 | WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE | |
| Legislative Digest No. 9 | ||
| SIXTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE | ||
| Friday, January 23, 2009 | 12th Day - 2009 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://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/digests.aspx?year=2009.
HB 1496
by Representatives Roberts, Hurst, O'Brien, Simpson, Hinkle, Van De Wege, Ericks, and Sells
Changing the membership to the state interoperability executive committee.
Changes membership of the state interoperability executive committee.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. | |
HB 1497
by Representatives Hunter and Seaquist
Eliminating boards and commissions.
Eliminates state boards and commissions.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1498
by Representatives Hunter, Blake, Kretz, Pedersen, Goodman, Williams, Carlyle, Roberts, McCune, Ericks, White, Hasegawa, Kagi, Nelson, and Warnick
Concerning provisions governing firearms possession by persons who have been involuntarily committed.
Revises provisions regarding firearms possession by persons who have been involuntarily committed.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
HB 1499
by Representatives Eddy, Hudgins, Springer, Anderson, Herrera, Haler, Hasegawa, McCune, and Crouse
Concerning notice of utility facilities relocations.
Authorizes a public agency to require utility facility operators to relocate authorized facilities within the right-of-way when reasonably necessary for construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of the right-of-way, for purposes of public welfare, health, or safety.Requires the public agency to coordinate relocation of existing utility facilities with the affected utility facility operators and to use best efforts to minimize or eliminate utility facility relocations and costs in the project design.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 1500
by Representatives Eddy, Hasegawa, McCune, Crouse, Nelson, and Upthegrove
Concerning recording devices in motor vehicles.
Requires a manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold or leased in this state, that is equipped with one or more recording devices, to disclose in the owner's manual: (1) That the motor vehicle is equipped with one or more recording devices;(2) The type of data recorded; and(3) Whether the recording device or devices have the ability to transmit information to a central communications system or other external device.Prohibits an insurer from refusing to renew a motor vehicle insurance policy solely because a motor vehicle owner refuses to provide access to recorded data from a recording device.Prohibits an insurer or agent from reducing coverage, increasing the insured's premium, applying a surcharge, refusing to apply a discount other than a discount that is based on data recorded by a recording device, or, when there are multiple insurers available, failing to place the motor vehicle owner with the most favorably priced insurer, solely because a motor vehicle owner refuses to allow an insurer access to data from a recording device.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1501
by Representatives Appleton, Roberts, Moeller, Goodman, Ormsby, Green, Sells, Nelson, Hasegawa, and Kagi
Addressing mitigating factors in sentencing juveniles sentenced as adults.
Addresses mitigating factors in sentencing juveniles sentenced as adults.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. | |
HB 1502
by Representatives Green, Kenney, Morrell, Appleton, Blake, Pettigrew, Seaquist, Ormsby, Chase, Haigh, Liias, Quall, Cody, Roberts, Goodman, White, Santos, Conway, and Simpson
Increasing the number of school nurses.
Finds that schools are increasingly required to play an expanding role in protecting our children's health and that school nurses play a pivotal role in improving the health and education success of school-age children. Current data from the office of the superintendent of public instruction indicates the statewide average ratio of nurses to students is one to two thousand six hundred fifty.Declares an intent to create a nurse-to-student ratio of one to seven hundred fifty by the 2015-16 school year, phased-in as follows: One to fifteen hundred during the 2009-2011 biennium; one to twelve hundred fifty during the 2011-2013 biennium; one to one thousand during the 2013-2015 biennium; and one to seven hundred fifty during the 2015-2017 biennium.Requires public school districts, in order to provide for the health and safety of students, to provide for professional registered nurse services to manage the student and school health services, as established in RCW 28A.150.260.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Education. | |
HB 1503
by Representatives Dickerson, Campbell, Green, Morrell, and Moeller
Establishing rates for medically intensive home health care.
Requires the department of social and health services to establish, by rule, rates for medically intensive home health care that are equivalent to rates established for similar services by the department of labor and industries.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
HB 1504
by Representatives Liias, Williams, Clibborn, Upthegrove, Hasegawa, and Simpson
Eliminating the handling loss deduction for the motor vehicle fuel tax.
Eliminates the handling loss deduction for the motor vehicle fuel tax.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1505
by Representatives Dickerson, Dammeier, Green, Appleton, Roberts, Carlyle, Morrell, Orwall, Nelson, Johnson, and Hasegawa
Authorizing diversion for sexually exploited juveniles.
Finds that: (1) Juveniles involved in the commercial sex trade are sexually exploited and they face extreme threats to their physical and emotional well-being;(2) These juveniles are in critical need of comprehensive services, including housing, mental health counseling, education, employment, chemical dependency treatment, and skill building; and(3) A diversion program to provide these comprehensive services, working within existing resources in the counties which prosecute juveniles for prostitution and prostitution loitering, is an appropriate alternative to the prosecution of juveniles involved in the commercial sex trade.Expires July 1, 2011.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Human Services. | |
HB 1506
by Representatives Conway, Bailey, Chase, Kirby, O'Brien, Kenney, Simpson, Carlyle, Hinkle, Goodman, Williams, Upthegrove, White, and Kelley; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy
Providing benefits for the survivors of certain firefighters.
Allows a retired firefighter married to a spouse ineligible for survivor benefits under RCW 41.18.040, 41.18.080, and 41.18.100 to choose an actuarially equivalent benefit adopted by the municipal firefighters' pension board that pays the retired firefighter a reduced retirement allowance, and upon death such portion of the retired firefighter's reduced retirement allowance as designated by the retired firefighter shall be continued throughout the life of the spouse.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
HB 1507
by Representatives Roberts, Appleton, Dickerson, Carlyle, Flannigan, Darneille, Hasegawa, Williams, Goodman, Pedersen, Hunt, Kagi, McCoy, Moeller, Nelson, Simpson, Chase, and Wood
Ending sentences of life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole for certain juveniles.
Removes the sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release or parole for certain juveniles.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. | |
HB 1508
by Representatives Sullivan, Nelson, and Simpson
Concerning the reclassification of property enrolled in current use property tax programs.
Modifies provisions regarding reclassification of property enrolled in current use property tax programs.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1509
by Representatives Ross, Klippert, Takko, Armstrong, Warnick, Schmick, Smith, Hinkle, McCune, and Johnson
Defining the term "stock watering" for the purposes of chapter 90.44 RCW.
Defines "stock watering" for purposes of chapter 90.44 RCW, relating to public groundwaters.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 1510
by Representatives Ross, Klippert, and Johnson
Regarding disclosure of confidential information on birth certificates.
Allows information contained in the confidential section of a birth certificate form to be available for review by: (1) A member of the public, or for certification purposes, upon order of the court; or(2) An individual who is the subject of the confidential information upon confirmation of the identity of the requestor in a manner approved by the state board of health.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1511
by Representatives Ross, Chandler, Johnson, Warnick, Armstrong, Pearson, and Newhouse
Requiring drug testing of peace officers.
Requires drug testing of peace officers.
| Jan 22 | Held on first reading. | |
HB 1512
by Representatives Haler, Roach, and Klippert
Authorizing the funding of rail freight service through grants.
Allows funding of rail freight service through grants.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
| First reading, referred to Transportation. | ||
HB 1513
by Representative Haler
Allowing municipalities to participate in financing the development of water or sewer facility projects.
Allows a municipality, if authorized by ordinance or contract, to participate in financing the development of water or sewer facilities development projects authorized by, and in accordance with, the act.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Local Government & Housing. | |
HB 1514
by Representatives Green, Hinkle, Cody, and Morrell; by request of Department of Health
Regarding counseling professions subject to the authority of the secretary of health.
Adds and removes counseling professions subject to the authority of the secretary of the department of health under the uniform disciplinary act.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1515
by Representatives Driscoll, Ericksen, Cody, Ross, Morrell, Green, Upthegrove, Kelley, Johnson, Maxwell, and Wood; by request of Department of Health
Allowing electronic approval of vital records.
Allows certain persons to approve vital records electronically.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1516
by Representatives Blake and Kretz
Regarding the recovery of gear used in the coastal Dungeness crab fishery.
Provides that all rules adopted relating to the Dungeness crab-coastal fishery must: (1) Allow individuals with the applicable commercial fishery license to remove fishing gear remaining in the water in that fishery after the close of the fishing season, regardless of whether it was originally set by the individual or not; and(2) At a minimum, address certain geographic regions.Authorizes the fish and wildlife commission to require a system of declaring gear abandoned and posting of abandoned gear declarations by the department of fish and wildlife to facilitate the process of removing gear after the close of the fishing season, if appropriate.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 1517
by Representatives Darneille, Green, Dickerson, Goodman, Ormsby, Roberts, Flannigan, Pedersen, Appleton, Upthegrove, Simpson, Hasegawa, Chase, Liias, Miloscia, Kagi, Hudgins, Hunt, Santos, Wood, Moeller, Williams, Kenney, Carlyle, Nelson, and Quall
Changing requirements for the restoration of the right to vote for people convicted of felonies.
Restores the right to vote for a person convicted of a felony if certain conditions are met.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1518
by Representatives Conway, Condotta, Green, Kelley, and Wood; by request of State Board of Accountancy
Regarding prohibited practices in accountancy.
Prohibits a firm with an office in this state from performing or offering to perform attest services or compilation services, as those terms are defined in RCW 18.04.025, relevant to accountancy.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1519
by Representatives Hasegawa, Green, Morrell, Roberts, Nelson, Upthegrove, Santos, Simpson, and Chase
Requiring language access services for persons with limited English proficiency in health care and insurance matters.
Finds that: (1) Hundreds of thousands of patients in Washington need interpretation and translation services to understand medical instructions and diagnoses and to communicate clearly with their health care providers;(2) The health care system in the state is not currently meeting the needs of these patients, largely because of unanswered questions about how to fund needed language services;(3) Studies document that limited English speakers are less likely to have a regular primary care provider or receive preventative care, and are more likely to experience medical errors, all of which lead to negative health outcomes and higher long-term costs to the health care system;(4) Language barriers impede informed consent for treatment and surgical procedures, leaving health care organizations and providers vulnerable to potentially costly lawsuits;(5) According to the 2005 American community survey, four hundred fifty-four thousand Washington residents speak English less than very well;(6) Medicaid and the state children's health insurance program provide interpretation and translation services. Many private insurers and the Washington basic health plan do not; and(7) Quality language services lead to better health outcomes and long-term cost savings to the health care system, and the private and public sectors should share the responsibility of covering the cost of these vital services.Requires contracted managed health care systems to provide interpretation services to limited English proficient enrollees, to the extent funding is available for that purpose.Directs all health care service contractors that provide coverage for health care services to provide interpretation services or reimburse clinical health care providers, contract representatives, or administrators that are responsible for billing and claims services for providing interpretation services to limited English proficient enrolled participants.Directs all health maintenance organizations that provide coverage for health care services to provide interpretation services or reimburse clinical health care providers, contract representatives, or administrators that are responsible for billing and claims services for providing interpretation services to limited English proficient enrolled participants.Directs, for all disability insurance contracts that provide hospital and medical expenses and health care services, insurers to provide interpretation services or reimburse clinical health care providers, contract representatives, or administrators that are responsible for billing and claims services for providing interpretation services to limited English proficient insured individuals.Establishes a working group on language access in health care in the department of health.Requires the insurance commissioner to conduct a study of language issues that affect consumers who purchase health insurance contracts in the state of Washington.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1520
by Representatives Hudgins, Morris, Morrell, Hasegawa, and Chase
Streamlining the implementation and coordination of state energy policies and programs.
Finds that implementation of Washington's sustainable energy agenda is being impeded due to the fragmented division of responsibilities among the state-based energy agencies and institutions and the lack of a central coordinating agency that ensures cooperation and the execution of a strategic plan.Declares an intent to: (1) Centralize and integrate state energy programs and certain regulatory functions that are currently spread throughout state government into one central office called the sustainable energy office; and(2) Ensure staffing resources are allocated in the most efficient and effective manner possible, eliminate the duplication of services, and ensure the execution of policies adopted by the legislature.Creates the sustainable energy office.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 1521
by Representatives Hudgins, Morris, Hasegawa, and Chase
Developing more effective streamlining of technology and innovation in the state of Washington.
Finds that due to the fragmentation of state technology efforts and resources and the lack of a technology strategic vision and central coordinating body, the state is hindered in advancing innovation throughout the state. State technology entities vary significantly in their administrative overhead costs and vary in the methods used to calculate these costs.Declares an intent to improve interactions among state technology entities to advance and ensure appropriate coordination and collaboration, eliminate duplication of services, set the direction for current and future technology efforts through a strategic planning process and work plan, and establish performance metrics and a prudent administrative overhead rate of no more than thirty-two percent.Directs the governor, with an awareness of the state budget timetable, to issue a report on the vision for technology development in Washington. The governor shall consult with state technology entities to gather input into the governor's vision for technology development in Washington.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Technology, Energy & Communications. | |
HB 1522
by Representatives Hudgins, Dunshee, Hunt, Hasegawa, Williams, and Chase
Regarding repair and reuse of electronic products by registered collectors.
Regulates the repair and reuse of electronic products by registered collectors of those products.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Environmental Health. | |
HB 1523
by Representatives Ericks, Orcutt, Springer, Chandler, Morrell, Armstrong, Sells, Alexander, Eddy, Roberts, Hinkle, Ross, Roach, Kelley, Johnson, Kristiansen, and Simpson
Concerning the burden of proof for corrections to property tax valuations made by public officials.
Clarifies provisions regarding the burden of proof for corrections to property tax valuations.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Finance. | |
HB 1524
by Representatives Wallace, Simpson, and Sullivan
Concerning the construction of a state boundary bridge.
Requires the department of transportation, subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for the purpose of constructing a state boundary bridge, to issue a request for proposals to interested parties who meet certain requirements.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1525
by Representatives Kelley, Probst, Conway, Ericks, Herrera, Orcutt, Sullivan, Jacks, Wallace, Springer, Blake, Goodman, Morrell, Maxwell, and Simpson
Promoting economic development and community revitalization.
Recognizes that the state as a whole benefits from investment in public infrastructure because it promotes community and economic development. Public investment stimulates business activity and helps create jobs, stimulates the redevelopment of brownfields and blighted areas in the inner city, lowers the cost of housing, and promotes efficient land use. These activities generate revenue for the state and it is in the public interest to invest in these projects through a credit against the state sales and use tax to those local governments that can demonstrate the expected returns to the state.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Community & Economic Development & Trade. | |
HB 1526
by Representatives Santos, Simpson, McCoy, Sullivan, and Nelson
Removing essential government services as a condition to exempt from taxation property belonging to federally recognized Indian tribes.
Removes essential government services as a condition to exempt from taxation property belonging to any federally recognized Indian tribe located in this state.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs. | |
HB 1527
by Representatives Kessler, Rolfes, Williams, and Santos
Concerning medicaid payment rates for boarding homes.
Provides that, prior to implementing any upward or downward adjustment to the daily medicaid payment rate for consumers that are assessed using the comprehensive assessment reporting evaluation tool and reside in boarding homes contracted to provide assisted living services, adult residential care, or enhanced adult residential care services, the department of social and health services must convene at least one public hearing, with at least thirty days' notice to all boarding home providers, to inform boarding home providers how the upward or downward adjustments were calculated and to review all factors considered by the department in implementing the adjustments.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1528
by Representatives Sells, Conway, Green, Kenney, Hasegawa, Miloscia, Morrell, Van De Wege, Cody, Appleton, Dickerson, O'Brien, Simpson, Chase, Williams, Moeller, Goodman, Ormsby, Nelson, Eddy, Hunt, Dunshee, Roberts, McCoy, Blake, Kirby, Jacks, Hurst, Wood, Takko, Ericks, Campbell, Seaquist, Kagi, Haigh, White, Flannigan, Rolfes, Wallace, Quall, Sullivan, Darneille, Orwall, Finn, Morris, Hudgins, and Santos
Prohibiting certain employer communications about political or religious matters.
Prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to attend a meeting, or listen to, or respond to, or participate in, any other communication when a purpose of the requirement is to ensure that employees receive communications relating to political or religious matters or to influence the employee's beliefs, opinions, or actions about political or religious matters.Requires an employer to post a notice of employee rights in a conspicuous place accessible to the employees at the employer's place of business.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1529
by Representatives Seaquist, Hinkle, Morrell, Bailey, Moeller, Clibborn, Green, and Cody
Concerning telemedicine.
Regulates the delivery of home health care services through telemedicine.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. | |
HB 1530
by Representatives Kirby and Bailey
Creating the guaranteed asset protection waiver model act.
Creates the guaranteed asset protection waiver model act.Authorizes the insurance commissioner to take action that is necessary or appropriate to enforce the act and to protect guaranteed asset protection waiver holders in this state.Creates the guaranteed asset protection waiver account.Provides that the act is applicable to all guaranteed asset protection waiver agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2010.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions & Insurance. | |
HB 1531
by Representatives McCune, Angel, Haler, Campbell, Hinkle, Bailey, Condotta, Shea, Crouse, Chandler, Pearson, O'Brien, Williams, Johnson, Kristiansen, and Smith
Requiring background checks for those providing locksmith services.
Directs the department of labor and industries to require applicants for registration and renewal who perform locksmith services to complete a fingerprint-based background check through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system and through the federal bureau of investigation.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Commerce & Labor. | |
HB 1532
by Representatives Rolfes, Chandler, Seaquist, Johnson, Upthegrove, Blake, and Miloscia
Authorizing water-sewer districts to construct, condemn and purchase, add to, maintain, and operate systems for wastewater reclamation.
Authorizes a water-sewer district to construct, condemn and purchase, add to, maintain, and operate systems of wastewater reclamation as authorized by chapter 90.46 RCW for the purpose of furnishing the district and the inhabitants thereof with reclaimed wastewater for all authorized uses and purposes, public and private, including with full authority to regulate the use and operation thereof and the service rates to be charged. In compliance with other sections of chapter 57.08 RCW, a district may also provide reclaimed wastewater services to persons outside the district.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Local Government & Housing. | |
HB 1533
by Representatives Clibborn and Morris; by request of Department of Transportation
Concerning bond amounts for department of transportation highway contracts.
Allows the department of transportation to authorize bonds in an amount less than the full contract price of a project on highway construction contracts administered by the department of transportation with an estimated contract price of two hundred fifty million dollars or more.Expires June 30, 2016.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1534
by Representatives Upthegrove, Takko, and Williams
Concerning local utility district response to well notification.
Modifies provisions regarding a local utility district's response to well notification.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources. | |
HB 1535
by Representatives Wood, Upthegrove, and Williams
Addressing traffic control at thoroughfare work sites.
Addresses traffic control at work sites conducted on or adjacent to a commonly traveled thoroughfare.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
HB 1536
by Representatives Clibborn, Roach, Eddy, Morris, and Simpson; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission
Concerning permits for and advertising by household goods carriers.
Revises provisions relating to permits for and advertising by household goods carriers.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5035-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Swecker, Marr, Roach, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, Hatfield, McAuliffe, and Haugen; by request of Joint Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs)
Improving veterans' access to services.
Directs the department of veterans affairs to study efficient ways to increase the department's access to veterans, and to increase veterans' access to the state and federal assistance programs for which they may be eligible.Requires the department of veterans affairs to submit a report to the legislature with recommendations.
| Jan 22 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5116-S
by Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senator Honeyford)
Designating "The Evergreen State" as the official nickname of the state of Washington.
Designates "the evergreen state" as the official nickname of the state of Washington.
| Jan 22 | GO - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. | |
| Minority; without recommendation. | ||
| Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. | ||
SB 5426
by Senators Kastama, Berkey, and Fairley
Authorizing certain areas in cities or towns to annex to a fire protection district.
Authorizes certain areas in cities or towns with a population greater than five thousand but less than ten thousand to annex to a fire protection district.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5427
by Senators Ranker, Kline, Delvin, Haugen, King, Jacobsen, Shin, and Tom
Addressing the release of certified abstracts of full driving records.
Modifies provisions regarding the release of certified abstracts of full driving records.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Judiciary. | |
SB 5428
by Senator Zarelli
Modifying the use of certain transportation benefit district funds.
Revises provisions regarding the use of certain transportation benefit district funds.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5429
by Senators Keiser, Kauffman, Rockefeller, Shin, Kline, and Kohl-Welles
Providing incentives for solar electric power.
Provides incentives for solar electric power.Declares an intent to: (1) Increase incentive payments to businesses installing solar power for use on-site;(2) Prevent increases in property tax valuation from solar power installation; and(3) Provide additional incentives for solar power installation.Provides that property equipped with solar energy systems for the purpose of heating, cooling, or generating electrical energy is exempt from ad valorem taxation in an amount that equals any positive amount obtained by subtracting the real market value of the property, as if it were not equipped with such systems, from the real market value of the property so equipped.Allows a credit against the tax imposed under chapter 82.04 RCW, subject to the limits and provisions of section 5 of the act, for a taxpayer that either: (1) Installs one or more solar energy systems during the taxable year for commercial or industrial purposes in the taxpayer's trade or business facility located in this state; or(2) Receives certification from the department of revenue recognizing its financing of the installation, in a facility located in this state, of one or more solar energy systems during the taxable year by a third-party organization that is exempt from taxation imposed under chapter 82.04 RCW.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Environment, Water & Energy. | |
SB 5430
by Senators Fraser, Pridemore, Swecker, Rockefeller, McDermott, and Shin
Concerning water discharge fees.
Limits the annual fee paid by a municipality, as defined in 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1362, for all domestic wastewater facility permits issued under RCW 90.48.162 and 90.48.260 to eighteen cents per month per residence or residential equivalent contributing to the municipality's wastewater system.Authorizes the department of ecology to: (1) Increase fees up to the fiscal growth factor for fiscal year 2010; and(2) Adjust the fee schedule annually through December 31, 2011.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Environment, Water & Energy. | |
SB 5431
by Senators Stevens, Hargrove, Regala, McAuliffe, Carrell, Brandland, and King
Regarding placement of a child returning to out-of-home care.
Revises provisions in regard to placement of a child returning to out-of-home care.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5432
by Senators Regala, Pridemore, Fraser, and Fairley
Adjusting the property tax levy lid limits for certain local services.
Adjusts the property tax levy lid limits for certain local services.Provides that certain sections of the act apply to taxes levied for collection in 2010 and thereafter.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5433
by Senators Regala, Swecker, Rockefeller, Morton, Fraser, Ranker, Fairley, and Shin
Modifying provisions of local option taxes.
Modifies provisions of local option taxes.Provides that the act applies retroactively to October 1, 2008, as well as prospectively.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5434
by Senators Marr, Holmquist, Kohl-Welles, and Shin; by request of State Board of Accountancy
Regarding prohibited practices in accountancy.
Prohibits a firm with an office in this state from performing or offering to perform attest services or compilation services, as those terms are defined in RCW 18.04.025, relevant to accountancy.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5435
by Senators Marr, Swecker, Holmquist, McDermott, Shin, and Tom; by request of State Board of Accountancy
Protecting financial and medical information presented to the board of accountancy.
Provides that the financial records of certified public accountants and clients that are provided to the board of accountancy in the course of an investigation or in conjunction with an application for licensure under chapter 18.04 RCW are not subject to disclosure under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, are privileged, and are not subject to discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal process or introduction into evidence in any civil action or arbitration.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5436
by Senators Murray, Keiser, Pflug, Marr, Parlette, Kastama, and Roach
Concerning direct patient-provider primary care practice arrangements.
Modifies provisions regarding payment arrangements involving direct patient-provider primary care practices.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 5437
by Senators Schoesler, Hatfield, and Haugen; by request of Conservation Commission
Regarding the operation and authority of the state conservation commission.
Modifies the operation and authority of the state conservation commission.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development. | |
SB 5438
by Senators Rockefeller and Marr
Allowing crime victims to submit input to the department of corrections regarding an offender's placement in work release.
Allows crime victims to submit input to the department of corrections regarding an offender's placement in work release.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5439
by Senators Haugen, Sheldon, Kauffman, Shin, Kline, McDermott, and Kohl-Welles
Providing benefits to domestic partners under the Washington state patrol retirement system.
Provides benefits to domestic partners under the Washington state patrol retirement system.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5440
by Senators Sheldon, Kauffman, Kline, Roach, and McDermott
Involving tribal governments when choosing names for state ferries.
Involves tribal governments when naming or renaming state ferries.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5441
by Senators Eide, Zarelli, Marr, Honeyford, Hargrove, Morton, Hatfield, Holmquist, Schoesler, Sheldon, Delvin, Shin, Hewitt, Kline, and Benton
Creating incentives for the use of biomass in renewable energy production.
Finds that: (1) Communities across the state have natural resource-based economies and rely on the use of biomass fuels to generate electricity for use in manufacturing and to serve local residents;(2) In 2007, citizens of the state authorized a law (chapter 19.285 RCW) requiring electric utilities that serve more than twenty-five thousand customers in Washington to obtain fifteen percent of their electricity from new renewable resources by 2020 and to meet energy conservation goals;(3) Eight other western states have renewable energy standards, but most of those other laws, unlike chapter 19.285 RCW, allow existing biomass resources to count as renewable energy resources; and(4) By discriminating against our state's natural assets for producing renewable energy, chapter 19.285 RCW obligates local electric utilities to acquire more expensive renewable resource technologies.Declares that chapter 19.285 RCW should be amended to preserve our low electricity costs and its economic benefits to urban and rural communities alike, and to promote further development of the low cost, climate-friendly biomass resources that form the foundation of our present and future clean energy economy.Allows harvesters a credit against the amount of business and occupation tax otherwise due.Exempts the use or sale of forest derived biomass used to produce electricity, steam, heat, or biofuel from the sales and use tax.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Environment, Water & Energy. | |
SB 5442
by Senators Hargrove, Zarelli, Morton, Haugen, Hatfield, Benton, and Roach
Providing excise tax exemptions for hog fuel used for production of electricity, steam, heat, or biofuel.
Provides excise tax exemptions for hog fuel used for production of electricity, steam, heat, or biofuel.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Environment, Water & Energy. | |
SB 5443
by Senators Kastama and Hobbs
Concerning the reporting requirements of state and local tax programs.
Finds that accountability and effectiveness are important aspects of setting tax policy. In order to make policy choices regarding the best use of limited state resources, the legislature needs information on how a tax preference is used. In recent years, the legislature has enacted or extended numerous tax preferences that require the reporting of information to the department of revenue. Although there are many similarities in the requirements, and only two distinct accountability documents, there is a lack of uniformity in the information reported, penalties for failure to file, due dates, filing extensions, and filing requirements. Greater uniformity in the data reported is necessary to adequately compare tax preference programs.Declares an intent to create two sets of uniform reporting requirements that apply to the existing tax preferences and can be used in future legislation granting additional tax preferences.Requires the legislative fiscal committees or the department of revenue to study many of the existing tax preferences and report to the legislature at least once. Because chapter 43.136 RCW now requires the joint legislative audit and review committee, with support from the department of revenue, to comprehensively review most tax preferences every ten years and provide a report to the legislature, a number of redundant studies by the legislative fiscal committees and the department of revenue have been eliminated. However, the department of revenue will continue to prepare summary descriptive statistics by category and report the statistics to the legislature each year.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Innovation. | |
SB 5444
by Senators Jarrett, Pflug, Tom, Ranker, Oemig, McAuliffe, Eide, Fairley, Shin, Hobbs, Rockefeller, Kline, McDermott, Haugen, and Kohl-Welles
Creating a comprehensive system of public education programs, finance, and accountability.
Creates a comprehensive system of public education programs, finance, and accountability.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
SB 5445
by Senators McDermott and Pridemore
Concerning facilities for local governments.
Aids the development of facilities used for public health, safety, or justice purposes by allowing an extended increased levy period and by providing that the rental rates agreed upon in city building and land leases are reasonable when rates for comparable spaces are not available.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5446
by Senators Prentice, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, McDermott, Fairley, Franklin, Kline, Murray, Ranker, Tom, Shin, Regala, Hobbs, Kauffman, Pridemore, McAuliffe, Kastama, Hatfield, Oemig, Fraser, and Jacobsen
Prohibiting certain employer communications about political or religious matters.
Prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to attend a meeting, or listen to, or respond to, or participate in, any other communication when a purpose of the requirement is to ensure that employees receive communications relating to political or religious matters or to influence the employee's beliefs, opinions, or actions about political or religious matters.Requires an employer to post a notice of employee rights in a conspicuous place accessible to the employees at the employer's place of business.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5447
by Senators Fairley, Hobbs, and Berkey
Changing the county population requirement in order for a county to lease space with an option to purchase.
Modifies the county population requirement in order for a county to lease space with an option to purchase.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5448
by Senators Shin, Haugen, Kastama, Hobbs, Keiser, Rockefeller, Hatfield, Franklin, Delvin, Regala, Fraser, and Marr
Establishing local public works assistance funds.
Authorizes county legislative authorities to establish local public works assistance funds for the purpose of funding public works projects located wholly or partially within the county.Authorizes counties, in consultation with cities and towns within the county, to make loans to local governments from funds established under the act for the purpose of assisting local governments in funding public works projects.Requires county legislative authorities using or providing money under the act to develop a prioritization process for funding public works projects that gives priority to projects necessary to address public health needs or substantial environmental degradation.Requires county legislative authorities providing funding for public works projects under the act to keep proper records of accounts and are subject to audit by the state auditor.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Innovation. | |
SB 5449
by Senators McAuliffe, Hobbs, McDermott, Oemig, Jarrett, and Kohl-Welles
Regarding establishing and meeting graduation and reengagement goals.
Declares it is the goal of the state that by 2020: (1) Ninety-five percent of students must graduate from high school in four years; and(2) Sixty percent of youth who have dropped out of school must be reengaged in education and be college and work ready.Directs the office of the superintendent of public instruction to establish a state-level building bridges advisory committee.Requires the state board of education to: (1) Establish annual graduation rate targets for schools and school districts in order to meet the graduation rate goal;(2) Establish annual targets for youth who have dropped out of school in order to meet the reengagement goal; and(3) In consultation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the building bridges advisory committee, make recommendations to the legislature on a focused assistance program and incentives for school districts to improve their high school graduation rate.Directs the workforce training and education coordinating board to provide advice to the building bridges advisory committee on how best to reengage older youth who have dropped out of school and help them become college and work ready.Requires the workforce training and education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, the employment security department, the department of community, trade, and economic development, the department of health, the department of social and health services, and the family policy council to collaborate with other state agencies and organizations to meet state graduation rate goals and help reduce the dropout rate, in accordance with the act.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
SB 5450
by Senators Haugen and Swecker; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission
Concerning permits for and advertising by household goods carriers.
Revises provisions relating to permits for and advertising by household goods carriers.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5451
by Senators Oemig, Ranker, Rockefeller, Honeyford, and Fraser; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission
Changing the date for setting the amount of pipeline safety fees.
Extends the date for setting the amount of pipeline safety fees.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Environment, Water & Energy. | |
SB 5452
by Senators Kauffman, Kohl-Welles, Tom, Delvin, Kline, Honeyford, Kilmer, Jarrett, McCaslin, Fraser, Prentice, Shin, and McDermott
Increasing the debt limit of the housing finance commission.
Increases the debt limit of the housing finance commission.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance. | |
SB 5453
by Senators Kastama and Franklin
Defining "principal residence" for the purpose of relocation of a child.
Defines "principal residence" for the purpose of relocation of a child.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5454
by Senators Kastama, Berkey, Franklin, Hargrove, and Roach
Creating the new crime of abandonment of a dependent person in the fourth degree.
Creates the new crime of abandonment of a dependent person in the fourth degree.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections. | |
SB 5455
by Senators Keiser, Brandland, Rockefeller, and Kohl-Welles
Regarding dental hygiene.
Expands the duties of dental hygienists.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 5456
by Senator Oemig
Creating the office of the citizen advocate.
Declares an intent to establish, in addition to other remedies or rights of appeal of any person under state law, an independent, impartial state office, readily available to the public and accountable to the legislature. The office shall be empowered to investigate the acts of state administrative agencies and to recommend appropriate changes toward the goals of safeguarding the rights of persons and of achieving higher levels of competency, efficiency, and justice in the administration of state laws.Creates an office within the legislative branch to be known as the citizen advocate.Requires the office of the citizen advocate to review the powers and duties of the mental health ombudsman, the office of family and children's ombudsman, and the long-term care ombudsman and based on those reviews make certain recommendations to the legislature.Abolishes the office of the ombudsman for workers of industrial insurance self-insured employers, the office of the education ombudsman, the special education ombudsman program located within the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and the office of the family and children's ombudsman.Creates the citizen advocate administrative account.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SB 5457
by Senator Oemig
Concerning vaccines.
Requires notification to certain persons who are to be vaccinated or injected with any mercury-containing product.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care. | |
SB 5458
by Senators Marr, Swecker, Haugen, King, and Shin; by request of Office of Financial Management
Concerning economic stimulus transportation funding and appropriations.
Declares it is the intent of the governor and the legislature to stimulate Washington's lagging economy and reduce the state's unemployment rate by quickly putting people to work on infrastructure projects that will promote safety, relieve traffic congestion, and make long-term investments that will provide benefits into the future.Adopts the economic stimulus transportation budget.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5459
by Senators Hobbs, Pridemore, and McAuliffe
Creating multiple measures to meet high school graduation requirements.
Declares an intent to account for a student's entire high school academic history by implementing an assessment system that evaluates a student's readiness to graduate based on multiple measures. This method recognizes all of the state's graduation requirements, considers the academic impact and benefit of each, and puts all in proper perspective.Allows every student the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma by obtaining a set weighted graduation score, as established by the state board of education, in relation to his or her performance in the entire multiple measures high school assessment system, as calculated under section 2 (2) of the act.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education. | |
SB 5460
by Senators Tom, Zarelli, Prentice, Hewitt, and Kline
Reducing the administrative cost of state government during the 2007-2009 and 2009-2011 fiscal biennia.
Directs the office of financial management to reduce allotments for all agencies for salaries, wages, fringe benefits, personal service contracts, equipment, travel, and training by $105,450,000 from 2007-09 biennial general fund and related funds appropriations to reflect the elimination of expenditures required by the act as identified in LEAP document BT-2009, a computerized tabulation developed by the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee on January 22, 2009. The general fund allotment reduction shall be placed in unallotted status and remain unexpended.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 5461
by Senator Haugen
Concerning reserve account and study requirements for condominium associations.
Confirms that a condominium association with ten or less units and a limited common area is not required to conduct a reserve account study or establish a reserve account.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance. | |
SB 5462
by Senators Holmquist, Hewitt, King, Schoesler, Delvin, Stevens, Parlette, and Honeyford
Simplifying and adding certainty to the calculation of workers' compensation benefits.
Simplifies and adds certainty to the calculation of workers' compensation benefits.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5463
by Senators Holmquist, Hewitt, King, Honeyford, Pflug, Roach, Delvin, Stevens, Schoesler, and Swecker
Creating a good faith defense for certain minimum wage and overtime compensation complaints.
Creates a good faith defense for certain complaints relating to minimum wage and overtime compensation.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5464
by Senators Holmquist, Schoesler, Pflug, King, Swecker, Delvin, Stevens, Parlette, and Honeyford
Restricting the use of industrial insurance funds.
Limits expenditures from industrial insurance funds.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5465
by Senators Holmquist, Hewitt, King, Morton, Pflug, Schoesler, Swecker, Stevens, Parlette, and Honeyford
Establishing requirements for industrial insurance final settlement agreements.
Establishes requirements for industrial insurance final settlement agreements.Directs the department of labor and industries to develop and maintain a registry system by which it records final settlement agreements entered into between the parties.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5466
by Senators Holmquist, Hewitt, Schoesler, King, Pflug, Carrell, Swecker, and Honeyford
Defining the term employ for minimum wage purposes.
Defines the terms "employ" and "work" for minimum wage purposes.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5467
by Senators Holmquist, Hobbs, Hatfield, Shin, Hewitt, McCaslin, and Roach
Concerning tax incentives for the production, distribution, sale, and use of alcohol fuel,?wood?biomass?fuel,?biodiesel fuel, and biodiesel feedstock.
Requires a person claiming a tax preference that requires a survey under section 8 of the act to file a complete annual survey with the department of revenue by March 31st of the year following any calendar year in which a person becomes eligible to claim the tax preference.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 5468
by Senators Honeyford, McCaslin, Kilmer, King, Delvin, Jacobsen, Berkey, and Shin
Permitting an exemption for nonprofit housing organizations from the consumer loan act.
Permits an exemption for nonprofit housing organizations from the consumer loan act.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance. | |
SB 5469
by Senators Parlette, Eide, Jarrett, and McCaslin
Modifying limitations on the use of intermediate licenses.
Expands the requirements for an intermediate licensee to drive at any hour without restrictions on the number of passengers in the vehicle.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Transportation. | |
SB 5470
by Senators Stevens, Carrell, Parlette, Swecker, McCaslin, Hewitt, Schoesler, King, Holmquist, Pflug, Roach, Delvin, and Benton
Providing sales and use tax exemptions for senior residents of qualified low-income senior housing facilities.
Provides a sales and use tax exemption for senior residents of qualified low-income senior housing facilities.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SB 5471
by Senators Carrell and Holmquist
Defining unemployed as it relates to corporate officers.
Defines "unemployed" as it relates to corporate officers.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection. | |
SB 5472
by Senators Sheldon, Parlette, and Benton
Determining the true and fair value of real property for tax purposes.
Determines the true and fair value of real property for tax purposes.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections. | |
SJR 8209
by Senators Zarelli, Brown, Pflug, Carrell, Parlette, Swecker, Hewitt, Morton, Delvin, Stevens, King, Schoesler, Brandland, and Becker
Requiring extraordinary revenue growth to be transferred to the budget stabilization account.
Proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to require extraordinary revenue growth to be transferred to the budget stabilization account.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |
SJR 8210
by Senators Pflug, Hewitt, Holmquist, Swecker, Schoesler, Morton, Zarelli, Becker, Honeyford, McCaslin, Delvin, Carrell, King, Brandland, Roach, Stevens, Parlette, and Benton
Prohibiting the adoption of budgets that result in projected deficits.
Proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to prohibit the adoption of budgets that result in projected deficits.
| Jan 22 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means. | |