 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 38 | ||
| SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Friday, March 2, 2007 | 54th 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 1009-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Moeller, Wallace, Linville, Wood, and Dickerson)
Establishing work groups to periodically review and update the child support schedule.
Provides that, beginning in 2011 and every four years thereafter, a work group shall be convened to review the child support guidelines and the child support review report prepared under this act and determine if the application of the child support guidelines results in appropriate support orders.Requires that, by October 1, 2011, and every four years thereafter, the work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature, including recommendations for legislative action, if necessary.Provides that, by July 1, 2010, the joint legislative audit and review committee shall: (1) Review and analyze data collected from the order summary report, the recommendations of the child support work group in this act, the current child support guidelines, and other relevant research and data regarding the cost of child rearing, as well as research and data on the application of, and deviations from, the child support guidelines.(2) Prepare a report on the application of the current child support guidelines and the recommendations of the work group.Requires that, by August 1, 2007, the division of child support shall convene a work group to examine the current laws, administrative rules, and practices regarding child support, with members as provided in this provision. The objective of the work group shall be to continue the work of the 2005 child support guidelines work group, and produce findings and recommendations to the legislature, including recommendations for legislative action, by December 30, 2008.Provides that, by August 1, 2007, the division of child support shall convene a work group to examine the current laws, administrative rules, and practices regarding child support, with members as provided in this act. The objective of the work group shall be to continue the work of the 2005 child support guidelines work group, and produce findings and recommendations to the legislature, including recommendations for legislative action, by December 30, 2008.
| Jan 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 21 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1047-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams and Blake)
Concerning alcohol content in food products and confections.
Revises provisions affecting alcohol content in food products and confections.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | ||
HB 1118-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Miloscia, Chase, Hasegawa, Cody, Moeller, Dunshee, Sells, McCoy, Darneille, Green, Pettigrew, Santos, Roberts, Appleton, Ormsby, Dickerson, Morrell, Conway, Kenney, and Simpson)
Providing living wages on public contracts.
Provides living wages on public contracts.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1558-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Jarrett, Dunshee, Priest, Moeller, Anderson, Linville, Ormsby, and Dunn)
Establishing a growth management needs and priorities task force.
Establishes a growth management needs and priorities task force.Requires that, by December 1, 2007, the task force shall issue a report with recommendations on legislative and executive actions that address, at a minimum, the following topics: (1) How to improve the effectiveness of the growth management act to meet the goals set forth in chapter 36.70A RCW;(2) How to best meet the infrastructure and basic service needs of growing communities, including schools, local roads, fire and police service, and water, sewer, and other utilities, with recommendations for financing these service and infrastructure needs;(3) How to best provide incentives to accommodate projected growth, protect resource lands, and protect critical areas;(4) How local governments are prepared to address land use changes associated with climate change; and(5) Address any recommendations for additional topics that warrant continued work by the task force or by other groups.Appropriates the sum of two hundred 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 department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1658-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Conway, Hankins, Appleton, Green, Hurst, Campbell, Moeller, Wood, McCoy, Hasegawa, Ormsby, Sells, Roberts, Williams, Chase, Kagi, Santos, Cody, Simpson, and Darneille)
Establishing family and medical leave insurance.
Declares it to be in the public interest to establish a program that: (1) Allows parents to bond with a newborn or newly placed child, and workers to care for seriously ill family members or recover from their own serious health condition, regardless of the size of their employer;(2) Provides limited and additional income support for a reasonable period while an individual is away from work on family and medical leave;(3) Reduces the impact on state income support programs by increasing an individual's ability to provide caregiving services for family members while maintaining an employment relationship; and(4) Establishes a wage replacement benefit to be coordinated with current existing state and federal family and medical leave laws.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1698-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Dickerson, and B. Sullivan)
Requiring changes to certain urban growth area capital facilities plans.
Requires changes to certain urban growth area capital facilities plans.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1726-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Springer, Eddy, Curtis, Pettigrew, Dunn, Takko, Strow, B. Sullivan, Orcutt, Ahern, Anderson, Haler, Upthegrove, Simpson, Jarrett, Rodne, Sells, O'Brien, Newhouse, Miloscia, Hinkle, Walsh, McCune, Appleton, Kagi, Chase, Williams, Lovick, Linville, Quall, McDonald, Warnick, Kristiansen, Hurst, Seaquist, and Kenney)
Planning for a supply of housing that accommodates growth.
Requires policies that provide for a supply of housing within the regional housing market sufficient to accommodate employment growth and demand for all types of residential living, including part-time, retirement, and second homes.
| Feb 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1762-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Darneille, Upthegrove, Hasegawa, Simpson, and Ormsby)
Concerning local government contracts for correctional industries services.
Declares that this act does not permit a unit of local government to execute or renew a contract to purchase class III and IV correctional industries services if: (1) The services have been customarily and historically provided by classified public employees before the effective date of this act;(2) The purchase of such services will have the effect of terminating classified public employees or positions existing at the time the contract was executed or renewed; and(3) A bargaining unit is represented and there has not been agreement by that bargaining unit representative that such bargaining unit work can be performed by prison labor.Applies to all class III and IV correctional industries contracts entered into with a unit of local government on or after the effective date of this act.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1772-S
by House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Quall, Priest, P. Sullivan, McDermott, Kenney, Simpson, Kagi, and Ormsby)
Regarding voluntary participation in the WASL by students enrolled in private schools.
Authorizes voluntary participation in the WASL by students enrolled in private schools.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1809-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Campbell, Green, Kenney, Cody, Darneille, Hunt, Conway, Williams, Simpson, Moeller, Santos, and Wood)
Creating the Washington state patient safety act.
Finds that research demonstrates the critical role that registered nurses play in improving patient safety and quality of care. Greater numbers of registered nurses available to care for hospitalized patients are key to reducing errors, complications, and adverse patient care events. Moreover, higher nurse staffing levels result in improved staff safety and satisfaction and reduced incidences of workplace injuries. In addition, health care professional, technical, and support staff comprise vital components of the patient care team, bringing their particular skills and services to ensuring quality patient care.Provides therefore, in order to protect patients and to support greater retention of registered nurses, to promote evidence-based nurse staffing, and to increase transparency of health care data and decision making, the legislature finds that ensuring sufficient nurse staffing to meet patient care needs is an urgent public policy priority.
| Feb 5 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1854-S
by House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Darneille, Roberts, Appleton, Kenney, and Hurst; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)
Revising background check requirements for the department of social and health services and the department of early learning.
Revises background check requirements for the department of social and health services and the department of early learning.Repeals RCW 41.06.476, 43.20A.710, 41.06.480, and 72.05.440.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ELCS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1926-S
by House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Haler, Pettigrew, Conway, Hunt, Walsh, Dunshee, Upthegrove, Chase, Blake, Williams, Appleton, Sells, Armstrong, Green, Moeller, Darneille, Simpson, Takko, Kenney, Hasegawa, Santos, and Schual-Berke)
Revising provisions affecting the duties of the department of social and health services.
Amends RCW 74.13.031 relating to the duties of the department of social and health services.Requires the department to consult at least quarterly with licensed foster parents and any association or group of licensed foster parents for the purpose of receiving information and comment regarding how the department is performing the duties and meeting the obligations specified in RCW 74.13.031, 74.13.250, and 74.13.320 regarding the recruitment of foster homes, reducing foster parent turnover rates, providing effective training for foster parents, and administering a coordinated and comprehensive plan that strengthens services for the protection of children. Consultation shall occur at the regional and statewide levels.Requires the department of social and health services to consult with licensed foster parents, including any association or group of licensed foster parents, and with child welfare professionals from the public, private, and academic communities regarding the need for and the feasibility of creating tiered classifications for foster parent licensing, including a professional foster parent classification. The department shall report its recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2008.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ELCS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1979-S
by House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Quall, Lovick, Haigh, Ormsby, Kenney, and Hurst)
Regarding safe schools.
Declares that the legislature considers it to be a matter of public safety for public schools and staff to have current safe school plans and procedures in place, fully consistent with federal law. The legislature further finds and intends, by requiring safe school plans to be in place, that school districts will become eligible for federal assistance. The legislature further finds that schools are in a position to serve the community in the event of an emergency resulting from natural disasters or man-made disasters.Requires each school district to adopt, no later than September 1, 2008, and implement a safe school plan consistent with the school mapping information system pursuant to RCW 36.28A.060.Provides that educational service districts are encouraged to apply for federal emergency response and crisis management grants with the assistance of the superintendent of public instruction and the Washington emergency management division of the state military department.Creates a task force on gangs in schools to examine current adult and youth gang activities that are affecting school safety. The task force shall work under the guidance of the superintendent of public instruction school safety center, the school safety center advisory committee, and the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs.Declares that the task force shall be comprised of representatives, selected by the superintendent of public instruction, who possess expertise relevant to gang activity in schools. The task force shall outline methods for preventing new gangs, eliminating existing gangs, gathering intelligence, and sharing information about gang activities.Provides that, beginning December 1, 2007, the task force shall annually report its findings and recommendations to the education committees of the legislature.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2003-S
by House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Alexander, Hunt, Morrell, and Ormsby)
Implementing a pilot program for the business enterprises program.
Directs the department to implement a pilot program within existing resources to require a licensee to subcontract with a commercial food service establishment or skill center or community college culinary program to operate a full-service food establishment in the Pritchard building and, if feasible, at a satellite location in the legislative building.Requires the pilot program to be implemented as provided in this act, after June 30, 2007, but by no later than January 1, 2008.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| SGTA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 28 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 2031-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Eddy and Simpson)
Addressing the timing of accrual of property tax revenues.
Revises provisions addressing the timing of accrual of property tax revenues.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Finance. | |
HB 2053-S
by House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness (originally sponsored by Representatives Goodman, Springer, O'Brien, Dunshee, Eddy, Blake, Lovick, Upthegrove, Green, Simpson, and Hurst)
Providing for improved availability of motor vehicle fuel during power outages or interruptions in electrical service.
Requires each corporation or entity that owns, operates, or franchises ten or more motor fuel retail outlets within a single county to, in one of every ten of its motor fuel retail outlets, install appropriate wiring and transfer switches capable of operating all fuel pumps and payment acceptance equipment using an alternate generated power source in the event of an electric power outage or interruption in electric service.Provides that a corporation or entity that owns, operates, or franchises ten or more motor fuel retail outlets within a single county that fails to comply with the requirements of this act commits a class 1 civil infraction as provided in RCW 7.80.120.Provides that, in addition to the penalty provided for in this act, in the event of a power outage caused by a disaster, a corporation or entity that owns, operates, or franchises ten or more motor fuel retail outlets within a single county that fails to comply with the requirements of this act is subject to a civil penalty of five hundred dollars per day for each day such delinquency continues.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| PSEP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Finance. | |
HB 2092-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Miloscia and Springer)
Modifying the buildable lands requirements of the department of community, trade, and economic development.
Declares that the department, on or before each December 31st, shall prepare a list of methods used by counties and cities to comply with the requirements of this act. The department, on or before each March 1st, shall provide this information and appropriate technical assistance to counties and cities required to or choosing to comply with the provisions of this act.Declares that the department, on or before December 31, 2008, and every five years thereafter shall submit to the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and the senate an assessment evaluation analyzing the effectiveness of the requirements of this act in achieving the goals envisioned by the county-wide planning policies and the comprehensive plans and development regulations of the counties and cities. The assessment evaluations required of the department must include recommendations for legislation the department deems necessary to increase the effectiveness of the requirements of this act in achieving the goals envisioned by county-wide planning policies and the comprehensive plans and development regulations of counties and cities.
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2094-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Appleton, Green, Kagi, Moeller, Sells, Morrell, VanDeWege, and Ormsby)
Creating the taxpayer health care fairness act.
Establishes a mechanism to reimburse the state for its costs of providing access to appropriate health care services to Washington workers.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2312-S
by House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Walsh, Kagi, Morrell, and Kenney)
Providing legislative oversight of WorkFirst and temporary assistance to needy families.
Provides legislative oversight of WorkFirst and temporary assistance to needy families.
| Feb 23 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| ELCS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 27 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 28 | Placed on second reading suspension calendar by Rules Committee. | |
HB 2374
by Representatives Kagi and Kenney
Removing funding restrictions for the temporary assistance for needy families program.
Removes funding restrictions for the temporary assistance for needy families program.
| Mar 1 | First reading, referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2375
by Representatives Jarrett, Wallace, and Priest
Concerning performance agreements.
Declares an intent to explore a new relationship between the state and public institutions of higher education that includes dialogue and negotiation over goals, priorities, performance, and resources, and also includes explicit commitments made by each party aimed at achieving agreed-upon outcomes. The mechanism to implement this relationship is a performance agreement.Repeals RCW 28B.76.270.
| Mar 1 | First reading, referred to Higher Education. | |
SB 5237-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Poulsen, Honeyford, Kohl-Welles, and Keiser)
Regarding the purchase of carbon credits from entities that remove methane from the environment by the generation of electricity from the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter derived from dairy cows in the state.
Finds that methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas that is twenty times more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Reducing methane emissions, therefore, is an effective means to reduce climate warming. The legislature also finds that about sixty percent of global methane emissions are human-influenced sources, such as dairy farms. While the legislature cannot control all sources of human-influenced methane, it can encourage the use of innovative mechanisms to control methane from dairy farms located in the state.Declares that the state should be authorized to purchase carbon credits from dairy farmers in the state as an incentive for them to pursue appropriate measures to control dairy nutrients and their concomitant methane emissions from the environment. By offering this financial incentive, the state may enable dairy farmers to finance the development of anaerobic digesters and to produce electricity at a price that may meet the avoided cost of local utilities, thus benefiting dairy operations, the environment, and the need for cost-effective electricity.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5238-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Poulsen, Honeyford, Kohl-Welles, and Keiser)
Creating a public utility tax credit for eligible light and power businesses that purchase and retire renewable energy credits from a facility that generates electricity from methane gas derived from the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter obtained from dairy cows in the state.
Creates a public utility tax credit for eligible light and power businesses that purchase and retire renewable energy credits from a facility that generates electricity from methane gas derived from the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter obtained from dairy cows in the state.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 1 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5287-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Poulsen, Kilmer, Regala, Murray, Shin, Kline, and Kohl-Welles)
Using renewable resources and energy credits to meet electricity consumption targets.
Provides that each state agency that is a retail electric customer shall use eligible renewable resources or acquire and retire equivalent renewable energy credits, or a combination of both, to meet the following electricity consumption targets: (1) That the eligible renewable resource percentage of total annual electric usage is at least twenty-five percent in fiscal year 2011;(2) That the eligible renewable resource percentage of total annual electric usage is at least thirty-five percent in fiscal years 2015 through 2016; and(3) That the eligible renewable resource percentage of total annual electric usage is at least fifty percent in fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter.Directs the department of general administration to survey and report the efforts of state agencies in meeting the targets. The first report is due to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature in December 2011 and every year thereafter.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5289-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Swecker, Kastama, Kauffman, Shin, Clements, Rockefeller, Hobbs, Franklin, Honeyford, and Rasmussen)
Increasing state contracts with veteran-owned businesses.
Declares that the purpose of this act is to mitigate economic damage to veteran-owned businesses as a result of military service, and to provide opportunities to them in recognition of the outstanding service they have given to their country.Requires the department to report to the legislature by December 2008, and December 1st of each odd-numbered year thereafter outlining the progress made in implementing this act.Encourages state agencies to award three percent of all procurement contracts that are exempt from competitive bidding requirements under RCW 43.19.1906(2) to veteran-owned businesses certified by the department under this act.Provides that state agencies shall: (1) Perform outreach to veteran-owned businesses in collaboration with the department to increase opportunities for veteran-owned businesses to sell goods and services to the state;(2) Keep a record of all contracts awarded to veteran-owned businesses as required by the department; and(3) Report by October 2008, and October of each even-numbered year thereafter to the department on the progress made in implementing this act as directed by the department.Declares that this act is not intended to create a cause of action or entitlement in an individual or class of individuals.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5317-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Brandland, Hargrove, Stevens, Regala, and McAuliffe)
Creating additional safeguards for child care.
Declares that the purpose of this act is: (1) To establish the department of early learning;(2) To coordinate and consolidate state activities relating to child care and early learning programs;(3) To safeguard and promote the health, safety, and well-being of children receiving child care and early learning assistance; and(4) To provide tools to promote the hiring of suitable providers of child care by: (a) providing parents with access to information regarding child care providers; (b) providing child care providers with known information regarding applicants' sexual misconduct or other abusive conduct; (c) providing parents with child care licensing complaint histories regarding child care providers; and (d) requiring background checks of applicants for employment in any child care facility licensed or regulated under current law.Provides that, in determining whether an individual is of appropriate character, suitability, and competence to provide child care and early learning services to children, the department may consider all founded child abuse and neglect history information regarding a prospective child care provider. No unfounded or inconclusive allegation of child abuse or neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020 may be disclosed to a provider licensed under this act.Declares that in order to determine the suitability of applicants for an agency license, licensees, their employees, and other persons who have unsupervised access to children in care, and who have not resided in the state of Washington during the three-year period before being authorized to care for children, shall be fingerprinted.Requires the fingerprints to be forwarded to the Washington state patrol and federal bureau of investigation for a criminal history record check.Requires the director to use the information solely for the purpose of determining eligibility for a license and for determining the character, suitability, and competence of those persons or agencies, excluding parents, not required to be licensed who are authorized to care for children.Authorizes the department to make available on a publicly accessible web site all inspection reports and notices of enforcement actions involving child day-care centers and family day-care providers. The department shall include in the inspection report a statement of the corrective measures taken by the center or provider.Requires the department and an agency to, at the first opportunity but in all cases within forty-eight hours of receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct or abuse by an agency employee, notify the parents of a child alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of the misconduct or abuse. The department and an agency shall provide parents with information regarding their rights under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to request the public records regarding the employee. This information shall be provided to all parents on an annual basis.Provides that, for the purposes of reporting actions taken against agency employees or licensees, the following actions shall be posted to the department's web site accessible by the public: Suspension, surrender, revocation, denial, stayed suspension, or reinstatement of a license, and any written reprimand related to abuse and sexual misconduct or abuse.
| Jan 30 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 1 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 5449-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker, Rockefeller, Jacobsen, Kastama, Clements, Pflug, Haugen, Benton, and Rasmussen)
Authorizing voluntary environmental management and incentive zone plans for subareas.
Declares that the purposes of this act are to: Promote nonregulatory measures, incentives, and educational programs; reduce conflict between agencies, local governments, and stakeholders; alleviate adverse consequences of prescriptive rules; and protect both property rights and values and critical area functions and values.Declares an intent that counties and cities utilizing this act make voluntary solutions a planning priority, and provide ample opportunities for citizens to understand and pursue voluntary options to improve their own environment.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 to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of environmental management incentive zone subarea planning under this act.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5452-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Rockefeller)
Providing for reunification after termination of parental rights.
Provides that, if a child has not been adopted at least three years from the date of entry of an order for the termination of parental rights, the child may petition the juvenile court to reinstate a former parent's parental rights.Authorizes the juvenile court to grant the petition if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child is no longer likely to be adopted and that reinstatement of parental rights is in the child's best interest. In determining whether reinstatement is in the child's best interest the court shall consider, but is not limited to, the following: (1) Whether the child has or has not achieved his or her permanency plan and whether it is likely that the child will achieve his or her permanency plan;(2) Whether the parent whose rights are to be reinstated is a fit parent and has remedied his or her deficits as provided in the record of the prior termination proceedings and prior termination order;(3) The age and maturity of the child, and the ability of the child to express his or her preference;(4) Whether the reinstatement of parental rights will present a risk to the child's health, welfare, or safety; and(5) Other material changes in circumstances, if any, that may have occurred which warrant the granting of the petition.Provides that the state, the department, and its employees are not liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the provision of services under this act, unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence. This act does not create any duty and shall not be construed to create a duty where none exists. This act does not create a cause of action against the state, the department, or its employees concerning the original termination.
| Jan 30 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5455-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Morton and Rasmussen)
Creating the community revitalization partnership pilot program.
Creates a community revitalization partnership program on a pilot basis to enable the state's most economically distressed areas to plan and carry out comprehensive, locally determined projects designed to result in sustainable community development and economic opportunities. The program shall emphasize local decision making, grassroots participation, and community partnerships, as well as accountability and leveraging of public and private sector resources to accomplish priority projects.Requires the department, lead managing entities, and partner communities to prepare a joint report regarding the results of the pilot program in this act and make recommendations for statutory changes to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2010, and every two years thereafter.Declares an intent that the community revitalization partnership pilot program be funded by the legislature in the amount of eight hundred fifty thousand dollars each year beginning with fiscal year 2010 and ending with fiscal year 2018.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 department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act. This amount may be used by the department solely for agency and program administration.Appropriates the sum of three hundred sixty-two thousand five hundred 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 community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act. No more than one hundred thousand dollars of this amount may be used by the department for agency and program administration.Appropriates the sum of four hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the state building construction account to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Feb 28 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5472-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Holmquist, Rasmussen, Regala, Marr, Carrell, Hargrove, Roach, Jacobsen, Kilmer, Sheldon, Swecker, Shin, Franklin, Clements, and Keiser)
Establishing a pilot program for family counseling.
Requires the secretary of the department of health to establish a pilot program to provide merit checks of no more than one hundred dollars to no more than four hundred fifty couples who complete a family preparation course. Matching funds may be used to increase the number of participants in the pilot program. The department of health must ensure that the administrative cost of the program does not exceed five percent of the total allocation.Requires the pilot program to begin no later than January 1, 2008, and continue for no more than five years, in a county with a population between seven hundred twenty thousand and one million.Provides that, under the pilot program, a man and a woman who intend to apply for a marriage license may, together or separately, complete a family preparation course of not less than four hours with a family preparation course provider.Requires the department of health to report to the appropriate committees of the legislature five years after the completion of the pilot program. The committees shall make recommendations on whether the program should be initiated statewide based on the results of the number of participants who are still married as opposed to the average divorce rate.Appropriates the sum of forty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the department of health for the purposes of this act.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5528-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Pflug, Holmquist, Zarelli, Swecker, Clements, Stevens, Roach, Hewitt, Delvin, and Parlette)
Requiring a review of the essential academic learning requirements in mathematics.
Provides that, by July 1, 2007, the state board of education shall establish an independent mathematics review committee. Mathematics competency must be a prerequisite for inclusion on the committee.Requires that, by July 1, 2007, the committee shall review the current essential academic learning requirements in mathematics and make recommendations regarding changes of these mathematics standards to the legislature, the governor, the state board of education, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The review shall include, but is not limited to the following: (1) Reviewing the standards for clarity, rigor, content, reason, and any negative qualities;(2) Articulating grade level expectations over the grades as a sequence of expectations and performances that build with increasing depth after foundational knowledge and skills are acquired, and reflect, where appropriate, the sequential nature of the discipline;(3) Using the international benchmarking system of the trends in international mathematics and science study (TIMSS) and/or the program for international student assessment (PISA); and(4) Reviewing other states and nations that have proven and high-quality mathematics standards, including California and Singapore.
| Feb 5 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5544-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Poulsen, Fairley, Weinstein, Jacobsen, Franklin, and Kline)
Abating environmental noise.
Declares that it is a violation of this act to operate a nonhighway vehicle in such a manner where the noise created by the engine of the nonhighway vehicle is plainly audible inside or immediately adjacent to a residence.Provides that a person found to have violated this act shall be subject to a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars per violation for a first violation. Subsequent violations of this act by the same person shall result in a penalty of not less than twice the penalty assessed for the previous violation, up to a maximum single penalty of eight hundred dollars.Provides that a party who brings an action to enjoin the use of nonhighway vehicles being operated in a manner that is in violation of this act or of any other noise laws, rules, or ordinances, or to recover damages associated with the use of a nonhighway vehicle being operated in a manner that is in violation of this act or of any other noise laws, rules, or ordinances, is entitled to recover costs and attorneys' fees pursuant to Title 4 RCW.
| Feb 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 20 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 1 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 5614-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Poulsen, Tom, and Kline)
Creating investment cost recovery incentives for voluntarily funded projects of local citizens cooperating with a local governmental entity for the installation of photovoltaic systems of less than one hundred thirty kilowatts on property owned by the participating local governmental entity.
Declares that "community-based solar energy project" means a cooperative venture of local citizens and a local government entity, which is voluntarily funded, for the installation of photovoltaic systems of less than one hundred thirty kilowatts on property owned by the participating governmental entity.Declares that a "local governmental entity" means any unit of local government of this state including, but not limited to, counties, cities, towns, municipal corporations, quasi-municipal corporations, special purpose districts, and school districts.Provides that, for the purpose of calculating the annual incentive limit under this act, community-based solar projects that are located on separate parcels of property, are not to be combined, as each project is individually eligible for incentives of up to two thousand dollars per year per project.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5650-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, Kohl-Welles, Weinstein, and Keiser)
Requiring disclosure to customers of the percentage of automatic service charges paid to servers.
Requires disclosure to customers of the percentage of automatic service charges paid to servers.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5698-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Regala, and Shin; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)
Concerning case management services for dangerous mentally ill offenders.
Revises provisions relating to case management services for dangerous mentally ill offenders.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5701-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Benton, Pridemore, Roach, Swecker, and Stevens)
Establishing a procedure for the election of county commissioners by district.
Provides that the board of commissioners of any noncharter county may cause a ballot proposition to be submitted at a general election to the voters of the county authorizing the board of commissioners to be elected by district.Applies only to a noncharter county with a population greater than three hundred thousand that is located west of the Cascade mountains.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5780-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Eide, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, Jacobsen, Rockefeller, and Rasmussen)
Preserving manufactured/mobile home communities by providing a tax exemption.
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.Provides a tax exemption under chapter 82.45 RCW.Repeals provisions of chapter 59.23 RCW.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5790-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Rockefeller, Rasmussen, Fairley, McAuliffe, Kohl-Welles, Pridemore, Hatfield, Clements, Jacobsen, and Shin)
Regarding skill centers.
Finds that student access to programs offered at skill centers can help prepare them for careers, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education.Finds that there are barriers to providing access to students in rural and remote areas but that there are opportunities to do so with satellite and branch campus programs, distance and online learning programs, and collaboration with higher education, business, and labor.Finds that skill centers provide opportunities for dropout prevention and retrieval programs by offering programs that accommodate students' work schedules and provide credit retrieval opportunities.Finds that implementing the recommendations from the study by the workforce training and education coordinating board will enhance skill center programs and student access to those programs.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5800-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Jacobsen, Benton, Haugen, Honeyford, McCaslin, Berkey, Brandland, Delvin, and Kilmer)
Limiting the obligations of landlords under writs of restitution.
Declares that the legislature has previously recognized that landlords who choose the option of storing a tenant's property as part of an eviction should be entitled to recover the costs of drayage and storage from the tenant who was evicted. It has always been the intent of the legislature to give a landlord the option, but not the obligation, to store a tenant's property as part of an eviction.Recognizes that county sheriffs when executing writs of restitution provide one or more deputies to maintain the peace while the landlord's personnel, under the direction of the sheriff, enter the premises and remove the property belonging to the tenant and place it on the nearest public property.
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5823-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley, Kline, and Kohl-Welles)
Prohibiting discrimination based on section 8 program participation.
Declares that "section 8 program" means a federal, state, or local government program in which a tenant's rent is paid partially by a government program, through a direct contract between the government program and the landlord, and partially by the tenant.Provides that it is unlawful for a landlord to refuse to negotiate or enter into a rental agreement with a prospective tenant on the basis that the prospective tenant participates in a section 8 program.Provides that any landlord who violates this act may be liable to the prospective tenant for an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars. The prevailing party may also recover court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5827-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Weinstein, Oemig, Fairley, Pridemore, Keiser, Regala, Kohl-Welles, Prentice, Kline, and Rasmussen)
Regarding consumer privacy.
Amends RCW 19.182.020 relating to consumer privacy.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5854-S
by Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Benton and Carrell)
Limiting utility liens against rental property.
Declares that if a property owner or the owner's designee notifies the city or town or county in writing that a property served by the city or town or county is a rental property, and provides, in writing, a mailing address for the tenant that is complete and accurate at the time it is provided, if a city or town or county contracts directly with the tenant for services, the city or town or county shall have no lien against the premises for the tenant's delinquent and unpaid charges and the city or town or county shall have no right of action against the property owner.
| Feb 6 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | CPH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5888-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Poulsen and Morton)
Modifying the competitive classification of telecommunications services.
Authorizes a noncompetitive telecommunications company to petition to have packages or bundles of telecommunications services it offers be subject to minimal regulation. The commission shall grant the petition where: (1) Each noncompetititive service in the packages or bundle is readily and separately available to customers at fair, just, and reasonable prices;(2) The price of the package or bundle is equal to or greater than the cost for tariffed services plus the cost of any competitive services as determined in accordance with RCW 80.36.330(3); and(3) The availability and price of the stand-alone noncompetitive services are displayed in the company's tariff and on its web site consistent with commission rules.Declares that, for purposes of this act, the term "minimal regulation" has the same meaning as in RCW 80.36.330(2). The commission may waive any regulatory requirement under Title 80 RCW with respect to packages or bundles of telecommunications services if it finds those requirements are no longer necessary to protect public interest.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5909-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Roach, Regala, Eide, McAuliffe, Kilmer, Hargrove, Kastama, Tom, Shin, Kohl-Welles, Stevens, Carrell, Franklin, and Kline)
Supporting the needs of children who have been in foster care.
Requires that, in connection with its duties pursuant to RCW 70.190.110, the council shall review programs that provide services to adolescent foster children, and to youth who have reached the age of eighteen and are no longer required to live in the care of foster parents.Provides that, after the family policy council has completed its review of programs that provide services to adolescent foster children and to youth who have reached the age of eighteen and are no longer required to live in the care of foster parents, pursuant to this act, the department shall create a pilot program to establish a foster youth community coordinator in three regional office locations within the state. The purpose of the pilot program is to provide assistance to foster youth who are reaching eighteen years of age to facilitate their ability to live independently upon leaving state care.Requires the department to evaluate the program to determine whether the objectives of the program have been met and shall inform the legislature not later than January 1, 2009, of the results of the pilot program.Requires that the department establish an individual development account for each child who has been in an out-of-home placement under chapter 13.34 RCW for a period of six or more months.Declares that the department deposit not less than three hundred dollars to the individual development account of each child who was in an out-of-home placement for six or more months during the previous fiscal year by July 1, 2007.Directs the department to continue making annual contributions of not less than one hundred dollars to be deposited at the beginning of each fiscal year to the individual development accounts of children for whom an account was established in this act.Authorizes foster parents and other interested parties to contribute funds to the individual development account that has been established for a particular child.Authorizes a foster child or former foster child to draw on the funds that have accumulated in his or her individual development account after he or she reaches the age of eighteen.Provides that youth under the age of twenty-one years may enter into a voluntary placement agreement with the department to return to foster care for a period of up to six months following the youth's eighteenth birthday for the purpose of receiving independent living skills while residing in a foster care placement, including a transitional living placement.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5955-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Tom, McAuliffe, Kauffman, Oemig, Kilmer, Eide, Kohl-Welles, and Rasmussen)
Regarding educator preparation, professional development, and compensation.
Addresses provisions concerning educator preparation, professional development, and compensation.Implements the Washington state leadership academy.Declares that certificated instructional staff who have attained certification from the national board for professional teaching standards shall receive an annual bonus each year in which they maintain certification from the national board. The annual bonus for national board certification is provided in addition to compensation received under a district's salary schedule adopted in accordance with RCW 28A.405.200 and shall not be included in calculations of a district's average salary and associated salary limitations under RCW 28A.400.200. The bonus shall be five thousand dollars in the 2007-08 school year. Thereafter, the amount of the annual bonus shall increase by inflation.Provides that, for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years, twenty teachers, from middle, junior high, and high schools, each year shall be provided professional development to implement a specialized science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculum in their school. Schools shall apply to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the learning improvement days program in this act.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5966-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker, Jacobsen, Morton, Hargrove, Shin, and Kline)
Preparing a response to the consequences of climate change on the forests of the state.
Finds that minimizing the impacts of global climate change, and restoring the health and resiliency of eastern Washington's forests, will require an accelerated approach to research coupled with an aggressive outreach and training program to motivate an appropriate response on the ground. Better data can be used to mobilize ground responses with enhanced site-specific treatments.Finds that investments made today, both in research, training, and on-the-ground treatments, will prove more cost-effective, conserve more resources, and save more firefighting costs than the option of doing nothing.Directs the college of forest resources at the University of Washington to: (1) Determine how treatments may be customized to site-specific conditions and to identify the most cost-effective treatments for reducing the risk of climate change and restoring forest health.(2) Implement a program of technology transfer through a series of outreach activities, including trainer training, community group outreach, and the production of streaming video and other instructional materials concerning the risks of not responding to changing climatic conditions and the benefits of various treatment options.(3) Develop methods by which state and federal agencies, private and community groups, and Indian tribes may directly assess the costs associated with different management options, including the cost of no action and how future costs can be avoided.(4) Analyze the institutional cost accounting methods to demonstrate where savings are accumulated and where investments are most needed to restore forest health, and provide recommended alternatives that can improve the responsiveness of treatments, biomass collection, and infrastructure development investments aimed at reducing health risks as applied differently to federal, state, and private ownerships.(5) Support other programs that assess the feasibility of converting large amounts of underutilized biomass into useful products and green energy by providing required analyses needed to efficiently collect and deliver biomass to green energy end users.(6) Conduct a pilot project on a high hazard area of forest land that collects and analyzes remote sensing data, using tools such as light detection and ranging data, in order to rapidly track forest health changes and provide information for planning ground treatments and the design of a comprehensive health tracking and treatment planning system for state monitoring.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 to the University of Washington for 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 to the University of Washington for the purposes of this act.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5989-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama and Rasmussen)
Providing a property tax exemption for property owned or used by nonprofit organizations for small startup businesses.
Provides a property tax exemption for property owned or used by nonprofit organizations for small startup businesses.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 21 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| On motion, referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5995-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Zarelli, Kilmer, Clements, Kauffman, Shin, Pridemore, Regala, Fairley, Brown, Jacobsen, and Rasmussen)
Providing for the role of the economic development commission in state government.
Provides for the role of the economic development commission in state government.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 21 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6038-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Berkey, Benton, Hobbs, Schoesler, Parlette, and Hatfield)
Addressing published code reviser's notes in the financial institutions and insurance titles of the Revised Code of Washington.
Addresses published code reviser's notes in the financial institutions and insurance titles of the Revised Code of Washington.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | FI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6077-S
by Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored 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 faculty of institutions of higher education: (1) The price at which the publisher would make the products available to the store run by or in a contractual relationship with the institution of higher education that would offer the products to students; and(2) The history of revisions for the products, if any.
| Feb 22 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | HIE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6143
by Senators Murray, Pflug, Eide, Rockefeller, Roach, Weinstein, Shin, Fairley, and Kilmer
Providing comprehensive membership of significant jurisdictions on the executive board of regional transportation planning organizations.
Provides comprehensive membership of significant jurisdictions on the executive board of regional transportation planning organizations.
| Mar 1 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 6144
by Senators Jacobsen and Kohl-Welles
Assessing the feasibility of a Pacific Northwest maritime national heritage area.
Requires the director, in consultation with appropriate state, tribal, and local governmental agencies, with federal land managers within the study area, with the advisory group created in this act, and with other interested organizations, to conduct a preliminary assessment to determine the feasibility of seeking congressional designation for a Pacific Northwest maritime national heritage area in western Washington.Requires that, not later than two fiscal years after the date on which funds are made available to carry out the assessment, the director shall submit a report setting forth the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the director with respect to the feasibility assessment to the senate committee on natural resources, ocean and recreation, and to the house committee on community and economic development and trade.Appropriates the sum of one hundred 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 department of archaeology and historic preservation for the purposes of carrying out this act.
| Mar 1 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation. | |