MORNING SESSION

Senate Chamber, Olympia

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The Senate was called to order at 10:01 a.m. by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Senator Sheldon presiding. No roll call was taken.

MOTION

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

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, the Senate advanced to the fourth order of business.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

June 27, 2017

MR. PRESIDENT:

The House has passed:

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2222,

ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2224,

and the same are herewith transmitted.

NONA SNELL, Deputy Chief Clerk

MOTION

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

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING

SB 5969 by Senators Keiser, Braun, Hobbs, Mullet and Conway

AN ACT Relating to increasing transparency in public employee collective bargaining through the posting of the content of bargaining agreements and meetings of the joint committee of employment relations; amending RCW 41.80.010; adding a new section to chapter 43.88 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 41.80 RCW.

Placed on 2^nd Reading.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, under suspension of the rules Senate Bill No. 5969 was placed on the second reading calendar.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Fain, Senate Bill No. 5968 previously held at the desk on June 27, 2017 was referred to the Committee on Energy, Environment & Telecommunications.

MOTION

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

MOTION

Senator Liias moved adoption of the following resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

8675

By Senator Liias

WHEREAS, 2017 marks Finland's 100th year of independence and, in honor of its centennial, the Nordic country of 5.5 million people has organized the Finland 100, a year of celebration in which to remember and look forward; and

WHEREAS, Finland's struggle to become independent and maintain that independence is worthy of remembrance and recognition; and

WHEREAS, On December 6, 1917, Finland declared itself an independent republic, repudiating its status as a semiautonomous grand duchy of Russia whose major decisions had been subject to the approval of the tsar; and

WHEREAS, Before coming under Russian rule in 1809, Finland was a part of Sweden for over 600 years, but despite centuries of foreign control, Finland developed and retained its own identity, language, culture, and economy; and

WHEREAS, The Finnish people's desire to be free from an outside empire's authority and to exercise self-determination may be expressed by a phrase famous throughout Finland "Swedes we are not, Russians we will not be, so let us be Finns"; and

WHEREAS, Finland's independence did not come easily or without cost, as the struggle over the control of the government for the new country led to a civil war in 1918 in which more than 37,000 Finns died; and

WHEREAS, Following the civil war, Finland's emphasis on national reconciliation helped strengthen the young republic, and the country experienced rapid social and economic progress; and

WHEREAS, Finland twice defended itself against the Soviet Union during World War II and, though ceding some lands in a peace settlement, was able to maintain its independence; and

WHEREAS, In its 100 years of independence, Finland has transformed itself into a technologically advanced nation, universally recognized for its advanced social welfare policies; outstanding educational system; high standard of living; sophisticated economy; and enviable achievements in music, the arts, and design; all of which have contributed to its repeated ranking among the best places on earth to live;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate December 6, 2017, as the centennial of Finnish independence and encourage all Washingtonians to join in celebrating the Finland 100.

Senators Liias, Pedersen and Fain spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

The President Pro Tempore declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8675.

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

INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS

The President welcomed and introduced Ms. Rita Vermala-Koski and Gary London, past presidents of the Seattle Chapter of the Finlandia Foundation, who was seated at the rostrum.

MOTION

At 10:15 a.m., on motion of Senator Fain, the Senate was declared to be at ease subject to the call of the President.

The Senate was called to order at 4:39 p.m. by Acting President Pro Tempore, Senator Mark Schoesler.

MOTION

At 4:40 p.m., on motion of Senator Fain, the Senate adjourned until 10:00 o'clock a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2017.

TIM SHELDON, President Pro Tempore of the Senate

HUNTER G. GOODMAN, Secretary of the Senate