MORNING SESSION

Senate Chamber, Olympia

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

The Senate was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by the President of the Senate, Lt. Governor Habib presiding. No roll call was taken.

The prayer was offered by Pastor Ben Robinson of Urban Grace Ministries Church, Tacoma.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.

MOTION

There being no objection, the Senate advanced to the first order of business.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

March 20, 2017

SB 5254 Prime Sponsor, Senator Fain: Ensuring adequacy of buildable lands and zoning in urban growth areas and providing funding for low-income housing and homelessness programs. Reported by Committee on Ways & Means

MAJORITY recommendation: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5254 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Bailey; Becker; Carlyle; Conway; Fain; Keiser; Miloscia; Pedersen; Schoesler; Warnick and Zeiger.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senators Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Darneille and Hasegawa.

MINORITY recommendation: That it be referred without recommendation. Signed by Senators Billig and Padden.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 20, 2017

SB 5594 Prime Sponsor, Senator Keiser: Concerning transition services for people with developmental disabilities. Reported by Committee on Ways & Means

MAJORITY recommendation: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5594 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Bailey; Becker; Fain; Keiser; Padden; Rivers; Schoesler; Warnick and Zeiger.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senators Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Conway; Hasegawa and Pedersen.

MINORITY recommendation: That it be referred without recommendation. Signed by Senators Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Billig; Carlyle and Darneille.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 20, 2017

SB 5646 Prime Sponsor, Senator Honeyford: Concerning services provided by residential habilitation centers. Reported by Committee on Ways & Means

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Bailey; Becker; Conway; Keiser; Padden; Pedersen; Rivers; Schoesler; Warnick and Zeiger.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senator Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget.

MINORITY recommendation: That it be referred without recommendation. Signed by Senators Billig; Carlyle; Darneille and Hasegawa.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 20, 2017

SB 5715 Prime Sponsor, Senator Rivers: Limiting nursing home direct care payment adjustments to the lowest case mix weights in the reduced physical function groups and authorizing upward adjustments to case mix weights in the cognitive and behavior groups. Reported by Committee on Ways & Means

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Bailey; Becker; Billig; Carlyle; Conway; Darneille; Fain; Keiser; Miloscia; Padden; Pedersen; Rivers; Schoesler; Warnick and Zeiger.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senator Hasegawa.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SB 5809 Prime Sponsor, Senator Rivers: Extending surcharges on court filing fees for deposit in the judicial stabilization trust account to July 1, 2021. Reported by Committee on Law & Justice

MAJORITY recommendation: That it be referred without recommendation. Signed by Senators Padden, Chair; O'Ban, Vice Chair; Pedersen, Ranking Minority Member; Angel; Darneille; Frockt and Wilson.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 20, 2017

SB 5815 Prime Sponsor, Senator Rivers: Concerning the hospital safety net assessment. Reported by Committee on Ways & Means

MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5815 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Bailey; Becker; Billig; Carlyle; Conway; Darneille; Fain; Hasegawa; Keiser; Miloscia; Padden; Pedersen; Rivers; Schoesler; Warnick and Zeiger.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 20, 2017

SB 5864 Prime Sponsor, Senator Miloscia: Concerning the goal of ending homelessness. Reported by Committee on Ways & Means

MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5864 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Bailey; Becker; Fain; Miloscia; Padden; Rivers; Schoesler; Warnick and Zeiger.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senators Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Billig; Carlyle; Conway; Darneille; Hasegawa; Keiser and Pedersen.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 20, 2017

SB 5890 Prime Sponsor, Senator O'Ban: Concerning foster care and adoption support. Reported by Committee on Ways & Means

MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5890 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Bailey; Becker; Fain; Miloscia; Padden; Rivers; Schoesler; Warnick and Zeiger.

MINORITY recommendation: That it be referred without recommendation. Signed by Senators Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Billig; Carlyle; Conway; Darneille; Hasegawa; Keiser and Pedersen.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

HB 1166 Prime Sponsor, Representative Griffey: Concerning fire protection district tax levies. Reported by Committee on Local Government

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Short, Chair; Angel, Vice Chair; Takko, Ranking Minority Member; Palumbo and Sheldon.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1235 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Education: Assessing physical education practices in public schools. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1346 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Education: Clarifying the authority of a nurse working in a school setting. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1347 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Local Government: Concerning the creation of a countywide port district within a county containing no port districts. Reported by Committee on Local Government

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Short, Chair; Angel, Vice Chair; Takko, Ranking Minority Member; Palumbo and Sheldon.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1445 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Concerning dual language in early learning and K-12 education. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 20, 2017

E2SHB 1612 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Creating a suicide-safer homes project account to support prevention efforts and develop strategies for reducing access to lethal means. Reported by Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle; Hunt; Padden and Walsh.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 20, 2017

SHB 1624 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Concerning working connections child care eligibility for vulnerable children. Reported by Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle; Hunt and Walsh.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senator Padden.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 21, 2017

EHB 1654 Prime Sponsor, Representative McCaslin: Changing explicit alternative routes to teacher certification program requirements to expectations for program outcomes. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1683 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Environment: Addressing sewer service within urban growth areas. Reported by Committee on Local Government

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Short, Chair; Angel, Vice Chair; Takko, Ranking Minority Member; Palumbo and Sheldon.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 20, 2017

E2SHB 1713 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Implementing recommendations from the children's mental health work group. Reported by Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle; Hunt and Walsh.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senator Padden.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 21, 2017

HB 1732 Prime Sponsor, Representative Springer: Concerning the confidentiality of educator professional growth plans. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

HB 1734 Prime Sponsor, Representative Lovick: Authorizing reimbursement for substitute teachers participating in activities of the Washington state professional educator standards board to carry out its powers and duties. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1741 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Concerning educator preparation data for use by the professional educator standards board. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1747 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Finance: Concerning the withdrawal of land from a designated classification. Reported by Committee on Agriculture, Water, Trade & Economic Development

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Warnick, Chair; Hawkins, Vice Chair; Chase, Ranking Minority Member; Wellman; Brown; Honeyford; McCoy; Pearson; Short; Takko and Van De Wege.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 20, 2017

E2SHB 1819 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Reducing certain documentation and paperwork requirements in order to improve children's mental health and safety. Reported by Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass as amended. Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle; Hunt; Padden and Walsh.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 20, 2017

SHB 1825 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Extending the timeline for completing a family assessment response, allowing the department of social and health services to complete a family assessment response upon the verbal agreement of a parent to participate, and defining disqualifying crimes. Reported by Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle; Hunt; Padden and Walsh.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 21, 2017

SHB 1863 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Concerning the national fire incident reporting system. Reported by Committee on Local Government

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Short, Chair; Angel, Vice Chair; Takko, Ranking Minority Member; Palumbo and Sheldon.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 20, 2017

HB 1931 Prime Sponsor, Representative Hayes: Concerning the posting of child abuse and neglect mandated reporter requirements. Reported by Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle; Padden and Walsh.

MINORITY recommendation: That it be referred without recommendation. Signed by Senator Hunt.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

EHB 2073 Prime Sponsor, Representative Dent: Concerning the beef commission. Reported by Committee on Agriculture, Water, Trade & Economic Development

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Warnick, Chair; Hawkins, Vice Chair; Chase, Ranking Minority Member; Wellman; Brown; Honeyford; McCoy; Pearson; Short; Takko and Van De Wege.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 20, 2017

ESHB 2121 Prime Sponsor, Committee on Appropriations: Repealing income eligibility for temporary assistance for needy families benefits for a child who lives with a nonparent caregiver. Reported by Committee on Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators O'Ban, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Darneille, Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle; Hunt and Walsh.

MINORITY recommendation: Do not pass. Signed by Senator Padden.

Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9059 JANIS AVERY, appointed on January 28, 2015, for the term ending January 12, 2019, as Member of the State Board of Education. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9105 NANCY J SINKOVITZ, reappointed on June 23, 2015, for the term ending July 1, 2020, as Member of the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss Board of Trustees. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9139 ALLIE M JOINER, reappointed on June 23, 2015, for the term ending July 1, 2020, as Member of the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss Board of Trustees. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9144 MARIBEL VILCHEZ, appointed on March 10, 2016, for the term ending June 30, 2019, as Member of the Professional Educator Standards Board. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9188 ARIELE P BELO, reappointed on August 9, 2016, for the term ending July 1, 2021, as Member of the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss Board of Trustees. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9189 MICHELLE FARRELL, reappointed on August 9, 2016, for the term ending July 1, 2021, as Member of the Washington State School for the Blind Board of Trustees. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9196 CHARLOTTE A PARSLEY, reappointed on August 9, 2016, for the term ending July 1, 2021, as Member of the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss Board of Trustees. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9229 MONA H BAILEY, reappointed on December 19, 2016, for the term ending January 12, 2021, as Member of the State Board of Education. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9236 RICARDO E SANCHEZ, appointed on December 6, 2016, for the term ending January 12, 2021, as Member of the State Board of Education. Reported by Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Zeiger, Chair; Fain, Vice Chair; Rolfes, Ranking Minority Member; Billig; Mullet and Warnick.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

March 21, 2017

SGA 9250 JAY M BALASBAS, appointed on March 1, 2017, for the term ending January 1, 2023, as Member of the Utilities and Transportation Commission. Reported by Committee on Energy, Environment & Telecommunications

MAJORITY recommendation: That said appointment be confirmed. Signed by Senators Ericksen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Carlyle, Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Hobbs; Honeyford; Ranker; Short and Wellman.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

MOTION

On motion of Fain, all measures listed on the Standing Committee report were referred to the committees as designated with the exceptions of Substitute House Bill No. 1747 and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1819 which had been designated to the Committee on Rules and were referred to the Committee on Ways & Means.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, the Senate advanced to the fifth order of business.

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING

SB 5904 by Senators Braun and Brown

AN ACT Relating to convicted persons; amending RCW 9A.42.020, 9A.42.030, 9A.42.035, 9A.56.010, 9A.04.080, 9A.56.030, 9A.56.040, 74.34.020, 46.61.502, 46.61.504, 46.61.5054, 9.94A.589, 9.94B.050, 9.94A.501, 9.94A.702, 9.94A.533, 46.20.117, 46.20.117, 46.20.342, 46.63.020, 46.20.015, 9.94A.518, 9.94A.650, 9A.36.041. 9.94A.525, 43.43.754, and 43.43.830; reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.411, 9.94A.515, 46.61.5055, 10.31.100, and 9.96.060; adding a new section to chapter 9A.56 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.34 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 9.94B RCW; adding new sections to chapter 9.94A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 72.09 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 7.36 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 69.50.4014; repealing 2015 c 291 ss 8 and 9 and 2013 2nd sp.s. c 14 s 1; repealing 2013 2nd sp.s. c 14 s 10 (uncodified); prescribing penalties; providing an effective date; providing expiration dates; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

SB 5905 by Senators Hobbs, Wellman, Conway, Darneille, Mullet and Keiser

AN ACT Relating to taxpayer relief for persons subject to a motor vehicle excise tax imposed by a regional transit authority; amending RCW 81.104.160 and 82.44.035; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Transportation.

SB 5906 by Senators Saldaña, Palumbo, Wellman, Liias, Hobbs, Conway, Darneille and Keiser

AN ACT Relating to establishing a regional transit authority rebate program for low-income individuals; adding a new section to chapter 81.112 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Transportation.

SB 5907 by Senators Liias, Hobbs, Palumbo, Darneille, Wellman, Saldaña, Mullet and Keiser

AN ACT Relating to prioritizing transit agency integration for regional mobility grants in counties with a population of seven hundred thousand or more; amending RCW 47.66.030; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Transportation.

SB 5908 by Senators Palumbo, Mullet, Hobbs, Liias, Darneille and Keiser

AN ACT Relating to requiring a taxpayer accountability statement to be included with regional transit authority motor vehicle excise taxes; amending RCW 81.104.190; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Transportation.

SB 5909 by Senators Palumbo, Mullet, Hobbs, Darneille, Liias and Keiser

AN ACT Relating to requiring a taxpayer accountability statement to be included with regional transit authority property taxes; adding a new section to chapter 36.29 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Transportation.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, all measures listed on the Introduction and First Reading report were referred to the committees as designated.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, the Senate advanced to the eighth order of business.

MOTION

Senator Fain moved adoption of the following resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

8631

By Senators Fain, Wellman, McCoy, Nelson, Liias, Saldaña, Van De Wege, Mullet, Kuderer, Chase, Takko, Cleveland, Frockt, and Billig

WHEREAS, The spring equinox is celebrated as Nowruz, the Persian New Year, originating in ancient Persia more than 3,000 years ago and this year occurring on March 20th; and

WHEREAS, Nowruz is celebrated by nearly 300 million people across the globe of different faiths and diverse communities, and by more than 1,000,000 Iranian-Americans including tens of thousands in Washington state, including those with Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and nonreligious backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, The United States is a melting pot of ethnicities and religions and Nowruz contributes to the richness of American culture and is consistent with our founding principles of peace and prosperity for all; and

WHEREAS, In this time where mistrust and fear often threaten to divide us, the spirit of Nowruz inspires us to realize our commonalities, and strive for new levels of compassion, understanding, and love for our fellow human beings regardless of religion or ethnicity; and

WHEREAS, Iranian-Americans have made and continue to make noteworthy and lasting contributions to the social and economic fabric of society in the United States, and Nowruz presents a time to recognize those contributions; and

WHEREAS, Iranian-Americans continue to make contributions in all sectors of public life in the United States, including as government, military, and law enforcement officials working to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to protect all people in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nowruz means "New Day," and represents the possibilities of a new season, and the opportunity for renewal of our human spirit;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate the honored holiday of Nowruz, recognize the historical and cultural significance thereof, and wish a happy and prosperous new year to all.

Senators Fain, Wellman, Frockt and Saldaña spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8631.

The motion by Senator Fain carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

President Habib: “The President would like to thank Senator Fain for bringing this resolution forward. He has been supportive consistently of recognizing this holiday, as has Secretary Hunter Goodman, and members on both sides of the aisle. I want to thank Senators Wellman, Frockt and Saldaña for their remarks and for wishing me a Happy New Year. And acknowledge the guests we have in the south gallery today with us from the Persian community and, just so that folks know, Persian New Year, Nowruz, is celebrated by over three hundred million people as the resolution stated, from countries all over the world. Primarily from Iran, originally, but also in India and other places and is rooted in the ancient rite of the spring equinox. It is wonderful to have guests who celebrate this holiday here with us today. And I will be hosting, in the Senate Rules Room, a reception for all. I invite all senators and other members of the public and Legislature to come and join us for some refreshments and to meet our guests and to celebrate Persian New Year. So it is wonderful to have them here with us.”

MOTION

At 10:16 a.m., on motion of Senator Fain, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 o'clock p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2017.

CYRUS HABIB, President of the Senate

HUNTER G. GOODMAN, Secretary of the Senate