 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 24 | ||
| FIFTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Friday, February 10, 2006 | 33rd Day - 2006 Regular Session | |
| SENATE |
|
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 1223-S
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Cody, Lantz, Fromhold, Simpson, P. Sullivan, Morrell, Williams, Dickerson, Linville, Clibborn, Kagi, and Ormsby)
Underwriting medical malpractice coverage.
Revises provisions relating to underwriting medical malpractice coverage.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1226-S3
by House Committee on Appropriations (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 the state supreme court or court of appeals that in the aggregate exceed one thousand four hundred dollars for each election in which the candidate is on the ballot or appears as a write-in candidate. Contributions made with respect to a primary may not be made after the date of the primary. However, contributions to a candidate or a candidate's authorized committee may be made with respect to a primary until thirty days after the primary, subject to the following limitations: (1) The candidate lost the primary;(2) The candidate's authorized committee has insufficient funds to pay debts outstanding as of the date of the primary; and(3) The contributions may only be raised and spent to satisfy the outstanding debt. Contributions made with respect to a general election may not be made after the final day of the applicable election cycle.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.
| Feb 2 | APP - Majority; 3rd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1446-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunter, Jarrett, Simpson, Tom, Kirby, Lantz, Conway, Kessler, P. Sullivan, McIntire, and Clibborn)
Modifying requirements for voter-approved regular property tax levies.
Amends RCW 84.55.050 relating to voter-approved regular property tax levies.Provides that, subject to statutory dollar limitations in RCW 84.52.043, a proposition placed before the voters under this act may authorize annual increases in levies for multiple consecutive years, up to six consecutive years, during which period each year's authorized maximum legal levy shall be used as the base upon which an increased levy limit for the succeeding year is computed, but the ballot proposition must state the dollar rate proposed only for the first year of the consecutive years and must state the limit factor, or a specified index to be used for determining a limit factor, such as the consumer price index, which need not be the same for all years, by which the regular tax levy for the district may be increased in each of the subsequent consecutive years. Elections for this purpose must be held at a primary or general election. The title of each ballot measure must state the specific purposes for which the proposed levy increase shall be used.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1523-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Quall, Morris, Pettigrew, Kilmer, Talcott, Pearson, Linville, and Kristiansen)
Extending a sales and use tax exemption to the construction of new facilities to be used for the conditioning of vegetable seed.
Extends a sales and use tax exemption to the construction of new facilities to be used for the conditioning of vegetable seed that is not genetically modified.
| Feb 1 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 8 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 1614-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Green, Talcott, Conway, and Darneille)
Restricting correctional facilities on the grounds of a state hospital.
Provides that a program, facility, or institution operated by the department of corrections, or pursuant to a contract with the department of corrections, that serves violent offenders, including but not limited to facilities sited under RCW 72.65.220, may not be located or operated on the grounds of a state hospital as designated under chapter 72.23 RCW.Does not apply to a program, facility, or institution located or operated on the grounds of a state hospital on the effective date of this act.
| Feb 3 | APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1672-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Hudgins, Green, Cody, Appleton, Morrell, Wood, McCoy, Kenney, Moeller, and Chase)
Requiring hospitals to establish a safe patient handling committee.
Requires each hospital, by December 1, 2007, to establish a written patient care activities program that addresses patient handling with input from the safe patient handling committee to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among health care workers and injuries to patients. As part of this program, a hospital must: (1) Implement a no manual lift policy for all shifts and units of the hospital;(2) Conduct a patient handling hazard assessment. This assessment should consider such variables as patient-handling tasks, types of nursing units, patient populations, and the physical environment of patient care areas;(3) Develop a process to identify the appropriate use of the no manual lift policy based on the patient's physical and medical condition. However, in limited circumstances applying the no manual lift policy may be contraindicated for a particular patient. In such cases, hospitals must document the reasons for the exemption. Such documents shall be retained by the hospital and made available for review by the safe patient handling committee and the department; and(4) Conduct an annual performance evaluation of the program to prevent musculoskeletal disorders to determine the program's effectiveness according to the reduction of musculoskeletal disorder claims and days of lost work for musculoskeletal disorder purposes and make recommendations to increase the program's effectiveness.Requires that, by January 30, 2010, each hospital must complete the acquisition of all needed equipment and train staff on policies, equipment, and devices as they are implemented and at least annually or as changes are made to the patient care activities program or type or make of equipment being used.Provides that a hospital employee who refuses a patient care activity due to concerns about either employee or patient safety or the lack of trained lift team personnel or equipment may not, based upon the refusal, be the subject of disciplinary action by the hospital or hospital managers or employees.
| Feb 2 | CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
| Feb 4 | APP - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Commerce & Labor. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 6 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1834-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives McIntire, Anderson, Kessler, Conway, Fromhold, Clements, Kagi, Linville, Jarrett, Hunter, Tom, Hinkle, Upthegrove, Kilmer, Wood, and Santos)
Using performance measures for budgeting decisions.
Finds that state agencies have established missions, goals, and objectives to aid in self-assessment and budget development. Legislators need key performance measures that help them assess the degree to which the state is achieving the results citizens need from their government. To accomplish this, both legislative and executive policymakers require quantifiable, objective data that are measurable over time in order to gauge whether progress is being made toward the state's goals. Specifically, budget managers and the legislature must have the data to move toward better statewide results that produce the intended public benefit. In addition, reliable data on valid performance measures for the state's policy priorities will help legislative and executive policymakers make better budgeting decisions.Provides that, by October 1st of each odd-numbered year, beginning in 2007, the office of financial management shall ensure that current key performance measures are made available to the legislative fiscal committees under RCW 43.88.030. The key performance measures are subject to legislative review as provided in this act.Requires the legislative fiscal committees, individually or jointly during the regular session in each even-numbered year, beginning in 2008, to adopt key performance measures during an executive session and shall forward these to the office of financial management for inclusion in the office of financial management performance measure data base.Requires the office of financial management to maintain data on progress toward meeting key performance measures. The office of financial management shall make these data available to the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee.
| Feb 2 | APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1933-S2
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Morrell, and Lantz)
Requiring the reporting and analysis of medical malpractice related information.
Provides that, for claims closed on or after January 1, 2008: (1) Every insuring entity or self-insurer that provides medical malpractice insurance to any facility or provider in Washington state must report each medical malpractice closed claim to the commissioner.(2) If a claim is not covered by an insuring entity or self-insurer, the facility or provider named in the claim must report it to the commissioner after a final claim disposition has occurred due to a court proceeding or a settlement by the parties. Instances in which a claim may not be covered by an insuring entity or self-insurer include, but are not limited to, situations in which the: (a) Facility or provider did not buy insurance or maintained a self-insured retention that was larger than the final judgment or settlement; (b) claim was denied by an insuring entity or self-insurer because it did not fall within the scope of the insurance coverage agreement; or (c) annual aggregate coverage limits had been exhausted by other claim payments.Provides that, beginning in 2009, reports required under this act must be filed by March 1st, and include data for all claims closed in the preceding calendar year and any adjustments to data reported in prior years. The commissioner may adopt rules that require insuring entities, self-insurers, facilities, or providers to file closed claim data electronically.Authorizes the commissioner to impose a fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars per day against any insuring entity that violates the requirements of this act.Authorizes the department of health to impose a fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars per day against any facility or provider that violates the requirements of this act. The total fine may not exceed ten thousand dollars.Provides that, beginning in 2010, the commissioner must prepare an annual report that summarizes and analyzes the closed claim reports for medical malpractice filed under this act and the annual financial reports filed by authorized insurers writing medical malpractice insurance in this state.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2002-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Roberts, Kagi, Kenney, and Santos)
Authorizing limited continuing foster care and support services up to age twenty-one.
Provides that, beginning in 2006, the department shall have the authority to allow up to fifty youth reaching age eighteen to continue in foster care or group care as needed to participate in or complete a posthigh school academic or vocational program, and to receive necessary support and transition services.Provides that, in 2007 and 2008, the department has the authority to allow up to fifty additional youth per year reaching age eighteen to remain in foster care or group care as provided in this act.Declares that a youth who remains eligible for such placement and services pursuant to department rules may continue in foster care or group care until the youth reaches his or her twenty-first birthday.Provides that, beginning in July 2008, and subject to the approval of its governing board, the Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct a study measuring the outcomes for foster youth who have received continued support pursuant to RCW 74.13.031(10). The study should include measurements of any savings to the state and local government. The institute shall issue a report containing its preliminary findings to the legislature by December 1, 2008, and a final report by December 1, 2009.
| Feb 1 | APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 7 | Placed on second reading. | |
| Feb 9 | 2nd substitute bill substituted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0. | ||
HB 2104-S
by House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Chase, Skinner, Hunt, Cox, Darneille, Clibborn, Wallace, Sells, Kessler, Buri, Grant, Eickmeyer, Conway, McIntire, Upthegrove, Hunter, Williams, Ormsby, McDermott, Linville, Kenney, and Santos)
Authorizing the creation of a "Washington Made" logo.
Directs the department of community, trade, and economic development to work with economic development councils, chambers of commerce, the economic development commission, industry organizations, and trade organizations to incorporate within the existing marketing campaign, the "Washington Made" logo adopted under this act. The department shall also work with these organizations to secure private funding and other public funds to assist in the educational campaign.Requires the arts commission to conduct a competition for the design of a "Washington Made" logo for the voluntary labeling of consumer goods produced in Washington. The eligibility requirements for the competition, the members of the selection committee, the competition rules, and other details shall be established by the commission.
| Feb 2 | EDAT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2243-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Quall, Hunt, Simpson, Ormsby, and Sells)
Requiring the lottery commission to conduct education outreach efforts on use of lottery funds.
Recognizes that accurate information about the use of lottery funds is necessary to clarify understanding of lottery advertisements.Declares an intent that the lottery commission have the duty and authority to conduct educational outreach efforts related to lottery funds.
| Feb 1 | CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2270-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives McIntire and Murray)
Providing excise tax relief for public development authorities.
Declares that chapter 82.04 RCW does not apply to public development authorities created under RCW 35.21.660 or 35.21.730 through 35.21.755 in respect to amounts derived from providing services to: (1) A limited liability company in which the public development authority is the sole managing member;(2) A limited partnership in which the public development authority is the sole general partner; or(3) A single asset entity required under any federal, state, or local governmental housing assistance program, which is controlled directly or indirectly by the public development authority.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2353-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Pettigrew, Shabro, Kessler, Priest, Cox, Conway, Haler, P. Sullivan, Appleton, Walsh, Kenney, Green, Armstrong, Hasegawa, Kagi, Hunt, McCoy, Buri, Fromhold, Strow, Curtis, McDermott, Williams, Hudgins, Moeller, Sells, Lantz, Kilmer, Chase, McDonald, Morrell, Murray, Linville, Santos, Springer, Wallace, Dickerson, Roberts, Cody, B. Sullivan, Simpson, Ericks, Upthegrove, Campbell, Ormsby, and O'Brien)
Providing collective bargaining for family child care providers.
Provides that, in addition to the entities listed in RCW 41.56.020, this act applies to the governor with respect to family child care providers. Solely for the purposes of collective bargaining and as expressly limited under this act, the governor is the public employer of family child care providers who, solely for the purposes of collective bargaining, are public employees. The public employer shall be represented for bargaining purposes by the governor or the governor's designee appointed under chapter 41.80 RCW.Declares that this act governs the collective bargaining relationship between the governor and family child care providers, except as follows: (1) A statewide unit of all family child care providers is the only unit appropriate for purposes of collective bargaining under RCW 41.56.060.(2) The exclusive bargaining representative of family child care providers in the unit specified in (a) of this subsection shall be the representative chosen in an election conducted pursuant to RCW 41.56.070.(3) "Collective bargaining" means the performance of the mutual obligations of the public employer and the exclusive bargaining representative to meet at reasonable times, to confer and negotiate in good faith, and to execute a written agreement with respect to grievance procedures and collective negotiations on personnel matters, including but not limited to: (a) Economic compensation, such as manner and rate of subsidy and reimbursement, including tiered reimbursements; (b) health and welfare benefits; (c) professional development and training; and (d) labor-management committees. By such obligation neither party shall be compelled to agree to a proposal or be required to make a concession unless otherwise provided in this act.Declares that this act does not create or modify: (1) The parents' or legal guardians' right to choose and terminate the services of any family child care provider that provides care for their child or children;(2) The secretary of the department of social and health services' right to adopt requirements under RCW 74.15.030, except for requirements related to grievance procedures and collective negotiations on personnel matters as specified in this act;(3) Chapter 26.44 RCW, RCW 43.43.832, 43.20A.205, and 74.15.130; and(4) The legislature's right to make programmatic modifications to the delivery of state services through child care subsidy programs, including standards of eligibility of parents, legal guardians, and family child care providers participating in child care subsidy programs, and the nature of services provided.Provides that, upon meeting the requirements of this act, the governor must submit, as a part of the proposed biennial or supplemental operating budget submitted to the legislature under RCW 43.88.030, a request for funds necessary to implement the compensation and benefit provisions of a collective bargaining agreement entered into under this act or for legislation necessary to implement such agreement.Declares that solely for the purposes of negotiated rule making pursuant to RCW 34.05.310(2)(a) and 74.15.030, a statewide unit of all family child care licensees is appropriate. As of the effective date of this act, the exclusive representative of family child care licensees in the statewide unit shall be the representative selected as the majority representative in the election held under the directive of the governor to the secretary of the department of social and health services, dated September 16, 2005. If family child care licensees seek to select a different representative thereafter, the family child care licensees may request that the American arbitration association conduct an election and certify the results of the election.Declares that, in enacting this act, the legislature intends to provide state action immunity under federal and state antitrust laws for the joint activities of family child care licensees and their exclusive representative to the extent such activities are authorized by this act.
| Feb 4 | APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 8 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 2360-S
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Appleton, Moeller, Morrell, Lantz, Darneille, McIntire, and Green)
Studying small loans.
Finds that there is inadequate information to determine the fairness or reasonableness of fees and interest associated with small loans, also known as payday loans.Requires the director of the department of financial institutions to study the economics, business models, and practices associated with the small loan business operations of lenders with small loan endorsements under chapter 31.45 RCW. The director must determine break-even points for small loan businesses included in the study, grouped by size of operation and/or volume of business, where the revenue from small loan operations equals the expenses associated with small loan operations.Authorizes the director to request from licensees information required to complete the study and report to the legislature. Licensees are required to provide the information requested. A licensee's unreasonable failure to provide the information requested by the director shall be grounds for an enforcement action against the licensee under RCW 31.45.110(1)(j) and the imposition of the sanctions set forth in RCW 31.45.110(2).Requires the director to report the findings of this study to the legislature no later than November 30, 2006. The director may also study other issues related to small loans and include those issues in the report. The director may include recommendations based upon the findings in the report.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2399-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Morrell, Green, and Schual-Berke)
Providing a survey for health care providers.
Requires the department, in collaboration with the work force training and education coordinating board, to distribute survey questions for the purpose of gathering data related to work force supply and demographics to all health care providers who are credentialed by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040. The department must adopt a schedule for distributing surveys by profession so that each profession is surveyed every two years. In developing the survey, the department may seek advice from researchers that are likely to use the survey data.Requires the department to process the surveys that it receives in such a way that the identity of individual providers remains confidential. Data elements related to the identification of individual providers are confidential and are exempt from RCW 42.56.040 through 42.56.570 and 42.17.350 through 42.17.450, except as provided in a data-sharing agreement approved by the department pursuant to this act.Provides that, by July 1, 2009, the department shall provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the effectiveness of using a survey to obtain information on the supply of health care professionals, the distribution and use of the information obtained by the surveys by employers and health professions education and training programs and the extent to which the surveys have alleviated identified shortages of trained health care providers.
| Feb 1 | APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2418-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Miloscia, Chase, Morrell, Hasegawa, Darneille, Santos, P. Sullivan, Kagi, Green, Sells, Ormsby, and O'Brien)
Increasing the availability of affordable housing.
Finds that while the rapid increase in housing values has exacerbated the affordable housing crisis, the phenomena has also dramatically benefited the state's general fund, the growth of which is directly attributable to increased proceeds from the real estate excise tax.Declares that a portion of the increased revenue generated from the real estate excise tax must be used to support affordable housing programs that assist low-income households obtain and retain housing.Provides that, of amounts deposited into the general fund pursuant to RCW 82.45.060, the legislature may authorize a transfer of up to twenty-five million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, into the Washington housing trust fund created in RCW 43.185.030.Requires the department to report annually by December 31st the accomplishments of this act to the appropriate committees of the legislature. The report must include statewide information as well as information that is county and city specific. Performance measures must be determined by the department, with required input from the appropriate committees of the legislature, by December 31, 2006.Requires the interagency council on homelessness, as defined in RCW 43.185C.010, to be convened not later than August 31, 2006, and to meet at least two times each year and report to the appropriate committees of the legislature annually by December 31st on its activities.Directs the interagency council on homelessness to work to create greater levels of interagency coordination and to coordinate state agency efforts with the efforts of state and local entities addressing homelessness.Directs the department of community, trade, and economic development to conduct a study to evaluate the potential development of a voluntary statewide, low-income household housing waiting list data base that would include information on all low-income households requesting housing assistance for the purpose of connecting such households with appropriate housing opportunities. The study shall investigate and evaluate the following: (1) The anticipated benefits of such a statewide waiting list to low-income households and low-income housing providers;(2) The cost of implementing and maintaining the data base; and(3) Best practices from other states or from counties in other states that currently have a similar data base.Requires the department to report the results of this study to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 31, 2007.Provides that, unless a transfer of at least twenty-five million dollars from the general fund to the Washington housing trust fund as created in RCW 43.185.030 for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2006, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.
| Feb 7 | CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Placed on second reading. | ||
HB 2423-S
by House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Anderson, Talcott, Rodne, and Hunter)
Encouraging the creation of a comprehensive guidance, counseling, and planning program in schools.
Encourages each middle school, junior high school, and high school to implement a comprehensive guidance, counseling, and planning program for all students. The purpose of the program is to support students as they navigate their education and plan their future; encourage an ongoing and personal relationship between each student and an adult in the school; and involve parents in students' educational decisions and plans.Provides that, by January 1, 2009, the superintendent of public instruction shall report to the education committees of the legislature regarding the impact of comprehensive guidance, counseling, and planning programs on student performance.
| Feb 1 | ED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 7 | Placed on second reading. | |
| Feb 9 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 0. | ||
HB 2434-S
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby, Campbell, Chase, McDonald, Blake, Morrell, Moeller, Linville, Conway, and Schual-Berke)
Reviewing the impact of consumer credit histories on consumers.
Declares that it is known that the federal trade commission is currently studying the issue of credit-based insurance scores and its effect on consumers. The insurance commissioner is directed to obtain this report when completed, and review the findings as they may apply to Washington consumers and make any recommendations to the legislature necessary to protect Washington consumers no later than one hundred eighty days after receipt of the federal trade commission report.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2457-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Grant, Williams, Blake, Clibborn, Linville, Cox, Buck, Haigh, Sump, Newhouse, Walsh, Buri, Haler, Morrell, Morris, Ericks, Strow, O'Brien, and Holmquist)
Authorizing sales and use tax exemptions for replacement parts for farm machinery and equipment.
Authorizes sales and use tax exemptions for replacement parts for farm machinery and equipment.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 8 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 2471-S
by House Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives McCune, Miloscia, Dunn, Campbell, Linville, Morrell, Strow, O'Brien, Green, Sells, Chase, and Holmquist)
Creating a veteran homeownership downpayment assistance program.
Provides that, by January 1, 2007, the Washington state housing finance commission shall create and implement a veteran homeownership downpayment assistance program to work in conjunction with the commission's housing finance programs. The program will assist the following individuals purchase a home: (1) Washington state residents who are veterans, as defined by RCW 41.04.007;(2) Members and former members of the Washington national guard and reserve; and(3) Never remarried spouses and dependent children of deceased veterans, as defined by RCW 41.04.007.
| Feb 2 | HOUS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2482-S
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Ericks, Kirby, Williams, Rodne, Morrell, Lovick, B. Sullivan, Simpson, and Schual-Berke; by request of Insurance Commissioner)
Creating the insurance fraud program.
Declares that the purpose of this act is to confront the problem of insurance fraud in this state by making a concerted effort to detect insurance fraud, reduce the occurrence of fraud through criminal enforcement and deterrence, require restitution of fraudulently obtained insurance benefits, and reduce the amount of premium dollars used to pay fraudulent claims. The primary focus of the insurance fraud program is on organized fraudulent activities committed against insurance companies.Establishes an insurance fraud program within the office of the insurance commissioner.Provides that any insurer or licensee of the commissioner that has reasonable belief that an act of insurance fraud which is or may be a crime under Washington law has been, is being, or is about to be committed shall furnish and disclose the knowledge and information to the commissioner or the national insurance crime bureau, the national association of insurance commissioners, or similar organization, who shall disclose the information to the commissioner, and cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by the commissioner.Requires the commissioner to prepare an annual report of the activities of the fraud program. The report shall be submitted to the legislature no later than March 1st for the prior calendar year. The report shall, at a minimum, include information as to the number of cases reported to the commissioner, the number of cases referred for prosecution, the number of convictions obtained, and the amount of money recovered.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
| Feb 4 | APP - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Financial Institutions & Insurance. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2553-S
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby and Morrell; by request of Insurance Commissioner)
Regulating service contracts and protection product guarantees.
Establishes provisions regulating service contracts and guarantee protection products.Repeals provisions of chapter 48.96 RCW.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2574-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Morrell, Green, and Upthegrove)
Regarding hospital charity care and debt collection.
Provides that, for persons with no third-party coverage and with family income up to four hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines, hospitals must provide a discount for any charges for services provided in the hospital.Requires each hospital to provide notice to patients of its charity care policies. At a minimum, each hospital must post prominently in locations easily accessible to and visible by patients, including its web site, and in the bill sent to patients, a notice stating that charges for services to people meeting the charity care or discount criteria may be waived or reduced, and regarding the availability of charity care and how to qualify. A notice of charity care policies also may be provided to patients prior to discharge. Posted notices must be in English and also in the five languages other than English that are most frequently spoken in the hospital's service area. The notice must use clear language that would be easily understood by individuals with limited education.Provides that, upon a determination by a hospital that a person without third-party coverage is eligible for a sliding fee schedule or other discount under RCW 70.170.060, the hospital shall offer that person the option to pay his or her bill in reasonable installments that take into account the person's income, assets, and other financial obligations. Interest rates for installment payment plans shall not exceed the rate the hospital pays to borrow working capital.
| Feb 4 | APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2584-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Jarrett, Dunshee, Shabro, Clibborn, Anderson, B. Sullivan, Tom, Linville, Nixon, Lantz, Rodne, Upthegrove, P. Sullivan, Morrell, Moeller, Kilmer, and Springer)
Establishing a blue ribbon growth management needs and priorities task force.
Establishes a blue ribbon growth management needs and priorities task force to provide the governor and the legislature with an analysis of how the growth management act has worked in meeting the goals and requirements set forth in chapter 36.70A RCW and to provide recommendations on how it can be improved to ensure meeting those goals.Requires the task force to convene its first meeting no later than June 1, 2006, and shall choose two cochairs from among its legislative membership. The task force shall submit an interim report to the governor and legislature not later than November 1, 2006, which shall contain, at minimum, the findings to date of the independent fact-finder. The task force shall submit its final report and recommendations for legislative changes, if any, to the governor and the legislature not later than December 1, 2007.Requires the task force to retain the services of an independent fact-finder for the purpose of gathering, analyzing, and reporting information on the positive and controversial aspects of implementing the growth management act.
| Feb 2 | LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2630-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Cox, Kessler, Priest, Conway, Hunter, Buri, Fromhold, Sells, Grant, Ormsby, Quall, Haigh, Clements, Roberts, Upthegrove, McDermott, Hasegawa, Santos, Flannigan, Appleton, Rodne, Clibborn, Simpson, Linville, Kagi, Dickerson, P. Sullivan, Morrell, Moeller, Ericks, and Kilmer)
Creating the opportunity grant program.
Requires the college board and a nonprofit organization that has been established to address work force development issues by a recognized statewide organization of employers representing a majority of employers in the state to, in consultation with the work force training and education coordinating board, a statewide labor organization, and a statewide high-technology organization: (1) Identify high demand occupations, which are occupations where employer demand for workers exceeds the supply of qualified job applicants;(2) Convene or use existing industry groups, such as industry skill panels or other industry or occupational entities, to identify the skill sets that workers need in the high demand occupations;(3) Develop credentials that are recognized by postsecondary institutions and employers statewide and that are based on the attainment of the skill sets needed in occupations in high demand sectors;(4) Market the credentials or certificates to potential students and employers as a way for them to advance in their careers; and(5) Gain recognition of the credentials or certificates by employers.Directs the college board to develop and implement a work force education program known as the opportunity grant program to provide funding for low-income students enrolled in the program, including but not limited to funding tuition, books, fees, and child care expenses.Requires the college board to: (1) Begin developing the program no later than March 15, 2006, with student enrollment to begin no later than January 1, 2007; and(2) Submit a progress report to the fiscal and higher education committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008.Provides that, subject to approval of the board, the Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct a study to include: (1) A review of and recommendations for consolidating and simplifying the delivery of state-funded and federally funded work force education programs and work force education aid offered to students in this state, with a goal of achieving easier access to postsecondary education for students;(2) A description of barriers that exist to combining work force education programs and work force education aid, such as state or federal statutes, rules, or regulations, and the relief that may be available through federal waivers;(3) An estimate of the funding gap between available work force education aid and the financial needs of students living in this state;(4) A description of barriers to access to and completion of work force education programs in this state; and(5) Recommendations for increasing participation and completion rates for work force education programs.Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to submit its report on the study to the legislature by November 15, 2006, and must coordinate its study and research with the Washington Learns study of postsecondary education.
| Feb 2 | APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 7 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 2640-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Sullivan, McCoy, O'Brien, Haler, Sells, Morris, Ericks, Strow, and Dunn)
Providing biotechnology product and medical device manufacturing tax incentives.
Finds that the state's economy is increasingly dependent on the expansion of knowledge-based sectors, including the life sciences.Finds that commercial enterprises in the life sciences create high-wage, high-skilled jobs that are part of the state's effort to encourage economic diversification and stability. However, the legislature also finds that commercial life sciences businesses, particularly in biotechnology product and medical device manufacturing, incur significant costs associated with capital infrastructure and job training often years before a product is licensed for marketing or a facility is licensed for manufacturing by governmental agencies in the United States and abroad.Finds that current state tax policy discourages the growth of these companies in two ways: (1) Washington state's higher rate of taxation compared with other states and nations encourages the export of intellectual property and commercial operations out of Washington; and(2) Taxing these businesses before facilities, or products produced therein, are licensed for marketing by regulatory agencies.Finds that targeted tax incentives may encourage the formation, expansion, and retention of commercial operations within the life sciences sector. The legislature also finds that tax incentives should be subject to the same rigorous requirements for efficiency and accountability as are other expenditure programs, and that tax incentives should therefore be focused to provide the greatest possible return on the state's investment.Declares that, for these reasons, the legislature hereby establishes a tax deferral program for commercial manufacturing facilities in this sector. The legislature declares that these limited programs serve the vital public purposes of incenting expenditures in commercial life science operations and the development of employment opportunities in this state. The legislature further declares its intent to create a contract within the meaning of Article I, section 23 of the state Constitution as to those businesses that make capital investments in consideration of the tax deferral program established in this act.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 8 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 2646-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Hinkle, Haigh, and Holmquist)
Providing a sales tax exemption for certain trail grooming services.
Declares that the tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales of trail grooming services to the state of Washington or nonprofit corporations organized under chapter 24.03 RCW. For the purposes of this act, "trail grooming" means the activity of snow compacting, snow redistribution, or snow removal on state-owned or privately-owned trails.
| Feb 1 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2651-S
by House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Pettigrew, Kristiansen, Haigh, Buri, Walsh, Linville, Kretz, Grant, Cox, Newhouse, Holmquist, Blake, Armstrong, and Springer)
Regarding disclosure of animal information.
Finds that livestock identification numbers, premise information, and animal movement data are proprietary information that all have a role in defining a livestock producer's position within the marketplace, including his or her competitive advantage over other producers.Finds that exempting certain voluntary livestock identification, premise, movement, and testing information from state public disclosure requirements will protect and maintain the highest level of animal health, foster an environment that is more conducive to voluntary participation, and lead to a more effective livestock identification system.
| Feb 1 | EDAT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2667-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Nixon, Hasegawa, Jarrett, Upthegrove, Clibborn, and Lovick)
Providing municipal services to annexed areas.
Provides municipal services to annexed areas.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2685-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Fromhold, Conway, Lovick, Quall, Simpson, Ormsby, and Moeller; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy)
Making changes to general provisions in the public safety employees' retirement system.
Makes changes to general provisions in the public safety employees' retirement system.
| Feb 4 | APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2748-S
by House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Miloscia, O'Brien, and Ericks)
Expanding the collection of biological samples for criminal investigations.
Expands the collection of biological samples for criminal investigations.
| Feb 2 | CJC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2799-S2
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Chase, Morris, Crouse, Eickmeyer, Clibborn, P. Sullivan, Hunt, McCoy, Miloscia, Grant, Sells, Williams, McCune, Moeller, Conway, Upthegrove, Morrell, Simpson, Kilmer, Kagi, Hudgins, Dunn, and Darneille)
Providing tax exemptions for solar water heating equipment.
Provides tax exemptions for solar hot water heating equipment.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2804-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Holmquist, Serben, McIntire, Ahern, McDermott, Rodne, Buri, McDonald, McCune, and Dunn; by request of Office of the Lieutenant Governor)
Modifying the property tax exemption for nonprofit schools and colleges.
Recognizes that independent nonprofit schools, colleges, and universities are important economic drivers in their communities, and encourages institutions to support local communities, to provide public benefit, and to respond to community expectations that they share facilities, offer programs, and attract students on par with Washington's publicly owned institutions and out-of-state schools and colleges. Further, the legislature encourages innovative programs and educational opportunities, sustainable practices, and increased use of facilities so that operations of institutions can be more cost-effective.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2805-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Ericks, Morrell, Miloscia, and Green)
Expanding provisions relating to missing persons.
Declares an intent to build upon the research and findings of the Washington state missing persons task force, assembled by the state attorney general in 2003, the United States department of justice, and others to aid in recovery of missing persons and the identification of human remains.Requires the Washington association of county officials, in consultation with the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, the Washington association of coroners and medical examiners, the forensic investigations council, the Washington state patrol, and other interested agencies and individuals, to convene a committee to coordinate the use of the latest technology and available science to improve reporting of missing persons, to improve the communication within the state and with national data bases, to enhance the dissemination of information to other agencies and the public, and to improve reporting for missing persons and the collection and preservation of evidence.Provides that protocols for the investigation of reported missing persons, identification of human remains, and recommended protocols for the reporting and identification of persons missing as the result of major events not limited to tsunami, earthquake, or acts of terrorism shall be endorsed by the groups named in this act who shall then seek the voluntary adoption of the same by all local law enforcement agencies, coroners, medical examiners, and others charged with locating missing persons or identifying human remains.Directs the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs to create and maintain a statewide web site, which shall be available to the public. The web site shall post relevant information concerning persons reported missing in the state of Washington.Requires the Washington state patrol to establish an interface with local law enforcement and the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs missing persons web site, the toll-free twenty-four hour hotline, and national and other statewide missing persons systems or clearinghouses.Requires local law enforcement agencies to file an official missing persons report and enter biographical information into the state missing persons computerized network within twelve hours after notification of a missing person's report is received under this act.Provides that biological samples taken for a missing person's investigation under RCW 68.50.320 shall be forwarded as appropriate to the federal bureau of investigation upon receipt of the DNA samples and to the Washington state patrol crime lab as soon as possible. The crime laboratory of the state patrol will provide guidance to agencies regarding where samples should be sent, conduct nuclear DNA testing of the biological sample where appropriate and, in the event additional testing is required, the mitochondrial DNA testing will be conducted through the federal bureau of investigation. Priority for testing shall be given to active criminal cases. If substantial delays in testing occur or federal testing is no longer available, the legislature should provide funding to implement mitochondrial technology in the state of Washington.Provides that, if specific funding for the purposes of section 4 of this act, referencing this act and section 4 of this act by bill or chapter number and section number, is not provided by June 30, 2006, in the omnibus appropriations act, section 4 of this act is null and void.Provides that, if specific funding for the purposes of section 5 of this act, referencing this act and section 5 of this act by bill or chapter number and section number, is not provided by June 30, 2006, in the omnibus appropriations act, section 5 of this act is null and void.
| Feb 4 | APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2814-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Schindler, Springer, and Lantz; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development)
Concerning schedules for the review of comprehensive plans and development regulations.
Finds there is a statewide interest in maintaining coordinated planning as called for in the legislative findings of the growth management act, RCW 36.70A.010. It is the intent of the legislature that smaller, slower-growing counties and cities be provided with flexibility in meeting the requirements to review local plans and development regulations in RCW 36.70A.130, while ensuring coordination and consistency with the plans of neighboring cities and counties.
| Feb 1 | LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2817-S
by House Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Sells, McCoy, Strow, Dunshee, Lovick, Jarrett, Morris, Ormsby, Morrell, Haler, O'Brien, Fromhold, Ericks, Kilmer, and B. Sullivan)
Establishing a technology emphasis for institutions of higher education.
Recognizes the vital importance to the state's economic prosperity and the economic benefit of placing a priority on enrolling and conferring degrees upon students in the fields of engineering, technology, biotechnology, science, computer science, and mathematics.Declares an intent to promote increased access, delivery models, enrollment slots, and degree opportunities in the fields of engineering, technology, biotechnology, sciences, computer sciences, and mathematics. It is recognized that these areas of study and training are integrally linked to ensuring that Washington state's economy can compete nationally and globally in the twenty-first century marketplace. It is also recognized that community colleges play a unique role in supporting degree attainment in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the development of transferable curricula and the maintenance of viable articulation agreements with both public and private universities.
| Feb 2 | HEWE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 7 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 2818-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives McIntire, Kenney, McDermott, Hunter, Ormsby, Linville, Wood, Fromhold, Morrell, Conway, Condotta, and Springer)
Improving the state of Washington's economic, cultural, and educational standing in the motion picture industry.
Declares an intent to recognize both national and international competition in the motion picture production marketplace. The legislature is committed to leveling the competitive playing field and interested in a partnership with the private sector to regain Washington's place as a premier destination to make motion pictures, television, and television commercials. While at the same time the legislature is committed to ensuring that workers in the motion picture and television industry are covered under health insurance and retirement income plans.Directs the department to adopt criteria for an approved motion picture competitiveness program with the sole purpose of revitalizing the state's economic, cultural, and educational standing in the national and international market of motion picture production. Rules adopted by the department shall allow the program, within the established criteria, to provide funding assistance only when it captures economic opportunities for Washington's communities and businesses and shall only be provided under a contractual arrangement with a private entity.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2823-S
by House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, Dunshee, McCoy, Santos, Simpson, and Hasegawa)
Requiring a study of school district curriculum.
Declares an intent that every student in Washington should see his or her culture fully and accurately included in the public school curriculum in every grade, and that all students should learn about the cultures and histories of all of their peers in the state and the world. To make progress toward achieving this goal, the legislature requires additional information about the degree to which school districts have such a curriculum and what barriers may impede them from adopting and using such a curriculum.Directs the college of education at the University of Washington to conduct a review of the curriculum offered by public schools in Washington. The review shall examine the degree to which the curriculum fully and accurately includes the history, contributions, and contemporary experiences of people of color. The review shall also identify barriers that may impede schools and school districts from successfully adopting and using such a curriculum.Requires the college to submit a report to the education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007, including findings and recommendations for strategies and policies that could improve the public school curriculum.
| Feb 2 | ED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2850-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Clements, Orcutt, Dunn, Armstrong, and Newhouse)
Modifying interest and penalty provisions for land in the current use agricultural program.
Revises tax, interest, and penalty provisions for land valued under the open space program.
| Feb 1 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2852-S
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Strow, Kirby, Roach, Ericks, Serben, Appleton, Newhouse, Kilmer, Skinner, Shabro, Simpson, Williams, Tom, Darneille, Morrell, Anderson, Hankins, McCune, Wallace, Green, and Ormsby)
Regulating small loans made by unlicensed check cashers and sellers.
Provides that any small loan agreement or contract made between a borrower and a licensee without the licensee first obtaining a small loan endorsement is void and unenforceable.Does not apply to a loan made by a private party to another private party if the interest rate charged is less than the usury rate in RCW 19.52.020.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2871-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Murray, Dickerson, Appleton, and Simpson)
Creating a regional transportation commission.
Finds that effective transportation planning in urbanized regions requires stronger and clearer lines of responsibility and accountability.Finds that integrated, multimodal transportation planning will help reduce transportation congestion and improve safety, and that streamlined decision making will help reduce political congestion.Finds that coordinated planning of, investment in, and operation of transportation systems will have significant benefit to the citizens of Washington, and that it is the will of the people to fund regional transportation solutions, including improving transit service in urbanized areas and among existing, fragmented transit agencies in the region. Although equity considerations must be respected, transportation problems are broader and deeper than the sum of geographic subareas.Declares that it is therefore the policy of the state of Washington to create a regional transportation commission to develop a proposal for a regional transportation governing entity more directly accountable to the public, and to develop a comprehensive regional transportation finance plan for the citizens of the Puget Sound metropolitan region.Declares that the commission has the following duties: (1) Evaluate transportation governance in the central Puget Sound area within the jurisdiction of the Puget Sound regional council. The commission shall assess and develop recommendations for what steps should be taken to: (a) Consolidate governance among agencies, including changes in institutional powers, structures, and relationships and governance needed to improve accountability for transportation decisions, while enhancing the regional focus for transportation decisions and maintaining equity among citizens in the region; (b) improve coordination in the planning of transportation investments and services; (c) improve investment strategies; (d) coordinate transportation planning and investments with adopted land use policies within the region; (e) enhance efficiency and coordination in the delivery of services provided; (f) adjust boundaries for agencies or functions within the region to address existing and future transportation and land use issues; and (g) improve coordination between regional investments and federal funds, and state funding, including those administered by the transportation improvement board, the county road administration board, and the freight mobility strategic investment board;(2) Develop a regional transportation governance proposal that includes, at a minimum, the formation of a regional transportation governing entity, of which all or a majority of its members must be directly elected, the revenue sources that will be available to such entity, and the scope of planning authority of such entity;(3) Publicize the commission's proposal referenced in this act by November 15, 2006, and provide at least fifteen days for public comment;(4) Adopt the proposal referenced in this act and submit it to the legislature by January 1, 2007;(5) Develop a comprehensive, integrated transportation finance plan for the metropolitan Puget Sound region to be submitted to the affected voters by the regional transportation governing entity;(6) Conduct public meetings to assure active public participation in the development of the proposal referenced in this act and the regional transportation finance plan referenced in this act.
| Feb 6 | TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2881-S
by House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Appleton, Jarrett, Dickerson, Takko, Morris, Williams, Moeller, Flannigan, Haigh, Hudgins, Wallace, Sells, Kilmer, Schual-Berke, Darneille, Hunt, Campbell, Simpson, and Ormsby)
Regulating check cashers and sellers.
Provides that a licensee shall: (1) Not contact, or threaten to contact, either orally or in writing, the military chain of command of a military borrower in an effort to collect a delinquent small loan;(2) Not communicate with a military borrower in such a manner as to harass, intimidate, threaten, or embarrass the military borrower, including but not limited to communication at an unreasonable hour, with unreasonable frequency, by threats of force or violence, by threats of criminal prosecution, and by use of offensive language.Provides that communication is presumed to have been made for the purposes of harassment when: (1) It is made with a military borrower in any form, manner, or place, more than three times in a single week;(2) It is made with a military borrower at his or her place of employment more than one time in a single week; or(3) It is made with a military borrower at his or her place of residence between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.Applies to any person who has notified the licensee in writing that they are the legal spouse of such a member of the armed forces, national guard, or reserve.
| Feb 2 | FII - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 6 | Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. | |
| Feb 7 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 74; nays, 24; absent, 0; excused, 0. | ||
| Feb 9 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection. | |
HB 2901-S
by House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Green, Campbell, Roberts, Wallace, Ericks, Lantz, Kilmer, Blake, Grant, Hudgins, Darneille, McDonald, Linville, McCune, and Ormsby)
Changing provisions relating to the clean up of properties contaminated by manufactured illegal drugs.
Revises provisions relating to the clean up of properties contaminated by manufactured illegal drugs.
| Feb 2 | NREP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2987-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Clibborn, and Dickerson)
Increasing penalties for vehicle gross weight violations.
Increases penalties for vehicle gross weight violations.Directs the Washington state patrol to develop recommendations regarding the most effective methods for tracking the violations that lead to suspensions of certificates of license registration under RCW 46.44.105(3). The Washington state patrol shall also develop recommendations for improving the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles on Washington's highways and roads. In developing these recommendations, the Washington state patrol shall consult with, at a minimum, the following individuals: (1) A representative of the administrative office of the courts;(2) A representative of the department of licensing;(3) A representative of the trucking industry; and(4) A member of the Washington utilities and transportation commission. The recommendations shall be submitted to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2006.
| Feb 6 | TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2989-S
by House Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Cox, Sells, Chase, Ericks, Hasegawa, Takko, Haler, Rodne, Hunter, Quall, McCoy, Santos, Green, Schual-Berke, Springer, Dickerson, Simpson, and Hudgins)
Establishing the Washington Teach Math-Science program.
Establishes the Washington teach math-science program to increase the number and enhance the preparation of secondary school mathematics and science teachers.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 31 | HEWE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
| Feb 4 | APP - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Higher Education & Workforce Education. | ||
| Feb 7 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 3070-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Miloscia, Hasegawa, Chase, and Santos)
Increasing nonprofit housing development capacity.
Declares an intent to establish policies and provide incentives that will increase the number of nonprofit housing developers that create affordable housing opportunities for low-income and indigent households, and which will simultaneously increase the ability of existing nonprofit housing developers to expand housing development programs and to sustain the resulting affordable housing units over the long term.Amends RCW 43.180.160 to increase the total amount of outstanding indebtedness of the commission to four billion dollars at any time.Authorizes the commission to establish a multiunit residential building construction liability revolving fund program to provide supplemental funding for liability claims arising from the construction or rehabilitation of condominium or other multiunit residential buildings, as defined in RCW 64.55.010, which are owned or controlled by nonprofit corporations, as defined in RCW 43.180.300.Requires the department to contract with the Washington state housing finance commission to establish a multiunit residential building construction liability revolving fund program to provide supplemental funding for liability claims arising from the construction or rehabilitation of condominium or other multiunit residential buildings, as defined in RCW 64.55.010, that are owned or controlled by nonprofit corporations, as defined in RCW 43.180.300, for developing affordable housing for low-income households.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 6 | CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 3137-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, Curtis, Clements, Hunt, Grant, Ericks, Conway, Morrell, Simpson, and Kenney; by request of Department of Retirement Systems)
Determining benefits for surviving spouses of disabled Washington state patrol officers.
Determines benefits for surviving spouses of disabled Washington state patrol officers.
| Feb 6 | TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 3164-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Kilmer, Kristiansen, Linville, Bailey, Pettigrew, P. Sullivan, Dunn, Ericks, Appleton, Green, Morrell, Sells, and Simpson)
Increasing the head of a family personal property tax exemption amount.
Finds that it is in the public interest of the people of the state of Washington to ease the burden of property taxes paid by the head of a family. To achieve this purpose, this act increases the amount of personal property exemption for the head of a family from three thousand dollars to fifteen thousand dollars. The last time this exemption was increased was 1988. It is the clear and unambiguous intent of the legislature that the property described within this measure shall be exempt for taxation, as authorized by Article VII, section 1 of the state Constitution.Declares that this act takes effect January 1, 2007, if the proposed amendment to Article VII, section 1 of the state Constitution authorizing an increased personal exemption for the head of a family is validly submitted to and is approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election. If the proposed amendment is not approved and ratified, this act is void in its entirety.
| Feb 6 | FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 7 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 8 | Placed on second reading. | |
HB 3165-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Miloscia, Chase, and Hasegawa)
Using surplus property to develop affordable housing.
Revises provisions relating to using surplus property to develop affordable housing.Requires the department of natural resources to identify and catalog real property that is no longer required for department purposes and is suitable for the development of affordable housing for very low-income, low-income, and moderate-income households as defined in RCW 43.63A.510. The inventory shall include the location, approximate size, and current zoning classification of the property. The department shall provide a copy of the inventory to the department of community, trade, and economic development, with inventory revisions provided as surplus property becomes available, but no less often than each calendar quarter, beginning in June 2006.Provides that an annual report must be submitted to the department of community, trade, and economic development which shall include a list of all properties that were purchased by a nonprofit housing organization or housing authority in the most recently completed fiscal year. The report must also include all information required in RCW 43.63A.510(5).Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 7 | CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 3308
by Representative Morris
Concerning revenue from fossil fuel production.
Provides that the royalty for each lease entered into under chapter 79.14 RCW must be established by the commissioner of public lands and represent at least five percent, but no more than thirty percent of the gross production of all oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons produced and saved from the lands covered by a lease issued under this chapter.Declares that, in determining the royalty for leases under this act, the commissioner must consider the remaining income to the owner after all costs are considered, including normal risk and a fair rate of return. The royalty adopted by the commissioner should ensure that the state of Washington receives a fair share of the revenue from oil and gas resources, while allowing the owner to maintain a large enough share of the production to allow the owner to receive a reasonable return on the investment.
| Feb 9 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 3309
by Representative Anderson
Prioritizing basic education expenditures within the state appropriations process.
Provides that, beginning with the 2007-2009 fiscal biennium and thereafter, appropriations for the purposes of this act and other K-12 education purposes must be made in legislation that is separate from the omnibus operating appropriations act. Such appropriations must be enacted into law before it is in order for either house of the legislature to take executive action on omnibus operating appropriations legislation.
| Feb 9 | First reading, referred to Appropriations. | |
SB 6171-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Schmidt, Rasmussen, and Kohl-Welles)
Creating a demonstration project to help prepare bilingual and special education teachers.
Finds that there is a considerable shortage of qualified, certificated teachers in the areas of bilingual education and special education.Finds it will require concerted efforts to counter these deficits and to meet the growing demand for such teachers.Declares an intent to address this by using the proven successful strategy of recruiting classified public school employees who have the explicit interest, commitment, and life experience to teach in these areas.Creates a demonstration project to assist classified public K-12 school employees to earn a teaching certificate with an endorsement for bilingual education or special education. The project shall provide conditional scholarships through either the future teachers conditional scholarship program and loan repayment program in accordance with chapter 28B.102 RCW or one of the alternative routes to teacher certification in accordance with chapter 28A.660 RCW.Directs the higher education coordinating board to provide the legislature and governor with findings about the impact of this demonstration project on persons entering the teaching profession in the shortage areas of bilingual education and special education by no later than January 2008.
| Feb 7 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6183-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Kastama)
Creating provisions relating to the hepatitis C virus.
Declares an intent to establish a system to accurately monitor the incidence of hepatitis C in the state of Washington for the purposes of understanding, controlling, and reducing its occurrence, and directing appropriate resources to its treatment. To accomplish this, the legislature has determined that hepatitis C cases shall be reported to the department of health, and that a statewide population-based hepatitis C data base shall be established.Provides that, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, the department of health shall establish, staff, and maintain an up-to-date data base which shall include a record of all reported cases of hepatitis C in Washington state, and deaths attributed to hepatitis C as a primary or secondary cause.Provides that, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, the department of health shall implement a comprehensive hepatitis C public awareness and education campaign for the general public and health care providers.
| Feb 7 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6193-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Regala, Keiser, Eide, Prentice, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Fairley, McAuliffe, Fraser, Brown, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, and Shin)
Requiring surveys of health professions work force supply and demographics.
Provides that, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, the department shall periodically, in collaboration with the work force training and education coordinating board, distribute survey questions for the purpose of gathering data related to work force supply and demographics to all health care providers who are licensed to practice in Washington.Requires the department to process the surveys that it receives in such a way that the identity of individual providers remains anonymous. Data elements related to the identification of individual providers shall be confidential and shall be exempt from chapter 42.56 RCW, except as provided in a data-sharing agreement approved by the department pursuant to this act.
| Feb 7 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6195-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Regala, Keiser, Eide, Prentice, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Fraser, Kline, and Shin)
Requiring health impact assessments.
Finds that people of color experience significant disparities from the general population in education, employment, healthy living conditions, access to health care, and other social determinants of health. The legislature intends that state government policy leaders, program managers, and staff increase their awareness of actions they take or that they contemplate taking that contribute to health disparities.Declares that it shall be the policy of the state of Washington to address health disparities in communities of color by creating an action plan and statewide policy to include health impact assessments that measure and address other social determinants of health that lead to disparities as well as the contributing factors of health that can have broad impacts on improving status, health literacy, physical activity, and nutrition.Requires the state board, in collaboration with the council, to complete health impact assessments, in collaboration with the council, and with assistance that shall be provided by any state agency of which the board makes a request. The state board may limit the number of health impact assessments it produces to retain quality while operating within its available resources.
| Feb 7 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6197-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Regala, Eide, Prentice, Fraser, Brown, Kline, Kohl-Welles, and Shin)
Creating the governor's interagency coordinating council on health disparities.
Declares an intent to create the healthiest state in the nation by striving to eliminate health disparities in people of color. In meeting the intent of this act, the legislature creates the governor's interagency council on health disparities.Directs the council to promote and facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration among relevant state agencies and communities of color to address health disparities. The council shall conduct public hearings, inquiries, studies, or other forms of information gathering to understand how the actions of state government ameliorate or contribute to health disparities. Within the limits of their resources, all state agencies must cooperate with the council's efforts.Directs the governor's interagency council on health disparities to consider in its deliberations an action plan for eliminating health disparities by 2012.Requires the council to meet as often as necessary but not less than six times per calendar year. The council shall report its progress with the action plan to the governor and the legislature no later than January 15, 2008. A second report shall be presented no later than January 15, 2010, and a final report from the council shall be presented to the governor and the legislature no later than January 15, 2012.Requires the joint committee to conduct a review of the governor's interagency coordinating council on health disparities and its functions. The review shall be substantially the same as a sunset review under chapter 43.131 RCW. The joint committee shall present its findings to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2016.
| Feb 7 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 9 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 6356-S
by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Keiser, McAuliffe, Franklin, Thibaudeau, Fairley, Prentice, and Kline)
Establishing minimum labor standards for certain large employers as related to health care services expenditures.
Declares an intent to set minimum labor standards for some large employers in Washington state with respect to health benefit expenditures, and to further the state's interest in ensuring that its residents have access to appropriate health care services. Ensuring that employers do not eliminate employer-paid health care is important for minimizing the burden on taxpayers and the public health system, and protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the residents of Washington state.Requires that, on July 1, 2007, and each following July 1st, every employer shall report to the director: (1) The employer's health care services expenditures in the preceding calendar year; and(2) The employer's payroll in the preceding calendar year.Requires an employer to either: (1) Spend at least nine percent of the employer's payroll on health care services expenditures; or(2) Pay to the director an amount equal to the difference between the employer's health care services expenditures and an amount equal to nine percent of the employer's payroll.Provides that an employer that is a nonprofit organization or governmental entity shall either: (1) Spend at least seven percent of the employer's payroll on health care services expenditures; or(2) Pay to the director an amount equal to the difference between the employer's health care services expenditures and an amount equal to seven percent of its payroll.Requires the director to: (1) Administer and enforce this act;(2) Review reports, inspect records, and conduct investigations and audits of employment, payroll, and health care services expenditures, as the director deems necessary or appropriate, to determine whether an employer has complied with this act;(3) Adopt rules necessary to implement this act; and(4) Deposit payments required and civil penalties assessed under this act into the health services account established under RCW 43.72.900.
| Feb 3 | LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6366-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Thibaudeau, and Kline)
Concerning preparation and response to pandemic influenza.
Declares an intent that adequate pandemic flu preparedness and response plans be developed and implemented by local public health jurisdictions statewide in order to limit the number of illnesses and deaths, preserve the continuity of essential government and other community services, and minimize social disruption and economic loss in the event of an influenza pandemic.Provides that, by January 1, 2007, each local health jurisdiction shall develop a pandemic flu preparedness and response plan, consistent with requirements and standards established by the department and the United States department of health and human services.Requires the department to provide technical assistance and disburse funds as needed to support local health jurisdictions in developing their pandemic flu preparedness and response plans.
| Feb 7 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6417-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Kline, Jacobsen, Esser, Weinstein, Thibaudeau, Benson, Rasmussen, Schmidt, Carrell, Morton, Deccio, Stevens, Mulliken, McCaslin, Hargrove, and Delvin)
Changing provisions relating to animal cruelty.
Revises provisions relating to animal cruelty in RCW 16.52.205 and 9.94A.515.
| Feb 3 | JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 7 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 6419-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Kastama, Benson, Keiser, and McAuliffe)
Creating pilot projects for dental hygienists.
Declares an intent to address the problem of access to preventive oral health care services by providing five pilot projects that allow dental hygienists to practice within the current scope of practice without the supervision of a dentist.Provides that dental hygienists participating in the pilot projects shall not perform injections of anesthetic agents, administer nitrous oxide, or give a diagnosis for dental treatment.Directs the secretary of health to establish a task force to recommend ways to improve oral health services to dentally underserved children and adults in Washington state. The task force shall provide a report with recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2009. Task force membership shall include representation from the department of health, board of health, Washington state dental hygienists association, Washington state dental association, and local health authorities from dentally underserved regions of the state.
| Feb 3 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6465-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Berkey, Haugen, Fairley, Shin, Rockefeller, Hargrove, Rasmussen, Franklin, Thibaudeau, and Regala)
Creating the crime of failure to cooperate with law enforcement regarding another's failure to register.
Provides that any person who has reason to believe that a person is not complying, or has not complied, with the requirements of RCW 9A.44.130 and who, with the intent to assist that person in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the person to question him or her about, or to arrest him or her for, his or her noncompliance with the requirements of RCW 9A.44.130: (1) Knowingly provides false information to a law enforcement agency about the person's noncompliance with the requirements of RCW 9A.44.130, and, if known, the person's whereabouts;(2) Harbors or attempts to harbor, or assists another in harboring or attempting to harbor, the person;(3) Conceals or attempts to conceal, or assists another in concealing or attempting to conceal, the person; or(4) Provides information to the law enforcement agency regarding the person with the knowledge that it is false information is guilty of failure to cooperate with law enforcement regarding another's failure to register, which is a class C felony.
| Feb 3 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 8 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 6789-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Brown, Doumit, Morton, and Rasmussen)
Modifying the authorized uses of certain county sales and use taxes.
Revises the authorized uses of certain county sales and use taxes.
| Feb 7 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 9 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 6893
by Senators Mulliken, Doumit, Finkbeiner, and Rasmussen
Creating unfunded liabilities stabilization accounts within the public employees' retirement system plan 1 and teachers' retirement system plan 1 funds and making appropriations into the accounts.
Creates unfunded liabilities stabilization accounts within the public employees' retirement system plan 1 and teachers' retirement system plan 1 funds and makes appropriations into the accounts.
| Feb 9 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |