NOON SESSION

Senate Chamber, Olympia, Monday, March 14, 2011

The Senate was called to order at 12:00 noon by President Owen. No roll call was taken.

MOTION

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

MOTION

There being no objection, the Senate advanced to the first order of business.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

March 10, 2011

HB 1178 Prime Sponsor, Representative Appleton: Addressing the office of regulatory assistance. Reported by Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation

MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass as amended. Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Chase, Vice Chair; Baumgartner; Hatfield; Holmquist Newbry and Kilmer.

Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Rockefeller, the measure listed on the Standing Committee report was referred to the committee as designated.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Rockefeller, the Senate advanced to the fifth order of business.

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING

SB 5875 by Senator Hargrove

AN ACT Relating to terms of supervision for offenders sentenced to a first time offender waiver; amending RCW 9.94A.650; and creating a new section.

Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Rockefeller, the measure listed on the Introduction and First Reading report was referred to the committee as designated.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Rockefeller, the Senate advanced to the eighth order of business.

MOTION

Senator Haugen moved adoption of the following resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

8633

By Senators Haugen, Ranker, Stevens, and Hatfield

WHEREAS, Every April the tulips are in bloom, celebrating the beginning of spring; and

WHEREAS, The beautiful Skagit Valley is the Northwest's tulip capital and the number one producer of tulip bulbs in North America; and

WHEREAS, The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival kicks off the festival season in Washington; and

WHEREAS, Nearly half a million people visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival last year, participating in the joy and excitement of the event and contributing to the economy of the Skagit Valley; and

WHEREAS, This year's 28th annual festival will run from April 1st through 30th, focusing on the communities of Sedro-Woolley, Burlington, Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Concrete, and Conway; and

WHEREAS, Visitors will be greeted by more than 700 acres of tulips reflecting all the vibrant colors of the rainbow, by the fullness of life in the valley, and by its wonderful people; and

WHEREAS, This year's Tulip Festival Ambassadors, Abbi Beuckman and Michael Mantell, will ably and personably perform their responsibilities as representatives of the festival; and

WHEREAS, Highlights of the event include the Mount Vernon Street Fair, PACCAR Open House, Air Show and Fly-in, Skagit County wineries, RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, art shows, bike rides, foot races, and much more;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate salute all the communities of the Skagit Valley, their Chambers of Commerce, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Ambassadors, and the Tulip Festival Committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate commend the community leaders and corporate sponsors for the success of this important event and encourage citizens from across Washington to take the time to enjoy this spectacular display; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Executive Director, Cindy Verge, and the Tulip Festival Ambassadors.

Senator Haugen spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8633.

The motion by Senator Haugen carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

MOTION

Senator Hargrove moved adoption of the following resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

8635

By Senator Hargrove

WHEREAS, 100 years ago, the Washington State Legislature passed the Washington Public Port District Act; and

WHEREAS, Washington's Public Port Districts are local governments run by citizen-elected Port Commissioners and bring the benefits of seaports, airports, harbors, and marinas critical to our state's economy; and

WHEREAS, Public Port Districts are the economic engine for communities across Washington, annually providing hundreds of thousands of jobs; and

WHEREAS, Washington Public Ports Day is a public event cosponsored by all 75 Public Port Districts and the Washington Public Ports Association; and

WHEREAS, Governor Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, proclaimed March 14, 2011, as Washington Public Ports Day;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate commend the Ports of the State of Washington for providing a means to export Washington Products worldwide, receiving goods, providing services, and creating jobs for thousands of Washingtonians.

Senator Hargrove spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8635.

The motion by Senator Hargrove carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

MOTION

Senator Fraser moved adoption of the following resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

8636

By Senators Fraser, Shin, Honeyford, and Haugen

WHEREAS, 30 years ago, in 1981, Olympia, Washington and Kato (formerly Yashiro), Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, became sister cities; and

WHEREAS, The friendship between the two cities has flourished, grown steadily, and deepened over these 30 years; and

WHEREAS, During these 30 years, there have been regular, annual adult exchanges and, for the last 20 years, annual student exchanges, resulting in approximately 600 adult exchange visits and approximately 400 student exchange visits; and

WHEREAS, Steady and enthusiastic leadership for these exchanges has been provided by the Kato (formerly Yashiro) International Association, and the Olympia-Kato (formerly Yashiro) Sister City Association; and

WHEREAS, Many peoples' individual lives, and many community activities, have been enriched greatly, and sometimes altered significantly in positive ways, from learning about and participating in each others' cultures, histories, languages, educational institutions, and governmental processes; and

WHEREAS, Kato City has honored the City of Olympia in the naming of a major arterial, and the City of Olympia has honored Kato City in the naming of a major bridge; and

WHEREAS, The City of Olympia hosts a beautiful Japanese garden, and Kato City hosts a beautiful western style garden, each in tribute to their great friendship; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of citizens of each community have volunteered over the years to assist in the exchanges and in deepening the friendships between the two communities; and

WHEREAS, The Hyogo Business and Cultural Center, in Seattle, and the Washington State International Protocol Office have each steadily encouraged and supported the development of this great friendship and other sister city relationships in Washington State and Washington's sister state, Hyogo Prefecture;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate congratulates Kato City and the City of Olympia for 30 years of sustained, active, enthusiastic sister city exchanges for both adults and students, and for the innumerable benefits it has created for each community and many individual citizens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate commends Kato City, the Kato International Association, the City of Olympia, the Olympia-Kato Sister Association, the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center, located in Seattle, and the Washington State International Protocol Office for their outstanding, sustained leadership in promoting strong ties of friendship and intercultural understanding and appreciation between the City of Olympia and Kato City, and between the State of Washington and Hyogo Prefecture, Japan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to: The Mayor of Kato City; the Mayor of Olympia; the President of the Kato International Association; the President of the Olympia-Kato Sister City Association; the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center; and the Washington State International Protocol Office.

Senator Fraser spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8636.

The motion by Senator Fraser carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

Senator Rockefeller: “Mr. President, I just want to acknowledge that today we have with us a former senator and a personal friend of mine, Senator Larry Faulk who served in this body for at least four years. It’s a pleasure to welcome him back for today.”

MOTION

At 12:09 p.m., on motion of Senator Rockefeller, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 noon, Tuesday, March 15, 2011.

BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate

THOMAS HOEMANN, Secretary of the Senate