 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 41 | ||
| SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Wednesday, March 7, 2007 | 59th Day - 2007 Regular Session | |
| SENATE |
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| 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 1518-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Lantz, Moeller, Appleton, Darneille, Goodman, Hunt, Chase, Miloscia, Ormsby, Hudgins, Pedersen, McDermott, and Santos)
Creating a death penalty task force.
Finds that historically most death sentences imposed in Washington have been reversed and rarely imposed. The legislature further finds that it is in the state's interest to determine whether the state's capital punishment system is applied fairly and proportionally, and whether the continued allocation of substantial time, resources, and moneys spent on capital trials and appeals is warranted.Creates a death penalty task force for the purpose of conducting a review of the existing death penalty statutes and court rules to determine the following: (1) The uniformity of decision making by prosecuting attorneys in terms of charging defendants with aggravated first degree murder and the criteria used in such decisions;(2) The impact of race, ethnicity, gender, and economic status on the likelihood of a defendant being charged with aggravated first degree murder;(3) The administration of Washington's death penalty law since the enactment of chapter 10.95 RCW to determine whether it is applied randomly or arbitrarily;(4) The costs associated with capital trials and appeals;(5) Whether there are revisions to existing statutes and court rules that, if implemented, would decrease the likelihood of an inappropriate imposition of the death penalty; and(6) Evidence concerning cases in which a defense of severe mental disorder, significantly impairing a defendant's ability to appreciate the wrongfulness of his or her actions, could have been offered had such a defense been available and how that defense might have affected the outcome of cases.Directs the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the governor, Washington supreme court, and appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2008.Appropriates the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the state general fund to the house of representatives for the purposes of this act.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 state general fund to the house of representatives for the purposes of this act.Appropriates the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the state general fund to the senate for the purposes of this act.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 state general fund to the senate for the purposes of this act.
| Feb 14 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1532-S
by House Committee on Insurance, Financial Services & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby, Kenney, Moeller, and Morrell; 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.Declares an intent that the market analysis or market conduct process utilize available technology in the least intrusive and most cost-efficient manner to develop a baseline understanding of the market place and to identify insurers or practices that deviate significantly from the norm or that pose a potential risk to the insurance consumer. It is also the intent of the legislature that this process include discretion for the commissioner to use market conduct examinations when the continuum of available market conduct actions have not sufficiently addressed issues concerning insurer activities in Washington, or when the continuum of available market conduct actions are not reasonably expected to address issues concerning insurer activities in Washington.Declares an intent that the commissioner work with the national association of insurance commissioners toward development of an accreditation process for market conduct oversight and an effective process for domestic deference that creates protections for Washington consumers and efficient and effective regulation of the industry.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| IFCP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1538-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Bailey, Linville, Hinkle, Alexander, Haler, Strow, Rodne, Warnick, Morrell, Green, and Ericksen)
Requiring an independent study of health benefit requirements.
Directs the office of the insurance commissioner to contract for an independent study of health benefit mandates, rating requirements, and insurance statutes and rules to determine the impact on premiums and individuals' health if those statutes or rules were amended or repealed.Requires the office of the insurance commissioner to submit an interim report to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007, and a final report by December 1, 2008.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1570-S
by House Committee on Select Committee on Environmental Health (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Campbell, Wood, Chase, Morrell, Hunt, McCoy, and Kenney)
Authorizing a biomonitoring program.
Directs the department to conduct biomonitoring, when feasible, in consultation with the department of ecology, local health jurisdictions, and other public health agencies, to assist public health agencies and policymakers in allocating resources to maximize improvements in environmental public health by: (1) Determining levels of exposure to environmental chemicals in population groups that may be at increased risk of exposure;(2) Measuring the prevalence of elevated levels of environmental chemicals in specific population groups;(3) Interpreting the public health significance of environmental monitoring data;(4) Assessing effectiveness of public health efforts to reduce exposure to specific populations to environmental chemicals; and(5) Determining the impact of public health efforts to reduce high levels of environmental chemicals.Requires that, by December 1, 2007, the department of health shall, in consultation with the department of ecology and local health jurisdictions, provide recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives for funding the biomonitoring program. The recommendations shall provide a proposed implementation plan for the ten highest priorities identified by the department of health, and shall include recommendations for funding sources and cost sharing among federal, state, local, and nongovernmental entities. The department of health's implementation recommendations shall include the objective of integrating with and complementing nationwide monitoring programs.Appropriates the sum of ninety thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the state toxics control account to the department of health for the purposes of this act.
| Feb 1 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ENVH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1600-S
by House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Hunt, B. Sullivan, McCoy, Williams, Appleton, Chase, Hasegawa, Dickerson, Wood, Simpson, and Pedersen)
Protecting ancestral trees.
Provides that the department may not offer for sale, sell, or harvest any ancestral trees located on public lands west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, unless: (1) The operation is specifically authorized by the board prior to sale or harvest, consistent with this act; or(2) The operation is conducted solely within the borders of the Olympic experimental state forest and is consistent with the research objectives of the Olympic experimental state forest.Provides that the board may only authorize the sale or harvest of ancestral trees located on public lands after making a formal finding that some harvest is necessary to preserve the health and safety of other ancestral trees in the immediate area, to protect public safety, to enhance overall forest health in the stand containing the ancestral trees, or to meet the demands of other special circumstances.Provides that the prohibition on the sale, sell, or harvest of ancestral trees contained in this act shall be suspended by the commissioner if at any time the commissioner determines that the application of this act would result in more than one thousand acres of public lands being reserved from harvest than were deferred under regulatory or habitat conservation plan strategies in effect as of January 1, 2007.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| AGNR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1601-S2
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Campbell, Chase, Hudgins, Hunt, Morrell, Upthegrove, McCoy, Santos, Dickerson, Hasegawa, Sells, Schual-Berke, Wood, and Simpson)
Creating the children's environmental health and protection advisory council.
Establishes the children's environmental health and protection advisory council.Requires the advisory council to: (1) Review and comment on existing laws, rules, regulations, and standards to ensure that they adequately protect the health of children from environmental hazards;(2) Review existing laws, rules, regulations, and standards of other states that relate to the protection of the health of children from environmental hazards;(3) Review current research on environmental toxins and exposures, children's environmental health, and other research relevant to the protection of the health of children from environmental hazards;(4) Work collaboratively with state agencies and others without duplicating current work in this area; and(5) Report to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2007, and December 1, 2008, with recommendations on changes in regulation that would reduce children's exposure to environmental hazards and recommendations for collaborative approaches to public education.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 15 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | 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 1604-S
by House Committee on Select Committee on Puget Sound (originally sponsored by Representatives Eickmeyer, Sump, Morris, Chase, O'Brien, and Haigh)
Introducing oxygen into Hood Canal.
Directs the department of fish and wildlife to implement a pilot program to test the viability and efficiency of introducing oxygen to the waters of Hood Canal for the purpose of protecting aquatic life. The pilot project must take place in a small marine area where a large number of bottom dwelling fish species exist. The pilot project has the following goals: (1) To determine the feasibility and cost of designing and constructing a mechanical system to inject oxygen into Hood Canal, thereby reducing the impact of low levels of dissolved oxygen on aquatic life; and(2) To construct, operate, and evaluate a pilot facility to increase levels of dissolved oxygen near Sund Rock on Hood Canal.Provides that, following the evaluation of the pilot project, the department of fish and wildlife must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the pilot project results and include recommendations whether to proceed with a larger scale project to inject oxygen into Hood Canal.Appropriates the sum of one hundred thirty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.Appropriates the sum of six hundred forty-six 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 fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.
| Jan 31 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| PUGT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1637-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Hinkle, Cody, B. Sullivan, Moeller, Campbell, Williams, Green, Lovick, Upthegrove, Seaquist, Goodman, Simpson, Morrell, Linville, Ormsby, and Rolfes)
Creating the revised uniform anatomical gift act.
Creates the revised uniform anatomical gift act.Repeals provisions of chapter 68.50 RCW.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1694-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Flannigan, Upthegrove, and Kenney)
Requiring the agency council on coordinated transportation to coordinate special needs transportation.
Requires the agency council on coordinated transportation to coordinate special needs transportation.Repeals 1999 c 372 s 13.
| Feb 8 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1703-S
by House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Walsh, Pettigrew, Haler, Simpson, Hinkle, Hurst, Hunter, Priest, Upthegrove, Roberts, Springer, Pedersen, Hudgins, Morrell, Cody, Dickerson, McIntire, P. Sullivan, Appleton, Roach, Kessler, Darneille, Hasegawa, Moeller, Williams, Conway, Santos, Kenney, and Lantz)
Creating a domestic violence pilot program to colocate a domestic violence advocate in department of social and health services offices.
Establishes a domestic violence pilot program to colocate a domestic violence advocate in department of social and health services offices.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 23 | ELCS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1730-S
by House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Sullivan and Schual-Berke)
Regarding the use of the life sciences discovery fund for human stem cell research.
Provides that human stem cells from any source may be donated for research purposes if the donor has provided written consent to use the human stem cells for such purposes and the donor has not received valuable consideration for the donation.Provides that individuals may donate human embryonic stem cells for research purposes if the human embryonic stem cells are obtained from blastocysts that are generated by in vitro fertilization procedures, the donation is made pursuant to the valid informed consent of both the donors of the sperm and egg that created the blastocyst, and the donor has not received valuable consideration for the donation.Provides that no public funds may be distributed for the following purposes: (1) No money from the life sciences discovery fund may be used to injure an embryo that has been implanted in a uterus.(2) No money from the life sciences discovery fund may be used to clone an individual by means of asexual reproduction of a human being by transplanting a blastocyst that has been created by somatic cell nuclear transfer into a uterus or substitute for a uterus with the purpose of creating a human being.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | 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 1765-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Lantz, Springer, Williams, Rodne, and Moeller)
Changing provisions concerning limitation of claims under a construction contract.
Provides that any clause in a construction contract that purports to waive, release, or extinguish the claim rights of a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier to damages or an equitable adjustment based on failure to submit claim notice or claim-related documentation in a specified time frame or form is waived to the extent that the contractor, subcontractor, or supplier shows by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) The party to whom the claim is being made had knowledge of and consented to the actions of the contractor, subcontractor, or supplier that are the basis of the claim; and(2) The actions of the contractor, subcontractor, or supplier that are the basis of the claim benefited the party to whom the claim is being made.Provides that any claim right asserted under this act must be submitted in writing within thirty calendar days after a project's substantial completion, as defined in the contract.
| Feb 9 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 26 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1800-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, Warnick, Grant, Crouse, Kessler, Rolfes, and Moeller)
Revising provisions affecting tenants of real property.
Revises provisions affecting tenants of real property.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1810-S
by House Committee on Select Committee on Environmental Health (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Hunt, Chase, Kenney, Santos, Campbell, Schual-Berke, Dickerson, B. Sullivan, McIntire, Roberts, Wood, and Moeller)
Creating a project to monitor pesticide drift and its impact.
Directs that a pilot air monitoring project be initiated that supports the collection of data for use in evaluating the human health implications, or lack thereof, to workers and the public from pesticides moving off-target via the air.Requires the department to submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by April 1, 2009, including a summary of the air monitoring project findings and recommendations for public policies and program activities to protect human health from pesticide drift.
| Feb 6 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| ENVH - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1833-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Pettigrew, Seaquist, Upthegrove, Morrell, Kessler, P. Sullivan, Williams, Kenney, Haler, Ericksen, Moeller, Sells, Dunn, Rolfes, Lantz, McCoy, Lovick, Jarrett, Strow, Hurst, Springer, Campbell, Goodman, Simpson, Pearson, Curtis, Rodne, Schual-Berke, McDermott, Ormsby, and Chase)
Expanding the presumption of occupational disease for firefighters.
Finds and declares: (1) By reason of their employment, firefighters are required to work in the midst of, and are subject to, smoke, fumes, infectious diseases, and toxic substances;(2) Firefighters are continually exposed to a vast and expanding field of hazardous substances;(3) Firefighters enter uncontrolled environments to save lives, provide emergency medical services, and reduce property damage and are frequently not aware or informed of the potential toxic and carcinogenic substances, and infectious diseases that they may be exposed to;(4) Firefighters are often exposed simultaneously to multiple carcinogens;(5) Firefighters so exposed can potentially and unwittingly expose coworkers, families, and members of the public to infectious diseases;(6) Harmful effects caused by firefighters' exposure to hazardous substances, whether cancer, infectious disease, a heart injury, or respiratory disease, develop very slowly, usually manifesting themselves years after exposure;(7) Cardiovascular disease is exacerbated by firefighting duties and firefighting increases the incidence of cardiovascular disease and heart injuries in firefighters;(8) Firefighters frequently and at unpredictable intervals perform job duties under strenuous physical conditions when engaged in firefighting activities and routinely are unable to meet normal definitions of "unusual exertion" standards; and(9) Firefighters who experience heart injuries during firefighting activities shall be assumed to meet current "unusual exertion" standards during strenuous physical exertion.Provides that, in any case where the presumption is upheld, or the employee prevails on the basis of a presumption, whether at the board of industrial insurance appeals or in any court, the employee must be awarded full benefits, attorney fees, expert witness costs, and all other costs from the date of the employee's initial application for benefits.
| Feb 15 | 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 1873-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Ormsby, Haler, Pedersen, Wood, VanDeWege, Campbell, Flannigan, Kessler, Williams, and Lantz)
Regarding wrongful injury or death of a child actions.
Revises the requirements for, and recoveries under, a wrongful injury or death cause of action.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - 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 Judiciary. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 5 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1897-S
by House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams and Hunt)
Expressing the legislature's intent that public disclosure requirements do not allow attorney invoices to be exempt in their entirety.
Declares an intent of the legislature to clarify that no reasonable construction of chapter 42.56 RCW has ever allowed attorney invoices to be withheld in their entirety by any public entity in a request for documents under that chapter.Declares an intent to clarify that the public's interest in open, accountable government includes an accounting of any expenditure of public resources, including through liability insurance, upon private legal counsel or private consultants.
| Feb 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| SGTA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1909-S
by House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Orcutt, B. Sullivan, Roach, Blake, Takko, Pearson, Kristiansen, and Hinkle)
Protecting from the theft of specialized forest products.
Declares that, with the introduction of this act, the legislature intends to begin a conversation on proper revisions to chapter 76.48 RCW that streamlines the permitting system for specialized forest products and creates a more equitable and manageable situation for wood hobbyists, while maintaining the chapter's important protections that it provides to forest landowners.Declares it is the intent for this act to be used by law enforcement authorities and others responsible for its implementation to pursue and prosecute those individuals that are genuinely engaged in the theft of large quantities of valuable forest materials, and not those individuals who are responsibly collecting wood or wood pieces from landowners who are aware and accepting of the collection. The legislature urges prosecutorial discretion where warranted and the consideration of all factors involved with a situation before bringing a criminal action under this act.Declares that it is unlawful for a person to: (1) Harvest specialty wood, or engage in activities or phases of harvesting, possessing, or transporting specialty wood, as described in RCW 76.48.020 without first obtaining permission from the landowner or their duly authorized agent or representative in the form of a bill of sale as described in this act; or(2) Engage in activities processing specialty wood, retaining processed specialty wood, or selling or disposing of processed specialty wood without meeting the requirements of this act.
| Feb 13 | 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 1935-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Campbell, Hunt, Moeller, Hasegawa, Conway, Green, Ericks, and Flannigan)
Concerning real property.
Revises real property warranties.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1968-S
by House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Conway, and Ormsby)
Requiring certification for sprinkler fitters.
Provides that no person may engage in the trade of fire protection sprinkler fitting without having a valid journey-level sprinkler fitter certificate, residential sprinkler fitter certificate, training certificate, or temporary certificate, with the exception of a certified plumber installing a residential fire protection sprinkler system connected to potable water requiring a plumbing certificate.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing and 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 2220-S
by House Committee on Select Committee on Puget Sound (originally sponsored by Representative Lantz)
Regarding shellfish aquaculture.
Requires the sea grant program at the University of Washington to, consistent with this act, commission a series of scientific research studies that examines the possible effects, including the cumulative effects, of the current prevalent geoduck aquaculture techniques and practices on the natural environment in and around Puget Sound, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The sea grant program shall use funding provided from the geoduck aquaculture research account created in this act to review existing literature, directly perform research identified as needed, or to enter into and manage contracts with scientific organizations or institutions to accomplish these results.Provides that all research commissioned under this act must be completed and the results reported to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2013. In addition, the sea grant program shall provide the appropriate committees of the legislature with annual reports updating the status and progress of the ongoing studies that are completed in advance of the 2013 deadline.Directs the department of ecology to develop, by rule, guidelines for the appropriate siting and operation of geoduck aquaculture operations to be included in any master program under this act.Provides that the guidelines required under this act must be filed for public review and comment no later than six months after the delivery of the final report by the shellfish aquaculture regulatory committee.Requires the department of ecology to update the guidelines required under this act, as necessary, after the completion of the geoduck research by the sea grant program at the University of Washington.
| Feb 27 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| PUGT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Feb 28 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
| Mar 3 | Public hearing and executive action taken in committee. | |
| APP - Executive action taken by committee. | ||
| APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 5 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
SB 5010-S
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford and Hewitt)
Creating a state park foster home pass.
Provides that any Washington state resident who provides out-of-home care to a child, as either a licensed foster family home or a person related to the child, is entitled to a foster home pass.Provides that, when accompanied by a child receiving out-of-home care from the pass holder, a foster home pass: (1) Entitles such a person, and members of his or her camping unit, to free use of any campsite within any state park; and(2) Entitles such a person to free admission to any state park.Directs the commission to negotiate payment and costs, to allow holders of a foster home pass free access and usage of park campsites, with the following nonoperated, nonstate-owned parks: Central Ferry, Chief Timothy, Crow Butte, and Lyons Ferry. The commission shall seek state general fund reimbursement on a biennial basis.
| Jan 24 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 1 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 6 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 5016-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senator Jacobsen)
Limiting petitions for guardianship by professional guardians.
Amends RCW 11.88.030 to provide that a professional guardian who files a petition for guardianship must comply with the ethical advisory opinions issued by the certified professional guardian board with respect to petitions for self-appointment.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5018-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Kline, and Roach)
Prohibiting a professional guardian from serving as both guardian or limited guardian and attorney or guardian ad litem.
Prohibits a professional guardian from serving as both guardian or limited guardian and attorney or guardian ad litem.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | Executive session in committee. | |
| JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5020-S
by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, McCaslin, Poulsen, Delvin, Kilmer, Kline, Franklin, Murray, and Kohl-Welles)
Regarding higher education faculty salaries.
Declares it is the purpose of this act to address growing concerns about the academic staffing crisis in the state's public two-year colleges. Staffing issues, including the overuse of adjunct faculty along with the shrinking ranks of full-time tenured faculty, limit the ability of the state system of higher education to provide high quality education, improve graduation rates, conduct research, and provide support for economic development.Declares that it is the goal of this act to increase the number of positions designated as full-time tenure-track faculty positions by ten percent in each individual college by 2013. The base number shall be the number of full-time tenure-track positions budgeted in fall quarter 2006, including those positions not currently filled.Declares it is further the goal of this act to have salaries in institutions of higher education that will attract and retain the best faculty possible to educate the citizens of Washington state. Faculty salaries are of particular concern because average salaries for two-year faculty are substantially below average salaries in comparable global challenge states.Declares it is the purpose of this act to address growing concerns about the academic staffing crisis in higher education. Staffing issues limit the ability of the state system of higher education to provide high quality education, improve retention rates, conduct research, and provide support for economic development. Faculty salaries are of particular concern because the salaries for four-year faculty are in the bottom quarter of comparable global challenge states. The legislature finds that in order to attract the highest quality faculty, the salaries should be in the top quarter of global challenge states.
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5045-S
by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Weinstein, Fairley, Oemig, Franklin, Regala, Fraser, Kauffman, Pridemore, Haugen, Keiser, Spanel, Jacobsen, and Kohl-Welles)
Providing for the licensing of contractors.
Revises provisions relating to the licensing of contractors.
| Jan 18 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5881-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Poulsen, Delvin, Regala, and Fraser; by request of Department of Ecology)
Modifying water power license fees.
Increases water power license fees in accordance with the fiscal growth factor as provided by the office of financial management.Provides an additional fee schedule.Requires the department of ecology to submit a progress report to the appropriate committees of the legislature prior to December 31, 2009, and biennially thereafter.
| Feb 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5894-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Poulsen, Fraser, Oemig, Shin, and Carrell; by request of Department of Health)
Clarifying the regulatory authority for on-site sewage systems.
Declares that the purpose of this act is to establish, in a single state agency, comprehensive regulation of the design, operation, and maintenance of large on-site sewage systems, and their operators, that provides both public health and environmental protection.Declares the permitting and continuing oversight of large on-site sewage systems.Directs the state department of health to establish standards and rules for the siting, design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of large on-site sewage systems, and to enforce the standards and rules established.Amends chapters 70.118 and 70.05 RCW to enhance local health officer enforcement authority regarding on-site systems.Exempts operators certified by the department of health.Amends RCW 36.94.010 to clarify its applicability to large on-site sewage systems.
| Feb 21 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 5 | Public hearing, public hearing, and executive action taken in committee. | |
| WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Water, Energy & Telecommunications. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 6 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 5919-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Benton, Berkey, Schoesler, Hatfield, Roach, and Shin)
Providing relief from retaliatory taxes on insurance premium taxes.
Provides relief from retaliatory taxes on insurance premium taxes.
| Feb 20 | 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 5973-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette, Rasmussen, Keiser, Sheldon, Delvin, and Shin)
Establishing a controlled substances prescription monitoring program.
Finds that prescription drug abuse has been on the rise and that often dispensers and prescribing providers are unaware of prescriptions provided by others both in and out of state.Declares an intent to establish an electronic database available in real time to dispensers and prescribers of controlled substances. And further, that the department in as much as possible should establish a common dataset with other sets of other states.Provides that a dispenser who knowingly fails to submit prescription monitoring information to the department as required by this act or knowingly submits incorrect prescription information is subject to disciplinary action under chapter 18.130 RCW.Provides that a person authorized to have prescription monitoring information under this act who knowingly discloses such information in violation of this act is subject to civil penalty.Provides that a person authorized to have prescription monitoring information under this act who uses such information in a manner or for a purpose in violation of this act is subject to civil penalty.Provides that, in accordance with HIPPA, any physician or pharmacist authorized to access a patient's prescription monitoring may discuss or release that information to other health care providers involved with the patient in order to provide safe and appropriate care coordination.
| 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 6029-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Benton, Berkey, and Hatfield)
Regulating interstate branching.
Establishes provisions regulating interstate branching.
| Feb 20 | 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 6035-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Poulsen and Rockefeller)
Authorizing the creation of beach management districts.
Authorizes the creation of beach management districts.Provides that beach management districts addressing the control and removal of aquatic plants or vegetation must develop a plan for this activity, and such a plan must be approved by all appropriate federal, state, and local agencies.Requires plans for the control and removal of aquatic plants or vegetation to, to the greatest extent possible, meet the following requirements: (1) Avoid the excess removal of native vegetation and organisms, whether alive or dead;(2) Avoid management activities that will result in the compaction of beach sand, gravel, and substrate;(3) Disposal of beach material should be done in a manner that would not recontaminate other areas in the beach environment; and(4) All natural habitat features on the beach larger than twelve inches in diameter including trees, stumps, logs, and large rocks must be retained on the beach.Requires the department of ecology to provide technical assistance to community groups and county legislative authorities requesting assistance with the development of beach management programs.Appropriates the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the department of ecology for the purposes of providing technical assistance to community groups and county legislative authorities requesting assistance with the development of beach management plans, program administration, and identification and prioritization of beaches and near shore areas with decomposing seaweed presenting public health and water quality issues.Appropriates the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the department of ecology for the purposes of providing technical assistance to community groups and county legislative authorities requesting assistance with the development of beach management plans, program administration, and the removal of seaweed documented and identified as creating public health or water quality issues from beaches or near shore areas located within at least one mile of a ferry terminal, in the most populated county of the state.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | WET - 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 6040-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Hatfield, Zarelli, Hobbs, and Delvin; by request of Lieutenant Governor)
Providing for the creation of a public speedway authority.
Authorizes the creation of a public speedway authority.
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6044-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller and Swecker)
Regarding the removal of derelict vessels.
Provides that a marina that leases permanent moorage to vessels must require the following information from the lessee as a condition of leasing moorage space: (1) The name of the legal owner of the vessel;(2) A local contact person, if different than the owner;(3) The owner's address and telephone number;(4) The vessel's hull identification number;(5) The vessel's coast guard registration, if applicable;(6) The vessel's home port;(7) The date on which the moorage lease began; and(8) The vessel's country or state of registration and registration number.Provides that, beginning June 30, 2007, and on the last day of March, June, September, and December of each year thereafter until July 1, 2010, the state treasurer shall transfer five hundred thousand dollars to the derelict vessel removal account created under RCW 79.100.100.Declares that, in order to address the significant backlog of derelict vessels that have accumulated in our state's waters that pose a threat to the health and safety of the people and to our environment, the legislature intends to collect a derelict vessel removal surcharge, until the backlog as it exists on the effective date of this act has been eliminated.Requires the department of natural resources to submit a list that identifies the backlog of derelict vessels as of the effective date of this act to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature. Upon completion of the elimination of the backlog, the department of natural resources shall notify the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature and the department of licensing, in writing, to suspend collection of the surcharge at the end of the fiscal year in which the backlog has been eliminated. Upon receipt of the notice to suspend collection of the surcharge, the department of licensing shall cease collection at the end of the fiscal year in which the notice is received.Requires the department of natural resources and the department of revenue to examine the costs and benefits of extending the derelict vessel removal fees and surcharges to the vessels that are not subject to RCW 88.02.050 in order to provide for more equity in the derelict vessel removal program and the fees that support the program. The departments shall submit a report of the findings to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature by November 1, 2007.
| Feb 21 | 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; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
| Mar 2 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Mar 5 | Executive session in committee. | |
| WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6046-S
by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Poulsen, Kline, Oemig, Kohl-Welles, Tom, Murray, Marr, and Jacobsen)
Allowing utilities to mitigate the environmental impacts of their operations.
Finds and declares that offset contracts and other greenhouse gases mitigation efforts are a recognized utility purpose that confers a direct benefit on the utility's ratepayers. The legislature declares that sections 2 and 3 of this act are intended to reverse the result of Okeson v. City of Seattle, No. 77888-4 (January 18, 2007), by expressly granting municipal utilities and public utility districts the statutory authority to engage in mitigation activities to offset their utility's impact on the environment.
| Feb 23 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | WET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6055-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Hewitt, Shin, Stevens, Schoesler, Rasmussen, Sheldon, Roach, and Holmquist)
Extending the expiration date for the tax deduction for certain businesses impacted by the ban on American beef products.
Extends the expiration date for the tax deduction for certain businesses impacted by the ban on American beef products to December 31, 2012.
| Feb 22 | Public hearing in committee. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in committee. | |
| Feb 28 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6069-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Hatfield, and Rasmussen)
Establishing advisory rates for log haulers.
Declares it is in the public interest to ensure a reasonable rate of compensation for log hauling services. This act is enacted to create a process whereby forest landowners may refer to utilities and transportation advisory rates when determining compensation for log haulers.Authorizes the commission in conjunction with the Northwest log truckers cooperative to establish fair, just, and reasonable advisory rates of compensation for log hauling services in each labor market area. Advisory rates may be established as often as the commission deems it necessary and proper.
| Feb 22 | 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. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6099-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Murray)
Hiring a mediator to help the department of transportation develop a state route number 520 expansion impact plan.
Requires that, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this act, the department shall hire a mediator, and appropriate planning staff, including urban, transportation, and neighborhood planners, to assist the department in developing a state route number 520 expansion impact plan for addressing the impacts of the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV project on Seattle neighborhoods, parks, and institutions of higher education, and the city of Seattle.Requires the state route number 520 expansion impact plan to be submitted to the commission, which shall oversee the development of the plan. The commission shall approve the plan sixty days before the propositions required under RCW 36.120.070(2) and 81.112.030(10) are submitted to regional voters at the 2007 general election, or before the beginning of the 2008 regular legislative session.
| Feb 21 | 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. | ||
| Mar 6 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 6111-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Poulsen, Jacobsen, and Tom)
Concerning electricity generation from tidal and wave energy.
Finds that tidal and wave energy is a renewable energy resource, and that Washington's coastal areas and estuaries provide an abundance of potential resources for this emerging technology for the generation of electrical power. The legislature further finds that state assistance to this emerging technology is appropriate and should be comparable to assistance provided to other renewable energy technologies, including wind and solar power.Requires the department of ecology to contract with the William D. Ruckelshaus policy consensus center to organize and facilitate a stakeholder review of issues relating to the siting and operation of tidal and wave energy projects. Included within the review should be each state agency with regulatory or proprietary jurisdiction over the projects or sites on which projects are located, federal agencies with such jurisdiction, tribes, project sponsors, utilities purchasing power from or sponsoring such projects, nongovernmental organizations concerned with environmental quality and ocean resources, citizens, and local governments. The review must consider and build on the efforts of the interagency work group that has been examining these issues over the past year.Requires the center with oversight by the department, to provide a report from the stakeholders and agencies, together with any recommendations for administrative or legislative changes, to the governor and appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 31, 2008.
| Feb 22 | 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. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6114-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Roach, Kastama, Benton, Keiser, Morton, Kauffman, Stevens, Clements, Carrell, McCaslin, Marr, Swecker, Shin, Berkey, Pflug, Oemig, Weinstein, Spanel, Honeyford, Regala, Haugen, McAuliffe, Prentice, Fraser, Brown, Murray, Rockefeller, Eide, Tom, Delvin, Pridemore, Hewitt, Parlette, Kline, Kilmer, and Kohl-Welles)
Expanding the duties of the caring for Washington individuals with autism task force.
Expands the duties of the caring for Washington individuals with autism task force.
| Feb 26 | 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 6146
by Senators Carrell, Rasmussen, Roach, Hobbs, Zarelli, Stevens, Kilmer, Kastama, and Benton
Requiring monuments to be placed near military bases.
Declares an intent to honor the contribution of the military by the establishment of appropriate monuments located on state property near each military base in the state.
| Mar 6 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SCR 8407
by Senators Kohl-Welles, Clements, Keiser, and Parlette
Addressing liquor laws.
Resolves, that a joint select committee on the state liquor laws be established to review liquor licensing and tied house laws to determine whether they should be continued in their present form or reformulated to decrease the number of bills introduced in the legislature each year.Resolves, that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the legislature at the regular session held in 2008.
| Mar 6 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce, Research & Development. | |
| Mar 9 | Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change) | |