 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 40 | ||
| SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Tuesday, March 6, 2007 | 58th 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 1062-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Morrell, Linville, B. Sullivan, and Morris)
Streamlining the implementation and coordination of state energy policies and programs.
Finds that the implementation of Washington's sustainable energy agenda is being impeded due to the fragmented division of responsibilities among these state-based energy agencies and institutions and the lack of a central coordinating agency that ensures cooperation and the execution of a strategic plan.Declares an intent to centralize state energy programs and certain regulatory functions that are currently spread throughout state government into one central office called the sustainable energy office.
| Jan 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1096-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Priest, Quall, Wallace, Conway, Haler, Morris, Ormsby, Linville, Jarrett, Dickerson, Hunt, Walsh, P. Sullivan, Darneille, Appleton, Morrell, Williams, Dunn, Schual-Berke, Fromhold, Hasegawa, Chase, Upthegrove, McCoy, Green, O'Brien, Hudgins, Sells, Springer, Moeller, Goodman, Barlow, Eddy, Santos, Simpson, Haigh, Lantz, Kagi, and Rolfes)
Creating postsecondary opportunity programs.
Finds that: (1) The economic trends of globalization and technological change are increasing the demand for higher and differently skilled workers than in the past;(2) Increasing Washington's economic competitiveness requires increasing the supply of skilled workers in the state;(3) Improving the labor market competitiveness of all Washington residents requires that all residents have access to postsecondary education; and(4) Community and technical college workforce training programs and Washington state apprenticeship and training council-approved apprenticeship programs provide effective and efficient pathways for people to enter high wage, high skill careers while also meeting the needs of the economy.Requires the college board to develop and implement a workforce education program known as the opportunity grant program to provide funding for students enrolled at qualified institutions of higher education in opportunity grant-eligible programs of study as described in this act. Students enrolled in the opportunity grant program are eligible for: (1) Funding for tuition and mandatory fees at the public community and technical college rate, prorated if the credit load is less than full time, paid directly to the educational institution; and(2) An additional one thousand dollars per academic year for books, tools, and supplies, prorated if the credit load is less than full time.Declares that funding under this act is limited to a maximum forty-five credits or the equivalent in an opportunity grant-eligible program of study, including required related courses. No student may receive opportunity grant funding for more than forty-five credits or for more than three years from initial receipt of grant funds in one or a combination of programs.Requires the college board, in partnership with business, labor, and the workforce training and education coordinating board, to: (1) Identify job specific training programs offered by qualified postsecondary institutions that lead to a credential, certificate, or degree in high demand occupations, which are occupations where data show that employer demand for workers exceeds the supply of qualified job applicants throughout the state or in a specific region, and where training capacity is underutilized;(2) Gain recognition of the credentials, certificates, and degrees by Washington's employers and labor organizations. The college board shall designate these recognized credentials, certificates, and degrees as "opportunity grant-eligible programs of study"; and(3) Market the credentials, certificates, and degrees to potential students, businesses, and apprenticeship programs as a way for individuals to advance in their careers and to better meet the needs of industry.
| Jan 18 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 22 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 5 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1130-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Lantz, Rodne, Morrell, Schual-Berke, Goodman, Kenney, Haigh, and Moeller)
Creating an office of public guardianship as an independent agency of the judiciary.
Provides that, in establishing an office of public guardianship, the legislature intends to promote the availability of guardianship services for individuals who need them and for whom adequate services may otherwise be unavailable.Reaffirms its commitment to treat liberty and autonomy as paramount values for all Washington residents and to authorize public guardianship only to the minimum extent necessary to provide for health or safety, or to manage financial affairs, when the legal conditions for appointment of a guardian are met.Does not intend to alter those legal conditions or to expand judicial authority to determine that any individual is incapacitated.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 17 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Jan 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1151-S
by House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Pearson, Kretz, Dunshee, B. Sullivan, Kristiansen, Warnick, and Haler)
Creating a livestock identification advisory committee.
Requires the director of the department of agriculture to convene a livestock identification advisory committee to expand upon and complete the work begun by the cattle identification advisory committee under chapter 150, Laws of 2006.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| AGNR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1154-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Morrell, Conway, Grant, Sells, Blake, Moeller, Eickmeyer, Appleton, Kenney, Flannigan, Hudgins, Williams, Ormsby, and Simpson)
Regulating employment decisions based on the consumption of lawful tobacco products.
Declares that except as provided, it is unlawful for an employer to require an employee or prospective employee to disclose verbally or in writing whether he or she consumed lawful tobacco products at any time before or during employment with the employer or to require an employee or prospective employee to agree verbally or in writing not to consume lawful tobacco products off the premises of the employer during nonworking hours.Provides that any person violating this act is guilty of a misdemeanor.Provides that, in a civil action alleging a violation of this act, the court may: (1) Award a penalty in the amount of five hundred dollars to a prevailing employee or prospective employee in addition to any award of actual damages;(2) Award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing employee or prospective employee; and(3) Pursuant to RCW 4.84.185, award any prevailing party against whom an action has been brought for a violation of this act reasonable expenses and attorneys' fees upon final judgment and written findings by the trial judge that the action was frivolous and advanced without reasonable cause.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1179-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Hasegawa, Jarrett, Sells, Roberts, Anderson, Green, Sommers, Kenney, Wallace, Buri, Appleton, Hudgins, Kagi, Ormsby, McDonald, Conway, Wood, Santos, Schual-Berke, Simpson, Lantz, Haigh, and Morrell)
Allowing part-time students at postsecondary institutions to qualify for a state need grant.
Authorizes part-time students at postsecondary institutions to qualify for a state need grant.Encourages institutions of higher education to review their policies and procedures regarding financial aid for students taking a less-than-half-time course load, and to implement policies and procedures providing students taking a less-than-half-time course load with the same access to institutional aid, including tuition waivers, as provided to students enrolled half time or more.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 24 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 5 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1186-S
by House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Hunt, Dunshee, McDermott, Chase, Sommers, Kagi, Pettigrew, Darneille, Cody, Miloscia, Dickerson, Appleton, Green, Ormsby, Santos, Lantz, Kenney, and Roberts)
Modifying provisions on judicial campaigns.
Declares that the intent of this act is to protect the fairness of elections for the highest courts in Washington state - the supreme court and court of appeals. Doing so will maintain the public's trust in the integrity and independence of our courts in the face of increasingly large sums of money raised and spent by special interest groups. That flood of money threatens the impartiality, independence, and credibility of our judiciary.Provides that, to maintain public confidence in the judiciary, we must prevent not only corruption, but the appearance of corruption, for the judiciary is the one branch of government that must be uniquely impartial, independent, and unbiased in order to best serve the residents of Washington. It would be destructive for our democracy to allow our courts to become influenced by large amounts of money, and for our citizens to think that judicial decisions are influenced by those large amounts of money. This act is necessary to ensure that our highest courts continue to be unbiased and insulated from special interests.Establishes the judicial election reform act as an alternative source of financing candidates for the Washington supreme court and court of appeals who demonstrate public support and voluntarily accept strict fund-raising and spending limits.Expires January 1, 2013. By January 1, 2012, the public disclosure commission shall report to the governor and to the legislature on the effectiveness of the judicial election reform act.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| SGTA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
| Mar 3 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| APP - Executive action taken by committee. | ||
| APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government & Tribal Affairs. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
HB 1206-S
by House Committee on Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Representatives Chase, Kirby, Green, Wallace, Dickerson, Haigh, Ormsby, Darneille, Moeller, Santos, and Wood)
Assisting low-income persons to obtain affordable automobile liability insurance.
Finds that low-income persons have difficulty affording the mandatory liability insurance required under chapter 46.30 RCW. The legislature intends to enable and encourage these persons to obtain automobile insurance and develop a history of having automobile insurance. The legislature intends to accomplish this by equitably apportioning, among insurers required to participate in an assigned risk plan, coverage for low-income persons.
| Jan 25 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| IFCP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1256-S
by House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Kagi, Hunter, O'Brien, and Ericks)
Preventing serious injury and strangulation from window blind cords or other significant safety hazards in child care settings.
Provides that minimum requirements related to safety of the premises shall include a prohibition on the use of window blinds or other window coverings with pull cords or inner cords capable of forming a loop and posing a risk of strangulation to young children. When developing and periodically reviewing minimum requirements related to safety of the premises, the director also shall consult and give serious consideration to the consumer product safety commission's most wanted list of child safety recommendations
| Feb 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ELCS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 12 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 15 | Placed on second reading suspension calendar by Rules Committee. | |
| Feb 21 | Committee recommendations adopted and the 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Placed on third reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2. | ||
| Feb 22 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
HB 1267-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Upthegrove, Lovick, Hankins, and Dickerson; by request of Department of Licensing)
Modifying commercial driver's license requirements.
Provides that no person may be issued a commercial driver's license unless that person is a resident of this state, has successfully completed a course of instruction in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle that has been approved by the director or has been certified by an employer as having the skills and training necessary to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.Requires the applicant to pay a fee of no more than one hundred dollars for each classified skill examination or combination of classified skill examinations conducted by the department.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1280-S
by House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Ericks, Jarrett, Quall, O'Brien, Strow, Morrell, Roach, Hunt, McDonald, Chase, Simpson, Haler, Moeller, McCune, Schual-Berke, Miloscia, and Springer)
Providing for the use of the school district capital projects funds for technology.
Recognizes that technology has become an integral part of the facilities and educational delivery systems in our schools. In order to prepare our state's students to participate fully in our state's economy, school districts are making substantial capital investments in their technology systems, facilities, and projects. Districts are implementing, applying, and modernizing their technology systems.Declares that school districts must be empowered to respond to the changing business models in the software industry and be given flexibility and authority to use capital projects funds to pay for licenses or online application fees.Declares an intent that these investments be deemed major capital purpose and are also permitted uses of the district's two to six-year levies authorized by RCW 84.52.053.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Capital Budget. | |
| Mar 2 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| CB - Executive action taken by committee. | ||
| CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
HB 1394-S
by House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Roach, O'Brien, Hurst, Ormsby, Chase, and Simpson)
Authorizing incentive grants to support medical research and products to improve services to persons with developmental disabilities.
Provides that, subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, medical students and faculty at the University of Washington may apply for incentive grants to support medical research or medical training projects focused upon improvement of services to persons with developmental disabilities. By December 1, 2007, the University of Washington shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature. This report shall include information regarding incentive grants awarded pursuant to this act, as well as any other efforts or progress in expanding or improving training for medical students in treating individuals with developmental disabilities.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1491-S
by House Committee on Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby, Campbell, Simpson, Hurst, Appleton, Williams, Wood, Santos, Chase, Ormsby, and Morrell)
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 first party claimant.Provides that any 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.Authorizes the superior court to, after finding that an insurer has acted unreasonably or negligently in denying a claim for coverage or payment of benefits or has violated Title 284 of the Washington Administrative Code, increase the total award of damages to an amount not to exceed three times the actual damages.
| Feb 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| IFCP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1492-S
by House Committee on Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Campbell, Kirby, VanDeWege, Williams, Chase, Wood, and Santos)
Using arbitration to resolve disputes regarding certain insurance policies.
Finds that in order to protect the integrity of an insureds' right to a remedy under the law, under this form of no-fault automobile insurance, an expeditious and low-cost arbitration mechanism is the best mechanism to provide an insured with a remedy under the law.Provides that all automobile liability insurance policies sold in this state that contain personal injury protection coverage benefits shall contain binding arbitration clauses to resolve disputes between the insured and the insurer regarding the amount of medical and hospital expenses, funeral expenses, income continuation, and loss of services sustained by an insured because of bodily injury caused by an automobile accident.
| Feb 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| IFCP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1506-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Haigh, Armstrong, Hunt, and Ormsby)
Changing alternative works provisions.
Revises alternative works provisions.Repeals provisions of chapter 39.10 RCW.
| Feb 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 6 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2206-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Curtis, Fromhold, Morris, Hankins, Wallace, Armstrong, Moeller, and Orcutt)
Reviewing pipeline capacity and distribution in southwest Washington.
Requires the energy facility site evaluation council to review the status of pipeline utility corridor capacity and distribution for petroleum in the southwest region of the state. In conducting this study, the council shall, at a minimum, review the following: (1) Whether pipeline utility corridor constraints exist, and if so, to what extent;(2) Whether there is adequate pipeline utility corridor capacity in the state to meet existing demand; and(3) Whether the current pipeline utility corridor system is expected to meet projected demand growth in the southwest region of the state.Authorizes the council to also examine pipeline utility corridor capacity and distribution in other areas of the state to the extent that it has an impact on supply to southwest Washington.Requires the council to submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2007.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2209-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Seaquist, Morrell, Curtis, Green, Moeller, and Ormsby)
Allowing advanced registered nurse practitioners to examine and obtain copies of autopsy reports.
Authorizes advanced registered nurse practitioners to examine and obtain copies of autopsy reports.
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2225-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Anderson and Wood)
Reviewing the delivery of emergency information to the general public during an ongoing emergency.
Directs the adjutant general to establish a work group to study how to enhance the delivery of emergency information to the general public in the event of an ongoing emergency.Requires that, by December 1, 2007, the adjutant general shall submit a report to the legislature and the governor, indicating recommendations for enhancing the delivery of emergency information to the public.
| Feb 27 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Placed on second reading suspension calendar by Rules Committee. | ||
HB 2256-S
by House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Darneille, Haler, Morrell, Walsh, Pettigrew, Dickerson, Kenney, Schual-Berke, Kagi, P. Sullivan, Lantz, Hinkle, Upthegrove, Appleton, Williams, Seaquist, O'Brien, Hasegawa, Green, Linville, Simpson, Ormsby, and Santos)
Establishing the family prosperity act.
Finds that low-income working families often encounter significant barriers as they strive to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Their challenges include acquiring employment that pays enough to cover the costs of daily living, accumulating funds for the down payment on a home, and setting aside money for the children's education or for the parents' retirement.Finds that asset-poor families do not have enough cash reserves or equity in their homes or businesses to meet basic needs through a period of joblessness, health emergency, divorce, or other unexpected financial hardship. Compounding these problems, credit reports about low-income working families tend to contain negative information, so that when used by prospective employers, the reports can prevent the job seeker from obtaining employment. Research shows that savings and ownership of assets is possible for low-income wage earners and that they would benefit from a variety of tools that allow them to better control and increase their financial resources.Therefore finds that the state, together with local communities, must adopt policies and provide services to help low-income working families achieve prosperity.Creates the Washington asset building coalition, whose mission is to provide statewide leadership on initiatives that foster financial self-sufficiency and economic security for low-income working families. The Washington asset building coalition shall work with the department, local asset building coalitions, and other public and private sector partners to: (1) Create a range of private and public prosperity products;(2) Develop and promote public and private lending policies that encourage asset building;(3) Market savings, smart borrowing, and federal tax credit programs;(4) Expand financial literacy opportunities and outcomes;(5) Enhance protections from predatory lending, fraud, and consumer scams; and(6) Identify and promote other approaches that will help low-income working families reach self-sufficiency by building and managing their assets.Directs the department to expand and strengthen community-based asset building coalitions by providing them with technical assistance and grants. The department shall establish a process to offer technical assistance and grants to local communities interested in initiating or expanding asset building coalitions and services. The department shall conduct an application process and select at least twelve sites by October 31, 2007.Limits credit report usage for employment.Repeals RCW 43.63A.765 and 43.63A.767.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| CEDT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Finance. | |
| Mar 5 | Scheduled for public hearing and executive session in committee. (Subject to change) | |
HB 2265-S
by House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Goodman, Rodne, Dunshee, Kenney, Kagi, Miloscia, Roberts, Lovick, Lantz, Hunter, Upthegrove, Hurst, Strow, O'Brien, and Williams)
Regarding county supervised community options.
Provides that, for offenders convicted of nonviolent and nonsex offenses, the court may credit time served by the offender before the sentencing in an available county supervised community option and may authorize county jails to convert jail confinement to an available county supervised community option, may authorize the time spent in the community option to be reduced by earned release credit consistent with local correctional facility standards, and may require the offender to perform affirmative conduct pursuant to RCW 9.94A.607.
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | ||
HB 2376
by Representatives Strow, Ericks, Haler, Sells, Ahern, Warnick, Hailey, Ross, Simpson, Orcutt, Kelley, and Bailey
Concerning a business and occupation tax credit for certain mental health services.
Provides a business and occupation tax credit for certain mental health services.
| Mar 5 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 2377
by Representatives Pearson, McCune, Roach, Kristiansen, Ahern, Warnick, Hailey, Orcutt, Hinkle, Ross, Haler, Curtis, Campbell, Newhouse, and Bailey
Improving state supervision of felony offenders in the community.
Provides that an offender may be required to submit to a search and seizure of the offender's person, residence, automobile, or other personal property.Provides that the department shall perform random, unannounced inspections of the residence of every offender serving a term of community custody. The purpose and scope of the search shall be to determine whether the offender is complying with the terms of his or her community custody.Provides that the department shall develop a performance review whenever an offender serving a term of community custody is convicted of a new crime to determine whether the department contributed to the circumstances that allowed the crime to occur. Beginning January 1, 2008, the department shall compile and submit copies of the reviews developed during the previous calendar year to the governor and the legislature.Provides that: (1) The department may not release any offenders on community custody until July 1, 2008. The prohibition in this subsection applies regardless of whether the community custody is the result of earned release time or is part of the offender's sentence; and(2) In no case shall the department hold an offender in total confinement under this act longer than his or her total term of confinement plus any term of community custody that is part of his or her sentence.
| Mar 5 | Held on first reading. | |
SB 5052-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Eide, Roach, Franklin, Hobbs, Fairley, Kastama, Prentice, Jacobsen, Shin, and Parlette)
Prohibiting interested third parties from processing insurance claims.
Declares that a person in this state has the right to choose any glass repair facility for the repair of a loss relating to motor vehicle glass.Requires an insurer or its third-party administrator that owns in whole or in part an automobile glass repair facility that is processing a claim limited only to auto glass to: (1) Verbally inform the person making the claim of loss, of the right provided under this act, at the time information regarding the automobile glass repair or replacement facilities is provided; and(2) Verbally inform the person making the claim of loss that the third-party administrator is an entity separate from the insurer that has a financial arrangement to process automobile glass claims on the insurer's behalf.Provides that a person making a claim of loss whose motor vehicle is repaired at an automotive glass repair or replacement facility subject to the notice requirements of this act may file a complaint with the office of the insurance commissioner.
| Jan 17 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | FI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5083-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Swecker, Murray, and Keiser)
Authorizing the use of automated traffic safety cameras in state highway work zones.
Authorizes the use of automated traffic safety cameras in state highway work zones.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5100-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, McAuliffe, Regala, Fairley, Shin, Weinstein, Murray, Keiser, Prentice, Kline, Spanel, Fraser, Tom, Kohl-Welles, and Rasmussen)
Regarding health insurance information for students.
Requires that, beginning with the 2007-08 school year, as part of a public or private school's enrollment process, the school shall annually inquire whether a student has health insurance. If a student's parent or guardian indicates that a student does not have health insurance coverage or does not indicate whether the student has or does not have health insurance, the school district shall provide the parent or guardian with information about the existence of the medicaid and children's health insurance program and how to get additional information about the programs. The information shall be provided in writing either via postal mail or through electronic mail.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to work with the department of social and health services and established community health care collaboratives that have proven outreach and enrollment services to schools in developing a one-page informational sheet that contains the information schools are required to provide to parents under this act and make that informational sheet available to schools on the superintendent of public instruction's web site by August 2007.Requires that, beginning December 1, 2008, schools shall report annually to the superintendent of public instruction the number of students that reported not having health insurance under this act.
| Jan 11 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Jan 22 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5102-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Pridemore, Fairley, Shin, Berkey, Kohl-Welles, Delvin, Rasmussen, Prentice, Hobbs, Jacobsen, and Kilmer)
Modifying the legislative youth advisory council.
Finds that the legislative youth advisory council provides a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to be actively involved in government. Council members not only learn about, but exercise, the core values and democratic principles of our state and nation, along with the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and democratic civic involvement. As such, they are engaged in authentic practice of the essential academic learning requirements in civics. In the short time since its creation, the legislative youth advisory council has studied, debated, and begun to formulate positions and recommendations on such important topics as education reform, school finance, public school learning environments, health and fitness education, and standardized testing. The legislature continues to stress the importance of civics education and support the type of civic involvement by students exemplified by the legislative youth advisory council.Declares an intent to make improvements to the program and expand the opportunities for students to participate by creating regional councils.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5129-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Shin)
Regarding unlawfully hunting on the property of another.
Authorizes fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers to seize without a warrant wildlife, fish, and shellfish they have probable cause to believe have been taken, transported, or possessed in violation of Title 77 RCW, a rule of the commission or director, or while committing the crime of criminal trespass in the second degree under RCW 9A.52.080.
| Jan 31 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5130-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senator Jacobsen)
Concerning wildlife-related recreational access.
Provides that, to fund the management of recreational access and habitat enhancement agreements as authorized in RCW 77.12.320, a surcharge is applied as follows: (1) Five dollars for residents and twenty-five dollars for nonresidents, for all big game licenses;(2) Five dollars for residents and twenty-five dollars for nonresidents, for all small game licenses not purchased with a big game license;(3) Five dollars for the three-day nonresident small game license.Requires all revenue derived from this surcharge to be deposited in the state wildlife account and must be used only for the management and implementation of wildlife recreational access and habitat enhancement agreements authorized in RCW 77.12.320. Administrative costs charged to this program may not exceed ten percent of annual expenditures.Requires the department of fish and wildlife to develop legislative options to increase access for nonconsumptive users to department-owned and leased lands. The options must include a discussion of the cost of providing/acquiring access for this class of user and an equitable fee structure or other user-based revenue stream to support the additional access, if necessary. The department of fish and wildlife shall submit the legislative options to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature by November 1, 2007.
| Jan 31 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5165-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Franklin, Fairley, Shin, and Rasmussen; by request of Governor Gregoire and Superintendent of Public Instruction)
Providing temporary provisions to allow students who did not meet standards on the mathematics WASL to graduate.
Provides temporary graduation provisions for students who do not meet standards on the high school mathematics assessments but meet all other graduation requirements.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5188-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Jacobsen, Prentice, Fairley, Kline, Marr, Kohl-Welles, Tom, Murray, Keiser, and Rasmussen)
Establishing a wildlife rehabilitation program.
Requires the director to establish a wildlife rehabilitation program to help support the critical role licensed wildlife rehabilitators play in protecting the public by capturing, testing for disease, and caring for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in Washington state. The director shall contract for wildlife rehabilitation services with up to four people in each of the department's six administrative regions. Applicants may submit only one request every two years and must reside in the administrative region for which they have applied. The contracts must be for a term of two years.Provides that, in order to receive funding, the wildlife rehabilitator must: (1) Be properly licensed in wildlife rehabilitation under state and federal law; and(2) Furnish information concerning his or her identity, including fingerprints for submission to the Washington state patrol to include a national criminal background check.Requires the department to develop a process for renewing wildlife rehabilitation licenses. All wildlife rehabilitation licenses issued by the department prior to January 1, 2006, must be renewed by January 1, 2010. The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this provision.
| Feb 7 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| And refer to Transportation. | ||
| Referred to Transportation. | ||
| Mar 1 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Mar 5 | TRAN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5265-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Fairley, Eide, Kohl-Welles, and Kline)
Creating the outdoor education and recreation grant program for schools and others.
Declares an intent to provide a large number of underserved children with quality opportunities to directly experience the natural world. It is the legislature's intent to create a program to improve children's overall academic performance, self-esteem, personal responsibility, community involvement, personal health, and understanding of nature. Further it is the intent of the legislature that the program empower local communities to engage children in outdoor education and recreation experiences.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5282-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Murray, Haugen, Pflug, Jacobsen, Tom, and Shin)
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 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5297-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Tom, Prentice, Keiser, Pridemore, Murray, Regala, Fraser, Kilmer, Rockefeller, McAuliffe, Shin, Weinstein, Kline, Marr, Kohl-Welles, and Oemig)
Regarding providing medically and scientifically accurate sexual health education in schools.
Declares an intent to support and advance the standards established in the January 2005 guidelines for sexual health information and disease prevention developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the department of health. These guidelines are a fundamental tool to help school districts, teachers, guest speakers, health and counseling providers, community groups, parents, and guardians choose, develop, and evaluate sexual health curricula to better meet the health and safety needs of adolescents and young adults in their communities.Requires that, by September 1, 2008, every school that offers sexual health education must assure that sexual health education is medically and scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, appropriate for students regardless of gender, race, disability status, or sexual orientation, and includes information about abstinence and other methods of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. All sexual health information, instruction, and materials must be medically and scientifically accurate.Provides that the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall, through its Washington state school health profiles survey or other existing reporting mechanism, ask schools to identify any curricula used to provide sexual health education, and shall report the results of this inquiry to the legislature on an annual basis, beginning with the 2008-09 school year.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 1 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 5363-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Jacobsen)
Adding speed violations on certain arterial streets to the traffic safety camera law.
Adds speed violations on arterial highways in cities with a population over five hundred thousand only to the traffic safety camera law.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5415-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe, Keiser, Franklin, Murray, Rasmussen, Hobbs, and Tom)
Creating health advisory councils.
Finds that schools often have multiple advisory groups with health-related missions that overlap, which can result in competition for resources and influence. Consolidation of these groups into school health advisory councils with broad missions leads to efficiency, nonduplication of efforts, and a coordinated approach to student and school health. Leadership at the state level is also required. A purpose of this act is to create a state level school health advisory council to provide guidance on coordination of many efforts that start in state level agencies and organizations.
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5445-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Morton, and Rasmussen)
Regarding cost-reimbursement agreements.
Amends RCW 43.30.490 relating to cost-reimbursement agreements.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5714-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Prentice, Rasmussen, Oemig, Clements, Rockefeller, Tom, Fairley, Hobbs, Shin, Swecker, Holmquist, Benton, Stevens, Parlette, Delvin, and Kline)
Creating a pilot program of Spanish and Chinese language instruction.
Establishes a pilot program of Spanish and Chinese language instruction.Provides that, beginning in June 2008 and continuing for the life of the pilot program, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit an annual report to the governor and the legislature that summarizes the pilot program and its effectiveness. The report shall also include a recommendation as to whether or not the pilot program should be continued, expanded, or otherwise modified.
| Feb 26 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5715-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Benton, Berkey, Hobbs, Prentice, Hatfield, Franklin, and Shin; by request of Insurance Commissioner)
Concerning persons selling, soliciting, or negotiating insurance.
Revises provisions concerning persons selling, soliciting, or negotiating insurance.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | FI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5717-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Berkey, Hobbs, Prentice, Hatfield, and Franklin; by request of Insurance Commissioner)
Establishing a program of market conduct oversight within the office of the insurance commissioner.
Declares that the purpose of this act is to establish a framework for the commissioner's market conduct actions, including: (1) Processes and systems for identifying, assessing, and prioritizing market conduct problems that have a substantial adverse impact on consumers, policyholders, and claimants;(2) Market conduct actions by a commissioner to substantiate such market conduct problems and a means to remedy significant market conduct problems; and(3) Procedures to communicate and coordinate market conduct actions among state insurance regulators to foster the most efficient and effective use of resources.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | FI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5722-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, Haugen, Weinstein, and Rasmussen)
Regarding body-gripping traps.
Excludes common rodent traps and mountain beaver traps from the definition of "body-gripping trap."
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5763-S
by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Delvin, and Kohl-Welles)
Modifying the business and occupation tax rate for certain life sciences purposes.
Revises the business and occupation tax rate for certain life sciences purposes.
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5764-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler and Rasmussen)
Making technical and administrative changes to improving the administration of sales and use tax exemptions for farm machinery and equipment.
Makes technical and administrative changes to improving the administration of sales and use tax exemptions for farm machinery and equipment.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5805-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Hatfield, Zarelli, Rasmussen, Swecker, Shin, and Hargrove)
Modifying provisions relating to the sales and use taxation of grain elevators.
Revises provisions relating to the sales and use taxation of grain elevators.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 5 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5814-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Hobbs, Rasmussen, Kauffman, Eide, Kohl-Welles, Murray, Marr, Spanel, Shin, Oemig, Kilmer, and Delvin)
Creating educational opportunities in mathematics, science, and technology.
Finds that knowledge, skills, and opportunities in mathematics, science, and technology should be increased for all students in Washington. The legislature intends to embark on a comprehensive approach to foster capacity between and among the educational sectors to enable continuous and sustainable growth of the learning and teaching of mathematics, science, and technologies.Declares an intent to foster high quality mathematics, science, and technology programs to increase the number of students in the kindergarten through twelfth grade pipeline who are prepared and aspire to continue in the areas of mathematics, science, and technology, whether it be at a college, university, or in the workforce.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | 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 5821-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Benton, Stevens, and Delvin)
Regulating body art facilities.
Provides that the local public health officer, under powers and duties provided in RCW 70.05.070, may establish a program to regulate body art operators and body art facilities, based on standards adopted by rule by the state board of health.Allows local public health officers to develop their own standards, if the standards are not less rigorous than those developed by the state board of health.Provides that local public health officers may charge a fee or fees to body art facilities and artists sufficient to cover the expenses of their regulatory program under this act, but the fee or fees may not be more than the actual cost of the regulatory program.Authorizes local public health officers that adopt a regulatory program to work with local body artists in promoting public awareness of the risks of body art and the need to use body artists who meet at least the minimum standards as set forth in the state board of health rules.
| Feb 5 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5829-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, Kastama, Shin, Kilmer, and Rasmussen)
Expanding export assistance to businesses throughout the state.
Directs 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 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Feb 28 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5837-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Fraser, Rockefeller, Hobbs, Delvin, Tom, Prentice, McAuliffe, Jacobsen, and Kline)
Monitoring federal and state nondiscrimination in education laws, rules, and regulations.
Finds that Washington state and the nation benefit from equal educational opportunities for all students and employees of the public schools.Finds that in recognition of this benefit, numerous existing state and federal constitutional provisions, laws, rules, and regulations prohibit, and provide redress against, harassment and discrimination. In doing so, these laws and regulations promote the protection and well-being of students and staff.Finds that lack of monitoring compliance with these laws and regulations significantly weakens these protections and that the state has a responsibility to identify noncompliance, coordinate resources, and provide a greater presence by monitoring compliance more frequently than is currently done.Recognizes that regular and increased monitoring can play an important role in preventing problems from arising by ensuring the school district's understanding of its responsibilities under state and federal law; can benefit the state by reducing the costs associated with complaints and lawsuits due to noncompliance; and will further protect Washington's students from suffering the harmful effects of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5843-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Oemig, Tom, Rockefeller, Zarelli, and Keiser)
Regarding educational data and data systems.
Finds that: (1) Reliable data on student progress, characteristics of students and schools, and teacher qualifications and mobility is critical for accountability to the state and to the public;(2) Educational data should be made available as widely as possible while appropriately protecting the privacy of individuals as provided by law;(3) School districts and the office of the superintendent of public instruction need robust and compatible data systems and programs to reduce inefficiencies caused by the lack of connectivity and to minimize or eliminate multiple data entry; and(4) Schools and districts should be supported in their management of educational data and should have access to user-friendly programs and reports that can be readily used by classroom teachers and building principals to improve instruction.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, conduct a feasibility study on establishing a statewide longitudinal student-teacher data system. The primary purpose of the data system is to better aid research into programs and interventions that are most effective in improving student performance and to provide information on areas within the educational system that need improvement.Requires a preliminary set of data elements to be developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction by December 2007. The feasibility study shall include conducting pilot studies on the collection of this preliminary set of identified data elements in a minimum of five schools.Requires that, by November 1, 2008, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide a final report on the results of the feasibility study, including the results from the pilot studies, to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5844-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Jacobsen, Rockefeller, Rasmussen, and Sheldon)
Concerning specialized forest products and specialty wood.
Revises provisions relating to specialized forest products and specialty wood.Establishes the specialized forest products work group.Requires the specialized forest products work group to review the current specialized forest products statute, chapter 76.48 RCW, as well as applicable theft laws. The specialized forest products work group must evaluate the statute, as well as its application, and make recommendations, if any, to ensure that the specialized forest products requirements: Provide reasonable tools for law enforcement and reasonably protect landowners from theft; are not unduly burdensome to harvesters, those possessing or transporting specialized forest products, or cedar or specialty wood processors or buyers; are clear and may be readily understood by law enforcement and the public; and are administered and enforced consistently throughout the state.Requires the specialized forest products work group to provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature containing its recommendations, as well as draft legislation implementing its recommendations, by December 1, 2007.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | NROR - 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 5862-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Rockefeller, Poulsen, Kohl-Welles, and Kline)
Regarding passenger-only ferry service.
Declares that by August 1st, November 1st, February 1st, and May 1st of every year, the department of transportation shall notify the state treasurer in writing of the amount of state sales and use tax paid under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW by the Washington state ferries on the purchase of fuel for the preceding calendar quarter. By September 1st, December 1st, March 1st, and June 1st of every year, the state treasurer shall transfer an amount equal to the amount indicated by the department in their notification to the treasurer into the passenger ferry account created in RCW 47.60.645.Provides that a public transportation benefit area seeking grant funding as described in RCW 47.01.350 for a passenger-only ferry route between Kingston and Seattle shall first receive approval from the governor after submitting a complete business plan to the governor and the legislature by November 1, 2007. Requires the department of transportation to make available for sale the Washington state ferries Snohomish and Chinook at market value by June 1, 2007. Proceeds from the sale must be deposited into the passenger ferry account created in RCW 47.60.645.Requires the department to maintain the level of service existing on January 1, 2006, for the Vashon to Seattle passenger-only ferry route until such time as the route is assumed by another entity, providing a level of service at or exceeding the state level.
| Feb 26 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 5 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |
SB 5864-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Oemig, McAuliffe, Rasmussen, Eide, and Kohl-Welles)
Creating kindergarten transition plans.
Provides that the superintendent of public instruction shall work with the department of early learning to develop kindergarten transition plans, which includes creating the format and content of the plans and developing training for using the plans.Requires the plans to be developed for use, to the extent possible, beginning in September of 2007. The plans may initially be implemented in demonstration sites under the private-public partnership in RCW 43.215.070, in schools receiving state support for all-day kindergarten, and in primary-level demonstration projects.Requires kindergarten transition plans to be implemented in public school districts across the state not later than the 2009-10 school year and shall also be available for voluntary use in child care, preschool, and other early learning programs.Provides that, by December 31, 2008, the superintendent of public instruction, working with the department of early learning and the private-public partnership in RCW 43.215.070, shall report its findings and recommendations for statewide implementation to the education committees of the legislature.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| On motion, referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 5874-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senator Kline)
Requiring health benefit plans to provide coverage for elemental formulas.
Requires each health benefit plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under chapter 41.05 RCW that is not subject to the provisions of Title 48 RCW and is issued or renewed after December 31, 2007, shall provide coverage for: (1) Amino acid-based elemental formulas for infants and children, when medically necessary, regardless of the delivery method: (a) for the diagnosis and treatment of milk protein allergies and intolerances and other food allergies and intolerances, impaired absorption of nutrients caused by disorders affecting the absorptive surface, functional length, motility of the gastrointestinal tract, and inherited diseases of amino acids and organic acids; (b) for testing to determine an infant's or child's status with regard to various diseases and disorders; and (c) for any other metabolic condition when recommended by a licensed health care provider; and(2) Specialized amino acid-based elemental formulas when such specialized formulas are medically necessary for the treatment of a disease or condition and are the least restrictive means for meeting the needs of the patient. The verification of a disease or a condition must be directed by a licensed health care professional and administered under the direction of a licensed health care professional.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5880-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Kastama, Swecker, Roach, Keiser, and Delvin)
Concerning the department of social and health services' technical assistance and audit program for pharmacy payments.
Declares an intent of the legislature that the regulatory and inspection program authorized in this act shall include: (1) A technical assistance program to identify pharmacies that could benefit from technical assistance from the department with regard to billing for payment, and to provide that assistance; and(2) A systematic method to gather data for program improvement.Requires the department to develop a plan to incorporate into the provider payment system, by January 1, 2009, system capability to identify and report a pattern of technical deficiencies by pharmacies in making payment claims. Technical deficiencies identified by this system may be used to determine pharmacies to which technical assistance will be offered. The department must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2008, and September 1, 2008, on the progress made to implement this system requirement.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5906-S
by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Clements, Kohl-Welles, and Prentice)
Regarding the practice of esthetics.
Amends RCW 18.16.020 to define the "practice of esthetics," "practice of master esthetics," and "master estheticians."Declares that the curriculum for master estheticians consist of seven hundred hours.Requires the department to waive the curriculum requirements for licensure as a master esthetician for an individual who files a license application before April 30, 2008, and meets the following conditions: (1) Has at least seven consecutive years' employment as a licensed esthetician in good standing, immediately preceding application for a master esthetician; or(2) Holds a comite' international d'esthe'tique et de cosme'tologie international diploma and is currently licensed in good standing as an esthetician when making an application.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5917-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Fairley, Kastama, Franklin, Marr, and Kline)
Requiring the disclosure of gifts made by pharmaceutical manufacturers to persons who prescribe prescription drugs.
Provides that the purpose of this act is to require disclosure and reporting of gifts, grants, and gratuities made by pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, directly or indirectly, to any person or entity authorized to prescribe, dispense, or purchase prescription drugs in Washington.Provides that the attorney general may bring an action in Thurston county superior court for injunctive relief, costs, and attorneys' fees, and to impose on a pharmaceutical manufacturing company that fails to disclose as required by this act a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars per violation. Each unlawful failure to disclose constitutes a separate violation.
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5925-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Clements, Swecker, Schoesler, Shin, Haugen, Delvin, and Rasmussen)
Concerning restrictions on certain public facilities for economic development purposes in rural counties.
Amends RCW 82.14.370 relating to restrictions on certain public facilities for economic development purposes in rural counties.
| Feb 13 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | EDTM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
SB 6021-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley and Shin; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Consolidating and eliminating certain boards and commissions.
Consolidates and eliminates certain boards and commissions.
| Feb 26 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SJM 8012-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Brown, Hewitt, Franklin, Fraser, Oemig, Kline, Kilmer, Swecker, Hobbs, Hatfield, Marr, Spanel, Regala, Kohl-Welles, Berkey, Pridemore, Rasmussen, McAuliffe, Sheldon, and Shin)
Requesting the Washington Air and Army National Guard not be federalized.
Requests the Washington Air and Army National Guard not be federalized.
| Feb 15 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | GO - 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. | |