Clerk. I would like to nominate my good friend, the gentleman from the 15^th Legislative District, Representative Bruce Chandler for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

       It is always good to return home, isn't it? This is a great place to be and I think that we have important work to do while in this great building. The reason I nominate or ask for your support for Representative Chandler is because we have a big job ahead of us and it takes a big, big person to fill the shoes of Speaker in the House of Representatives.

       Representative Chandler and I first met four years ago when I first came to the Legislature. It was then that I learned that he had lived and worked in my district up at 25 Mile Creek; he worked as an orchard worker in an orchard up there. That is on Lake Chelan if any of you are familiar with Lake Chelan. From those humble roots, Representative Chandler moved to Granger and evidently married his wife Julie and bought a farm of his own and has farmed and worked hard ever since.

       Representative Chandler knows what it is like to pay taxes and knows what it is like to sign the front of a check and knows what it is like to have people depending on you to fulfill their obligations and to make a living with your assistance.

       Representative Chandler was born in Everett and lived in Snohomish County until he was 10 years old. His family moved to Louisiana. When you talked to Representative Chandler you will notice there is a little southern twinge in his voice. That Southern gentleman, I think comes through many times as you visit with him. He is truly a Southern gentleman and if you have ever heard the expression 'still waters run deep', that holds true from Representative Chandler.

       He has the foresight to see that we as a State need to work together and great things can be accomplished when both sides of the aisle meet in the middle and do the work of the State.

       After he attended school in Louisiana, he moved back to Washington State where he married his wife Julie. They bought a farm in Granger. Not many people know where Granger is, I'm not sure Representative Chandler knows.

       A couple of things I like about him – I have already mentioned his Southern twinge. I also like his dry sense of humor. For the new people in this Chamber right now, if you do not have a sense of humor, it's been great knowing you.

       I think we need a man with some business experience, with common sense and leadership abilities and the background to move our State ahead. Representative Chandler fits that bill. We need a man who is respected, who has integrity and who can bring us all together. I think Representative Chandler fits that bill.

       Please join me in supporting Bruce Chandler as our next Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives."

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

       Representative Chandler: "It is a great honor to be considered for one of the highest positions in the House of Representatives – Speaker. I truly appreciate the remarks of my good friend from the 12^th District. In the interest of moving on to the urgent and important business of this Session, I would respectfully withdraw from the nomination. Thank you."

MOTIONS

       Representative Kessler moved the nominations for the Office of Speaker of the House of Representatives be closed. The motion was carried.

       Representative Kessler moved that Representative Frank Chopp be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. The motion was carried.

       Representative Morrell escorted Speaker-elect Frank Chopp to the Rostrum. Chief Justice Alexander administered the Oath of Office to Speaker Chopp.

SPEAKER'S COMMENTS

       Speaker Chopp: "Thank you. Thank you for your kind words, and for your support. I’m proud to be the

Speaker of a House of Representatives that includes many leaders. Let’s recognize one of those leaders -- Representative Chandler. Congratulations on your election as the Republican leader. I look forward to working with you.

       I also would like to recognize the Majority Leader, Lynn Kessler, who is not only a great partner with me, but who brings elegance and excellence to her position.

       Ladies and gentlemen, members of the House. For years, House Democrats have pledged to be a constructive majority, building solutions to challenges that people in our state face every day. We’ve pledged to work constructively with leaders from both parties and from all parts of Washington. Look up at the roster of the 39 counties that surround our ceiling. That ring of counties was meant as a permanent reminder that each of us has been sent here by the people of this state to work together for the common good of all.

       We have all come through a difficult election season. But people expect us to be partners, not partisans! They want us to focus on their problems and not on narrow politics.

       Today, in this renewed House Chamber, a symbol of unity, House Democrats renew our pledge and we ask our colleagues to join us in working together for One Washington. Amid the flurry of ideas, differences of opinions, and crush of details, we must do our best to stay focused on what matters most to the people we serve. And they want us to see the challenges from their point of view.

       We will focus on improving our schools so the potential of every child is recognized. It is not fair to ask students to reach high standards if we have not built the ladder for their success. We must help them succeed!

       We will focus on revving up the state’s economic engine so Washington’s workers have good jobs with good benefits.

       We will focus on extending the reach of health care so every child, worker and senior can get the health care they need.

       And we must set the example for a more efficient and accountable government.

       That is why we will do what the people have asked us to do for a long time: independent, performance audits for state government.

       Each time I have come before you to open the Legislative Session I have spoken about three issues:

education, jobs and health care. These issues remain the foundation of our agenda for the 59th Legislative Session.

EDUCATION

       We need to invest in our public schools like our future depended on it ... because it does. Recent national studies have put us at 42nd out of 50 states in per-student spending. Our high school drop-out rate is close to 25%. And when students must meet the new standards to graduate, that rate could soar. Clearly, we need to do better than this if our children are to receive the education they need to get the jobs they want.

       To help meet this challenge, I ask each of you to join together to move our school system forward, and to take this issue out of the partisan arena. Why is that? Well, it doesn’t matter if a student is a Democrat or a Republican when it comes to passing tests at school. In a few years, for the first time in state history, students will be required to pass the WASL tests in order to graduate from high school.

       In order to truly appreciate what this means, I have asked that a sample WASL test be distributed to your offices later this week. Take some time, take a look at it, and maybe even take the test. I’m not going to grade your answers, but I do want you to see this state requirement from the eyes of students, and their parents.

       Now, this is probably the best time to introduce my daughter, Ellie, a sophomore in a public high school,

who is taking the WASL tests later this year. And my wife, Nancy Long, who is such a great parental unit and wife. I hope that Nancy and I have done as good a job as my parents did when I was growing up.

       My mom and dad raised 4 children in Washington State. Three of them chose a reputable profession and became teachers. My father left school to work in the coal mines in Roslyn after the 6^th grade. My mother, Anne Brozovich Chopp, went back to get her high school diploma at Green River Community College when she was 65! And I’m proud to say she’s here today.

       My parents knew that education determines our future. This is why we must commit ourselves to making education our primary focus in 2005.

JOBS

       We will continue our work to promote jobs throughout the state. We can continue to build regional strategies that will energize local economies. We can expand worker training so that the workforce is better aligned with the available jobs. We can help revitalize agriculture by building on our "Heart of Washington" and "Made in Washington" initiatives. We can help workers and products move faster and safer by improving transportation. We can help small businesses by streamlining rules and cutting red tape. Let’s make Washington a job-resource state. Not a job out-sourcing state.

HEALTH CARE

       Few issues we grapple with are as complex as health care. State government’s role in health care is primarily as a purchaser. We can use our economic power to expand access to health insurance by allowing small businesses to join our purchasing pool. And we can correct a tremendous disservice to the future of our state --- represented by the 140,000 young people without health insurance. Who of us here would deny any child the health care they need and deserve? None of us would. So all of us should unite to make health care for every child in Washington a reality. Now is the time to start.

       Another health care issue we will address in this session is mental health parity. If you or a family member has bipolar disease or other mental illness, your insurance plan covers fewer hospital days, limits your provider visits, imposes higher co-pays and deductibles, and lower annual and lifetime limits than the company would if you had diabetes or heart disease. Ending this discrimination is the fair thing to do, it is the right thing to do. Let’s make parity the law!

       Clearly, we have a long session ahead of us, and much work to do. I’m glad we get to do it here, in the true home of the people’s House and not in a trailer in the parking lot where we have been for the past two years. Many of the best leaders Washington ever had did their work right here, in this room. The very desks where you sit were the desks of representatives who became great Washington leaders.

       Warren Magnuson

       Julia Butler Hansen

       Joel Pritchard

       Cal Anderson

       George Fleming

And many others. The Washington we know today is the Washington their choices helped to make. We remember those great leaders with gratitude and pride.

       I will close by asking: how do you want to be remembered as leaders – know that if we do our best to work together, make government better, and focus on what matters most, we’ll be remembered as adding to the honor of this great House.

       Let’s get to work."

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

       Representative Chandler: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We would agree, Mr. Speaker, that this is a watershed moment in the life of Washington State. The decisions made over the next few weeks and months in this Chamber, and in the Chamber across the building, are going to be choices that we all will live with for a long, long time. In the interest of working toward the best future for all the people of Washington, we look forward to working with you, Mr. Speaker and with the other side of the aisle. Let me be the first to congratulate you on your election."

ELECTION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE

       Representative Dunshee: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I place in nomination the name of Representative John Lovick.

       John Lovick started his life in a house with a dirt floor in Louisiana fifty years ago. Think about what Louisiana looked like fifty years ago. He rose serving in the Coast Guard, thirty years as a State Trooper and the Mill Creek City Council. That is an epic journey to get here. Through that journey he has learned grace, hard work and many other values which he brings to us -- class, civility, in the 44^th a much better dresser than his seat mate, optimism, and an even hand.

       We should be honored to have him – he is a symbol of what is good in America. And what is good in the State of Washington. He is a symbol we should be honored to serve with.

       And so as we work on the issues of jobs, on health care and on strengthening our education system, he will guide us with an even hand. I am honored to place in nomination my friend, a good man, John Lovick."

MOTIONS

       Representative Kessler moved that the nominations for the Office of Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives be closed. The motion was carried.

       Representative Kessler moved that Representative John Lovick be elected to the position of Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives. The motion was carried.

       Representative Dunshee escorted Speaker Pro Tempore-elect Lovick to the Rostrum. Chief Justice Alexander administered the Oath of Office to Speaker Pro Tempore Lovick.

SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE COMMENTS

       Speaker Pro Tempore Lovick: "Thank you to the good representative for those kind words.

       I'm honored by your confidence in me – and energized by the opportunity to serve. It’s an honor because I stand on the shoulders of my mother and grandmother, who worked hard to give me a chance in life but never expected me to become elected to the House of Representatives or serve as Speaker Pro Tem.

       My mother and grandmother taught me lessons more valuable than anything I learned in a classroom. They taught me to work hard and be held to the highest standards.

       Each of you should expect no less of me today. And we should expect no less of each other. For new members – and for returning members who’ve been in the temporary House for two years – I want to welcome you back home to the real chamber of the peoples' House.

       After a tough election season, it’s time to get down to the peoples' work. Citizens hope we work together to solve their common problems. They want better schools, better jobs and better health care. The political rhetoric on this floor can get hot enough to melt steel. But I believe that comes from passion.

       We’re here because we want the same things – it's only HOW we get there that causes fights. No party or person has a monopoly on good ideas. Whenever I talk to another lawmaker, I learn something. So I believe we do our best work for the people when we work together – not as Democrats and Republicans, not as West Siders and East Siders, but as citizen-lawmakers who ran for office to make this a better place to live, work and raise a family.

       The honorable gentleman from the Ninth District worked with the good chairwoman from the 46^th District to pass Promise Scholarships into law.

       The good representative from the Second District joined with the honorable chairwoman from the 34^th District to pass our landmark Patients' Bill of Rights.

       And the honorable representative from the 8th District was instrumental in helping the good chairman from the 43^rd District break through 13 years of political gridlock to pass a transportation package.

       We have paved the way in the past. With new leadership in the Senate and Governor's Office, the House is in the best position to take Washington state forward. We can shape the agenda for the next two years. I believe we should seize that opportunity. Let’s show the Senate and Governor's Office how a team gets things done."

ELECTION OF THE CHIEF CLERK

       Representative Sommers: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to place the name of Rich Nafziger for Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.

       Rich has been with us as Chief Clerk for over a year now. I think that all of us have had a chance to get to know him. He has a wonderful background that he brings to this position. He has a background in a number of agencies of State government, he has a background in education, he has a background in private enterprise. So he understands the many circles and spheres which we also represent.

       The job of Chief Clerk is a complex one. In fact, I have occasionally reflected about how inadequate the title of Chief Clerk is for this position. It is much more like CEO and sometimes I think a bit of magician – political magician. These talents, these abilities are what are needed to make this place run. I think Rich knows very well what it takes to make this place run well. It is understanding the institution, understanding the people, understanding the traditions, and also the changes that take place such as technological changes. I believe Rich will be a fine administrator. He has been fair and balanced. And I would hope that you would join me in supporting him for the position of Chief Clerk."

       Representative Clements: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to second that nomination. Members of the House, Rich has been a personal friend who goes back to about the time I didn't need hearing aids or glasses for this body. He has worked for different executives, especially governors, and has done a magnanimous job in a personal sense working with me on farm worker housing issues, as well as others. He has always been balanced and fair. But there is something more important that I've seen – this will be his second term as Chief Clerk. You see I'm the kind, compassionate conservative Whip on this side of the aisle and we have to contend with the egos and those things that relate to parking places, office space, the square inches and all of those things that I find not so important. But Mr. Nafziger and I found out that there are members in this body that have a different view.

       So with that, and his ability to work around just creature comforts and the organization of this House as we come into this Session, in this beautiful facility that has been renovated, it gives me no greater pleasure than to nominate Rich Nafziger to help us in our duties as we go forth. Thank you."

MOTIONS

       Representative Kessler moved that the nominations for the Office of Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives be closed. The motion was carried.

       Representative Kessler moved that Richard Nafziger be elected to the position of Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. The motion was carried.

       Representative Dunshee escorted Chief Clerk-elect Nafziger to the Rostrum. Chief Justice Alexander administered the Oath of Office to Chief Clerk Nafziger.

CHIEF CLERK'S COMMENTS

       Chief Clerk Nafziger: "Thank you Justice Alexander. Representatives Sommers and Clements, I appreciate very much your nominating comments. You are very kind.

       I am truly honored to be here. And I am pleased that my family is here, too. I’d like to thank my wife Kristin Swenddal, and my daughters, Tess and Mia and my Mother-in-Law Dianne Swenddal for coming today, and for their steadfast support.

       I also want to thank both the staff and the members of this great House for their hard work, and for sharing the special experience of making Washington history. In particular, I would like to recognize Deputy Chief Clerk Bill Wegeleben and Director of Facilities Sharon Hayward whose dedication enables our institution to function so smoothly.

       Thank you very much for entrusting me with the administration of this institution, and for your devotion to the practice of democracy."

       The Speaker thanked Chief Justice Alexander for administering the oaths of office and requested Representatives Kenney and McCune escort Chief Justice Alexander from the Chamber.

       HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2005-4601, By Representatives Kessler and Armstrong