 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 39 | ||
| SIXTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE | ||
| Friday, March 6, 2009 | 54th Day - 2009 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=2009.
HB 1009-S2
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Chase, Liias, Anderson, Orcutt, Seaquist, Hudgins, and Moeller)
Extending the expiration dates for existing sales and use tax exemptions related to certain electricity generation.
Extends the expiration date for the sales and use tax exemption for eligible renewable energy and fuel cell machinery and equipment.Specifies that the sales and use tax exemption is available to a qualifying utility under the energy independence act, or to a person contracting with a qualifying utility for the sale of electric power generated by eligible renewable energy and fuel cell machinery and equipment.Limits the sales and use tax exemption for eligible renewable energy and fuel cell machinery and equipment to twenty-five percent of the state sales and use tax.
| Feb 9 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 18 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 1208-S2
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Takko and Alexander)
Concerning property tax administration.
Authorizes a county treasurer to: (1) Begin collection of certain taxes and assessments once the treasurer completes the yearly tax roll; and(2) Use a verification of payment rather than a stamp to show evidence of payment of the real estate excise tax.Makes payment dates for diking, drainage, and sewerage improvement district assessments the same as for property taxes.Changes the requirement when property tax refund claims must be made.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 11 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1227
by Representatives Springer, Warnick, Johnson, Liias, McCune, Ormsby, and Morrell
Concerning recreational vehicles used as primary residences in manufactured/mobile home communities.
Prohibits, under certain circumstances, local governments from adopting an ordinance that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of preventing the entry or requiring the removal of a recreational vehicle used as a primary residence in manufactured/mobile home communities.
| Jan 15 | First reading, referred to Local Government & Housing. | |
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 4 | LGH - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| LGH - Majority; do pass. | ||
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government & Housing at 8:00 AM. | ||
| Feb 10 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 19 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 4 | Floor amendment(s) adopted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 88; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 2. | ||
HB 1252-S2
by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Smith, Bailey, Seaquist, Haler, Kristiansen, Kelley, and Herrera; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development)
Concerning the community economic revitalization board's project selection criteria.
Modifies wage criteria used by the community economic revitalization board in determining project selection.
| Jan 22 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | CB - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1290-S2
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Maxwell, Rodne, Kenney, Green, Clibborn, Liias, Anderson, and Hunter)
Concerning local tourism promotion areas.
Revises the definition of "legislative authority" in chapter 35.101 RCW (tourism promotion areas).Requires a legislative authority consisting of a county with a population of one million or more or a city or town within the county to contract, before the effective date of an ordinance imposing a lodging charge under RCW 35.101.050, for the administration and collection of the charge by the department of revenue.Authorizes the department of revenue to deduct a percentage amount, as provided by contract, for the administration and collection expenses incurred by the department.
| Jan 29 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 4 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 1:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 1355-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Probst, Quall, Kessler, Sullivan, Wallace, Maxwell, Rolfes, Springer, Green, Jacks, Carlyle, Kenney, Ormsby, Seaquist, Liias, Sells, Priest, Dammeier, Hunt, Hudgins, Morrell, Van De Wege, Moeller, Chase, Conway, Goodman, Driscoll, Simpson, Santos, and Kelley)
Establishing the opportunity internship program for high school students.
Creates the opportunity internship program to provide incentives for opportunity internship consortia to use existing resources to build educational and employment pipelines to high-demand occupations in targeted industries for low-income high school students.Requires the higher education coordinating board to work with institutions of higher education to assure that the institutions are aware of the eligibility of opportunity internship graduates for an award under chapter 28B.92 RCW (state student financial aid program).Requires the workforce training and education coordinating board to: (1) In consultation with the Washington state apprenticeship and training council, select those consortia that demonstrate the strongest commitment and readiness to implement a high quality opportunity internship program for low-income high school students;(2) Place a priority on consortia with demonstrated experience working with similar populations of students and demonstrated capacity to assist a large number of students through the progression of internship or preapprenticeship, high school graduation, postsecondary education, and retention in a high-demand occupation;(3) Place a priority on programs that emphasize secondary career and technical education and nonbaccalaureate postsecondary education;(4) Enter into a contract with each consortium selected to participate in the program;(5) Seek federal funds that may be used to support the opportunity internship program; and(6) Conduct an outcome evaluation of opportunity internship programs.
| Jan 28 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 6 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:00 PM. | |
| Feb 27 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1481-S2
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Eddy, Crouse, McCoy, Haler, Carlyle, Armstrong, Hunt, White, Dunshee, Priest, Appleton, Orwall, Rolfes, Hudgins, Hinkle, Upthegrove, Clibborn, Morrell, Ormsby, Kenney, Maxwell, Dickerson, and Pedersen)
Regarding electric vehicles.
Encourages the transition to electric vehicle use and expedites the establishment of a convenient, cost-effective, electric vehicle infrastructure that such a transition necessitates.Requires all state agencies, to the extent determined practicable by the department of community, trade, and economic development, to achieve forty percent fuel usage for operating publicly owned vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuel by June 1, 2013.Requires the state by December 31, 2015, to the extent practicable, to: (1) Install electrical outlets capable of charging electric vehicles in each of the state's fleet parking and maintenance facilities;(2) Install electrical outlets capable of charging electric vehicles in each state-operated highway rest stop; and(3) Provide the opportunity to lease space for the limited purpose of installing and operating a battery exchange station or a battery charging station in appropriate state-owned highway rest stops.Provides that electric vehicle infrastructure is a permitted use in all zones other than residential zones by July 1, 2010.Authorizes local governments to adopt incentive programs to encourage the retrofitting of existing structures with the electrical outlets capable of charging electric vehicles.Provides tax incentives for electric vehicle infrastructure.
| Jan 29 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 16 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 1:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 1560-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Wood, and Simpson)
Regarding collective bargaining at institutions of higher education.
Modifies collective bargaining provisions for employees of institutions of higher education.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Commerce & Labor at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 18 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Commerce & Labor at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 25 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Commerce & Labor at 8:00 AM. | |
| Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 9:00 AM. | ||
| Mar 2 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 1618-S2
by House Committee on General Government Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives White, Nelson, Hudgins, Kenney, Sullivan, Carlyle, Hasegawa, Santos, Green, Miloscia, Orwall, Pedersen, Cody, Dickerson, Liias, Kelley, Pettigrew, Goodman, Simpson, Morrell, and Ormsby)
Concerning community and surplus schools.
Creates the community schools program in the department of community, trade, and economic development to: (1) Provide capital grant funds for the development of community schools and convert empty school buildings into community facilities;(2) Improve the coordination, availability, and effectiveness of services for children and families;(3) Help children come to school ready to learn every day;(4) Enable families to participate in the education of their children; and(5) Enable more efficient use of federal, state, local, and private sector resources that serve children and families.Requires the superintendent of public instruction, in conducting studies and surveys for securing information on applications by school districts for state assistance in providing school plant facilities, to include in the studies and surveys an inventory of school district facilities jointly used, or that could potentially be used for other community purposes, including detail on cooperative partnerships.
| Feb 3 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 26 | APPG - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
HB 1698-S2
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins and McCoy)
Regarding broadband adoption and deployment.
Declares that it is essential the legislature create a broadband programs management structure to ensure development and implementation of statewide broadband strategies, with the ultimate goal of making high-speed internet service more readily available throughout the state, especially in areas with an uptake rate for high-speed internet below the state median.Authorizes the department of information services to: (1) Continue the work of the high-speed internet strategy work group convened in 2008 by continuing to consult with representatives of telecommunications providers, technology companies, telecommunications unions, health care providers, community technology organizations, higher education, K-12 educators, and other relevant entities to implement high-speed internet deployment and adoption strategies; and(2) Apply for and receive federal funding for the purposes of creating or supporting broadband adoption and deployment opportunities consistent with section 2 of the act.Provides that the act is null and void if federal funding is not received for the purposes of the act by July 1, 2009.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 1701-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, McCoy, and Hasegawa)
Authorizing the department of information services to engage in high-speed internet activities.
Designates the department of information services as an entity for purposes of the broadband data improvement act, P.L. 110-385.Requires the department of information services, subject to the availability of federal or state funding appropriated for this specific purpose, to implement a high-speed internet deployment and adoption strategy on behalf of the state beginning in areas with an uptake rate for high-speed internet below the state median.Authorizes the department of information services to: (1) Solicit and receive gifts, grants, and bequests for high-speed internet deployment and adoption efforts;(2) Receive federal funds made available for broadband or high-speed internet purposes according to the provisions of the acts of congress making the funds available;(3) Accept aggregated data from providers of telecommunications or high-speed internet infrastructure for the purposes of creating a geographic information system map of the current state of high-speed internet infrastructure and service availability and adoption;(4) Create an interactive web site to allow residents to self-report whether high-speed internet is available at their home or residence and at what speed; and(5) Conduct a detailed survey of all high-speed internet infrastructure owned or leased by state agencies and use this information to create a geographic information system map.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 1727-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Pedersen, Walsh, Moeller, Johnson, Carlyle, Quall, Sullivan, Maxwell, Roberts, Chase, Upthegrove, White, Conway, Nelson, Cody, Hudgins, Morris, Eddy, Liias, Kagi, Ormsby, Rolfes, Clibborn, Dunshee, Pettigrew, Springer, Hunter, Williams, Blake, Darneille, Goodman, Dickerson, Hasegawa, Linville, Kenney, Appleton, Van De Wege, Kessler, Santos, Sells, O'Brien, Ericks, Wallace, McCoy, Kirby, Haigh, Takko, Hurst, Seaquist, Wood, Flannigan, Orwall, Jacks, Finn, Hunt, Simpson, and Driscoll)
Expanding the rights and responsibilities of state registered domestic partners.
Declares that for all purposes under state law, state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses. Any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or responsibility granted or imposed by statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law or any other law to an individual because the individual is or was a spouse, or because the individual is or was an in-law in a specified way to another individual, is granted on equivalent terms, substantive and procedural, to an individual because the individual is or was in a state registered domestic partnership or because the individual is or was, based on a state registered domestic partnership, related in a specified way to another individual.Provides that the act shall be liberally construed to achieve equal treatment, to the extent not in conflict with federal law, of state registered domestic partners and married spouses.
| Feb 5 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Judiciary at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 12 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Judiciary at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 1:00 PM. | |
| Feb 27 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1747-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Chase, Upthegrove, Hasegawa, Eddy, Liias, Ormsby, Pedersen, Dunshee, McCoy, Morris, Carlyle, Dickerson, Hudgins, Moeller, Sells, Kenney, White, and Nelson)
Reducing climate pollution in the built environment.
Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to develop and implement a strategic plan for enhancing energy efficiency in and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from homes, building, districts, and neighborhoods.Directs the department of community, trade, and economic development and the state building code council to convene a work group to inform the initial development of the strategic plan.Requires the state energy code to accelerate construction of increasingly energy efficient homes and buildings that help achieve the broader goal of building zero fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emission homes and buildings by the year 2031.Requires the state building code council to adopt state energy codes from 2013 through 2031 that incrementally move towards achieving seventy percent reduction in annual net energy consumption.Requires qualifying utilities to: (1) Maintain records of the energy consumption data of all nonresidential and qualifying public agency buildings to which they provide service;(2) Create an energy benchmark for each reporting public facility using a portfolio manager; (3) Report to the department of general administration, the environmental protection agency national energy performance rating for each reporting public facility included in the technical requirements for this rating; and(4) Link all portfolio manager accounts to the state portfolio manager master account to facilitate public reporting.Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to recommend to the legislature a methodology to determine an energy performance score for residential buildings and an implementation strategy to use such information to improve the energy efficiency of the state's existing housing supply. Requires the department of general administration to:(1) Establish a state portfolio manager master account;(2) Select a standardized portfolio manager report for reporting public facilities;(3) Make the standard report of each reporting public facility available to the public through the portfolio manager web site;(4) Develop a technical assistance program to facilitate the implementation of a preliminary audit and the investment grade energy audit and design the program to utilize audit services provided by utilities or energy services contracting companies when possible; and(5) Conduct a review of facilities not covered by the national energy performance rating, and based on this review, develop a portfolio of additional facilities that require preliminary energy audits.
| Feb 2 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 1819-S2
by House Committee on General Government Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Upthegrove, Dunshee, Dickerson, McCoy, Rolfes, Eddy, Hunt, White, Appleton, Carlyle, Darneille, Kagi, Pedersen, Conway, Sells, Nelson, Chase, Ormsby, Kenney, and Williams; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Requires the forecasting office of the office of financial management, in consultation with members of the governor's council of economic advisors, to initiate an independent economic analysis of the impact to Washington consumers, businesses, and citizens if Washington entered into a regional or federal cap-and-trade program.Requires the department of ecology, in consultation with the forest practices board, the department of natural resources, and the forest carbon working group to: (1) Develop and deliver to the legislature by December 31, 2010, legislation to implement a financial incentives program for forestry and forest products that will recognize certain activities; and(2) Develop recommendations for the state's policy for forestry offset projects within Washington.Requires the department of ecology, in consultation with Washington State University and the department of agriculture to reestablish the agriculture carbon working group to develop recommendations for agricultural offset projects within Washington.Requires the department of ecology to consult with tribal governments upon request on any elements of a cap-and-trade program that may impact tribal governments, such as their voluntary development of offset projects.
| Feb 3 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Ecology & Parks at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 17 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Ecology & Parks at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 26 | APPG - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1824
by Representatives Rodne, Quall, Anderson, Liias, Walsh, Pettigrew, Priest, Simpson, Kessler, Rolfes, Johnson, Sullivan, and Morrell
Requiring the adoption of policies for the management of concussion and head injury in youth sports.
Directs each school district's board of directors to work in concert with the Washington interscholastic activities association to develop guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and their parents and/or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury.
| Jan 30 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
| Feb 13 | ED - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| ED - Majority; do pass. | ||
| Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Education at 8:00 AM. | ||
| Feb 17 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 19 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 4 | Floor amendment(s) adopted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3. | ||
| Mar 5 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
HB 1961-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Roberts, Haler, Pettigrew, Kagi, Carlyle, Pedersen, and Wood)
Implementing the federal fostering connections to success and increasing adoptions act of 2008.
Authorizes a youth who remains eligible for placement services or benefits pursuant to department of social and health services' rules to continue to receive placement services and benefits until the youth reaches his or her twenty-first birthday.Authorizes the department of social and health services to provide adoption support benefits or subsidized relative guardianship benefits on behalf of youth ages eighteen to twenty-one years, who achieved permanency through adoption or a subsidized relative guardianship at age sixteen or older, and who are: (1) Enrolled and participating in a postsecondary or vocational educational program;(2) Participating in a program or activity designed to promote or remove barriers to employment;(3) Engaged in employment for eighty hours or more per month; or(4) Incapable of engaging in any of the activities described in (1) through (3) above due to a medical condition that is supported by regularly updated information.Directs the department of social and health services to conduct routine and cost-efficient outreach regarding the relative guardianship program through the kinship care oversight committee, the area administrations on aging, and appropriate community partners.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 20 | Executive session in the House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 27 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Mar 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1978-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Clibborn, Liias, and White; by request of Office of Financial Management)
Concerning economic stimulus transportation funding and appropriations.
Finds that: (1) President Barack Obama and the 111th Congress have enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in an effort to stimulate the American economy, create and save jobs, and speed recovery from one of the deepest economic recessions in recent history. The act includes 492 million dollars in federal transportation funding for Washington state and local highway projects and 179 million dollars for local transit agency improvement projects;(2) The act includes over 11 billion dollars in new funding for competitive national grant programs for highways of regional significance, ferries, and rail priorities;(3) Washington state is well positioned to deliver infrastructure projects in one hundred twenty days, as is required for at least half of the state's share of federal stimulus highway funds, and expects to receive additional funds that other states are unable to use in this time frame; and(4) The state's work to date on projects funded through the "nickel" and "transportation partnership" funding acts means that many regionally significant projects are poised to compete well for nationally available funds.Declares an intent to revitalize Washington's economy and reduce the state's unemployment rate by quickly putting people to work around the state on projects that promote safety, relieve traffic congestion, and preserve long-term investments that will provide benefits into the future. Such projects will be constructed quickly and will generate a significant number of jobs, thereby strengthening Washington's economy and its families seeking work.
| Feb 24 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 27 | Executive session in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Placed on second reading. | ||
| Mar 4 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Floor amendment(s) adopted. | ||
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 67; nays, 28; absent, 0; excused, 2. | ||
| Read first time, rules suspended, and placed on second reading calendar. | ||
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 0. | ||
| Speaker signed. | ||
| President signed. | ||
| Delivered to Governor. | ||
| Mar 5 | Governor signed. | |
HB 1985-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Moeller and Pedersen)
Concerning public health financing.
Declares an intent to help provide local health jurisdictions with a more stable dedicated funding system.Declares that local health jurisdictions receiving state funds be held accountable for the use of those funds based on the minimum standards of public health protection in the state's public health improvement plan.Requires every local health jurisdiction in the state to: (1) Substantially comply with the minimum standards for public health protection established under RCW 43.70.520 as a precondition to receiving certain state funding; and(2) Submit a report to the department of health indicating whether the jurisdiction is in compliance with each of the minimum standards for public health protection.Requires the secretary of the department of health to: (1) Establish a review process for determining whether a local health jurisdiction is in substantial compliance with the minimum standards for public health protection; and(2) Notify the local health jurisdiction in writing if the secretary finds that the local health jurisdiction is not in substantial compliance with the minimum standards for public health protection.Authorizes the secretary of the department of health to exempt a local health jurisdiction from the review process if the jurisdiction is accredited by an organization whose accreditation standards meet or exceed the minimum standards for public health protection.
| Feb 10 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 20 | Executive session in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 2044
by Representatives Seaquist, Smith, Angel, Nelson, Morris, Finn, Appleton, Roberts, Rolfes, Cody, and Carlyle
Requiring Washington state ferries to create a comprehensive incident and accident investigation policy. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Directing the Washington state ferries to propose a comprehensive incident and accident investigation policy. )
Requires Washington state ferries, as a priority task, to propose a comprehensive incident and accident investigation policy and appropriate procedures and to provide the proposal to the legislature by November 1, 2009, using existing resources and staff expertise.Encourages the Washington state ferries, in addition to consulting with ferry system unions and the United States coast guard, to solicit independent outside expertise on incident and accident investigation best practices as they may be found in other organizations with a similar concern for marine safety.
| Feb 6 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | TR - Executive action taken by committee. | |
| TR - Majority; do pass. | ||
| Executive action taken in the House Committee on Transportation at 3:30 PM. | ||
| Feb 20 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
| Feb 24 | Executive session in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 26 | Placed on second reading suspension calendar. | |
| Feb 27 | Placed on second reading. | |
| Mar 4 | Floor amendment(s) adopted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. | ||
HB 2106-S2
by House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Roberts, Kenney, and Morrell)
Improving child welfare outcomes through the phased implementation of strategic and proven reforms.
Requires the children's administration within the department of social and health services to collaborate with community partners and stakeholders in two demonstration regions to jointly develop a plan for implementation of a core set of performance-based contracts to provide an array of evidence-based and promising prevention and intervention services for families who are at risk for an out-of-home placement or have a child in out-of-home care, and for children who are awaiting adoption.Requires the caseload forecast council, the department of social and health services, and the office of financial management to develop a proposal for submission to the legislature for the reinvestment of savings from reduced foster care caseloads in the demonstration regions into evidence-based prevention and intervention programs designed to prevent the need for or reduce the duration of foster care placements in the demonstration regions.
| Feb 17 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WAYS - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
HB 2130-S2
by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Probst, Jacks, Morris, Morrell, Kenney, Conway, and Ormsby)
Concerning tax incentives for renewable energy manufacturing facilities.
Allows a fifty percent business and occupation tax credit for each dollar of capital invested in renewable energy manufacturing expenditures, up to a maximum of fifteen million dollars of credit per person per year.
| Feb 18 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology and Energy & Communications at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5045-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Zarelli, Brown, Kauffman, Shin, Marr, King, Regala, Rockefeller, Haugen, Berkey, Eide, Kastama, Jarrett, Pridemore, McAuliffe, and Ranker)
Regarding community revitalization financing.
Expands the community revitalization program to allow local governments to finance public improvements.Limits the annual aggregate amount of new local sales and use taxes that may be credited against the state tax.
| Jan 14 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 20 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 4 | 2nd substitute bill substituted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. | ||
SB 5138-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Ranker, Jacobsen, Shin, Kohl-Welles, Kline, and Pridemore)
Creating an integrated climate change response strategy.
Recognizes that climate change poses a significant threat to Washington's economy, the health and welfare of its population, and its natural resources. Washington's water supply and natural resources are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes and shifts in precipitation patterns and could suffer devastating consequences if adaptive measures are not taken.Declares it is in the public interest for the state to address the effects of climate change and to be able to plan for future climate change impacts.Creates an integrated climate change response strategy with prioritized and coordinated climate change preparation and adaptation actions that state and local agencies, public and private businesses, tribes, and individuals can use to plan and prepare for the impacts of climate change through a collaborative process of on-going research, analysis, collection, and distribution of data and information.Requires the departments of ecology, fish and wildlife, natural resources, and transportation to develop an integrated climate change response strategy to better enable state and local agencies, public and private businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to prepare for, address, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.Directs the science advisory group to provide independent, nonrepresentational scientific advice to the department of ecology.Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 13 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 20 | Executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5176-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Kastama, McAuliffe, Rockefeller, Jarrett, Pridemore, Hobbs, Delvin, Keiser, Hatfield, Kilmer, Jacobsen, and Roach)
Creating a bi-state partnership for teachers of children with visual impairments.
Finds that: (1) Washington needs to provide additional resources for the preparation of teachers for children with blindness and visual impairments;(2) Portland State University has a nationally recognized program for teachers of children with visual impairments; and(3) A collaborative partnership between Portland State University and Washington State University-Vancouver would help address the critical need for teachers of the blind and visually impaired in Washington.Directs Washington State University, to the extent that state funds are appropriated or that private or federal funds are available for this specific purpose, to establish the position of vision impairments/orientation and mobility coordinator to be housed at Washington State University-Vancouver.Authorizes Washington State University to solicit, accept, receive, and administer federal funds or private funds, in trust or otherwise, and contract with foundations or with for-profit or nonprofit organizations to support the purposes of the act.
| Feb 18 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 3:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5255-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Swecker, Regala, Morton, Kilmer, Pridemore, and Shin)
Regarding aquatic lands lease rates for marinas.
Revises the process for determining annual rent rates for the lease of state-owned aquatic lands for marinas.Requires the department of natural resources, in cooperation with relevant state agencies, local governments, and marinas, to develop a plan to enhance the number of operating vessel sewage pumpout stations available for public use on state-owned aquatic lands.Provides that sections 1 through 3 of the act apply to all annual rents for marinas determined initially or redetermined on or after January 1, 2010.
| Jan 28 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5263-S
by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Brandland, and Tom)
Prohibiting devices in schools that are designed to administer to a person or an animal an electric shock, charge, or impulse.
Prohibits a person from carrying onto, or possessing on, public or private elementary or secondary school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of facilities while being used exclusively by public or private schools: (1) Any portable device manufactured to function as a weapon and which is commonly known as a stun gun, including a projectile stun gun which projects wired probes that are attached to the device that emit an electrical charge designed to administer to a person or an animal an electric shock, charge, or impulse; or(2) Any device, object, or instrument that is used or intended to be used as a weapon with the intent to injure a person by an electric shock, charge, or impulse.Makes an exception to the prohibition if the device is possessed and used solely for the purpose approved by a school for use in a school-authorized event, lecture, or activity conducted on the school premises.
| Jan 27 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 6 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 10 | JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 17 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
| Feb 24 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 4 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Floor amendment(s) adopted. | ||
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 1; excused, 0. | ||
SB 5346-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Franklin, Marr, Parlette, Murray, and Kohl-Welles)
Concerning administrative procedures for payors and providers of health care services.
Finds that: (1) The health care system in the nation and in Washington state costs nearly twice as much per capita as other industrialized nations; and(2) The fragmentation and variation in administrative processes prevalent in our health care system contribute to the high cost of health care, putting it increasingly beyond the reach of small businesses and individuals in Washington.Declares an intent to: (1) Establish streamlined and uniform procedures for payors and providers of health care services in the state; and(2) Foster a continuous quality improvement cycle to simplify health care administration. Directs the department of social and health services, the health care authority, and, to the extent permissible under Title 51 RCW, the department of labor and industries to cooperate with the insurance commissioner and, within funds appropriated specifically for this purpose, adopt the processes, guidelines, and standards to streamline health care administration pursuant to the act.Directs the insurance commissioner to designate one or more lead organizations to coordinate development of processes, guidelines, and standards to streamline health care administration and to be adopted by payors and providers of health care services operating in the state.Requires the secretary of the department of health or the secretary's designee to participate in the work groups and, within funds appropriated specifically for this purpose, implement the standards to enable the department of health to transmit data to and receive data from the uniform process pursuant to sections 5 and 6 of the act.
| Jan 26 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 26 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 4 | 2nd substitute bill substituted. | |
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. | ||
SB 5414-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, King, Oemig, and McDermott)
Regarding statewide assessments and curricula.
Finds that: (1) A statewide student assessment system should improve and inform classroom instruction, support accountability, and provide useful information to all levels of the educational system;(2) To sustain a strong and viable assessment system, preservice and ongoing training should be provided for teachers and administrators on the effective use of different types of assessments; and(3) As the statewide data system is developed, data should be collected for all state-required statewide assessments to be used for accountability and to monitor overall student achievement.Declares an intent to redesign the current statewide system, in accordance with the recommendations of the Washington assessment of student learning legislative work group.Requires the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the state board of education, to begin design and development of an overall assessment system that meets the principles and characteristics described in section 1 of the act.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to: (1) In consultation with the state board of education and the professional educator standards board, develop an implementation plan and strategies to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn the new science standards; and(2) In consultation with the state board of education, determine whether to use a comprehensive assessment or end-of-course assessments, including the costs for developing and implementing these assessments, for the high school assessment for students to demonstrate that they have achieved proficiency on the state's science standards.
| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 9 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 11 | EDU - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 17 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
| Feb 24 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 4 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Floor amendment(s) adopted. | ||
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1. | ||
SB 5484-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Marr, Roach, Keiser, Tom, Hobbs, Kline, Oemig, Franklin, Shin, Kilmer, and Kauffman)
Concerning developmental screening.
Requires the department of social and health services to: (1) Select developmental screening tools consistent with nationally accepted pediatric guidelines and, within funds specifically appropriated for this purpose, reimburse family physicians and pediatricians, in addition to psychologists, using the tools to conduct developmental screenings of children; and(2) Recommend a schedule for administering these developmental screens consistent with nationally accepted pediatric guidelines.Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5491-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Brandland, Zarelli, and Becker)
Requiring school districts or educational service districts to purchase employee health insurance coverage through the state health care authority.
Requires the health care authority, in coordination with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, to convene a work group to develop a strategy to reduce the cost of providing health benefits for K-12 employees.
| Jan 26 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 11 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | ||
| Mar 4 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 5560-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Ranker, Swecker, Brown, Hargrove, Pridemore, Marr, Kilmer, Rockefeller, Kauffman, Haugen, Eide, Hobbs, Kohl-Welles, Jarrett, Fraser, Jacobsen, and Murray)
Regarding state agency climate leadership.
Requires all state agencies to: (1) Meet the statewide greenhouse gas emission limits established in RCW 70.235.020;(2) Report estimates of emissions for 2005 to the department of ecology, including 2009 levels of emissions, and projected emissions through 2035;(3) Estimate emissions from methodologies recommended by the department of ecology based on actual operation of those agencies;(4) Report to the department of ecology the actions taken to meet the emission reduction targets under the strategy for the preceding fiscal biennium; and(5) Cooperate in providing information to the departments of ecology, general administration, and community, trade, and economic development.Requires the department of ecology to develop an emissions calculator to assist state agencies in estimating aggregate emissions as well as in estimating the relative emissions from different ways in carrying out activities.Requires the department of general administration to phase in fuel economy standards for motor pools in direct control of the department or under the supervision of another state agency.Requires the director of the office of financial management, in consultation with the departments of general administration and transportation, to develop policies to direct state agencies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions from all classes of vehicles.Requires the director of the department of general administration to develop a schedule for conducting and completing state agency energy audits and develop procedures to ensure that consistent methods for energy benchmarks are used when conducting those audits.Provides that the act shall be in effect only to the extent that funds are specifically appropriated for the purposes of the act.
| Jan 29 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 11 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 3:30 PM. | |
| Feb 20 | Executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5624-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, Keiser, Berkey, Kline, and Kohl-Welles)
Restricting the use of mechanical restraints and chemical sprays for discipline in public schools.
Limits the use of physical force, mechanical restraints, and chemical sprays for discipline in public schools.Requires each school district to: (1) Establish a written policy regarding the use of physical force, mechanical restraints, and chemical sprays on students by school employees; and(2) Report annually to the office of the superintendent of public instruction the total number of instances when physical force, mechanical restraint, or chemical spray was used.
| Feb 16 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 19 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5649-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Hobbs, Pridemore, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Fraser, Sheldon, Shin, McAuliffe, Kline, and Oemig)
Regarding energy efficiency in buildings.
Declares that it is the intent of the legislature that financial and technical assistance programs be expanded to direct municipal, state, and federal funds, as well as electric and natural gas utility funding, toward greater achievement of energy efficiency improvements. To this end, the legislature establishes a policy goal of assisting in weatherizing twenty thousand homes and businesses in the state in each of the next five years. The legislature also intends to attain this goal in part through supporting programs that rely on community organizations and that there be maximum family-wage job creation in fields related to energy efficiency.Creates the energy efficiency assistance program within the extension energy program of Washington State University.Promotes involvement of financial institutions and state-chartered bond authorities in financing energy efficiency projects.Addresses farm energy assessments, grants and grant applications, disbursement of funds from the low-income weatherization assistance account, federal funding for weatherization projects, weatherizing dwelling units occupied by low-income households, training programs for energy efficiency jobs, and unemployed workers enrolled in community and technical colleges.Creates the energy efficiency assistance account.
| Jan 30 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 5676-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Rockefeller, Jarrett, Fairley, Hobbs, Schoesler, and Shin; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction)
Providing for career and technical education opportunities for middle school students.
Provides that a middle school that receives approval from the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide a career and technical program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics directly to students shall receive funding at the same rate as a high school operating a similar program. Additionally, a middle school that provides a hands- on experience in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with an integrated curriculum of academic content and career and technical education, and includes a career and technical education exploratory component shall also qualify for the career and technical education funding.Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 12 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 18 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 6:00 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | ||
SB 5687-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Marr, Pridemore, McDermott, Regala, Franklin, Kohl-Welles, Murray, Fairley, Jacobsen, Kauffman, McAuliffe, and Kline)
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through land use and transportation requirements.
Requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through modification of environmental goals under the growth management act.Changes the housing and transportation elements of the act to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment.Mandates transit-oriented development opportunities.Revises regional transportation planning requirements.Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 19 | Public hearing and executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections at 3:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5691-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Brandland, Jacobsen, Shin, and Parlette)
Improving boating programs.
Declares an intent to: (1) Begin the process of improving the recreational boating programs of the state of Washington by: (a) quantifying the various individual program needs; (b) reviewing boating revenues and expenditures; (c) developing program standards and expectations; and (d) providing options for increasing administrative efficiencies;(2) Increase opportunities for and enjoyment of recreational boating;(3) Reduce boating fatalities and injuries; and(4) Increase the general safety of Washington's waterways.Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Feb 9 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 18 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Ocean & Recreation at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 24 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | ||
| Mar 3 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 5735-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Hargrove, Jacobsen, Ranker, Fraser, Keiser, Jarrett, Franklin, Shin, Kohl-Welles, Regala, McAuliffe, and Kline; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Requires the state to adhere to certain policies when presenting its position on any regional or national emissions reduction program that relies on a multisector, market-based approach to regulating greenhouse gas emissions.Requires the department of ecology to: (1) Design voluntary annual statewide emissions targets beginning with calendar year 2009;(2) Design a voluntary Washington emissions reduction registry, whose sole purpose is to assist persons in achieving recognition for emissions reductions;(3) Establish criteria for recognizing voluntary offset credits for offset projects that may be used to report equivalent emissions reductions under section 4 of the act or that may be projects sponsored in this state that may be offered in emerging carbon markets where state recognition will enhance the market value of the projects;(4) Present the state's policy on forestry offset projects established under section 7 of the act as the state's position when developing the criteria for forestry offset projects within any other regional or national emissions reduction program;(5) In consultation with the forest practices board, the department of natural resources, and the forest carbon working group, develop the state's policy for forestry offset projects within Washington; and(6) In consultation with Washington State University and the department of agriculture, reestablish the agriculture carbon working group to develop recommendations for agricultural offset projects within Washington.Authorizes the director of the department of ecology to monitor and discuss with representatives of other jurisdictions within the western climate initiative the formation of an organization, including a nonprofit corporation to carry out certain administrative functions.Creates the voluntary climate emissions reduction incentives account.Provides that the act shall be in effect only to the extent that funds are specifically appropriated for the purposes of the act.
| Feb 3 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 10 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 10:00 AM. | |
| Feb 20 | Executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment and Water & Energy at 8:00 AM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5791-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Franklin, Keiser, Fraser, Jarrett, Kohl-Welles, Shin, and McDermott)
Creating the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program.
Creates the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program.Finds that: (1) Small and medium sized businesses find it difficult to offer retirement plans because of the complexity and costs;(2) The program provides a simple and cost-effective way for employers to offer an important employee benefit; and(3) The program provides a simple and inexpensive way for workers to save for retirement.Authorizes eligible private employers to provide employees with the opportunity to enroll in the program, including providing for payroll deductions for those employees that enroll in the program.Authorizes employers with employees enrolled in the program to contract with the enrolled employees to defer or contribute a portion of the enrolled employees' compensation, in accordance with the program rules.Establishes the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program principal account and the Washington voluntary retirement accounts program administrative account.
| Feb 25 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing & Insurance at 3:30 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | ||
SB 5809-S2
by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senator Hargrove)
Revising unemployment compensation and workforce training provisions.
Declares that: (1) The purpose of the act is to: (a) reduce the amount paid by employers in the state to the unemployment compensation fund by one-tenth of one percent of taxable wages; and (b) establish a separate fund for workforce training grants for dislocated workers. This fund shall consist of contributions of one-tenth of one percent of taxable wages; and(2) It is the intent of the legislature that the act not result in any net increase in employer tax rates.
| Feb 10 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce & Consumer Protection at 6:00 PM. | |
| Mar 2 | WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. | ||
SB 5901-S
by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation (originally sponsored by Senator Kastama)
Modifying provisions of the local infrastructure financing tool program.
Modifies local infrastructure financing tool program provisions.Expires June 30, 2039.
| Feb 11 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation at 8:00 AM. | |
| Feb 16 | Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation at 1:30 PM. | |
| Feb 17 | EDTI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Mar 3 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
| Mar 4 | 1st substitute bill substituted. | |
| Floor amendment(s) adopted. | ||
| Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. | ||
| Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. | ||
SB 6117
by Senators Brown and McAuliffe
Relating to aerospace competitiveness.
Introduced by title and introductory section only.
| Mar 5 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6118
by Senator Tom
Concerning lodging taxes for, and certain transfers from, the state convention and trade center account.
Imposes a city lodging tax to be credited to the state convention and trade center account.Authorizes certain transfers from the state convention and trade center account.
| Mar 5 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6119
by Senator Tom
Limiting the discount of purchases of spirits by licensees.
Changes the discount on purchases of spirits by licensees from not less than fifteen percent to not more than ten percent.
| Mar 5 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |