 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 20 | ||
| FIFTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE | ||
| Monday, February 6, 2006 | 29th Day - 2006 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://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/digsup.cfm?year=2006.
HB 1015-S
by House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Morrell, Skinner, Hankins, Simpson, Schindler, and Chase)
Requiring reporting of hospital-acquired infections in health care facilities.
Finds that hospitals should be implementing evidence-based measures to reduce hospital-acquired infections. The legislature further finds the public should have access to data on outcome measures regarding hospital-acquired infections. Data reporting should be consistent with national hospital reporting standards.Provides that the department shall adopt guidelines and rules for the identification, tracking, reporting, and release of information related to outcome measures as related to health care-associated infections acquired in hospitals.Requires the guidelines and rules to consider outcome measures, for an entire hospital or specified units, in the following categories: (1) Surgical site infections for selected procedures;(2) Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis;(3) Outcome measures on ventilator-associated pneumonia;(4) Central line-associated, laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit; and(5) Other categories for which there are established measures and the department determines are necessary to protect public health and safety as provided in this act.Requires the department to publish an annual report on the department's web site that compares the hospital-acquired infection outcomes described in this act at each individual hospital in the state. Comparisons among hospitals shall be adjusted to consider patient mix and other relevant risk factors and control for provider peer groups, when appropriate. The annual report shall disclose data in a format so that no health information about any individual patient is released. The department may respond to requests for data and other information, at the requestor's expense, for special studies and analysis consistent with requirements for confidentiality of patient records and quality improvement information.Requires the department to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations to the department in the development of guidelines and rules for the collection, reporting, and release of information related to hospital-acquired infections and to provide advice and recommendations to the department regarding the report in this act to expand the program to ambulatory surgical centers and outpatient surgical centers.Directs the advisory committee to meet as often as necessary to complete its duties, but not less than three times per year and report to the legislature in November 2008 regarding the activities of United States centers for disease control, centers for medicare and medicaid services, joint commission for the accreditation of health care organizations, and the institute for health care improvement related to reporting hospital-acquired infections.Requires the department, with the advice and recommendations of the advisory committee created in this act, to issue a report by December 1, 2006, that establishes a plan and timetable for expanding the health care-associated infection identification, tracking, reporting, and analysis program established under this act to include ambulatory surgical centers and outpatient surgical centers.Provides that neither the reports submitted by hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, or outpatient surgical centers to the department under this subsection, nor any of the data contained in them are subject to discovery by subpoena or admissible as evidence in a civil proceeding.
| Jan 31 | HC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 1107-S
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Talcott, Linville, Tom, Priest, Darneille, Pettigrew, Shabro, Jarrett, McCoy, Roberts, Kagi, Clements, Dunn, Hunter, Quall, Haler, Hinkle, Cody, Walsh, Ormsby, Kilmer, Simpson, Kessler, Morrell, Williams, O'Brien, Chase, Hunt, Schual-Berke, Conway, Santos, Haigh, Upthegrove, and B. Sullivan)
Providing for early intervention services for children with disabilities.
Finds an urgent and substantial need to enhance the development of all infants and toddlers with disabilities in Washington in order to minimize developmental delays and to maximize individual potential for learning and functioning.Requires that, by September 1, 2009, each school district shall provide or contract for early intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age. Eligibility shall be determined according to Part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act and as specified in the Washington Administrative Code.Provides that school districts shall provide or contract for early intervention services in partnership with local birth-to-three lead agencies and birth-to-three providers. Services provided under this act shall not supplant services or funding currently provided in the state for early intervention services to eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age. The state-designated birth-to-three lead agency shall be payor of last resort for birth-to-three early intervention services provided under this act.Declares that the services in this act are not part of the state's program of basic education pursuant to Article IX of the state Constitution.
| Jan 31 | APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1483-S4
by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, McDonald, Moeller, Darneille, Jarrett, Simpson, Morrell, Sommers, Kenney, McDermott, Kagi, Chase, and Clibborn)
Establishing a reinvesting in youth program.
Declares an intent to create incentives for local government investments in cost-effective intervention services that reduce crime by reimbursing local governments with a portion of the cost savings that accrue to the state as the result of local investments in such services.Directs the department of social and health services juvenile rehabilitation administration to establish a reinvesting in youth program that awards grants to counties for implementing research-based early intervention services that target juvenile justice-involved youth and reduce crime, subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose.Provides that, effective July 1, 2007, any county or group of counties may apply for participation in the reinvesting in youth program.Requires the department of social and health services juvenile rehabilitation administration to review county applications for funding through the reinvesting in youth program and shall select the counties that will be awarded grants with funds appropriated to implement this program. The department, in consultation with the Washington state institute for public policy, shall develop guidelines to determine which counties will be awarded funding in accordance with the reinvesting in youth program. At a minimum, counties must meet the following criteria in order to participate in the reinvesting in youth program: (1) Counties must match state moneys awarded for research-based early intervention services with nonstate resources that are at least proportional to the expected local government share of state and local government cost avoidance that would result from the implementation of such services;(2) Counties must demonstrate that state funds allocated pursuant to this section are used only for the intervention service models authorized pursuant to this act;(3) Counties must participate fully in the state quality assurance program established in this act to ensure fidelity of program implementation. If no state quality assurance program is in effect for a particular selected research-based service, the county must submit a quality assurance plan for state approval with its grant application. Failure to demonstrate continuing compliance with quality assurance plans shall be grounds for termination of state funding; and(4) Counties that submit joint applications must submit for approval by the department of social and health services juvenile rehabilitation administration multicounty plans for efficient program delivery.Provides that, every four years, beginning in calendar year 2006, for use in fiscal year 2008, the Washington state institute for public policy shall review and update the methodology for calculating cost savings resulting from the implementation of this program. The institute shall use the technical advisory committee established in this act to review and provide comments on its methodology and cost calculations.Provides that, every four years, beginning in calendar year 2006, for use in fiscal year 2008, the department of social and health services juvenile rehabilitation administration shall establish a distribution formula to provide funding local governments that implement research-based intervention services pursuant to this program.Directs the department of social and health services juvenile rehabilitation administration to provide a report to the legislature on the initial cost savings calculation methodology and distribution formula by October 1, 2006.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 31 | APP - Majority; 4th substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 1802-S2
by House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Kilmer, Walsh, Pettigrew, Strow, Wallace, Kenney, Clibborn, Hankins, McCoy, Haler, Blake, McCune, Linville, P. Sullivan, Grant, Kessler, Simpson, Morrell, Williams, O'Brien, Lantz, Eickmeyer, Chase, Haigh, Hasegawa, Hudgins, and Moeller)
Providing a property tax exemption for nonprofit small business incubators.
Finds that nonprofit organizations and associations engaged in the education, training, and employment of economically disadvantaged people who are involved in the creation and expansion of businesses with marketable products and services in a physical location provide many public benefits to the people of the state of Washington.Finds that it is in the best interest of the state of Washington to provide a limited property tax exemption for the use of these facilities by certain organizations in order to be self-sustaining for their exempt purposes.Declares that the real and personal property owned or used by a nonprofit organization is exempt from property taxes levied for any state purpose if the property is: (1) Located in an economically distressed area; and (2) Used to provide shared use of equipment and work areas and daily technical resources and daily management support services that enable small startup and emerging businesses to become successful.Provides that, in 2010, any nonprofit organization claiming the exemption under this act must report to the department the number of businesses served by the nonprofit and the types of services provided. Nonprofits failing to report to the department are ineligible for the exemption under this act. The department shall compile the information and share it with the appropriate committees of the legislature.
| Jan 31 | EDAT - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Finance. | |
HB 2345-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Rodne, Appleton, and Haler)
Addressing regional fire protection service authorities.
Revises provisions relating to regional fire protection service authorities.
| Feb 1 | LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2350-S
by House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Morris, Hudgins, and B. Sullivan)
Limiting the disclosure of energy infrastructure information.
Limits the disclosure of information revealing the location of the pipeline of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, and information revealing the location of pipeline pressure regulators, compressor stations, metering facilities, taps, breakout tanks, cathodic protection test sites, or valves. However, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline location information contained on maps or map images of no greater detail than a scale of one to twenty-four thousand is not exempt. This information continues to be exempt from public disclosure if an agency: (1) Provides to a pipeline operator pipeline information, otherwise exempt under this subsection, relating to that operator's pipeline; or(2) Shares pipeline information with another agency.
| Feb 1 | SGOA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2389-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi and Moeller)
Adding porphyria to the list of disabilities for special parking privileges.
Applies to persons with acute sensitivity to light.
| Jan 31 | TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2407-S
by House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, Strow, O'Brien, Ericks, Dunshee, Linville, Grant, Lantz, Kessler, Williams, Blake, Morrell, Rodne, Hunt, Conway, P. Sullivan, Springer, Takko, Kilmer, Fromhold, B. Sullivan, Hunter, Simpson, Green, Miloscia, Sells, Upthegrove, Campbell, and Ormsby)
Revising provisions relating to electronic monitoring of sex offenders.
Provides that a court shall impose electronic monitoring as a condition of community custody for an offender sentenced under RCW 9.94A.712, or an offender convicted of a violation of RCW 9A.44.130(10)(a), unless the court finds electronic monitoring impracticable or inappropriate given the individual circumstances of the offender.Requires the department to carry out any electronic monitoring ordered under this act using the most appropriate technology given the individual circumstances of the offender. The department may require an offender to pay all or part of the costs for electronic monitoring imposed under this act dependent upon the offender's ability to pay.Provides that the department, monitoring agency, local law enforcement, and any employee of the department, monitoring agency, or law enforcement acting within the scope of his or her employment are immune from civil liability resulting from acts or omissions relating to electronic monitoring of offenders under this act, unless the department or employee acted with gross negligence or in bad faith.
| Jan 31 | CJC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2412-S
by House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Rodne, Ericks, Lovick, Anderson, Jarrett, Nixon, McDonald, Williams, Darneille, Conway, P. Sullivan, Tom, Takko, Lantz, Kilmer, Fromhold, B. Sullivan, Morrell, Simpson, Springer, Green, Miloscia, Sells, Upthegrove, and Ormsby)
Changing the penalty provisions for violating the registration statute.
Increases the penalty for violating the registration statute by imposing a term of mandatory community custody upon the first offense and assigning the second offense a seriousness level.
| Jan 31 | CJC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2437-S
by House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Chase, Dunshee, and Upthegrove)
Providing guidelines for state-owned refueling stations.
Provides that state agencies that own and operate refueling stations shall provide the following information to the legislature by December 31, 2007: (1) At which refueling sites it is practicable to offer alternative fuels for use by other state agencies and, if it is not practicable, why not. Include a priority list on which stations would be most feasible to offer alternative fuels;(2) At which refueling sites it is practicable to offer alternative fuels for public use, and why or why not. Include a priority list on which stations would be most feasible to offer alternative fuels to the public. Include any concerns for offering alternative fuels to the public including, but not limited to, liability and tax issues;(3) Details of the agency's plans for renovating existing refueling stations or construction of new refueling stations and the associated costs;(4) The cost to reconfigure existing refueling stations or construction of new refueling stations to include alternative fuels, and to offer alternative fuels at those stations to other state agencies.
| Feb 1 | SGOA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2455-S
by House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Williams, Morrell, Moeller, Hasegawa, Cody, Simpson, Green, Ormsby, and Schual-Berke)
Modifying basic health plan preexisting condition limitation requirements.
Provides that, to the extent that the administrator adopts, by rule, preexisting condition limitations as part of the benefit package, any such rule must allow an enrollee to credit a period of continued participation in a community-based program established to provide access to health services for uninsured persons against the time period of their preexisting conditions limitation. To receive a credit against a preexisting condition limitation period, the enrollee must have continuously participated in the community-based program for at least three months before submitting a basic health plan application. For the purposes of this provision, "community-based program established to provide access to health services to uninsured persons" means a program that refers low-income uninsured persons to health care providers and facilities who have agreed to provide health services without compensation or expectation of compensation to persons enrolled in the program.Requires the administrator to provide a report on the impacts of this act to the governor and the health policy and fiscal committees of the legislature on or before November 15, 2009.
| Jan 31 | HC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2473-S
by House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Appleton, Moeller, Morrell, and Cody)
Protecting against unfair prescription drug practices by pharmacy benefit managers.
Protects against unfair prescription drug practices by pharmacy benefit managers.
| Jan 31 | HC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2492-S
by House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, Strow, McDonald, Blake, Rodne, Conway, Haler, Ericks, B. Sullivan, Morrell, Green, Sells, Upthegrove, and O'Brien; by request of Attorney General)
Imposing additional registration requirements on risk level III offenders.
Provides that all offenders who are required to register pursuant to this section who have a fixed residence and who are designated as a risk level II or III must report, in person, every ninety days to the sheriff of the county where he or she is registered. The report shall be on a day specified by the county sheriff's office, and shall occur during normal business hours. Failure to report as specified constitutes a per se violation of this act and is punishable as provided.
| Jan 31 | CJC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2493-S
by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Kilmer, Lantz, and Ericks)
Limiting access to law enforcement and emergency equipment and vehicles.
Declares an intent to protect the public to ensure that only federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency personnel, public or private, have access to emergency equipment and vehicles.Requires that, prior to selling or giving an emergency vehicle to a person or entity that is not a public law enforcement or emergency agency within or outside the state, public law enforcement or emergency agency in another country, or private ambulance business within or outside the state, the seller or donor must remove all emergency lighting as defined in rules by the Washington state patrol, radios, and any other emergency equipment from the vehicles that was not originally installed by the original vehicle manufacturer. If the equipment is not retained or transferred to another public law enforcement or emergency agency within or outside the state, public law enforcement or emergency agency in another country, or private ambulance business within or outside the state, the equipment must be dismantled with the individual parts being recycled or destroyed prior to being disposed of. The agency must also remove all decals, state and local designated law enforcement colors, and stripes that were not installed by the original vehicle manufacturer. Provides that the sale or donation to a broker specializing in the resale of emergency vehicles, or a charitable organization, intending to deliver the vehicle or equipment to a public law enforcement or emergency agency within or outside the state, public law enforcement or emergency agency in another country, or private ambulance business within or outside the state, is allowed with the emergency equipment still installed and intact. If the broker or charitable organization sells or donates the emergency vehicle to a person or entity that is not a public law enforcement or emergency agency, or private ambulance business, the broker or charitable organization must remove the equipment and designations and shall be accountable and responsible for the removal of the equipment and designations not installed on the vehicle by the original vehicle manufacturer. Equipment not sold or donated to a public law enforcement or emergency agency, or a private ambulance business, must be removed and transferred, destroyed, or recycled in accordance with this act.
| Jan 31 | TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2532-S
by House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representative Nixon)
Providing for election audits.
Revises procedures providing for election audits.
| Feb 1 | SGOA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
HB 2574-S
by House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Morrell, Green, and Upthegrove)
Regarding hospital charity care and debt collection.
Provides that, for persons with no third-party coverage and with family income up to four hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines, hospitals must provide a discount for any charges for services provided in the hospital.Requires each hospital to provide notice to patients of its charity care policies. At a minimum, each hospital must post prominently in locations easily accessible to and visible by patients, including its web site, and in the bill sent to patients, a notice stating that charges for services to people meeting the charity care or discount criteria may be waived or reduced, and regarding the availability of charity care and how to qualify. A notice of charity care policies also may be provided to patients prior to discharge. Posted notices must be in English and also in the five languages other than English that are most frequently spoken in the hospital's service area. The notice must use clear language that would be easily understood by individuals with limited education.Provides that, upon a determination by a hospital that a person without third-party coverage is eligible for a sliding fee schedule or other discount under RCW 70.170.060, the hospital shall offer that person the option to pay his or her bill in reasonable installments that take into account the person's income, assets, and other financial obligations. Interest rates for installment payment plans shall not exceed the rate the hospital pays to borrow working capital.
| Jan 31 | HC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2575-S
by House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Morrell, and Moeller; by request of Governor Gregoire)
Establishing a health technology assessment program.
Declares an intent to support the establishment by the state of an evidence-based health technology assessment program that: (1) Conducts systematic reviews of scientific and medical literature to identify safe, efficacious, and cost-effective treatments;(2) Provides for the establishment of a statewide health technology clinical committee;(3) Develops methods and processes to track the application of evidence-based practice and health outcomes across state agencies;(4) Provides clear and transparent access to the scientific basis of coverage decisions and treatment guidelines developed under this program; and(5) To the extent possible, collaborates with other states in the development and implementation of the program.Requires the administrator of the health care authority, in consultation with the participating agencies and their medical directors, to establish a health technology clinical committee.Requires the health technology clinical committee to review the results of the systematic assessments of health technologies conducted by an evidence-based health technology assessment center.Establishes a health technology legislative oversight committee. The committee shall consist of two members from each caucus of the senate, and two members from each caucus of the house of representatives. The health technology legislative oversight committee shall: (1) Review and report at least annually on the impact of health technology coverage decisions made by the health technology clinical committee and state agencies on patient access, treatment quality, and overall health care costs; and(2) Provide manufacturers of a health technology and organizations with an interest in a health technology an opportunity to present information related to the operation of the health technology assessment program, including coverage decisions and other matters at the discretion of the health technology legislative oversight committee.
| Jan 31 | HC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2588-S
by House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, Buck, Takko, Buri, Williams, Roach, Eickmeyer, Linville, Kessler, B. Sullivan, and Campbell)
Evaluating the impact of small scale prospecting and mining on ocean beaches.
Provides that, beginning July 1, 2006, the state parks and recreation commission and the department of fish and wildlife shall establish a pilot program to evaluate the impacts of small scale prospecting and mining on ocean beaches. The pilot program shall be conducted from July 1, 2006, through July 1, 2008.Directs the state parks and recreation commission, in consultation with the department of fish and wildlife, to establish two demonstration areas in appropriate beach areas in the seashore conservation area to allow small scale prospecting and mining for purposes of the pilot program.Provides that, by October 1, 2008, the department of fish and wildlife shall report its findings and recommendations regarding the impacts of small scale prospecting and mining on the beach ecology to the state parks and recreation commission. The department shall consider public input prior to finalizing their findings and recommendations.Requires the state parks and recreation commission and the department of fish and wildlife to report their findings and recommendations on the impacts of small scale prospecting and mining on ocean beaches to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2008.
| Jan 31 | NREP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2607-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Curtis and Haler)
Providing counties the ability to vacate county road rights of way.
Finds that the purpose of RCW 36.87.130 is to preserve for the public, for recreational or other purposes, existing access to bodies of salt or fresh water.Declares an intent to enhance the ability of counties to balance the need to protect and preserve existing public access to bodies of water while providing counties the ability to vacate rights of way so long as doing so does not undermine or eliminate such access.Declares that no county shall vacate a county road or part thereof which abuts on a body of salt or fresh water unless the purpose of the vacation is to enable a county to implement a plan, adopted by resolution or ordinance, that provides no less than comparable public access to the same shoreline area to which the streets or alleys sought to be vacated abut, had the properties included in the plan not been vacated.
| Feb 1 | LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2654-S
by House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Darneille, Strow, O'Brien, Lantz, Rodne, Simpson, Clibborn, McDonald, Conway, Miloscia, B. Sullivan, and Ericks)
Prohibiting certification of sex offenders as sex offender treatment providers.
Prohibits sex offender treatment by treatment providers who are sex offenders.
| Jan 31 | CJC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2656-S
by House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Takko, Schindler, Simpson, Dunn, Moeller, Ahern, and Fromhold)
Modifying county lien authority.
Revises county lien authority.
| Feb 1 | LG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2669-S
by House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Cody, Green, Morrell, Clibborn, Campbell, Moeller, Priest, and Lantz)
Licensing specialty hospitals.
Finds that specialty hospitals jeopardize the financial balance of community hospitals by selectively providing care to less ill patients, treating fewer medicare, medicaid, and uninsured patients, providing primarily care that is profitable to investors, and reducing community hospital staffing.Declares that, to assure that private and public hospitals in Washington remain financially viable institutions able to provide general acute care in their communities and maintain the capacity to respond to local, state, and national emergencies, the legislature has concluded that specialty hospitals must meet certain conditions in order to be licensed. These conditions will ensure that specialty hospitals and community hospitals compete on a level playing field and, therefore, will minimize the adverse impacts of specialty hospitals on community general hospitals while assuring quality patient care.
| Jan 31 | HC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2701-S
by House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Pearson, Ericks, Rodne, Nixon, Kilmer, Green, Sells, McDonald, McCoy, Simpson, Moeller, Morrell, Lantz, Linville, and Hudgins; by request of Attorney General)
Including assault of a child in the second degree in the list of two-strike offenses.
Includes assault of a child in the second degree in the list of two-strike offenses.
| Jan 31 | CJC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2747-S
by House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, O'Brien, Ericks, Kilmer, Simpson, and Moeller)
Revising the model policy for disclosure of sex offender information.
Revises the model policy for disclosure of sex offender information.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 31 | CJC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2813-S
by House Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Williams, Strow, and Kirby)
Changing provisions relating to shopping carts.
Provides that a person who intentionally removes a shopping cart from the parking lot of a retail establishment without the permission of the establishment, is subject to liability under this act.Provides that any statute, ordinance, or rule enacted by a political subdivision of the state dealing with shopping carts that have been removed from the parking lot of a retail establishment must meet the following criteria: (1) Impoundment of a shopping cart may only be allowed if the cart is located off the premises of the retail establishment, and: (a) The retail establishment has been given notice of the cart's location and has not retrieved the cart within five days of the notice; (b) the cart is in a location that is likely to impede emergency services. If a cart in a location that is likely to impede emergency services is impounded, the retail establishment must be given notice that the cart has been impounded; or (c) the cart does not meet the requirements of RCW 9A.56.270(2).
| Feb 1 | JUDI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2893-S
by House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, P. Sullivan, Darneille, Williams, McDonald, McCoy, Morrell, Ericks, and Green)
Concerning restrictions on granting a sex offender visitation under a parenting plan.
Places restrictions on granting a sex offender visitation under a parenting plan.
| Jan 31 | JJFL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2895-S
by House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Lovick, Curtis, Ericks, O'Brien, Dunshee, Kessler, Blake, Clibborn, McCoy, Miloscia, Ahern, Roberts, McDermott, Hunt, McDonald, Williams, Haler, McCune, Kenney, Morrell, Wallace, Kilmer, Green, Springer, Ormsby, and Woods)
Protecting vulnerable adults from exposure to methamphetamine manufacturing.
Provides protections for vulnerable adults from exposure to methamphetamine manufacturing.
| Feb 1 | CFS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 2899-S
by House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Walsh, Grant, Shabro, Morrell, Haler, Roach, and McDonald)
Changing the vessel laws to warn and educate about carbon monoxide poisoning.
Revises the vessel laws to warn and educate about carbon monoxide poisoning.
| Jan 31 | NREP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 2979-S
by House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law (originally sponsored by Representatives Hasegawa, Chase, Roberts, and Santos)
Addressing cultural upbringing in parenting plans.
Provides that in establishing a permanent parenting plan, the court shall consider the cultural heritage and religious beliefs of a child.
| Jan 31 | JJFL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 3024-S
by House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Haigh, Cox, Ericks, Miloscia, Armstrong, McCoy, McDermott, Green, Morrell, Wallace, Nixon, Clements, Chase, and Linville)
Increasing the number of demonstration projects that may be authorized by the school district project review board.
Increases the number of demonstration projects that may be authorized by the school district project review board from sixteen to twenty-three.Requires the school district project review board to prepare and issue a report reviewing the use of the alternative public works contracting procedures by school districts. The board shall report to the capital projects advisory review board created under RCW 39.10.810 at least thirty days before January 8, 2007.
| Feb 1 | SGOA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 3064-S
by House Committee on Children & Family Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Bailey, Morrell, Dunn, Kilmer, Strow, Green, Skinner, Hinkle, Kretz, Orcutt, Anderson, Darneille, Rodne, Woods, Talcott, Santos, and McCune)
Concerning eligibility for services to children and pregnant women.
Finds that military allowances are disbursements of money provided for specific needs, such as food, housing, and clothing.Finds that the military basic allowance for housing is intended to substitute for government-provided housing that is no longer provided as a result of privatization.Finds that the basic allowance for housing is not counted for federal income tax purposes and cannot be considered when determining family income for a child's eligibility for free and reduced priced meals in the public schools.Finds that maternity support programs can be an effective means of prevention and early intervention, especially those support programs utilizing nurse home visitation services.Finds that while military families have access to basic health care services, they generally do not receive maternity support services.Declares an intent to promote continued access to maternity support services by low-income military families.
| Feb 1 | CFS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 3095-S
by House Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications (originally sponsored by Representatives Ericks, Haler, Morris, Nixon, Sump, Crouse, Wallace, P. Sullivan, Hudgins, Takko, Sells, Simpson, Hasegawa, Green, and Morrell)
Concerning public safety communications.
Declares an intent to ensure that the state's investment in public safety radio communications facilities are managed in a way to promote to the maximum extent possible the health and safety of the state's citizens and the economic efficiencies of coordinated planning, development, management, maintenance, accountability, and performance.Finds that an interoperable and operational public safety communications system is essential for disaster preparedness, emergency management, and public safety, and that coordination for the purpose of development, procurement, and deployment of a public safety communications system will result in a more effective use of state resources and improvement to government services.Requires that, by June 30, 2012, a statewide public safety communications system must be built to achieve the highest level of interoperability possible. This system must consist of the following: (1) A centrally managed system of systems architectures that facilitates the sharing of assets between state and local governments;(2) A radio over internet protocol-based interoperability system that enables nonstate agencies to interconnect their radio systems with the state system;(3) A statewide digital transport backbone system that provides connectivity to all transmitter locations;(4) A mutual-aid communications system deployed across the state to enable interoperability at and across the commonly used public safety frequency bands;(5) A statewide, project 25 standards-based, frequency independent system of systems that uses equipment common to all agency-focused systems providing full interoperability; and(6) A statewide mobile data system that provides low and medium speed data communications capabilities for participating agency subscribers.Requires the state interoperability executive committee to provide an annual report to the legislature and the office of financial management that documents the design, accomplishments, remaining tasks, and recommendations by September 1, 2006, and annually by September 1st thereafter.
| Jan 31 | TEC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 3 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 3113-S
by House Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Sells, Kenney, Strow, McCoy, Haler, Dunshee, B. Sullivan, Lovick, Roberts, and Hasegawa)
Expanding access to higher education using the university center model.
Finds that RCW 28B.50.901 assigns responsibility for the north Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties higher education consortium to Everett Community College. Everett Community College submitted a report titled "Higher Education Opportunity in the NSIS Region" on December 1, 2005, to the appropriate committees of the legislature. The legislature accepts this report as representative of the needs for higher education in the North Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties (NSIS) region. It is the intent of the legislature to support enrollment growth in the NSIS county regions of the state as represented in the report.Finds that recent research by the state board for community and technical colleges indicates that the immediate needs of at least five hundred students are not being met in the NSIS region at the upper-division level.Finds that long-term unmet need in the Snohomish, Island, and Skagit county region is projected to reach four thousand one hundred forty-one upper-division full-time equivalents by the year 2025.Declares an intent to provide funding for a minimum of two hundred fifty full-time equivalents at the upper-division and graduate levels for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. This funding shall be used to meet the higher education needs of the NSIS region.Requires Everett Community College, with the assistance of Edmonds Community College, Skagit Valley College, and the universities participating in offering the enrollment subject to this act to submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by July 1, 2007. The report shall describe the number of enrollments and degrees produced as a result of the funding provided in this act, as well as the effect of those enrollments and degrees on local communities.Appropriates the sum of one million five hundred seventy-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the state board for community and technical colleges for the purposes of this act.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
| Jan 31 | HEWE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Feb 2 | Referred to Appropriations. | |
HB 3186-S
by House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson and Rodne)
Modifying disposition orders.
Provides that the juvenile court probation officer may move the court to modify the terms of the order of the disposition, whether or not the respondent has violated any terms of the order of disposition. The court may modify the order of disposition for good cause shown, so long as the modification does not result in any increased sanction or penalty. In determining whether good cause exists, the court shall consider the best interests of the respondent and the community.
| Jan 31 | JJFL - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
HB 3297
by Representative Anderson
Requiring voters to prove citizenship and provide photo identification.
Provides that, in addition to the requirements of RCW 29A.08.010, the form of registration provided by the secretary of state or county auditor must include a statement that the applicant must submit a legible copy of a document proving United States citizenship and a copy of a valid photo identification card with the application and that the county auditor or secretary of state must reject the application if the applicant fails to provide either.Requires that after a person has submitted satisfactory proof of citizenship and valid photo identification, the county auditor or secretary of state shall indicate this information in the person's permanent voter file. After two years, the county auditor or secretary of state may destroy all documents that were submitted as proof of citizenship.Requires county auditors to provide information on the valid photo identification and proof of citizenship requirements of chapter 29A.08 RCW and RCW 29A.44.205 to residents in their counties. To assist county auditors, the state will provide matching funds to a county auditor who has created a voter outreach program that provides this information.Requires the secretary of state to include in his or her biennial budget requests sufficient funds to carry out this act. The provision of matching funds for voter outreach must be from appropriations specifically provided by law for that purpose.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to State Government Operations & Accountability. | |
HB 3298
by Representative B. Sullivan
Clarifying who may ride with intermediate license holders during early morning hours.
Declares that the purpose of this act is to: (1) Create safer roads for people who use the roads between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. and who are not intoxicated; and(2) Authorize holders of intermediate licenses to drive during curfew hours to pick up others in need of a ride, such as intoxicated people who may put their own and others' lives at risk.Provides that the holder of an intermediate license may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. except when the holder is accompanied by a parent, immediate family member as defined in RCW 42.17.020, guardian, licensed driver who is at least twenty-five years of age, or a person enrolled in a designated driver program. For purposes of this act, "designated driver program" means a program designed to promote the designation of sober drivers, such as Safe Ride, a program that provides transportation for persons who plan to consume alcohol. Any person authorized to accompany the holder of an intermediate license in this act shall not accompany the holder if the person has: (1) Violated RCW 46.61.502 and 46.61.503 within the previous seven years; or(2) Committed a felony within the previous seven years.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 3299
by Representatives Holmquist and Hinkle
Concerning dock construction.
Provides that, recognizing that appropriate variances in the strict application of the shoreline management act are consistent with established policy and effective protection measures, the legislature intends to: (1) Exempt qualifying private, noncommercial docks in artificial lakes, including, but not limited to, Moses Lake, from certain regulatory requirements; and(2) Require that such docks be granted local permitting preferences.Requires each master program to contain provisions providing a preference for permit issuance for the construction of docks, including community docks, in artificial lakes. Docks subject to this provision must be designed for pleasure craft only and must be for the private noncommercial use of owners, lessees, or contract purchasers of single and multiple family residences.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks. | |
HB 3300
by Representative Ericksen
Changing the population accommodation requirements for cities with fewer than ten thousand residents.
Revises the population accommodation requirements for cities with fewer than ten thousand residents.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Local Government. | |
HB 3301
by Representative Ericksen
Concerning food service rules.
Provides that the rules for food service must provide an exemption to the cold holding temperature standard of forty-one degrees or colder for an establishment that purchased their equipment prior to May 2, 2005, and the equipment meets the standards that were in place at the time the equipment was purchased.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Health Care. | |
HB 3302
by Representatives Ericksen and Linville
Concerning athletic and performance coaching.
Declares that nothing in chapter 18.83 RCW applies to or limits the ability of individuals to conduct activities generally associated with athletic or performance coaching or instruction. These activities include visualization, motivation, peak performance instruction, mental preparation, and associated methods.Declares that this chapter does not authorize a coach, instructor, motivational speaker, or other person conducting activities generally associated with modern coaching techniques to perform clinical psychology or refer to services provided as "sports psychology" unless he or she holds a license under this act.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Health Care. | |
HB 3303
by Representatives Pearson, Shabro, and Ericksen
Authorizing special verdicts for specified sex offenses against children and vulnerable adults.
Authorizes special verdicts for specified sex offenses against children and vulnerable adults.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Criminal Justice & Corrections. | |
SB 5017-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Thibaudeau, and Shin)
Requiring that certain moneys from the sale of logs or wood from aquatic lands be used to fund the Thomas Burke Memorial Museum.
Requires the department to identify moneys deposited to the account that are derived from sales of logs or other wood material from state-owned aquatic lands of Lake Washington, in King county, in which the sales were conducted for the principal purpose of deriving revenue from the sale.Directs the treasurer to, not less than biennially, transfer moneys in the account identified under this act to the board of regents of the University of Washington, to be used exclusively for the operation of the Thomas Burke Memorial Museum.
| Feb 2 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 5327-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley and Kohl-Welles)
Creating an office of privacy protection.
Declares that the office's purpose is protecting the privacy of individuals' personal information in a manner consistent with the Washington state Constitution by identifying consumer problems in the privacy area and facilitating development of fair information practices.Directs the office to inform the public of potential options for protecting the privacy of, and avoiding the misuse of, personal information.Requires the office to make recommendations to organizations for privacy policies and practices that promote and protect the interests of Washington consumers.
| Feb 2 | FHC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6223-S
by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Regala, Oke, Berkey, and Spanel)
Modifying provisions regarding abandoned or derelict vessels.
Declares that a person who causes a vessel to become abandoned or derelict upon aquatic lands is guilty of a misdemeanor.Authorizes an authorized public entity that has taken temporary possession of a vessel to require that all reasonable and auditable costs associated with the removal of the vessel be paid before the vessel is released to the owner.Repeals RCW 79.100.090.
| Feb 2 | NROR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6234-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley, Keiser, Spanel, and Esser; by request of Insurance Commissioner)
Creating the insurance fraud program.
Declares that the purpose of this act is to confront the problem of insurance fraud in this state by making a concerted effort to detect insurance fraud, reduce the occurrence of fraud through criminal enforcement and deterrence, require restitution of fraudulently obtained insurance benefits, and reduce the amount of premium dollars used to pay fraudulent claims. The primary focus of the insurance fraud program is on organized fraudulent activities committed against insurance companies.Establishes an insurance fraud program within the office of the insurance commissioner.Requires the commissioner to prepare an annual report of the activities of the fraud program. The report shall be submitted to the legislature no later than March 1st for the prior calendar year. The report shall, at a minimum, include information as to the number of cases reported to the commissioner, the number of cases referred for prosecution, the number of convictions obtained, and the amount of money recovered.
| Feb 2 | FHC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6292-S
by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Parlette, Keiser, Thibaudeau, Kline, McAuliffe, and Mulliken)
Providing an exemption from unemployment compensation contributions for certain small performing arts industries.
Provides that remuneration also does not include any stipend of one hundred dollars per week or less, up to a maximum of six hundred dollars a year provided to a person involved in performances sponsored by a business whose North American industry classification code is within "711110," "711120," "711130," or "712110" and which business employs no more than three employees paid for their services performed in the same calendar year.Declares that the term "stipend" as used in Title 50 RCW means reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of participating in performances sponsored by a business whose North American industry classification code is within "711110," "711120," "711130," or "712110." The expenses for which reimbursement is appropriate include, but are not limited to, child care, mileage, and meals.
| Feb 1 | LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Feb 2 | Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | |
SB 6324-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, Schmidt, Thibaudeau, Stevens, Brown, Eide, Franklin, Pridemore, Keiser, Rasmussen, Fairley, Rockefeller, Jacobsen, Kohl-Welles, McAuliffe, and Roach)
Expanding foster care and support services provisions.
Provides that, beginning in 2006, the department has the authority to allow up to fifty youth reaching age eighteen to continue in foster care or group care as needed to participate in or complete a posthigh school academic or vocational program, and to receive necessary support and transition services.Provides that, in 2007 and 2008, the department has the authority to allow up to fifty additional youth per year reaching age eighteen to remain in foster care or group care as provided in this act.Provides that a youth who remains eligible for such placement and services pursuant to department rules may continue in foster care or group care until the youth reaches his or her twenty-first birthday. Eligibility requirements shall include active enrollment in a posthigh school academic or vocational program and maintenance of a 2.5 grade point average.Declares that nothing in this act shall be construed to create: (1) An entitlement to services;(2) Judicial authority to extend the jurisdiction of juvenile court in a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW to a youth who has attained eighteen years of age or to order the provision of services to the youth; or(3) A private right of action or claim on the part of any individual, entity, or agency against the department of social and health services or any contractor of the department.Authorizes the department of social and health services to adopt rules establishing eligibility for independent living services and placement for youths under this act.
| Feb 1 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Feb 2 | Referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 6327-S
by Senate Committee on International Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Swecker, Pflug, Rockefeller, McAuliffe, Doumit, Franklin, Rasmussen, Thibaudeau, Berkey, Keiser, Schoesler, Sheldon, and Fairley)
Financing local economic development projects.
Finds that, in many areas of the state, the lack of necessary infrastructure and vacant brownfields act as an impediment to economic growth.Finds that public improvements to brownfields, carried out in accordance with local economic development plans, will encourage investment in job-producing private development and will expand the public tax base.Declares an intent to promote and facilitate the orderly development and economic stability of communities in the state. It is the purpose of this act to provide financial resources to assist local jurisdictions in the financing of public improvements which are needed to encourage private development where this development would not otherwise occur due to the presence of contaminated property and other environmental considerations.
| Feb 2 | ITED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6362-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Jacobsen, and Kline)
Modifying voter registration provisions.
Revises voter registration provisions.Repeals RCW 29A.08.830.
| Feb 1 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6363-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Benson, Franklin, Poulsen, Thibaudeau, Kline, and Parlette)
Developing worksite health promotion programs.
Declares an intent to encourage Washington's public and private sector employers to develop worksite health promotion programs using targeted, individualized health information and appropriate incentives to promote employee participation.Requires the authority to develop an on-line health assessment tool that is available to state employees. The health assessment tool must: (1) Be voluntary;(2) Be confidential;(3) Enable participants to compare their personal health information with local and national data; and(4) Generate recommendations about programs and actions most likely to improve individual health.Requires the authority to make the on-line health assessment tool available to private sector employers. The administrator may charge private sector employers an annual enrollment fee sufficient to offset the cost of administering the health assessment tool for private sector employers.
| Feb 1 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6391-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Deccio, Thibaudeau, and Fairley)
Concerning the provision of services for nonresident individuals residing in long-term care settings.
Revises provisions regarding the provision of services to independent residents in a continuing care retirement community.
| Feb 1 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6424-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, Rasmussen, Morton, Mulliken, and Benton)
Providing a property tax exemption for land used for growing crops used in the production of biodiesel feedstock.
Provides a property tax exemption for land used for growing crops used in the production of biodiesel feedstock.
| Feb 1 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6459-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Brandland, Thibaudeau, Spanel, Rasmussen, Kline, Parlette, and Kohl-Welles)
Supporting community-based health care solutions.
Finds that: (1) Despite sustained efforts at the federal and state level, too many people in Washington remain without access to appropriate health care. Particularly alarming is the increase in the number of small business employees who are uninsured. Without a health home, many low-income and other vulnerable populations are left to inefficiently navigate a fragmented treatment system that fails to support their long-term well-being.(2) In recent years, numerous community-based organizations have emerged around the state to address health care concerns at a local level. Through innovation and public/private collaboration, they have demonstrated great success and show even greater promise in improving health care access for local residents. Less remote than state and federal agencies, these organizations have built on local relationships to increase the availability and affordability of services, and coordinate care, making efficient use of a wide variety of community resources to meet community needs.(3) Many of these organizations have relied on grants from the healthy communities access program, an initiative of the United States department of health and human services that provided funding and technical assistance to support collaborative efforts at the local level to coordinate and strengthen health services for the uninsured and underinsured. The program, however, was recently discontinued, placing these local efforts at risk.Declares that it is therefore the intent of the legislature to enhance and support the development of collaborative community-based organizations working at the local level to increase access to health care for Washington residents.Provides that, by July 1, 2008, the board shall provide the governor and the legislature with an evaluation of the community health care collaborative grant program, describing the organizations and programs funded and the results achieved. Particularly successful programs shall be highlighted with recommendations on whether, and how, the programs could be replicated statewide. The evaluation shall also summarize any recommendations from the participating organizations regarding ways to improve the grant program and for the state to otherwise support community-based organizations working to improve access to health care for Washington residents, including any changes in state statutes or regulations.Appropriates the sum of three million one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the health care authority for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, to carry out the purposes of this act. No more than one hundred thousand dollars may be used by the health care authority for administrative expenses associated with the program.
| Feb 1 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6488-S
by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Kline, Hargrove, Fairley, Weinstein, and Kohl-Welles)
Creating a program for offender education.
Requires the department to create, by rule, a program to provide offenders with the opportunity to participate in programs designed to educate offenders on American citizenship and civil rights.Requires the department to provide to offenders, before release into the community, information regarding community service providers that provide educational services to offenders.Requires the department to work in collaboration with community service providers that provide educational services to offenders to develop a standard curriculum for education of offenders released into the community.
| Feb 1 | HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| On motion, referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6510-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Pridemore, Kastama, Doumit, Zarelli, Kline, and Benton)
Concerning county lien authority.
Revises county lien authority.
| Feb 1 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6570-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Fairley, Benton, Berkey, and Honeyford)
Requiring lenders to consider retail installment contracts for the purchase of motor vehicles.
Provides that if a retail installment contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle meets the requirements of chapter 63.14 RCW and meets the requirements of any federal law applicable to a retail installment contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle, the retail installment contract shall be accepted for consideration by any lender, except for lenders licensed and regulated under the provisions of chapter 31.04 RCW, to whom application for credit relating to the retail installment contract is made.
| Feb 1 | FHC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6571-S
by Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Berkey, Benton, Fairley, Honeyford, Franklin, and Parlette)
Refining the definition of "bushing."
Revises and refines the definition of "bushing."
| Feb 1 | FHC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 2 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 6573-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Zarelli, Honeyford, Sheldon, Hargrove, Morton, Swecker, and Mulliken)
Maintaining and enhancing the viability of agriculture.
Finds that a strong state economy is critical to ensuring that the public welfare is maintained in its highest state. The legislature further finds that agriculture is a critical segment of a strong economy.Declares that all necessary actions should be taken to ensure that the state provides an economic climate that fosters a strong, viable agricultural industry and promotes consistency in administration of state and federal wetlands programs in order to minimize the impacts on agricultural landowners to the fullest possible extent consistent with the important goal of protecting wetlands.
| Jan 31 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Government Operations & Elections. | ||
| Referred to Government Operations & Elections. | ||
SB 6605-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Oke, Fairley, Deccio, Franklin, Rasmussen, and Kline)
Regarding educational interpreters for hearing-impaired students.
Provides that, by September 1, 2010, each school district shall have each educational interpreter working within the district, who has not already achieved national certification, assessed using a nationally recognized performance assessment to evaluate the receptive and expressive interpreting skills of the educational interpreter. School districts shall provide additional training for those educational interpreters who do not meet the standards to achieve the national certification.Requires that, by December 2006, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall partner with other states to build and enhance a network of support for the successful implementation of the nationally recognized performance assessment of the educational interpreters working in Washington schools.Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to retain the services of a professional meeting facilitator to plan and conduct a series of meetings examining the strengths and weaknesses of educational services available to deaf and hard of hearing children throughout the state. The goal of the process is to develop a set of recommendations that would establish an integrated system of instructional and support programs that would provide deaf and hard of hearing children the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be successful in their adult lives and the "hearing" world of work.Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in cooperation with the state board for community and technical colleges and the higher education coordinating board, to create an advisory committee that includes certified educational interpreters, tactile interpreters, interpreter educators, deaf leaders, public school administrators, parents of deaf and deaf-blind children, and other interested parties to advise the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the higher education coordinating board on issues of deaf education and educational interpreting in each of the educational sectors.Provides that as part of the needs assessment process conducted by the higher education coordinating board in accordance with RCW 28B.76.230, the board shall assess the need for a baccalaureate degree program in Washington state that provides educational sign language interpreter training. If the board determines that there is a need for such a program, the board shall encourage the appropriate institutions or institutional sector to create a program.
| Feb 1 | EKHE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6618-S
by Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe and Schmidt)
Requiring a study to explore options to augment the current educational assessment system.
Directs the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a study to explore options to augment the current system of assessments to provide additional opportunities for students to demonstrate that they have met the state learning standards. The study is limited to: (1) A review and statistical analysis of Washington assessment of student learning data to profile the students who did not meet the standard in one or more areas of assessment, identify the characteristics of those students, and identify possible barriers to student success or possible causes of the lack of success;(2) A review and identification of additional alternative assessment options that could be used to augment the current assessment system. In identifying the alternative assessment options, the institute shall include a review of alternative assessments used in other states as well as those that have been developed and those that have been proposed in Washington. The institute shall examine the use of national tests as well as career skill certification exams in their review of possible alternative assessment options.(3) Review and identification of additional alternative methods, procedures, or combinations of performance measures, including those proposed in Washington, to assess whether students have met the state learning standards.Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to provide an interim report to the legislature by December 1, 2006, and a final report by December 1, 2007.
| Feb 1 | EKHE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6630-S
by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Prentice, Keiser, Fairley, Regala, McAuliffe, and Kohl-Welles)
Protecting communities from individuals with behaviors that pose a threat of violence or sexual violence.
Protects communities from individuals with behaviors that pose a threat of violence or sexual violence.
| Feb 1 | HEA - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| And refer to Ways & Means. | ||
| Referred to Ways & Means. | ||
SB 6701-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Kastama, Jacobsen, Franklin, Kohl-Welles, and Benton; by request of Governor Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands)
Reaffirming existing Washington state eminent domain laws.
Finds that members of the public have expressed concern regarding a recent United States supreme court decision, Kelo v. New London (No. 04-108 (June 23, 2005)), which upheld, under the United States Constitution, a Connecticut city's exercise of eminent domain. It is the intent of the legislature to recognize, reaffirm, and support existing Washington case law under Article I, section 16 of the state Constitution, that prohibits the condemnation of private property other than for certain public purposes pursuant to law.Provides that, in light of the United States supreme court decision in Kelo v. New London, the legislature intends to reaffirm existing Washington state law relating to the use of eminent domain by state and local governments, and to reaffirm the prohibition in Article I, section 16 of the state Constitution on the use of eminent domain to take private property for private use. To this end, the legislature recognizes, reaffirms, and supports the restrictions on the use of eminent domain to take private property for private use, as set forth in chapters 8.04, 8.08, 8.12, 8.16, and 8.20 RCW and in the Washington state supreme court's decisions of Hogue v. Seattle, 54 Wn.2d 799, 341 P.2d 171 (1959); Miller v. Tacoma, 61 Wn.2d 374, 378 P.2d 464 (1963); In re Petition of Seattle, 96 Wn.2d 616, 638 P.2d 549 (1981); and State ex rel. Washington State Convention & Trade Center v. Evans, 136 Wn.2d 811, 966 P.2d 1252 (1998).
| Jan 31 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; do not pass. | ||
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 6855-S
by Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler and Rasmussen)
Authorizing the application of barley straw to waters of the state.
Provides that, notwithstanding any other provisions of chapter 90.48 RCW, the application of barley straw to waters of the state for the purposes of water clarification is not a discharge of a pollutant requiring a permit as long as the designated provisions are met.Declares that the placement of barley straw into waters of the state in any other instance is not authorized absent a permit.Declares that this act does not alter any permit requirement that may exist under chapter 77.55 RCW.
| Feb 1 | ARED - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 2 | Made eligible to be placed on second reading. | |
SB 6870-S
by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Haugen)
Funding the board of pilotage commissioners' training program.
Provides $1,017,000 for the Board of Pilotage Commissioners.Declares that the appropriation in this act is subject to the following conditions and limitations: $500,000 of the appropriation is provided solely for stipends to trainees in the training program as set forth in rules adopted by the board.
| Feb 1 | TRAN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
| Feb 2 | Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. | |
SB 6886
by Senators Prentice, Franklin, and Kohl-Welles
Providing assistance to non-English speaking voters.
Provides that if more than three percent of the voting-age population in a given county speak a common native language other than English, the county must recruit staff members and poll workers who are fluent in that native language and in English to assist with elections.Provides that if a voter cannot speak English, he or she may use an interpreter to communicate with election officials.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 6887
by Senators Kline, Schoesler, Doumit, Brandland, and Rasmussen
Adding provisions regarding superior court juror fees.
Provides that in any state fiscal period in which funds are appropriated for this purpose, the superior court juror fee under RCW 2.36.150 shall be at least twenty dollars per juror per day and shall not exceed forty dollars. During such fiscal periods, the state shall reimburse each county at least ten dollars per juror per day, and the state shall reimburse each county up to an additional ten dollars per juror per day, on a dollar-for-dollar matching basis, for any increased fee in excess of twenty dollars per juror per day.
| Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |