WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative Digest No. 23
SIXTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE
Tuesday, February 14, 201237th Day - 2012 Regular Session
SENATE
SB 5556-SSB 5575-SSB 5978-SSB 6009-SSB 6155SB 6217SB 6260-S
SB 6284-S2SB 6356-SSB 6383-SSB 6392-SSB 6595
HOUSE
HB 2457HB 2592-SHB 2692-SHB 2747-SHB 2782HB 2783

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=2012.
House Bills
HB 2457

by Representatives Kirby and Bailey


Addressing specialty producer licenses.


(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/10/12)


Revises specialty producer license provisions relating to: (1) Application for a license;

(2) Scope of license; and

(3) Training programs for employees who sell portable electronics insurance.

Removes the definition for "communications equipment" and adds a definition for "portable electronics."
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 16First reading, referred to Business & Financial Services.
Jan 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Business & Financial Services at 1:30 PM.
Jan 31BFS - Executive action taken by committee.
BFS - Majority; do pass.
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Business & Financial Services at 1:30 PM.
Feb 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Feb 10Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Feb 13First reading, referred to Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance.

HB 2592-S

by House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Roberts, Haler, Carlyle, Hinkle, Reykdal, Pettigrew, Walsh, Wylie, Kagi, Darneille, Kelley, Kenney, and Tharinger)


Concerning extended foster care services.


(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/10/12)


Requires the department of social and health services to continue to operate the state-funded foster care to twenty-one program for three years after the effective date of the act, at which point the program shall cease to operate.

Allows youth participating in the foster care to twenty-one program to continue to receive placement services until the youth reaches his or her twenty-first birthday or is no longer enrolled in and participating in a postsecondary program, whichever is earlier.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 27Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
Jan 31ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Referred to Ways & Means.
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
Feb 6WAYS - Executive action taken by committee.
WAYS - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Early Learning & Human Services.
Minority; do not pass.
Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 10:00 AM.
Feb 7Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Feb 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Feb 101st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 88; nays, 9; absent, 0; excused, 1.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Feb 13First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections.

HB 2692-S

by House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness (originally sponsored by Representatives Orwall, Asay, Parker, Carlyle, Kelley, Hurst, Ormsby, Kagi, Dickerson, Upthegrove, Goodman, Pettigrew, Maxwell, Dahlquist, Dammeier, Moscoso, Pearson, and Kenney)


Concerning the reduction of the commercial sale of sex.


(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/10/12)


Provides additional punishment for patronizing a prostitute.

Requires certain offenders to fulfill the terms of a program designed to educate them about the negative costs of prostitution.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31PSEP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness at 10:00 AM.
Feb 2Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 101st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Feb 13First reading, referred to Judiciary.

HB 2747-S

by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representative Hansen; by request of Washington State Patrol)


Modifying the use of funds in the fire service training account.


(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Adjusts the functions of the fire service training account to include use of the account for firefighter training for volunteer and career firefighters, school fire prevention activities within the Washington state patrol, and the maintenance, operations, and capital projects of the state fire training academy.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 1CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 8:00 AM.
Feb 3Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Feb 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Feb 111st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 6.

HB 2782

by Representatives Liias, Moeller, Pettigrew, and Dickerson


Establishing volumetric taxes imposed upon liquor sales.


Imposes a volumetric tax on liquor.

Provides a business and occupation tax credit to buyers of spirits in the original package.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 11First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

HB 2783

by Representatives Upthegrove, Short, and McCune


Concerning coal transition power.


Addresses coal transition power.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 13First reading, referred to Environment.
Feb 16Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Environment at 8:00 AM. (Subject to change)
Feb 17Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Environment at 1:30 PM. (Subject to change)

Senate Bills
SB 5556-S

by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Fain, and Keiser)


Concerning certain social card games in an area annexed by a city or town.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/10/12)


Authorizes existing house-banked social card game businesses to continue to operate, even if a city or town does not otherwise allow card rooms, if the city or town annexes an area with an existing card room business that was licensed by the gambling commission before January 1, 2013.
-- 2011 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 17Public hearing, executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor, and Commerce & Consumer Protection at 9:00 AM.
Feb 18LCCP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Feb 21Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 28Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 31st substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 44; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 4.
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Mar 5First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs.
Mar 16Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs at 8:00 AM.
Apr 22By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
-- 2011 1ST SPECIAL SESSION --
-- IN THE SENATE --
Apr 26By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
-- 2011 2ND SPECIAL SESSION --
Nov 28By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Dec 7Senate Rules "X" file.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 9By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Feb 7Moved to Rules White Sheet.
Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Feb 9Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 10Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 3.
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Feb 13First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs.

SB 5575-S

by Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Hatfield, Delvin, Eide, Schoesler, Haugen, Shin, Kilmer, Hobbs, Becker, Honeyford, Conway, and Sheldon)


Recognizing certain biomass energy facilities as an eligible renewable resource.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Promotes the generation of renewable energy from biomass in economically distressed communities.

Includes qualified biomass energy in the definition of "eligible renewable resource," for purposes of the energy independence act.

Authorizes certain qualifying utilities to use qualified biomass energy to meet certain compliance obligations.

Prohibits qualifying utilities from using certain electricity and associated renewable energy credits from a qualified biomass energy facility if the associated industrial pulping or wood manufacturing facility ceases operation other than for purposes of maintenance or upgrade.

Authorizes industrial facilities that host a qualified biomass energy facility to only transfer or sell renewable energy credits associated with its facility to certain qualifying utilities.
-- 2011 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 7Public hearing and executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development at 10:00 AM.
Mar 22Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment at 1:30 PM.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 17Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Water & Rural Economic Development at 1:30 PM.
Jan 23AWRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Water & Rural Economic Development at 10:00 AM.
Jan 24Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 111st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 3.
Feb 17Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Environment at 1:30 PM in anticipation of other legislative action.

SB 5978-S

by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Pflug, Keiser, Frockt, Conway, and Kohl-Welles)


Concerning medicaid fraud.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Establishes the medicaid fraud false claims act.

Enacts a state false claims act in order to provide the state with another tool to combat medicaid fraud.

Creates the medicaid fraud penalty account.
-- 2011 2ND SPECIAL SESSION --
Dec 8Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 10:00 AM.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 9Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 1:30 PM.
Jan 10HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
And refer to Ways & Means.
Minority; without recommendation.
Referred to Ways & Means.
Jan 24Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM.
Jan 26Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM.
Jan 31Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM.
Feb 1WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Health & Long-Term Care.
Minority; do not pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 7Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 111st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 36; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 2.
Feb 15Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Judiciary at 8:00 AM in anticipation of other legislative action.

SB 6009-S

by Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Carrell, Schoesler, Becker, Morton, Fain, Holmquist Newbry, Swecker, Delvin, Hill, and Roach)


Regarding ethics in public service.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Modifies provisions relating to ethics in public service.

Allows agency staff to assist ethics board staff in carrying out investigations of complaints.

Allows the ethics board to request the assistance of the office of the attorney general to conduct or assist with an investigation.

Allows state officers and employees to accept outside employment if they have attended an ethics training approved by the appropriate ethics board within the past twenty-four months.

Requires agencies to designate an ethics advisor or advisors to provide informal ethics advice to state officers and employees and to ensure uniformity in the agency's operations with respect to the ethics in public service law.

Requires state officers and employees to attend ethics training approved by the appropriate ethics board: (1) Within sixty days of taking office or employment; and

(2) Beginning January 1, 2013, in coordination with other agency-provided training, including sexual harassment training, but no less than every three years.

Requires certain state officers and employees to be provided specialized or enhanced ethics training.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 30Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 1:30 PM.
Feb 1GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 7Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Feb 9Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 111st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

SB 6155

by Senators Kilmer, Carrell, Hobbs, Kastama, Regala, Fain, Conway, and Keiser


Concerning the definition of debt adjusters. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning third-party account administrators. )


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Exempts from the definition of "debt adjuster," for purposes of the debt adjusting act, third-party account administrators.

Includes fees charged by financial institutions and third-party account administrators in the total fee for debt adjusting services.

Requires third-party account administrators to be licensed as a money transmitter under the uniform money services act and comply with certain other additional requirements.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 12First reading, referred to Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance.
Jan 18Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing & Insurance at 1:30 PM.
Jan 25Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Housing & Insurance at 1:30 PM.
Jan 26FIHI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 9Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 111st substitute bill not substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.
Feb 16Scheduled for public hearing and executive session in the House Committee on Business & Financial Services at 8:00 AM in anticipation of other legislative action.

SB 6217

by Senators Holmquist Newbry, Pridemore, Schoesler, and Delvin


Regarding irrigation district administration.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Modifies irrigation district provisions relating to: (1) Exemption from publication notices when the value of the property to be sold or leased is less than ten thousand dollars;

(2) Increasing the time to fix a hearing for adding certain land to an irrigation district; and

(3) Requirement of the treasurer to provide a list of properties that may be subject to foreclosure for delinquent assessments to the board of directors before preparing a certificate of delinquency.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 16First reading, referred to Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development.
Jan 24Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Water & Rural Economic Development at 1:30 PM.
Jan 30AWRD - Majority; do pass.
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Water & Rural Economic Development at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 9Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 11Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 44; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 5.

SB 6260-S

by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Delvin, Kohl-Welles, Regala, Roach, Conway, Carrell, Shin, Eide, Ericksen, Litzow, Chase, and Stevens)


Revising registration requirements and fees charged for various criminal offenses.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/10/12)


Revises the definition of "sex offense" to include a second or subsequent violation of promoting prostitution in the first degree, promoting prostitution in the second degree, or patronizing a prostitute.

Adds to penalties for certain violations of promoting prostitution in the first or second degree, permitting prostitution, and patronizing a prostitute.

Prohibits a court from suspending or waiving payment of certain fees, but allows the court to reduce fees under certain circumstances.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 27Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM.
Feb 1Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM.
Feb 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 7:30 PM.
Feb 3JUD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 7Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 101st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Feb 13First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

SB 6284-S2

by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Harper, Litzow, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, and Hargrove)


Reforming Washington's approach to certain nonsafety civil traffic infractions by authorizing a civil collection process for unpaid traffic fines and removing the requirement for law enforcement intervention for the failure to appear and pay a traffic ticket.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Authorizes a civil collection process for unpaid traffic fines.

Removes the requirement for law enforcement intervention for the failure to appear and pay a traffic ticket.

Requires the department of licensing, in consultation with the administrative office of the courts, to adopt and maintain rules that define a moving violation.

Provides that the act is null and void if appropriations are not approved.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 25Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM.
Feb 1Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Judiciary at 1:30 PM.
Feb 6Public hearing and executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
Feb 7TRAN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 112nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 35; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 3.

SB 6356-S

by Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation (originally sponsored by Senators Rolfes, Kastama, Chase, Shin, Tom, and Frockt)


Concerning an interagency work group on establishing a single portal for Washington businesses. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning the establishment of a single portal for Washington businesses. )


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Requires the chief information officer to establish an integrated enterprise system using a single portal for Washington businesses, accessible through the internet.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation at 1:30 PM.
Jan 30Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Trade & Innovation at 1:30 PM.
Jan 31EDTI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 111st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

SB 6383-S

by Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Benton, Eide, Schoesler, Kohl-Welles, Chase, Padden, Stevens, Hobbs, Pflug, Hargrove, Harper, McAuliffe, Prentice, Shin, Fraser, Fain, Hill, Baumgartner, Nelson, Swecker, Holmquist Newbry, Kline, Hatfield, Becker, Conway, Hewitt, King, Parlette, Ranker, Litzow, Zarelli, Ericksen, Morton, and Honeyford)


Regarding Washington interscholastic activities association penalties.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Establishes the Knight act.

Authorizes the Washington interscholastic activities association or other voluntary nonprofit entity to impose penalties for rules violations upon coaches, school district administrators, school administrators, and students.

Requires the Washington interscholastic activities association, within available resources, to develop model rules regarding a rules violation punishment grid that is modeled after the state sentencing guidelines.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 26Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 30Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Tribal Relations & Elections at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 111st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 3.
Feb 17Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Education at 1:30 PM in anticipation of other legislative action.

SB 6392-S

by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Ranker, Kohl-Welles, Conway, and Shin)


Establishing a farm internship program.


(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/11/12)


Requires the director of the department of labor and industries to establish a farm internship pilot project for the employment of farm interns on small farms in the counties of San Juan, Skagit, King, Whatcom, Kitsap, Pierce, Jefferson, Spokane, Yakima, Chelan, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, and Thurston.

Provides a December 31, 2017, expiration for the pilot project.

Requires the department of labor and industries to provide special workers' compensation risk class or classes for farm interns providing agricultural labor pursuant to a farm internship program.

Requires appropriations made for the purposes of the act to be from the state general fund.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 24Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce & Consumer Protection at 1:30 PM.
Jan 26Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce & Consumer Protection at 10:00 AM.
Jan 30Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection at 10:00 AM.
Jan 31Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce & Consumer Protection at 1:30 PM.
Feb 1LCCP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 7Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Feb 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Feb 111st 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 6595

by Senators Ericksen, Stevens, Hatfield, and Hobbs


Establishing volumetric taxes imposed upon liquor sales.


Imposes a volumetric tax on liquor.

Provides a business and occupation tax credit to buyers of spirits in the original package.
-- 2012 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 13First reading, referred to Ways & Means.