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 2478 by Representatives Green, Nixon, Haigh, and Hunt; by request of Secretary of State Clarifying laws on ballot measures. Clarifies laws on ballot measures.Provides that a person who knowingly circulates a ballot measure petition that appears to support a measure that differs from the actual measure attached to the petition is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.Repeals RCW 29A.32.050.
HB 3310 by Representatives Bailey, Linville, Kessler, Morrell, and Clibborn Reviewing existing health care coverage statutory requirements. Finds and declares that there has been an ongoing controversy over the costs and benefits of existing health care coverage statutory requirements and their effect on health care insurance costs. It is for this reason that an unbiased, independent actuarial study of existing health care coverage statutory requirements needs to be conducted.Declares that it is not the intent of the legislature to take any actions in relation to the findings of the study until they can be reviewed and analyzed by the legislature, in consultation with the office of the insurance commissioner, health care providers, health carriers, and health care purchasers.Directs the office of the insurance commissioner to contract for an actuarial review and analysis of existing health care coverage statutory requirements.Requires an interim report to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2006, and a final report by December 1, 2007.
SB 5141-S by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Schmidt, McAuliffe, Delvin, Rockefeller, Shin, Weinstein, Berkey, Pflug, Kohl-Welles, Hargrove, Kline, Regala, Thibaudeau, and Spanel) 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, 2008, 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.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.
SB 6214-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Schmidt, Kastama, Kohl-Welles, Jacobsen, Pridemore, Roach, Shin, Benson, and Franklin) Modifying requirements for security guard training. Declares that, to promote and protect the safety of persons and the security of property, the director shall develop and adopt rules establishing a standard course and curriculum for private security guard preassignment and postassignment or on-the-job training and testing requirements. At least two-thirds of annual postassignment or on-the-job training must consist of public safety or emergency procedure subject matter.Provides that a course of training required under this provision may be administered, tested, and certified by any department-certified trainer, but the majority of the classroom instruction must be taught by means of in-person instruction.Provides that, in addition to the postassignment training required under RCW 18.170.100, a private security company must annually provide each licensed security guard in its employ with eight hours of specifically dedicated review or practice of security guard skills taught by department-certified trainers.Requires the director to consult with consumers, labor organizations representing private security officers, private security companies, educators, and subject matter experts before adopting or amending rules relating to the training and testing requirements of this act.Authorizes the department to assess civil penalties against a private security company as provided in chapter 18.235 RCW for the failure to: (1) Maintain an accurate and current record of proof of completion of preassignment training by each private security guard employed by the company;(2) Provide each private security guard with certification of completion of preassignment training;(3) Administer to each private security guard the postassignment training and review or practice of security guard skills according to the schedule required under RCW 18.170.100(3); or(4) Maintain an accurate and current record of proof of completion of the postassignment training and review or practice of security guard skills required under RCW 18.170.100(3).
SB 6216-S by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Johnson, Keiser, Schmidt, Rasmussen, Fairley, Kohl-Welles, Esser, and Doumit; by request of Attorney General) Protecting the news media from being compelled to testify in legal proceedings. Provides that no judicial, legislative, administrative, or other body with the power to issue a subpoena or other compulsory process may compel the news media to testify, produce, or otherwise disclose: (1) The source of any news or information or any information that would tend to identify the source where such source has a reasonable expectation of confidentiality; or(2) Any news or information obtained or prepared by the news media in its capacity in gathering, receiving, or processing news or information for potential communication to the public, including, but not limited to, any notes, outtakes, photographs, video or sound tapes, film, or other data of whatever sort in any medium now known or hereafter devised.Specifies circumstances where a court may compel disclosure of news or information.
SB 6315-S by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Carrell, Benton, Roach, Mulliken, Oke, Schoesler, Schmidt, Regala, Delvin, Stevens, Benson, Sheldon, and Esser) Providing liability protection for landlords. Declares an intent to increase the housing available to sex offenders by providing that landlords who rent to registered sex offenders shall be immune from civil liability for damages that may result.Provides that a landlord who rents to a registered sex offender is immune from civil liability for damages caused by the tenant if the actions of the tenant that gave rise to civil liability were sex offenses described in RCW 9.94A.030. In order for a landlord to be protected from liability as provided under this provision, a landlord must disclose to residents of the property that he or she rents or has a policy of renting to sex offenders.Requires the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs to conduct a study on sex offender registration and sex offender housing laws in every state.Requires the findings and any recommendations from the study to be placed into a final report to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 31, 2006.
SB 6409-S by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Stevens, Doumit, McAuliffe, Regala, Rasmussen, and Oke; by request of Attorney General) Revising provisions relating to sex offender sentencing and disposition alternatives. Provides that an offender pleading guilty must voluntarily admit to the commission of all the elements of the crime of conviction. An offender who enters an Alford plea or Newton plea on a sex offense shall not be eligible for the special sex offender sentencing alternative.
SB 6491-S by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Kline, Johnson, Hargrove, Esser, and Oke) Revising penalty provisions relating to taking a motor vehicle without permission. Revises penalty provisions relating to taking a motor vehicle without permission.
SB 6501-S by Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Environment (originally sponsored by Senators Rockefeller, Poulsen, Morton, Honeyford, Fraser, Regala, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen, Kline, and Keiser; by request of Governor Gregoire) Creating the Washington bioenergy assistance program. Finds that: (1) Washington's dependence on energy supplied from outside the state and volatile global energy markets makes its economy and citizens vulnerable to unpredictable and high energy prices;(2) Washington's dependence on petroleum-based fuels increases energy costs for citizens and businesses;(3) Diesel soot from diesel engines ranks as the highest toxic air pollutant in Washington, leading to hundreds of premature deaths and increasing rates of asthmas and other lung diseases;(4) The use of biodiesel results in significantly less air pollution than traditional diesel fuels;(5) Improper disposal and treatment of organic waste from farms and livestock operations can have a significant negative impact on water quality;(6) Washington has abundant supplies of organic wastes from farms that can be used for energy production and abundant farmland where crops could be grown to supplement or supplant petroleum-based fuels;(7) The use of energy and fuel derived from these sources can help citizens and business conserve energy and reduce the use of petroleum-based fuels, would improve air and water quality in Washington, reduce environmental risks from farm wastes, create new markets for farm products, and provide new industries and jobs for Washington citizens; and(8) The bioenergy industry is a new and developing industry that is, in part, limited by the availability of capital for the construction of facilities for converting farm and forest products into energy and fuels.Finds that it is in the public interest to encourage the rapid adoption and use of bioenergy, to develop a viable bioenergy industry within Washington state, and to support a viable agriculture industry to grow bioenergy crops. To accomplish this, the Washington bioenergy loan program is established to stimulate the construction of facilities in Washington to generate energy from farm sources or convert organic matter into fuels.Requires the director to report to the legislature and governor on the status of the Washington bioenergy assistance program created under this act, on or before December 1st of the years 2006, 2007, and 2009. This report must include information on the projects that have been funded, the status of these projects, and their environmental, energy savings, and job creation benefits.
SB 6519-S by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Benton, Benson, Schoesler, Carrell, Esser, Jacobsen, Pflug, Mulliken, Johnson, Honeyford, Sheldon, Roach, Kline, Oke, Rasmussen, and Keiser) Requiring level III sex offenders to report to law enforcement every three months. Provides that all offenders who are required to register pursuant to this act who have a fixed residence and who are designated as a risk level III must report, in person, every ninety days to the sheriff of the county where he or she is registered, for a period of five years. Reporting shall be on a day specified by the county sheriff's office, and shall occur during normal business hours. An offender who complies with the ninety-day reporting requirement with no violations for a period of five years in the community is no longer subject to the duty to report every ninety days. Failure to report, as specified, constitutes a violation of this act and is punishable as provided.
SB 6523-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Hargrove, Benson, Roach, Fairley, Rasmussen, and Kline) Increasing the minimum age for gambling. Increases the minimum age for gambling to twenty-one.Provides that it is unlawful for a person under the age of twenty-one to engage in the wagering activities allowed by chapter 9.46 RCW when such activities are conducted in any portion of a facility under the ownership or management control of the holder of a license issued by the liquor control board if: (1) Alcohol for on-site consumption is sold anywhere in the facility; or(2) The on-site consumption of alcohol is allowed anywhere in the facility. A violation of this provision is a misdemeanor.Provides that it is unlawful for any person twenty-one years of age or older to assist, participate with, or knowingly allow a person under the age of twenty-one years to engage in any wagering activity allowed by this chapter when such activities are conducted in any portion of a facility under the ownership or management control of the holder of a license issued by the liquor control board if: (1) Alcohol for on-site consumption is sold anywhere in the facility; or(2) The on-site consumption of alcohol is allowed anywhere in the facility. A violation of this provision is a gross misdemeanor.
SB 6535-S by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senator Jacobsen) Concerning aquatic land leases. Provides that a city with a population of five hundred thousand or greater has sixty days from the effective date of this act to negotiate a lease of aquatic lands with the department. If the city fails to negotiate the lease of aquatic lands, the department of natural resources may impose the lease conditions of a county with a population of one million or greater.Authorizes the department of natural resources and the city with a population of five hundred thousand or greater to utilize the services of a mediator to ensure the successful negotiation of the leases referenced in this act.Provides that a city with a population of five hundred thousand or greater may not be granted, nor may it spend, any aquatic lands enhancement account funds until all leases referenced in this act are signed.
SB 6558-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Brown, Hewitt, Eide, Kohl-Welles, Benson, McAuliffe, Benton, Kline, and Keiser) Improving the state of Washington's economic, cultural, and educational standing in the motion picture industry. Declares an intent to recognize both national and international competition in the motion picture production marketplace. The legislature is committed to leveling the competitive playing field and interested in a partnership with the private sector to regain Washington's place as a premier destination to make motion pictures, television, and television commercials. While at the same time the legislature is committed to ensuring that workers in the motion picture and television industry are covered under health insurance and retirement income plans.Directs the department to adopt criteria for an approved motion picture competitiveness program with the sole purpose of revitalizing the state's economic, cultural, and educational standing in the national and international market of motion picture production. Rules adopted by the department shall allow the program, within the established criteria, to provide funding assistance only when it captures economic opportunities for Washington's communities and businesses and shall only be provided under a contractual arrangement with a private entity.Provides that, notwithstanding amounts previously committed by a Washington motion picture competitiveness program board of directors for financial assistance, upon a determination by the office of financial management by July 1, 2009, any approved motion picture competitiveness program with funds greater than one million five hundred thousand dollars to be used for the purposes under this act, shall transfer amounts in excess of one million five hundred thousand dollars to the state treasurer for deposit into the state general fund.
SB 6562-S by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senator Swecker) Establishing a pilot project to develop critical areas safe harbor agreements. Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development, in conjunction with the department of ecology and the department of fish and wildlife, to, by means of a pilot project, study and develop implementation recommendations for an alternative means that can be adopted in statute for cities and counties to use in order to fulfill growth management act goals for protection of critical areas.Requires the pilot project to be conducted on a basin scale at one location in Kittitas county and one location selected by the department of community, trade, and economic development in either Thurston or Lewis county. The pilot project must be completed and the results reported to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2008.Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
SB 6569-S by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama and Swecker; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development) Clarifying the best available science requirements to protect critical areas. Clarifies the best available science requirements to protect critical areas.
SB 6572-S by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senator Hargrove) Revising the unlawful detainer process under the residential landlord-tenant act. Revises the unlawful detainer process under the residential landlord-tenant act.
SB 6595-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Esser, Keiser, Fairley, Kastama, Weinstein, Thibaudeau, Benton, Kline, Pridemore, Prentice, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen, and McAuliffe) Requiring hospitals to establish a safe patient handling committee. Requires hospitals to establish a safe patient handling committee.
SB 6597-S by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Johnson, Kline, Weinstein, and Esser) Modifying trusts and estates, generally. Revises trusts and estates, generally.
SB 6598-S by Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and Jacobsen) Concerning shooting on certain county-owned lands. Provides that any county composed entirely of islands, any of which are connected with the mainland by state highway, may, after the effective date of this act, allow shooting on county-owned lands that contain a trail system constructed or maintained for purposes of outdoor recreation or on county-owned waterfront property surrounded on all sides by homes only where: (1) The county sheriff's office is provided with the resources necessary to secure the safety of all persons and property on and around such county-owned lands available for shooting;(2) The board of county commissioners holds, at least annually, a public hearing on the issue of hunting on such county-owned lands; and(3) Notice of the dates and specific county-owned lands on which shooting will be allowed is given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least one week prior to, and weekly during, the use of such lands for hunting.
SB 6599-S by Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Berkey, Weinstein, Poulsen, and Deccio) Modifying central Puget Sound regional transportation governance and funding. Revises central Puget Sound regional transportation governance and funding.
SB 6613-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Keiser, Kline, Rasmussen, and Shin) Prohibiting internet gambling. Declares that it is the policy of this state to prohibit all forms and means of gambling, except where carefully and specifically authorized and regulated. With the advent of the internet and other technologies and means of communication that were not contemplated when either the gambling act was enacted in 1973, or the lottery commission was created in 1982, it is appropriate for this legislature to reaffirm the policy prohibiting gambling that exploits such new technologies.Provides that an affirmative vote of sixty percent of both houses of the legislature is required before offering any game allowing or requiring a player to become eligible for a prize or to otherwise play any portion of the game by interacting with any device or terminal involving digital, video, or other electronic representations of any game of chance, including scratch tickets, pull-tabs, bingo, poker or other cards, dice, roulette, keno, or slot machines.
SB 6615-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice and Rasmussen) Limiting social card games. Limits the number and location of house-banked social card games.
SB 6632-S by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Eide, Keiser, Roach, Johnson, Regala, Fraser, Haugen, Kline, Hewitt, Swecker, Finkbeiner, McAuliffe, Poulsen, and Spanel) Authorizing Washington state participation in the Johns Hopkins Atlantic cardiovascular patient outcomes research team elective angioplasty study to determine, through evidence-based medicine, whether nonemergency percutaneous coronary interventions can be performed safely and effectively at hospitals without on-site open heart surgery programs. Authorizes Washington state participation in the Johns Hopkins University Atlantic cardiovascular patient outcomes research team elective angioplasty study to determine, through evidence-based medicine, whether nonemergency percutaneous coronary interventions can be performed safely and effectively at hospitals without on-site open heart surgery programs.
SB 6633-S by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, Oke, Roach, and Kohl-Welles) Concerning background checks of metropolitan park district employees. Specifies rules establishing the requirements for a criminal history record information search for the following: Job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors who have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults, or who will be responsible for collecting or disbursing cash or processing credit/debit card transactions. These background checks will be done through the Washington state patrol criminal identification section and may include a national check from the federal bureau of investigation, which shall be through the submission of fingerprints.
SB 6660-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senator Spanel) Implementing the compensation and fringe benefit provisions in the master collective bargaining agreement. Implements the compensation and fringe benefit provisions in the master collective bargaining agreement.
SB 6670-S by Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Delvin, Fraser, Hargrove, and Johnson) Changing court filing fee provisions. Provides that any party filing a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim in an unlawful detainer action under chapter 59.18 or 59.20 RCW shall pay the equivalent to the total filing fee of an unlawful detainer action pursuant to RCW 36.18.020, including the fee for an unlawful detainer answer.
SB 6690-S by Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Thibaudeau, Deccio, Keiser, and Johnson) Providing a certification exemption for the conduct of blood-drawing procedures by research staff in the homes of research study participants. Declares that chapter 18.135 RCW does not prohibit or regulate the performance of blood-drawing procedures by health care assistants in the residences of research study participants when such procedures have been authorized by the institutional review board of a comprehensive cancer center or nonprofit degree-granting institution of higher education and are conducted under the general supervision of a physician.
SB 6697-S by Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Berkey, Schmidt, Shin, Haugen, McAuliffe, Kohl-Welles, and Rasmussen) Establishing technology priorities for institutions of higher education. Recognizes the vital importance to the state's economic prosperity and the economic benefit of placing a priority on enrolling and conferring degrees upon students in the fields of engineering, technology, biotechnology, science, computer science, and mathematics.Declares an intent to promote increased access, delivery models, enrollment slots, and degree opportunities in the fields of engineering, technology, biotechnology, sciences, computer sciences, and mathematics. It is recognized that these areas of study and training are integrally linked to ensuring that Washington state's economy can compete nationally and globally in the twenty-first century marketplace. It is also recognized that community colleges play a unique role in supporting degree attainment in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the development of transferable curricula and the maintenance of viable articulation agreements with both public and private universities.
SB 6703-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, and Honeyford) Allowing spas and art galleries to serve wine to their customers. Authorizes spas to serve wine to their customers.
SB 6710-S by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Kline, and Kohl-Welles) Providing for personal liability for failure to pay unemployment taxes. Provides for personal liability for failure to pay unemployment taxes.
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