 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 30 | ||
| SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Tuesday, February 20, 2007 | 44th 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 1102-S
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Green, McCune, Conway, Kirby, Appleton, McCoy, Ormsby, B. Sullivan, Hurst, Linville, O'Brien, P. Sullivan, Sells, Springer, Rolfes, Moeller, Wallace, and Morrell)
Modifying property tax exemption provisions for veterans of the armed forces.
Revises property tax exemption provisions for veterans of the armed forces.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1396-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Flannigan, Jarrett, B. Sullivan, Upthegrove, Rodne, Eddy, Kagi, Chase, and Schual-Berke)
Providing a single ballot proposition for regional transportation investment districts and regional transit authorities at the 2007 general election.
Finds that under RCW 81.112.030 and 36.120.170 regional transportation investment districts and regional transit authorities are required to submit to the voters propositions for their respective transportation plans on the same ballot at the 2007 general election and that the opportunity to propose a single ballot reflecting a comprehensive, systemic, and interrelated approach to regional transportation would further the legislative intent and provide voters with an easier and more efficient method of expressing their will.Declares that it is therefore the policy and intent of the state of Washington that transportation plans required to be submitted for voter approval at the 2007 general election by a regional transportation investment district and a regional transit authority must be submitted to voters in single ballot question seeking approval of both plans.
| Feb 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1397-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Kenney, Curtis, Cody, and Upthegrove)
Establishing an intraoral massage endorsement for massage therapists.
Declares that "intraoral massage" means the manipulation or pressure of soft tissue inside the mouth or oral cavity for therapeutic purposes.Authorizes a massage practitioner licensed under chapter 18.108 RCW to apply for an endorsement to perform intraoral massage upon completion of training determined by the board and specified in rules. Training must include intraoral massage techniques, cranial anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, hygienic practices, safety and sanitation, pathology, and contraindications
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1590-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Goodman, Rodne, Curtis, Eddy, Pearson, Springer, Linville, Roach, Jarrett, Priest, Clibborn, Ericks, Chandler, Schual-Berke, Dunshee, Upthegrove, Sells, Miloscia, Hurst, Williams, Newhouse, Simpson, and Kenney)
Changing provisions affecting courts of limited jurisdiction.
Revises provisions affecting courts of limited jurisdiction.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 16 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1607-S
by House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Lovick, Pearson, and Strow; by request of Criminal Justice Training Commission)
Revising corrections personnel training provisions.
Amends RCW 43.101.220 and RCW 43.101.350 relating to corrections personnel training.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| PSEP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1642-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Pedersen, Lantz, Williams, Moeller, Wood, Kirby, O'Brien, Chase, Ormsby, and Green)
Concerning criminal violations of no-contact orders, protection orders, and restraining orders.
Finds this act necessary to restore and make clear the intent that a willful violation of a no-contact provision of a court order is a criminal offense and shall be enforced accordingly to preserve the integrity and intent of the domestic violence act. This act is not intended to broaden the scope of law enforcement power or effectuate any substantive change to any criminal provision in the Revised Code of Washington.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 16 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1652-S
by House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Grant, Kretz, Hailey, Blake, Pearson, McCoy, B. Sullivan, and Kristiansen)
Establishing the wildfire prevention and protection work group.
Provides that the wildfire prevention and protection work group created in this act shall review existing fire studies conducted by or for the department of natural resources, the joint legislative audit and review committee, and other organizations. The work group shall review the following issues: (1) Whether the forest fire protection assessment rate provides sufficient funding towards the protection of public and private lands from wildfires;(2) Whether the statutory limitations on the purposes for which moneys collected through the forest fire protection assessment and from the landowner contingency forest fire suppression account may be expended are warranted;(3) Whether the term "forest land," as set forth in RCW 76.04.005, properly defines the scope of land on which the forest fire protection assessment should be assessed;(4) Whether forest fire protection assessments are currently being collected from all lands on which the department of natural resources has the duty to impose such assessments;(5) Whether the adoption of elements from wildfire programs of other western states would improve wildfire protection and suppression in Washington state;(6) Whether the department of natural resources' authority to protect forest land should include the authority to protect structures;(7) Whether improvements and efficiencies in the department of natural resources' fire protection activities would impact fire suppression activities and expenses;(8) Whether state and local building codes adequately address the dangers posed by development in areas subject to wildfires;(9) Whether local government land use regulations, and state advisory and assistance programs, adequately address the dangers posed by development in areas subject to wildfires; and(10) Whether insurance rates in Washington state reflect the dangers posed by development in areas subject to wildfires.Requires the wildfire prevention and protection work group to report its findings and recommendations in the form of draft legislation to the legislature by December 1, 2007.Appropriates the sum of thirty-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 senate for the travel expenses of the wildfire prevention and protection work group.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| AGNR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 16 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1751-S
by House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness (originally sponsored by Representatives Eddy, McDonald, O'Brien, Pearson, Green, Simpson, and Ormsby)
Revising the penalty provisions for the crime of indecent exposure.
Revises the penalty provisions for the crime of indecent exposure.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| PSEP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1777-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Rodne, Lantz, Darneille, Kirby, Ahern, Ross, Flannigan, Moeller, Kenney, and Morrell; by request of Secretary of State)
Regulating charitable organizations that solicit contributions from the public.
Regulates charitable organizations that solicit contributions from the public.Repeals RCW 19.09.095.
| Feb 9 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 16 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
| Feb 21 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 1802-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Darneille, Kenney, Dickerson, Hankins, Linville, Cody, Roberts, Appleton, Schual-Berke, Walsh, Santos, Wallace, Haigh, Simpson, Green, Clibborn, Warnick, Rolfes, Morrell, Pettigrew, Bailey, Lantz, Eddy, Sommers, Kessler, Kagi, Skinner, McDonald, Chase, Hudgins, Hasegawa, Pedersen, Ericks, Goodman, and Moeller)
Providing information about the human papillomavirus disease and vaccine.
Provides that, beginning with sixth grade entry, every public and private school in the state shall provide parents and guardians with information about human papillomavirus disease and its vaccine at the beginning of every school year. The information about human papillomavirus disease shall include: (1) Its causes and symptoms, how human papillomavirus disease is spread, and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children; and(2) Current recommendations from the United States centers for disease control and prevention regarding the receipt of vaccines for human papillomavirus disease and where the vaccination can be received.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 16 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1921-S
by House Committee on Housing (originally sponsored 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.Provides that, beginning in 2009, all organizations funded through the program receiving over five hundred thousand dollars a year during the previous calendar year from: This program; other state housing related funding sources, including the housing trust fund; housing finance commission programs; and the ending homelessness program surcharge in RCW 36.22.179 and the surcharges in RCW 36.22.178, shall apply to the full examination Washington state quality award program once every three years beginning by January 1, 2010.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.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HOUS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 16 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2015-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, McIntire, Cody, Morrell, and Kenney)
Licensing genetic counselors.
Requires the secretary to issue a license to any applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the secretary that the applicant meets the following requirements: (1) Graduation from a master's or doctorate program in genetic counseling or medical genetics approved by the secretary;(2) Successful completion of any clinical experience requirements established by the secretary; and(3) Successful completion of an examination administered or approved by the secretary.Creates the advisory committee on genetic counseling.Provides that an applicant holding a license in another state may be licensed to practice in this state without examination if the secretary determines that the licensing standards of the other state are substantially equivalent to the licensing standards of this state.Provides that a person not licensed with the secretary to practice genetic counseling may not represent himself or herself as a "genetic counselor," "licensed genetic counselor," "gene counselor," "genetic consultant," "genetic associate," or other letters, words, signs, numbers, or insignia indicating or implying that he or she is a genetic counselor.Gives the secretary authority under chapter 18.130 RCW in relation to genetic counselors licensed under this act.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2054-S
by House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness (originally sponsored by Representatives Goodman, O'Brien, Williams, Springer, Dunshee, Simpson, Lovick, Roach, Kelley, Green, Roberts, and Hurst)
Reporting identity theft cases.
Provides that the Washington state patrol shall create and maintain a call center and a statewide web site that shall be available for the filing of incident reports relating to identity crimes under chapter 9.35 RCW.Declares that a person who has learned or reasonably suspects that his or her financial information or means of identification has been unlawfully obtained, used by, or disclosed to another, as described in this chapter, may file an incident report with the Washington state patrol via the call center or web site established by this act. The Washington state patrol shall create a police incident report of the matter, provide the complainant with a copy of that report with a corresponding case number within forty-eight hours, and may refer the incident report to another appropriate law enforcement agency.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| PSEP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2147-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Kristiansen, Ericks, Chandler, Blake, Curtis, Morrell, Roberts, Hurst, Pearson, McCune, Moeller, B. Sullivan, Simpson, Santos, Ormsby, Newhouse, and Kelley)
Providing vocational rehabilitation services for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers.
Finds that a primary purpose 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.Provides vocational rehabilitation services for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 19 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2288
by Representatives Hasegawa, Santos, Buri, Cody, Condotta, and Schual-Berke
Implementing weight-based taxation of moist snuff.
Finds that reforming how this product is taxed will provide more certainty to taxpayers, provide stability to the revenue stream, maintain pricing levels to address access to youth, and simplify administration by the department of revenue. It is the intent of the legislature that any new money attributable to this act shall be dedicated to the health services account, while keeping other accounts whole.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 2289
by Representatives Ericks, Morris, O'Brien, and Ormsby
Creating a task force to study streamlining state information services.
Creates a task force to study streamlining state information services.Directs the task force to review the following issues: (1) A statewide information services strategy;(2) Development of a process to strengthen the mandate of the department of information services in acquiring various information services;(3) Leveraging the purchasing power of the department of information services to drive down the cost of securing information services; and(4) Strengthening the role of the information services board in enhancing the utilization of services offered by the department of information services.Requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
| Feb 21 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2290
by Representatives Roach, Morrell, Williams, O'Brien, Ericks, Priest, Hurst, Ormsby, and Simpson
Providing educational options for students with autism.
Declares an intent to encourage the creation of autism education centers to provide a specialized learning environment tailored to students with autistic spectrum disorders.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HB 2291
by Representatives Kenney, Dickerson, Flannigan, Schual-Berke, Hasegawa, O'Brien, Ormsby, and Simpson
Imposing penalties for engaging in the commercial sexual abuse of minors.
Provides that a person is guilty of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor if he or she knowingly advances commercial sexual abuse of a minor or profits from a minor engaged in sexual conduct.Declares that promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor is a class B felony.Provides that a person commits the offense of promoting travel for commercial sexual abuse of a minor if he or she knowingly sells or offers to sell travel services that include or facilitate travel for the purpose of engaging in what would be commercial sexual abuse of a minor or promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor, if occurring in this state.Declares that promoting travel for commercial sexual abuse of a minor is a class C felony.Provides that a person is guilty of permitting commercial sexual abuse of a minor if, having possession or control of premises which he or she knows are being used for the purpose of commercial sexual abuse of a minor, he or she fails without lawful excuse to make reasonable effort to halt or abate such use, or to make a reasonable effort to notify law enforcement of such use.Declares that permitting commercial sexual abuse of a minor is a gross misdemeanor.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. | |
HB 2292
by Representatives Simpson and Ormsby
Addressing private residential fire sprinklers.
Directs the state building code council to form a technical advisory group to research and review policies and procedures for residential fire sprinklers.Declares that the purpose of the study is the eventual development of a model building code policy for residential fire sprinkler installation and services.Requires the state building code council to report the findings of the technical advisory group to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
HB 2293
by Representatives Kelley and Green
Establishing the minimum term of a small loan.
Amends RCW 31.45.073 to establish a minimum term of no more than thirty days for a small loan.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection. | |
| Feb 22 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2294
by Representatives Santos, Williams, and Ericks
Funding small loan regulatory compliance.
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 the funds into the small loan compliance account in this act.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection. | |
| Feb 22 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2295
by Representatives Seaquist, Rolfes, Lantz, Appleton, Haigh, Eickmeyer, Kessler, and VanDeWege
Assessing the higher education needs of the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas.
Requires the higher education coordinating board to assess the higher education needs in Kitsap, Mason, Jefferson, and Clallam counties and recommend to the legislature solutions to the higher education needs. Solutions that the board should consider include, but should not be limited to, establishment of new baccalaureate institutions, expansion of existing institutions to include baccalaureate degrees, and colocation of institutions. In conducting its assessment, the board shall take into account but not be limited to the following: Population growth, higher education participation rates, economic demand and workforce needs, and drive and commute times to existing institutions of higher education.Requires the board to provide an interim report to the legislature and the governor by January 15, 2008, and a final report by December 1, 2008.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
HB 2296
by Representatives Hasegawa, Ormsby, Sells, and Hunt
Including charts in the voters' pamphlet.
Requires charts in the voters' pamphlet.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 2297
by Representatives Roach, McDonald, Ross, Rodne, McCune, Dunn, and Clibborn
Imposing a regulatory surcharge under the insurance code.
Imposes a regulatory surcharge under the insurance code.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection. | |
HB 2298
by Representatives Ericks, Springer, Morrell, Seaquist, Williams, VanDeWege, Hasegawa, Buri, Haler, McDonald, Pettigrew, Walsh, Bailey, Hunter, Linville, Roach, Santos, Rolfes, Green, Sells, Kenney, McCoy, O'Brien, Hinkle, Goodman, Ormsby, Kelley, and Simpson
Providing tuition waivers for teachers seeking additional education.
Declares an intent to assist beginning public school teachers with their educational expenses by having state colleges and universities waive tuition for those courses required for a master's degree or professional certification. The legislature further intends that teachers repay the waived tuition with future service in the public schools.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
HB 2299
by Representative Williams
Creating hotel licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Establishes hotel licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 2300
by Representatives Hasegawa, Jarrett, Wallace, B. Sullivan, Kenney, Hunter, Goodman, Dunshee, Chase, Ormsby, Kelley, and Simpson
Concerning college textbooks.
Requires each publisher of college textbooks to make immediately available to a prospective purchaser of their products who is a member of the faculty of an institution of higher education: (1) The price at which the publisher would make the products available to the store on the campus of the institution that would offer the products to students; and(2) The history of revisions for the products, if any.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
HB 2301
by Representatives Chase and McDermott
Prohibiting the disturbance of salmon and steelhead spawning beds.
Declares that no person may, during the time periods identified by the commission, lawfully engage in the following activities in rivers and streams, as designated by the commission, where salmon or steelhead spawning occur: (1) Driving motor vehicles on spawning beds;(2) Using high-powered jet or propeller-driven boats across spawning beds;(3) Dragging anchors through spawning beds; and(4) Similar activities capable of disturbing spawning fish or damaging or destroying nests of incubating eggs.Provides that a violation of this act is a natural resource infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 2302
by Representative Santos
Establishing procedures for the issuance of interpretive or policy statements by the insurance commissioner.
Establishes procedures for the issuance of interpretive or policy statements by the insurance commissioner.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection. | |
| Feb 21 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2303
by Representatives Hudgins, Hasegawa, Kenney, O'Brien, Eickmeyer, Priest, Fromhold, Haigh, Kessler, Upthegrove, Quall, and Dickerson
Creating a future bilingual teacher mentoring and training program.
Establishes a future bilingual teacher mentoring and training program.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
| Feb 23 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5379-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Weinstein, Delvin, Kline, Tom, Haugen, and Shin)
Protecting consumers from the keeping of dangerous wild animals.
Declares that it is the intent of the state of Washington to protect the public against the serious health and safety risks that dangerous wild animals pose to the community.
| Feb 9 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5461-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Morton, Jacobsen, Fraser, Hatfield, Hargrove, Benton, Sheldon, and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Natural Resources)
Improving forest health on state trust lands by continuing the use of contract harvesting for silvicultural treatments.
Finds that chapter 218, Laws of 2004 authorized the department of natural resources to utilize contract harvesting for silvicultural treatments to improve forest health on state trust lands, in accordance with RCW 76.06.140 and 79.15.540.Finds that the use of contract harvesting for silvicultural treatments has proven effective and that continued utilization is important to improve and maintain forest health.Finds that it is necessary to remove the expiration date for this authority, set for December 31, 2007, and to continue the use of contract harvesting for silvicultural treatments to improve forest health on state trust lands.Provides that, in utilizing contract harvesting to address forest health issues as outlined in this act, the department shall give priority to silvicultural treatments that assist the department in meeting forest health strategies included in any management or landscape plans that exist for state forests. If such plans are not in place, the department shall prioritize silvicultural treatments for forest health with higher priority given to the protection of public health and safety, public resources as defined in RCW 76.09.020, and the long-term asset value of the trust.Repeals 2004 c 218 s 10 (uncodified).
| Jan 29 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5463-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Rockefeller, Morton, Shin, and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Natural Resources)
Modifying forest fire protection assessments.
Revises forest fire protection assessments.
| Jan 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Feb 21 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5477-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Keiser, Franklin, McAuliffe, and Rasmussen)
Addressing manufactured/mobile home community registrations and dispute resolution.
Finds that there are factors unique to the relationship between a manufactured/mobile home tenant and a manufactured/mobile home community landlord. Once occupancy has commenced, the difficulty and expense in moving and relocating a manufactured/mobile home can affect the operation of market forces and lead to an inequality of the bargaining position of the parties. Once occupancy has commenced, a tenant may be subject to violations of the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act or the consumer protection act without an adequate remedy at law. This act is created for the purpose of protecting the public, fostering fair and honest competition, and regulating the factors unique to the relationship between the manufactured/mobile home tenant and the manufactured/mobile home community landlord.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 or the consumer protection 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.Requires the attorney general to administer a manufactured/mobile home dispute resolution program.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 30 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5531-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senator Jacobsen)
Providing funding for parks and recreational facilities.
Provides funding for parks and recreational facilities.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5550-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Weinstein, Kohl-Welles, Murray, Kauffman, Kastama, Tom, Rockefeller, Pridemore, Spanel, Marr, Haugen, Eide, McAuliffe, Hargrove, Hatfield, Fraser, Kilmer, Jacobsen, Brown, Keiser, Shin, Franklin, McCaslin, Poulsen, Oemig, Kline, and Regala)
Concerning real property.
Revises provisions concerning real property.
| Jan 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5690-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Weinstein, McCaslin, Roach, Tom, Kline, Jacobsen, and Kohl-Welles)
Regarding the dissolution of a special taxing district.
Amends RCW 35.95A.120 relating to the dissolution of a special taxing district.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 13 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5720-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senator Marr)
Conforming legal notice broadcast requirements to current practice.
Conforms legal notice broadcast requirements to current practice.Repeals RCW 65.16.140.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 13 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5726-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Weinstein, Kline, and Franklin)
Creating the insurance fair conduct act.
Provides that an insurer engaged in the business of insurance may not unreasonably or negligently deny a claim for coverage or payment of benefits to any insured.Provides that any insured or first party claimant to a policy of insurance who is unreasonably or negligently denied a claim for coverage or payment of benefits by an insurer may bring an action in the superior court of this state to recover the actual damages sustained, together with the costs of the action, including reasonable attorneys' fees and litigation costs.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 16 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6067
by Senators Hobbs, Keiser, Fraser, Weinstein, Regala, Pridemore, Spanel, Rasmussen, and Kohl-Welles
Creating the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program.
Creates the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6068
by Senators Hobbs, Stevens, Haugen, Fairley, Berkey, McAuliffe, Shin, and Kohl-Welles
Requiring a feasibility study on providing commuter rail service between Everett and Leavenworth.
Requires a feasibility study on providing commuter rail service between Everett and Leavenworth.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 general fund to the department of transportation to conduct a feasibility study on providing commuter rail service between Everett and Leavenworth.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6069
by Senators Hargrove, Hatfield, and Rasmussen
Establishing advisory rates for log haulers.
Declares it is in the public interest to ensure a reasonable rate of compensation for log hauling services. This act is enacted to create a process whereby forest landowners may refer to utilities and transportation advisory rates when determining compensation for log haulers.Authorizes the commission in conjunction with the Northwest log truckers cooperative to establish fair, just, and reasonable advisory rates of compensation for log hauling services in each labor market area. Advisory rates may be established as often as the commission deems it necessary and proper.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
SB 6070
by Senators Shin, Sheldon, Spanel, and Delvin
Providing for a full-time faculty member on the governing boards of state colleges and universities.
Provides for a full-time faculty member on the governing boards of state colleges and universities.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
| Feb 22 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6071
by Senators Delvin, Brown, Kohl-Welles, and Sheldon
Concerning the tax on cleaning up radioactive waste and other byproducts of weapons production and nuclear research and development.
Finds that the purpose of this tax classification is to provide the same tax treatment allowed to companies when production activities occurred at the Hanford site. The legislature clarifies that it intended to include certain activities in support of the cleanup that should benefit from the reduced business and occupation tax rate.Declares an intent in enacting this act to ensure that the radioactive waste cleanup business and occupation tax classification applies to all activities funded by the United States department of energy's environmental management budget and that any doubts or ambiguities in RCW 82.04.263 should be resolved consistent with this intent.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6072
by Senators Kastama, Franklin, and Regala
Providing for the funding of certain high-capacity transportation systems.
Declares that, as part of the proposition to support additional implementation phases of the regional transit authority's system and financing plan submitted to voters at the 2007 general election under RCW 81.112.030(10), the authority shall issue general obligation bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, the term of which must be forty years. The plan must provide funding sufficient to complete a regional transit authority light rail transit link from SeaTac airport to the Tacoma Dome in Pierce county, which project must be started as soon as practicable, but no later than 2010, with a project completion date of 2015.Provides that, if bond proceeds received under this act, in conjunction with all other revenues generated under the plan, are not sufficient to fully fund the project identified in this act, the authority may impose an additional sales and use tax of up to 0.1 percent, as provided under RCW 81.104.170(3).
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6073
by Senators Shin, Clements, Sheldon, Kauffman, Berkey, Jacobsen, and Rasmussen
Creating incentives to encourage the preservation of manufactured/mobile home communities.
Provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loans, and creates incentives to encourage private financial institutions to provide financial assistance to organizations seeking to purchase manufactured/mobile home communities for the purpose of the preservation of affordable housing for low-income and elderly households.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Housing. | |
SB 6074
by Senators Shin and Rasmussen
Authorizing a portion of local real estate excise taxes to be used for the maintenance and operation of parks.
Authorizes a portion of local real estate excise taxes to be used for the maintenance and operation of parks.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
SB 6075
by Senator Haugen
Increasing competitive bid limits for the purchase of materials, equipment, or supplies.
Amends RCW 36.32.245 increasing competitive bid limits for the purchase of materials, equipment, or supplies.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6076
by Senators McCaslin and Carrell
Regarding disclosure of certain investigative records of law enforcement agencies.
Prohibits disclosure of specific investigative records prepared by any state, county, municipal, or other law enforcement agency pertaining to an incident that has not led to an arrest, conviction, or other disposition adverse to the subject, if more than one year has elapsed since the record was prepared, and for which proceedings are no longer actively pending.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6077
by Senators Kilmer, Delvin, Shin, Sheldon, Hatfield, Keiser, Tom, Hobbs, Weinstein, Rasmussen, Pridemore, and Murray
Concerning college textbooks.
Requires each publisher of college textbooks to make immediately available to a prospective purchaser of their products who is a member of the faculty of an institution of higher education: (1) The price at which the publisher would make the products available to the store on the campus of the institution that would offer the products to students; and(2) The history of revisions for the products, if any.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
| Feb 22 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6078
by Senators Murray, Clements, and Kohl-Welles
Creating hotel licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Establishes hotel licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SB 6079
by Senators Roach and Rasmussen
Including luring of a child or person with a developmental disability in the crime seriousness level table.
Includes luring of a child or person with a developmental disability in the crime seriousness level table.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 6080
by Senators Honeyford, Morton, Schoesler, Stevens, McCaslin, and Rasmussen
Increasing state funding for local assistance.
Increases state funding for local assistance.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6081
by Senators Parlette, Poulsen, Honeyford, and Rasmussen
Regarding outdoor burning in small cities.
Creates a small city outdoor burning advisory task force to identify a range of burning alternatives in small rural and isolated cities and to explore rationales for exemptions to the prohibitions under RCW 70.94.743.Requires the task force to meet by August 1, 2007, and deliver a report with recommendations to the appropriate policy committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6082
by Senators Kohl-Welles and Keiser
Addressing unemployment insurance for employees who voluntarily quit work.
Finds that the changes in chapter 4, Laws of 2003 2nd sp. sess. to the voluntary quit portions of the state's unemployment compensation laws have disproportionately affected women.Finds that the December 2006 report by the employment security department on their review of unemployment claims filed from July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, indicates that the three categories of reasons why people who were denied benefits left their jobs was due to factors such as reduction in hours or wages; domestic or marital responsibilities; and illness or disability of the claimant or an immediate family member. Of these categories, domestic or marital responsibility showed the most significant disparity along gender lines. The legislature finds that more than seventy-one percent of all denials in this category were women.Declares that the previous changes to the voluntary quit provisions had an unexpected gender impact and that this impact should be remedied.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
| Feb 20 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 6083
by Senators Pflug, Keiser, Parlette, Kastama, and Rasmussen
Providing access to medical information for physicians.
Provides that physicians licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW shall pay a fee of twenty-five dollars in addition to their annual licensing fee to the department of health. That money shall be reserved and transferred to the University of Washington library system by the department to provide online and other access for all licensed physicians in the state to the medical journals and related material housed, online, written, or otherwise in the University of Washington library system.Directs the department of health to provide funds solely from the fees from physicians under this section to the University of Washington for this purpose and shall issue to each licensed physician the requisite passwords and access information in the mailing of his or her annual license.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 6084
by Senators Pflug, Poulsen, Rockefeller, Brandland, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles, and Kline
Regarding retail sales taxes on vehicles using clean alternative fuels.
Amends provisions regarding retail sales taxes on vehicles using clean alternative fuels.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6085
by Senators Roach, Benton, and Sheldon
Ensuring valid voter signatures on petitions count.
Declares an intent to require that valid voter signatures on initiative and referendum petitions be counted by the secretary of state. To disenfranchise a valid voter signature solely because of a signature gatherer's conduct is inconsistent with our state Constitution, as expounded by the Washington supreme court in Sudduth v. Chapman, 88 Wn.2d 274, 558 P.2d 806 (1977). If the voter's signature on a petition matches the signature on the voter's registration, then the valid voter's signature must be counted.Provides that every person who gathers signatures for this petition is warned that, under chapter 29A.84 RCW, forgery of signatures on this petition constitutes a class C felony, and that offering any consideration or gratuity to any person to induce them to sign a petition is a gross misdemeanor, such violations being punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. Every person who interferes with the signature gathering process is warned that, under RCW 9A.46.020, any conduct constituting harassment against a petition signature gatherer is a gross misdemeanor, such violations being punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. This penalty does not preclude the victim from seeking any other remedy otherwise available under law.Provides that initiative and referendum petitions shall not require the signature gatherer to put their name, address, city, state, and zip code on the petition to ensure the safety of those individuals and to protect them from, and make them less susceptible to, intimidation, retaliation, or harassment.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6086
by Senators Spanel, Rasmussen, Brandland, Jacobsen, Honeyford, Hatfield, Kohl-Welles, Clements, Hargrove, and Shin
Modifying provisions regarding the sales and use tax exemptions for purchases of diesel fuel used in commercial fishing.
Revises provisions regarding the sales and use tax exemptions for purchases of diesel fuel used in commercial fishing.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6087
by Senators Kastama, Pflug, and Rasmussen
Creating the rural manufacturer export outreach program.
Requires the small business export finance assistance center to develop a rural manufacturer export outreach program in collaboration with Washington manufacturing services. The program must provide outreach services to rural manufacturing businesses in Washington to inform them of the importance of, and opportunities in, international trade, and to inform them of the export assistance programs available to assist these businesses to become exporters.Appropriates the sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the small business export finance assistance center, created under RCW 43.210.020, for the purposes of this act.Repeals RCW 43.210.050.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Management. | |
SB 6088
by Senators Jacobsen, Morton, Fraser, Brandland, Hargrove, and Rasmussen
Revising state trust land management policies.
Finds that state demographic, economic, environmental, and climate trends result in a need to change management policies of state lands. Recent studies indicate that a continuing loss of working timber lands may threaten the long-term outlook for the state's timber products industry. The majority of revenues from state lands are derived from the harvest of timber. The economic activity and jobs in the timber products industry also produce other tax revenues important to local communities and the beneficiaries of income from state lands. Continuation of this primary source of revenue is dependent on the continued viability of the state's timber products industry.Finds that long-term growth in state population and pressures from environmental and climate changes will create important new values derived from state natural resource lands. In addition to income from the sustainable harvest of timber, these lands also provide water storage, improved water quality, carbon sequestration, habitat, and recreation. These additional values are likely to yield very significant long-term investment returns to the beneficiaries of state lands and to all the people of the state.Declares that the long-term stewardship of state lands requires a planning and investment horizon that considers demographic, economic, environmental, and climate trends of fifty to one hundred years or more. Long-term stewardship of state lands balances the need for short-term income with an equal focus on long-term benefits from state lands for future generation.Declares an intent to preserve and enhance state land holdings of working natural resource lands to achieve a sustained and perpetual return for current and future generations of beneficiaries of state lands. The long-term stewardship of state lands will also benefit the communities that depend on these lands, and all the people of the state.Provides that the department shall not acquire additional commercial properties as state lands after the effective date of this act. The department, in cooperation with the state investment board, shall develop a plan to transition commercial properties to the state investment board or to land-holding firms on behalf of the state investment board, or to dispose of the commercial properties and reinvest the proceeds in working natural resource lands that are at high risk of conversion out of working timber land status. The department shall evaluate the investment return for these natural resource lands at risk of conversion by also including the value of leasing development rights as permitted in chapter 79.13 RCW. The legislature intends that this transition will be complete by June 30, 2013. The department shall submit the transition plan to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2008, and shall submit progress reports showing implementation of the plan by December 1, 2010, and December 1, 2012.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |
SB 6089
by Senator Benton
Exempting volunteer firefighter equipment from sales and use taxation.
Exempts volunteer firefighter equipment from sales and use taxation.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6090
by Senators Delvin, Zarelli, and McCaslin
Regarding persons who perform crowd management or guest services.
Declares that the provisions of chapter 18.170 RCW do not apply to a person performing crowd management or guest services including, but not limited to, a person described as a ticket taker, usher, door attendant, parking attendant, crowd monitor, or event staff who: (1) Does not carry a firearm or other dangerous weapon including, but not limited to, a stun gun, taser, pepper mace, or nightstick;(2) Does not wear a uniform or clothing readily identifiable by a member of the public as that worn by a private security officer or law enforcement officer; and(3) Does not have as his or her primary responsibility the detainment of persons or placement of persons under arrest.Declares that the exemption provided in this act applies only when a crowd has assembled for the purpose of attending or taking part in an organized event, including preevent assembly, event operation hours, and postevent departure activities.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
SCR 8406
by Senators Shin, Rasmussen, Morton, Schoesler, and Hatfield
Creating an aerospace task force.
Resolves that a study of the potential for expanding the presence of aerospace manufacturing and associated research and development, education, and training businesses at airports of regional significance be conducted.
| Feb 19 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Management. | |