 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 27 | ||
| SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Thursday, February 15, 2007 | 39th 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 1091-S
by House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives VanDeWege, Chase, Upthegrove, Miloscia, B. Sullivan, O'Brien, P. Sullivan, Morrell, Sells, Kenney, Rolfes, Kelley, Moeller, Wallace, and Eddy; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Promoting innovation partnership zones.
Requires the director to designate innovation partnership zones on the basis of the following criteria: (1) Innovation partnership zones must have three types of institutions operating within their boundaries, or show evidence of planning and local partnerships that will lead to dense concentrations of these institutions: (a) research capacity in the form of a university or community college fostering commercially valuable research, or a national laboratory; (b) dense proximity of globally competitive firms in a research-based industry or industries. A globally competitive firm may be signified through international organization for standardization 9000 or 1400 certification, or other recognized evidence of international success; and (c) training capacity either within the zone or readily accessible to the zone. The training capacity requirement may be met by the same institution as the research capacity requirement, to the extent both are associated with an educational institution in the proposed zone.Requires the department to convene annual information sharing events for innovation partnership zone administrators and other interested parties.Requires an innovation partnership zone to provide performance measures as required by the director, including but not limited to private investment measures, job creation measures, and measures of innovation such as licensing of ideas in research institutions, patents, or other recognized measures of innovation.
| Jan 24 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CEDT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1178-S
by House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Linville, Simpson, Wallace, Kenney, Ericks, and Green; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Revising provisions for contracts with associate development organizations for economic development services.
Declares an intent to bolster the partnership between state and local economic development efforts, provide increased funding for local economic development services, and increase local economic development service effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes.Requires contracting associate development organizations to provide the department with measures of their performance. Annual reports shall include information on the impact of the contracting organization on employment, wages, tax revenue, and capital investment. Specific measures shall be developed in the contracting process between the department and the contracting organization every two years. Performance measures should be consistent across regions to allow for statewide evaluation.Provides that contracts with associate development organizations shall be awarded according to the following annual schedule: (1) For associate development associations in urban counties, which are counties other than rural counties as defined in RCW 43.160.020, a locally matched one dollar per capita allocation totaling no more than four hundred thousand dollars per organization each state fiscal year;(2) For associate development associations in rural counties, as defined in RCW 43.160.020, a per county base allocation of thirty thousand dollars and a locally matched seventy cents per capita allocation.
| Jan 24 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CEDT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1276-S
by House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, McDonald, Dunshee, Chase, Upthegrove, Strow, Dunn, Haler, VanDeWege, McCune, Kenney, Roberts, and Morrell; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Creating a public-private tourism partnership.
Creates the Washington tourism commission.Requires the commission to pursue a coordinated program to expand the tourism industry throughout the state in cooperation with the public and private tourism development organizations. The commission shall develop and approve, and update as necessary, a six-year strategic plan that includes, but is not limited to: (1) Promoting Washington as a tourism destination to national and international markets to include nature-based and wildlife viewing tourism;(2) Providing information to businesses and local communities on tourism opportunities that could expand local revenues;(3) Assisting local communities to strengthen their tourism partnerships, including their relationships with state and local agencies;(4) Providing leadership training and assistance to local communities to facilitate the development and implementation of local tourism plans; and(5) Coordinating the development of a statewide tourism marketing plan that must be adopted by March 31, 2008, and every two years thereafter. If the commission does not adopt a marketing plan by March 31st of even-numbered years, the director has the authority to approve a tourism marketing plan for implementation. The plan shall specifically address mechanisms for: (a) funding national and international marketing and nature-based tourism efforts; (b) interagency cooperation; and (c) integrating the state plan with local tourism plans.Designates funding mechanisms.Repeals RCW 43.330.095.
| Feb 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CEDT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
HB 1278-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Simpson, and Kenney; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Modifying industry average unemployment contribution rates.
Revises industry average unemployment contribution rates.
| Feb 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 12 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1407-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Wood, and Green; by request of Employment Security Department)
Funding the administration of Title 50 RCW, unemployment compensation.
Provides funding for the administration of Title 50 RCW, unemployment compensation.
| Feb 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 12 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1461-S
by House Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Miloscia, O'Brien, Ericks, Hunt, Sells, Green, Flannigan, Williams, Kenney, Appleton, Ormsby, Quall, Haigh, Hasegawa, and Lantz)
Addressing manufactured/mobile home community registrations and dispute resolution.
Finds that taking legal action against a manufactured/mobile home community landlord for violations of the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act can be a costly and lengthy process, and that many people cannot afford to pursue a court process to vindicate statutory rights. Manufactured/mobile home community landlords will also benefit by having access to a process that resolves disputes quickly and efficiently.Declares an intent to provide an equitable as well as a less costly and more efficient way for manufactured/mobile home tenants and manufactured/mobile home community landlords to resolve disputes, and to provide a mechanism for state authorities to quickly locate manufactured/mobile home community landlords.Declares an intent to authorize the department of licensing to register manufactured/mobile home communities and collect a registration fee.Declares an intent to authorize the attorney general to: (1) Produce and distribute educational materials regarding the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home dispute resolution program created in this act;(2) Administer the dispute resolution program by taking complaints, conducting investigations, making determinations, issuing fines and other penalties, and participating in administrative dispute resolutions, when necessary, when there are alleged violations of the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act; and(3) Collect and annually report upon data related to disputes and violations, and make recommendations on modifying chapter 59.20 RCW, to the appropriate committees of the legislature.Appropriates the sum of four 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 attorney general for the purpose of implementing and operating the manufactured/mobile home dispute resolution program.
| Jan 31 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HOUS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 12 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1465-S
by House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Roberts, Haler, Pettigrew, McDonald, Appleton, Darneille, McIntire, Kagi, P. Sullivan, Walsh, Green, Schual-Berke, Dickerson, Ormsby, Haigh, Morrell, Hasegawa, and Lantz)
Establishing a pilot program to provide consultation services for early learning and child care programs.
Establishes the growing skills for kids pilot program. The pilot program shall be administered by the department of early learning and shall promote the integration into early care and learning settings of research-based and promising practices for responding to infants and young children with challenging behaviors. The integration of research-based and promising practices shall be done using a collaborative approach to supporting children and their families.
| Feb 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ELCS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 12 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1621-S
by House Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Sullivan, Sells, Morrell, Lovick, Ormsby, Miloscia, Springer, McCoy, P. Sullivan, Hasegawa, O'Brien, Roberts, Conway, Wood, Haigh, Rolfes, and Simpson)
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 29 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HOUS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 12 | Referred to Finance. | |
HB 1811-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Pedersen, Simpson, Wood, Moeller, and Quall)
Regarding automatic sprinkler systems in nightclubs.
Requires that the automatic sprinkler systems be installed by December 1, 2009.Provides that, if a lessee of the real property has paid for all expenses associated with the installation and purchase of the automatic sprinkler system, then the benefit of the exemption must inure to the lessee.
| Feb 9 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 12 | Referred to Finance. | |
HB 2224
by Representatives Newhouse, Ross, McCune, Chandler, McDonald, Pearson, Morrell, Roach, Warnick, and Alexander; by request of Attorney General
Increasing penalties for gang-related offenses.
Finds that the people of Washington state face a crisis brought upon by increased gang crime and violence, which is threatening public safety in communities across the state.Declares that those who prosecute gang-related crimes need specific sanctions and sentencing enhancements to ensure that those who commit gang-related crimes are held accountable for the harm they inflict on society.Intends to enact provisions to provide the law enforcement community with the tools they need to protect the citizens of Washington from violent street gangs, and the evils those gangs visit upon us all.Increases penalties for gang-related offenses.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. | |
HB 2225
by Representatives Anderson and Wood
Regarding a statewide enhanced 911 emergency radio network to improve public notification during an ongoing emergency.
Directs the adjutant general to establish a work group to study how to enhance the delivery of emergency information to the general public in the event of an ongoing emergency.Requires that, by December 1, 2007, the adjutant general shall submit a report to the legislature and the governor, indicating recommendations for enhancing the delivery of emergency information to the public.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 2226
by Representatives Simpson and Williams
Regarding judicial application of equitable principles in land use cases.
Provides that an applicant for a land use permit or approval who proceeds with construction after the permit or approval has been challenged under RCW 36.70C.040, but before a court has made a decision under RCW 36.70C.140, does so at the applicant's own risk. A court is not required to apply the common law doctrine of balancing the equities if doing so would reward a land use applicant for proceeding under an unlawful land use decision.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 2227
by Representatives McDonald, Schindler, and Kristiansen
Addressing boundary review board reviews of proposed actions.
Provides that a board may not modify a proposal for annexation of territory to a city by adding an amount of territory that constitutes ten percent or more of the total area within the proposal before the board.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
HB 2228
by Representative McDonald
Providing additional motor vehicle liability insurance requirements.
Provides that to renew a vehicle license an applicant must provide proof of being insured under a motor vehicle liability policy with liability limits of at least the amounts provided in RCW 46.29.090, a self-insurance certificate as provided in RCW 46.29.630, or proof of coverage under a liability bond of at least the amounts provided in RCW 46.29.090.Provides that whenever the motor vehicle liability insurance policy, self-insurance certificate, or liability bond required under this act is not renewed or is canceled, whether the nonrenewal or cancellation is initiated by the insured, the insurance company, or the bonding company, the registered owner of the vehicle or vehicles shall immediately notify the department. Failure to provide notice of nonrenewal or cancellation of a self-insurance certificate or liability bond under this provision is a misdemeanor.Provides that if a driver fails to provide proof of financial responsibility or motor vehicle insurance when requested by a law enforcement officer, the law enforcement officer may issue a notice of traffic infraction and shall impound the vehicle if the person cited is also a registered owner of the vehicle. If the vehicle is impounded, a registered owner of the vehicle must: Pay any and all costs associated with impoundment, including costs for towing, removal, and storage of the vehicle; pay any other fees and fines incurred; and provide proof of financial responsibility or motor vehicle insurance before the vehicle can be redeemed.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 2229
by Representatives Kretz, Buri, Sump, Hailey, Warnick, Orcutt, Schindler, Ahern, Kristiansen, and McCune
Allowing hydropower to be included as a renewable energy resource for the purposes of the energy independence act.
Allows hydropower to be included as a renewable energy resource for the purposes of the energy independence act.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 2230
by Representatives Ericks, Bailey, Schual-Berke, Williams, Kagi, Moeller, Lantz, Hasegawa, Green, Morrell, Linville, Blake, Upthegrove, Hunt, O'Brien, Roach, Goodman, Simpson, Ormsby, and Santos
Regarding early intervention services for children three years old.
Provides that a child receiving services under RCW 28A.155.065 who attains the age of three shall continue to be eligible for services under this act until the child is enrolled and receiving services under RCW 28A.155.020.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
| Feb 23 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2231
by Representatives Appleton, Haler, McCoy, Eddy, Seaquist, Moeller, Takko, Williams, Campbell, Hudgins, Pedersen, Rodne, Hunt, Rolfes, Dickerson, B. Sullivan, Cody, Kirby, Conway, Ormsby, and Santos
Funding consumers' financial awareness.
Provides that a surcharge of twenty-five cents is placed on every small loan made under chapter 31.45 RCW. The surcharge must be paid by the licensee to the department of financial institutions. Each licensee must provide the funds raised by the surcharge at the same time as the annual report required under RCW 31.45.090. The department of financial institutions must deposit one-half of the funds to the nearest dollar in the financial consumer education account in this act and the remainder into the financial literacy public-private partnership account in RCW 28A.300.465.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection. | |
HB 2232
by Representatives P. Sullivan and Hankins
Regarding public works projects at institutions of higher education.
Amends RCW 28B.10.350 regarding public works projects at institutions of higher education.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 2233
by Representatives Condotta, Chandler, Orcutt, Schindler, Kretz, Ahern, Kristiansen, and Warnick
Restricting the use of industrial insurance funds.
Declares that expenditures from the medical aid fund shall be made only to the industrial insurance division at the department of labor and industries for purposes related to the payment of benefits or the administration of industrial insurance programs.Requires the director to submit a written letter to the legislature by December 1st of each year attesting that the medical aid fund is being used only for the purposes of this act.Provides that any ratepayer or group of ratepayers, acting as a class, may file an action in superior court to protest the use of the accident fund, the medical aid fund, or the supplemental pension fund.Provides that, if a court finds that expenditures from the accident fund, the medical aid fund, or the supplemental pension fund are not related to a purpose under RCW 51.44.010, 51.44.020, or 51.44.033, the department is prohibited from making the expenditures, and the ratepayer or ratepayers must be compensated for actual attorneys' fees and an award of triple damages.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 2234
by Representatives Conway, Condotta, Wood, and Simpson
Concerning beer and wine warehousing and distribution by a primary grocery distributor at the direction of an independent grocery store.
Declares an intent to assure that no segment of the grocery store industry, licensed to sell beer and wine off the premises, is disadvantaged as the result of a judgment by the court in regards to central warehousing in the case of Costco Wholesale Corporation v. Roger Hoen, et. al., No. C04-260P. The legislature further intends that the liquor control board take timely action to implement a storage and transportation system for the independent grocery stores and their primary grocery distributors upon receipt of any judgment that allows chain grocery retailers to store in, and transport from, their own warehouses to their retail outlets. The legislature intends that the system should accommodate the current market place structure and relationships of the independent grocery store and their primary grocery distributors and avoid any unnecessary administrative barriers.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2235
by Representatives Miloscia, Kelley, Green, Ormsby, and Wood; by request of Governor Gregoire
Consolidating and eliminating certain boards and commissions.
Consolidates and eliminates certain boards and commissions.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 2236
by Representatives Goodman and Lantz
Disposing of certain assets.
Revises provisions relating to the disposition of certain assets.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 2237
by Representatives Jarrett, Schindler, Armstrong, Priest, Rodne, Hailey, Condotta, Kristiansen, Ericksen, Orcutt, Kretz, and Skinner
Creating the transportation project contingency account.
Creates the transportation project contingency account in the state treasury. All receipts from taxes imposed under RCW 82.08.020 and 82.12.020 on materials, labor, equipment, contracts, and components used for constructing any state transportation project must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for unanticipated increases in transportation project costs.Requires the department of revenue to provide the state treasurer with the information regarding the amount of sales and use taxes available for deposit into the account on a quarterly basis. The department of revenue shall report annually on the account balance to the transportation committees of the legislature by March 1st.Provides that transportation projects in need of additional funding due to unanticipated cost increases shall be identified by the department of transportation and reported annually to the transportation committees of the legislature by March 1st.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 2238
by Representatives Kagi, Walsh, Dickerson, Fromhold, Darneille, McDermott, Hunt, O'Brien, Kenney, Morrell, Goodman, Simpson, Ormsby, Santos, and Green
Providing for the completion of comprehensive hearing assessments for infants who fail a newborn hearing screening.
Authorizes the department to contact the parent or guardian of an infant who fails a newborn hearing screening for the purpose of assisting the parent or guardian in obtaining a comprehensive hearing assessment for the child. Contacts with parents and guardians under this section shall be consistent with procedures established pursuant to RCW 70.83.040.Finds that the department of health plans to undertake a survey of selected parents and guardians of infants who have failed a newborn hearing screening for the purpose of gathering more information about comprehensive hearing assessments for these newborns. The department shall, upon completion of its survey, provide a brief report to the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding its findings.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2239
by Representatives Takko, Orcutt, Blake, Curtis, and Williams
Modifying provisions relating to the sales and use taxation of grain elevators.
Revises provisions relating to the sales and use taxation of grain elevators.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 2240
by Representatives Conway, Condotta, and Kenney
Allowing certain activities between domestic wineries, domestic breweries, microbreweries, certificate of approval holders, and retail sellers of beer or wine.
Authorizes designated activities between domestic wineries, domestic breweries, microbreweries, certificate of approval holders, and retail sellers of beer or wine.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
| Feb 23 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2241
by Representatives Hudgins and Wood
Developing more effective streamlining of technology and innovation in the state of Washington.
Finds that due to the fragmentation of state technology efforts and resources and the lack of a central coordinating body, the state is hindered in advancing innovation throughout the state. In addition, technology-based institutions vary significantly in their administrative overhead costs and vary in the methods used to calculate these costs. The legislature intends to create a central technology governing board that: Advances and ensures appropriate coordination among state technology institutions and agencies; eliminates duplication of services; sets the direction for current and future technology efforts through a strategic planning process; and establishes performance metrics and a prudent administrative overhead rate.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 2242
by Representatives Kenney, Condotta, Ericks, Walsh, Grant, and McDermott
Regulating special occasion licenses for alcoholic beverage control purposes.
Revises provisions regulating special occasion licenses for alcoholic beverage control purposes.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 2243
by Representatives Quall and Priest
Addressing the replacement of motor vehicle keys.
Requires that a motor vehicle manufacturer of a new motor vehicle sold or leased in this state after December 31, 2008, shall provide the registered owner of the motor vehicle, through a registered locksmith, information necessary to permit the production of a replacement key or other functionally similar device by the registered locksmith that allows the registered owner of the motor vehicle to enter, start, and operate the motor vehicle. This information must be made available at all times to registered owners of motor vehicles by telephone or electronically.Requires that, when the registered owner of the motor vehicle or the registered owner's family member requests a registered locksmith to produce a replacement key or other functionally similar device that allows the motor vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, and information is needed from the motor vehicle manufacturer to produce the requested key or other functionally similar device, the registered locksmith shall visually verify: (1) The identity of the requesting party through that party's driver's license;(2) That the registration of the motor vehicle matches the requesting party's identity and address, or the last name and address if the requesting party is a family member of the registered owner; and(3) That the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle matches the vehicle identification number on the registration.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 2244
by Representatives Miloscia, Ormsby, and Santos
Authorizing faith communities to host temporary homeless encampments subject to restrictions.
Declares that, due to concerns about maintaining freedom of religious expression, faith communities shall not be restricted from hosting temporary encampments for the homeless. A temporary encampment may be subject to reasonable compliance requirements related to public health and safety. However, no county, city, or town shall set less than ninety days as the maximum duration for homeless encampments.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Housing. | |
| Feb 19 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
| Feb 21 | Scheduled for executive session in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2245
by Representatives Grant, Newhouse, Chandler, Williams, Kretz, and Warnick
Clarifying when a water right is relinquished.
Directs that holders of perfected water rights shall no longer be required to show beneficial use of a water right beyond the most recent fifteen-year period.Makes the provisions of the act not applicable to surface water rights and claims already undergoing adjudication for which final orders or conditional final orders have not yet been issued.Takes effect July 1, 2008.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 2246
by Representatives Kagi, Haler, Fromhold, Wallace, Kenney, Dickerson, Morrell, Simpson, Conway, and Ormsby
Providing for the delivery of educational services to children who are deaf and hearing impaired.
Finds that the education of children who are deaf presents unique challenges because deafness is a low-incidence disability and because deafness significantly impacts the child's ability to access communication at home, at school, and in the community.Finds that since the founding of the school for the deaf, there have been numerous advances in technology as well as a growing awareness about the importance of delivering services to children in a variety of modalities to support their early and continued access to communication.Declares an intent to enhance the coordination of regionally delivered services and supports for children who are deaf and hearing impaired and to promote more communication-rich learning environments for these children.Establishes at Vancouver, Clark county, the Washington state center for childhood deafness which shall be housed at and include the school and related facilities formerly known as the state school for the deaf.Declares that the center's primary functions shall be: (1) Managing and supervising the school and the applied research center located at the center;(2) Providing statewide leadership and support for the coordination of regionally delivered education services in the full range of communication modalities, for children who are deaf and hearing impaired; and(3) Collaborating with public and private partners in the development and operation of an applied research center for the training and professional development of educators serving children who are deaf and hearing impaired.Abolishes the state school for the deaf and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the Washington state center for childhood deafness. All references to the superintendent or the state school for the deaf in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the superintendent or the Washington state center for childhood deafness.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2247
by Representatives Conway, Blake, Takko, Hurst, and Simpson
Regulating rates of compensation for forest products harvesters or haulers.
Declares that it is in the public interest to ensure a reasonable minimum rate of compensation for log haulers to ensure that log haulers earn a reasonable living wage without compromising the safety of their vehicles or the safety of their operation.Declares an intent to create a process whereby the department of labor and industries is to oversee a system to ensure adequate wage rates of compensation for log haulers in order to ensure that the public welfare of the state of Washington is protected.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2248
by Representatives McDermott, Cody, Upthegrove, and Williams
Creating the Maury Island aquatic reserve.
Provides that the department shall manage the Maury Island aquatic reserve primarily for the achievement of the following goals: (1) To conserve native habitats and associated plant and wildlife species, with a special emphasis upon forage fish, salmonids, and migratory birds;(2) To protect and restore the functions and natural processes of nearshore ecosystems in support of the natural resources of the reserve;(3) To promote stewardship of riparian and aquatic habitats and species by providing education and outreach opportunities and promoting coordination with other resource managers; and(4) To provide for low-impact public uses including recreation uses and improvements that do not adversely affect the resource values, are appropriate to the maintenance of the lands in a relatively unmodified natural setting, and do not detract from long-term ecological processes.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Select Committee on Puget Sound. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2249
by Representatives McDermott, Cody, Upthegrove, and Appleton
Concerning shoreline master program provisions on islands in Puget Sound.
Provides that, for shorelines of the state located on inhabited islands within Puget Sound, a county master program may prohibit completely or may limit the intensity of mining uses and associated activities, including the transportation of materials from the mining site, to a level that is commercially significant considering the market for the materials on the island.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Select Committee on Puget Sound. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2250
by Representatives Cody, McDermott, and Upthegrove
Concerning the issuance of hydraulic project permits for activities in aquatic reserves.
Requires the department to obtain the concurrence from the department of natural resources, and from the county or city having land use jurisdiction, before approving or renewing a permit under chapter 77 RCW for dock reconstruction and other activities associated with gravel barging, where the activities will be located within an aquatic reserve established by administrative order of the commissioner of public lands.Applies to any permit application pending on or after January 1, 2007, and to any renewal of a permit on or after January 1, 2007.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Select Committee on Puget Sound. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2251
by Representatives Buri, Curtis, and Hunt
Establishing a cemetery district in a county.
Revises provisions for establishing a cemetery district in a county.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
| Feb 23 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2252
by Representatives Pettigrew, Haler, Walsh, Hinkle, Dickerson, Roberts, Kenney, and Ormsby
Establishing a permanency and postadoption services pilot program.
Declares an intent to establish a pilot program of well-coordinated and comprehensive postadoption and postpermanency services to children and families in order to reduce adoption disruptions and terminations and to increase the number of potential adoptive families.Directs the department to contract with community-based organizations in two or more pilot sites in the state to deliver a combination of intensive and less intensive services to children who have been adopted out of the foster care system and their adoptive families. Intensive services include, but are not limited to: Child assessment and assistance with behavior management; advocacy and case management; parent-to-parent mentoring and support; planned respite; recreational enrichment; problem solving; and crisis response. Less intensive services include, but are not limited to: Parent education classes; and information and referral.Requires that, by January 2, 2008, the department shall provide the legislature with a progress report on implementation, including the location of pilot sites. Annually, through January 2011, the department shall brief the legislature on the operation of the pilot program, including the data regarding the effectiveness of the coordination and delivery of services in reducing adoption disruptions and terminations and increasing the number of potential adoptive families.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services. | |
HB 2253
by Representatives Roach, Pettigrew, Williams, Hurst, Haler, Walsh, O'Brien, Orcutt, Morrell, Rolfes, and Ormsby
Creating an "Autism Awareness" special license plate.
Creates an "Autism Awareness" special license plate.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 2254
by Representatives Goodman, Lantz, O'Brien, Williams, Hurst, Lovick, Roach, Rodne, Miloscia, Kelley, Sells, Haler, Morrell, and Rolfes
Changing the penalties for gross misdemeanor driving under the influence convictions.
Revises the penalties for gross misdemeanor driving under the influence convictions.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
| Feb 23 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2255
by Representatives Chandler and Kretz
Encouraging initiatives and referendums by extending privacy protections to signatories and assuring accurate verification.
Encourages initiatives and referendums by extending privacy protections to signatories and assuring accurate verification.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 2256
by Representatives Darneille, Haler, Morrell, Walsh, Pettigrew, Dickerson, Kenney, Schual-Berke, Kagi, P. Sullivan, Lantz, Hinkle, Upthegrove, Appleton, Williams, Seaquist, O'Brien, Hasegawa, Green, Linville, Simpson, Ormsby, and Santos
Establishing the family prosperity act.
Finds that low-income working families often encounter significant barriers as they strive to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Their challenges include acquiring employment that pays enough to cover the costs of daily living, accumulating funds for the down payment on a home, and setting aside money for the children's education or for the parents' retirement.Finds that asset-poor families do not have enough cash reserves or equity in their homes or businesses to meet basic needs through a period of joblessness, health emergency, divorce, or other unexpected financial hardship. Compounding these problems, credit reports about low-income working families tend to contain negative information, so that when used by prospective employers, the reports can prevent the job seeker from obtaining employment. Research shows that savings and ownership of assets is possible for low-income wage earners and that they would benefit from a variety of tools that allow them to better control and increase their financial resources.Therefore finds that the state, together with local communities, must adopt policies and provide services to help low-income working families achieve prosperity.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Community & Economic Development & Trade. | |
| Feb 19 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
| Feb 22 | Scheduled for executive session in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5060-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford, Schoesler, and Sheldon)
Changing the seriousness level for attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.
Revises the seriousness level for attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.
| Jan 31 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 13 | JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| On motion, referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5230-S
by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Prentice, Franklin, and Kline; by request of Employment Security Department)
Funding the administration of Title 50 RCW, unemployment compensation.
Provides funding for the administration of Title 50 RCW, unemployment compensation.
| Jan 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 13 | LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5243-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Brandland, Hargrove, McAuliffe, Stevens, Rasmussen, Shin, and Roach; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)
Increasing the length of confinement for a parole violation committed by certain juvenile sex offenders.
Increases the length of confinement for a parole violation committed by certain juvenile sex offenders.
| Jan 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 13 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5316-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Hargrove, Stevens, and Regala)
Changing provisions relating to day-care insurance.
Revises provisions relating to day-care insurance in RCW 43.215.535.
| Jan 30 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 13 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5378-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Weinstein, Kline, and Rockefeller)
Modifying deeds of trust provisions.
Revises provisions relating to deeds of trust.
| Jan 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 13 | JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5388-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Kilmer, Clements, Morton, Schoesler, and Shin)
Authorizing the use of local retail taxes to finance economic development offices.
Authorizes the use of local retail taxes to finance economic development offices.
| Jan 31 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 7 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5420-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Fairley, Kauffman, Clements, Schoesler, and Pflug)
Requiring public agencies, special purpose districts, and municipalities to post certain information on their web sites.
Requires the agenda of all regular meetings of the governing body of every public agency, special purpose district, and any municipality that owns or maintains a web site to be posted within seventy-two hours before a meeting.Requires that the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the governing body of every public agency, special purpose district, and any municipality that owns or maintains a web site shall be posted within fifteen business days after a meeting.Requires every public agency, special purpose district, and any municipality that owns or maintains a public internet web site to at all times have posted to it a roster of the names of all members of its governing body, identifying the positions, and constituency where applicable, of all members. The web site shall at all times provide both the start date and end date of the elective or appointed terms of all members.Excludes designated public agencies.
| Feb 5 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5542-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Poulsen, Honeyford, Rasmussen, and Holmquist)
Creating the heritage barn preservation program.
Acknowledges that factors such as changes in the agricultural economy and farming technologies, prohibitive rehabilitation costs, development pressures, and regulations restricting new uses, collectively work to endanger historic barns statewide from falling into decay or being demolished altogether.Declares that, as historic barns represent irreplaceable resources, and recognizing that barn preservation will work to retain these structures as functional and economically viable elements of working lands, the purpose of this act is to create a system acknowledging heritage barns statewide that provides emergency assistance to heritage barn owners through matching grants, assesses the need for long-term barn preservation, and considers additional incentives and regulatory revisions that work toward the preservation of heritage barns as integral components of Washington's historic landscapes.
| Feb 5 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5618-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Clements, Sheldon, Rasmussen, Kilmer, and Kastama)
Assisting manufacturers.
Declares an intent that Washington state increase its support for the manufacturing extension program, to expand the delivery of modernization services to small Washington manufacturers, and to leverage federal and private resources devoted to such efforts.Appropriates the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund--state to the department of community, trade, and economic development to carry out the purposes of this act.Appropriates the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund--state to the department of community, trade, and economic development to carry out the purposes of this act.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 7 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5652-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, Kastama, Kilmer, Brown, Berkey, Rockefeller, Keiser, and Shin)
Establishing the microenterprise development program.
Declares that it is the purpose of this act to assist microenterprises in job creation by increasing the training, technical assistance, and financial resources available to microenterprises.Declares an intent to carry out this purpose by enabling the department of community, trade, and economic development to contract with a statewide microenterprise association with the potential to provide organizational support and administer grants to local microenterprise development organizations, subject to the requirements of this act, and to leverage additional funds from sources other than moneys appropriated from the general fund.
| Jan 30 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 7 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Feb 14 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5674-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Fairley, and Kline)
Authorizing registered voters who reside outside of, but own land in, a water district to be elected as a water district commissioner.
Provides that, if the district has fewer than one hundred residents, and if the filing period is reopened for a district commissioner under RCW 29A.24.171 or 29A.24.181 due to a void in candidacy, any person who is a qualified elector of the state of Washington and who holds title or evidence of title to land in the district may file as a candidate for and serve as a district commissioner.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5743-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Kilmer, and Shin)
Linking economic clusters and quality management practices to customized training.
Requires the following to be met in regards to the job skills program: (1) Development of additional mechanisms for identification of, and outreach to, firms with a strong potential to effectively compete in the global marketplace after participating in the job skills program; and(2) Encouragement of businesses participating in the job skills program to participate in workshops or training in continuous quality improvement, performance measurement, strategic planning, or other approaches offered by service providers such as Washington manufacturing services, the Washington quality award, or the Washington technology center and designed to improve company productivity and effectiveness.Appropriates the sum of three million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the state board for community and technical colleges for the purposes of this act.Appropriates the sum of three million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the state board for community and technical colleges for the purposes of this act.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Feb 14 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5811-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Schoesler, Shin, Morton, Hatfield, Kastama, Sheldon, Swecker, Hargrove, and Jacobsen)
Reconvening an advisory committee to evaluate animal identification programs.
Requires the director of agriculture to reactivate the cattle advisory committee convened under chapter 150, Laws of 2006, composed of the same representatives from the various segments of the cattle industry as the original committee. The scope of the cattle advisory committee's activities is limited to bovines and does not extend to other species of livestock.Directs the cattle advisory committee to complete its evaluation of the voluntary national animal identification program and the approaches being taken by other states, and complete its evaluation of demonstration projects that the department of agriculture is conducting at two or more facilities that handle large numbers of cattle. The cattle advisory committee shall make a recommendation on how the voluntary federal program for bovines should be implemented in Washington that includes recommended funding amounts and sources. In developing a funding proposal, the cattle advisory committee shall consult with the office of financial management.Requires the department of agriculture to submit a final written report of the activities and recommendations of the cattle advisory committee to appropriate committees of the house of representatives and the senate by December 1, 2007.
| Feb 5 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6014
by Senators Swecker, Haugen, Keiser, Hatfield, Zarelli, Benton, Hewitt, Stevens, Shin, Marr, Rasmussen, Oemig, and Sheldon
Authorizing industrial development on reclaimed surface coal mine sites.
Provides that, in addition to the major industrial development allowed under RCW 36.70A.365 and 36.70A.367, a county planning under RCW 36.70A.040 that meets the criteria in this act may establish, in consultation with cities consistent with RCW 36.70A.210, a process for designating a master planned location for major industrial activity outside urban growth areas on lands formerly used or designated for surface coal mining and supporting uses. Once a master planned location is designated, it shall be considered an urban growth area retained for purposes of promoting major industrial activity.Applies to a county that, at the time the process is established in this act, had a surface coal mining operation in excess of three thousand acres that ceased operation after July 1, 2006, and that is located within fifteen miles of the Interstate 5 corridor.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6015
by Senators Jacobsen, Roach, Rockefeller, Rasmussen, Morton, Franklin, Schoesler, Swecker, and Honeyford
Creating the boating activities program.
Provides that, by December 1, 2007, the interagency committee for outdoor recreation shall complete an initial study of boater needs and make recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the initial amount of funding that should be provided to the commission for boating-related law enforcement purposes under this act.Requires that, by September 1, 2008, and by September 1st of each even-numbered year thereafter, the interagency committee for outdoor recreation shall update its study of boater needs as necessary and shall make recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature concerning funding allocations to state parks and other grant applicants.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
SB 6016
by Senators Regala and Kohl-Welles
Concerning good cause reasons for failure to participate in WorkFirst program components.
Amends RCW 74.08A.270 relating to good cause reasons for failure to participate in WorkFirst program components.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 6017
by Senators Honeyford, Schoesler, and Holmquist
Regarding the use of credible data to establish aquatic herbicide application permit conditions.
Revises provisions relating to the use of credible data to establish aquatic herbicide application permit conditions for irrigation drains or wasteways.Declares that credible water quality data, for the purpose of chapter 90.48 RCW, includes surveys and studies done for the purpose of documenting threatened or endangered anadromous fish life stages and the suitability of irrigation district drains or wasteways to support complete fish life cycles, when those surveys or studies are used to condition permits issued under the provisions of the federal clean water act or this act.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | |
SB 6018
by Senator Brandland
Changing provisions concerning detention of persons with a mental disorder or chemical dependency.
Provides that, if a designated crisis responder receives information alleging that a person, as the result of: (1) A mental disorder, presents an imminent likelihood of serious harm, or is in imminent danger because of being gravely disabled, after investigation and evaluation of the specific facts alleged and of the reliability and credibility of the person or persons providing the information if any, the designated crisis responder may take the person, or cause by oral or written order the person to be taken into emergency custody in an evaluation and treatment facility for not more than seventy-two hours as described in this act; or(2) Chemical dependency, presents an imminent likelihood of serious harm, or is in imminent danger because of being gravely disabled, after investigation and evaluation of the specific facts alleged and of the reliability and credibility of the person or persons providing the information if any, the designated crisis responder may take the person, or cause by oral or written order the person to be taken into emergency custody in a secure detoxification facility for not more than seventy-two hours as described in this act.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 6019
by Senator Honeyford
Providing for state reimbursement for certain jail services.
Amends RCW 70.48.130 to provide for state reimbursement for certain jail services.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6020
by Senators Fairley, Oemig, and Kline
Regarding notification of radio frequency identification tags.
Requires that, if a person produces, manufactures, packages, distributes, or sells a retail product and the person has caused a radio frequency identification tag to be attached to, embedded in, or made part of the retail product or its package, the person shall ensure that the retail product or its package bears a label which notifies consumers of the existence of the radio frequency identification tag.Provides that the label required pursuant to this act must, at a minimum: (1) Inform the consumer that the retail product or its package has a radio frequency identification tag which can transmit unique identification information before and after purchase of the retail product;(2) Be in a conspicuous location on the retail product or its package; and(3) Be printed in a size of type and in a manner that is conspicuous and contrasts with the background on which the notice appears.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Housing. | |
| Feb 22 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6021
by Senators Fairley and Shin; by request of Governor Gregoire
Consolidating and eliminating certain boards and commissions.
Consolidates and eliminates certain boards and commissions.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6022
by Senator Murray
Requiring and funding driver training for all new first-time drivers.
Requires and funds driver training for all new first-time drivers.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6023
by Senators McAuliffe and Rasmussen
Regarding alternative assessments.
Provides that a student who has taken the Washington assessment of student learning once but has not successfully met the state standards on one or more content areas required for the certificate of academic achievement may earn a certificate of academic achievement by completing at least two semesters of additional coursework. In determining what coursework and the amount of coursework that shall count towards attaining the certificate of academic achievement, the student and his or her parents or guardians shall meet with one of the student's classroom instructors for the content area in which the student failed to successfully meet standard and the student's guidance counselor, advisor, or mentor to develop the student learning plan as established in this act and to develop the student's high school and beyond plan as established by state board of education rules. The following criteria shall be met in order for the coursework to count towards attaining the certificate of academic achievement: (1) The coursework taken shall contribute to the student achieving the competencies necessary to pursue the goals established in the student's high school and beyond plan;(2) A student must obtain at least the equivalent of a C+ grade in each of the courses taken;(3) The totality of the coursework must include instruction in each of the competencies in which the student failed to meet standard; and(4) The student must maintain at least a seventy-five percent attendance rate in each of the courses. The instructor for the course may waive the attendance requirement for illness.Directs the state board of education to develop an accountability plan for use by schools and school districts in meeting the requirements of RCW 28A.655.100 (3) and (4) and to develop and implement accountability measures for school districts and schools that do not meet the yearly progress benchmarks and the three-year increase goals.Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to review the alternative assessment created in RCW 28A.655.061(10)(c) for effectiveness in helping students who choose this alternative to increase achievement on the Washington assessment of student learning, graduate on time from high school, and, to the extent information is available, pursue a college or career pathway of their choice. The institute for public policy shall issue an initial report to the education committees of the legislature in December 2010, and a second report in December 2012.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
| Feb 15 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6024
by Senators Franklin, Kauffman, Regala, Shin, Berkey, Marr, Pridemore, Fraser, Rockefeller, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles, Kastama, Keiser, and Kline
Assisting low-income persons to obtain affordable automobile liability insurance.
Finds that low-income persons have difficulty affording the mandatory liability insurance required under chapter 46.30 RCW. The legislature intends to enable and encourage these persons to obtain automobile insurance and develop a history of having automobile insurance. The legislature intends to accomplish this by equitably apportioning, among insurers required to participate in an assigned risk plan, coverage for low-income persons.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions & Insurance. | |
SB 6025
by Senator Jacobsen
Expanding provisions affecting forest health by creating a two tier technical assistance system.
Declares that the department has the lead role in developing a comprehensive forest health program to achieve the goals of this act. Within available funding, the department shall: (1) Develop, gather, and disseminate information on forest health conditions, monitor forest health conditions and changes over time, and coordinate and enter agreements with interested and affected parties;(2) Coordinate with universities, university extension services, federal and state agencies, private, public, and tribal forest landowners, consulting foresters, and forest managers to monitor forest fuel buildup, forest insect and disease outbreaks, and wind and ice storm events; and(3) Coordinate with universities, university extension services, and state and federal agencies to provide education and technical assistance to private, public, and tribal forest landowners on silvicultural and forest management science, techniques, and technology to maintain forests in conditions that are resilient and resistant to disturbance agents.Provides that forest health issues shall be addressed by a tiered system.(1) The first tier is intended to maintain forest health and protect forests from disturbance agents through the voluntary efforts of landowners. Tier 1 is the desired status. Consistent with landowner objectives and the protection of public resources, forests should be managed in ways that create, restore, or maintain healthy forest ecosystems so that disturbance agents occur or exist at nonepidemic levels. To the extent of available funding, information and technical assistance will be made available to forest landowners so they can plan for and implement necessary forest health maintenance and restoration activities.(2) The second tier is intended to manage the development of threats to forest health, or address existing threats to forest health, due to disturbance agents. Actions by landowners to address such threats to forest health are voluntary except as required under chapter 76.04 RCW to reduce the danger of the spread of fire. Actions suggested to reduce threats to forest health are specified in forest health hazard warnings issued by the commissioner of public lands under this act. Within available funding, site-specific information, technical assistance, and project coordination services shall be offered as determined appropriate by the department.Repeals provisions of chapter 76.06 RCW.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
| Feb 21 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6026
by Senator Benton
Excluding medical expenses for property tax exemption purposes from the income eligibility requirements for senior citizens, armed forces veterans, and persons retired because of disability.
Excludes medical expenses for property tax exemption purposes from the income eligibility requirements for senior citizens, armed forces veterans, and persons retired because of disability.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6027
by Senator Benton
Reducing taxes imposed on the provision of physical fitness services.
Reduces taxes imposed on the provision of physical fitness services.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6028
by Senator Morton
Expanding provisions affecting forest health by creating a three tier technical assistance and regulatory system.
Provides that the department has the lead role in developing a comprehensive forest health program to achieve the goals of this act. Within available funding, the department shall: (1) Develop, gather, and disseminate information on forest health conditions, monitor forest health conditions and changes over time, and coordinate and enter agreements with interested and affected parties;(2) Coordinate with universities, university extension services, federal and state agencies, private, public, and tribal forest landowners, consulting foresters, and forest managers to monitor forest fuel buildup, forest insect and disease outbreaks, and wind and ice storm events; and(3) Coordinate with universities, university extension services, and state and federal agencies to provide education and technical assistance to private, public, and tribal forest landowners on silvicultural and forest management science, techniques, and technology to maintain forests in conditions that are resistant to disturbance agents.Requires forest health issues to be addressed by a tiered system.(1) The first tier is intended to maintain forest health and protect forests from disturbance agents through the voluntary efforts of landowners. Tier 1 is the desired status. Consistent with landowner objectives and the protection of public resources, forests should be managed in ways that create, restore, or maintain healthy forest ecosystems so that disturbance agents occur or exist at nonepidemic levels. To the extent of available funding, information and technical assistance will be made available to forest landowners so they can plan for and implement necessary forest health maintenance and restoration activities.(2) The second tier is intended to manage the development of threats to forest health, or contain or suppress existing threats to forest health, due to disturbance agents. Actions by landowners to address such threats to forest health are voluntary except as required under chapter 76.04 RCW to reduce the danger of the spread of fire. Actions suggested to reduce threats to forest health are specified in forest health hazard warnings issued by the commissioner of public lands under this act. Within available funding, site-specific information, technical assistance, and project coordination services shall be offered as determined appropriate by the department.(3) The third tier is intended to address significant threats to forest health due to disturbance agents that have spread to multiple forest ownerships or increased forest fuel that is likely to further the spread of fire. Actions required to reduce significant threats to forest health are specified in forest health hazard orders issued by the commissioner of public lands under this act. Within available funding, site-specific information, technical assistance, and project coordination services shall be offered as determined appropriate by the department. Landowners who are provided notice of a forest health hazard order under this act and fail to take the action required under such order may be subject to increased liability for the spread of fire as described in RCW 76.04.495 and 76.04.660.Repeals provisions of chapter 76.06 RCW.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
| Feb 21 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6029
by Senators Hobbs, Benton, Berkey, and Hatfield
Regulating interstate branching.
Establishes provisions regulating interstate branching.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions & Insurance. | |
SB 6030
by Senators Parlette and Schoesler
Providing health insurance options for young adults.
Provides health insurance options for young adults.Directs the office of the insurance commissioner to make available educational and outreach materials targeted to young adults aged nineteen to thirty-four, as funding becomes available. Education and outreach efforts shall focus on educating young consumers on the importance and value of health insurance, including educational materials, public service messages, and other outreach activities. The commissioner is authorized to fund these activities with grants, donations, in-kind contributions, or other funding that may be available.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6031
by Senators Kastama, Regala, and Franklin
Concerning the funding of certain regional transportation investment district projects.
Provides that funding allocated for transportation projects in Pierce county, identified in the regional transportation investment plan submitted to voters at the 2007 general election under RCW 36.120.070(2), must be allocated based upon completing projects in the following priority order: (1) State route number 167 extension stage 1: Connect state route number 509 to Interstate 5 with no high-occupancy vehicle lanes or high-occupancy vehicle lane freeway-to-freeway connections;(2) State route number 704 (Cross-Base Highway); and(3) State route number 167 extension stages 2 and 3: New section of state route number 167 from Interstate 5 to state route number 161 in the city of Puyallup, including a connection to Interstate 5, but not to include high-occupancy vehicle lanes or high-occupancy vehicle lane freeway-to-freeway connections. Stage 3 must include an interchange at Valley Avenue.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6032
by Senators Kohl-Welles, McCaslin, Kline, Regala, and Keiser
Concerning the medical use of marijuana.
Declares an intent to clarify the law on medical marijuana so that the lawful use of this substance is not impaired and medical practitioners are able to exercise their best professional judgment in the delivery of medical treatment, qualifying patients may fully participate in the medical use of marijuana, and designated providers may assist patients in the manner provided by this act without fear of state criminal prosecution. This act is also intended to provide clarification to law enforcement and to all participants in the judicial system.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6033
by Senators Kohl-Welles and Clements
Concerning beer and wine warehousing and distribution by a primary grocery distributor at the direction of an independent grocery store.
Declares an intent to assure that no segment of the grocery store industry, licensed to sell beer and wine off the premises, is disadvantaged as the result of a judgment by the court in regards to central warehousing in the case of Costco Wholesale Corporation v. Roger Hoen, et. al., No. C04-260P. The legislature further intends that the liquor control board take timely action to implement a storage and transportation system for the independent grocery stores and their primary grocery distributors upon receipt of any judgment that allows chain grocery retailers to store in, and transport from, their own warehouses to their retail outlets. The legislature intends that the system should accommodate the current market place structure and relationships of the independent grocery store and their primary grocery distributors and avoid any unnecessary administrative barriers.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
| Feb 22 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6034
by Senators Swecker and Delvin
Exempting certain unlicensed complementary and alternative health care practitioners from the prohibitions under chapter 18.71 RCW.
Exempts certain unlicensed complementary and alternative health care practitioners from the prohibitions under chapter 18.71 RCW.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6035
by Senators Poulsen and Rockefeller
Authorizing the creation of beach management districts.
Authorizes the creation of beach management districts.Requires the department of ecology to provide technical assistance to community groups and county legislative authorities requesting assistance with the development of beach management programs.Appropriates the sum of twenty-five thousand 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 ecology for the purposes of providing technical assistance to community groups and county legislative authorities requesting assistance with the development of beach management plans, program administration, and identification and prioritization of beaches and near shore areas with decomposing seaweed presenting public health and water quality issues.Appropriates the sum of one hundred fifty thousand 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 ecology for the purposes of providing technical assistance to community groups and county legislative authorities requesting assistance with the development of beach management plans, program administration, and the removal of seaweed identified and prioritized in beach management programs as creating public health or water quality issues from beaches or near shore areas.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | |
SB 6036
by Senators Fraser, Franklin, Weinstein, Kohl-Welles, and Hargrove
Addressing construction liens.
Requires that any contract entered into between any person furnishing labor, professional services, materials, or equipment and the owner to construct, alter, repair, or remodel residential property must contain the following provisions: (1) That subcontractors must provide the same notice the owner receives from material suppliers under RCW 60.04.031;(2) That each time the owner makes a payment to the prime contractor, the prime contractor shall provide to the owner within five days of payments to subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers notice detailing what subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers were paid, how much, and for what work. The prime contractor shall also include with the notice copies of cancelled checks to the subcontractors, suppliers, or laborers or other evidence that the subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers were paid; and(3) That failure to follow any provision in the contract waives the lien rights the prime contractor may have against the owner's property and constitutes a breach of contract relieving the owner of any further obligations under the contract.Provides that if an owner has paid a prime contractor for certain work to be done by a subcontractor, or for materials, equipment, or labor to be provided, and the prime contractor has not paid either the subcontractor or for the materials, equipment, or labor in a timely manner, the lien that the prime contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or laborer may file against the owner's property is limited to the amount the owner still owes the prime contractor under the contract.Provides that when a subcontractor, supplier, or laborer does work for a prime contractor who does not pay for the work done by the subcontractor, supplier, or laborer and, as a result, the subcontractor, supplier, or laborer files a lien against the homeowner, that subcontractor, supplier, or laborer may not have a lien enforced at a later date against a homeowner if the work performed is for the same prime contractor.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6037
by Senators Hargrove, Pridemore, and Rasmussen
Eliminating the certificate of academic achievement as a requirement for high school graduation.
Finds that it is important to recognize that students have multiple learning styles and that too often a single, high stakes test does not accommodate all learning styles. It is important to have high academic standards and the Washington assessment of student learning can be an effective tool to assist districts in achieving them. The Washington assessment of student learning, however, may not adequately challenge our high performing students and it takes valuable time and resources away from essential learning for all students. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to eliminate the use of the Washington assessment of student learning as a graduation requirement.
| Feb 14 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |