Amending state greenhouse gas emission limits for consistency with the most recent assessment of climate change science.

Addresses the most recent assessment of climate change science and changes certain requirements of the state with regard to greenhouse gas emission limits.

Requires the department of ecology and the department of commerce to include the following in the report to the governor and certain committees of the senate and house: A description of Washington's per capita and total greenhouse gas emissions as compared to the per capita and total greenhouse gas emissions of other states, including Washington's ranking among other states as an emitter of greenhouse gases on both a per capita and total emissions basis.

Requires the department of ecology to: (1) Survey state agencies to determine each agency's annual expenditures made during the biennium to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to support the achievement of the reduction goals; and

(2) In coordination with the department of natural resources, calculate and include in its reporting the total emissions of greenhouse gases from wildfires in the state.

Relieving burdens on small businesses by updating the tax return filing thresholds to reflect inflation.

Preserving access to individual market health care coverage throughout Washington state.

Declares an intent to: (1) Leverage the provider networks used by private insurers offering coverage to state and school employees to ensure private insurance coverage is available in all counties where those insurers offer coverage to those employees; and

Concerning concealed pistol license eligibility requirements.

Prohibits a law enforcement agency from returning a concealed pistol license, that has been surrendered to or impounded by the agency, to the licensee until the agency determines that the licensee is eligible to possess a firearm and meets other eligibility requirements for the license.

Concerning quality in assisted living facilities.

Requires the department of social and health services to: (1) Provide information to consumers about assisted living facilities and make this information available online; and

(2) Facilitate a work group process to recommend quality metrics for assisted living facilities.

Requires the work group to submit recommendations for a quality metric system, propose a process for monitoring and tracking performance, and recommend a process to inform consumers.

Allows the department, as a result of a facility provider violating facility standards, and using a tiered sanction grid that considers the extent of harm from the deficiency and the regularity of the occurrence of the deficiency, to impose civil penalties of up to: (1) One thousand dollars per day per violation, until July 1, 2019;

(2) Two thousand dollars per day per violation, beginning July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020;

(3) Three thousand dollars per day per violation, beginning July 1, 2020; and

(4) Ten thousand dollars for a current or former licensed provider who is operating an unlicensed facility.

Requires the receipts from the civil penalties to be deposited in the assisted living facility temporary management account.

Concerning eligibility of a surviving spouse for the property tax exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons.

Concerning campaign finance law.

Finds that campaign finance laws are intended to provide maximum transparency to the public and voters so they may know who is funding political campaigns and how those campaigns spend their money.

Declares an intent to: (1) Simplify the political reporting and enforcement process; and

(2) Expedite the public disclosure commission's enforcement procedures so that remedial campaign finance violations can be dealt with administratively.

States that the public disclosure commission should be guided to review and address major violations, intentional violations, and violations that could change the outcome of an election or materially affect the public interest.

Reducing escape of nonnative finfish from marine finfish aquaculture facilities.

Prohibits the department of natural resources from allowing nonnative marine finfish aquaculture as an authorized use under any new lease or other use authorization or from renewing or extending a lease or other use authorization, in existence on the effective date of this act, where the use includes nonnative marine finfish aquaculture.

Allows the department of fish and wildlife to authorize or permit activities associated with the use of marine net pens for nonnative marine finfish aquaculture, and allows the department of ecology to issue national pollutant discharge elimination system permits associated with nonnative marine finfish aquaculture, only if these activities are performed under a lease of state-owned aquatic lands in effect on the effective date of this act.

Requires the department of ecology, the department of agriculture, the department of fish and wildlife, and the department of natural resources to: (1) Continue the existing effort to update guidance and informational resources to industry and governments for planning and permitting commercial marine net pen aquaculture; and

(2) Design the guidance to eliminate commercial marine net pen escapement and negative impacts to water quality and native fish, shellfish, and wildlife.

Requires a facility operator, for marine finfish aquaculture, to hire a marine engineering firm approved by the department of fish and wildlife to conduct inspections.

Modifying the business and occupation tax structure for rural manufacturers and timber and wood product manufacturers, extractors, and wholesalers.

Encourages economic growth and lower unemployment rates in rural counties by modifying the business and occupation tax structure for rural manufacturers and timber and wood product manufacturers, extractors, and wholesalers.

-- 2018 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 16	First reading, referred to Finance (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report).