VETO MESSAGE ON E2SSB 5850

May 14, 2009

To the Honorable President and Members,
The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have approved, except for Section 4, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5850 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to protecting workers from human trafficking violations."

Section 4 applies the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW, to violations of this law. The Consumer Protection Act is ill suited to responding to these types of issues. Employment activities are already well regulated by the Department of Labor and Industries. Violations of this law would be better directed to the statutes administered by that agency.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 4 of Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5850. With the exception of Section 4, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5850 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Christine O. Gregoire
Governor