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EIGHTEENTH DAY
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NOON SESSION
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Senate Chamber, Olympia, Thursday, January 29, 2004
The Senate was called to order at 12:00 noon by Vice President Pro Tempore. No roll call was taken.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.
MOTION
There being no objection, the Senate advanced to the first order of business.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
January 28, 2004
SB 5154 Prime Sponsor, Mulliken: Creating a procedure for landlords to immediately evict tenants involved in criminal activity. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: That it be referred to Committee on Financial Services, Insurance & Housing without recommendation. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Financial Institutions, Insurance and Housing.
January 28, 2004
SB 5428 Prime Sponsor, Finkbeiner: Allowing alternative means of renewing driver's licenses. Reported by Committee on Highways & Transportation
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5428 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Kastama, Mulliken, Murray, Oke and Poulsen.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 5431 Prime Sponsor, Oke: Updating laws on drugs and alcohol use by commercial drivers. Reported by Committee on Highways & Transportation
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5431 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Asst Ranking Minority Member, Kastama, Mulliken, Murray, Oke and Spanel.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 5936 Prime Sponsor, Haugen: Prescribing penalties for improper HOV lane use. Revised for 1st Substitute: Enhancing penalties for improper HOV lane use. Reported by Committee on Highways & Transportation
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5936 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Asst Ranking Minority Member, Kastama, Oke, Poulsen and Spanel.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by Senators Mulliken and Murray.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6112 Prime Sponsor, Prentice: Regulating self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements. Reported by Committee on Financial Services, Insurance & Housing
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6112 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Benton, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Berkey, Keiser, Murray, Prentice and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6113 Prime Sponsor, T. Sheldon: Ensuring sales and use tax proceeds in rural counties are being used for authorized purposes. Revised for 1st Substitute: Modifying the rural county sales and use tax. Reported by Committee on Economic Development
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6113 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators T. Sheldon, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Benton, Murray, Schmidt and Shin.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6149 Prime Sponsor, Doumit: Concerning small scale prospecting and mining. Reported by Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6149 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Doumit, Honeyford and Oke.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6157 Prime Sponsor, T. Sheldon: Exempting from the state public utility tax the sales of electricity to an electrolytic processing business. Reported by Committee on Economic Development
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators T. Sheldon, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Benton, Murray, Schmidt and Shin.
Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.
January 27, 2004
SB 6158 Prime Sponsor, Prentice: Changing the scope of the Washington insurance guarantee association act. Reported by Committee on Financial Services, Insurance & Housing
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Benton, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Berkey, Murray, Prentice and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6201 Prime Sponsor, Honeyford: Regulating liquified petroleum gas. Reported by Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6201 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Doumit, Fraser, Honeyford, Oke and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6202 Prime Sponsor, Honeyford: Excluding liquefiable gases from the petroleum products tax. Reported by Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Doumit, Fraser, Honeyford, Oke and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6208 Prime Sponsor, Roach: Allowing water-sewer districts to set connection charges for future facilities. Revised for 1st Substitute: Regarding temporary water-sewer connections. Reported by Committee on Government Operations & Elections
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6208 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Berkey, Fairley, Horn, Kastama and McCaslin.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6216 Prime Sponsor, Rasmussen: Defining timber land to include certain incidental uses. Reported by Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6216 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Doumit, Fraser, Honeyford, Oke and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6243 Prime Sponsor, Haugen: Creating the department of archaeology and historic preservation. Reported by Committee on Government Operations & Elections
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6243 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Berkey, Fairley, Horn, Kastama and McCaslin.
Passed to Committee on Ways & Means.
January 28, 2004
SB 6261 Prime Sponsor, B. Sheldon: Modifying juror payment provisions. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6261 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6288 Prime Sponsor, T. Sheldon: Allowing federally recognized Indian tribes in rural counties and rural natural resources impact areas to be eligible for assistance under the community economic revitalization board's rural program. Reported by Committee on Economic Development
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators T. Sheldon, Chair; Kohl-Welles, Asst Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Schmidt and Shin.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6290 Prime Sponsor, Stevens: Revising provisions relating to the use of risk assessments in the supervision of offenders who committed misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. Reported by Committee on Children & Family Services & Corrections
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6302 Prime Sponsor, Murray: Establishing additional protections for persons ordered to active military service. Reported by Committee on Government Operations & Elections
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6302 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Berkey, Fairley, Horn, Kastama and McCaslin.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6314 Prime Sponsor, T. Sheldon: Expanding membership on the community economic revitalization board. Reported by Committee on Economic Development
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators T. Sheldon, Chair; Benton, Kohl-Welles, Asst Ranking Minority Member, Murray, Schmidt and Shin.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6337 Prime Sponsor, Regala: Revising the fee for birth certificates suitable for display. Reported by Committee on Children & Family Services & Corrections
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Stevens, Chair; Parlette, Vice Chair; Carlson, Deccio, Hargrove, McAuliffe and Regala.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6338 Prime Sponsor, Johnson: Creating an affirmative defense from theft and possession of stolen merchandise pallets. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6414 Prime Sponsor, Roach: Requiring annual audits of the state industrial insurance fund. Reported by Committee on Government Operations & Elections
MAJORITY recommendation: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6414 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Horn, Kastama and McCaslin.
Minority Report: Do not pass substitute. Signed by Senator Fairley.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 27, 2004
SB 6417 Prime Sponsor, Roach: Incorporating the 2003 changes into Title 29A RCW. Reported by Committee on Government Operations & Elections
MAJORITY recommendation: Do pass. Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Berkey, Fairley, Horn, Kastama and McCaslin.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SB 6432 Prime Sponsor, Kohl-Welles: Penalizing cyberstalking. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: That it be referred to Committee on Technology & Communications without recommendation. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Technology & Communications.
January 28, 2004
SB 6560 Prime Sponsor, Oke: Modifying animal cruelty provisions. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: That it be referred to Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife without recommendation. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Kline and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife.
January 28, 2004
SJM 8021 Prime Sponsor, Kline: Petitioning the President to reaffirm our nation's commitments to the Constitution. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: That it be referred to Committee on Rules without recommendation. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Johnson and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SJM 8035 Prime Sponsor, Benton: Requesting the United States senators of the state of Washington to support a floor vote for President Bush's judicial nominees. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: That it be referred to Committee on Rules without recommendation. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Johnson, Kline and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
January 28, 2004
SJM 8036 Prime Sponsor, Benton: Requesting the congressional delegation of the state of Washington to support the president's effort to protect the United States from terrorists and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Reported by Committee on Judiciary
MAJORITY recommendation: That it be referred to Committee on Rules without recommendation. Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Esser, Vice Chair; Brandland, Hargrove, Johnson, Kline and Roach.
Passed to Committee on Rules for second reading.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, all measures listed on the Standing Committee report were referred to the committees as designated with the exception of Senate Bill No. 6243 and Senate Bill No. 6157 which were referred to the Committee on Ways & Means.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, the Senate advanced to the third order of business.
December 24, 2003
TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation:
Jean Magladry appointed December 19, 2003 for the term ending September 30, 2007 as a member of the Board of Trustees for Cascadia Community College District No. 30.
Sincerely,
GARY LOCKE, Governor
Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
January 9, 2004
TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation:
Sherry Waltz Parker appointed December 19, 2003 for the term ending September 30, 2009 as a member of the Board of Trustees for Clark Community College District No. 14.
Sincerely,
GARY LOCKE, Governor
Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
January 9, 2004
TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation:
Lowell M. Porter appointed January 12, 2004 for the term ending at the pleasure of the Governor, as Chief of the Washington State Patrol.
Sincerely,
GARY LOCKE, Governor
Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.
January 14, 2004
TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation:
Clarence F. Legel reappointed June 20, 2003 for the term ending June 19, 2007 as a member of the Health Care Facilities Authority.
Sincerely,
GARY LOCKE, Governor
Referred to Committee on Heath & Long Term Care.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, all measures listed on the Gubernatorial Appointments report were referred to the committees as designated.
MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY OF STATE
The Honorable President of the Senate
The Legislature of the State of Washington
Olympia, Washington 98504
Mr. President:
As required by Article II, Section 1, of the State Constitution and RCW 29.79.200, we herewith respectfully certify that we have completed the verification of the signatures on Initiative to the Legislature 297, a copy of which was preliminarily certified to you on January 12, 2004, and we have determined that the initiative contains the signatures of at least 212,307 legal voters in the State of Washington. As the number exceeds that required by the State Constitution (197,734), we hereby certify that Initiative to the Legislature 297 is qualified to appear on the state general election ballot unless approved by the Legislature during this session.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the State of Washington, this 29th day of January, 2004.
SAM REED, Secretary of State
(Seal)
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, Initiative No. 297 was held at the desk.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, the Senate advanced to the fourth order of business.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
January 28, 2004
MR. PRESIDENT:
The House has passed the following bill:
ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1777,
and the same is herewith transmitted.
RICHARD NAFZIGER, Chief Clerk
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, the Senate advanced to the fifth order of business.
INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READING
SB 6667 by Senators Winsley and Fairley
AN ACT Relating to requiring the subcontractor listing to be read with the bid award; and amending RCW 39.30.060.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 6668 by Senators Kastama, Winsley and Fairley
AN ACT Relating to requiring prime contractors to bond the subcontractor's portion of retainage upon request; and amending RCW 60.28.011.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 6669 by Senators Roach, Kastama, Stevens, Berkey, Winsley and McCaslin
AN ACT Relating to prohibiting rejection of all bids except for good cause; and adding a new section to chapter 39.30 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 6670 by Senators Kastama, Winsley and Schmidt
AN ACT Relating to an oversight committee to review alternative public works contracting procedures; and adding a new section to chapter 39.10 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 6671 by Senators Swecker, Spanel, Benton, Haugen, Winsley, Doumit, Carlson, Jacobsen and Fraser
AN ACT Relating to real estate excise tax fees and electronic processing of affidavits; amending RCW 82.45.180; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.
Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.
SB 6672 by Senators Johnson, Prentice, Swecker, Haugen, Keiser, Benton and Shin
AN ACT Relating to high-occupancy toll lanes; reenacting and amending RCW 42.17.310, 42.17.310, 43.84.092, and 43.84.092; adding new sections to chapter 47.56 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 47.66 RCW; creating new sections; prescribing penalties; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates.
Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.
SB 6673 by Senator Zarelli; by request of Office of Financial Management
AN ACT Relating to eliminating selected detail from the governor's budget submittal; and amending RCW 43.88.030.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
SB 6674 by Senators Honeyford, Fraser and Rasmussen; by request of Governor Locke
AN ACT Relating to the establishment of a water court; amending RCW 2.08.010, 43.03.012, 90.03.110, 90.03.120, 90.03.160, 90.03.180, 90.03.190, 90.03.210, 90.03.230, 34.05.514, 34.05.518, 34.05.570, 34.05.578, and 34.05.588; reenacting and amending RCW 34.05.526; adding a new chapter to Title 2 RCW; creating new sections; and providing a contingent effective date.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water.
SB 6675 by Senators Horn, Jacobsen, Benton and Rasmussen
AN ACT Relating to gift certificates; amending RCW 63.29.010, 63.29.020, 63.29.140, and 63.29.170; adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW; creating a new section; and providing effective dates.
Referred to Committee on Financial Services, Insurance & Housing.
SB 6676 by Senators Murray, Haugen, Horn, Oke, Benton and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Licensing
AN ACT Relating to transfer of vehicle license plates and ownership; and amending RCW 46.12.101, 46.16.023, 46.16.290, 46.16.316, and 46.16.590.
Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.
SB 6677 by Senators Hewitt, Keiser and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Labor & Industries
AN ACT Relating to conforming the social security offset provisions of Title 51 RCW to the modified federal social security retirement age; and amending RCW 51.32.220.
Referred to Committee on Commerce & Trade.
SB 6678 by Senators Fraser, Winsley, Stevens, Hargrove, Benton and Rasmussen
AN ACT Relating to the release of patient records for the purpose of restoring state mental health hospital cemeteries; reenacting and amending RCW 71.05.390; and creating a new section.
Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services & Corrections.
SB 6679 by Senators Oke, B. Sheldon, T. Sheldon, Hargrove, Jacobsen and Shin
AN ACT Relating to use of bond proceeds in public-private initiative projects; and amending RCW 47.46.130.
Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.
SB 6680 by Senators Horn, Haugen, Esser, Spanel, Swecker, Oke, Prentice and Shin
AN ACT Relating to freight mobility; amending RCW 47.26.121, 47.26.084, and 47.66.030; reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092 and 43.84.092; adding new sections to chapter 47.26 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.68 RCW; creating a new section; providing effective dates; and providing an expiration date.
Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.
SB 6681 by Senators Mulliken, Keiser, Franklin, Hewitt, T. Sheldon, Rasmussen, Prentice and Shin
AN ACT Relating to prohibiting pyramid promotional schemes; adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW; and repealing RCW 19.102.010 and 19.102.020.
Referred to Committee on Commerce & Trade.
AN ACT Relating to regional programs for the recovery of fish runs listed under the federal endangered species act; and adding a new chapter to Title 77 RCW.
Referred to Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife.
AN ACT Relating to duties of utilities to serve; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.92 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.21 RCW; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Land Use & Planning.
SB 6684 by Senators Kline, McCaslin, Esser, Kohl-Welles and Roach
AN ACT Relating to standardizing chemical dependency assessment protocols; and creating new sections.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 6685 by Senators Murray and Kline
AN ACT Relating to providing incentives to reduce air pollution and improve energy security through the use of alternative fuel vehicles; adding new sections to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.12 RCW; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water.
SB 6686 by Senators Murray, Brandland, McCaslin, Hargrove, Oke, Roach, Benton and Rasmussen
AN ACT Relating to identity theft; amending RCW 9A.82.090, 9A.82.100, and 9A.82.120; reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.515; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
SB 6687 by Senators Murray, T. Sheldon, Benton and Roach
AN ACT Relating to the state expenditure limit; amending RCW 43.135.025 and 43.135.045; reenacting and amending RCW 43.135.035, 43.135.045, 43.84.092, and 43.84.092; repealing RCW 43.33A.220 and 43.135.051; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
SJM 8049 by Senators McAuliffe, Carlson, Regala, Eide, Jacobsen, Franklin, Schmidt, Brown, Spanel, Prentice, B. Sheldon, Berkey, Murray, Fraser, Keiser, Kline, Shin, Kohl-Welles, Thibaudeau, Rasmussen, Doumit and Mulliken
Requesting changes in the No Child Left Behind Act.
Referred to Committee on Education.
SJR 8225 by Senators Honeyford, Fraser and Rasmussen; by request of Governor Locke
Amending the Constitution to authorize a water court.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water.
INTRODUCTIONS AND FIRST READING OF HOUSE BILL
EHB 1777 by Representatives Morrell, DeBolt, Cody, Benson, Sullivan, Woods, Pettigrew, McDonald, Wallace, Priest, G. Simpson, Roach, Grant, Hinkle, Santos, Jarrett, Hunt, Blake, Dunshee, Conway, Kirby, Hankins, Clibborn, Linville, Kagi, Kessler, Kenney, Schual-Berke, Darneille, Rockefeller, Wood, Lovick, Campbell, McDermott, Hudgins and Edwards
Implementing the collective bargaining agreement between the home care quality authority and individual home care providers.
Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
MOTION
On motion of Senator Esser, all measures listed on the Introduction and First Reading report were referred to the committees as designated.
MOTIONS
On motion of Senator Esser, the Senate advanced to the eighth order of business.
On motion of Senator Esser, the following resolution was adopted.
By Senator Hale
WHEREAS, This year is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Small Business Administration (SBA); and
WHEREAS, The mission of the SBA is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of America's small businesses; and
WHEREAS, The SBA has helped families and businesses to recover from national disasters; and
WHEREAS, For the last 50 years the SBA has ensured that the American Dream was opened to all entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, Small businesses have contributed to our nation's progress and economic strength; and
WHEREAS, We want to make sure that small business remains the symbol of the American Dream; and
WHEREAS, Small businesses represent more than 99.7 percent of all employers and employ up to 60 percent of all working people; and
WHEREAS, Small businesses pay 44.5 percent of total private payroll; and
WHEREAS, Small businesses generate 80 to 100 percent of net new jobs annually; and
WHEREAS, Small businesses produce 13 to 14 times more patents per employee than large firms; and
WHEREAS, Small businesses are the source of economic strength nationally as well as in the Northwest; and
WHEREAS, The SBA brought $713.5 million and 21,872 jobs to the regional economy last year; and
WHEREAS, The SBA loaned $372.8 million to minorities, women, and veterans last year; and
WHEREAS, The SBA will continue for the next 50 years and more, supporting business owners who are willing to take risks and work hard to succeed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, That the Small Business Administration be honored for its service, support, and dedication to small business owners and entrepreneurs across this great nation and here in Washington state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Conrad Lee, SBA administrator for the Northwest and Alaska Region.
Senator Esser spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.
The Vice President Pro Tempore declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8702.
The motion by Senator Esser carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.
MOTION
At 12:15 p.m., on motion of Senator Esser, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 noon, Friday, January 30, 2004.
BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate
MILTON H. DOUMIT, JR., Secretary of the Senate