 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 13 | ||
| FIFTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Thursday, January 26, 2006 | 18th Day - 2006 Regular Session | |
| HOUSE |
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This publication includes digest and history for bills, joint memorials, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, initiatives, and substitutes. Engrossed measures may be republished if the amendment makes a substantive change.
Electronic versions of Legislative Digests are available at http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/digsup.cfm?year=2006.
HB 1226-S2
by House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Tom, Haigh, Cody, Fromhold, Jarrett, Hudgins, Conway, Appleton, Flannigan, Murray, McCoy, Lantz, Hasegawa, Williams, Kagi, Ormsby, Morrell, Chase, Dickerson, Kenney, and Sells)
Adjusting application of campaign contribution limits.
Declares that the contribution limits in RCW 42.17.640 apply to: (1) Candidates for state legislative office;(2) Candidates for state office other than state legislative office;(3) Candidates for county office in a county that has over two hundred thousand registered voters;(4) A special purpose district office if that district is authorized to provide freight and passenger transfer and terminal facilities and that district has over two hundred thousand registered voters;(5) Persons holding an office in this provision against whom recall charges have been filed or to a political committee having the expectation of making expenditures in support of the recall of a person holding the office;(6) Caucus political committees; and(7) Bona fide political parties.Provides that no person may make contributions to a candidate for superior court judge that in the aggregate exceed six hundred seventy-five dollars or to a candidate for the state supreme court or court of appeals that in the aggregate exceed one thousand three hundred fifty dollars for each election in which the candidate is on the ballot or appears as a write-in candidate.Provides that contributions to other candidates subject to the contribution limits of this act made and received before the effective date of this act are considered to be contributions under RCW 42.17.640 through 42.17.790. Contributions that exceed the contribution limitations and that have not been spent by the recipient of the contribution by the effective date of this act must be disposed of in accordance with RCW 42.17.095.
| Jan 18 | SGOA - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Jan 20 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2337-S
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, Strow, Dunshee, Appleton, Haler, Chase, McCoy, Blake, Wallace, Ericksen, Ericks, Simpson, Green, Morrell, Ormsby, Kristiansen, and Schual-Berke; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development and Public Works Board)
Authorizing projects recommended by the public works board.
Authorizes projects recommended by the public works board.
| Jan 11 | CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 13 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Jan 17 | Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. | |
| Jan 18 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. | ||
| Jan 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
HB 2344-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Kessler, Buck, Kagi, Curtis, Takko, Blake, and Kenney)
Authorizing three superior court judges in Clallam county.
Authorizes an additional superior court judge in Clallam county and an additional superior court judge in Cowlitz county.Declares that the additional judicial positions for Clallam county and Cowlitz county created by this act is effective only if Clallam county and Cowlitz county through their duly constituted legislative authority documents their approval of the additional position and their agreement that it will pay out of county funds, without reimbursement from the state, the expenses of the existing and additional judicial positions as provided by statute and the state Constitution.
| Jan 10 | JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 12 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2352-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Hudgins, and B. Sullivan)
Modifying net metering provisions.
Amends RCW 80.60.010, 80.60.020, and 80.60.030 relating to net metering.
| Jan 20 | TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 25 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2382-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Kretz, Haler, and Holmquist)
Providing limited liability immunity for injuries at bovine handling facilities.
Provides that an owner, operator, or manager of a bovine handling facility, and the owner of bovine handled at or processed through a bovine handling facility, are not liable for an injury to or the death of a person who knowingly and voluntarily participates in bovine handling activities at a bovine handling facility or knowingly and voluntarily enters onto the premises of a bovine handling facility as a spectator of bovine handling activities.Declares that nothing in this act prevents or limits the liability of an owner, operator, or manager of a bovine handling facility, or an owner of bovine handled at or processed through a bovine handling facility, if the owner, operator, or manager of the bovine handling facility, or the bovine owner: (1) Intentionally injures the participant or spectator or commits an act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant or spectator and that act or omission caused the injury;(2) Owns, leases, rents, or otherwise is in lawful possession and control of the land or facilities upon which the participant or spectator sustained injuries because of a dangerous latent condition which was known to or should have been known to the owner, operator, or manager of the bovine handling facility, or the bovine owner, and for which warning signs have not been conspicuously posted; or(3) Is liable under chapter 16.04 or 16.24 RCW.
| Jan 25 | JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
HB 2402-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Hudgins, and B. Sullivan)
Providing for expedited processing of energy facilities and alternative energy resources.
Provides for expedited processing of energy facilities and alternative energy resources.
| Jan 12 | TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 17 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Jan 18 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 2416-S
by House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Kessler, Hasegawa, Hunt, Haigh, McIntire, Dunshee, B. Sullivan, and Takko)
Concerning state park fees.
Provides that the commission may not charge fees for general park access or parking.
| Jan 17 | NREP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 20 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2543-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Kilmer, Crouse, Nixon, Hudgins, Morrell, Green, and Lantz; by request of Military Department)
Making permanent the enhanced 911 advisory committee.
Makes permanent the enhanced 911 advisory committee.Includes a representative of a voice over internet protocol company on the committee.Requires that, on an annual basis, the enhanced 911 advisory committee shall provide an update on the status of enhanced 911 service in the state to the appropriate committees in the legislature.
| Jan 20 | TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 25 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2601-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunter, Anderson, Morris, Jarrett, Nixon, O'Brien, Hudgins, Tom, Kilmer, and Wallace)
Regarding state purchasing of information technology projects.
Provides that fiscal notes shall also identify the fiscal and operational impacts on the state information technology portfolio. To develop a process for assessing the fiscal and operational impacts on the state information technology portfolio, the office of financial management shall consult with the information services board and the department of information services.Requires the department, in consultation with the office of financial management and the information services board, to prepare a six-year strategic plan for state information technology projects. Provides that, at a minimum, the strategic plan must contain the following: (1) A long-term plan for state investments in information technology projects, that identifies the highest priority needs for information technology projects within affordable spending levels;(2) A statewide information technology assessment, that includes detailed project information and estimated costs for all ongoing information technology projects included in a state agency's information technology portfolio, under RCW 43.105.170;(3) A detailed list of proposed information technology projects for the upcoming biennium and the two succeeding biennia; and(4) A comprehensive review of the most recent biennial state performance report prepared under this act.
| Jan 20 | TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 25 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2645-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Kilmer, Crouse, P. Sullivan, Morris, and Dunn; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development)
Providing a limited public utility tax credit for gas distribution businesses.
Finds that: (1) Rising costs of natural gas are creating an economic hardship for Washington's small business and food processing industries.(2) Natural gas costs are unlikely to return to historically low levels of a few years ago making investments in energy efficiency increasingly important.(3) Washington investor-owned and consumer-owned natural gas utilities are uniquely well positioned to help small business and food processors improve the efficiency of natural gas use and reduce current and long-term energy costs.(4) The state of Washington can assist gas utility energy efficiency efforts by providing small public utility tax credits for installation of high-efficiency equipment and processes that might not otherwise occur.
| Jan 20 | TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Jan 25 | Referred to Finance. | |
HB 2976-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Sommers, Hasegawa, Linville, P. Sullivan, Quall, Kenney, and Conway)
Implementing a collective bargaining agreement with Western Washington University.
Implements a collective bargaining agreement with Western Washington University.
| Jan 23 | APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
HB 3194
by Representatives Chase and Nixon
Requiring a feasibility study of the viability of a solar electric generating facility.
Directs the northwest solar center, a program of Washington State University's energy extension service, to conduct a feasibility assessment of the economic and technical viability of building a large-scale, public-demonstration, solar electric generating facility.Provides that the assessment should include the facility's economic viability, costs and benefits to Washington state, including job creation and environmental impacts, and its impact on the regional energy. The center's assessment should also include an analysis of the impact of this energy choice as compared to other energy generation options.Requires the assessment to be completed and a report summarizing the findings prepared and delivered to the energy and fiscal committees of the legislature by December 15, 2006.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 3195
by Representatives Simpson and Williams
Reallocating funding appropriated in 2005 for a completed rail project.
Finds that funding was inadvertently provided for construction of a loop rail line in Lewis county that had already been constructed. the legislature also finds that funding should not be provided to projects that are already complete and paid for when the funding can be provided to other projects or activities to meet current needs.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 3196
by Representative Clements
Requiring agreements for power generation projects or facilities operated by public utility districts in distressed counties.
Provides that when a public utility district constructs or operates a hydroelectric project or power generation facility on the Columbia river, and the facility is located in a distressed county as defined in RCW 43.160.220 with less than twenty-five percent of its land mass subject to local property taxes, the public utility district shall negotiate an agreement with the county in which the project or facility is located. The purpose of the agreement is for the county and the public utility district to share in the reasonable benefits derived from the facility.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 3197
by Representatives Chase, Hunt, and Conway
Prohibiting paper billing fees.
Provides that a business entity that uses paper bills to charge customers for services provided must provide a customer with one paper copy of the customer's regular bill each billing cycle at no additional cost to the customer.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3198
by Representatives Appleton, Kilmer, Haigh, Sells, Green, and Morrell
Promoting community and economic development.
Declares that it is the purpose of this act: (1) To encourage local taxing districts to cooperate in and contribute tax revenues to the financing of public improvements that will encourage private development and community renewal in selected areas;(2) To assist those local governments that have a competitive disadvantage in attracting business, private investment, or commercial development due to its location near a state or international border; and(3) To prevent or arrest the decay of selected areas due to the inability of existing financial methods to provide needed public improvements and community development, and to encourage private investment designed to promote and facilitate the orderly redevelopment of selected areas.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade. | |
HB 3199
by Representatives Appleton, B. Sullivan, Eickmeyer, and Cody
Authorizing a geoduck planting pilot program.
Directs the department to implement a pilot program to test the effectiveness of planting geoducks on state aquatic lands located in the aquatic rehabilitation zone established in RCW 90.88.010(2). The program must be developed and implemented in consultation with the department of fish and wildlife.Requires the program to be designed to test geoduck populations and growth rates for a period of at least five years. No later than December 31, 2011, the department shall report the results of the program to the appropriate committees of the legislature and make recommendations as to whether the program should be expanded, otherwise modified, or terminated.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Select Committee on Hood Canal. | |
HB 3200
by Representatives Buck, Alexander, Kristiansen, and Pearson
Creating a flood damage assistance and relief program.
Directs the department of community, trade, and economic development to establish a flood damage relief program to provide financial assistance to individuals, businesses, and local governments that have experienced flood damage. The department shall establish criteria for awarding grants for emergency repair and cleanup activities as a result of flood damage. The criteria includes, but is not limited to: (1) The availability of other sources of financial assistance including other state or federal disaster assistance;(2) The extent of the damage;(3) Matching funds that may be available; and(4) The financial need of the applicant.Appropriates the sum of one million six hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2007, from the state drought preparedness account to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade. | |
HB 3201
by Representatives Nixon, Dunn, Schindler, Talcott, Hinkle, McCune, and Ahern
Regarding sex education curriculum.
Provides that a school district shall not provide instruction relating to human sexuality to students in grades five through twelve, inclusive, without first providing notice to the students' parents as required by this act.Provides that instruction relating to human sexuality shall not be provided to, or in the presence of, students in kindergarten or grades one to four, inclusive, in a public school setting.Provides that a school district found to be in violation of this act by a court of competent jurisdiction is liable to the student or the parent or guardian of the student for damages in the amount of one hundred dollars per incident, for actions filed before December 31, 2008. Beginning January 1, 2008, the amount of damages shall be adjusted annually by an inflation factor based on the change in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton consumer price index for all urban consumers.Provides that, in any action brought under this act, the school district has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that it complied with the notice and written approval required by this act. A prevailing plaintiff is entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Health Care. | |
HB 3202
by Representatives Nixon, Dunn, Schindler, Talcott, Hinkle, Cox, Rodne, McCune, McDonald, and Anderson
Establishing a more fair and accurate motor vehicle excise tax valuation schedule.
Establishes a lower, more fair, and more accurate vehicle valuation schedule for the purpose of calculating motor vehicle excise taxes.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 3203
by Representative Chase
Providing a moratorium on siting liquified natural gas terminals.
Provides that there shall be a ten-year moratorium beginning on the effective date of this act on the siting, construction, or operation of liquified natural gas terminals within the coastal areas described in this act. For purposes of this act, "liquified natural gas terminals" includes all natural gas facilities located onshore or in state waters that are used to receive, unload, load, store, transport, gasify, liquefy, or process natural gas that is imported to the United States from a foreign country, exported to a foreign country from the United States, or transported in interstate commerce by waterborne vessels, but does not include waterborne vessels used to deliver natural gas to or from any such facility or any pipeline or storage facility subject to the jurisdiction of the federal energy regulatory commission.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks. | |
HB 3204
by Representative Chase
Requiring health carrier enrollee cards to reflect the copayment amount.
Provides that, after December 31, 2006, a health carrier that issues a card identifying a person as an enrollee must include the amount of any copayment that can be required of the enrollee upon the card.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Health Care. | |
HB 3205
by Representatives O'Brien, Clements, Pettigrew, Santos, McDermott, Ericks, Sells, Kilmer, Green, and Morrell
Clarifying the authority to apprehend conditionally released persons.
Provides that a law enforcement officer, who has responded to a request for assistance from a department employee, may apprehend and take into custody the conditionally released person if the law enforcement officer reasonably believes that the conditionally released person is not complying with the terms and conditions of his or her conditional release to a less restrictive alternative. The conditionally released person may be detained in the county jail or returned to the secure community transition facility.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Criminal Justice & Corrections. | |
HB 3206
by Representatives Green, Conway, Cody, Simpson, and Campbell
Providing industrial insurance compensation for medical treatment received at personal expense.
Provides that, if the department has made a medical coverage decision denying the request of a worker entitled to benefits under Title 51 RCW for coverage of a particular medical or surgical treatment under RCW 51.36.010 and the worker subsequently receives the medical or surgical treatment at personal expense, by using private insurance, or by using any other means, the department or self-insurer, as the case may be, shall reimburse the payor for the cost of the medical or surgical treatment, shall pay the treating provider any remaining balance unpaid by the worker, and shall consider the treatment proper and necessary treatment for the worker under RCW 51.36.010, if the worker has provided: (1) Adequate documentation of the medical or surgical treatment performed for a condition accepted by the department or self-insurer, as the case may be; and(2) Medical evidence that shows that his or her condition has reasonably improved after the medical or surgical treatment is completed.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3207
by Representative Santos
Creating the community preservation authority program.
Creates the community preservation authority program.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade. | |
HB 3208
by Representatives P. Sullivan, Simpson, Wallace, and Ericks
Protecting customer proprietary network information.
Directs the commission to adopt rules to protect the privacy of customers of telecommunications services by limiting or prohibiting the sale, disclosure, or use of customer proprietary network information without customer approval and requiring that telecommunications companies establish safeguards to protect customer proprietary network information from the unauthorized sale, use, or disclosure by agents, contractors, and employees. For purposes of this act, "customer proprietary network information" has the meaning provided in 47 U.S.C. 222(h)(1).Provides that any person who violates the rules adopted by the commission in compliance with this act is subject to a penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each and every offense. In the case of a continuing offense, every day's continuance is a separate offense.Provides that every person who obtains or attempts to obtain knowledge of the telephone numbers called by a customer of a telecommunications carrier by misrepresenting his or her identity, or in some other manner attempting to cause an employee or agent of such carrier to wrongfully disclose such information is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.Provides that every employee, contractor, or agent of a telecommunications carrier who wrongfully and knowingly discloses to another person the telephone numbers called by a customer of a carrier is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.Provides that every person trafficking in information that he or she knows to have been obtained in violation of this act is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 3209
by Representative Chase
Limiting social card games.
Provides that the commission shall neither issue nor renew any license to engage in a house-banked card game except in a location specified in a license to conduct a house-banked card game that, as of December 31, 2005: (1) Is approved by the commission and is in effect; or(2) Has been submitted to and has not subsequently been denied by the commission.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3210
by Representatives McCune, Schindler, Miloscia, McDonald, Holmquist, Dunn, Buri, Morrell, Linville, Kristiansen, Chase, Pettigrew, Bailey, Campbell, and Clibborn
Eliminating the state sales tax on construction labor and services in counties where housing is not affordable for first-time buyers.
Finds that the state sales tax on construction labor and services contributes to the high cost of housing in many Washington counties, and that eliminating this tax will reduce housing prices. The legislature also recognizes that the Washington state tax structure study committee suggested that exempting construction labor from the state sales tax would improve economic vitality and harmonize Washington's sales tax provisions with other nearby states.Declares an intent to make housing more affordable for first-time home buyers in counties where housing is currently not affordable for first-time home buyers. The legislature intends to do this by eliminating the state sales tax on construction labor and services in counties where the first-time buyer housing affordability index demonstrates that housing is not affordable for first-time home buyers.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
HB 3211
by Representatives O'Brien, Rodne, Lovick, Kessler, Clements, Ericks, Hankins, Jarrett, Haigh, Kirby, Williams, Anderson, Simpson, Kilmer, Nixon, Green, Lantz, Conway, McDonald, Sells, Roach, Strow, Alexander, McCune, Priest, Newhouse, Buri, Springer, and Morrell
Authorizing special verdicts for specified sex offenses against children.
Authorizes special verdicts that would result in more severe punishment for certain sex offenses against children by increasing the minimum sentences for rape of a child in the first degree, rape of a child in the second degree, and child molestation in the first degree, when a special allegation that the offense was predatory has been made and proven beyond a reasonable doubt and by increasing the minimum sentences for rape in the first degree, rape in the second degree, indecent liberties by forcible compulsion, and kidnapping in the first degree with sexual motivation, when a special allegation that the victim was under a certain age at the time of the crime has been made and proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Criminal Justice & Corrections. | |
HB 3212
by Representatives Pearson, Shabro, Sump, Jarrett, Orcutt, Serben, Ericksen, McDonald, Bailey, Nixon, Ahern, Haler, Campbell, Condotta, Buck, Roach, Schindler, Kretz, Kristiansen, Strow, Alexander, McCune, Priest, Newhouse, Buri, and Clements
Protecting children, vulnerable adults, and communities from sex offenders and kidnapping offenders.
Protects children, vulnerable adults, and communities from sex offenders and kidnapping offenders by imposing minimum sentences for rape in the first and second degrees, indecent liberties, rape of a child in the first and second degrees, child molestation in the first degree, and kidnapping in the first degree with sexual motivation, by increasing the penalty for communication with a minor for immoral purposes under certain circumstances, by creating the new crimes of failure to report an unregistered sex offender or kidnapping offender and tampering with an electronic monitoring device, by designating as a sex offense the crime of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, by increasing the penalty for failure to register as a sex offender or kidnapping offender, by requiring electronic monitoring for certain sex offenders, by adding to the aggravating circumstances for purposes of imposing the death penalty, by requiring sex offenders to receive treatment and admit guilt before being released, by prohibiting sex offenders with life sentences from receiving treatment, by narrowing the eligibility criteria for the special sex offender sentencing alternative, by tightening the sex offender and kidnapping offender registration requirements, and by providing an appropriation to the attorney general for purposes of public education and awareness.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Criminal Justice & Corrections. | |
HB 3213
by Representative Conway; by request of Liquor Control Board
Modifying provisions relating to the distribution of beer and wine.
Revises provisions relating to the distribution of beer and wine.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 3214
by Representatives Ormsby, Priest, Quall, Jarrett, Pettigrew, Cox, Simpson, Kenney, Conway, Anderson, Wood, Sells, Kilmer, P. Sullivan, and Morrell
Creating opportunities for career and technical students to meet high school graduation requirements.
Finds that the superintendent of public instruction has recommended evaluation of a collection of evidence as an objective alternative assessment to the high school Washington assessment of student learning. The legislature further finds that, although the superintendent plans to permit work samples from career and technical courses in the collection, the legislature finds this permission inadequate to provide career and technical students an opportunity to demonstrate the full range of their knowledge and skills in response to the state academic standards.Declares an intent to create a clear objective alternative assessment process and framework for students who enroll in rigorous career and technical programs.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HB 3215
by Representatives Cox, Newhouse, Ormsby, and Kenney
Continuing the teacher retention study.
Requires the University of Washington to continue its research on teacher retention, attrition, and mobility and complete a study that examines trends and patterns of teacher behavior in small and rural school districts as compared to large and urban school districts. The university shall submit the study findings to the education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2006.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Education. | |
HB 3216
by Representatives Linville, Wallace, Kenney, B. Sullivan, and Kilmer
Establishing the Washington trade corps fellowship program.
Declares that the purpose of the program is to promote international trade and enhance the work of Washington's trade offices. The program will award fellowships to students who have shown significant interest in pursuing a career in international trade and place them in trade offices. The fellows will be expected to learn the practice of trade promotion and fulfill the mission of the offices to promote overseas trade and commerce.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade. | |
HB 3217
by Representatives Kenney, Quall, and Santos
Creating a certificate for students who meet certain high school graduation requirements.
Creates a certificate for students who meet certain high school graduation requirements.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HJM 4040
by Representatives Ahern, Rodne, Green, Serben, Bailey, McCune, Cox, Holmquist, Shabro, Chandler, Curtis, Armstrong, Newhouse, Sump, Kretz, Orcutt, Haler, Clements, Dunn, and Condotta
Promoting freedom, independence, and security in Iraq.
Promotes freedom, independence, and security in Iraq.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to State Government Operations & Accountability. | |
SB 6217-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Roach, Rasmussen, Oke, and Schmidt; by request of Military Department)
Making permanent the enhanced 911 advisory committee.
Changes the expiration date to December 31, 2011.
| Jan 25 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6247-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Benson)
Providing uniform administration of locally imposed motor vehicle excise taxes.
Provides that, for the purpose of determining any locally imposed motor vehicle excise tax, the value of a truck-type power or trailing unit shall be the latest purchase price of the vehicle, excluding applicable federal excise taxes, state and local sales or use taxes, transportation or shipping costs, or preparatory or delivery costs, multiplied by the following percentage based on year of service of the vehicle since last sale. The latest purchase year shall be considered the first year of service.Provides that, before a local government subject to chapter 82.44 RCW may impose a motor vehicle excise tax, the local government must contract with the department for the collection of the tax. The department may charge a reasonable amount, not to exceed one percent of tax collections, for the administration and collection of the tax.Repeals provisions of chapter 82.44 RCW.
| Jan 25 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6806
by Senators Esser, Hargrove, Brandland, Johnson, and Rasmussen
Establishing the domestic violence hope card study committee.
Declares an intent to study the advisability of providing to all recipients of protection orders, who are victims of domestic violence, wallet-size cards that would provide to law enforcement all information necessary to enforce the protection order.Requires a committee report, containing findings and proposed legislation, if any, to be delivered to the full legislature, not later than December 31, 2006.
| Jan 24 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6807
by Senators Roach, Benton, Sheldon, Oke, and Stevens
Prohibiting the condemnation of unblighted private property for private use.
Finds and declares that the condemnation of an unblighted private property located within an area designated by the local governing body as a blighted area shall not be declared a public use for purposes of blight removal, and that private property shall not be condemned and transferred to another private use unless the present condition and use of that private property displays unremedied blight conditions that endanger public health and safety, endanger life or property by fire or other causes, or otherwise contribute substantially to ill health, transmission of disease, infant mortality, juvenile delinquency, or crime.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6808
by Senators Roach, Benton, Sheldon, Oke, and Stevens
Creating the private property rights protection act.
Finds that Washington citizens should not have to fear the government taking their homes, farms, or businesses to give to other persons. Governments should not abuse the power of eminent domain to force property owners from their land in order to develop that land into industrial and commercial property.Declares that it is the policy of the state of Washington to encourage, support, and promote the private ownership of property and to ensure that the constitutional and other legal rights of private property owners are protected by Washington state government.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6809
by Senator Keiser
Increasing resident participation in the informal dispute resolution process under chapters 18.20 and 18.51 RCW.
Provides that, whenever the department conducts an informal dispute resolution process with the nursing home provider, following a licensing or certification survey or a complaint investigation, the department shall provide an opportunity for input from interested residents and resident representatives. This input must be provided in a meeting, conducted either by telephone or in person, that is separate from the department's meeting with the nursing home provider. The term "resident representatives" means those individuals with authority to act on behalf of residents with diminished capacity, including guardians, trustees, agents holding durable power of attorney, and family members with authority under RCW 7.70.065. Representatives of the long-term care ombudsman program may also provide input at the request of residents, their representatives, or the department.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6810
by Senator Keiser
Concerning temporary management in boarding homes.
Provides that, if the department determines that the health, safety, or welfare of residents is immediately jeopardized by a boarding home's failure or refusal to comply with the requirements of chapter 18.20 RCW or the rules adopted under this chapter, and the department summarily suspends the boarding home license, the department may appoint a temporary manager of the boarding home, or the licensee may, subject to the department's approval, voluntarily participate in the temporary management program.Declares that the purposes of the temporary management program are as follows: (1) To mitigate dislocation and transfer trauma of residents while the department and licensee pursue dispute resolution or appeal of a summary suspension of license;(2) To facilitate the continuity of safe and appropriate resident care and services;(3) To protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents by providing time for an orderly closure of the boarding home, or for the deficiencies that necessitated temporary management to be corrected; and(4) To preserve a residential option that meets either a specialized service need or is in a geographical area that has a lack of available providers, or both.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6811
by Senators Kastama, Shin, Rasmussen, and Kline
Regarding the Washington promise scholarship.
Declares that, by creating the Washington promise scholarship program, the legislature intended to strengthen the link between postsecondary education and K-12 education for academically successful high school graduates from low and middle-income families. Providing adequate funding for this program signifies the legislature's support for students who work hard and perform well in school but who may not have the financial ability to attend college because they cannot obtain financial aid or because financial aid is insufficient.Appropriates the sum of six million fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the purposes of the Washington promise scholarship.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education. | |
SB 6812
by Senators Zarelli, Pridemore, and Benton
Providing tax incentives to support the semiconductor cluster in the state.
Provides tax incentives to support the semiconductor cluster in the state.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6813
by Senators Roach and Keiser
Authorizing binding arbitration for juvenile corrections employees.
Authorizes binding arbitration for juvenile corrections employees.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6814
by Senators Poulsen, Finkbeiner, and Kline
Regulating automatic dialing and announcing devices.
Provides that no person may use an automatic dialing and announcing device before 9:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. without written or electronic consent from the recipient.Does not apply to emergency messages from government agencies.Applies to all calls intended to be received by telephone customers within the state.Authorizes any recipient to bring an action against a person who has violated this act for the amount of one thousand dollars per violation. This action is in addition to any other remedy relating to a violation of this act.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Environment. | |
SB 6815
by Senator Roach
Studying whether to require Spanish and Chinese language instruction in secondary school.
Directs the state board of education to study whether school districts should require all students in grades nine through twelve to take a world language program that provides instruction in Spanish and a Chinese language.Requires the state board of education to provide a report of the study under this act and its recommendations to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2006.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education. | |
SB 6816
by Senator Zarelli
Allowing county cemetery districts to include areas within cities and towns.
Allows county cemetery districts to include areas within cities and towns.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6817
by Senators Carrell, Benton, and Sheldon
Requiring persons convicted of driving under the influence to be issued fluorescent yellow license plates to operate motor vehicles.
Requires persons convicted of driving under the influence to be issued fluorescent yellow license plates to operate motor vehicles.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6818
by Senators Benton, McCaslin, and Roach
Limiting utility liens against rental property.
Provides that, if a property owner or the owner's designee notifies the city or town in writing that a property served by the city or town is a rental property, and provides, in writing, a mailing address for the tenant that is complete and accurate at the time it is provided, the city or town shall have no lien against the premises for the tenant's delinquent and unpaid charges and the city or town shall have no right of action against the property owner.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Environment. | |
SB 6819
by Senators Benton, McCaslin, Hargrove, Roach, and Sheldon
Requiring that utility service charges of tenants be collected from the tenant.
Provides that all charges made for utility services must be charged to the customer who contracts for the services. In cases where the service contract is with the tenant of a property, collection of charges must be made from the tenant, and liens against the property owner are prohibited. A city or town may not refuse to provide service to a residential customer who is a tenant based on the nonpayment for services by the prior customer. The city or town may refuse to provide service if the prior nonpaying customer continues to reside in the premises.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Environment. | |
SB 6820
by Senators Keiser, Deccio, Thibaudeau, Parlette, Franklin, Benson, and Kline
Concerning application requirements for licensing physicians.
Revises application requirements for licensing physicians.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6821
by Senators McAuliffe, Schmidt, Weinstein, Kohl-Welles, Pridemore, Benton, Delvin, Rasmussen, and Franklin
Creating a work group to explore the creation of college and career readiness centers.
Provides that, to the extent funds are appropriated, the office of the superintendent of public instruction in conjunction with the higher education coordinating board and the state board for community and technical colleges, shall convene a work group to explore the creation of college and career readiness centers as a way to provide additional learning opportunities for students between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one who were unable to graduate from high school with their peers but wish to continue their education and earn a diploma.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to report the findings of the work group under this act to the state board of education and the legislature no later than January 10, 2007.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education. | |
SB 6822
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Fairley, and Kline
Adding new restrictions in reading and handling identification documents.
Declares that Washington state recognizes the importance of protecting the confidentiality and privacy of an individual's personal information contained in identification documents such as driver's licenses.Declares that machine-readable features found on driver's licenses and other similar identification documents are intended to facilitate verification of identity, not to facilitate collection of personal information about individuals, nor to facilitate the creation of private data bases of transactional information associated with those individuals.Declares that easy access to the information found on driver's licenses and other similar identification documents facilitates the crime of identity theft, a crime that is a major concern in Washington.Provides that use of machine-readable features on identification documents for purposes other than verification of identity constitutes an unreasonable infringement of privacy and is an unfair business practice.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6823
by Senator Kohl-Welles; by request of Liquor Control Board
Modifying provisions relating to the distribution of beer and wine.
Revises provisions relating to the distribution of beer and wine.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6824
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Brandland, Regala, McAuliffe, and Kline
Providing additional protections for safe residential housing for persons with developmental disabilities.
Provides that a person seeking to work at a facility that is part of the community protection program shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the Washington state patrol to be used to conduct a national criminal history background check.Directs the Washington state patrol to submit the fingerprints of the prospective community protection program worker to the federal bureau of investigation or to such other entity necessary to conduct a national criminal history background check.Directs the secretary of the department of social and health services to determine what criminal history shall prohibit a person from working at a community protection program facility.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 6825
by Senator Benton
Modifying the boundary review board's authority to alter annexation proposals.
Amends RCW 36.93.150 relating to the boundary review board's authority to modify annexation proposals.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6826
by Senator Benton
Exempting fees and charges for public transportation services from public utility taxes.
Exempts fees and charges for public transportation services from public utility taxes.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6827
by Senators Finkbeiner, Esser, Rasmussen, and Hewitt
Designating the Walla Walla sweet onion as the official Washington state vegetable.
Designates the Walla Walla sweet onion as the official Washington state vegetable.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 6828
by Senators Esser, Roach, and McCaslin
Preventing the rejection of ballots that are marked to identify the voter.
Prevents the rejection of ballots if they are marked to identify the voter.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6829
by Senators Benton, Carrell, and Oke
Changing provisions concerning most serious offenses.
Revises provisions concerning most serious offenses.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6830
by Senators Benton, Haugen, Benson, Oke, Deccio, Schmidt, Sheldon, Weinstein, Poulsen, Roach, Pridemore, Zarelli, McAuliffe, Carrell, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen, Eide, Shin, Rockefeller, Delvin, Franklin, and Johnson
Creating a "Support Our Troops" special license plate.
Creates a "Support Our Troops" special license plate.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6831
by Senator Thibaudeau
Revising provisions addressing access to individual health insurance coverage.
Revises provisions addressing access to individual health insurance coverage.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6832
by Senators Carrell, Benton, and Stevens
Giving counties the authority to establish community protection zones.
Authorizes a county to establish a community protection zone, as defined under RCW 9.94A.030 for an offender convicted of a sex offense.Allows a county to enact a rule or ordinance prohibiting an offender convicted of a sex offense from residing near a public or private school, playground, public swimming pool, day care center, organized campground, community center, and any other facility whose primary purpose is the education or care of persons under eighteen years of age.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SJM 8035
by Senators Benton and Roach
Petitioning Congress to pass the defense appropriations bill quickly.
Petitions Congress to pass the defense appropriations bill quickly.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SJM 8036
by Senators Benton and Roach
Petitioning Congress to protect intellectual and physical property rights.
Petitions Congress to protect intellectual and physical property rights.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SJM 8037
by Senators Haugen, Mulliken, Spanel, Benson, Benton, and Kohl-Welles
Calling on the President and Congress to repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005.
Requests the President and Congress to repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005.
| Jan 25 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |