In the

Legislature

of the State

of Washington

DIGEST SUPPLEMENT

To Legislative Digest and History of Bills

Supplement No. 51*

FIFTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE

Tuesday, March 22, 2005                                                           72nd Day - 2005 Regular

                              SENATE                                                   HOUSE

HB 1830-S

HB 1917

HB 2069-S2

HB 2259-S2

HB 2296

HCR 4410

LIST OF BILLS IN DIGEST SUPPLEMENTS

See 2005 Regular, Supplement 46 for List of Bills for Supplements 1 through 46

                                     SENATE                                                               HOUSE

SB 5060-S. . . . . . . . . . . . .Supp.  49

SB 5275-S. . . . . . . . . . . . .Supp.  49

SB 5348-S. . . . . . . . . . . . .Supp.  49

SB 5736-S. . . . . . . . . . . . .Supp.  49

SB 5872-S. . . . . . . . . . . . .Supp.  49

SB 5962. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Supp.  47

SB 5983-S. . . . . . . . . . . . .Supp.  47

SB 6086. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Supp.  47

SB 6087. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Supp.  47

SB 6088. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Supp.  48

SB 6089. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Supp.  48

HB 1016. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 50

HB 1029-S. . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 50

HB 1068. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 50

HB 1079-S. . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 47

HB 1246. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 48

HB 1268. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 49

HB 1291-S2. . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 50

HB 1314-S. . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 47

HB 1401-S. . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 48

HB 1561. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 48

HB 1607-S. . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 49

HB 1640-S. . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 50

HB 1903-S. . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 50

HB 1970-S2. . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 47

HB 2185. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 50

HB 2254. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 49

HB 2292. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 48

HB 2293. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 48

HB 2294. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 49

HB 2295. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supp. 49

HCR 4409. . . . . . . . . . .. . Supp. 50

*To be discarded upon receipt of Edition No. 1 of the Legislative Digest and History of Bills

House Bills

by House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt, Jarrett, Morrell, McDonald, Pettigrew, Hasegawa, Eickmeyer, Clibborn, Simpson and Ericks)

Regarding alternative public works contracting procedures. Revised for 1st Substitute: Establishing an independent oversight committee on traditional and alternative public works contracting procedures. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Establishing the capital projects review board.)

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/14/05)

       Establishes an independent oversight committee on traditional and alternative public works contracting procedures.

       Declares that the capital projects review board has the following powers and duties: (1) Provide ongoing analysis and evaluation of the use of the traditional public works procedures and alternative public works contracting procedures authorized under chapter 39.10 RCW and evaluate the potential future use of other alternative contracting procedures;

       (2) Ensure that consistent, reliable, and standardized project information is gathered and used to analyze the impact of contracting policies on the outcome of major capital projects. The review board shall, in consultation with the office of financial management, develop standardized statewide performance indicators and benchmarks for all major capital projects. These measures should, at a minimum, allow basic comparisons of project performance by type, scope, cost, schedule, quality, and contracting procedure. To avoid unnecessary duplication, use of these indicators and benchmarks should be incorporated into, or derived from, existing state and local agency reports to the greatest extent possible.

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

-- 2005 REGULAR SESSION --

       Mar 2        SGOA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

Minority; do not pass.

Referred to Capital Budget.

       Mar 4        CB - Executive action taken by committee.

CB - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government Operations & Accountability.

       Mar 7        Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

       Mar 10       Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

       Mar 14       1st substitute bill substituted.

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Third reading, passed: yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 1.

- IN THE SENATE -

        Mar 16     First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.

by Representatives Conway, Wood and Chase

Improving stability in industrial insurance premium rates.

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/14/05)

        Establishes procedures to improve stability in industrial insurance premium rates.

        Provides that, after the first report is issued by the state auditor under section 1, chapter ... (Substitute House Bill No. 1856 or Substitute Senate Bill No. 5614), Laws of 2005, the workers' compensation advisory committee shall review the report and, as the committee deems appropriate, may make recommendations to the department concerning: (1) The level or levels of a contingency reserve that are appropriate to maintain actuarial solvency of the accident and medical aid funds, limit premium rate fluctuations, and account for economic conditions; and

        (2) When surplus funds exist in the trust funds, the circumstances under which the department should give premium dividends, or similar measures, or temporarily reduce rates below the rates fixed under this act, including any recommendations regarding notifications that should be given before taking the action.

        Provides that, following subsequent reports issued by the state auditor under section 1, chapter ... (Substitute House Bill No. 1856 or Substitute Senate Bill No. 5614), Laws of 2005, the workers' compensation advisory committee may, as it deems appropriate, update its recommendations to the department on the matters covered under this act.

-- 2005 REGULAR SESSION --

        Feb 10      First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor.

        Mar 1      CL - Executive action taken by committee.

CL - Majority; do pass.

Minority; do not pass.

        Mar 2      Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

        Mar 9      Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

        Mar 14     Floor amendment(s) adopted.

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Third reading, passed: yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 2.

- IN THE SENATE -

        Mar 16     First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development.

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Hankins, Cody, Sells, Green, Kenney, Moeller, Conway and Chase; by request of Governor Gregoire)

Expanding access to insurance coverage through the small business assist program.

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/14/05)

       Finds that many small employers struggle with the cost of providing employer-sponsored health insurance coverage to their employees and their employees' families, while others are unable to offer employer-sponsored health insurance due to its high cost. Low-wage workers also struggle with the burden of paying their share of the costs of employer-sponsored health insurance, while others turn down their employer's offer of coverage due to its costs.

       Finds that limitations on access to health care services for enrollees in the state, such as in rural and underserved areas, are particularly challenging.

       Declares an intent to authorize the administrator to develop alternative purchasing strategies to ensure access to enrollees of the programs administered under this chapter in all areas of the state, including but not limited to: (1) The use of differential rating for managed health care systems based on geographic differences in costs; and

       (2) Self-insurance in areas where adequate access cannot be ensured through other options.

       Creates the small business assist program under the Washington state health care authority.

       Declares an intent that the small business assist program make health care coverage more affordable to small employers, their employees, and dependents. By blending private and public funds through the premium assistance option authorized by this act, the legislature intends to increase the number of low-income workers with health coverage in Washington state. The administrator shall offer two options to small employers: (1) Enrollment as a group in a small business assist plan offered by the administrator under this act; and

       (2) Enrollment of low-income employees in the premium assistance option authorized in this act.

       Provides that, no later than January 1, 2007, the administrator may accept applications from employers on behalf of themselves and their employees, spouses, and dependent children, as small business assist plan enrollees. Small employers who have not provided employer-sponsored health care coverage for at least six months prior to the date of application may apply for enrollment in the plan.

-- 2005 REGULAR SESSION --

       Mar 5        APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

Minority; do not pass.

       Mar 7        Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

       Mar 8        Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

       Mar 14       2nd substitute bill substituted.

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Third reading, passed: yeas, 56; nays, 41; absent, 1.

- IN THE SENATE -

       Mar 16       First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Takko, Simpson, Schindler and Blake)

Requiring a vote of the people in specified circumstances before a city may assume jurisdiction over a water-sewer district. Revised for 1st Substitute: Modifying water-sewer district provisions.

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/14/05)

        Provides that a city may not assume, under chapter 35.13A RCW, the jurisdiction of all or part of a water-sewer district serving a population greater than one thousand residents and containing, within its boundaries, the territory of two or more cities, or one city and unincorporated territory, unless voters of the entire water-sewer district approve a ballot proposition authorizing the assumption under general election law. The cost of the election shall be borne by the city seeking approval to assume jurisdiction of a water-sewer district.

-- 2005 REGULAR SESSION --

        Mar 7      FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

Minority; do not pass.

Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

        Mar 9      Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

        Mar 14     2nd substitute bill substituted.

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Third reading, passed: yeas, 92; nays, 5; absent, 1.

- IN THE SENATE -

        Mar 16     First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.

by Representatives Grant, Newhouse, Linville and Dunshee; by request of Governor Gregoire

Responding to the statewide drought emergency.

        Appropriates the sum of one million eight hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state general fund for deposit in the state emergency water projects revolving account.

        Appropriates the sum of one million eight hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state emergency water projects revolving account to the department of ecology for the costs incurred by the department of ecology in taking action pursuant to the declaration of a statewide drought emergency.

        Appropriates the sum of two hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state general fund to the department of natural resources for the costs incurred by the department of natural resources to be able to activate fire fighters to respond to the heightened risk of forest fires pursuant to the declaration of a statewide drought emergency.

        Appropriates the sum of eight million two hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state taxable building construction account for deposit in the state drought preparedness account for project number 05-4-009.

        Appropriates the sum of eight million two hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, from the state drought preparedness account to the department of ecology for costs incurred in responding to the state drought emergency, for project number 05-4-009.

       Declares that projects or measures for which funding or compensation will be provided must be connected with a water system, water source, or water body which is receiving, or has been projected to receive, less than seventy-five percent of normal water supply, as the result of natural drought conditions. This reduction in water supply must be such that it is causing, or will cause, undue hardship for the entities or fish or wildlife depending on the water supply.

-- 2005 REGULAR SESSION --

       Mar 21       First reading, referred to Capital Budget.

House Concurrent Resolutions

by Representatives Schual-Berke, Cody, Haler, Moeller, Clibborn, Darneille and Fromhold

Establishing the joint public health financing committee.

       Establishes the joint public health financing committee.

-- 2005 REGULAR SESSION --

       Mar 21       First reading, referred to Rules.