 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 18 | ||
| SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Thursday, February 1, 2007 | 25th Day - 2007 Regular Session | |
| HOUSE |
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This publication includes digest and history for bills, joint memorials, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, initiatives, and substitutes. Engrossed measures may be republished if the amendment makes a substantive change.
Electronic versions of Legislative Digests are available at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/digests.aspx?year=2007.
HB 1034-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Hudgins, Wallace, Moeller, Linville, B. Sullivan, Chase, and Ormsby)
Allowing the electronic payment of utility bills.
Authorizes the electronic payment of utility bills.
| Jan 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 30 | Executive session in committee. | |
| TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
HB 1044-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Fromhold, Conway, Sommers, and Moeller; by request of Office of the State Actuary)
Amending the process for adopting contribution rates for the state retirement systems.
Revises the process for adopting contribution rates for the state retirement systems.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1103-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Green, Kenney, Hudgins, Appleton, Schual-Berke, and Cody)
Increasing the authority of regulators to remove health care practitioners who pose a risk to the public.
Increases the authority of regulators to remove health care practitioners who pose a risk to the public.
| Jan 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
HB 1141-S
by House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Roberts, Haler, O'Brien, Green, Goodman, Kagi, Appleton, Walsh, Williams, Dickerson, Darneille, Flannigan, McCoy, Hinkle, Pettigrew, and Hasegawa)
Modifying diversion records provisions.
Provides that records shall be automatically destroyed when a person who is the subject of the information or complaint turns eighteen years of age and his or her criminal history consists entirely of the one diversion agreement which has been successfully completed and there is no restitution owing in the case.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 30 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Jan 31 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1237-S
by House Committee on Insurance, Financial Service & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby and Roach; by request of Insurance Commissioner)
Modifying medical malpractice closed claim reporting requirements.
Provides that if a facility or provider is insured by a risk retention group and the risk retention group refuses to report closed claims and asserts that the federal liability risk retention act (95 Stat. 949; 15 U.S.C. Sec. 3901 et seq.) preempts state law, the facility or provider must report all data required by chapter 48.140 RCW on behalf of the risk retention group.Provides that, if a facility or provider is insured by an unauthorized insurer and the unauthorized insurer refuses to report closed claims and asserts a federal exemption or other jurisdictional preemption, the facility or provider must report all data required by this chapter on behalf of the unauthorized insurer.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 25 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Jan 30 | Executive session in committee. | |
| IFCP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1238-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Takko, Curtis, Simpson, and Moeller)
Revising provisions relating to water-sewer districts.
Revises provisions relating to water-sewer districts.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 30 | Executive session in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1246-S
by House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Darneille, Dickerson, Ahern, Kenney, and Moeller; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)
Concerning residential services and support enforcement standards.
Declares that it is the intent of the legislature for enforcement standards to apply to all residential services and support providers.
| Jan 25 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 30 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1261-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Crouse, Fromhold, Conway, Kenney, Ericks, Simpson, McDonald, Moeller, Campbell, and Pearson; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy and LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board)
Purchasing service credit for periods of temporary duty disability in the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan 2, the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the public safety employees' retirement system.
Purchases service credit for periods of temporary duty disability in the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan 2, the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the public safety employees' retirement system.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Jan 31 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1262-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Bailey, Conway, Fromhold, Ericks, Simpson, and Moeller; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy)
Addressing the public employment of retirees from the teachers' retirement system plan 1 and the public employees' retirement system plan 1.
Addresses the public employment of retirees from the teachers' retirement system plan 1 and the public employees' retirement system plan 1.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1264-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Fromhold, Conway, B. Sullivan, Kenney, Ericks, Haigh, Ormsby, Simpson, and Moeller; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy and LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board)
Addressing the portability of public retirement benefits.
Addresses the portability of public retirement benefits.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1266-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Fromhold, B. Sullivan, Kenney, Ericks, Simpson, and Moeller; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy and LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board)
Addressing death benefits for public employees.
Determines death benefits for public employees.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1300-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Campbell, Cody, Curtis, Schual-Berke, Green, and Moeller; by request of Department of Health)
Modifying the powers and duties of health care disciplining authorities.
Finds that in order to protect the public and to promote the safety of and confidence in the health care system, the disciplining authority may deny an application for licensure or grant a license with conditions if the applicant: (1) Has had his or her license to practice any health care profession suspended, revoked, or restricted, by competent authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction;(2) Has committed any act defined as unprofessional conduct for a license holder under RCW 18.130.180;(3) Has been convicted or is subject to current prosecution or pending charges of a crime involving moral turpitude or a crime identified in RCW 43.43.830;(4) Fails to prove that he or she is qualified in accordance with the provisions of this act, the chapters identified in RCW 18.130.040(2), or the rules adopted by the disciplining authority; or(5) Is not able to practice with reasonable skill and safety to consumers by reason of any mental or physical condition.
| Jan 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Jan 31 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1441-S
by House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Haler, Pettigrew, Blake, Dickerson, Morrell, Hasegawa, Flannigan, Ormsby, McCoy, Santos, Sells, Haigh, Cody, Quall, VanDeWege, Ericks, Grant, Lantz, Hankins, Hudgins, P. Sullivan, Williams, Skinner, Conway, Wood, and O'Brien)
Creating the joint legislative community development fund committee.
Recognizes that private nonprofit corporations fill an important public purpose in providing health, safety, and welfare services to our state's residents. Acting through partnerships with governmental entities, these private sector providers are able to increase the amount and quality of services available to state residents, conferring a valuable benefit on the public.Finds that existing programs by governmental entities and private nonprofit organizations to help distressed communities and underserved populations could be enhanced by creating the community development fund.Makes appropriations to carry out the purposes of the act.
| Jan 25 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 29 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CEDT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Jan 31 | Referred to Capital Budget. | |
HB 1565-S
by House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Dickerson, and Kenney)
Revising provisions relating to public access to child in need of services and at-risk youth hearings.
Provides that the public shall be excluded from a child in need of services hearing if the judicial officer finds that excluding the public is in the best interest of the child. The public shall be excluded from an at-risk youth hearing if either parent requests that the public be excluded or if the judicial officer finds it is in the best interest of the child.Requires that, at the beginning of the at-risk youth hearing, the judicial officer shall notify the parents that either parent has the right to request that the public be excluded from the at-risk youth hearing.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 30 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ELCS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1875
by Representatives Kenney, Haigh, Sells, Moeller, McDermott, Appleton, Wallace, Lantz, Hasegawa, P. Sullivan, Ormsby, Conway, Roberts, O'Brien, and Goodman
Providing for faculty opportunities at institutions of higher education.
Declares it is the purpose of this act to address growing concerns about the academic staffing crisis in higher education. Staffing issues, including the economic exploitation of adjunct faculty along with the shrinking ranks of full-time tenured faculty, limit the ability of the state system of higher education to provide high quality education, improve retention rates, conduct research, and provide support for economic development.Declares it is the goal of this act to have at least seventy-five percent of the full-time equivalent faculty positions be held by full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty in each department that has at least eight full-time equivalent faculty appointments, as defined in RCW 28B.50.851, on each campus of each institution of higher education.Declares it is further the goal of this act to have salaries in institutions of higher education that will attract and retain the best faculty possible to educate the citizens of Washington state.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
HB 1876
by Representatives Conway, Wood, O'Brien, and Ormsby
Providing for the certification of mechanics performing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and gas piping work.
Provides for the certification of mechanics performing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and gas piping work.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1877
by Representatives Conway, Curtis, Green, Condotta, Williams, Walsh, Wood, Anderson, Haler, Crouse, Kenney, Hasegawa, and Ormsby
Requiring payment of industrial insurance medical aid claims for initial visits.
Requires the department for state fund claims to pay, in accordance with the department's fee schedule, for the initial visit related to any alleged injury for which a worker files a claim for benefits, and any initial prescription drugs provided in relation to that initial visit, without regard to whether the worker's claim for benefits is allowed.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1878
by Representatives Kristiansen, Linville, Curtis, Blake, Orcutt, Ericks, Hinkle, Grant, B. Sullivan, McCune, Ericksen, Pearson, Sump, Morrell, Newhouse, Dunn, and Warnick
Providing vocational rehabilitation services for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers.
Declares that one of the primary purposes of this act is to enable injured participants to return to their regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit. To this end, the state board shall utilize the services of individuals and organizations, public or private, whose experience, training, and interests in vocational rehabilitation and retraining qualify them to lend expert assistance to the secretary or the secretary's designee in such programs of vocational rehabilitation as may be reasonable to make the participant return to his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit consistent with his or her physical and mental status.Provides that, after evaluation and recommendation by such individuals or organizations and prior to final evaluation of the participant's permanent disability, if in the sole opinion of the secretary or the secretary's designee, whether or not medical treatment has been concluded, vocational rehabilitation is both necessary and likely to enable the injured participant to return to his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit, the secretary or the secretary's designee may, in his or her sole discretion, pay the cost as provided in this act.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1879
by Representatives Blake, B. Sullivan, Moeller, Kretz, Morris, Strow, Pettigrew, Orcutt, Armstrong, McCoy, Linville, VanDeWege, Takko, Lovick, Williams, Haigh, P. Sullivan, Sump, Kenney, and Ormsby
Authorizing the department of natural resources to give nominally valuable materials to nonprofit organizations.
Provides that the department may provide nonprofit organizations, free of charge, with fallen woody debris, boulders, and other materials of nominal value for the implementation of aquatic habitat improvement projects. The department may reserve the ability to evaluate, condition, or deny the provision of nominally valuable materials under this act.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 1880
by Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Ormsby, Buri, Curtis, Haigh, Priest, Armstrong, Jarrett, Roberts, Kenney, Conway, Morrell, and Wood
Creating the skills-based economic growth program.
Finds that the education and skills of Washington's workforce is a major determinant of the state's economic growth, and that finding regional solutions to the state's workforce needs are of paramount concern.Recognizes that different areas of the state will need the flexibility to fashion local solutions to their economic and workforce strengths and challenges, and that regional workforce systems may evolve over time.Finds that while the workforce system in Washington is operated by numerous entities, each with a critical role, it should function as one interconnected and coordinated system. Workforce development planning, at the regional level, should be coordinated with regional strategic plans. Further, regional and state plans should be coordinated to achieve both statewide and local workforce development goals. To facilitate this coordination and cooperation among state and local regions, the legislature declares it to be in the state's interest to establish a coordinated planning program for regional workforce development systems throughout the state.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
| Feb 7 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1881
by Representatives Wallace, Moeller, Haigh, McDermott, Kagi, Roberts, O'Brien, Kenney, Hurst, and Ormsby
Implementing the Washington learns modifications.
Implements the Washington learns modifications.Repeals RCW 28B.76.100.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
| Feb 8 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1882
by Representatives Wallace, Moeller, Haigh, McDermott, Kagi, Roberts, O'Brien, Kenney, Hurst, and Ormsby
Implementing Washington learns higher education recommendations.
Implements Washington learns higher education recommendations.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
| Feb 8 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1883
by Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Chase, Jarrett, Moeller, McDermott, Priest, Haigh, Kagi, Roberts, Kenney, and Conway
Modifying the higher education coordinating board.
Revises the higher education coordinating board.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
HB 1884
by Representatives Linville, Orcutt, Hailey, Eddy, Wood, Grant, Ericks, P. Sullivan, Pettigrew, O'Brien, McDonald, Kristiansen, Newhouse, Roach, Dunn, Springer, Bailey, McCune, Ormsby, and Warnick
Modifying estate tax provisions to provide an exemption for certain property held by family-owned businesses.
Revises estate tax provisions to provide an exemption for certain property held by family-owned businesses.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1885
by Representatives Goodman, Springer, Rodne, Jarrett, Eddy, Ericks, Hunter, O'Brien, Dunshee, Lovick, Anderson, Hasegawa, Miloscia, Kessler, Ormsby, and Kenney
Expanding the applied baccalaureate degree pilot program.
Requires that, by February 2008, the college board shall select up to two technical colleges to develop and offer programs of study leading to an applied baccalaureate degree. The college board shall use the objective selection criteria developed under RCW 28B.50.810(1) and (3) to make the selection.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
HB 1886
by Representatives Appleton, Hasegawa, Ormsby, Moeller, Pettigrew, Schual-Berke, Dickerson, Simpson, Williams, Darneille, Flannigan, Hunt, Chase, McCoy, Green, and Wood
Creating the Washington health security trust.
Declares that, simplifying health care financing and eliminating administrative waste inherent in multiple insurance plans can create sufficient savings to extend health care coverage to all residents and enhance fairness in the system.Asserts that the people of the state of Washington declare their intent to create a framework and process to involve the citizens of Washington state in the creation of a single financing entity called the Washington health security trust. Through public hearings, research, and consensus building, the trust will accomplish the following goals: (1) Provide fair, simple, and accountable health care financing for all Washington residents using a single health care financing entity;(2) Cover a comprehensive package of effective and necessary personal health services;(3) Make health care coverage independent from employment;(4) Eliminate excessive administrative costs resulting from the current fragmented system of multiple insurers;(5) Generate savings sufficient to ensure coverage for all Washington residents;(6) Integrate current publicly sponsored health programs into the health security trust;(7) Preserve choice of providers for Washington residents;(8) Protect patient rights;(9) Keep clinical decisions in the hands of health professionals and patients, rather than administrative personnel;(10) Promote health care quality; and(11) Control excessive health care costs.Abolishes the health care authority and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the Washington health security trust. All references to the administrator or the health care authority in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the chair or the Washington health security trust.Appropriates the sum of fifty million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the benefits account of the Washington health security trust for start-up moneys for purposes of this act during the period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1887
by Representatives Linville, Armstrong, and Grant
Allowing identicard renewal by mail or electronic commerce for individuals over the age of seventy.
Authorizes identicard renewal by mail or electronic commerce for individuals over the age of seventy.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1888
by Representatives Linville, Newhouse, Grant, Hailey, and B. Sullivan
Regarding Brassica seed production.
Finds that production of biofuel using Brassica seed crops, generally known as canola or rapeseed, can help citizens and businesses conserve energy and reduce the use of petroleum-based fuels, improve air and water quality, and create new industries and jobs for Washington citizens. The legislature also finds that Washington state offers conditions uniquely suited to the production of high quality, high value Brassica vegetable seed, and that the vegetable seed industry is a significant contributor to the diversity and economic viability of the agricultural community.Declares that the purpose of this act is to provide for the orderly production of potentially incompatible varieties of Brassica seed crops.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 1889
by Representatives Barlow, Hankins, O'Brien, Blake, and Ormsby
Regarding the wild horse coordinated resource management plan.
Finds that the wild horse coordinated resource management plan in Kittitas county was developed in 2006 by a group of diverse local citizens interested in coordinating the management of resources for the Skookumchuck and Whiskey Dick wildlife areas, which encompasses approximately sixty-two thousand acres in eastern Kittitas county. The diverse planning process brought together ranchers, local landowners, a large energy company, the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, several environmental groups, and the federal government to collaboratively plan to improve the management in the wild horse coordinated resource management plan area.Finds that coordinated management is of the utmost importance due to the fragmented ownership pattern and varied management regimes of the past. Coordinated management of the area will allow for the enhancement of wildlife habitat, the rehabilitation of natural springs, the development of water resources, and an improvement in domestic livestock opportunities due to a better distribution of forage plants growing in the area.Appropriates the sum of two hundred forty-five thousand two hundred sixty-four dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.Appropriates the sum of two hundred forty-five thousand two hundred sixty-four dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 1890
by Representatives Strow, O'Brien, Darneille, Jarrett, Williams, Hasegawa, Lantz, Pedersen, Hunt, Flannigan, Wood, and Ormsby
Requiring DNA evidence prior to the imposition of the death penalty.
Provides that the state of Washington may not impose the death penalty upon any person convicted of aggravated first degree murder unless DNA evidence is introduced and assists in the person's conviction.Provides that the death penalty may be implemented without DNA evidence if: (1) The defendant has confessed to committing aggravated first degree murder; or(2) There is technological evidence that shows that the defendant committed aggravated first degree murder.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 1891
by Representatives Linville, Orcutt, Quall, Cody, Hinkle, Hurst, and Dunn
Providing a business and occupation tax deduction for the sale of certain prescription drugs.
Provides a business and occupation tax deduction for the sale of certain prescription drugs.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1892
by Representatives Goodman, Rodne, O'Brien, Jarrett, Lovick, and Priest
Addressing the impoundment of vehicles parked on public streets by police officers.
Provides that a vehicle with an expired registration of more than sixty days parked on a public street may be impounded by a police officer under RCW 46.55.113(2).
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1893
by Representatives Chase, Morris, B. Sullivan, Hunt, Morrell, Hudgins, Dunshee, Eickmeyer, O'Brien, and Kenney
Establishing greenhouse gases emission performance standards.
Encourages the development of cost-effective, highly efficient, and environmentally sound supply resources to provide reliability.Finds that federal regulation of emissions of greenhouse gases is likely to occur in the near future.Declares it is vital to ensure all electricity load-serving entities internalize the significant and underrecognized cost of greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce Washington's exposure to costs associated with future federal regulation of these emissions.Declares an intent to establish a greenhouse gases emission performance standard for utility procurement of baseload generation that is set no lower than levels achieved by a new combined-cycle natural gas turbine.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 1894
by Representatives Chase, Newhouse, Campbell, and Skinner
Allowing auctioneers to auction vessels without registering as a vessel dealer.
Provides that an auction company licensed under chapter 18.11 RCW and licensed as a motor vehicle dealer under chapter 46.70 RCW may sell at auction all vessels that a vessel dealer is authorized to sell, so long as the sale of vessels is incidental to the auction company's primary source of business and the length of any vessel being sold is no greater than twenty-five feet.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1895
by Representatives Chase, Morris, and Eickmeyer
Establishing an E85 motor fuel tax rate.
Provides that the tax rate on E85 motor fuel shall be seventy-one percent of the state's motor vehicle fuel tax rate that is in effect at the time of sale. As used in this act, "E85 motor fuel" means an alternative fuel that is a blend of denatured ethanol and hydrocarbon that typically contains eighty-five percent by volume, and complies with ASTM specification D5798-99.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1896
by Representative Hunt
Creating the legislative gift center committee.
Finds that tourism is encouraged providing a memorable experience and an opportunity for visitors to take something back home with them to remind them of this experience.Finds that a gift center in the legislative building would be an appropriate response to this opportunity, and further, that such a gift center could provide a source of revenue to help fund the oral history program and to pay for the restoration and repurchase of historical capitol furnishings.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1897
by Representatives Williams and Hunt
Expressing the legislature's intent that public disclosure requirements do not allow attorney invoices to be exempt in their entirety.
Declares an intent of the legislature to clarify that no reasonable construction of chapter 42.56 RCW has ever allowed attorney invoices to be withheld in their entirety by any public entity in a request for documents under that chapter.Declares an intent to clarify that the public's interest in open, accountable government includes an accounting of any expenditure of public resources, including through liability insurance, upon private legal counsel or private consultants.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1898
by Representatives Quall, Conway, Haler, Santos, Appleton, McDermott, Haigh, P. Sullivan, Chase, Green, Fromhold, Moeller, Wood, Simpson, Linville, Hunt, Barlow, Sells, Hasegawa, Kenney, Hudgins, Morrell, and Ormsby
Providing apprenticeship utilization requirements for school district public works projects.
Provides apprenticeship utilization requirements for school district public works projects.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1899
by Representatives Grant, Walsh, Linville, Hailey, Newhouse, and Dunn
Extending the expiration date for the tax deduction for certain businesses impacted by the ban on American beef products.
Extends the expiration date for the tax deduction for certain businesses impacted by the ban on American beef products to December 31, 2012.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1900
by Representatives Kretz, Appleton, Armstrong, Hunt, and Chandler; by request of Secretary of State
Updating public records provisions.
Establishes the division of archives and records management in the office of the secretary of state to ensure the proper management and safeguarding of public records. All public records remain the property of the state of Washington. Public records must be delivered by outgoing officials and employees to their successors and must be retained, preserved, stored, transferred, destroyed, or disposed of in accordance with this act. The state archivist will administer the division and must have reasonable access to all public records, wherever kept, for the purposes of information, surveying, or cataloging.Repeals provisions of chapter 40.14 RCW.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1901
by Representatives Grant, Newhouse, Linville, Orcutt, Blake, Hailey, Walsh, Morrell, Kristiansen, Dunn, and Hinkle
Concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
Revises provisions concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1902
by Representatives Grant, Newhouse, Linville, Orcutt, Blake, Hailey, Walsh, P. Sullivan, Kristiansen, Dunn, and Hinkle
Concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
Revises provisions concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1903
by Representatives Morris and Hudgins
Modifying the business and occupation tax rate for certain life sciences purposes.
Revises the business and occupation tax rate for certain life sciences purposes.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1904
by Representative Anderson
Addressing construction specifications for public schools.
Requires that, beginning July 1, 2007, the construction specifications for each newly constructed or substantially renovated public school in Washington shall include, but is not limited to: Built-in capacity to provide shelter, food, water, sewage, fire protection information, evacuation plans, and utility information to people in the event of an emergency. The facilities shall be made available to members of the public during states of emergency and a system must be in place to alert members of the public that such facilities are available to the general public during such states of emergency.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. | |
HB 1905
by Representatives Kagi, Conway, Seaquist, Anderson, Ormsby, Simpson, Williams, Rodne, Appleton, Kessler, P. Sullivan, Kenney, Hasegawa, Morrell, Wood, and Santos
Creating early learning and child care program grants.
Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to implement an early learning and child care grant program specifically for programs located on campuses of institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.Appropriates the sum of five million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2009, from the child care facility revolving fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
HB 1906
by Representatives Hunter, Anderson, Wallace, Seaquist, Eddy, P. Sullivan, McDermott, Ormsby, McIntire, Pedersen, Rolfes, Barlow, Goodman, Rodne, O'Brien, Kenney, McDonald, Morrell, Newhouse, Roach, Hurst, Skinner, Wood, and Bailey
Improving mathematics and science education.
Creates the after-school mathematics support program to study the effects of intentional, skilled mathematics support included as part of an existing after-school activity program.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide grants to selected community-based, nonprofit organizations that provide after-school programs and include support for students to learn mathematics.Requires grant applicants to demonstrate the capacity to provide assistance in mathematics learning in the following ways: (1) Identifying the mathematics content and instructional skill of the staff or volunteers assisting students;(2) Identifying proposed learning strategies to be used, which could include computer-based instructional and skill practice programs and tutoring by adults or other students;(3) Articulating the plan for connection with school mathematics teachers to coordinate student assistance; and(4) Articulating the plan for assessing student and program success.Directs the office of the superintendent of public instruction to evaluate program outcomes and report to the governor and the education committees of the legislature on the outcomes of the grants and make recommendations related to program continuation, program modification, and issues related to program sustainability and possible program expansion. An interim report is due November 1, 2008. The final report is due December 1, 2009.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
| Feb 8 | Scheduled for work session in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1907
by Representatives P. Sullivan, McDermott, and Ormsby
Regarding educator preparation, professional development, and compensation.
Establishes a public-private partnership to develop, pilot, and implement the Washington state leadership academy to focus on the development and enhancement of personal leadership characteristics and the teaching of effective practices and skills demonstrated by school and district administrators who are successful managers and instructional leaders. It is the goal of the academy to provide state-of-the-art programs and services across the state.Directs the office of financial management and the superintendent of public instruction to jointly conduct a review of teacher pay systems in the global challenge states. The office of financial management and the superintendent of public instruction shall develop a methodology for comparing teacher salaries among the global challenge states. The office of financial management shall report to the governor and the legislature on the findings from this review and the initial set of teacher salary comparisons among the global challenge states by January 10, 2008.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
| Feb 6 | Scheduled for work session in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1908
by Representatives Wood, Ormsby, and Conway
Defining locality for purposes of paying prevailing wages on public works, including the off-site prefabrication of nonstandard, project-specific items.
Defines locality for purposes of paying prevailing wages on public works, including the off-site prefabrication of nonstandard, project-specific items.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1909
by Representatives Orcutt, B. Sullivan, Roach, Blake, Takko, Pearson, Kristiansen, and Hinkle
Protecting from the theft of specialized forest products.
Declares that, with the introduction of this act, the legislature intends to begin a conversation on proper revisions to chapter 76.48 RCW that streamlines the permitting system for specialized forest products and creates a more equitable and manageable situation for wood hobbyists, while maintaining the chapter's important protections that it provides to forest landowners.Declares it is the intent for this act to be used by law enforcement authorities and others responsible for its implementation to pursue and prosecute those individuals that are genuinely engaged in the theft of large quantities of valuable forest materials, and not those individuals who are responsibly collecting wood or wood pieces from landowners who are aware and accepting of the collection. The legislature urges prosecutorial discretion where warranted and the consideration of all factors involved with a situation before bringing a criminal action under this act.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 1910
by Representatives Ormsby, Fromhold, Miloscia, Dunshee, Kenney, Appleton, Darneille, Hasegawa, and Morrell
Modifying property tax exemption provisions relating to new and rehabilitated multiple-unit dwellings in urban centers to provide affordable housing requirements.
Revises property tax exemption provisions relating to new and rehabilitated multiple-unit dwellings in urban centers to provide affordable housing requirements.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
| Feb 5 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1911
by Representatives McDermott, Hunt, Dunshee, Williams, Appleton, Green, Darneille, Hasegawa, Morrell, Wood, and Ormsby
Revising state employee whistleblower protection definitions.
Revises state employee whistleblower protection definitions.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1912
by Representatives Kagi, Haler, Eickmeyer, Appleton, O'Brien, Roberts, Hinkle, Upthegrove, Pettigrew, Lantz, Darneille, Hunt, Moeller, Schual-Berke, Kenney, Wood, and Ormsby
Improving court hearings in dependency proceedings.
Recognizes that the 2005 Washington state court improvement project re-assessment found that Washington statutes fail to consistently address the health and safety of children in care. Statutory language does not stress the safety and welfare of the child as the paramount concerns. Additionally, the lack of clarity in the statutes undermines the effectiveness of the hearings and, ultimately, the safety and welfare of the child. The legislature intends to clarify the purpose of the court hearings and the roles and responsibilities of the parties.Finds that an investment of time into quality court hearings results in better decisions for children and their families and preserves the resources of the court and the child welfare system. The legislature intends to clearly state that court hearings should always strive to be independent, thorough, and timely inquiries into the status of the case to ensure the department of social and health services is responding to the needs of the family and child in a prompt manner and that the case is progressing appropriately.Encourages the courts to develop clearer, stronger oversight and leadership roles within the courts to achieve safe, timely permanency for children. The court is encouraged to engage all parties to question whether the case is progressing and, if not, to assist in problem-solving to ensure progress is made towards permanency for the child.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
HB 1913
by Representatives Conway, Hunt, Appleton, Moeller, Green, and Ormsby
Certifying an employee organization for the purposes of state collective bargaining.
Provides that, when only one organization is seeking certification as the representative of unrepresented employees, and the showing of interest submitted in support of the petition indicates that the organization has been authorized by a majority of the employees to act as their representative for the purposes of collective bargaining, the executive director of the public employment relations commission shall: (1) Conduct a cross-check comparing bargaining authorization cards against the department of personnel's employment records; and(2) If majority support exists, certify the organization as the sole representative.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1914
by Representatives Buri, Hunt, Hinkle, Sells, and Wood
Changing public works provisions for institutions of higher education.
Amends RCW 28B.10.350 relating to work performed by institutions of higher education.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1915
by Representatives Darneille, McDermott, Moeller, Appleton, Morrell, Green, Ormsby, Flannigan, Goodman, Upthegrove, and Santos
Modifying human immunodeficiency virus insurance program provisions.
Amends RCW 43.70.670 relating to human immunodeficiency virus insurance coverage.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1916
by Representatives Conway, Ericksen, Moeller, Strow, Green, Haler, Appleton, Seaquist, Chase, Priest, McDermott, Walsh, Ormsby, Hasegawa, Fromhold, Kessler, Dunshee, Dunn, Sells, Wood, P. Sullivan, Kenney, and Morrell
Applying interest arbitration to certain care providers.
Declares that the mediation and interest arbitration provisions of RCW 41.56.430 through 41.56.470 and 41.56.480 apply. In making a decision, the interest arbitration panel shall consider the following factors: (1) A comparison of child care provider subsidy rates and reimbursement programs by public entities, including counties and municipalities, along the west coast of the United States;(2) The public's interest in reducing turnover and increasing retention of child care employees;(3) The state's interest in promoting a stable child care workforce to provide quality and reliable care throughout the state; and(4) For employees exempt from licensing under chapter 74.15 RCW, the state's fiscal interest in reducing reliance upon public benefit programs including but not limited to medical coupons, food stamps, subsidized housing, and emergency medical services.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1917
by Representatives Grant, Chandler, Condotta, and O'Brien
Changing the regulation of plumbing to also include HVAC/R.
Revises the regulation of plumbing to also include HVAC/R.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1918
by Representatives Curtis, Ross, Eddy, Schindler, Takko, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, and Ormsby
Providing for maintaining buildable acreage in urban growth areas.
Provides that, if, after January 1, 2006, a county or city planning under RCW 36.70A.040 that amends its comprehensive plan to designate new critical areas land located within an urban growth area in its comprehensive plan land use element under RCW 36.70A.070(1) or amends its development regulations or other standards and thereby reduces the development potential of land within its urban growth area designated for development in its comprehensive plan: (1) That county or city must determine the acreage and qualitative reduction in land suitable for development within its urban growth area and docket that amount as a deficiency to the planning director of the county in which the land is located;(2) By September 1, 2008, and at least every five years thereafter, each county, in consultation with its cities as required by RCW 36.70A.110 and 36.70A.210, must increase the total land area within its urban growth areas by the total docketed acreage deficiency, with comparable qualitative land characteristics, through amendment of the county's comprehensive plan; and(3) The county within which the increased land suitable for urban development is located must review its comprehensive plan elements under RCW 36.70A.070 and its development regulations under RCW 36.70A.060 and adopt any amendments necessary to assure that the comprehensive plan elements and development regulations are consistent with the changes required by this act. This review may be combined with but may not be delayed by the review required by RCW 36.70A.130(3) or the review and evaluation required by RCW 36.70A.215.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
HB 1919
by Representatives Conway, Darneille, Morrell, Seaquist, Upthegrove, Schual-Berke, Kenney, Hudgins, Hasegawa, Ormsby, and Santos
Providing apprenticeship utilization requirements for port district public works projects.
Establishes apprenticeship utilization requirements for port district public works projects.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1920
by Representatives Conway and Wood
Addressing overtime compensation for truckers transporting agricultural commodities.
Amends RCW 49.46.130 relating to overtime compensation for truckers transporting agricultural commodities.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1921
by Representatives Springer, Pettigrew, Santos, Walsh, Appleton, McDonald, Kenney, Darneille, Hasegawa, and Ormsby
Providing assistance to homeless individuals and families.
Creates the transitional housing operating and rent program in the department to assist homeless individuals and families secure and retain safe, decent, and affordable housing. The department shall provide grants to eligible organizations, as described in RCW 43.185.060, to provide assistance to program participants. The eligible organizations must use grant moneys for: (1) Rental assistance, which includes security or utility deposits, first and last month's rent assistance, and eligible moving expenses to be determined by the department;(2) Case management services designed to assist program participants to secure and retain immediate housing and to transition into permanent housing and greater levels of self-sufficiency;(3) Operating expenses of transitional housing facilities that serve homeless families with children; and(4) Administrative costs of the eligible organization, which must not exceed limits prescribed by the department.Appropriates the sum of seven million five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the transitional housing operating and rent account created in this act for the purpose of implementing and operating the transitional housing operating and rent program.Appropriates the sum of seven million five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the transitional housing operating and rent account created in this act for the purpose of implementing and operating the transitional housing operating and rent program.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
| Feb 7 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HJM 4008
by Representatives Conway, Campbell, Green, Appleton, Hasegawa, VanDeWege, Ormsby, Moeller, Chase, Cody, Wood, Miloscia, Williams, Hunt, Dickerson, Morrell, Sells, Flannigan, Ericks, and Kenney
Requesting that Congress enact the Employee Free Choice Act.
Supports the Employee Free Choice Act which would: (1) Authorize the National Labor Relations Board to certify a union as the bargaining representative when a majority of employees voluntarily sign authorizations designating that union to represent them;(2) Provide for first contract mediation and arbitration; and(3) Establish meaningful penalties for violations of a worker's freedom to choose a union.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HJM 4009
by Representatives Kessler, Ericksen, Bailey, Roach, Hinkle, Ahern, Schual-Berke, Rodne, Chandler, Ross, Upthegrove, Kenney, Dunn, Ormsby, and Santos
Requesting that Taiwan be allowed to participate in the World Health Organization.
Urges that the President of the United States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Director-General of the World Health Organization support Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) as an observer, support Taiwan's full participation in the World Health Organization's (WHO) technical meetings, support Taiwan's partnership in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, and support Taiwan's integration into the International Health Regulations 2005 Mechanism.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HJM 4010
by Representatives Ericksen, Bailey, Rodne, McDonald, Ahern, Hinkle, Haler, Strow, and Santos
Calling on the President and Congress to enact the TUFTA.
Urges that the President of the United States and Congress work together to enact the Taiwan-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (TUFTA) at the earliest date possible.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Community & Economic Development & Trade. | |
HJR 4220
by Representatives Anderson, Kristiansen, Newhouse, and Warnick
Amending the Constitution to prioritize basic education expenditures within the state appropriations process.
Proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to prioritize basic education expenditures within the state appropriations process.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Appropriations. | |
SB 5750
by Senators Fairley, Regala, Fraser, Keiser, Marr, Berkey, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles, and Murray
Requiring coverage for neurodevelopmental therapies.
Requires coverage for neurodevelopmental therapies.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 5751
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Hewitt, and Rockefeller
Creating a wine and beer tasting pilot project in grocery stores.
Declares that the pilot project shall consist of thirty locations with at least six tastings to be conducted at each location between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2008. However, no licensee may hold more than one tasting per month during the project period.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 5752
by Senators Stevens and Shin
Providing vocational rehabilitation services for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers.
Declares that one of the primary purposes of this act is to enable injured participants to return to their regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit. To this end, the state board shall utilize the services of individuals and organizations, public or private, whose experience, training, and interests in vocational rehabilitation and retraining qualify them to lend expert assistance to the secretary or the secretary's designee in such programs of vocational rehabilitation as may be reasonable to make the participant return to his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit consistent with his or her physical and mental status.Provides that, after evaluation and recommendation by such individuals or organizations and prior to final evaluation of the participant's permanent disability, if in the sole opinion of the secretary or the secretary's designee, whether or not medical treatment has been concluded, vocational rehabilitation is both necessary and likely to enable the injured participant to return to his or her regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit, the secretary or the secretary's designee may, in his or her sole discretion, pay the cost as provided in this act.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5753
by Senator Stevens
Prohibiting the state from establishing or participating in an animal identification system.
Prohibits the state from establishing or participating in an animal identification system.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 5754
by Senator Stevens
Creating the family, children, and youth administration in the department of social and health services.
Establishes the family, children, and youth administration in the department of social and health services.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5755
by Senators Stevens, Morton, Swecker, and Benton
Requiring school districts to provide remedial postsecondary education or to pay for the cost.
Requires that, by June 1st of each year, each state university, regional university, state college, and the state board for community and technical colleges shall provide a report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The report shall contain the following information: (1) The number of students who, within three years of high school graduation, enrolled at the institution of higher education or at a community college or technical college in a state-supported precollege level class or laboratory in study skills, mathematics including intermediate algebra, reading, grammar, spelling, writing, or English;(2) The types of precollege classes in which each student is enrolled; and(3) The Washington high school from which each student graduated.Requires that, by June 30th of each even-numbered year, the state board for community and technical colleges shall establish and report to the superintendent of public instruction an average per-student instructional cost for state-supported developmental and precollege classes and laboratories offered in the community and technical colleges. The classes shall include, but need not be limited to precollege classes in study skills, mathematics including intermediate algebra, grammar, reading, spelling, writing, and English. English as a second language classes shall not be included.Provides that, beginning with the fall 2007 academic term, a charge shall be assessed to each Washington school district that, within the three years preceding the report required in this act, graduated a student attending any state-supported precollege class or laboratory in study skills, English, reading, spelling, grammar, or mathematics including intermediate algebra offered at a Washington institution of higher education.Provides that, beginning with the 2010 fiscal year, the superintendent of public instruction shall subtract from the allotment of each such school district an amount equal to the average per-student instructional cost of each state-supported precollege class attended during the preceding fiscal year by each student who graduated from that school district during the preceding three years and who subsequently enrolled in a state-supported precollege class at an institution of higher education.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
SB 5756
by Senators Franklin, Jacobsen, Kline, Murray, Kohl-Welles, Fairley, Spanel, and Regala
Creating the Washington health security trust.
Declares that, simplifying health care financing and eliminating administrative waste inherent in multiple insurance plans can create sufficient savings to extend health care coverage to all residents and enhance fairness in the system.Asserts that the people of the state of Washington declare their intent to create a framework and process to involve the citizens of Washington state in the creation of a single financing entity called the Washington health security trust. Through public hearings, research, and consensus building, the trust will accomplish the following goals: (1) Provide fair, simple, and accountable health care financing for all Washington residents using a single health care financing entity;(2) Cover a comprehensive package of effective and necessary personal health services;(3) Make health care coverage independent from employment;(4) Eliminate excessive administrative costs resulting from the current fragmented system of multiple insurers;(5) Generate savings sufficient to ensure coverage for all Washington residents;(6) Integrate current publicly sponsored health programs into the health security trust;(7) Preserve choice of providers for Washington residents;(8) Protect patient rights;(9) Keep clinical decisions in the hands of health professionals and patients, rather than administrative personnel;(10) Promote health care quality; and(11) Control excessive health care costs.Abolishes the health care authority and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the Washington health security trust. All references to the administrator or the health care authority in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the chair or the Washington health security trust.Appropriates the sum of fifty million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the benefits account of the Washington health security trust for start-up moneys for purposes of this act during the period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 5757
by Senators Pridemore, Zarelli, Oemig, Roach, Fraser, Kohl-Welles, and Kline
Regarding fairness and equity in health professions licensing fees.
Requires fairness and equity in health professions licensing fees.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 5758
by Senators Murray, Hewitt, and Eide
Modifying the taxation of temporary staffing services.
Revises provisions relating to the taxation of temporary staffing services.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 5759
by Senators Schoesler, Delvin, and Shin
Including the boards of trustees of technical colleges in the definition of "executive state officer."
Includes the boards of trustees of technical colleges in the definition of "executive state officer."
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
SB 5760
by Senators Poulsen, Fraser, Rockefeller, Spanel, Jacobsen, Pflug, Kline, Parlette, Oemig, Rasmussen, Shin, and Kohl-Welles
Addressing activities to promote green highways in the energy freedom program.
Declares that the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games present an opportunity to further Washington's energy independence by working with Vancouver, British Columbia, Oregon, and California to develop a hydrogen highway to showcase sustainable transportation and alternative fuels, and to accelerate the commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.Provides that "green highway zone" means an area in the state designated by the department that is within reasonable proximity of state route number 5, state route number 90, and state route number 82.
| Jan 31 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
| First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | ||
SB 5761
by Senators Rasmussen, Morton, and Schoesler
Providing for the taxation of vegetation management services using goats or sheep.
Provides for the taxation of vegetation management services using goats or sheep.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 5762
by Senators Kilmer, Kastama, Clements, Kauffman, Pridemore, Rasmussen, Shin, and McAuliffe
Concerning funding for jobs, economic development, and local capital projects.
Recognizes that state investment in public infrastructure is a contributor to the economic development of Washington state by encouraging private investment and the creation and retention of high-wage jobs.Finds that providing dedicated funding for various programs in chapter 43.160 RCW will lead to greater certainty in economic development decisions and further encourage private investment.Finds that removing outdated and obsolete language from chapter 43.160 RCW will streamline and enhance the understanding of program requirements.Repeals provisions of chapter 43.160 RCW.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Management. | |
| Feb 7 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5763
by Senators Shin, Delvin, and Kohl-Welles
Modifying the business and occupation tax rate for certain life sciences purposes.
Revises the business and occupation tax rate for certain life sciences purposes.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 5764
by Senators Schoesler and Rasmussen
Concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
Revises provisions concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 5765
by Senators Rasmussen and Schoesler
Concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
Revises provisions concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 5766
by Senators Fraser, Brandland, Marr, Shin, Schoesler, Delvin, Hatfield, and Tom; by request of Washington State University
Eliminating limitations on the investment of certain state moneys.
Deletes limitations on the investment of certain state moneys.Declares that this act takes effect if the proposed amendment to Article XVI of the state Constitution regarding investment of certain state moneys 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.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 5767
by Senators Jacobsen, Zarelli, Murray, Spanel, and Haugen
Regarding the imposition of fees by transportation benefit districts.
Revises provisions regarding the imposition of fees by transportation benefit districts.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5768
by Senators Kilmer, Zarelli, Prentice, Murray, Hewitt, Franklin, and Regala
Concerning the excise taxation of electronically delivered financial information.
Revises provisions concerning the excise taxation of electronically delivered financial information.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 5769
by Senators McAuliffe, Schoesler, Kohl-Welles, Marr, Kilmer, Kline, Rasmussen, Shin, and Murray
Creating early learning and child care program grants.
Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to implement an early learning and child care grant program specifically for programs located on campuses of institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.Appropriates the sum of five million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2009, from the child care facility revolving fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
SB 5770
by Senators Shin, Schoesler, and Kilmer
Changing public works provisions for institutions of higher education.
Amends RCW 28B.10.350 relating to work performed by institutions of higher education.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
SB 5771
by Senators Oemig and Hargrove
Providing prepaid postage for the return of absentee ballots.
Provides prepaid postage for the return of absentee ballots.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5772
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Franklin, Keiser, and Kline
Certifying an employee organization for the purposes of state collective bargaining.
Provides that, when only one organization is seeking certification as the representative of unrepresented employees, and the showing of interest submitted in support of the petition indicates that the organization has been authorized by a majority of the employees to act as their representative for the purposes of collective bargaining, the executive director of the public employment relations commission shall: (1) Conduct a cross-check comparing bargaining authorization cards against the department of personnel's employment records; and(2) If majority support exists, certify the organization as the sole representative.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 5773
by Senators Hargrove, Parlette, and Keiser; by request of Department of Social and Health Services
Modifying treatment records provisions.
Amends RCW 71.05.630 and 71.05.020 relating to treatment records.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5774
by Senators Hargrove, Kohl-Welles, Brandland, and Shin; by request of Department of Social and Health Services
Revising background check requirements for the department of social and health services and the department of early learning.
Revises background check requirements for the department of social and health services and the department of early learning.Repeals RCW 41.06.476, 43.20A.710, 41.06.480, and 72.05.440.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5775
by Senators Kauffman, Rasmussen, Zarelli, Berkey, Oemig, McAuliffe, Shin, and Kohl-Welles
Changing special education provisions.
Revises special education provisions.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
| Feb 1 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5776
by Senators McAuliffe, Kauffman, Franklin, Fairley, Murray, Kohl-Welles, Delvin, Keiser, Kilmer, Jacobsen, Tom, Rockefeller, Kline, Rasmussen, and Shin
Concerning foster care benefits.
Requires that prior adequate written notice shall be given to the child, child's representative, and caregiver before denying, reducing, or terminating foster care benefits; and if requested by the child, child's representative, or caregiver, an administrative fair hearing shall be granted before such reductions may be implemented. The hearing will be no different than those involved in appealing medicaid, temporary assistance for needy families, or other benefits issues in that it shall be before an administrative law judge.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5777
by Senators McAuliffe, Kauffman, Franklin, Fairley, Murray, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Delvin, Kilmer, and Jacobsen
Revising provisions affecting the duties of the department of social and health services.
Amends RCW 74.13.031 relating to the duties of the department of social and health services.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5778
by Senators Fraser, Rockefeller, Poulsen, and Kline; by request of Department of Health
Concerning shellfish protection programs.
Requires the county legislative authority to initiate implementation of the shellfish protection program within sixty days after it is established.Requires a copy of the program to be provided to the departments of health, ecology, and agriculture. An agency that has regulatory authority for any of the sources of nonpoint pollution covered by the program shall cooperate with the county in its implementation. The county legislative authority shall submit a written report to the department of health annually that describes the status and progress of the program.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
SB 5779
by Senators Prentice and Pridemore; by request of Office of Financial Management
Changing certain public retirement systems.
Revises provisions relating to public pensions that revises gain-sharing provisions and makes certain changes in benefits for the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the public employees' retirement system.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 5780
by Senators Eide, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, Jacobsen, Rockefeller, and Rasmussen
Preserving manufactured/mobile home communities.
Declares an intent to encourage and facilitate the preservation of existing manufactured/mobile home communities in the event of voluntary sales of manufactured/mobile home communities and, to the extent necessary and possible, to involve manufactured/mobile home community tenants or an eligible organization representing tenants, such as a nonprofit organization, housing authority, or local government, in the preservation of manufactured/mobile home communities.Repeals provisions of chapter 59.23 RCW.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Housing. | |
SB 5781
by Senators Rasmussen, Schoesler, Morton, Jacobsen, and Shin
Providing for the business and occupation tax rate for vegetation management services using goats or sheep.
Provides that, upon every person engaging within this state in the business of performing a vegetative management service through the use of goats or sheep, as to such persons, the amount of the tax with respect to such business must be equal to the gross income of the business multiplied by the rate of 0.2904 percent.Declares that, for the purposes of this act, "vegetative management service" means when an owner of goats or sheep provides these animals for compensation for the purpose of clearing or controlling the vegetation on another person's land.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 5782
by Senators McAuliffe, Schoesler, Kilmer, Eide, Shin, Marr, Kohl-Welles, Kline, and Murray
Regarding child care grants for students at institutions of higher education.
Revises provisions regarding child care grants for students at institutions of higher education.Repeals RCW 28B.135.020.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
SB 5783
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Zarelli, Hatfield, Franklin, Roach, Kline, Hobbs, Keiser, Kauffman, Kilmer, Kastama, Oemig, Delvin, Benton, and Rasmussen
Applying interest arbitration to certain care providers.
Declares that the mediation and interest arbitration provisions of RCW 41.56.430 through 41.56.470 and 41.56.480 apply. In making a decision, the interest arbitration panel shall consider the following factors: (1) A comparison of child care provider subsidy rates and reimbursement programs by public entities, including counties and municipalities, along the west coast of the United States;(2) The public's interest in reducing turnover and increasing retention of child care employees;(3) The state's interest in promoting a stable child care workforce to provide quality and reliable care throughout the state; and(4) For employees exempt from licensing under chapter 74.15 RCW, the state's fiscal interest in reducing reliance upon public benefit programs including but not limited to medical coupons, food stamps, subsidized housing, and emergency medical services.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 5784
by Senators Shin, Delvin, Kilmer, Sheldon, Kohl-Welles, Marr, Kauffman, Berkey, and Murray
Exempting required college instructional materials from sales and use taxation.
Exempts required college instructional materials from sales and use taxation.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
SB 5785
by Senator Jacobsen
Providing voting proportional to population on boards of certain intercounty library districts.
Provides voting proportional to population on boards of certain intercounty library districts.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5786
by Senators Kline, Murray, Regala, Weinstein, Fairley, Pridemore, Brown, Jacobsen, Rockefeller, Kohl-Welles, and Spanel
Creating a death penalty task force.
Creates a death penalty task force for the purpose of conducting a review of the existing death penalty statutes and court rules to determine the following: (1) The uniformity of decision making by prosecuting attorneys in terms of charging defendants with aggravated first degree murder and the criteria used in such decisions;(2) The impact of race, ethnicity, gender, and economic status on the likelihood of a defendant being charged with aggravated first degree murder;(3) The administration of Washington's death penalty law since the enactment of chapter 10.95 RCW to determine whether it is applied randomly or arbitrarily;(4) The costs associated with capital trials and appeals; and(5) Whether there are revisions to existing statutes and court rules that, if implemented, would decrease the likelihood of an inappropriate imposition of the death penalty.Appropriates the sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the state general fund to the administrative office of the courts for the purposes of providing staffing and support to the death penalty task force.Appropriates the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the state general fund to the administrative office of the courts for the purposes of providing staffing and support to the death penalty task force.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 5787
by Senators Kline, Murray, Regala, Weinstein, Fairley, Brown, Pridemore, Jacobsen, Franklin, Rockefeller, Kohl-Welles, and Spanel
Concerning death penalty eligibility for persons who are mentally retarded or have a severe mental disorder.
Revises death penalty eligibility for persons who are mentally retarded or have a severe mental disorder.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 5788
by Senators Spanel, Brandland, and Kohl-Welles
Requiring the licensing of home inspectors.
Requires the licensing of home inspectors.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 5789
by Senators Parlette, Haugen, Pflug, Rockefeller, Carrell, Kastama, Rasmussen, Schoesler, Berkey, Hewitt, Brandland, Morton, Swecker, Stevens, Clements, Benton, Sheldon, Holmquist, Shin, and Roach
Changing insurance requirements for small employers.
Finds that many small employers struggle with the cost of providing employer-sponsored health insurance coverage to their employees, while others are unable to offer coverage due to its high cost. It is the intent of the legislature to encourage the availability of less expensive health insurance plans, and expand the flexibility of small employers to purchase less expensive products.Provides that, beginning July 1, 2007, the administrator shall accept applications from eligible employees, on behalf of themselves, their spouses, and their dependent children, to receive premium subsidies through the small employer health insurance partnership program.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SJR 8220
by Senators Fraser, Brandland, Marr, Shin, Schoesler, Delvin, Hatfield, Tom, and Rasmussen; by request of Washington State University
Eliminating prohibitions on the investment of certain state moneys.
Proposes an amendment to the state Constitution eliminating prohibitions on the investment of certain state moneys.
| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |