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FIFTEENTH DAY, SECOND SPECIAL SESSION

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AFTERNOON SESSION

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Senate Chamber, Olympia, Monday, June 18, 2001

      The Senate was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by President Owen. The Secretary called the roll and announced to the President that all Senators were present except Senators Brown, Hargrove, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McCaslin, McDonald, Parlette, Patterson, Sheahan and Swecker.

      The Sergeant at Arms Color Guard, consisting of staff members Laura Bell and Nancy Atwood, presented the Colors. Senator Karen Fraser offered the prayer.


MOTION


      On motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.


MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

June 15, 2001


MR. PRESIDENT:

      The Co-Speakers have signed:

      SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1624,

      ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2138, and the same are herewith transmitted.

CYNTHIA ZEHNDER, Co-Chief Clerk

TIMOTHY A. MARTIN, CO-Chief Clerk


SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT

      The President signed:

      SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1624,

      ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2138.


INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING

 

SB 6209             by Senator Fairley

 

AN ACT Relating to the capital budget.

MOTION


      On motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, Senate Bill No. 6209 was held at the desk.


MOTION


      On motion of Senator Honeyford, the following resolution was adopted:


SENATE RESOLUTION 2001-8708


By Senators Honeyford, Hewitt, Morton, Fraser, Deccio, Hale, Hochstatter, Parlette, Sheahan, Swecker and Rasmussen


      WHEREAS, the state of Washington is presently in a drought emergency; and

      WHEREAS, water storage is essential to the economic vitality of the Yakima Basin; and

      WHEREAS, the Keechelus Reservoir is capable of collecting and storing up to 157,800 acre feet of water, but is presently unable to hold its capacity and is at an extremely low level; and

      WHEREAS, Keechelus Reservoir must have major repairs prior to being able to hold its full capacity again; and

      WHEREAS, the repairs are to be funded eighty-five percent by the Bureau of Reclamation’s Safety of Dams program and fifteen percent by the basin irrigation districts; and

      WHEREAS, delay of the repair of Keechelus Dam will result in increased costs which are detrimental to the agricultural economy, further hindering the struggling agricultural industry and the entire economy of the Yakima Basin; and

      WHEREAS, immediate construction would result in less water loss and would in effect conserve this precious resource;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognizes the important role of the United States Bureau of Reclamation in the development and sustained prosperity of the Yakima Basin, especially in relation to timely decision making in regard to Keechelus Reservoir ; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to United States Bureau of Reclamation.


      Senators Honeyford and Fraser spoke to Senate Resolution 2001-8708.




MOTION


      At 1:10 p.m., on motion of Senator Betti Sheldon, the Senate adjourned until 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 19, 2001.


BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate


TONY M. COOK, Secretary of the Senate