SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE - REGULAR SESSION
NINETY SEVENTH DAY
House Chamber, Olympia, Saturday, April 14, 2007
The House was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by the Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding). The Clerk called the roll and a quorum was present.
The flags were escorted to the rostrum by a Sergeant at Arms Color Guard, Pages Mandy Baker and Kyle Guinto. The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. Prayer was offered by Representative Dave Quall.
Reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was ordered to stand approved.
RESOLUTIONS
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2007-4661, by Representatives Hunt, Newhouse, Williams, Buri, Ericks, Van De Wege, Wood, Moeller, Jarrett, Hailey and Warnick
WHEREAS, The Washington State University men's basketball team, led by coach Tony Bennett, and all-conference players Kyle Weaver and Derrick Low, finished second in the Pacific-10 Conference and was a number three seed in the 2007 NCAA basketball tournament; and
WHEREAS, Strong leadership was also provided by Robbie Cowgill, Daven Harmeling, and Aron Baynes, who were named to the 2007 Pac-10 Men's Basketball All-Academic First Team and composed sixty percent of the first team; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett has been honored as the 2007 Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year, the Pacific-10 Conference Coach of the Year, the Associated Press Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year, and the National Coach of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association, The Sporting News, Basketball Times, Collegeinsider.com, Collegehoops.net, Rivals.com, and CBS/Chevrolet; and
WHEREAS, Tony's father, Dick Bennett, preceded Tony as the men's basketball coach and helped lay the foundation for the program's turnaround; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett assumed the head coach's job this year and led the Cougars to their first upper-division league finish since 1994-95 and their first NCAA Tournament in 13 years; and
WHEREAS, Tony Bennett led the Cougars to 26 wins this season, tying Washington State University's 1941 national runner-up squad for the most in school history; and
WHEREAS, The Cougars were consistently ranked among the nation's top twenty teams, being ranked as high as ninth and finishing the season ranked 11th in the AP and 12th in the ESPN/USA Today polls; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State University men's basketball team entered the NCAA Tournament as only one of 14 teams in the nation not to have lost two consecutive games; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State University men's basketball team has defeated its arch rival Washington Huskies five consecutive games; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State University men's basketball team under the guidance of head coach Tony Bennett led Washington State University and the state of Washington to success, national recognition, and revitalized pride;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the outstanding success of the Washington State University men's basketball team for its success on the court and in the classroom during the 2007 season; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate Head Coach Tony Bennett for his leadership in driving the Washington State University men's basketball team to success and for his numerous honors as National Coach of the Year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Tony Bennett, the Washington State University men's basketball team, and Washington State University President, V. Lane Rawlins.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4661 was adopted.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2007-4662, by Representative Buri
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team won the State A Girls' Basketball Title on Saturday, March 3, 2007; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team has won the State A Girls' Basketball Title for the past four years; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team has consisted of the same group of girls for the past four years showing a very strong girls' basketball program; and
WHEREAS, Coach Corey Baerlocher has been the Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Coach for five years; and
WHEREAS, Coach Corey Baerlocher has led the Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team to win the State A Girls' Basketball Title for the past four consecutive years; and
WHEREAS, Several members of the Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team also play on the Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Volleyball Team, which has won the State A Girls' Volleyball Title for three consecutive years so that some of these team members have won a combined seven State A Titles; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax fans have a practice not to sit down in a game until the girls score; and
WHEREAS, At the end of the first quarter, the Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team was scoreless at 0-10 and the fans remained standing until the start of the second quarter, when they finally scored; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team did not lead during the game until 23 seconds remained in the fourth quarter, when they ended up winning the game by four points; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team has been quoted as having three "deadly combinations" that enabled them to win four consecutive titles: (1) Super talent, (2) ice in their veins - the girls are "unflappable" under pressure, and (3) hard work - the girls are engaged in a sport year round between playing basketball, volleyball, softball, or track; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Members' winning combination of exceptional skill, extraordinary focus, tireless effort, and overall dedication has resulted in such incomparable achievements; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Members have been quoted as being the "most dominate group of athletes (male or female) in Colfax, ever"; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team set a record this year by becoming the first team in any sport in state history to win a state championship four years in a row; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Members are Megan Teade, Sadie Lazzarini, Jordan Harazin, Shana Largent, Elise Markley, Traci Hart, Lauren Mellor, Colleen Paulson, Kinsey Doering, Heidi Morgan, Abby Bruya, and Kylie Shaw; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Cheerleaders Kendayle Anderson, Amber Broeckel, Emily Lange, Cassie Lewis, Alex Mackleit, Lauren Mackleit, A.J. Morgan, and Shelby Morgan, led by Cheer Coach Rhonda Pittman, inspired the team by their energetic and inspiring cheers; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Managers Emily Shaw, Brooke Webber, Shaina Simonsen, and Maggee Cochran kept the team healthy, strong, and fit for each and every game;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives acknowledge and honor the Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team as an example to all Washingtonians of the rewards of commitment and team effort; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Coach Corey Baerlocher, Colfax High School Bulldogs Girls' Basketball Team Members, Colfax High School Athletic Director Mike Morgan, and Colfax High School Principal Gary Weitz.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4662 was adopted.
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
April 12, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The President has signed:
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5297,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5336,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5445,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5568,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5676,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5972,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5984,
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8212,
and the same are herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
April 13, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed:
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1397,
SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1401,
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1445,
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1583,
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1832,
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2007,
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2087,
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2366,
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2378,
HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 4017,
and the same are herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
April 13, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed:
ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5799,
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6168,
and the same are herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 10, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1051 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the goal of Washington's education reform is for all students to meet rigorous academic standards so that they are prepared for success in college, work, and life. Educators know that not all students learn at the same rate or in the same way. Some students will take longer to meet the state's standards for high school graduation. Older students who cannot graduate with their peers need an appropriate learning environment and flexible programming that enables them simultaneously to earn a diploma, work, and pursue other training options. Providing learning options in locations in addition to high schools will encourage older students to complete their diplomas. Therefore the legislature intends to create a pilot high school completion program at two community and technical colleges for older students who have not yet received a diploma but are eligible for state basic education support.
Sec. 2. RCW 28B.50.535 and 1991 c 238 s 58 are each amended to read as follows:
A community or technical college may issue a high school diploma or certificate, subject to rules ((and regulations promulgated)) adopted by the superintendent of public instruction and the state board of education.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A pilot program is created for two community or technical colleges to make available courses or a program of study, on the college campus, designed to enable students under the age of twenty-one who have completed all state and local high school graduation requirements except the certificate of academic achievement or certificate of individual achievement to complete their high school education and obtain a high school diploma.
(a) The colleges participating in the pilot program in this section may make courses or programs under this section available by entering into contracts with local school districts to deliver the courses or programs. Colleges participating in the pilot program that offer courses or programs under contract shall be reimbursed for each enrolled eligible student as provided in the contract, and the high school diploma shall be issued by the local school district;
(b) Colleges participating in the pilot program may deliver courses or programs under this section directly. Colleges that deliver courses or programs directly shall be reimbursed for each enrolled eligible student as provided in section 4 of this act, and the high school diploma shall be issued by the college;
(c) Colleges participating in the pilot program may make courses or programs under this section available through a combination of contracts with local school districts, collaboration with educational service districts, and direct service delivery. Colleges participating in the pilot program may also make courses or programs under this section available for students at locations in addition to the college campus; or
(d) Colleges participating in the pilot program may enter into regional partnerships to carry out the provisions of this subsection (1).
(2) Regardless of the service delivery method chosen, colleges participating in the pilot program shall ensure that all eligible students have an opportunity to enroll in a course or program under this section.
(3) Colleges participating in the pilot program shall not require students enrolled under this section to pay tuition or services and activities fees; however this waiver of tuition and services and activities fees shall be in effect only for those courses that lead to a high school diploma.
(4) Nothing in this section or section 4 of this act precludes a community or technical college from offering courses or a program of study for students other than eligible students as defined by section 4 of this act to obtain a high school diploma, nor is this section or section 4 of this act intended to restrict diploma completion programs offered by school districts or educational service districts. Community and technical colleges and school districts are encouraged to consult with educational service districts in the development and delivery of programs and courses required under this section.
(5) Community and technical colleges participating in the pilot program shall not be required to administer the Washington assessment of student learning.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.600 RCW to read as follows:
(1) For purposes of this section and section 3 of this act, "eligible student" means a student who has completed all state and local high school graduation requirements except the certificate of academic achievement under RCW 28A.655.061 or the certificate of individual achievement under RCW 28A.155.045, who is less than age twenty-one as of September 1st of the academic year the student enrolls at a community and technical college under this section, and who meets the following criteria:
(a) Receives a level 2 (basic) score on the reading and writing content areas of the high school Washington assessment of student learning;
(b) Has not successfully met state standards on a retake of the assessment or an alternative assessment;
(c) Has participated in assessment remediation; and
(d) Receives a recommendation to enroll in courses or a program of study made available under section 3 of this act from his or her high school principal.
(2) An eligible student may enroll in courses or a program of study made available by a community or technical college participating in the pilot program created under section 3 of this act for the purpose of obtaining a high school diploma.
(3) For eligible students in courses or programs delivered directly by the community or technical college participating in the pilot program under section 3 of this act and only for enrollment in courses that lead to a high school diploma, the superintendent of public instruction shall transmit to the colleges participating in the pilot program an amount per each full-time equivalent college student at statewide uniform rates. The amount shall be the sum of (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this subsection, as applicable.
(a) The superintendent shall separately calculate and allocate moneys appropriated for basic education under RCW 28A.150.260 for purposes of making payments under this section. The calculations and allocations shall be based upon the estimated statewide annual average per full-time equivalent high school student allocations under RCW 28A.150.260, excluding small high school enhancements, and applicable rules adopted under chapter 34.05 RCW.
(b) The superintendent shall allocate an amount equal to the per funded student state allocation for the learning assistance program under chapter 28A.165 RCW for each full-time equivalent college student or a pro rata amount for less than full-time enrollment.
(c) The superintendent shall allocate an amount equal to the per full-time equivalent student allocation for the student achievement program under RCW 28A.505.210 for each full-time equivalent college student or a pro rata amount for less than full-time enrollment.
(d) For eligible students who meet eligibility criteria for the state transitional bilingual instruction program under chapter 28A.180 RCW, the superintendent shall allocate an amount equal to the per student state allocation for the transitional bilingual instruction program or a pro rata amount for less than full-time enrollment.
(4) The superintendent may adopt rules establishing enrollment reporting, recordkeeping, and accounting requirements necessary to ensure accountability for the use of basic education, learning assistance, and transitional bilingual program funds under this section for the pilot program created under section 3 of this act.
(5) All school districts in the geographic area of the two community and technical colleges selected pursuant to section 8 of this act to participate in the pilot program shall provide information about the high school completion option under section 3 of this act to students in grades ten, eleven, and twelve and the parents or guardians of those students.
(6) The Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct a review of the high school completion pilot program authorized under section 3 of this act. The institute shall begin the study after July 1, 2010, and report to the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the education and fiscal committees of the legislature by January 1, 2011. At a minimum, the report shall include the following:
(a) The number of students taking part in the high school completion programs, reported by their high school of last attendance and the community or technical college that offered the program;
(b) The types of high school completion programs offered at the two community or technical colleges;
(c) The number of students successfully receiving a high school diploma and other identified outcome measures; and
(d) The amount of funds spent in support of this effort compared to actual reimbursement costs that are provided under subsection (3)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.
Sec. 5. RCW 28A.655.061 and 2006 c 115 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The high school assessment system shall include but need not be limited to the Washington assessment of student learning, opportunities for a student to retake the content areas of the assessment in which the student was not successful, and if approved by the legislature pursuant to subsection (10) of this section, one or more objective alternative assessments for a student to demonstrate achievement of state academic standards. The objective alternative assessments for each content area shall be comparable in rigor to the skills and knowledge that the student must demonstrate on the Washington assessment of student learning for each content area.
(2) Subject to the conditions in this section, a certificate of academic achievement shall be obtained by most students at about the age of sixteen, and is evidence that the students have successfully met the state standard in the content areas included in the certificate. With the exception of students satisfying the provisions of RCW 28A.155.045, acquisition of the certificate is required for graduation from a public high school but is not the only requirement for graduation.
(3) Beginning with the graduating class of 2008, with the exception of students satisfying the provisions of RCW 28A.155.045, a student who meets the state standards on the reading, writing, and mathematics content areas of the high school Washington assessment of student learning shall earn a certificate of academic achievement. If a student does not successfully meet the state standards in one or more content areas required for the certificate of academic achievement, then the student may retake the assessment in the content area up to four times at no cost to the student. If the student successfully meets the state standards on a retake of the assessment then the student shall earn a certificate of academic achievement. Once objective alternative assessments are authorized pursuant to subsection (10) of this section, a student may use the objective alternative assessments to demonstrate that the student successfully meets the state standards for that content area if the student has retaken the Washington assessment of student learning at least once. If the student successfully meets the state standards on the objective alternative assessments then the student shall earn a certificate of academic achievement.
(4) Beginning with the graduating class of 2010, a student must meet the state standards in science in addition to the other content areas required under subsection (3) of this section on the Washington assessment of student learning or the objective alternative assessments in order to earn a certificate of academic achievement.
(5) The state board of education may not require the acquisition of the certificate of academic achievement for students in home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW, for students enrolled in private schools under chapter 28A.195 RCW, or for students satisfying the provisions of RCW 28A.155.045.
(6) A student may retain and use the highest result from each successfully completed content area of the high school assessment.
(7) Beginning in 2006, school districts must make available to students the following options:
(a) To retake the Washington assessment of student learning up to four times in the content areas in which the student did not meet the state standards if the student is enrolled in a public school; or
(b) To retake the Washington assessment of student learning up to four times in the content areas in which the student did not meet the state standards if the student is enrolled in a high school completion program at a community or technical college. The superintendent of public instruction and the state board for community and technical colleges shall jointly identify means by which students in these programs can be assessed.
(8) Students who achieve the standard in a content area of the high school assessment but who wish to improve their results shall pay for retaking the assessment, using a uniform cost determined by the superintendent of public instruction.
(9) Subject to available funding, the superintendent shall pilot opportunities for retaking the high school assessment beginning in the 2004-05 school year. Beginning no later than September 2006, opportunities to retake the assessment at least twice a year shall be available to each school district.
(10)(a) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop options for implementing objective alternative assessments, which may include an appeals process, for students to demonstrate achievement of the state academic standards. The objective alternative assessments shall be comparable in rigor to the skills and knowledge that the student must demonstrate on the Washington assessment of student learning and be objective in its determination of student achievement of the state standards. Before any objective alternative assessments in addition to those authorized in RCW 28A.655.065 or (b) of this subsection are used by a student to demonstrate that the student has met the state standards in a content area required to obtain a certificate, the legislature shall formally approve the use of any objective alternative assessments through the omnibus appropriations act or by statute or concurrent resolution.
(b) A student's score on the mathematics portion of the preliminary scholastic assessment test (PSAT), the scholastic assessment test (SAT), or the American college test (ACT) may be used as an objective alternative assessment under this section for demonstrating that a student has met or exceeded the mathematics standards for the certificate of academic achievement. The state board of education shall identify the scores students must achieve on the mathematics portion of the PSAT, SAT, or ACT to meet or exceed the state standard for mathematics. The state board of education shall identify the first scores by December 1, 2006, and thereafter may increase but not decrease the scores required for students to meet or exceed the state standard for mathematics.
(11) By December 15, 2004, the house of representatives and senate education committees shall obtain information and conclusions from recognized, independent, national assessment experts regarding the validity and reliability of the high school Washington assessment of student learning for making individual student high school graduation determinations.
(12) To help assure continued progress in academic achievement as a foundation for high school graduation and to assure that students are on track for high school graduation, each school district shall prepare plans for students as provided in this subsection (12).
(a) Student learning plans are required for eighth through twelfth grade students who were not successful on any or all of the content areas of the Washington assessment for student learning during the previous school year. The plan shall include the courses, competencies, and other steps needed to be taken by the student to meet state academic standards and stay on track for graduation. If applicable, the plan shall also include the high school completion pilot program created under section 3 of this act. This requirement shall be phased in as follows:
(i) Beginning no later than the 2004-05 school year ninth grade students as described in this subsection (12)(a) shall have a plan.
(ii) Beginning no later than the 2005-06 school year and every year thereafter eighth grade students as described in this subsection (12)(a) shall have a plan.
(iii) The parent or guardian shall be notified, preferably through a parent conference, of the student's results on the Washington assessment of student learning, actions the school intends to take to improve the student's skills in any content area in which the student was unsuccessful, strategies to help them improve their student's skills, and the content of the student's plan.
(iv) Progress made on the student plan shall be reported to the student's parents or guardian at least annually and adjustments to the plan made as necessary.
(b) Beginning with the 2005-06 school year and every year thereafter, all fifth grade students who were not successful in one or more of the content areas of the fourth grade Washington assessment of student learning shall have a student learning plan.
(i) The parent or guardian of a student described in this subsection (12)(b) shall be notified, preferably through a parent conference, of the student's results on the Washington assessment of student learning, actions the school intends to take to improve the student's skills in any content area in which the student was unsuccessful, and provide strategies to help them improve their student's skills.
(ii) Progress made on the student plan shall be reported to the student's parents or guardian at least annually and adjustments to the plan made as necessary.
Sec. 6. RCW 28B.15.520 and 1993 sp.s. c 18 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
Subject to the limitations of RCW 28B.15.910, the governing boards of the community colleges may:
(1) Waive all or a portion of tuition fees and services and activities fees for:
(a) Students nineteen years of age or older who are eligible for resident tuition and fee rates as defined in RCW 28B.15.012 through 28B.15.015 ((and)), who enroll in a course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate, but who are not eligible students as defined by section 4 of this act; and
(b) Children of any law enforcement officer or fire fighter who lost his or her life or became totally disabled in the line of duty while employed by any public law enforcement agency or full time or volunteer fire department in this state: PROVIDED, That such persons may receive the waiver only if they begin their course of study at a community college within ten years of their graduation from high school;
(2) Waive all or a portion of the nonresident tuition fees differential for:
(a) Nonresident students enrolled in a community college course of study or program which will enable them to finish their high school education and obtain a high school diploma or certificate but who are not eligible students as defined by section 4 of this act. The waiver shall be in effect only for those courses which lead to a high school diploma or certificate; and
(b) Up to forty percent of the students enrolled in the regional education program for deaf students, subject to federal funding of such program.
Sec. 7. RCW 28B.15.067 and 2006 c 161 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Tuition fees shall be established under the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Beginning with the 2003-04 academic year and ending with the 2008-09 academic year, reductions or increases in full-time tuition fees for resident undergraduates shall be as provided in the omnibus appropriations act.
(3) Beginning with the 2003-04 academic year and ending with the 2008-09 academic year, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the state board for community and technical colleges may reduce or increase full-time tuition fees for all students other than resident undergraduates, including summer school students and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Percentage increases in full-time tuition fees may exceed the fiscal growth factor. Reductions or increases may be made for all or portions of an institution's programs, campuses, courses, or students.
(4) Academic year tuition for full-time students at the state's institutions of higher education beginning with 2009-10, other than summer term, shall be as charged during the 2008-09 academic year unless different rates are adopted by the legislature.
(5) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to high school students enrolling in participating institutions of higher education under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400.
(6) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a community or technical college under RCW 28C.04.610.
(7) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a community or technical college participating in the pilot program under section 3 of this act for the purpose of obtaining a high school diploma.
(8) For the academic years 2003-04 through 2008-09, the University of Washington shall use an amount equivalent to ten percent of all revenues received as a result of law school tuition increases beginning in academic year 2000-01 through academic year 2008-09 to assist needy low and middle income resident law students.
(((8))) (9) For the academic years 2003-04 through 2008-09, institutions of higher education shall use an amount equivalent to ten percent of all revenues received as a result of graduate academic school tuition increases beginning in academic year 2003-04 through academic year 2008-09 to assist needy low and middle-income resident graduate academic students.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The office of the superintendent of public instruction and the state board for community and technical colleges shall:
(1) By June 30, 2007, select the two community and technical colleges to be involved in the pilot program created in section 3 of this act. The criteria for selecting the two pilot program sites shall include, but are not limited to: (a) The quality of the courses or program offerings; (b) having the appropriate type of staff and facility to deliver the program; (c) the number of eligible students; and (d) the willingness to participate and provide requested data and information for the evaluation under section 4(6) of this act conducted pursuant to section 4(6) of this act;
(2) Develop an estimate of the number of students statewide likely to participate in the program authorized under section 3 of this act if established on a statewide basis. The assumptions shall take into account programs and alternatives offered for fifth-year seniors by school districts and educational service districts;
(3) Identify and analyze possible service delivery models in addition to those described in section 3 of this act, particularly to address the challenges faced by community and technical colleges serving school districts dispersed across large geographic areas and with limited staffing and facilities resources for the programs; and
(4) Submit a report with an implementation plan for the two community and technical colleges participating in the pilot program created under section 3 of this act and submit findings and recommendations to the education and fiscal committees of the legislature by December 15, 2007."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "programs;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 28B.50.535, 28A.655.061, 28B.15.520, and 28B.15.067; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.600 RCW; and creating new sections."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1051 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1073 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 38.52.010 and 2002 c 341 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Emergency management" or "comprehensive emergency management" means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which the military forces are primarily responsible, to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters, and to aid victims suffering from injury or damage, resulting from disasters caused by all hazards, whether natural, technological, or human caused, and to provide support for search and rescue operations for persons and property in distress. However, "emergency management" or "comprehensive emergency management" does not mean preparation for emergency evacuation or relocation of residents in anticipation of nuclear attack.
(2) "Local organization for emergency services or management" means an organization created in accordance with the provisions of this chapter by state or local authority to perform local emergency management functions.
(3) "Political subdivision" means any county, city or town.
(4) "Emergency worker" means any person((, including but not limited to an architect registered under chapter 18.08 RCW or a professional engineer registered under chapter 18.43 RCW,)) who is registered with a local emergency management organization or the department and holds an identification card issued by the local emergency management director or the department for the purpose of engaging in authorized emergency management activities or is an employee of the state of Washington or any political subdivision thereof who is called upon to perform emergency management activities.
(5) "Injury" as used in this chapter shall mean and include accidental injuries and/or occupational diseases arising out of emergency management activities.
(6)(a) "Emergency or disaster" as used in all sections of this chapter except RCW 38.52.430 shall mean an event or set of circumstances which: (i) Demands immediate action to preserve public health, protect life, protect public property, or to provide relief to any stricken community overtaken by such occurrences, or (ii) reaches such a dimension or degree of destructiveness as to warrant the governor declaring a state of emergency pursuant to RCW 43.06.010.
(b) "Emergency" as used in RCW 38.52.430 means an incident that requires a normal police, coroner, fire, rescue, emergency medical services, or utility response as a result of a violation of one of the statutes enumerated in RCW 38.52.430.
(7) "Search and rescue" means the acts of searching for, rescuing, or recovering by means of ground, marine, or air activity any person who becomes lost, injured, or is killed while outdoors or as a result of a natural, technological, or human caused disaster, including instances involving searches for downed aircraft when ground personnel are used. Nothing in this section shall affect appropriate activity by the department of transportation under chapter 47.68 RCW.
(8) "Executive head" and "executive heads" means the county executive in those charter counties with an elective office of county executive, however designated, and, in the case of other counties, the county legislative authority. In the case of cities and towns, it means the mayor in those cities and towns with mayor-council or commission forms of government, where the mayor is directly elected, and it means the city manager in those cities and towns with council manager forms of government. Cities and towns may also designate an executive head for the purposes of this chapter by ordinance.
(9) "Director" means the adjutant general.
(10) "Local director" means the director of a local organization of emergency management or emergency services.
(11) "Department" means the state military department.
(12) "Emergency response" as used in RCW 38.52.430 means a public agency's use of emergency services during an emergency or disaster as defined in subsection (6)(b) of this section.
(13) "Expense of an emergency response" as used in RCW 38.52.430 means reasonable costs incurred by a public agency in reasonably making an appropriate emergency response to the incident, but shall only include those costs directly arising from the response to the particular incident. Reasonable costs shall include the costs of providing police, coroner, fire fighting, rescue, emergency medical services, or utility response at the scene of the incident, as well as the salaries of the personnel responding to the incident.
(14) "Public agency" means the state, and a city, county, municipal corporation, district, town, or public authority located, in whole or in part, within this state which provides or may provide fire fighting, police, ambulance, medical, or other emergency services.
(15) "Incident command system" means: (a) An all-hazards, on-scene functional management system that establishes common standards in organization, terminology, and procedures; provides a means (unified command) for the establishment of a common set of incident objectives and strategies during multiagency/multijurisdiction operations while maintaining individual agency/jurisdiction authority, responsibility, and accountability; and is a component of the national interagency incident management system; or (b) an equivalent and compatible all-hazards, on-scene functional management system.
(16) "Radio communications service company" has the meaning ascribed to it in RCW 82.14B.020.
Sec. 2. RCW 38.52.180 and 1987 c 185 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) There shall be no liability on the part of anyone including any person, partnership, corporation, the state of Washington or any political subdivision thereof who owns or maintains any building or premises which have been designated by a local organization for emergency management as a shelter from destructive operations or attacks by enemies of the United States for any injuries sustained by any person while in or upon said building or premises, as a result of the condition of said building or premises or as a result of any act or omission, or in any way arising from the designation of such premises as a shelter, when such person has entered or gone upon or into said building or premises for the purpose of seeking refuge therein during destructive operations or attacks by enemies of the United States or during tests ordered by lawful authority, except for an act of willful negligence by such owner or occupant or his servants, agents, or employees.
(2) All legal liability for damage to property or injury or death to persons (except an emergency worker, regularly enrolled and acting as such), caused by acts done((,)) or attempted during or while traveling to or from an emergency or disaster or search and rescue, or during training or exercise authorized by the department in preparation for an emergency or disaster or search and rescue, under the color of this chapter in a bona fide attempt to comply therewith, except as provided in subsections (3), (4), and (5) of this section regarding covered volunteer emergency workers, shall be the obligation of the state of Washington. Suits may be instituted and maintained against the state for the enforcement of such liability, or for the indemnification of persons appointed and regularly enrolled as emergency workers while actually engaged in emergency management duties, or as members of any agency of the state or political subdivision thereof engaged in emergency management activity, or their dependents, for damage done to their private property, or for any judgment against them for acts done in good faith in compliance with this chapter: PROVIDED, That the foregoing shall not be construed to result in indemnification in any case of willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith on the part of any agent of emergency management: PROVIDED, That should the United States or any agency thereof, in accordance with any federal statute, rule or regulation, provide for the payment of damages to property and/or for death or injury as provided for in this section, then and in that event there shall be no liability or obligation whatsoever upon the part of the state of Washington for any such damage, death, or injury for which the United States government assumes liability.
(3) No act or omission by a covered volunteer emergency worker while engaged in a covered activity shall impose any liability for civil damages resulting from such an act or omission upon:
(a) The covered volunteer emergency worker;
(b) The supervisor or supervisors of the covered volunteer emergency worker;
(c) Any facility or their officers or employees;
(d) The employer of the covered volunteer emergency worker;
(e) The owner of the property or vehicle where the act or omission may have occurred during the covered activity;
(f) Any local organization that registered the covered volunteer emergency worker; and
(g) The state or any state or local governmental entity.
(4) The immunity in subsection (3) of this section applies only when the covered volunteer emergency worker was engaged in a covered activity:
(a) Within the scope of his or her assigned duties;
(b) Under the direction of a local emergency management organization or the department, or a local law enforcement agency for search and rescue; and
(c) The act or omission does not constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
(5) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Covered volunteer emergency worker" means an emergency worker as defined in RCW 38.52.010 who (i) is not receiving or expecting compensation as an emergency worker from the state or local government, or (ii) is not a state or local government employee unless on leave without pay status.
(b) "Covered activity" means:
(i) Providing assistance or transportation authorized by the department during an emergency or disaster or search and rescue as defined in RCW 38.52.010, whether such assistance or transportation is provided at the scene of the emergency or disaster or search and rescue, at an alternative care site, at a hospital, or while in route to or from such sites or between sites; or
(ii) Participating in training or exercise authorized by the department in preparation for an emergency or disaster or search and rescue.
(6) Any requirement for a license to practice any professional, mechanical or other skill shall not apply to any authorized emergency worker who shall, in the course of performing his duties as such, practice such professional, mechanical or other skill during an emergency described in this chapter.
(((4))) (7) The provisions of this section shall not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he would otherwise be entitled under this chapter, or under the workers' compensation law, or under any pension or retirement law, nor the right of any such person to receive any benefits or compensation under any act of congress.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. RCW 38.52.570 (Immunity from liability for covered volunteers) and 2006 c 72 s 2 are each repealed."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "workers;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 38.52.010 and 38.52.180; and repealing RCW 38.52.570."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1073 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 10, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1396 with the following amendment:
On page 6, line 17, after "RCW.", insert the following:
"However, as part of the single ballot proposition submitted to voters under this subsection, the authority shall include in the authority's plan assurances that the authority will not enter into any agreement that would restrict the type of transit station serving the west end of the SR 520 floating bridge such that it would be unable to accommodate a comprehensive and coordinated corridor-based multimodal public transportation system to serve the SR 520 bridge area from Seattle to Redmond, including a high capacity transportation system not limited to rail service."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1396 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 9, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1624 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 13.34 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A child may petition the juvenile court to reinstate the previously terminated parental rights of his or her parent under the following circumstances:
(a) The child was previously found to be a dependent child under this chapter;
(b) The child's parent's rights were terminated in a proceeding under this chapter; and
(c) The child has not achieved his or her permanency plan within three years of a final order of termination, or if the final order was appealed, within three years of exhaustion of any right to appeal the order terminating parental rights.
(2) The child may file the petition prior to the expiration of this three-year period if the department or the supervising or custodial agency that is responsible for the custody or supervision of the child and the child stipulate that the child is not likely to achieve his or her permanency plan.
(3) A child seeking to petition under this section shall be provided counsel at no cost to the child.
(4) The petition must be signed by the child in the absence of a showing of good cause as to why the child could not do so.
(5) If, after a threshold hearing to consider the parent's apparent fitness and interest in reinstatement of parental rights, it appears that the best interests of the child may be served by reinstatement of parental rights, the juvenile court shall order that a hearing be held.
(6) The court shall give prior notice for any proceeding under this section, or cause prior notice to be given, to the department, the child's attorney, and the child. The court shall also order the department to give prior notice of any hearing to the child's former parent whose parental rights are the subject of the petition, any parent whose rights have not been terminated, the child's current foster parent, relative caregiver, guardian or custodian, and the child's tribe, if applicable.
(7) The juvenile court shall grant the petition if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child has not achieved his or her permanency plan and is not likely to imminently achieve his or her permanency plan and that reinstatement of parental rights is in the child's best interest. In determining whether reinstatement is in the child's best interest the court shall consider, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Whether the parent whose rights are to be reinstated is a fit parent and has remedied his or her deficits as provided in the record of the prior termination proceedings and prior termination order;
(b) The age and maturity of the child, and the ability of the child to express his or her preference;
(c) Whether the reinstatement of parental rights will present a risk to the child's health, welfare, or safety; and
(d) Other material changes in circumstances, if any, that may have occurred which warrant the granting of the petition.
(8) In determining whether the child has or has not achieved his or her permanency plan or whether the child is likely to achieve his or her permanency plan, the department shall provide the court, and the court shall review, information related to any efforts to achieve the permanency plan including efforts to achieve adoption or a permanent guardianship.
(9) The court shall grant the petition and dismiss the dependency only if the child and the parent or parents who were the subject of a petition under this section and whose parental rights were reinstated agree that the child will return to the legal custody of the parent or parents and the court finds that returning to the legal custody of the parent or parents is in the best interests of the child and will not present a risk to the child's health, welfare, or safety. The court shall order the department to provide services necessary to ensure the child's health, welfare, and safety, including a home study, as the child transitions back into the parent's legal custody.
(10) The granting of the petition under this section does not vacate or otherwise affect the validity of the original termination order.
(11) Any parent whose rights are reinstated under this section shall not be liable for any child support owed to the department pursuant to RCW 13.34.160 for the time period from the date of termination of parental rights to the date parental rights are reinstated.
(12) The state, the department, and its employees are not liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the provision of services under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence. This section does not create any duty and shall not be construed to create a duty where none exists. This section does not create a cause of action against the state, the department, or its employees concerning the original termination.
(13) This section is retroactive and applies to any child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court at the time of the hearing regardless of the date parental rights were terminated.
Sec. 2. RCW 13.34.200 and 2003 c 227 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Upon the termination of parental rights pursuant to RCW 13.34.180, all rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations, including any rights to custody, control, visitation, or support existing between the child and parent shall be severed and terminated and the parent shall have no standing to appear at any further legal proceedings concerning the child, except as provided in section 1 of this act: PROVIDED, That any support obligation existing prior to the effective date of the order terminating parental rights shall not be severed or terminated. The rights of one parent may be terminated without affecting the rights of the other parent and the order shall so state.
(2) An order terminating the parent and child relationship shall not disentitle a child to any benefit due the child from any third person, agency, state, or the United States, nor shall any action under this chapter be deemed to affect any rights and benefits that an Indian child derives from the child's descent from a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(3) An order terminating the parent-child relationship shall include a statement addressing the status of the child's sibling relationships and the nature and extent of sibling placement, contact, or visits.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:
The state is not liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the delivery of child welfare services or child protective services through the children's administration of the department of social and health services unless the act or omission constitutes gross negligence. This section does not create any duty and shall not be construed to create a duty where none exists.
Sec. 4. RCW 13.34.060 and 2002 c 52 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A child taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.050 or 26.44.050 shall be immediately placed in shelter care. A child taken by a relative of the child in violation of RCW 9A.40.060 or 9A.40.070 shall be placed in shelter care only when permitted under RCW 13.34.055. No child may be held longer than seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after such child is taken into custody unless a court order has been entered for continued shelter care. In no case may a child who is taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.055, 13.34.050, or 26.44.050 be detained in a secure detention facility.
(((a))) (2) Unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or that the efforts to reunite the parent and child will be hindered, priority placement for a child in shelter care, pending a court hearing, shall be with any person described in RCW 74.15.020(2)(a). The person must be willing and available to care for the child and be able to meet any special needs of the child. The person must be willing to facilitate the child's visitation with siblings, if such visitation is part of the supervising agency's plan or is ordered by the court. If a child is not initially placed with a relative or other person requested by the parent pursuant to this section, the supervising agency shall make an effort within available resources to place the child with a relative or other person requested by the parent on the next business day after the child is taken into custody. The supervising agency shall document its effort to place the child with a relative or other person requested by the parent pursuant to this section. Nothing within this subsection (((1)(a))) (2) establishes an entitlement to services or a right to a particular placement.
(((b))) (3) Whenever a child is taken into custody pursuant to this section, the supervising agency may authorize evaluations of the child's physical or emotional condition, routine medical and dental examination and care, and all necessary emergency care. ((In no case may a child who is taken into custody pursuant to RCW 13.34.055, 13.34.050, or 26.44.050 be detained in a secure detention facility. No child may be held longer than seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after such child is taken into custody unless a court order has been entered for continued shelter care. The child and his or her parent, guardian, or custodian shall be informed that they have a right to a shelter care hearing. The court shall hold a shelter care hearing within seventy-two hours after the child is taken into custody, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. If a parent, guardian, or legal custodian desires to waive the shelter care hearing, the court shall determine, on the record and with the parties present, whether such waiver is knowing and voluntary.
(2) Whenever a child is taken into custody by child protective services pursuant to a court order issued under RCW 13.34.050 or when child protective services is notified that a child has been taken into custody pursuant to RCW 26.44.050 or 26.44.056, child protective services shall make reasonable efforts to inform the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the fact that the child has been taken into custody, the reasons why the child was taken into custody, and their legal rights under this title as soon as possible and in no event shall notice be provided more than twenty-four hours after the child has been taken into custody or twenty-four hours after child protective services has been notified that the child has been taken into custody. The notice of custody and rights may be given by any means reasonably certain of notifying the parents including, but not limited to, written, telephone, or in person oral notification. If the initial notification is provided by a means other than writing, child protective services shall make reasonable efforts to also provide written notification.))
Sec. 5. RCW 13.34.062 and 2004 c 147 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) Whenever a child is taken into custody by child protective services pursuant to a court order issued under RCW 13.34.050 or when child protective services is notified that a child has been taken into custody pursuant to RCW 26.44.050 or 26.44.056, child protective services shall make reasonable efforts to inform the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the fact that the child has been taken into custody, the reasons why the child was taken into custody, and their legal rights under this title, including the right to a shelter care hearing, as soon as possible. Notice must be provided in an understandable manner and take into consideration the parent's, guardian's, or legal custodian's primary language, level of education, and cultural issues.
(b) In no event shall the notice required by this section be provided to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian more than twenty-four hours after the child has been taken into custody or twenty-four hours after child protective services has been notified that the child has been taken into custody.
(2)(a) The notice of custody and rights may be given by any means reasonably certain of notifying the parents including, but not limited to, written, telephone, or in person oral notification. If the initial notification is provided by a means other than writing, child protective services shall make reasonable efforts to also provide written notification.
(b) The written notice of custody and rights required by ((RCW 13.34.060)) this section shall be in substantially the following form:
"NOTICE
Your child has been placed in temporary custody under the supervision of Child Protective Services (or other person or agency). You have important legal rights and you must take steps to protect your interests.
1. A court hearing will be held before a judge within 72 hours of the time your child is taken into custody excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. You should call the court at (insert appropriate phone number here) for specific information about the date, time, and location of the court hearing.
2. You have the right to have a lawyer represent you at the hearing. Your right to representation continues after the shelter care hearing. You have the right to records the department intends to rely upon. A lawyer can look at the files in your case, talk to child protective services and other agencies, tell you about the law, help you understand your rights, and help you at hearings. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one to represent you. To get a court-appointed lawyer you must contact: (explain local procedure) .
3. At the hearing, you have the right to speak on your own behalf, to introduce evidence, to examine witnesses, and to receive a decision based solely on the evidence presented to the judge.
4. If your hearing occurs before a court commissioner, you have the right to have the decision of the court commissioner reviewed by a superior court judge. To obtain that review, you must, within ten days after the entry of the decision of the court commissioner, file with the court a motion for revision of the decision, as provided in RCW 2.24.050.
You should be present at any shelter care hearing. If you do not come, the judge will not hear what you have to say.
You may call the Child Protective Services' caseworker for more information about your child. The caseworker's name and telephone number are: (insert name and telephone number) .
5. You have a right to a case conference to develop a written service agreement following the shelter care hearing. The service agreement may not conflict with the court's order of shelter care. You may request that a multidisciplinary team, family group conference, or prognostic staffing be convened for your child's case. You may participate in these processes with your counsel present."
Upon receipt of the written notice, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian shall acknowledge such notice by signing a receipt prepared by child protective services. If the parent, guardian, or legal custodian does not sign the receipt, the reason for lack of a signature shall be written on the receipt. The receipt shall be made a part of the court's file in the dependency action.
If after making reasonable efforts to provide notification, child protective services is unable to determine the whereabouts of the parents, guardian, or legal custodian, the notice shall be delivered or sent to the last known address of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
(((2))) (3) If child protective services is not required to give notice under ((RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsection (1) of)) this section, the juvenile court counselor assigned to the matter shall make all reasonable efforts to advise the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of the time and place of any shelter care hearing, request that they be present, and inform them of their basic rights as provided in RCW 13.34.090.
(((3))) (4) Reasonable efforts to advise and to give notice, as required in ((RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsections (1) and (2) of)) this section, shall include, at a minimum, investigation of the whereabouts of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. If such reasonable efforts are not successful, or the parent, guardian, or legal custodian does not appear at the shelter care hearing, the petitioner shall testify at the hearing or state in a declaration:
(a) The efforts made to investigate the whereabouts of, and to advise, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian; and
(b) Whether actual advice of rights was made, to whom it was made, and how it was made, including the substance of any oral communication or copies of written materials used.
(((4) The court shall hear evidence regarding notice given to, and efforts to notify, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and shall examine the need for shelter care. The court shall hear evidence regarding the efforts made to place the child with a relative. The court shall make an express finding as to whether the notice required under RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsections (1) and (2) of this section was given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. All parties have the right to present testimony to the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care. Hearsay evidence before the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care must be supported by sworn testimony, affidavit, or declaration of the person offering such evidence.
(5)(a) A shelter care order issued pursuant to RCW 13.34.065 shall include the requirement for a case conference as provided in RCW 13.34.067. However, if the parent is not present at the shelter care hearing, or does not agree to the case conference, the court shall not include the requirement for the case conference in the shelter care order.
(b) If the court orders a case conference, the shelter care order shall include notice to all parties and establish the date, time, and location of the case conference which shall be no later than thirty days prior to the fact-finding hearing.
(c) The court may order a conference or meeting as an alternative to the case conference required under RCW 13.34.067 so long as the conference or meeting ordered by the court meets all requirements under RCW 13.34.067, including the requirement of a written agreement specifying the services to be provided to the parent.
(6) A shelter care order issued pursuant to RCW 13.34.065 may be amended at any time with notice and hearing thereon. The shelter care decision of placement shall be modified only upon a showing of change in circumstances. No child may be placed in shelter care for longer than thirty days without an order, signed by the judge, authorizing continued shelter care.
(7) Any parent, guardian, or legal custodian who for good cause is unable to attend the initial shelter care hearing may request that a subsequent shelter care hearing be scheduled. The request shall be made to the clerk of the court where the petition is filed prior to the initial shelter care hearing. Upon the request of the parent, the court shall schedule the hearing within seventy-two hours of the request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The clerk shall notify all other parties of the hearing by any reasonable means.))
Sec. 6. RCW 13.34.065 and 2001 c 332 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) When a child is taken into custody, the court shall hold a shelter care hearing within seventy-two hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The primary purpose of the shelter care hearing is to determine whether the child can be immediately and safely returned home while the adjudication of the dependency is pending.
(b) Any parent, guardian, or legal custodian who for good cause is unable to attend the shelter care hearing may request that a subsequent shelter care hearing be scheduled. The request shall be made to the clerk of the court where the petition is filed prior to the initial shelter care hearing. Upon the request of the parent, the court shall schedule the hearing within seventy-two hours of the request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The clerk shall notify all other parties of the hearing by any reasonable means.
(2)(a) The ((juvenile court probation counselor)) department of social and health services shall submit a recommendation to the court as to the further need for shelter care ((unless the petition has been filed by the department, in which case the recommendation shall be submitted by the department)) in all cases in which it is the petitioner. In all other cases, the recommendation shall be submitted by the juvenile court probation counselor.
(b) All parties have the right to present testimony to the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care.
(c) Hearsay evidence before the court regarding the need or lack of need for shelter care must be supported by sworn testimony, affidavit, or declaration of the person offering such evidence.
(3) At the commencement of the hearing, the court shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian of the following:
(a) The parent, guardian, or custodian has the right to a shelter care hearing;
(b) The nature of the shelter care hearing and the proceedings that will follow; and
(c) If the parent, guardian, or custodian is not represented by counsel, the right to be represented. If the parent, guardian, or custodian is indigent, the court shall appoint counsel as provided in RCW 13.34.090.
(4) At the shelter care hearing the court shall examine the need for shelter care and inquire into the status of the case. The paramount consideration for the court shall be the health, welfare, and safety of the child. At a minimum, the court shall inquire into the following:
(a) Whether the notice required under RCW 13.34.062 was given to all known parents, guardians, or legal custodians of the child. The court shall make an express finding as to whether the notice required under RCW 13.34.062 was given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian. If actual notice was not given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and the whereabouts of such person is known or can be ascertained, the court shall order the supervising agency or the department of social and health services to make reasonable efforts to advise the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the status of the case, including the date and time of any subsequent hearings, and their rights under RCW 13.34.090;
(b) Whether the child can be safely returned home while the adjudication of the dependency is pending;
(c) What efforts have been made to place the child with a relative;
(d) What services were provided to the family to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home;
(e) Is the placement proposed by the agency the least disruptive and most family-like setting that meets the needs of the child;
(f) Whether it is in the best interest of the child to remain enrolled in the school, developmental program, or child care the child was in prior to placement;
(g) Appointment of a guardian ad litem or attorney;
(h) Whether the child is or may be an Indian child as defined in 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1903, whether the provisions of the Indian child welfare act apply, and whether there is compliance with the Indian child welfare act, including notice to the child's tribe;
(i) Whether restraining orders, or orders expelling an allegedly abusive parent from the home, will allow the child to safely remain in the home;
(j) Whether any orders, agreed to by all parties, for examinations, evaluations, or immediate services are needed;
(k) The terms and conditions for parental, sibling, and family visitation.
(((2))) (5)(a) The court shall release a child alleged to be dependent to the care, custody, and control of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian unless the court finds there is reasonable cause to believe that:
(((a))) (i) After consideration of the specific services that have been provided, reasonable efforts have been made to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home and to make it possible for the child to return home; and
(((b)(i))) (ii)(A) The child has no parent, guardian, or legal custodian to provide supervision and care for such child; or
(((ii))) (B) The release of such child would present a serious threat of substantial harm to such child; or
(((iii))) (C) The parent, guardian, or custodian to whom the child could be released has been charged with violating RCW 9A.40.060 or 9A.40.070.
(b) If the court does not release the child to his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and the child was initially placed with a relative pursuant to RCW 13.34.060(1), the court shall order continued placement with a relative, unless there is reasonable cause to believe the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or that the efforts to reunite the parent and child will be hindered. The relative must be willing and available to:
(i) Care for the child and be able to meet any special needs of the child;
(ii) Facilitate the child's visitation with siblings, if such visitation is part of the supervising agency's plan or is ordered by the court; and
(iii) Cooperate with the department in providing necessary background checks and home studies.
(c) If the child was not initially placed with a relative, and the court does not release the child to his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the supervising agency shall make reasonable efforts to locate a relative pursuant to RCW 13.34.060(1).
(d) If a relative is not available, the court shall order continued shelter care or order placement with another suitable person, and the court shall set forth its reasons for the order. ((The court shall enter a finding as to whether RCW 13.34.060(2) and subsections (1) and (2) of this section have been complied with. If actual notice was not given to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and the whereabouts of such person is known or can be ascertained, the court shall order the supervising agency or the department of social and health services to make reasonable efforts to advise the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the status of the case, including the date and time of any subsequent hearings, and their rights under RCW 13.34.090.
(3))) If the court orders placement of the child with a person not related to the child and not licensed to provide foster care, the placement is subject to all terms and conditions of this section that apply to relative placements.
(e) Any placement with a relative, or other person approved by the court pursuant to this section, shall be contingent upon cooperation with the agency case plan and compliance with court orders related to the care and supervision of the child including, but not limited to, court orders regarding parent-child contacts, sibling contacts, and any other conditions imposed by the court. Noncompliance with the case plan or court order is grounds for removal of the child from the home of the relative or other person, subject to review by the court.
(6)(a) A shelter care order issued pursuant to this section shall include the requirement for a case conference as provided in RCW 13.34.067. However, if the parent is not present at the shelter care hearing, or does not agree to the case conference, the court shall not include the requirement for the case conference in the shelter care order.
(b) If the court orders a case conference, the shelter care order shall include notice to all parties and establish the date, time, and location of the case conference which shall be no later than thirty days before the fact-finding hearing.
(c) The court may order another conference, case staffing, or hearing as an alternative to the case conference required under RCW 13.34.067 so long as the conference, case staffing, or hearing ordered by the court meets all requirements under RCW 13.34.067, including the requirement of a written agreement specifying the services to be provided to the parent.
(7)(a) A shelter care order issued pursuant to this section may be amended at any time with notice and hearing thereon. The shelter care decision of placement shall be modified only upon a showing of change in circumstances. No child may be placed in shelter care for longer than thirty days without an order, signed by the judge, authorizing continued shelter care.
(b)(i) An order releasing the child on any conditions specified in this section may at any time be amended, with notice and hearing thereon, so as to return the child to shelter care for failure of the parties to conform to the conditions originally imposed.
(ii) The court shall consider whether nonconformance with any conditions resulted from circumstances beyond the control of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and give weight to that fact before ordering return of the child to shelter care.
(((4))) (8)(a) If a child is returned home from shelter care a second time in the case, or if the supervisor of the caseworker deems it necessary, the multidisciplinary team may be reconvened.
(((5))) (b) If a child is returned home from shelter care a second time in the case a law enforcement officer must be present and file a report to the department.
Sec. 7. RCW 13.34.110 and 2001 c 332 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The court shall hold a fact-finding hearing on the petition and, unless the court dismisses the petition, shall make written findings of fact, stating the reasons therefor. The rules of evidence shall apply at the fact-finding hearing and the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child shall have all of the rights provided in RCW 13.34.090(1). The petitioner shall have the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that the child is dependent within the meaning of RCW 13.34.030.
(2) The court in a fact-finding hearing may consider the history of past involvement of child protective services or law enforcement agencies with the family for the purpose of establishing a pattern of conduct, behavior, or inaction with regard to the health, safety, or welfare of the child on the part of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, or for the purpose of establishing that reasonable efforts have been made by the department to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home. No report of child abuse or neglect that has been destroyed or expunged under RCW 26.44.031 may be used for such purposes.
(3)(a) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child may waive his or her right to a fact-finding hearing by stipulating or agreeing to the entry of an order of dependency establishing that the child is dependent within the meaning of RCW 13.34.030. The parent, guardian, or legal custodian may also stipulate or agree to an order of disposition pursuant to RCW 13.34.130 at the same time. Any stipulated or agreed order of dependency or disposition must be signed by the parent, guardian, or legal custodian and his or her attorney, unless the parent, guardian, or legal custodian has waived his or her right to an attorney in open court, and by the petitioner and the attorney, guardian ad litem, or court-appointed special advocate for the child, if any. If the department of social and health services is not the petitioner and is required by the order to supervise the placement of the child or provide services to any party, the department must also agree to and sign the order.
(b) Entry of any stipulated or agreed order of dependency or disposition is subject to approval by the court. The court shall receive and review a social study before entering a stipulated or agreed order and shall consider whether the order is consistent with the allegations of the dependency petition and the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care. No social file or social study may be considered by the court in connection with the fact-finding hearing or prior to factual determination, except as otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence.
(c) Prior to the entry of any stipulated or agreed order of dependency, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child and his or her attorney must appear before the court and the court within available resources must inquire and establish on the record that:
(i) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian understands the terms of the order or orders he or she has signed, including his or her responsibility to participate in remedial services as provided in any disposition order;
(ii) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian understands that entry of the order starts a process that could result in the filing of a petition to terminate his or her relationship with the child within the time frames required by state and federal law if he or she fails to comply with the terms of the dependency or disposition orders or fails to substantially remedy the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care;
(iii) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian understands that the entry of the stipulated or agreed order of dependency is an admission that the child is dependent within the meaning of RCW 13.34.030 and shall have the same legal effect as a finding by the court that the child is dependent by at least a preponderance of the evidence, and that the parent, guardian, or legal custodian shall not have the right in any subsequent proceeding for termination of parental rights or dependency guardianship pursuant to this chapter or nonparental custody pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW to challenge or dispute the fact that the child was found to be dependent; and
(iv) The parent, guardian, or legal custodian knowingly and willingly stipulated and agreed to and signed the order or orders, without duress, and without misrepresentation or fraud by any other party.
If a parent, guardian, or legal custodian fails to appear before the court after stipulating or agreeing to entry of an order of dependency, the court may enter the order upon a finding that the parent, guardian, or legal custodian had actual notice of the right to appear before the court and chose not to do so. The court may require other parties to the order, including the attorney for the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, to appear and advise the court of the parent's, guardian's, or legal custodian's notice of the right to appear and understanding of the factors specified in this subsection. A parent, guardian, or legal custodian may choose to waive his or her presence at the in-court hearing for entry of the stipulated or agreed order of dependency by submitting to the court through counsel a completed stipulated or agreed dependency fact-finding/disposition statement in a form determined by the Washington state supreme court pursuant to General Rule GR 9.
(((3))) (4) Immediately after the entry of the findings of fact, the court shall hold a disposition hearing, unless there is good cause for continuing the matter for up to fourteen days. If good cause is shown, the case may be continued for longer than fourteen days. Notice of the time and place of the continued hearing may be given in open court. If notice in open court is not given to a party, that party shall be notified by certified mail of the time and place of any continued hearing. Unless there is reasonable cause to believe the health, safety, or welfare of the child would be jeopardized or efforts to reunite the parent and child would be hindered, the court shall direct the department to notify those adult persons who: (a) Are related by blood or marriage to the child in the following degrees: Parent, grandparent, brother, sister, stepparent, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, or aunt; (b) are known to the department as having been in contact with the family or child within the past twelve months; and (c) would be an appropriate placement for the child. Reasonable cause to dispense with notification to a parent under this section must be proved by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence.
The parties need not appear at the fact-finding or dispositional hearing if the parties, their attorneys, the guardian ad litem, and court-appointed special advocates, if any, are all in agreement.
Sec. 8. RCW 13.34.136 and 2004 c 146 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Whenever a child is ordered removed from the child's home, a permanency plan shall be developed no later than sixty days from the time the supervising agency assumes responsibility for providing services, including placing the child, or at the time of a hearing under RCW 13.34.130, whichever occurs first. The permanency planning process continues until a permanency planning goal is achieved or dependency is dismissed. The planning process shall include reasonable efforts to return the child to the parent's home.
(2) The agency ((charged with his or her care shall provide the court with)) supervising the dependency shall submit a written permanency plan to all parties and the court not less than fourteen days prior to the scheduled hearing. Responsive reports of parties not in agreement with the supervising agency's proposed permanency plan must be provided to the supervising agency, all other parties, and the court at least seven days prior to the hearing.
The permanency plan shall include:
(a) A permanency plan of care that shall identify one of the following outcomes as a primary goal and may identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; adoption; guardianship; permanent legal custody; long-term relative or foster care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the care provider; successful completion of a responsible living skills program; or independent living, if appropriate and if the child is age sixteen or older. The department shall not discharge a child to an independent living situation before the child is eighteen years of age unless the child becomes emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW;
(b) Unless the court has ordered, pursuant to RCW 13.34.130(4), that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to return the child home, what steps the agency will take to promote existing appropriate sibling relationships and/or facilitate placement together or contact in accordance with the best interests of each child, and what actions the agency will take to maintain parent-child ties. All aspects of the plan shall include the goal of achieving permanence for the child.
(i) The agency plan shall specify what services the parents will be offered to enable them to resume custody, what requirements the parents must meet to resume custody, and a time limit for each service plan and parental requirement.
(ii) Visitation is the right of the family, including the child and the parent, in cases in which visitation is in the best interest of the child. Early, consistent, and frequent visitation is crucial for maintaining parent-child relationships and making it possible for parents and children to safely reunify. The agency shall encourage the maximum parent and child and sibling contact possible, when it is in the best interest of the child, including regular visitation and participation by the parents in the care of the child while the child is in placement. Visitation shall not be limited as a sanction for a parent's failure to comply with court orders or services where the health, safety, or welfare of the child is not at risk as a result of the visitation. Visitation may be limited or denied only if the court determines that such limitation or denial is necessary to protect the child's health, safety, or welfare. The court and the agency should rely upon community resources, relatives, foster parents, and other appropriate persons to provide transportation and supervision for visitation to the extent that such resources are available, and appropriate, and the child's safety would not be compromised.
(iii) A child shall be placed as close to the child's home as possible, preferably in the child's own neighborhood, unless the court finds that placement at a greater distance is necessary to promote the child's or parents' well-being.
(iv) Unless it is not in the best interests of the child, the plan should ensure the child remains enrolled in the school the child was attending at the time the child entered foster care.
(v) The agency charged with supervising a child in placement shall provide all reasonable services that are available within the agency, or within the community, or those services which the department has existing contracts to purchase. It shall report to the court if it is unable to provide such services; and
(c) If the court has ordered, pursuant to RCW 13.34.130(4), that a termination petition be filed, a specific plan as to where the child will be placed, what steps will be taken to achieve permanency for the child, services to be offered or provided to the child, and, if visitation would be in the best interests of the child, a recommendation to the court regarding visitation between parent and child pending a fact-finding hearing on the termination petition. The agency shall not be required to develop a plan of services for the parents or provide services to the parents if the court orders a termination petition be filed. However, reasonable efforts to ensure visitation and contact between siblings shall be made unless there is reasonable cause to believe the best interests of the child or siblings would be jeopardized.
(((2))) (3) Permanency planning goals should be achieved at the earliest possible date, preferably before the child has been in out-of-home care for fifteen months. In cases where parental rights have been terminated, the child is legally free for adoption, and adoption has been identified as the primary permanency planning goal, it shall be a goal to complete the adoption within six months following entry of the termination order.
(4) If the court determines that the continuation of reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from his or her home or to safely return the child home should not be part of the permanency plan of care for the child, reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.
(((3))) (5) The identified outcomes and goals of the permanency plan may change over time based upon the circumstances of the particular case.
(6) The court shall consider the child's relationships with the child's siblings in accordance with RCW 13.34.130(3).
(7) For purposes related to permanency planning:
(a) "Guardianship" means a dependency guardianship or a legal guardianship pursuant to chapter 11.88 RCW or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(b) "Permanent custody order" means a custody order entered pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW.
(c) "Permanent legal custody" means legal custody pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.
Sec. 9. RCW 13.34.138 and 2005 c 512 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Except for children whose cases are reviewed by a citizen review board under chapter 13.70 RCW, the status of all children found to be dependent shall be reviewed by the court at least every six months from the beginning date of the placement episode or the date dependency is established, whichever is first((, at a)). The purpose of the hearing ((in which it)) shall be ((determined)) to review the progress of the parties and determine whether court supervision should continue.
(a) The initial review hearing shall be an in-court review and shall be set six months from the beginning date of the placement episode or no more than ninety days from the entry of the disposition order, whichever comes first. The requirements for the initial review hearing, including the in-court review requirement, shall be accomplished within existing resources.
(b) The supervising agency shall provide a foster parent or relative with notice of, and his or her right to an opportunity to be heard in, a review hearing pertaining to the child, but only if that person is currently providing care to the child at the time of the hearing. This section shall not be construed to grant party status to any person who has been provided an opportunity to be heard.
(c) The initial review hearing may be a permanency planning hearing when necessary to meet the time frames set forth in RCW 13.34.145(((3))) (1)(a) or 13.34.134. ((The review shall include findings regarding the agency and parental completion of disposition plan requirements, and if necessary, revised permanency time limits. This review shall consider both the agency's and parent's efforts that demonstrate consistent measurable progress over time in meeting the disposition plan requirements. The requirements for the initial review hearing, including the in-court requirement, shall be accomplished within existing resources. The supervising agency shall provide a foster parent, preadoptive parent, or relative with notice of, and their right to an opportunity to be heard in, a review hearing pertaining to the child, but only if that person is currently providing care to that child at the time of the hearing. This section shall not be construed to grant party status to any person who has been provided an opportunity to be heard.))
(2)(a) A child shall not be returned home at the review hearing unless the court finds that a reason for removal as set forth in RCW 13.34.130 no longer exists. The parents, guardian, or legal custodian shall report to the court the efforts they have made to correct the conditions which led to removal. If a child is returned, casework supervision shall continue for a period of six months, at which time there shall be a hearing on the need for continued intervention.
(b) If the child is not returned home, the court shall establish in writing:
(i) ((Whether reasonable services have been provided to or offered to the parties to facilitate reunion, specifying the services provided or offered)) Whether the agency is making reasonable efforts to provide services to the family and eliminate the need for placement of the child. If additional services, including housing assistance, are needed to facilitate the return of the child to the child's parents, the court shall order that reasonable services be offered specifying such services;
(ii) Whether there has been compliance with the case plan by the child, the child's parents, and the agency supervising the placement;
(iii) Whether progress has been made toward correcting the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care;
(iv) Whether the services set forth in the case plan and the responsibilities of the parties need to be clarified or modified due to the availability of additional information or changed circumstances;
(v) Whether there is a continuing need for placement;
(vi) Whether the child is in an appropriate placement which adequately meets all physical, emotional, and educational needs;
(((ii))) (vii) Whether ((the child has been placed in the least-restrictive setting appropriate to the child's needs, including whether consideration and)) preference has been given to placement with the child's relatives;
(((iii) Whether there is a continuing need for placement and whether the placement is appropriate;
(iv) Whether there has been compliance with the case plan by the child, the child's parents, and the agency supervising the placement;
(v) Whether progress has been made toward correcting the problems that necessitated the child's placement in out-of-home care;
(vi))) (viii) Whether the parents have visited the child and any reasons why visitation has not occurred or has been infrequent;
(((vii) Whether additional services, including housing assistance, are needed to facilitate the return of the child to the child's parents; if so, the court shall order that reasonable services be offered specifying such services; and
(viii))) (ix) Whether terms of visitation need to be modified;
(x) Whether the court-approved long-term permanent plan for the child remains the best plan for the child;
(xi) Whether any additional court orders need to be made to move the case toward permanency; and
(xii) The projected date by which the child will be returned home or other permanent plan of care will be implemented.
(c) The court at the review hearing may order that a petition seeking termination of the parent and child relationship be filed.
(((2))) (3)(a) In any case in which the court orders that a dependent child may be returned to or remain in the child's home, the in-home placement shall be contingent upon the following:
(i) The compliance of the parents with court orders related to the care and supervision of the child, including compliance with an agency case plan; and
(ii) The continued participation of the parents, if applicable, in available substance abuse or mental health treatment if substance abuse or mental illness was a contributing factor to the removal of the child.
(b) The following may be grounds for removal of the child from the home, subject to review by the court:
(i) Noncompliance by the parents with the agency case plan or court order;
(ii) The parent's inability, unwillingness, or failure to participate in available services or treatment for themselves or the child, including substance abuse treatment if a parent's substance abuse was a contributing factor to the abuse or neglect; or
(iii) The failure of the parents to successfully and substantially complete available services or treatment for themselves or the child, including substance abuse treatment if a parent's substance abuse was a contributing factor to the abuse or neglect.
(((3))) (4) The court's ability to order housing assistance under RCW 13.34.130 and this section is: (a) Limited to cases in which homelessness or the lack of adequate and safe housing is the primary reason for an out-of-home placement; and (b) subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this specific purpose.
(((4))) (5) The court shall consider the child's relationship with siblings in accordance with RCW 13.34.130(3).
Sec. 10. RCW 13.34.145 and 2003 c 227 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) ((A permanency plan shall be developed no later than sixty days from the time the supervising agency assumes responsibility for providing services, including placing the child, or at the time of a hearing under RCW 13.34.130, whichever occurs first. The permanency planning process continues until a permanency planning goal is achieved or dependency is dismissed. The planning process shall include reasonable efforts to return the child to the parent's home.
(a) Whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care pursuant to RCW 13.34.130, the agency that has custody of the child shall provide the court with a written permanency plan of care directed towards securing a safe, stable, and permanent home for the child as soon as possible. The plan shall identify one of the following outcomes as the primary goal and may also identify additional outcomes as alternative goals: Return of the child to the home of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; adoption; guardianship; permanent legal custody; long-term relative or foster care, until the child is age eighteen, with a written agreement between the parties and the care provider; a responsible living skills program; and independent living, if appropriate and if the child is age sixteen or older and the provisions of subsection (2) of this section are met.
(b) The identified outcomes and goals of the permanency plan may change over time based upon the circumstances of the particular case.
(c) Permanency planning goals should be achieved at the earliest possible date, preferably before the child has been in out-of-home care for fifteen months. In cases where parental rights have been terminated, the child is legally free for adoption, and adoption has been identified as the primary permanency planning goal, it shall be a goal to complete the adoption within six months following entry of the termination order.
(d) For purposes related to permanency planning:
(i) "Guardianship" means a dependency guardianship, a legal guardianship pursuant to chapter 11.88 RCW, or equivalent laws of another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(ii) "Permanent custody order" means a custody order entered pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW.
(iii) "Permanent legal custody" means legal custody pursuant to chapter 26.10 RCW or equivalent laws of another state or of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(2) Whenever a permanency plan identifies independent living as a goal, the plan shall also specifically identify the services that will be provided to assist the child to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living. Before the court approves independent living as a permanency plan of care, the court shall make a finding that the provision of services to assist the child in making a transition from foster care to independent living will allow the child to manage his or her financial, personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs. The department shall not discharge a child to an independent living situation before the child is eighteen years of age unless the child becomes emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW.
(3))) The purpose of a permanency planning hearing is to review the permanency plan for the child, inquire into the welfare of the child and progress of the case, and reach decisions regarding the permanent placement of the child.
(a) A permanency planning hearing shall be held in all cases where the child has remained in out-of-home care for at least nine months and an adoption decree, guardianship order, or permanent custody order has not previously been entered. The hearing shall take place no later than twelve months following commencement of the current placement episode.
(((4))) (b) Whenever a child is removed from the home of a dependency guardian or long-term relative or foster care provider, and the child is not returned to the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian but is placed in out-of-home care, a permanency planning hearing shall take place no later than twelve months, as provided in ((subsection (3) of)) this section, following the date of removal unless, prior to the hearing, the child returns to the home of the dependency guardian or long-term care provider, the child is placed in the home of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, an adoption decree, guardianship order, or a permanent custody order is entered, or the dependency is dismissed.
(((5))) (c) Permanency planning goals should be achieved at the earliest possible date, preferably before the child has been in out-of-home care for fifteen months. In cases where parental rights have been terminated, the child is legally free for adoption, and adoption has been identified as the primary permanency planning goal, it shall be a goal to complete the adoption within six months following entry of the termination order.
(2) No later than ten working days prior to the permanency planning hearing, the agency having custody of the child shall submit a written permanency plan to the court and shall mail a copy of the plan to all parties and their legal counsel, if any.
(((6))) (3) At the permanency planning hearing, the court shall ((enter findings as required by RCW 13.34.138 and shall review the permanency plan prepared by the agency)) conduct the following inquiry:
(a) If a goal of long-term foster or relative care has been achieved prior to the permanency planning hearing, the court shall review the child's status to determine whether the placement and the plan for the child's care remain appropriate.
(b) In cases where the primary permanency planning goal has not been achieved, the court shall inquire regarding the reasons why the primary goal has not been achieved and determine what needs to be done to make it possible to achieve the primary goal. The court shall review the permanency plan prepared by the agency and make explicit findings regarding each of the following:
(i) The continuing necessity for, and the safety and appropriateness of, the placement;
(ii) The extent of compliance with the permanency plan by the agency and any other service providers, the child's parents, the child, and the child's guardian, if any;
(iii) The extent of any efforts to involve appropriate service providers in addition to agency staff in planning to meet the special needs of the child and the child's parents;
(iv) The progress toward eliminating the causes for the child's placement outside of his or her home and toward returning the child safely to his or her home or obtaining a permanent placement for the child;
(v) The date by which it is likely that the child will be returned to his or her home or placed for adoption, with a guardian or in some other alternative permanent placement; and
(vi) If the child has been placed outside of his or her home for fifteen of the most recent twenty-two months, not including any period during which the child was a runaway from the out-of-home placement or the first six months of any period during which the child was returned to his or her home for a trial home visit, the appropriateness of the permanency plan, whether reasonable efforts were made by the agency to achieve the goal of the permanency plan, and the circumstances which prevent the child from any of the following:
(A) Being returned safely to his or her home;
(B) Having a petition for the involuntary termination of parental rights filed on behalf of the child;
(C) Being placed for adoption;
(D) Being placed with a guardian;
(E) Being placed in the home of a fit and willing relative of the child; or
(F) Being placed in some other alternative permanent placement, including independent living or long-term foster care.
(c)(i) If the permanency plan identifies independent living as a goal, the court shall make a finding that the provision of services to assist the child in making a transition from foster care to independent living will allow the child to manage his or her financial, personal, social, educational, and nonfinancial affairs prior to approving independent living as a permanency plan of care.
(ii) The permanency plan shall also specifically identify the services that will be provided to assist the child to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living.
(iii) The department shall not discharge a child to an independent living situation before the child is eighteen years of age unless the child becomes emancipated pursuant to chapter 13.64 RCW.
(d) If the child has resided in the home of a foster parent or relative for more than six months prior to the permanency planning hearing, the court shall also enter a finding regarding whether the foster parent or relative was informed of the hearing as required in RCW 74.13.280 and 13.34.138. ((If a goal of long-term foster or relative care has been achieved prior to the permanency planning hearing, the court shall review the child's status to determine whether the placement and the plan for the child's care remain appropriate. In cases where the primary permanency planning goal has not been achieved, the court shall inquire regarding the reasons why the primary goal has not been achieved and determine what needs to be done to make it possible to achieve the primary goal.))
(4) In all cases, at the permanency planning hearing, the court shall:
(a)(i) Order the permanency plan prepared by the agency to be implemented; or
(ii) Modify the permanency plan, and order implementation of the modified plan; and
(b)(i) Order the child returned home only if the court finds that a reason for removal as set forth in RCW 13.34.130 no longer exists; or
(ii) Order the child to remain in out-of-home care for a limited specified time period while efforts are made to implement the permanency plan.
(((7))) (5) Following the first permanency planning hearing, the court shall hold a further permanency planning hearing in accordance with this section at least once every twelve months until a permanency planning goal is achieved or the dependency is dismissed, whichever occurs first.
(6) Prior to the second permanency planning hearing, the agency that has custody of the child shall consider whether to file a petition for termination of parental rights.
(7) If the court orders the child returned home, casework supervision shall continue for at least six months, at which time a review hearing shall be held pursuant to RCW 13.34.138, and the court shall determine the need for continued intervention.
(8) The juvenile court may hear a petition for permanent legal custody when: (a) The court has ordered implementation of a permanency plan that includes permanent legal custody; and (b) the party pursuing the permanent legal custody is the party identified in the permanency plan as the prospective legal custodian. During the pendency of such proceeding, the court shall conduct review hearings and further permanency planning hearings as provided in this chapter. At the conclusion of the legal guardianship or permanent legal custody proceeding, a juvenile court hearing shall be held for the purpose of determining whether dependency should be dismissed. If a guardianship or permanent custody order has been entered, the dependency shall be dismissed.
(9) Continued juvenile court jurisdiction under this chapter shall not be a barrier to the entry of an order establishing a legal guardianship or permanent legal custody when the requirements of subsection (8) of this section are met.
(10) ((Following the first permanency planning hearing, the court shall hold a further permanency planning hearing in accordance with this section at least once every twelve months until a permanency planning goal is achieved or the dependency is dismissed, whichever occurs first.
(11) Except as provided in RCW 13.34.235, the status of all dependent children shall continue to be reviewed by the court at least once every six months, in accordance with RCW 13.34.138, until the dependency is dismissed. Prior to the second permanency planning hearing, the agency that has custody of the child shall consider whether to file a petition for termination of parental rights.
(12))) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the ability of the agency that has custody of the child to file a petition for termination of parental rights or a guardianship petition at any time following the establishment of dependency. Upon the filing of such a petition, a fact-finding hearing shall be scheduled and held in accordance with this chapter unless the agency requests dismissal of the petition prior to the hearing or unless the parties enter an agreed order terminating parental rights, establishing guardianship, or otherwise resolving the matter.
(((13))) (11) The approval of a permanency plan that does not contemplate return of the child to the parent does not relieve the supervising agency of its obligation to provide reasonable services, under this chapter, intended to effectuate the return of the child to the parent, including but not limited to, visitation rights. The court shall consider the child's relationships with siblings in accordance with RCW 13.34.130.
(((14))) (12) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the procedural due process rights of any party in a termination or guardianship proceeding filed under this chapter.
Sec. 11. RCW 74.13.031 and 2006 c 266 s 1 and 2006 c 221 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
The department shall have the duty to provide child welfare services and shall:
(1) Develop, administer, supervise, and monitor a coordinated and comprehensive plan that establishes, aids, and strengthens services for the protection and care of runaway, dependent, or neglected children.
(2) Within available resources, recruit an adequate number of prospective adoptive and foster homes, both regular and specialized, i.e. homes for children of ethnic minority, including Indian homes for Indian children, sibling groups, handicapped and emotionally disturbed, teens, pregnant and parenting teens, and annually report to the governor and the legislature concerning the department's success in: (a) Meeting the need for adoptive and foster home placements; (b) reducing the foster parent turnover rate; (c) completing home studies for legally free children; and (d) implementing and operating the passport program required by RCW 74.13.285. The report shall include a section entitled "Foster Home Turn-Over, Causes and Recommendations."
(3) Investigate complaints of any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, or sexual abuse or exploitation, or that presents an imminent risk of serious harm, and on the basis of the findings of such investigation, offer child welfare services in relation to the problem to such parents, legal custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis, and/or bring the situation to the attention of an appropriate court, or another community agency: PROVIDED, That an investigation is not required of nonaccidental injuries which are clearly not the result of a lack of care or supervision by the child's parents, legal custodians, or persons serving in loco parentis. If the investigation reveals that a crime against a child may have been committed, the department shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency.
(4) Offer, on a voluntary basis, family reconciliation services to families who are in conflict.
(5) Monitor out-of-home placements, on a timely and routine basis, to assure the safety, well-being, and quality of care being provided is within the scope of the intent of the legislature as defined in RCW 74.13.010 and 74.15.010, and annually submit a report measuring the extent to which the department achieved the specified goals to the governor and the legislature.
(6) Have authority to accept custody of children from parents and to accept custody of children from juvenile courts, where authorized to do so under law, to provide child welfare services including placement for adoption, to provide for the routine and necessary medical, dental, and mental health care, or necessary emergency care of the children, and to provide for the physical care of such children and make payment of maintenance costs if needed. Except where required by Public Law 95-608 (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1915), no private adoption agency which receives children for adoption from the department shall discriminate on the basis of race, creed, or color when considering applications in their placement for adoption.
(7) Have authority to provide temporary shelter to children who have run away from home and who are admitted to crisis residential centers.
(8) Have authority to purchase care for children; and shall follow in general the policy of using properly approved private agency services for the actual care and supervision of such children insofar as they are available, paying for care of such children as are accepted by the department as eligible for support at reasonable rates established by the department.
(9) Establish a children's services advisory committee which shall assist the secretary in the development of a partnership plan for utilizing resources of the public and private sectors, and advise on all matters pertaining to child welfare, licensing of child care agencies, adoption, and services related thereto. At least one member shall represent the adoption community.
(10)(a) Have authority to provide continued foster care or group care as needed to participate in or complete a high school or vocational school program.
(b)(i) Beginning in 2006, the department has the authority to allow up to fifty youth reaching age eighteen to continue in foster care or group care as needed to participate in or complete a posthigh school academic or vocational program, and to receive necessary support and transition services.
(ii) In 2007 and 2008, the department has the authority to allow up to fifty additional youth per year reaching age eighteen to remain in foster care or group care as provided in (b)(i) of this subsection.
(iii) A youth who remains eligible for such placement and services pursuant to department rules may continue in foster care or group care until the youth reaches his or her twenty-first birthday. Eligibility requirements shall include active enrollment in a posthigh school academic or vocational program and maintenance of a 2.0 grade point average.
(11) Refer cases to the division of child support whenever state or federal funds are expended for the care and maintenance of a child, including a child with a developmental disability who is placed as a result of an action under chapter 13.34 RCW, unless the department finds that there is good cause not to pursue collection of child support against the parent or parents of the child. Cases involving individuals age eighteen through twenty shall not be referred to the division of child support unless required by federal law.
(12) Have authority within funds appropriated for foster care services to purchase care for Indian children who are in the custody of a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribally licensed child-placing agency pursuant to parental consent, tribal court order, or state juvenile court order; and the purchase of such care shall be subject to the same eligibility standards and rates of support applicable to other children for whom the department purchases care.
Notwithstanding any other provision of RCW 13.32A.170 through 13.32A.200 and 74.13.032 through 74.13.036, or of this section all services to be provided by the department of social and health services under subsections (4), (6), and (7) of this section, subject to the limitations of these subsections, may be provided by any program offering such services funded pursuant to Titles II and III of the federal juvenile justice and delinquency prevention act of 1974.
(13) Within amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, provide preventive services to families with children that prevent or shorten the duration of an out-of-home placement.
(14) Have authority to provide independent living services to youths, including individuals who have attained eighteen years of age, and have not attained twenty-one years of age who are or have been in foster care.
(15) Consult at least quarterly with foster parents, including members of the foster parent association of Washington state, for the purpose of receiving information and comment regarding how the department is performing the duties and meeting the obligations specified in this section and RCW 74.13.250 and 74.13.320 regarding the recruitment of foster homes, reducing foster parent turnover rates, providing effective training for foster parents, and administering a coordinated and comprehensive plan that strengthens services for the protection of children. Consultation shall occur at the regional and statewide levels.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. (1) The secretary of the department of social and health services shall work in conjunction with the University of Washington to study the need for and the feasibility of creating tiered classifications for foster parent licensing, including a professional foster parent classification. The secretary of the department of social and health services and the dean of the school of social work, or his or her designee, at the University of Washington jointly shall facilitate a work group composed of: (a) The president of the senate shall appoint two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate; and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives; (b) four foster parents, including two representatives from the foster parent association of Washington state; (c) the director of the institute for children and families at the University of Washington; (d) a representative of the Washington federation of state employees; and (e) four or more child welfare professionals with subject matter expertise from the public, private, or academic communities.
(2) To promote the exchange of ideas and collaboration, the secretary and the director also shall convene at least two focused stakeholder meetings seeking input from a broad range of foster parents, social workers, and community members. To facilitate the exchange of ideas, the department of social and health services shall provide to the work group the contact information for licensed foster parents for the sole purpose of communicating with foster parents regarding issues relevant to foster parents. The work group shall keep the contact information confidential and shall develop guidelines for the use and maintenance of this contact information among work group members.
(3) The secretary of the department of social and health services and the dean of the school of social work, or his or her designee, at the University of Washington shall report the recommendations of the work group to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2008.
Sec. 13. RCW 26.44.020 and 2006 c 339 s 108 are each amended to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(((1) "Court" means the superior court of the state of Washington, juvenile department.
(2) "Law enforcement agency" means the police department, the prosecuting attorney, the state patrol, the director of public safety, or the office of the sheriff.
(3) "Practitioner of the healing arts" or "practitioner" means a person licensed by this state to practice podiatric medicine and surgery, optometry, chiropractic, nursing, dentistry, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or medicine and surgery or to provide other health services. The term "practitioner" includes a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That a person who is being furnished Christian Science treatment by a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner will not be considered, for that reason alone, a neglected person for the purposes of this chapter.
(4) "Institution" means a private or public hospital or any other facility providing medical diagnosis, treatment or care.
(5) "Department" means the state department of social and health services.
(6) "Child" or "children" means any person under the age of eighteen years of age.
(7) "Professional school personnel" include, but are not limited to, teachers, counselors, administrators, child care facility personnel, and school nurses.
(8) "Social service counselor" means anyone engaged in a professional capacity during the regular course of employment in encouraging or promoting the health, welfare, support or education of children, or providing social services to adults or families, including mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and domestic violence programs, whether in an individual capacity, or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(9) "Psychologist" means any person licensed to practice psychology under chapter 18.83 RCW, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(10) "Pharmacist" means any registered pharmacist under chapter 18.64 RCW, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(11) "Clergy" means any regularly licensed or ordained minister, priest, or rabbi of any church or religious denomination, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(12) "Abuse or neglect" means sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or injury of a child by any person under circumstances which cause harm to the child's health, welfare, or safety, excluding conduct permitted under RCW 9A.16.100; or the negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for or providing care to the child. An abused child is a child who has been subjected to child abuse or neglect as defined in this section.
(13) "Child protective services section" means the child protective services section of the department.
(14) "Sexual exploitation" includes: (a) Allowing, permitting, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution by any person; or (b) allowing, permitting, encouraging, or engaging in the obscene or pornographic photographing, filming, or depicting of a child by any person.
(15) "Negligent treatment or maltreatment" means an act or a failure to act, or the cumulative effects of a pattern of conduct, behavior, or inaction, that evidences a serious disregard of consequences of such magnitude as to constitute a clear and present danger to a child's health, welfare, or safety, including but not limited to conduct prohibited under RCW 9A.42.100. When considering whether a clear and present danger exists, evidence of a parent's substance abuse as a contributing factor to negligent treatment or maltreatment shall be given great weight. The fact that siblings share a bedroom is not, in and of itself, negligent treatment or maltreatment. Poverty, homelessness, or exposure to domestic violence as defined in RCW 26.50.010 that is perpetrated against someone other than the child does not constitute negligent treatment or maltreatment in and of itself.
(16) "Child protective services" means those services provided by the department designed to protect children from child abuse and neglect and safeguard such children from future abuse and neglect, and conduct investigations of child abuse and neglect reports. Investigations may be conducted regardless of the location of the alleged abuse or neglect. Child protective services includes referral to services to ameliorate conditions that endanger the welfare of children, the coordination of necessary programs and services relevant to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, and services to children to ensure that each child has a permanent home. In determining whether protective services should be provided, the department shall not decline to provide such services solely because of the child's unwillingness or developmental inability to describe the nature and severity of the abuse or neglect.
(17) "Malice" or "maliciously" means an evil intent, wish, or design to vex, annoy, or injure another person. Such malice may be inferred from an act done in willful disregard of the rights of another, or an act wrongfully done without just cause or excuse, or an act or omission of duty betraying a willful disregard of social duty.
(18) "Sexually aggressive youth" means a child who is defined in RCW 74.13.075(1)(b) as being a sexually aggressive youth.
(19) "Unfounded" means available information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect did not occur. No unfounded allegation of child abuse or neglect may be disclosed to a child-placing agency, private adoption agency, or any other provider licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW.))
(1) "Abuse or neglect" means sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or injury of a child by any person under circumstances which cause harm to the child's health, welfare, or safety, excluding conduct permitted under RCW 9A.16.100; or the negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for or providing care to the child. An abused child is a child who has been subjected to child abuse or neglect as defined in this section.
(2) "Child" or "children" means any person under the age of eighteen years of age.
(3) "Child protective services" means those services provided by the department designed to protect children from child abuse and neglect and safeguard such children from future abuse and neglect, and conduct investigations of child abuse and neglect reports. Investigations may be conducted regardless of the location of the alleged abuse or neglect. Child protective services includes referral to services to ameliorate conditions that endanger the welfare of children, the coordination of necessary programs and services relevant to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, and services to children to ensure that each child has a permanent home. In determining whether protective services should be provided, the department shall not decline to provide such services solely because of the child's unwillingness or developmental inability to describe the nature and severity of the abuse or neglect.
(4) "Child protective services section" means the child protective services section of the department.
(5) "Clergy" means any regularly licensed or ordained minister, priest, or rabbi of any church or religious denomination, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(6) "Court" means the superior court of the state of Washington, juvenile department.
(7) "Department" means the state department of social and health services.
(8) "Founded" means the determination following an investigation by the department that, based on available information, it is more likely than not that child abuse or neglect did occur.
(9) "Inconclusive" means the determination following an investigation by the department, prior to the effective date of this section, that based on available information a decision cannot be made that more likely than not, child abuse or neglect did or did not occur.
(10) "Institution" means a private or public hospital or any other facility providing medical diagnosis, treatment, or care.
(11) "Law enforcement agency" means the police department, the prosecuting attorney, the state patrol, the director of public safety, or the office of the sheriff.
(12) "Malice" or "maliciously" means an evil intent, wish, or design to vex, annoy, or injure another person. Such malice may be inferred from an act done in willful disregard of the rights of another, or an act wrongfully done without just cause or excuse, or an act or omission of duty betraying a willful disregard of social duty.
(13) "Negligent treatment or maltreatment" means an act or a failure to act, or the cumulative effects of a pattern of conduct, behavior, or inaction, that evidences a serious disregard of consequences of such magnitude as to constitute a clear and present danger to a child's health, welfare, or safety, including but not limited to conduct prohibited under RCW 9A.42.100. When considering whether a clear and present danger exists, evidence of a parent's substance abuse as a contributing factor to negligent treatment or maltreatment shall be given great weight. The fact that siblings share a bedroom is not, in and of itself, negligent treatment or maltreatment. Poverty, homelessness, or exposure to domestic violence as defined in RCW 26.50.010 that is perpetrated against someone other than the child does not constitute negligent treatment or maltreatment in and of itself.
(14) "Pharmacist" means any registered pharmacist under chapter 18.64 RCW, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(15) "Practitioner of the healing arts" or "practitioner" means a person licensed by this state to practice podiatric medicine and surgery, optometry, chiropractic, nursing, dentistry, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or medicine and surgery or to provide other health services. The term "practitioner" includes a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That a person who is being furnished Christian Science treatment by a duly accredited Christian Science practitioner will not be considered, for that reason alone, a neglected person for the purposes of this chapter.
(16) "Professional school personnel" include, but are not limited to, teachers, counselors, administrators, child care facility personnel, and school nurses.
(17) "Psychologist" means any person licensed to practice psychology under chapter 18.83 RCW, whether acting in an individual capacity or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(18) "Screened-out report" means a report of alleged child abuse or neglect that the department has determined does not rise to the level of a credible report of abuse or neglect and is not referred for investigation.
(19) "Sexual exploitation" includes: (a) Allowing, permitting, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution by any person; or (b) allowing, permitting, encouraging, or engaging in the obscene or pornographic photographing, filming, or depicting of a child by any person.
(20) "Sexually aggressive youth" means a child who is defined in RCW 74.13.075(1)(b) as being a sexually aggressive youth.
(21) "Social service counselor" means anyone engaged in a professional capacity during the regular course of employment in encouraging or promoting the health, welfare, support or education of children, or providing social services to adults or families, including mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and domestic violence programs, whether in an individual capacity, or as an employee or agent of any public or private organization or institution.
(22) "Unfounded" means the determination following an investigation by the department that available information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect did not occur, or that there is insufficient evidence for the department to determine whether the alleged child abuse did or did not occur.
Sec. 14. RCW 26.44.030 and 2005 c 417 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) When any practitioner, county coroner or medical examiner, law enforcement officer, professional school personnel, registered or licensed nurse, social service counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, licensed or certified child care providers or their employees, employee of the department, juvenile probation officer, placement and liaison specialist, responsible living skills program staff, HOPE center staff, or state family and children's ombudsman or any volunteer in the ombudsman's office has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040.
(b) When any person, in his or her official supervisory capacity with a nonprofit or for-profit organization, has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect caused by a person over whom he or she regularly exercises supervisory authority, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency, provided that the person alleged to have caused the abuse or neglect is employed by, contracted by, or volunteers with the organization and coaches, trains, educates, or counsels a child or children or regularly has unsupervised access to a child or children as part of the employment, contract, or voluntary service. No one shall be required to report under this section when he or she obtains the information solely as a result of a privileged communication as provided in RCW 5.60.060.
Nothing in this subsection (1)(b) shall limit a person's duty to report under (a) of this subsection.
For the purposes of this subsection, the following definitions apply:
(i) "Official supervisory capacity" means a position, status, or role created, recognized, or designated by any nonprofit or for-profit organization, either for financial gain or without financial gain, whose scope includes, but is not limited to, overseeing, directing, or managing another person who is employed by, contracted by, or volunteers with the nonprofit or for-profit organization.
(ii) "Regularly exercises supervisory authority" means to act in his or her official supervisory capacity on an ongoing or continuing basis with regards to a particular person.
(c) The reporting requirement also applies to department of corrections personnel who, in the course of their employment, observe offenders or the children with whom the offenders are in contact. If, as a result of observations or information received in the course of his or her employment, any department of corrections personnel has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report the incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040.
(d) The reporting requirement shall also apply to any adult who has reasonable cause to believe that a child who resides with them, has suffered severe abuse, and is able or capable of making a report. For the purposes of this subsection, "severe abuse" means any of the following: Any single act of abuse that causes physical trauma of sufficient severity that, if left untreated, could cause death; any single act of sexual abuse that causes significant bleeding, deep bruising, or significant external or internal swelling; or more than one act of physical abuse, each of which causes bleeding, deep bruising, significant external or internal swelling, bone fracture, or unconsciousness.
(e) The report must be made at the first opportunity, but in no case longer than forty-eight hours after there is reasonable cause to believe that the child has suffered abuse or neglect. The report must include the identity of the accused if known.
(2) The reporting requirement of subsection (1) of this section does not apply to the discovery of abuse or neglect that occurred during childhood if it is discovered after the child has become an adult. However, if there is reasonable cause to believe other children are or may be at risk of abuse or neglect by the accused, the reporting requirement of subsection (1) of this section does apply.
(3) Any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect may report such incident to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department of social and health services as provided in RCW 26.44.040.
(4) The department, upon receiving a report of an incident of alleged abuse or neglect pursuant to this chapter, involving a child who has died or has had physical injury or injuries inflicted upon him or her other than by accidental means or who has been subjected to alleged sexual abuse, shall report such incident to the proper law enforcement agency. In emergency cases, where the child's welfare is endangered, the department shall notify the proper law enforcement agency within twenty-four hours after a report is received by the department. In all other cases, the department shall notify the law enforcement agency within seventy-two hours after a report is received by the department. If the department makes an oral report, a written report must also be made to the proper law enforcement agency within five days thereafter.
(5) Any law enforcement agency receiving a report of an incident of alleged abuse or neglect pursuant to this chapter, involving a child who has died or has had physical injury or injuries inflicted upon him or her other than by accidental means, or who has been subjected to alleged sexual abuse, shall report such incident in writing as provided in RCW 26.44.040 to the proper county prosecutor or city attorney for appropriate action whenever the law enforcement agency's investigation reveals that a crime may have been committed. The law enforcement agency shall also notify the department of all reports received and the law enforcement agency's disposition of them. In emergency cases, where the child's welfare is endangered, the law enforcement agency shall notify the department within twenty-four hours. In all other cases, the law enforcement agency shall notify the department within seventy-two hours after a report is received by the law enforcement agency.
(6) Any county prosecutor or city attorney receiving a report under subsection (5) of this section shall notify the victim, any persons the victim requests, and the local office of the department, of the decision to charge or decline to charge a crime, within five days of making the decision.
(7) The department may conduct ongoing case planning and consultation with those persons or agencies required to report under this section, with consultants designated by the department, and with designated representatives of Washington Indian tribes if the client information exchanged is pertinent to cases currently receiving child protective services. Upon request, the department shall conduct such planning and consultation with those persons required to report under this section if the department determines it is in the best interests of the child. Information considered privileged by statute and not directly related to reports required by this section must not be divulged without a valid written waiver of the privilege.
(8) Any case referred to the department by a physician licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW on the basis of an expert medical opinion that child abuse, neglect, or sexual assault has occurred and that the child's safety will be seriously endangered if returned home, the department shall file a dependency petition unless a second licensed physician of the parents' choice believes that such expert medical opinion is incorrect. If the parents fail to designate a second physician, the department may make the selection. If a physician finds that a child has suffered abuse or neglect but that such abuse or neglect does not constitute imminent danger to the child's health or safety, and the department agrees with the physician's assessment, the child may be left in the parents' home while the department proceeds with reasonable efforts to remedy parenting deficiencies.
(9) Persons or agencies exchanging information under subsection (7) of this section shall not further disseminate or release the information except as authorized by state or federal statute. Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.
(10) Upon receiving a report((s)) of alleged abuse or neglect, the department shall make reasonable efforts to learn the name, address, and telephone number of each person making a report of abuse or neglect under this section. The department shall provide assurances of appropriate confidentiality of the identification of persons reporting under this section. If the department is unable to learn the information required under this subsection, the department shall only investigate cases in which:
(a) The department believes there is a serious threat of substantial harm to the child;
(b) The report indicates conduct involving a criminal offense that has, or is about to occur, in which the child is the victim; or
(c) The department has a prior founded report of abuse or neglect with regard to a member of the household that is within three years of receipt of the referral.
(11)(a) For reports of alleged abuse or neglect that are accepted for investigation by the department, the investigation shall be conducted within time frames established by the department in rule. In no case shall the investigation extend longer than ninety days from the date the report is received, unless the investigation is being conducted under a written protocol pursuant to RCW 26.44.180 and a law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney has determined that a longer investigation period is necessary. At the completion of the investigation, the department shall make a finding that the report of child abuse or neglect is founded or unfounded.
(b) If a court in a civil or criminal proceeding, considering the same facts or circumstances as are contained in the report being investigated by the department, makes a judicial finding by a preponderance of the evidence or higher that the subject of the pending investigation has abused or neglected the child, the department shall adopt the finding in its investigation.
(12) In conducting an investigation of alleged abuse or neglect, the department or law enforcement agency:
(a) May interview children. The interviews may be conducted on school premises, at day-care facilities, at the child's home, or at other suitable locations outside of the presence of parents. Parental notification of the interview must occur at the earliest possible point in the investigation that will not jeopardize the safety or protection of the child or the course of the investigation. Prior to commencing the interview the department or law enforcement agency shall determine whether the child wishes a third party to be present for the interview and, if so, shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the child's wishes. Unless the child objects, the department or law enforcement agency shall make reasonable efforts to include a third party in any interview so long as the presence of the third party will not jeopardize the course of the investigation((.
(11) Upon receiving a report of alleged child abuse and neglect, the department or investigating law enforcement agency)); and
(b) Shall have access to all relevant records of the child in the possession of mandated reporters and their employees.
(((12))) (13) The department shall maintain investigation records and conduct timely and periodic reviews of all founded cases ((constituting)) of abuse and neglect. The department shall maintain a log of screened-out nonabusive cases.
(((13))) (14) The department shall use a risk assessment process when investigating alleged child abuse and neglect referrals. The department shall present the risk factors at all hearings in which the placement of a dependent child is an issue. Substance abuse must be a risk factor. The department shall, within funds appropriated for this purpose, offer enhanced community-based services to persons who are determined not to require further state intervention.
(((14))) (15) Upon receipt of a report of alleged abuse or neglect the law enforcement agency may arrange to interview the person making the report and any collateral sources to determine if any malice is involved in the reporting.
(((15) The department shall make reasonable efforts to learn the name, address, and telephone number of each person making a report of abuse or neglect under this section. The department shall provide assurances of appropriate confidentiality of the identification of persons reporting under this section. If the department is unable to learn the information required under this subsection, the department shall only investigate cases in which: (a) The department believes there is a serious threat of substantial harm to the child; (b) the report indicates conduct involving a criminal offense that has, or is about to occur, in which the child is the victim; or (c) the department has, after investigation, a report of abuse or neglect that has been founded with regard to a member of the household within three years of receipt of the referral.))
Sec. 15. RCW 26.44.031 and 1997 c 282 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) To protect the privacy in reporting and the maintenance of reports of nonaccidental injury, neglect, death, sexual abuse, and cruelty to children by their parents, and to safeguard against arbitrary, malicious, or erroneous information or actions, the department shall not disclose or maintain information related to ((unfounded referrals in files or)) reports of child abuse or neglect ((for longer than six years)) except as provided in this section or as otherwise required by state and federal law.
((At the end of six years from receipt of the unfounded report, the information shall be purged unless an additional report has been received in the intervening period.))
(2) The department shall destroy all of its records concerning:
(a) A screened-out report, within three years from the receipt of the report; and
(b) An unfounded or inconclusive report, within six years of completion of the investigation, unless a prior or subsequent founded report has been received regarding the child who is the subject of the report, a sibling or half-sibling of the child, or a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child before the records are destroyed.
(3) The department may keep records concerning founded reports of child abuse or neglect as the department determines by rule.
(4) An unfounded, screened-out, or inconclusive report may not be disclosed to a child-placing agency, private adoption agency, or any other provider licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW.
(5)(a) If the department fails to comply with this section, an individual who is the subject of a report may institute proceedings for injunctive or other appropriate relief for enforcement of the requirement to purge information. These proceedings may be instituted in the superior court for the county in which the person resides or, if the person is not then a resident of this state, in the superior court for Thurston county.
(b) If the department fails to comply with subsection (4) of this section and an individual who is the subject of the report is harmed by the disclosure of information, in addition to the relief provided in (a) of this subsection, the court may award a penalty of up to one thousand dollars and reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs to the petitioner.
(c) A proceeding under this subsection does not preclude other methods of enforcement provided for by law.
(6) Nothing in this section shall prevent the department from retaining general, nonidentifying information which is required for state and federal reporting and management purposes.
Sec. 16. RCW 74.13.280 and 2001 c 318 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Except as provided in RCW 70.24.105, whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care by the department or a child-placing agency, the department or agency shall share information known to the department or agency about the child and the child's family with the care provider and shall consult with the care provider regarding the child's case plan. If the child is dependent pursuant to a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW, the department or agency shall keep the care provider informed regarding the dates and location of dependency review and permanency planning hearings pertaining to the child.
(2) Information about the child and the child's family shall include information known to the department or agency as to whether the child is a sexually reactive child, has exhibited high-risk behaviors, or is physically assaultive or physically aggressive, as defined in this section.
(3) Information about the child shall also include information known to the department or agency that the child:
(a) Has received a medical diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effect;
(b) Has been diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional as having a mental health disorder;
(c) Has witnessed a death or substantial physical violence in the past or recent past; or
(d) Was a victim of sexual or severe physical abuse in the recent past.
(4) Any person who receives information about a child or a child's family pursuant to this section shall keep the information confidential and shall not further disclose or disseminate the information except as authorized by law.
(((3))) (5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the department or child-placing agencies to disclose client information or to maintain client confidentiality as provided by law.
(6) As used in this section:
(a) "Sexually reactive child" means a child who exhibits sexual behavior problems including, but not limited to, sexual behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate for their age or are harmful to the child or others.
(b) "High-risk behavior" means an observed or reported and documented history of one or more of the following:
(i) Suicide attempts or suicidal behavior or ideation;
(ii) Self-mutilation or similar self-destructive behavior;
(iii) Fire-setting or a developmentally inappropriate fascination with fire;
(iv) Animal torture;
(v) Property destruction; or
(vi) Substance or alcohol abuse.
(c) "Physically assaultive or physically aggressive" means a child who exhibits one or more of the following behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate and harmful to the child or to others:
(i) Observed assaultive behavior;
(ii) Reported and documented history of the child willfully assaulting or inflicting bodily harm; or
(iii) Attempting to assault or inflict bodily harm on other children or adults under circumstances where the child has the apparent ability or capability to carry out the attempted assaults including threats to use a weapon.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. A new section is added to chapter 74.13 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A care provider may not be found to have abused or neglected a child under chapter 26.44 RCW or be denied a license pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 for any allegations of failure to supervise wherein:
(a) The allegations arise from the child's conduct that is substantially similar to prior behavior of the child, and:
(i) The child is a sexually reactive youth, exhibits high-risk behaviors, or is physically assaultive or physically aggressive as defined in RCW 74.13.280, and this information and the child's prior behavior was not disclosed to the care provider as required by RCW 74.13.280; and
(ii) The care provider did not know or have reason to know that the child needed supervision as a sexually reactive or physically assaultive or physically aggressive youth, or because of a documented history of high-risk behaviors, as a result of the care provider's involvement with or independent knowledge of the child or training and experience; or
(b) The child was not within the reasonable control of the care provider at the time of the incident that is the subject of the allegation, and the care provider was acting in good faith and did not know or have reason to know that reasonable control or supervision of the child was necessary to prevent harm or risk of harm to the child or other persons.
(2) Allegations of child abuse or neglect that meet the provisions of this section shall be designated as "unfounded" as defined in RCW 26.44.020.
Sec. 18. RCW 74.15.130 and 2006 c 265 s 404 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) An agency may be denied a license, or any license issued pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 may be suspended, revoked, modified, or not renewed by the secretary upon proof (a) that the agency has failed or refused to comply with the provisions of chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 or the requirements promulgated pursuant to the provisions of chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031; or (b) that the conditions required for the issuance of a license under chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 have ceased to exist with respect to such licenses. RCW 43.20A.205 governs notice of a license denial, revocation, suspension, or modification and provides the right to an adjudicative proceeding.
(2) In any adjudicative proceeding regarding the denial, modification, suspension, or revocation of a foster family home license, the department's decision shall be upheld if there is reasonable cause to believe that:
(a) The applicant or licensee lacks the character, suitability, or competence to care for children placed in out-of-home care, however, no unfounded, inconclusive, or screened-out report of child abuse or neglect may be used to deny employment or a license;
(b) The applicant or licensee has failed or refused to comply with any provision of chapter 74.15 RCW, RCW 74.13.031, or the requirements adopted pursuant to such provisions; or
(c) The conditions required for issuance of a license under chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 have ceased to exist with respect to such licenses.
(3) In any adjudicative proceeding regarding the denial, modification, suspension, or revocation of any license under this chapter, other than a foster family home license, the department's decision shall be upheld if it is supported by a preponderance of the evidence.
(4) The department may assess civil monetary penalties upon proof that an agency has failed or refused to comply with the rules adopted under the provisions of this chapter and RCW 74.13.031 or that an agency subject to licensing under this chapter and RCW 74.13.031 is operating without a license except that civil monetary penalties shall not be levied against a licensed foster home. Monetary penalties levied against unlicensed agencies that submit an application for licensure within thirty days of notification and subsequently become licensed will be forgiven. These penalties may be assessed in addition to or in lieu of other disciplinary actions. Civil monetary penalties, if imposed, may be assessed and collected, with interest, for each day an agency is or was out of compliance. Civil monetary penalties shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars per violation for group homes and child-placing agencies. Each day upon which the same or substantially similar action occurs is a separate violation subject to the assessment of a separate penalty. The department shall provide a notification period before a monetary penalty is effective and may forgive the penalty levied if the agency comes into compliance during this period. The department may suspend, revoke, or not renew a license for failure to pay a civil monetary penalty it has assessed pursuant to this chapter within ten days after such assessment becomes final. Chapter 43.20A RCW governs notice of a civil monetary penalty and provides the right of an adjudicative proceeding. The preponderance of evidence standard shall apply in adjudicative proceedings related to assessment of civil monetary penalties.
Sec. 19. RCW 74.13.650 and 2006 c 353 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
A foster parent critical support and retention program is established to retain foster parents who care for sexually reactive children, physically assaultive children, or children with other high-risk behaviors, as defined in RCW 74.13.280. Services shall consist of short-term therapeutic and educational interventions to support the stability of the placement. The foster parent critical support and retention program is to be implemented under the division of children and family services' contract and supervision. A contractor must demonstrate experience providing in-home case management, as well as experience working with caregivers of children with significant behavioral issues that pose a threat to others or themselves or the stability of the placement.
Sec. 20. RCW 74.13.660 and 2006 c 353 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
Under the foster parent critical support and retention program, foster parents who care for sexually reactive children, physically assaultive children, or children with other high-risk behaviors, as defined in RCW 74.13.280, shall receive:
(1) Availability at any time of the day or night to address specific concerns related to the identified child;
(2) Assessment of risk and development of a safety and supervision plan;
(3) Home-based foster parent training utilizing evidence-based models; and
(4) Referral to relevant community services and training provided by the local children's administration office or community agencies.
Sec. 21. RCW 26.44.060 and 2004 c 37 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, any person participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter or testifying as to alleged child abuse or neglect in a judicial proceeding shall in so doing be immune from any liability arising out of such reporting or testifying under any law of this state or its political subdivisions.
(b) A person convicted of a violation of subsection (4) of this section shall not be immune from liability under (a) of this subsection.
(2) An administrator of a hospital or similar institution or any physician licensed pursuant to chapters 18.71 or 18.57 RCW taking a child into custody pursuant to RCW 26.44.056 shall not be subject to criminal or civil liability for such taking into custody.
(3) Conduct conforming with the reporting requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed a violation of the confidential communication privilege of RCW 5.60.060 (3) and (4), 18.53.200 and 18.83.110. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to supersede or abridge remedies provided in chapter 4.92 RCW.
(4) A person who, intentionally and in bad faith ((or maliciously)), knowingly makes a false report of alleged abuse or neglect shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with RCW 9A.20.021.
(5) A person who, in good faith and without gross negligence, cooperates in an investigation arising as a result of a report made pursuant to this chapter, shall not be subject to civil liability arising out of his or her cooperation. This subsection does not apply to a person who caused or allowed the child abuse or neglect to occur.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. A new section is added to chapter 26.44 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The child protective services section shall prepare a statement warning against false reporting of alleged child abuse or neglect for inclusion in any instructions, informational brochures, educational forms, and handbooks developed or prepared for or by the department and relating to the reporting of abuse or neglect of children. Such statement shall include information on the criminal penalties that apply to false reports of alleged child abuse or neglect under RCW 26.44.060(4). It shall not be necessary to reprint existing materials if any other less expensive technique can be used. Materials shall be revised when reproduced.
(2) The child protective services section shall send a letter by certified mail to any person determined by the section to have made a false report of child abuse or neglect informing the person that such a determination has been made and that a second or subsequent false report will be referred to the proper law enforcement agency for investigation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 23. Section 12 of this act expires January 1, 2008.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 24. Sections 13 through 15 of this act take effect October 1, 2008.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 25. The secretary of the department of social and health services may take the necessary steps to ensure that sections 13 through 15 of this act are implemented on their effective date.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 26. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "welfare;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 13.34.200, 13.34.060, 13.34.062, 13.34.065, 13.34.110, 13.34.136, 13.34.138, 13.34.145, 26.44.020, 26.44.030, 26.44.031, 74.13.280, 74.15.130, 74.13.650, 74.13.660, and 26.44.060; reenacting and amending RCW 74.13.031; adding a new section to chapter 13.34 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.20A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 74.13 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 26.44 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1624 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 4, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1694 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 47.06B.010 and 1999 c 385 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The legislature finds that transportation systems for persons with special needs are not operated as efficiently as possible. In ((some)) too many cases, programs established by the legislature to assist persons with special needs can not be accessed due to these inefficiencies and coordination barriers.
It is the intent of the legislature that public transportation agencies, pupil transportation programs, private nonprofit transportation providers, and other public agencies sponsoring programs that require transportation services coordinate those transportation services. Through coordination of transportation services, programs will achieve increased efficiencies and will be able to provide more rides to a greater number of persons with special needs.
Sec. 2. RCW 47.06B.020 and 1998 c 173 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The agency council on coordinated transportation is created. The council is composed of ((nine)) ten voting members and ((eight)) four nonvoting, legislative members.
(2) The ((nine)) ten voting members are the superintendent of public instruction or a designee, the secretary of transportation or a designee, the secretary of the department of social and health services or a designee, and ((six)) seven members appointed by the governor as follows:
(a) One representative from the office of the governor;
(b) ((Two)) Three persons who are consumers of special needs transportation services, which must include:
(i) One person designated by the executive director of the governor's committee on disability issues and employment; and
(ii) One person who is designated by the executive director of the developmental disabilities council;
(c) One representative from the Washington association of pupil transportation;
(d) One representative from the Washington state transit association; and
(e) One of the following:
(i) A representative from the community transportation association of the Northwest; or
(ii) A representative from the community action council association.
(3) The ((eight)) four nonvoting members are legislators as follows:
(a) ((Four)) Two members from the house of representatives, ((two)) one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, ((two who are members of)) including at least one member from the house transportation policy and budget committee ((and two who are members of)) or the house appropriations committee; and
(b) ((Four)) Two members from the senate, ((two)) one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the president of the senate, ((two members of)) including at least one member from the senate transportation committee ((and two members of)) or the senate ways and means committee.
(4) Gubernatorial appointees of the council will serve two-year terms. Members may not receive compensation for their service on the council, but will be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties as members as set forth in RCW 43.03.220.
(5) The secretary of transportation or a designee shall serve as the chair.
(6) The department of transportation shall provide necessary staff support for the council.
(7) The council may receive gifts, grants, or endowments from public or private sources that are made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the council and spend gifts, grants, or endowments or income from the public or private sources according to their terms, unless the receipt of the gifts, grants, or endowments violates RCW 42.17.710.
(8) The meetings of the council must be open to the public, with the agenda published in advance, and minutes kept and made available to the public. The public notice of the meetings must indicate that accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made available upon request.
(9) All meetings of the council must be held in locations that are readily accessible to public transportation, and must be scheduled for times when public transportation is available.
(10) The council shall make an effort to include presentations by and work sessions including persons with special transportation needs.
Sec. 3. RCW 47.06B.030 and 1999 c 385 s 5 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) To assure implementation of ((the Program for)) an effective system of coordinated transportation that meets the needs of persons with special transportation needs, the agency council on coordinated transportation((, the council, in coordination with stakeholders,)) shall:
(((1) Develop guidelines for local planning of coordinated transportation in accordance with this chapter;
(2) Initiate local planning processes by contacting the board of commissioners and county councils in each county and encouraging them to convene local planning forums for the purpose of implementing special needs coordinated transportation programs at the community level;
(3) Work with local community forums to designate a local lead organization that shall cooperate and coordinate with private and nonprofit transportation brokers and providers, local public transportation agencies, local governments, and user groups;
(4) Provide a forum at the state level in which state agencies will discuss and resolve coordination issues and program policy issues that may impact transportation coordination and costs;
(5) Provide guidelines for state agencies to use in creating policies, rules, or procedures to encourage the participation of their constituents in community-based planning and coordination, in accordance with this chapter;
(6) Facilitate state-level discussion and action on problems and barriers identified by the local forums that can only be resolved at either the state or federal level;
(7) Develop and test models for determining the impacts of facility siting and program policy decisions on transportation costs;
(8) Develop methodologies and provide support to local and state agencies in identifying transportation costs;
(9) Develop guidelines for setting performance measures and evaluating performance;
(10) Develop monitoring reporting criteria and processes to assess state and local level of participation with this chapter;
(11) Administer and manage grant funds to develop, test, and facilitate the implementation of coordinated systems;
(12) Develop minimum standards for safety, driver training, and vehicles, and provide models for processes and technology to support coordinated service delivery systems;
(13) Provide a clearinghouse for sharing information about transportation coordination best practices and experiences;
(14) Promote research and development of methods and tools to improve the performance of transportation coordination in the state;
(15) Provide technical assistance and support to communities;
(16) Facilitate, monitor, provide funding as available, and give technical support to local planning processes;
(17) Form, convene, and give staff support to stakeholder work groups as needed to continue work on removing barriers to coordinated transportation;
(18) Advocate for the coordination of transportation for people with special transportation needs at the federal, state, and local levels;
(19) Recommend to the legislature changes in laws to assist coordination of transportation services;
(20) Petition the office of financial management to make whatever changes are deemed necessary to identify transportation costs in all executive agency budgets;
(21) Report to the legislature by December 1, 2000, on council activities including, but not limited to, the progress of community planning processes, what demonstration projects have been undertaken, how coordination affected service levels, and whether these efforts produced savings that allowed expansion of services. Reports must be made once every two years thereafter, and other times as the council deems necessary))
(a) Focus its efforts on projects that identify and address barriers in laws, policies, and procedures;
(b) Focus on results; and
(c) Identify and advocate for transportation system improvements for persons with special transportation needs.
(2) The council shall, as necessary, convene work groups at the state, regional, or local level to develop and implement coordinated approaches to special needs transportation.
(3) To improve the service experienced by persons with special transportation needs, the council shall develop statewide guidelines for customer complaint processes so that information about policies regarding the complaint processes is available consistently and consumers are appropriately educated about available options. To be eligible for funding on or after January 1, 2008, organizations applying for state paratransit/special needs grants as described in section 226(1), chapter 370, Laws of 2006 must implement a process following the guidelines established by the council.
(4) The council shall represent the needs and interests of persons with special transportation needs in statewide efforts for emergency and disaster preparedness planning by advising the emergency management council on how to address transportation needs for high-risk individuals during and after disasters.
Sec. 4. RCW 47.06B.040 and 1999 c 385 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
((The council may request, and may require as a condition of receiving coordination grants, selected county governments to convene local planning forums and invite participation of all entities, including tribal governments, that serve or transport persons with special transportation needs. Counties are encouraged to coordinate and combine their forums and planning processes with other counties, as they find it appropriate. The local community forums must:
(1) Designate a lead organization to facilitate the community planning process on an ongoing basis;
(2) Identify functional boundaries for the local coordinated transportation system;
(3) Clarify roles and responsibilities of the various participants;
(4) Identify community resources and needs;
(5) Prepare a plan for developing a coordinated transportation system that meets the intent of this chapter, addresses community needs, and efficiently uses community resources to address unmet needs;
(6) Implement the community coordinated transportation plan;
(7) Develop performance measures consistent with council guidelines;
(8) Develop a reporting process consistent with council guidelines;
(9) Raise issues and barriers to the council when resolution is needed at either the state or federal level;
(10) Develop a process for open discussion and input on local policy and facility siting decisions that may have an impact on the special needs transportation costs and service delivery of other programs and agencies in the community.))
The agency council on coordinated transportation shall review and recommend certification of local plans developed by regional transportation planning organizations based on meeting federal requirements. Each regional transportation planning organization must submit to the council an updated plan that includes the elements, consistent with federal planning requirements, identified by the council beginning on July 1, 2007, and every four years thereafter.
Each regional transportation planning organization must submit to the council every two years a prioritized regional human service and transportation project list.
Sec. 5. RCW 47.80.023 and 1998 c 171 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
Each regional transportation planning organization shall have the following duties:
(1) Prepare and periodically update a transportation strategy for the region. The strategy shall address alternative transportation modes and transportation demand management measures in regional corridors and shall recommend preferred transportation policies to implement adopted growth strategies. The strategy shall serve as a guide in preparation of the regional transportation plan.
(2) Prepare a regional transportation plan as set forth in RCW 47.80.030 that is consistent with county-wide planning policies if such have been adopted pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW, with county, city, and town comprehensive plans, and state transportation plans.
(3) Certify by December 31, 1996, that the transportation elements of comprehensive plans adopted by counties, cities, and towns within the region reflect the guidelines and principles developed pursuant to RCW 47.80.026, are consistent with the adopted regional transportation plan, and, where appropriate, conform with the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070.
(4) Where appropriate, certify that county-wide planning policies adopted under RCW 36.70A.210 and the adopted regional transportation plan are consistent.
(5) Develop, in cooperation with the department of transportation, operators of public transportation services and local governments within the region, a six-year regional transportation improvement program which proposes regionally significant transportation projects and programs and transportation demand management measures. The regional transportation improvement program shall be based on the programs, projects, and transportation demand management measures of regional significance as identified by transit agencies, cities, and counties pursuant to RCW 35.58.2795, 35.77.010, and 36.81.121, respectively. The program shall include a priority list of projects and programs, project segments and programs, transportation demand management measures, and a specific financial plan that demonstrates how the transportation improvement program can be funded. The program shall be updated at least every two years for the ensuing six-year period.
(6) Designate a lead planning agency to coordinate preparation of the regional transportation plan and carry out the other responsibilities of the organization. The lead planning agency may be a regional organization, a component county, city, or town agency, or the appropriate Washington state department of transportation district office.
(7) Review level of service methodologies used by cities and counties planning under chapter 36.70A RCW to promote a consistent regional evaluation of transportation facilities and corridors.
(8) Work with cities, counties, transit agencies, the department of transportation, and others to develop level of service standards or alternative transportation performance measures.
(9) Submit to the agency council on coordinated transportation, as provided in chapter 47.06B RCW, beginning on July 1, 2007, and every four years thereafter, an updated plan that includes the elements identified by the council. Each regional transportation planning organization must submit to the council every two years a prioritized regional human service and transportation project list.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 47.06B RCW to read as follows:
The agency council on coordinated transportation shall submit a progress report on council activities to the legislature by December 1, 2009, and every other year thereafter. The report must describe the council's progress in attaining the applicable goals identified in the council's biennial work plan and highlight any problems encountered in achieving these goals. The information will be reported in a form established by the council.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The joint transportation committee, in consultation with the agency council on coordinated transportation and the joint legislative audit and review committee, as deemed appropriate by the committee, shall conduct a study and review the legal and programmatic changes and best practices necessary for effective coordination of transportation services for persons with special transportation needs.
(2) The study shall:
(a) Include a comprehensive, statewide survey of existing transportation resources for persons with special transportation needs;
(b) Identify opportunities for improving coordination by determining a uniform system of:
(i) Measuring and reporting trip costs;
(ii) Provider billing practices;
(iii) Provider agreements and reporting requirements; and
(iv) Sharing eligibility information and trip requirements; and
(c) Make recommendations for:
(i) Improving access to customer services;
(ii) Integrating services of transportation service providers and brokers; and
(iii) Best practices to effectively coordinate transportation services for persons with special transportation needs, including those at the subregional level.
(3) In conducting the study, the committee shall:
(a) Convene one or more meetings to consult with local and regional special needs transportation providers, brokers, users of transit services, representatives of nonprofit organizations that provide related transportation services, including hopelink, and representatives of other agencies and organizations, including the department of social and health services;
(b) Identify federal funding and related program barriers to improved coordination between state and federal programs and to reasonable cost sharing for those programs;
(c) Review and consider other relevant model coordinated special needs transportation systems throughout the nation as a source of best practices for Washington state, including the ACCESS transportation system in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;
(d) Evaluate using nontraditional service providers, such as public utility districts;
(e) Evaluate methods to influence facility siting decisions for state agencies serving persons with special transportation needs in order to make facilities accessible; and
(f) Evaluate appropriate standards and strategies for a decentralized broker system, including the state's role in this system.
(4) The committee shall provide a draft final report to the transportation committees of the senate and the house of representatives by December 15, 2007.
Sec. 8. RCW 47.06B.900 and 1999 c 385 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
The agency council on coordinated transportation is terminated on June 30, ((2007)) 2010, as provided in RCW 47.06B.901.
Sec. 9. RCW 47.06B.901 and 1999 c 385 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed, effective June 30, ((2008)) 2011:
(1) RCW 47.06B.010 and 2007 c ... s 1 (section 1 of this act), 1999 c 385 s 1, & 1998 c 173 s 1;
(2) RCW 47.06B.012 and 1999 c 385 s 2;
(3) ((RCW 47.06B.015 and 1999 c 385 s 3;
(4))) RCW 47.06B.020 and ((1999 c 385 s 4)) 2007 c ... s 2 (section 2 of this act) & 1998 c 173 s 2;
(((5))) (4) RCW 47.06B.030 and 2007 c ... s 3 (section 3 of this act), 1999 c 385 s 5, & 1998 c 173 s 3; ((and
(6))) (5) RCW 47.06B.040 and 2007 c ... s 4 (section 4 of this act) & 1999 c 385 s 6; and
(6) Section 6 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. 1999 c 372 s 13 is repealed.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. RCW 47.06B.015 (Program for Agency Coordinated Transportation) and 1999 c 385 s 3 are each repealed."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "transportation;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 47.06B.010, 47.06B.020, 47.06B.040, 47.80.023, 47.06B.900, and 47.06B.901; reenacting and amending RCW 47.06B.030; adding a new section to chapter 47.06B RCW; creating a new section; repealing RCW 47.06B.015; and repealing 1999 c 372 s 13."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Brad Hendrickson, Deputy Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1694 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1909 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 76.48.130 and 1995 c 366 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A person who violates a provision of this chapter, other than the provisions contained in RCW 76.48.120, as now or hereafter amended, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for not to exceed one year or by both a fine and imprisonment.
(2) In any prosecution for a violation of this chapter's requirements to obtain or possess a specialized forest products permit or true copy thereof, an authorization, sales invoice, or bill of lading, it is an affirmative defense, if established by the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence, that: (a) The specialized forest products were harvested from the defendant's own land; or (b) the specialized forest products were harvested with the permission of the landowner.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The specialized forest products work group is established. The work group must consist of appropriate representation from: The department of natural resources; county sheriffs; county prosecutors; industrial and small forest landowners; tribes; recreational and professional wood carvers; cedar and specialty wood processors; and other appropriate persons invited by the commissioner of public lands.
(2) The specialized forest products work group must review the current specialized forest products statute, chapter 76.48 RCW, as well as applicable theft laws. The specialized forest products work group must evaluate the statute, as well as its application, and make recommendations, if any, to ensure that the specialized forest products requirements: Provide reasonable tools for law enforcement and reasonably protect landowners from theft; are not unduly burdensome to harvesters, those possessing or transporting specialized forest products, or cedar or specialty wood processors or buyers; are clear and may be readily understood by law enforcement and the public; and are administered and enforced consistently throughout the state.
(3) The specialized forest products work group must be staffed by the department of natural resources.
(4) The specialized forest products work group must provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature containing its recommendations, as well as draft legislation implementing its recommendations, by December 1, 2007.
(5) This section expires July 1, 2008.
Sec. 3. RCW 76.48.020 and 2005 c 401 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Authorization" means a properly completed preprinted form authorizing the transportation or possession of Christmas trees which contains the information required by RCW 76.48.080, a sample of which is filed before the harvesting occurs with the sheriff of the county in which the harvesting is to occur.
(2) "Bill of lading" means a written or printed itemized list or statement of particulars pertinent to the transportation or possession of a specialized forest product.
(3) "Cascara bark" means the bark of a Cascara tree.
(4) "Cedar processor" means any person who purchases, takes, or retains possession of cedar products or cedar salvage for later sale in the same or modified form following removal and delivery from the land where harvested.
(5) "Cedar products" means cedar shakeboards, shake and shingle bolts, and rounds one to three feet in length.
(6) "Cedar salvage" means cedar chunks, slabs, stumps, and logs having a volume greater than one cubic foot and being harvested or transported from areas not associated with the concurrent logging of timber stands (a) under a forest practices application approved or notification received by the department of natural resources, or (b) under a contract or permit issued by an agency of the United States government.
(7) "Christmas trees" means any evergreen trees or the top thereof, commonly known as Christmas trees, with limbs and branches, with or without roots, including fir, pine, spruce, cedar, and other coniferous species.
(8) "Cut or picked evergreen foliage," commonly known as brush, means evergreen boughs, huckleberry foliage, salal, fern, Oregon grape, rhododendron, mosses, bear grass, scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), and other cut or picked evergreen products. "Cut or picked evergreen foliage" does not mean cones, berries, any foliage that does not remain green year-round, or seeds.
(9) "Harvest" means to separate, by cutting, prying, picking, peeling, breaking, pulling, splitting, or otherwise removing, a specialized forest product (a) from its physical connection or contact with the land or vegetation upon which it is or was growing or (b) from the position in which it is lying upon the land.
(10) "Harvest site" means each location where one or more persons are engaged in harvesting specialized forest products close enough to each other that communication can be conducted with an investigating law enforcement officer in a normal conversational tone.
(11) "Huckleberry" means the following species of edible berries, if they are not nursery grown: Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium deliciosum, Vaccinium ovatum, Vaccinium parvifolium, Vaccinium globulare, Vaccinium ovalifolium, Vaccinium alaskaense, Vaccinium caespitosum, Vaccinium occidentale, Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and Vaccinium scoparium.
(12) "Landowner" means, with regard to real property, the private owner, the state of Washington or any political subdivision, the federal government, or a person who by deed, contract, or lease has authority to harvest and sell forest products of the property. "Landowner" does not include the purchaser or successful high bidder at a public or private timber sale.
(((12))) (13) "Native ornamental trees and shrubs" means any trees or shrubs which are not nursery grown and which have been removed from the ground with the roots intact.
(((13))) (14) "Permit area" means a designated tract of land that may contain single or multiple harvest sites.
(((14))) (15) "Person" includes the plural and all corporations, foreign or domestic, copartnerships, firms, and associations of persons.
(((15))) (16) "Processed cedar products" means cedar shakes, shingles, fence posts, hop poles, pickets, stakes, rails, or rounds less than one foot in length.
(((16))) (17) "Sheriff" means, for the purpose of validating specialized forest products permits, the county sheriff, deputy sheriff, or an authorized employee of the sheriff's office or an agent of the office.
(((17))) (18) "Specialized forest products" means Christmas trees, native ornamental trees and shrubs, cut or picked evergreen foliage, huckleberries, cedar products, cedar salvage, processed cedar products, specialty wood, wild edible mushrooms, and Cascara bark.
(((18))) (19) "Specialized forest products permit" means a printed document in a form printed by the department of natural resources, or true copy thereof, that is signed by a landowner or his or her authorized agent or representative, referred to in this chapter as "permittors" and validated by the county sheriff and authorizes a designated person, referred to in this chapter as "permittee," who has also signed the permit, to harvest and transport a designated specialized forest product from land owned or controlled and specified by the permittor and that is located in the county where the permit is issued.
(((19))) (20) "Specialty wood" means wood that is:
(a) In logs less than eight feet in length, chunks, slabs, stumps, or burls; and
(b) One or more of the following:
(i) Of the species western red cedar, Englemann spruce, Sitka spruce, big leaf maple, or western red alder;
(ii) Without knots in a portion of the surface area at least twenty-one inches long and seven and a quarter inches wide when measured from the outer surface toward the center; or
(iii) Suitable for the purposes of making musical instruments or ornamental boxes.
(((20))) (21) "Specialty wood buyer" means the first person that receives any specialty wood product after it leaves the harvest site.
(((21))) (22) "Specialty wood processor" means any person who purchases, takes, or retains possession of specialty wood products or specialty wood salvage for later sale in the same or modified form following removal and delivery from the land where harvested.
(((22))) (23) "Transportation" means the physical conveyance of specialized forest products outside or off of a harvest site by any means.
(((23))) (24) "True copy" means a replica of a validated specialized forest products permit as reproduced by a copy machine capable of effectively reproducing the information contained on the permittee's copy of the specialized forest products permit. A copy is made true by the permittee or the permittee and permittor signing in the space provided on the face of the copy. A true copy will be effective until the expiration date of the specialized forest products permit unless the permittee or the permittee and permittor specify an earlier date. A permittor may require the actual signatures of both the permittee and permittor for execution of a true copy by so indicating in the space provided on the original copy of the specialized forest products permit. A permittee, or, if so indicated, the permittee and permittor, may condition the use of the true copy to harvesting only, transportation only, possession only, or any combination thereof.
(((24))) (25) "Wild edible mushrooms" means edible mushrooms not cultivated or propagated by artificial means.
Sec. 4. RCW 76.48.060 and 2005 c 401 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) A specialized forest products permit validated by the county sheriff shall be obtained by a person prior to harvesting from any lands, including his or her own, any of the following: More than five Christmas trees((,)); more than five native ornamental trees or shrubs((,)); more than five pounds of cut or picked evergreen foliage((,)); any cedar products, cedar salvage, or processed cedar products((, or)); more than five pounds of Cascara bark((,)); or more than five United States gallons of a single species of wild edible mushroom.
(b) A specialized forest products permit validated by the county sheriff must be obtained by a person prior to harvesting from any lands, except his or her own, more than three United States gallons of huckleberries in a single day.
(2) Specialized forest products permit forms shall be provided by the department of natural resources, and shall be made available through the office of the county sheriff to permittees or permittors in reasonable quantities. A permit form shall be completed in triplicate for each permittor's property on which a permittee harvests specialized forest products. A properly completed permit form shall be mailed or presented for validation to the sheriff of the county in which the specialized forest products are to be harvested.
(3) Before a permit form is validated by the sheriff, sufficient personal identification may be required to reasonably identify the person mailing or presenting the permit form and the sheriff may conduct other investigations as deemed necessary to determine the validity of the information alleged on the form. When the sheriff is reasonably satisfied as to the truth of the information, the form shall be validated with the sheriff's validation stamp.
(4) Upon validation, the form shall become the specialized forest products permit authorizing the harvesting, possession, or transportation of specialized forest products, subject to any other conditions or limitations which the permittor may specify. Two copies of the permit shall be given or mailed to the permittor, or one copy shall be given or mailed to the permittor and the other copy given or mailed to the permittee. The original permit shall be retained in the office of the county sheriff validating the permit.
(5) In the event a single land ownership is situated in two or more counties, a specialized forest product permit shall be completed as to the land situated in each county.
(6) While engaged in harvesting of specialized forest products, permittees, or their agents or employees, must have readily available at each harvest site a valid permit or true copy of the permit.
Sec. 5. RCW 76.48.070 and 2005 c 401 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Except as provided in RCW 76.48.100 and 76.48.075, it is unlawful for any person (a) to possess, (b) to transport, or (c) to possess and transport within the state of Washington, subject to any other conditions or limitations specified in the specialized forest products permit by the permittor, more than five Christmas trees, more than five native ornamental trees or shrubs, more than five pounds of cut or picked evergreen foliage, any processed cedar products, ((or)) more than five pounds of Cascara bark, ((or)) more than five gallons of a single species of wild edible mushroom, or more than three gallons of huckleberries without having in his or her possession a written authorization, sales invoice, bill of lading, or specialized forest products permit or a true copy thereof evidencing his or her title to or authority to have possession of specialized forest products being so possessed or transported. However, a person does not need a written authorization, sales invoice, bill of lading, or specialized forest products permit or true copy thereof to store, at that person's residence or property, ten or fewer gallons of huckleberries for noncommercial use.
(2) It is unlawful for any person either (a) to possess, (b) to transport, or (c) to possess and transport within the state of Washington any cedar products, cedar salvage, or specialty wood without having in his or her possession a specialized forest products permit or a true copy thereof evidencing his or her title to or authority to have possession of the materials being so possessed or transported. The specialized forest products permit or true copy are valid to possess, transport, or possess and transport the cedar products, cedar salvage, or specialty wood from the harvest site to the first cedar or specialty wood processor or buyer. For purposes of this subsection, a true copy requires the actual signatures of both the permittee and the permittor for the execution of a true copy.
Sec. 6. RCW 76.48.030 and 1995 c 366 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
It is unlawful for any person to:
(1) Harvest specialized forest products as described in RCW 76.48.020, in the quantities specified in RCW 76.48.060, without first obtaining a validated specialized forest products permit;
(2) Engage in activities or phases of harvesting specialized forest products not authorized by the permit; ((or))
(3) Harvest specialized forest products in any lesser quantities than those specified in RCW 76.48.060, as now or hereafter amended, without first obtaining permission from the landowner or his or her duly authorized agent or representative; or
(4) Harvest huckleberries in any amount using a rake, mechanical device, or any other method that damages the huckleberry bush."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "products;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 76.48.130, 76.48.020, 76.48.060, 76.48.070, and 76.48.030; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1909 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 10, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2070 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. In State v. Pillatos, 150 P.3d 1130 (2007), the Washington supreme court held that the changes made to the sentencing reform act concerning exceptional sentences in chapter 68, Laws of 2005 do not apply to cases where the trials had already begun or guilty pleas had already been entered prior to the effective date of the act on April 15, 2005. The legislature intends that the superior courts shall have the authority to impanel juries to find aggravating circumstances in all cases that come before the courts for trial or sentencing, regardless of the date of the original trial or sentencing.
Sec. 2. RCW 9.94A.537 and 2005 c 68 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) At any time prior to trial or entry of the guilty plea if substantial rights of the defendant are not prejudiced, the state may give notice that it is seeking a sentence above the standard sentencing range. The notice shall state aggravating circumstances upon which the requested sentence will be based.
(2) In any case where an exceptional sentence above the standard range was imposed and where a new sentencing hearing is required, the superior court may impanel a jury to consider any alleged aggravating circumstances listed in RCW 9.94A.535(3), that were relied upon by the superior court in imposing the previous sentence, at the new sentencing hearing.
(3) The facts supporting aggravating circumstances shall be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury's verdict on the aggravating factor must be unanimous, and by special interrogatory. If a jury is waived, proof shall be to the court beyond a reasonable doubt, unless the defendant stipulates to the aggravating facts.
(((3))) (4) Evidence regarding any facts supporting aggravating circumstances under RCW 9.94A.535(3) (a) through (y) shall be presented to the jury during the trial of the alleged crime, unless the jury has been impaneled solely for resentencing, or unless the state alleges the aggravating circumstances listed in RCW 9.94A.535(3) (e)(iv), (h)(i), (o), or (t). If one of these aggravating circumstances is alleged, the trial court may conduct a separate proceeding if the evidence supporting the aggravating fact is not part of the res geste of the charged crime, if the evidence is not otherwise admissible in trial of the charged crime, and if the court finds that the probative value of the evidence to the aggravated fact is substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect on the jury's ability to determine guilt or innocence for the underlying crime.
(((4))) (5) If the superior court conducts a separate proceeding to determine the existence of aggravating circumstances listed in RCW 9.94A.535(3) (e)(iv), (h)(i), (o), or (t), the proceeding shall immediately follow the trial on the underlying conviction, if possible. If any person who served on the jury is unable to continue, the court shall substitute an alternate juror.
(((5))) (6) If the jury finds, unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt, one or more of the facts alleged by the state in support of an aggravated sentence, the court may sentence the offender pursuant to RCW 9.94A.535 to a term of confinement up to the maximum allowed under RCW 9A.20.021 for the underlying conviction if it finds, considering the purposes of this chapter, that the facts found are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.
Sec. 3. RCW 9.94A.030 and 2006 c 139 s 5, 2006 c 124 s 1, 2006 c 122 s 7, and 2006 c 73 s 5 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Board" means the indeterminate sentence review board created under chapter 9.95 RCW.
(2) "Collect," or any derivative thereof, "collect and remit," or "collect and deliver," when used with reference to the department, means that the department, either directly or through a collection agreement authorized by RCW 9.94A.760, is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the offender's sentence with regard to the legal financial obligation, receiving payment thereof from the offender, and, consistent with current law, delivering daily the entire payment to the superior court clerk without depositing it in a departmental account.
(3) "Commission" means the sentencing guidelines commission.
(4) "Community corrections officer" means an employee of the department who is responsible for carrying out specific duties in supervision of sentenced offenders and monitoring of sentence conditions.
(5) "Community custody" means that portion of an offender's sentence of confinement in lieu of earned release time or imposed pursuant to RCW 9.94A.505(2)(b), 9.94A.650 through 9.94A.670, 9.94A.690, 9.94A.700 through 9.94A.715, or 9.94A.545, served in the community subject to controls placed on the offender's movement and activities by the department. For offenders placed on community custody for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2000, the department shall assess the offender's risk of reoffense and may establish and modify conditions of community custody, in addition to those imposed by the court, based upon the risk to community safety.
(6) "Community custody range" means the minimum and maximum period of community custody included as part of a sentence under RCW 9.94A.715, as established by the commission or the legislature under RCW 9.94A.850, for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2000.
(7) "Community placement" means that period during which the offender is subject to the conditions of community custody and/or postrelease supervision, which begins either upon completion of the term of confinement (postrelease supervision) or at such time as the offender is transferred to community custody in lieu of earned release. Community placement may consist of entirely community custody, entirely postrelease supervision, or a combination of the two.
(8) "Community protection zone" means the area within eight hundred eighty feet of the facilities and grounds of a public or private school.
(9) "Community restitution" means compulsory service, without compensation, performed for the benefit of the community by the offender.
(10) "Community supervision" means a period of time during which a convicted offender is subject to crime-related prohibitions and other sentence conditions imposed by a court pursuant to this chapter or RCW 16.52.200(6) or 46.61.524. Where the court finds that any offender has a chemical dependency that has contributed to his or her offense, the conditions of supervision may, subject to available resources, include treatment. For purposes of the interstate compact for out-of-state supervision of parolees and probationers, RCW 9.95.270, community supervision is the functional equivalent of probation and should be considered the same as probation by other states.
(11) "Confinement" means total or partial confinement.
(12) "Conviction" means an adjudication of guilt pursuant to Titles 10 or 13 RCW and includes a verdict of guilty, a finding of guilty, and acceptance of a plea of guilty.
(13) "Crime-related prohibition" means an order of a court prohibiting conduct that directly relates to the circumstances of the crime for which the offender has been convicted, and shall not be construed to mean orders directing an offender affirmatively to participate in rehabilitative programs or to otherwise perform affirmative conduct. However, affirmative acts necessary to monitor compliance with the order of a court may be required by the department.
(14) "Criminal history" means the list of a defendant's prior convictions and juvenile adjudications, whether in this state, in federal court, or elsewhere.
(a) The history shall include, where known, for each conviction (i) whether the defendant has been placed on probation and the length and terms thereof; and (ii) whether the defendant has been incarcerated and the length of incarceration.
(b) A conviction may be removed from a defendant's criminal history only if it is vacated pursuant to RCW 9.96.060, 9.94A.640, 9.95.240, or a similar out-of-state statute, or if the conviction has been vacated pursuant to a governor's pardon.
(c) The determination of a defendant's criminal history is distinct from the determination of an offender score. A prior conviction that was not included in an offender score calculated pursuant to a former version of the sentencing reform act remains part of the defendant's criminal history.
(15) "Day fine" means a fine imposed by the sentencing court that equals the difference between the offender's net daily income and the reasonable obligations that the offender has for the support of the offender and any dependents.
(16) "Day reporting" means a program of enhanced supervision designed to monitor the offender's daily activities and compliance with sentence conditions, and in which the offender is required to report daily to a specific location designated by the department or the sentencing court.
(17) "Department" means the department of corrections.
(18) "Determinate sentence" means a sentence that states with exactitude the number of actual years, months, or days of total confinement, of partial confinement, of community supervision, the number of actual hours or days of community restitution work, or dollars or terms of a legal financial obligation. The fact that an offender through earned release can reduce the actual period of confinement shall not affect the classification of the sentence as a determinate sentence.
(19) "Disposable earnings" means that part of the earnings of an offender remaining after the deduction from those earnings of any amount required by law to be withheld. For the purposes of this definition, "earnings" means compensation paid or payable for personal services, whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonuses, or otherwise, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law making the payments exempt from garnishment, attachment, or other process to satisfy a court-ordered legal financial obligation, specifically includes periodic payments pursuant to pension or retirement programs, or insurance policies of any type, but does not include payments made under Title 50 RCW, except as provided in RCW 50.40.020 and 50.40.050, or Title 74 RCW.
(20) "Drug offender sentencing alternative" is a sentencing option available to persons convicted of a felony offense other than a violent offense or a sex offense and who are eligible for the option under RCW 9.94A.660.
(21) "Drug offense" means:
(a) Any felony violation of chapter 69.50 RCW except possession of a controlled substance (RCW 69.50.4013) or forged prescription for a controlled substance (RCW 69.50.403);
(b) Any offense defined as a felony under federal law that relates to the possession, manufacture, distribution, or transportation of a controlled substance; or
(c) Any out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a drug offense under (a) of this subsection.
(22) "Earned release" means earned release from confinement as provided in RCW 9.94A.728.
(23) "Escape" means:
(a) Sexually violent predator escape (RCW 9A.76.115), escape in the first degree (RCW 9A.76.110), escape in the second degree (RCW 9A.76.120), willful failure to return from furlough (RCW 72.66.060), willful failure to return from work release (RCW 72.65.070), or willful failure to be available for supervision by the department while in community custody (RCW 72.09.310); or
(b) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as an escape under (a) of this subsection.
(24) "Felony traffic offense" means:
(a) Vehicular homicide (RCW 46.61.520), vehicular assault (RCW 46.61.522), eluding a police officer (RCW 46.61.024), felony hit-and-run injury-accident (RCW 46.52.020(4)), felony driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (RCW 46.61.502(6)), or felony physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (RCW 46.61.504(6)); or
(b) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a felony traffic offense under (a) of this subsection.
(25) "Fine" means a specific sum of money ordered by the sentencing court to be paid by the offender to the court over a specific period of time.
(26) "First-time offender" means any person who has no prior convictions for a felony and is eligible for the first-time offender waiver under RCW 9.94A.650.
(27) "Home detention" means a program of partial confinement available to offenders wherein the offender is confined in a private residence subject to electronic surveillance.
(28) "Legal financial obligation" means a sum of money that is ordered by a superior court of the state of Washington for legal financial obligations which may include restitution to the victim, statutorily imposed crime victims' compensation fees as assessed pursuant to RCW 7.68.035, court costs, county or interlocal drug funds, court-appointed attorneys' fees, and costs of defense, fines, and any other financial obligation that is assessed to the offender as a result of a felony conviction. Upon conviction for vehicular assault while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.522(1)(b), or vehicular homicide while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, RCW 46.61.520(1)(a), legal financial obligations may also include payment to a public agency of the expense of an emergency response to the incident resulting in the conviction, subject to RCW 38.52.430.
(29) "Most serious offense" means any of the following felonies or a felony attempt to commit any of the following felonies:
(a) Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony;
(b) Assault in the second degree;
(c) Assault of a child in the second degree;
(d) Child molestation in the second degree;
(e) Controlled substance homicide;
(f) Extortion in the first degree;
(g) Incest when committed against a child under age fourteen;
(h) Indecent liberties;
(i) Kidnapping in the second degree;
(j) Leading organized crime;
(k) Manslaughter in the first degree;
(l) Manslaughter in the second degree;
(m) Promoting prostitution in the first degree;
(n) Rape in the third degree;
(o) Robbery in the second degree;
(p) Sexual exploitation;
(q) Vehicular assault, when caused by the operation or driving of a vehicle by a person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or by the operation or driving of a vehicle in a reckless manner;
(r) Vehicular homicide, when proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug as defined by RCW 46.61.502, or by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner;
(s) Any other class B felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation;
(t) Any other felony with a deadly weapon verdict under RCW 9.94A.602;
(u) Any felony offense in effect at any time prior to December 2, 1993, that is comparable to a most serious offense under this subsection, or any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a most serious offense under this subsection;
(v)(i) A prior conviction for indecent liberties under RCW 9A.88.100(1) (a), (b), and (c), chapter 260, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. as it existed until July 1, 1979, RCW 9A.44.100(1) (a), (b), and (c) as it existed from July 1, 1979, until June 11, 1986, and RCW 9A.44.100(1) (a), (b), and (d) as it existed from June 11, 1986, until July 1, 1988;
(ii) A prior conviction for indecent liberties under RCW 9A.44.100(1)(c) as it existed from June 11, 1986, until July 1, 1988, if: (A) The crime was committed against a child under the age of fourteen; or (B) the relationship between the victim and perpetrator is included in the definition of indecent liberties under RCW 9A.44.100(1)(c) as it existed from July 1, 1988, through July 27, 1997, or RCW 9A.44.100(1) (d) or (e) as it existed from July 25, 1993, through July 27, 1997;
(w) Any out-of-state conviction for a felony offense with a finding of sexual motivation if the minimum sentence imposed was ten years or more.
(30) "Nonviolent offense" means an offense which is not a violent offense.
(31) "Offender" means a person who has committed a felony established by state law and is eighteen years of age or older or is less than eighteen years of age but whose case is under superior court jurisdiction under RCW 13.04.030 or has been transferred by the appropriate juvenile court to a criminal court pursuant to RCW 13.40.110. Throughout this chapter, the terms "offender" and "defendant" are used interchangeably.
(32) "Partial confinement" means confinement for no more than one year in a facility or institution operated or utilized under contract by the state or any other unit of government, or, if home detention or work crew has been ordered by the court, in an approved residence, for a substantial portion of each day with the balance of the day spent in the community. Partial confinement includes work release, home detention, work crew, and a combination of work crew and home detention.
(33) "Persistent offender" is an offender who:
(a)(i) Has been convicted in this state of any felony considered a most serious offense; and
(ii) Has, before the commission of the offense under (a) of this subsection, been convicted as an offender on at least two separate occasions, whether in this state or elsewhere, of felonies that under the laws of this state would be considered most serious offenses and would be included in the offender score under RCW 9.94A.525; provided that of the two or more previous convictions, at least one conviction must have occurred before the commission of any of the other most serious offenses for which the offender was previously convicted; or
(b)(i) Has been convicted of: (A) Rape in the first degree, rape of a child in the first degree, child molestation in the first degree, rape in the second degree, rape of a child in the second degree, or indecent liberties by forcible compulsion; (B) any of the following offenses with a finding of sexual motivation: Murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, homicide by abuse, kidnapping in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, assault of a child in the first degree, assault of a child in the second degree, or burglary in the first degree; or (C) an attempt to commit any crime listed in this subsection (33)(b)(i); and
(ii) Has, before the commission of the offense under (b)(i) of this subsection, been convicted as an offender on at least one occasion, whether in this state or elsewhere, of an offense listed in (b)(i) of this subsection or any federal or out-of-state offense or offense under prior Washington law that is comparable to the offenses listed in (b)(i) of this subsection. A conviction for rape of a child in the first degree constitutes a conviction under (b)(i) of this subsection only when the offender was sixteen years of age or older when the offender committed the offense. A conviction for rape of a child in the second degree constitutes a conviction under (b)(i) of this subsection only when the offender was eighteen years of age or older when the offender committed the offense.
(34) "Postrelease supervision" is that portion of an offender's community placement that is not community custody.
(35) "Predatory" means: (a) The perpetrator of the crime was a stranger to the victim, as defined in this section; (b) the perpetrator established or promoted a relationship with the victim prior to the offense and the victimization of the victim was a significant reason the perpetrator established or promoted the relationship; or (c) the perpetrator was: (i) A teacher, counselor, volunteer, or other person in authority in any public or private school and the victim was a student of the school under his or her authority or supervision. For purposes of this subsection, "school" does not include home-based instruction as defined in RCW 28A.225.010; (ii) a coach, trainer, volunteer, or other person in authority in any recreational activity and the victim was a participant in the activity under his or her authority or supervision; or (iii) a pastor, elder, volunteer, or other person in authority in any church or religious organization, and the victim was a member or participant of the organization under his or her authority.
(36) "Private school" means a school regulated under chapter 28A.195 or 28A.205 RCW.
(37) "Public school" has the same meaning as in RCW 28A.150.010.
(38) "Restitution" means a specific sum of money ordered by the sentencing court to be paid by the offender to the court over a specified period of time as payment of damages. The sum may include both public and private costs.
(39) "Risk assessment" means the application of an objective instrument supported by research and adopted by the department for the purpose of assessing an offender's risk of reoffense, taking into consideration the nature of the harm done by the offender, place and circumstances of the offender related to risk, the offender's relationship to any victim, and any information provided to the department by victims. The results of a risk assessment shall not be based on unconfirmed or unconfirmable allegations.
(40) "Serious traffic offense" means:
(a) Nonfelony driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (RCW 46.61.502), nonfelony actual physical control while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug (RCW 46.61.504), reckless driving (RCW 46.61.500), or hit-and-run an attended vehicle (RCW 46.52.020(5)); or
(b) Any federal, out-of-state, county, or municipal conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be classified as a serious traffic offense under (a) of this subsection.
(41) "Serious violent offense" is a subcategory of violent offense and means:
(a)(i) Murder in the first degree;
(ii) Homicide by abuse;
(iii) Murder in the second degree;
(iv) Manslaughter in the first degree;
(v) Assault in the first degree;
(vi) Kidnapping in the first degree;
(vii) Rape in the first degree;
(viii) Assault of a child in the first degree; or
(ix) An attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit one of these felonies; or
(b) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a serious violent offense under (a) of this subsection.
(42) "Sex offense" means:
(a)(i) A felony that is a violation of chapter 9A.44 RCW other than RCW 9A.44.130(11);
(ii) A violation of RCW 9A.64.020;
(iii) A felony that is a violation of chapter 9.68A RCW other than RCW 9.68A.080; or
(iv) A felony that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit such crimes;
(b) Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to July 1, 1976, that is comparable to a felony classified as a sex offense in (a) of this subsection;
(c) A felony with a finding of sexual motivation under RCW 9.94A.835 or 13.40.135; or
(d) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a sex offense under (a) of this subsection.
(43) "Sexual motivation" means that one of the purposes for which the defendant committed the crime was for the purpose of his or her sexual gratification.
(44) "Standard sentence range" means the sentencing court's discretionary range in imposing a nonappealable sentence.
(45) "Statutory maximum sentence" means the maximum length of time for which an offender may be confined as punishment for a crime as prescribed in chapter 9A.20 RCW, RCW 9.92.010, the statute defining the crime, or other statute defining the maximum penalty for a crime.
(46) "Stranger" means that the victim did not know the offender twenty-four hours before the offense.
(47) "Total confinement" means confinement inside the physical boundaries of a facility or institution operated or utilized under contract by the state or any other unit of government for twenty-four hours a day, or pursuant to RCW 72.64.050 and 72.64.060.
(48) "Transition training" means written and verbal instructions and assistance provided by the department to the offender during the two weeks prior to the offender's successful completion of the work ethic camp program. The transition training shall include instructions in the offender's requirements and obligations during the offender's period of community custody.
(49) "Victim" means any person who has sustained emotional, psychological, physical, or financial injury to person or property as a direct result of the crime charged.
(50) "Violent offense" means:
(a) Any of the following felonies:
(i) Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or an attempt to commit a class A felony;
(ii) Criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony;
(iii) Manslaughter in the first degree;
(iv) Manslaughter in the second degree;
(v) Indecent liberties if committed by forcible compulsion;
(vi) Kidnapping in the second degree;
(vii) Arson in the second degree;
(viii) Assault in the second degree;
(ix) Assault of a child in the second degree;
(x) Extortion in the first degree;
(xi) Robbery in the second degree;
(xii) Drive-by shooting;
(xiii) Vehicular assault, when caused by the operation or driving of a vehicle by a person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or by the operation or driving of a vehicle in a reckless manner; and
(xiv) Vehicular homicide, when proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug as defined by RCW 46.61.502, or by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner;
(b) Any conviction for a felony offense in effect at any time prior to July 1, 1976, that is comparable to a felony classified as a violent offense in (a) of this subsection; and
(c) Any federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony classified as a violent offense under (a) or (b) of this subsection.
(51) "Work crew" means a program of partial confinement consisting of civic improvement tasks for the benefit of the community that complies with RCW 9.94A.725.
(52) "Work ethic camp" means an alternative incarceration program as provided in RCW 9.94A.690 designed to reduce recidivism and lower the cost of corrections by requiring offenders to complete a comprehensive array of real-world job and vocational experiences, character-building work ethics training, life management skills development, substance abuse rehabilitation, counseling, literacy training, and basic adult education.
(53) "Work release" means a program of partial confinement available to offenders who are employed or engaged as a student in a regular course of study at school.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The task force on sentencing of persistent offenders is hereby created for the purpose of conducting a review of the crimes considered a most serious offense. The objectives of the task force are to:
(a) Examine existing evidence concerning the types of offenses committed by individuals convicted only of the crimes of assault in the second degree and robbery in the second degree and sentenced to life in prison as a persistent offender;
(b) Evaluate whether the inclusion of assault in the second degree and robbery in the second degree as crimes classified as most serious offenses has resulted in disproportionate sentencing of individuals; and
(c) Assess the objectives of the three-strikes law and evaluate whether the crimes of assault in the second degree and robbery in the second degree should continue to be classified as most serious offenses.
(2) The task force shall be composed of:
(a) One member of each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;
(b) One member of each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(c) One police chief appointed by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
(d) One representative of the Washington association of criminal defense lawyers;
(e) One representative of the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys; and
(f) One representative of the Washington coalition of crime victim advocates.
(3) Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(4) The task force shall make a report, together with any recommendations, to the legislature not later than December 31, 2007.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Section 4 of this act expires June 30, 2008.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "sentences;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 9.94A.537; reenacting and amending RCW 9.94A.030; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Brad Hendrickson, Deputy Secretary
Representative Springer requested a scope & object ruling the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2070.
Mr. Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding): "Engrossed House Bill No. 2070 is titled AN ACT relating to "exceptional sentences". The bill as passed by the House grants superior courts authority to empanel a jury in new trails and sentencing hearings for purposes of imposing exceptional sentences above the standard range.
The Senate amendment revises the House provisions regarding the authority to empanel juries for such purposes, and in addition creates a Task Force on Sentencing of Persistent Offenders, and adds an offense to the definition of most serious offenses for purposes of persistent offender sentencing.
Those parts of the Senate amendment relating to persistent offenders do not fit within the title of "exceptional sentences" and are unrelated to the bill's purpose in granting statutory authority to courts to empanel juries to consider exceptional sentences.
The Speaker therefore finds that the Senate amendment is beyond the scope and objection of the House bill.
Representative Springer, your point of order is well taken."
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2070 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 4, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2358 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds from the 2006 Washington state ferries financing study that the state has limited information on state ferry users and markets. Accurate user and market information is vital in order to find ways to maximize the ferry systems' current capacity and to make the most efficient use of citizens' tax dollars. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature that Washington state ferries be given the tools necessary to maximize existing capacity and to make the most efficient use of existing assets and tax dollars.
Sec. 2. RCW 47.06.140 and 1998 c 171 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The legislature declares the following transportation facilities and services to be of statewide significance: The interstate highway system, interregional state principal arterials including ferry connections that serve statewide travel, intercity passenger rail services, intercity high-speed ground transportation, major passenger intermodal terminals excluding all airport facilities and services, the freight railroad system, the Columbia/Snake navigable river system, marine port facilities and services that are related solely to marine activities affecting international and interstate trade, and high-capacity transportation systems serving regions as defined in RCW 81.104.015. The department, in cooperation with regional transportation planning organizations, counties, cities, transit agencies, public ports, private railroad operators, and private transportation providers, as appropriate, shall plan for improvements to transportation facilities and services of statewide significance in the statewide multimodal plan. Improvements to facilities and services of statewide significance identified in the statewide multimodal plan are essential state public facilities under RCW 36.70A.200.
(2) The department of transportation, in consultation with local governments, shall set level of service standards for state highways and state ferry routes of statewide significance. Although the department shall consult with local governments when setting level of service standards, the department retains authority to make final decisions regarding level of service standards for state highways and state ferry routes of statewide significance. In establishing level of service standards for state highways and state ferry routes of statewide significance, the department shall consider the necessary balance between providing for the free interjurisdictional movement of people and goods and the needs of local communities using these facilities. When setting the level of service standards under this section for state ferry routes, the department may allow for a standard that is adjustable for seasonality.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Adaptive management" means a systematic process for continually improving management policies and practices by learning from the outcomes of operational programs.
(2) "Capital plan" means the state ferry system plan as described in RCW 47.06.050(2) and adopted by the commission.
(3) "Capital project" has the same meaning as used in budget instructions developed by the office of financial management.
(4) "Commission" means the transportation commission created in RCW 47.01.051.
(5) "Improvement project" has the same meaning as in the budget instructions developed by the office of financial management. If the budget instructions do not define improvement project, then it has the same meaning as "program project" in the budget instructions. If a project meets both the improvement project and preservation project definitions in this section it must be defined as an improvement project. New vessel acquisitions must be defined as improvement projects.
(6) "Life-cycle cost model" means that portion of a capital asset inventory system which, among other things, is used to estimate future preservation needs.
(7) "Maintenance cost" has the same meaning as used in budget instructions developed by the office of financial management.
(8) "Preservation project" has the same meaning as used in budget instructions developed by the office of financial management.
(9) "Route" means all ferry sailings from one location to another, such as the Seattle to Bainbridge route or the Port Townsend to Keystone route.
(10) "Sailing" means an individual ferry sailing for a specific route, such as the 5:00 p.m. sailing from Seattle to Bremerton.
(11) "Travel shed" means one or more ferry routes with distinct, common characteristics as determined by the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The commission shall, with the involvement of the department, conduct a survey to gather data on ferry users to help inform level of service, operational, pricing, planning, and investment decisions. The survey must include, but is not limited to:
(a) Recreational use;
(b) Walk-on customer use;
(c) Vehicle customer use;
(d) Freight and goods movement demand; and
(e) Reactions to potential operational and pricing strategies described under section 7 of this act and RCW 47.60.290.
(2) Ferry advisory committees may provide suggestions to the commission regarding the survey.
(3) The survey must be updated at least every two years and maintained to support the development and implementation of adaptive management of ferry services.
Sec. 5. RCW 47.60.290 and 1983 c 3 s 136 are each amended to read as follows:
((Subject to the provisions of RCW 47.60.326,)) (1) The department ((is hereby authorized and directed to)) shall annually review ((tariffs and charges as)) fares and pricing policies applicable to the operation of the Washington state ferries ((for the purpose of establishing a more fair and equitable tariff to be charged passengers, vehicles, and commodities on the routes of the Washington state ferries)).
(2) Beginning in 2008, the department shall develop fare and pricing policy proposals that must:
(a) Recognize that each travel shed is unique, and might not have the same farebox recovery rate and the same pricing policies;
(b) Use data from the current survey conducted under section 4 of this act;
(c) Be developed with input from affected ferry users by public hearing and by review with the affected ferry advisory committees, in addition to the data gathered from the survey conducted in section 4 of this act;
(d) Generate the amount of revenue required by the biennial transportation budget; and
(e) Keep fare schedules as simple as possible.
(3) While developing fare and pricing policy proposals, the department must consider the following:
(a) Options for using pricing to level vehicle peak demand; and
(b) Options for using pricing to increase off-peak ridership.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The commission shall adopt fares and pricing policies by rule, under chapter 34.05 RCW, according to the following schedule:
(a) Each year the department shall provide the commission a report of its review of fares and pricing policies, with recommendations for the revision of fares and pricing policies for the ensuing year;
(b) In October of each year, beginning in 2008, the commission shall adopt by rule fares and pricing policies for the ensuing year. The schedule may initially be adopted as an emergency rule if necessary to take effect in, or as near as possible to, the month of October.
(2) The commission may adopt by rule fares that are effective for more or less than one year for the purposes of transitioning to the fare schedule in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) The commission may increase ferry fares included in the schedule of charges adopted under this section by a percentage that exceeds the fiscal growth factor.
(4) The chief executive officer of the ferry system may authorize the use of promotional, discounted, and special event fares to the general public and commercial enterprises for the purpose of maximizing capacity use and the revenues collected by the ferry system. The department shall report to the commission a summary of the promotional, discounted, and special event fares offered during each fiscal year and the financial results from these activities.
(5) Fare revenues and other revenues deposited in the Puget Sound ferry operations account created in RCW 47.60.530 may not be used to support the Puget Sound capital construction account created in RCW 47.60.505, unless the support for capital is separately identified in the fare.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department shall develop, and the commission shall review, operational strategies to ensure that existing assets are fully utilized and to guide future investment decisions. These operational strategies must, at a minimum:
(a) Recognize that each travel shed is unique and might not have the same operational strategies;
(b) Use data from the current survey conducted under section 4 of this act;
(c) Be consistent with vehicle level of service standards;
(d) Choose the most efficient balance of capital and operating investments by using a life-cycle cost analysis; and
(e) Use methods of collecting fares that maximize efficiency and achieve revenue management control.
(2) After the commission reviews recommendations by the department, the commission and department shall make joint recommendations to the legislature for the improvement of operational strategies.
(3) In developing operational strategies, the following, at a minimum, must be considered:
(a) The feasibility of using reservation systems;
(b) Methods of shifting vehicular traffic to other modes of transportation;
(c) Methods of improving on-dock operations to maximize efficiency and minimize operating and capital costs;
(d) A cost-benefit analysis of remote holding versus over-water holding;
(e) Methods of reorganizing holding areas and minimizing on-dock employee parking to maximize the dock size available for customer vehicles;
(f) Schedule modifications;
(g) Efficiencies in exit queuing and metering; and
(h) Interoperability with other transportation services.
(4) Operational strategies must be reevaluated periodically and, at a minimum, before developing a new capital plan.
Sec. 8. RCW 47.60.330 and 2003 c 374 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Before a substantial change to the service levels provided to ferry users, the department shall consult with affected ferry users by public hearing and by review with the affected ferry advisory committees.
(2) Before ((a substantial expansion or curtailment in the level of service provided to ferry users, or a revision in the schedule of ferry tolls or charges)) adding or eliminating a ferry route, the department ((of transportation)) shall consult with affected ferry users and receive legislative approval. ((The consultation shall be: (a) By public hearing in affected local communities; (b) by review with the affected ferry advisory committees pursuant to RCW 47.60.310; (c) by conducting a survey of affected ferry users; or (d) by any combination of (a) through (c).
Promotional, discount, and special event fares that are not part of the published schedule of ferry charges or tolls are exempt. The department shall report an accounting of all exempt revenues to the transportation commission each fiscal year.
(2) There is created a ferry system productivity council consisting of a representative of each ferry advisory committee empanelled under RCW 47.60.310, elected by the members thereof, and two representatives of employees of the ferry system appointed by mutual agreement of all of the unions representing ferry employees, which shall meet from time to time with ferry system management to discuss means of improving ferry system productivity.
(3) Before increasing ferry tolls the department of transportation shall consider all possible cost reductions with full public participation as provided in subsection (1) of this section and, consistent with public policy, shall consider adapting service levels equitably on a route-by-route basis to reflect trends in and forecasts of traffic usage. Forecasts of traffic levels shall be developed by the bond covenant traffic engineering firm appointed under the provisions of RCW 47.60.450. Provisions of this section shall not alter obligations under RCW 47.60.450. Before including any toll increase in a budget proposal by the commission, the department of transportation shall consult with affected ferry users in the manner prescribed in (1)(b) of this section plus the procedure of either (1)(a) or (c) of this section.))
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Appropriations made for the Washington state ferries capital program may not be used for maintenance costs.
(2) Appropriations made for preservation projects shall be spent only on preservation and only when warranted by asset condition, and shall not be spent on master plans, right-of-way acquisition, or other nonpreservation items.
(3) Systemwide and administrative capital program costs shall be allocated to specific capital projects using a cost allocation plan developed by the department. Systemwide and administrative capital program costs shall be identifiable.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department shall maintain a life-cycle cost model on capital assets such that:
(a) Available industry standards are used for estimating the life of an asset, and department-adopted standard life cycles derived from the experience of similar public and private entities are used when industry standards are not available;
(b) Standard estimated life is adjusted for asset condition when inspections are made;
(c) It does not include utilities or other systems that are not replaced on a standard life cycle; and
(d) It does not include assets not yet built.
(2) All assets in the life-cycle cost model must be inspected and updated in the life-cycle cost model for asset condition at least every three years.
(3) The life-cycle cost model shall be used when estimating future system preservation needs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Preservation funding requests shall only be for assets in the life-cycle cost model.
(2) Preservation funding requests that exceed five million dollars per project must be accompanied by a predesign study. The predesign study must include all elements required by the office of financial management.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
The department shall develop terminal design standards that:
(1) Adhere to vehicle level of service standards as described in RCW 47.06.140;
(2) Adhere to operational strategies as described in section 7 of this act; and
(3) Choose the most efficient balance between capital and operating investments by using a life-cycle cost analysis.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
The capital plan must adhere to the following:
(1) A current ridership demand forecast;
(2) Vehicle level of service standards as described in RCW 47.06.140;
(3) Operational strategies as described in section 7 of this act; and
(4) Terminal design standards as described in section 12 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Terminal improvement project funding requests must adhere to the capital plan.
(2) Requests for terminal improvement design and construction funding must be submitted with a predesign study that:
(a) Includes all elements required by the office of financial management;
(b) Separately identifies basic terminal elements essential for operation and their costs;
(c) Separately identifies additional elements to provide ancillary revenue and customer comfort and their costs;
(d) Includes construction phasing options that are consistent with forecasted ridership increases;
(e) Separately identifies additional elements requested by local governments and the cost and proposed funding source of those elements;
(f) Separately identifies multimodal elements and the cost and proposed funding source of those elements; and
(g) Identifies all contingency amounts.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall assess and report as follows:
(a) Audit the implementation of the cost allocation methodology evaluated under chapter . . . (House Bill No. 1094), Laws of 2007, as it exists on the effective date of this section, assessing whether actual costs are allocated consistently with the methodology, whether there are sufficient internal controls to ensure proper allocation, and the adequacy of staff training; and
(b) Review the assignment of preservation costs and improvement costs for fiscal year 2009 to determine whether:
(i) The costs are capital costs;
(ii) The costs meet the statutory requirements for preservation activities and for improvement activities; and
(iii) Improvement costs are within the scope of legislative appropriations.
(2) The report on the evaluations in this section is due by January 31, 2010.
(3) This section expires December 31, 2010.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
(1) RCW 47.60.150 (Fixing of charges--Deposit of revenues) and 2003 c 374 s 3, 1999 c 94 s 26, & 1990 c 42 s 405; and
(2) RCW 47.60.326 (Schedule of charges for state ferries--Review by department, factors considered--Rule making by commission) and 2005 c 270 s 1, 2003 c 374 s 4, 2001 1st sp.s. c 1 s 1, 1999 c 94 s 27, 1990 c 42 s 406, 1983 c 15 s 25, & 1981 c 344 s 5."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "ferries;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 47.06.140, 47.60.290, and 47.60.330; adding new sections to chapter 47.60 RCW; creating a new section; repealing RCW 47.60.150 and 47.60.326; and providing an expiration date."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Brad Hendrickson, Deputy Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House refused to concur in the Senate Amendment to ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2358 and asked the Senate to recede therefrom.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1029 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 19.112.010 and 2006 c 338 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Alcohol fuel" means any alcohol made from a product other than petroleum or natural gas that is used alone or in combination with gasoline or other petroleum products for use as a fuel in self-propelled motor vehicles.
(2) "Alternative fuel" means all products or energy sources used to propel motor vehicles, other than conventional gasoline, diesel, or reformulated gasoline. Alternative fuel includes, but is not limited to, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, biodiesel fuel, E85 motor fuel, fuels containing seventy percent or more by volume of alcohol fuel, fuels that are derived from biomass, hydrogen fuel, anhydrous ammonia fuel, nonhazardous motor fuel, or electricity, excluding onboard electric generation.
(3) "Biodiesel fuel" means the monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from plant or animal matter that meet the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the federal environmental protection agency and standards established by the American society of testing and materials.
(((2))) (4) "Diesel" means special fuel as defined in RCW 82.38.020, and diesel fuel dyed in accordance with the regulations in 26 C.F.R. Sec. 48.4082-1T as of October 24, 2005.
(((3))) (5) "Director" means the director of agriculture.
(((4))) (6) "E85 motor fuel" means an alternative fuel that is a blend of ethanol and hydrocarbon of which the ethanol portion is nominally seventy-five to eighty-five percent denatured fuel ethanol by volume that complies with the most recent version of American society of testing and materials specification D 5798.
(7) "Motor fuel" means any liquid product used for the generation of power in an internal combustion engine used for the propulsion of a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state, and any biodiesel fuel. Motor fuels containing ethanol may be marketed if either (a) the base motor fuel meets the applicable standards before the addition of the ethanol or (b) the resultant blend meets the applicable standards after the addition of the ethanol.
(8) "Nonhazardous motor fuel" means any fuel of a type distributed for use in self-propelled motor vehicles that does not contain a hazardous liquid as defined in RCW 19.122.020.
Sec. 2. RCW 19.112.120 and 2006 c 338 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) By December 1, 2008, motor vehicle fuel licensees under chapter 82.36 RCW, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors, shall provide evidence to the department of licensing that at least two percent of total gasoline sold in Washington, measured on a quarterly basis, is denatured ethanol.
(2) If the director of ecology determines that ethanol content greater than two percent of the total gasoline sold in Washington will not jeopardize continued attainment of the federal clean air act's national ambient air quality standard for ozone pollution in Washington and the director of agriculture determines and publishes this determination in the Washington State Register that sufficient raw materials are available within Washington to support economical production of ethanol at higher levels, the director of agriculture may require by rule that licensees provide evidence to the department of licensing that denatured ethanol comprises between two percent and at least ten percent of total gasoline sold in Washington, measured on a quarterly basis.
(3) The requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall take effect no sooner than one hundred eighty days after the determination has been published in the Washington State Register.
(4) The director and the director of licensing shall each adopt rules, in coordination with each other, for enforcing and carrying out the purposes of this section.
(5) Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit the production, sale, or use of motor fuel for use in federally designated flexibly fueled vehicles capable of using ((up to eighty-five percent ethanol fuel blends)) E85 motor fuel. Nothing in this section is intended to limit the use of high octane gasoline not blended with ethanol for use in aircraft.
Sec. 3. RCW 82.04.4334 and 2003 c 63 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) In computing tax there may be deducted from the measure of tax amounts received from the retail sale, or for the distribution, of:
(a) Biodiesel fuel; or
(b) ((Alcohol fuel, if the alcohol fuel is at least eighty-five percent of the volume of the fuel being sold or distributed)) E85 motor fuel.
(2) For the purposes of this section and RCW 82.08.955 and 82.12.955, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Biodiesel fuel" means a mono alkyl ester of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats for use in compression-ignition engines and that meets the requirements of the American society of testing and materials specification D 6751 in effect as of January 1, 2003.
(b) (("Alcohol fuel" means any alcohol made from a product other than petroleum or natural gas, which is used alone or in combination with gasoline or other petroleum products for use as a fuel for motor vehicles, farm implements and machines, or implements of husbandry.)) "E85 motor fuel" means an alternative fuel that is a blend of ethanol and hydrocarbon of which the ethanol portion is nominally seventy-five to eighty-five percent denatured fuel ethanol by volume that complies with the most recent version of American society of testing and materials specification D 5798.
(c) "Distribution" means any of the actions specified in RCW 82.36.020(2).
(3) This section expires July 1, ((2009)) 2015.
Sec. 4. RCW 82.08.955 and 2003 c 63 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales of machinery and equipment, or to services rendered in respect to constructing structures, installing, constructing, repairing, cleaning, decorating, altering, or improving of structures or machinery and equipment, or to sales of tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component of structures or machinery and equipment, if the machinery, equipment, or structure is used directly for the retail sale of a biodiesel ((or alcohol fuel)) blend or E85 motor fuel. Structures and machinery and equipment that are used for the retail sale of a biodiesel ((or alcohol fuel)) blend or E85 motor fuel and for other purposes are exempt only on the portion used directly for the retail sale of a biodiesel ((or alcohol fuel)) blend or E85 motor fuel.
(2) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales of fuel delivery vehicles or to sales of or charges made for labor and services rendered in respect to installing, repairing, cleaning, altering, or improving the vehicles including repair parts and replacement parts if at least seventy-five percent of the fuel distributed by the vehicles is a biodiesel ((or alcohol fuel)) blend or E85 motor fuel.
(3) A person taking the exemption under this section must keep records necessary for the department to verify eligibility under this section. The exemption is available only when the buyer provides the seller with an exemption certificate in a form and manner prescribed by the department. The seller shall retain a copy of the certificate for the seller's files.
(4) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in RCW 82.04.4334 and this subsection apply.
(a) (("Alcohol fuel blend" means fuel that contains at least eighty-five percent alcohol fuel by volume.
(b))) "Biodiesel blend" means fuel that contains at least twenty percent biodiesel fuel by volume.
(b) "E85 motor fuel" means an alternative fuel that is a blend of ethanol and hydrocarbon of which the ethanol portion is nominally seventy-five to eighty-five percent denatured fuel ethanol by volume that complies with the most recent version of American society of testing and materials specification D 5798.
(c) "Machinery and equipment" means industrial fixtures, devices, and support facilities and tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component thereof, including repair parts and replacement parts that are integral and necessary for the delivery of biodiesel ((or alcohol fuel)) blends or E85 motor fuel into the fuel tank of a motor vehicle.
(5) This section expires July 1, ((2009)) 2015.
Sec. 5. RCW 82.12.955 and 2003 c 63 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply in respect to the use of machinery and equipment, or to services rendered in respect to installing, repairing, cleaning, altering, or improving of eligible machinery and equipment, or tangible personal property that becomes an ingredient or component of machinery and equipment used directly for the retail sale of a biodiesel or ((alcohol fuel blend)) E85 motor fuel.
(2) The provisions of this chapter do not apply in respect to the use of fuel delivery vehicles including repair parts and replacement parts and to services rendered in respect to installing, repairing, cleaning, altering, or improving the vehicles if at least seventy-five percent of the fuel distributed by the vehicles is a biodiesel or ((alcohol fuel blend)) E85 motor fuel.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in RCW 82.04.4334 and 82.08.955 apply.
(4) This section expires July 1, ((2009)) 2015."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "Relating to" strike the remainder of the title and insert "defining alternative motor fuels; amending RCW 19.112.010, 19.112.120, 82.04.4334, 82.08.955, and 82.12.955; and providing expiration dates."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1029 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Morris spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1029, as amended by the Senate.
MOTION
On motion of Representative Morrell, Representatives Eickmeyer and Haigh were excused. On motion of Representative Schindler, Representatives Condotta and Sump were excused.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1029, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1029, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 2, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1050 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds:
(1) There are students with disabilities throughout the state of Washington who have attended four years of high school, but whose individualized education programs prescribe the continuation of special education and related services beyond the fourth year of high school;
(2) Through their participation in the public schools and the community, students with disabilities have frequently become identified with and connected to a class of typically developing, age-appropriate peers who will graduate in four years and participate in a high school graduation ceremony;
(3) A high school graduation ceremony is an important rite of passage for students regardless of their abilities or limitations; and
(4) There is significant value in recognizing students' attendance and accomplishments in their individualized education programs and in allowing students with disabilities to participate in high school graduation ceremonies and activities with their age-appropriate peers without the forfeiture of their continuing special education and related services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Beginning July 1, 2007, each school district that operates a high school shall establish a policy and procedures that permit any student who is receiving special education or related services under an individualized education program pursuant to state and federal law and who will continue to receive such services between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one to participate in the graduation ceremony and activities after four years of high school attendance with his or her age-appropriate peers and receive a certificate of attendance.
(2) Participation in a graduation ceremony and receipt of a certificate of attendance under this section does not preclude a student from continuing to receive special education and related services under an individualized education program beyond the graduation ceremony.
(3) A student's participation in a graduation ceremony and receipt of a certificate of attendance under this section shall not be construed as the student's receipt of either:
(a) A high school diploma pursuant to RCW 28A.230.120; or
(b) A certificate of individual achievement pursuant to RCW 28A.155.045.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act may be known and cited as Kevin's law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "ceremonies;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 28A.155 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1050 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Priest and Simpson spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1050, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1050, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1050, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 3, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1082 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 77.32.520 and 2004 c 248 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A personal use shellfish and seaweed license is required for all persons other than residents or nonresidents under fifteen years of age to fish for, take, dig for, or possess seaweed or shellfish, including razor clams, for personal use from state waters or offshore waters including national park beaches.
(2) A razor clam license allows a person to harvest only razor clams for personal use from state waters, including national park beaches.
(3) The fees for annual personal use shellfish and seaweed licenses are:
(a) For a resident fifteen years of age or older, seven dollars;
(b) For a nonresident fifteen years of age or older, twenty dollars; and
(c) For a senior, five dollars.
(4) The fee for an annual razor clam license is five dollars and fifty cents for residents and eleven dollars for nonresidents.
(5) The fee for a three-day razor clam license is three dollars and fifty cents for both residents and nonresidents.
(6) A personal use shellfish and seaweed license or razor clam license must be ((visible on the licensee)) in immediate possession of the licensee and available for inspection while a licensee is harvesting shellfish or seaweed. However, the license does not need to be visible at all times.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of fish and wildlife shall monitor the sale of personal use shellfish and seaweed licenses and razor clam licenses for four years from the effective date of this act. If in any of the four years the number of license sales drop more than ten percent from the effective date of this act, then the department of fish and wildlife shall report the sales and revenue data for the licenses along with any relevant information regarding the reasons for the decrease to the legislature."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "seaweed;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 77.32.520; and creating a new section."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1082 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative B. Sullivan spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1082, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1082, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1082, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1131 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1)(a) The legislature finds that in Washington, there are more than seven thousand three hundred children in foster family or group care. These children face unique obstacles and burdens as they transition to adulthood, including lacking continuity in their elementary and high school educations. As compared to the general population of students, twice as many foster care youth change schools at least once during their elementary and secondary school careers, and three times as many change schools at least three times. Only thirty-four percent of foster care youth graduate from high school within four years, compared to seventy percent for the general population. Of the former foster care youth who earn a high school diploma, more than twenty-eight percent earn a GED instead of a traditional high school diploma. This is almost six times the rate of the general population. Research indicates that GED holders tend not to be as economically successful as the holders of traditional high school diplomas. Only twenty percent of former foster care youth who earn a high school degree enroll in college, compared to over sixty percent of the population generally. Of the former foster care youth who do enroll in college, very few go on to earn a degree. Less than two percent of former foster care youth hold bachelor's degrees, compared to twenty-eight percent of Washington's population generally.
(b) Former foster care youth face two critical hurdles to enrolling in college. The first is a lack of information regarding preparation for higher education and their options for enrolling in higher education. The second is finding the financial resources to fund their education. As a result of the unique hurdles and challenges that face former foster care youth, a disproportionate number of them are part of society's large group of marginalized youth and are at increased risk of continuing the cycle of poverty and violence that frequently plagues their families.
(c) Former foster care youth suffer from mental health problems at a rate greater than that of the general population. For example, one in four former foster care youth report having suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder within the previous twelve months, compared to only four percent of the general population. Similarly, the incidence of major depression among former foster care youth is twice that of the general population, twenty percent versus ten percent.
(d) There are other barriers for former foster care youth to achieving successful adulthood. One-third of former foster care youth live in households that are at or below the poverty level. This is three times the rate for the general population. The percentage of former foster care youth who report being homeless within one year of leaving foster care varies from over ten percent to almost twenty-five percent. By comparison, only one percent of the general population reports having been homeless at sometime during the past year. One in three former foster care youth lack health insurance, compared to less than one in five people in the general population. One in six former foster care youth receive cash public assistance. This is five times the rate of the general population.
(e) Approximately twenty-five percent of former foster care youth are incarcerated at sometime after leaving foster care. This is four times the rate of incarceration for the general population. Of the former foster care youth who "age out" of foster care, twenty-seven percent of the males and ten percent of the females are incarcerated within twelve to eighteen months of leaving foster care.
(f) Female former foster care youth become sexually active more than seven months earlier than their nonfoster care counterparts, have more sexual partners, and have a mean age of first pregnancy of almost two years earlier than their peers who were not in foster care.
(2) The legislature intends to create the passport to college promise pilot program. The pilot program will initially operate for a six-year period, and will have two primary components, as follows:
(a) Significantly increasing outreach to foster care youth between the ages of fourteen and eighteen regarding the higher education opportunities available to them, how to apply to college, and how to apply for and obtain financial aid; and
(b) Providing financial aid to former foster care youth to assist with the costs of their public undergraduate college education.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Cost of attendance" means the cost associated with attending a particular institution of higher education as determined by the higher education coordinating board, including but not limited to tuition, fees, room, board, books, personal expenses, and transportation, plus the cost of reasonable additional expenses incurred by an eligible student and approved by a financial aid administrator at the student's school of attendance.
(2) "Emancipated from foster care" means a person who was a dependent of the state in accordance with chapter 13.34 RCW and who was receiving foster care in the state of Washington when he or she reached his or her eighteenth birthday.
(3) "Financial need" means the difference between a student's cost of attendance and the student's total family contribution as determined by the method prescribed by the United States department of education.
(4) "Independent college or university" means a private, nonprofit institution of higher education, open to residents of the state, providing programs of education beyond the high school level leading to at least the baccalaureate degree, and accredited by the Northwest association of schools and colleges, and other institutions as may be developed that are approved by the higher education coordinating board as meeting equivalent standards as those institutions accredited under this section.
(5) "Institution of higher education" means:
(a) Any public university, college, community college, or technical college operated by the state of Washington or any political subdivision thereof; or
(b) Any independent college or university in Washington; or
(c) Any other university, college, school, or institute in the state of Washington offering instruction beyond the high school level that is a member institution of an accrediting association recognized by rule of the higher education coordinating board for the purposes of this section: PROVIDED, That any institution, branch, extension, or facility operating within the state of Washington that is affiliated with an institution operating in another state must be a separately accredited member institution of any such accrediting association, or a branch of a member institution of an accrediting association recognized by rule of the board for purposes of this section, that is eligible for federal student financial aid assistance and has operated as a nonprofit college or university delivering on-site classroom instruction for a minimum of twenty consecutive years within the state of Washington, and has an annual enrollment of at least seven hundred full-time equivalent students.
(6) "Program" means the passport to college promise pilot program created in this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The passport to college promise pilot program is created. The purpose of the program is:
(1) To encourage current and former foster care youth to prepare for, attend, and successfully complete higher education; and
(2) To provide current and former foster care youth with the educational planning, information, institutional support, and direct financial resources necessary for them to succeed in higher education.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The higher education coordinating board shall design and, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, implement, a program of supplemental scholarship and student assistance for students who have emancipated from the state foster care system after having spent at least one year in care.
(2) The board shall convene and consult with an advisory committee to assist with program design and implementation. The committee shall include but not be limited to former foster care youth and their advocates; representatives from the state board for community and technical colleges, and from public and private agencies that assist current and former foster care recipients in their transition to adulthood; and student support specialists from public and private colleges and universities.
(3) To the extent that sufficient funds have been appropriated for this purpose, a student is eligible for assistance under this section if he or she:
(a) Emancipated from foster care on or after January 1, 2007, after having spent at least one year in foster care subsequent to his or her sixteenth birthday;
(b) Is a resident student, as defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2);
(c) Is enrolled with or will enroll on at least a half-time basis with an institution of higher education in Washington state by the age of twenty-one;
(d) Is making satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of a degree or certificate program, if receiving supplemental scholarship assistance;
(e) Has not earned a bachelor's or professional degree; and
(f) Is not pursuing a degree in theology.
(4) A passport to college scholarship under this section:
(a) Shall not exceed resident undergraduate tuition and fees at the highest-priced public institution of higher education in the state; and
(b) Shall not exceed the student's financial need, less a reasonable self-help amount defined by the board, when combined with all other public and private grant, scholarship, and waiver assistance the student receives.
(5) An eligible student may receive a passport to college scholarship under this section for a maximum of five years after the student first enrolls with an institution of higher education or until the student turns age twenty-six, whichever occurs first. If a student turns age twenty-six during an academic year, and would otherwise be eligible for a scholarship under this section, the student shall continue to be eligible for a scholarship for the remainder of the academic year.
(6) The higher education coordinating board, in consultation with and with assistance from the state board for community and technical colleges, shall perform an annual analysis to verify that those institutions of higher education at which students have received a scholarship under this section have awarded the student all available need-based and merit-based grant and scholarship aid for which the student qualifies.
(7) In designing and implementing the passport to college student support program under this section, the board, in consultation with and with assistance from the state board for community and technical colleges, shall ensure that a participating college or university:
(a) Has a viable plan for identifying students eligible for assistance under this section, for tracking and enhancing their academic progress, for addressing their unique needs for assistance during school vacations and academic interims, and for linking them to appropriate sources of assistance in their transition to adulthood;
(b) Receives financial and other incentives for achieving measurable progress in the recruitment, retention, and graduation of eligible students.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Effective operation of the passport to college promise pilot program requires early and accurate identification of former foster care youth so that they can be linked to the financial and other assistance that will help them succeed in college. To that end:
(1) All institutions of higher education that receive funding for student support services under section 4 of this act shall include on their applications for admission or on their registration materials a question asking whether the applicant has been in foster care in Washington state for at least one year since his or her sixteenth birthday. All other institutions of higher education are strongly encouraged to include such a question. No institution may consider whether an applicant may be eligible for a scholarship or student support services under this chapter when deciding whether the applicant will be granted admission.
(2) The department of social and health services shall devise and implement procedures for efficiently, promptly, and accurately identifying students and applicants who are eligible for services under section 4 of this act, and for sharing that information with the higher education coordinating board and with institutions of higher education. The procedures shall include appropriate safeguards for consent by the applicant or student before disclosure.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) To the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, the higher education coordinating board, with input from the state board for community and technical colleges, the foster care partnership, and institutions of higher education, shall develop and maintain an internet web site and outreach program to serve as a comprehensive portal for foster care youth in Washington state to obtain information regarding higher education including, but not necessarily limited to:
(a) Academic, social, family, financial, and logistical information important to successful postsecondary educational success;
(b) How and when to obtain and complete college applications;
(c) What college placement tests, if any, are generally required for admission to college and when and how to register for such tests;
(d) How and when to obtain and complete a federal free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); and
(e) Detailed sources of financial aid likely available to eligible former foster care youth, including the financial aid provided by this chapter.
(2) The board shall determine whether to design, build, and operate such program and web site directly or to use, support, and modify existing web sites created by government or nongovernmental entities for a similar purpose.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) To the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, the department of social and health services, with input from the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and institutions of higher education, shall contract with at least one nongovernmental entity through a request for proposals process to develop, implement, and administer a program of supplemental educational transition planning for youth in foster care in Washington state.
(2) The nongovernmental entity or entities chosen by the department shall have demonstrated success in working with foster care youth and assisting foster care youth in successfully making the transition from foster care to independent adulthood.
(3) The selected nongovernmental entity or entities shall provide supplemental educational transition planning to foster care youth in Washington state beginning at age fourteen and then at least every six months thereafter. The supplemental transition planning shall include:
(a) Comprehensive information regarding postsecondary educational opportunities including, but not limited to, sources of financial aid, institutional characteristics and record of support for former foster care youth, transportation, housing, and other logistical considerations;
(b) How and when to apply to postsecondary educational programs;
(c) What precollege tests, if any, the particular foster care youth should take based on his or her postsecondary plans and when to take the tests;
(d) What courses to take to prepare the particular foster care youth to succeed at his or her postsecondary plans;
(e) Social, community, educational, logistical, and other issues that frequently impact college students and their success rates; and
(f) Which web sites, nongovernmental entities, public agencies, and other foster care youth support providers specialize in which services.
(4) The selected nongovernmental entity or entities shall work directly with the school counselors at the foster care youths' high schools to ensure that a consistent and complete transition plan has been prepared for each foster care youth who emancipates out of the foster care system in Washington state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. (1) The higher education coordinating board shall report to appropriate committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008, on the status of program design and implementation. The report shall include a discussion of proposed scholarship and student support service approaches; an estimate of the number of students who will receive such services; baseline information on the extent to which former foster care youth who meet the eligibility criteria in section 4 of this act have enrolled and persisted in postsecondary education; and recommendations for any statutory changes needed to promote achievement of program objectives.
(2) The state board for community and technical colleges and the higher education coordinating board shall monitor and analyze the extent to which eligible young people are increasing their participation, persistence, and progress in postsecondary education, and shall jointly submit a report on their findings to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009, and by December 1, 2011.
(3) The Washington state institute for public policy shall complete an evaluation of the passport to college promise pilot program and shall submit a report to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2012. The report shall estimate the impact of the program on eligible students' participation and success in postsecondary education, and shall include recommendations for program revision and improvement.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to:
(1) Guarantee acceptance by, or entrance into, any institution of higher education; or
(2) Limit the participation of youth, in or formerly in, foster care in Washington state in any other program of financial assistance for postsecondary education.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. This chapter expires June 30, 2013.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 1 through 10 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW."
On page 1, line 3 of the title, after "purpose;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and providing an expiration date."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1131 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Wallace spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1131, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1131, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 78, Nays - 16, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea:Representatives Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Curtis, Darneille, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Santos, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 78.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Chandler, Crouse, DeBolt, Dunn, Ericksen, Kretz, Kristiansen, Newhouse, Orcutt, Pearson, Roach, Ross, Schindler and Warnick - 16.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1131, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1166 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 35.61.210 and 1997 c 3 s 205 are each amended to read as follows:
The board of park commissioners may levy or cause to be levied a general tax on all the property located in said park district each year not to exceed fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the property in such park district. In addition, the board of park commissioners may levy or cause to be levied a general tax on all property located in said park district each year not to exceed twenty-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Although park districts are authorized to impose two separate regular property tax levies, the levies shall be considered to be a single levy for purposes of the limitation provided for in chapter 84.55 RCW.
The board is hereby authorized to levy a general tax in excess of its regular property tax levy or levies when authorized so to do at a special election conducted in accordance with and subject to all the requirements of the Constitution and laws of the state now in force or hereafter enacted governing the limitation of tax levies. The board is hereby authorized to call a special election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the park district a proposition to levy a tax in excess of the seventy-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value herein specifically authorized. The manner of submitting any such proposition, of certifying the same, and of giving or publishing notice thereof, shall be as provided by law for the submission of propositions by cities or towns.
The board shall include in its general tax levy for each year a sufficient sum to pay the interest on all outstanding bonds and may include a sufficient amount to create a sinking fund for the redemption of all outstanding bonds. The levy shall be certified to the proper county officials for collection the same as other general taxes and when collected, the general tax shall be placed in a separate fund in the office of the county treasurer to be known as the "metropolitan park district fund" and ((paid out on warrants)) disbursed under RCW 36.29.010(1) and 39.58.750.
Sec. 2. RCW 36.35.020 and 1972 ex.s. c 150 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
The term "tax title lands" as used in this chapter shall mean any tract of land acquired by the county for lack of other bidders at a tax foreclosure sale. Tax title lands are held in trust for the taxing districts.
Sec. 3. RCW 36.35.100 and 1998 c 106 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
All property deeded to the county under the provisions of this chapter shall be ((stricken from the tax rolls as county property and exempt from taxation and shall not be again assessed or taxed while the property of the county)) treated as follows during the period the property is so held:
(1) The property shall be:
(a) Stricken from the tax rolls as county property;
(b) Exempt from taxation;
(c) Exempt from special assessments except as provided in chapter 35.49 RCW and RCW 35.44.140 and 79.44.190; and
(d) Exempt from property owner association dues or fees.
(2) The sale, management, and leasing of tax title property shall be handled as under chapter 36.35 RCW.
Sec. 4. RCW 36.89.090 and 1991 c 36 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The county shall have a lien for delinquent ((service)) charges, including interest, penalties, and costs of foreclosure thereon, against any property against which they were levied for ((storm water control facilities)) the purposes authorized by this chapter, which lien shall be superior to all other liens and encumbrances except general taxes and local and special assessments. Such lien shall be effective upon the charges becoming delinquent and shall be enforced and foreclosed in the same manner as provided for sewerage liens of cities and towns by RCW 35.67.200 through 35.67.290((: PROVIDED, That)). However, a county may, by resolution or ordinance, adopt all or any part of the alternative interest rate, lien, and foreclosure procedures as set forth in RCW 36.89.092 through 36.89.094 or ((by RCW)) 36.94.150, or chapters 84.56, 84.60, and 84.64 RCW.
Sec. 5. RCW 84.56.070 and 1991 c 245 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:
On the fifteenth day of February succeeding the levy of taxes, the county treasurer shall proceed to collect all personal property taxes. The treasurer shall give notice by mail to all persons charged with personal property taxes, and if such taxes are not paid before they become delinquent, the treasurer shall forthwith proceed to collect the same. In the event that he or she is unable to collect the same when due, the treasurer shall prepare papers in distraint, which shall contain a description of the personal property, the amount of taxes, the amount of the accrued interest at the rate provided by law from the date of delinquency, and the name of the owner or reputed owner. The treasurer shall without demand or notice distrain sufficient goods and chattels belonging to the person charged with such taxes to pay the same, with interest at the rate provided by law from the date of delinquency, together with all accruing costs, and shall proceed to advertise the same by posting written notices in three public places in the county in which such property has been distrained, one of which places shall be at the county court house, such notice to state the time when and place where such property will be sold. The county treasurer, or the treasurer's deputy, shall tax the same fees for making the distraint and sale of goods and chattels for the payment of taxes as are allowed by law to sheriffs for making levy and sale of property on execution; traveling fees to be computed from the county seat of the county to the place of making distraint. If the taxes for which such property is distrained, and the interest and costs accruing thereon, are not paid before the date appointed for such sale, which shall be not less than ten days after the taking of such property, such treasurer or treasurer's designee shall proceed to sell such property at public auction, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient to pay such taxes, with interest and costs, and if there be any excess of money arising from the sale of any personal property, the treasurer shall pay such excess less any cost of the auction to the owner of the property so sold or to his or her legal representative: PROVIDED, That whenever it shall become necessary to distrain any standing timber owned separately from the ownership of the land upon which the same may stand, or any fish trap, pound net, reef net, set net or drag seine fishing location, or any other personal property as the treasurer shall determine to be incapable or reasonably impracticable of manual delivery, it shall be deemed to have been distrained and taken into possession when the treasurer shall have, at least thirty days before the date fixed for the sale thereof, filed with the auditor of the county wherein such property is located a notice in writing reciting that the treasurer has distrained such property, describing it, giving the name of the owner or reputed owner, the amount of the tax due, with interest, and the time and place of sale; a copy of the notice shall also be sent to the owner or reputed owner at his last known address, by registered letter at least thirty days prior to the date of sale: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That if the county treasurer has reasonable grounds to believe that any personal property, including mobile homes, manufactured homes, or park model trailers, upon which taxes have been levied, but not paid, is about to be removed from the county where the same has been assessed, or is about to be destroyed, sold or disposed of, the county treasurer may demand such taxes, without the notice provided for in this section, and if necessary may forthwith distrain sufficient goods and chattels to pay the same.
Sec. 6. RCW 84.56.090 and 1985 c 83 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
Whenever in the judgment of the assessor or the county treasurer personal property is being removed or is about to be removed without the limits of the state, or is being dissipated or about to be dissipated, or is being or about to be sold, disposed of, or removed from the county so as to jeopardize collection of taxes, the treasurer shall immediately prepare papers in distraint, which shall contain a description of the personal property, including mobile homes, manufactured homes, or park model trailers, being or about to be removed, dissipated, sold, disposed of, or removed from the county so as to jeopardize collection of taxes, the amount of the tax, the amount of accrued interest at the rate provided by law from the date of delinquency, and the name of the owner or reputed owner, and he shall without demand or notice distrain sufficient goods and chattels belonging to the person charged with such taxes to pay the same with interest at the rate provided by law from the date of delinquency, together with all accruing costs, and shall advertise and sell said property as provided in RCW 84.56.070.
If said personal property is being removed or is about to be removed from the limits of the state, is being dissipated or about to be dissipated, or is being or about to be sold, disposed of, or removed from the county so as to jeopardize collection of taxes, at any time subsequent to the first day of January in any year, and prior to the levy of taxes thereon, the taxes upon such property so distrained shall be computed upon the rate of levy for state, county and local purposes for the preceding year; and all taxes collected in advance of levy under this section and RCW 84.56.120, together with the name of the owner and a brief description of the property assessed shall be entered forthwith by the county treasurer upon the personal property tax rolls of such preceding year, and all collections thereon shall be considered and treated in all respects, and without recourse by either the owner or any taxing unit, as collections for such preceding year. Property on which taxes are thus collected shall thereupon become discharged from the lien of any taxes that may thereafter be levied in the year in which payment or collection is made.
Whenever property has been removed from the county wherein it has been assessed, on which the taxes have not been paid, then the county treasurer, or his deputy, shall have the same power to distrain and sell said property for the satisfaction of said taxes as he would have if said property were situated in the county in which the property was taxed, and in addition thereto said treasurer, or his deputy, in the distraint and sale of property for the payment of taxes, shall have the same powers as are now by law given to the sheriff in making levy and sale of property on execution.
Sec. 7. RCW 84.64.200 and 1981 c 322 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
All lots, tracts and parcels of land upon which taxes levied prior to January 9, 1926 remain due and unpaid at the date when such taxes would have become delinquent as provided in the act under which they were levied shall be deemed to be delinquent under the provisions of this title, and the same proceedings may be had to enforce the payment of such unpaid taxes, with interest and costs, and payment enforced and liens foreclosed under and by virtue of the provisions of this chapter. For the purposes of foreclosure under this chapter, the date of delinquency shall be construed to mean the date when the taxes first became delinquent. At all sales of property for which certificates of delinquency are held by the county, if no other bids are received, the county shall be considered a bidder for the full area of each tract or lot to the amount of all taxes, interest and costs due thereon, and where no bidder appears, acquire title ((thereto)) in trust for the taxing districts as absolutely as if purchased by an individual under the provisions of this chapter; all bidders except the county at sales of property for which certificates of delinquency are held by the county shall pay the full amount of taxes, interest and costs for which judgment is rendered, together with all taxes, interest and costs which are delinquent at the time of sale, regardless of whether the taxes, interest, or costs are included in the judgment."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "provisions;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 35.61.210, 36.35.020, 36.35.100, 36.89.090, 84.56.070, 84.56.090, and 84.64.200."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1166 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Takko spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of House Bill No. 1166, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of House Bill No. 1166, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 1, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Voting nay: Representative Walsh - 1.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1166, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
I intended to vote YEA on HOUSE BILL NO. 1166.
MAUREEN WALSH, 16th District
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1201 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 74.09.510 and 2001 2nd sp.s. c 15 s 3 and 2001 1st sp.s. c 4 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
Medical assistance may be provided in accordance with eligibility requirements established by the department, as defined in the social security Title XIX state plan for mandatory categorically needy persons and:
(1) Individuals who would be eligible for cash assistance except for their institutional status;
(2) Individuals who are under twenty-one years of age, who would be eligible for medicaid, but do not qualify as dependent children and who are in (a) foster care, (b) subsidized adoption, (c) a nursing facility or an intermediate care facility for ((the)) persons who are mentally retarded, or (d) inpatient psychiatric facilities;
(3) ((the)) Individuals who:
(a) Are under twenty-one years of age;
(b) On or after the effective date of this section, were in foster care under the legal responsibility of the department or a federally recognized tribe located within the state; and
(c) On their eighteenth birthday, were in foster care under the legal responsibility of the department or a federally recognized tribe located within the state;
(4) Persons who are aged, blind, ((and)) or disabled who: (a) Receive only a state supplement, or (b) would not be eligible for cash assistance if they were not institutionalized;
(((4))) (5) Categorically eligible individuals who meet the income and resource requirements of the cash assistance programs;
(((5))) (6) Individuals who are enrolled in managed health care systems, who have otherwise lost eligibility for medical assistance, but who have not completed a current six-month enrollment in a managed health care system, and who are eligible for federal financial participation under Title XIX of the social security act;
(((6))) (7) Children and pregnant women allowed by federal statute for whom funding is appropriated;
(((7))) (8) Working individuals with disabilities authorized under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the social security act for whom funding is appropriated;
(((8))) (9) Other individuals eligible for medical services under RCW 74.09.035 and 74.09.700 for whom federal financial participation is available under Title XIX of the social security act;
(((9))) (10) Persons allowed by section 1931 of the social security act for whom funding is appropriated; and
(((10))) (11) Women who: (a) Are under sixty-five years of age; (b) have been screened for breast and cervical cancer under the national breast and cervical cancer early detection program administered by the department of health or tribal entity and have been identified as needing treatment for breast or cervical cancer; and (c) are not otherwise covered by health insurance. Medical assistance provided under this subsection is limited to the period during which the woman requires treatment for breast or cervical cancer, and is subject to any conditions or limitations specified in the omnibus appropriations act.
Sec. 2. RCW 74.09.530 and 2000 c 218 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The amount and nature of medical assistance and the determination of eligibility of recipients for medical assistance shall be the responsibility of the department of social and health services. The department shall establish reasonable standards of assistance and resource and income exemptions which shall be consistent with the provisions of the Social Security Act and with the regulations of the secretary of health, education and welfare for determining eligibility of individuals for medical assistance and the extent of such assistance to the extent that funds are available from the state and federal government. The department shall not consider resources in determining continuing eligibility for recipients eligible under section 1931 of the social security act.
(2) Individuals eligible for medical assistance under RCW 74.09.510(3) shall be transitioned into coverage under that subsection immediately upon their termination from coverage under RCW 74.09.510(2)(a). The department shall use income eligibility standards and eligibility determinations applicable to children placed in foster care. The department, in consultation with the health care authority, shall provide information regarding basic health plan enrollment and shall offer assistance with the application and enrollment process to individuals covered under RCW 74.09.510(3) who are approaching their twenty-first birthday.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "eighteen;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 74.09.530; reenacting and amending RCW 74.09.510; and creating a new section."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1201 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Simpson spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1201, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1201, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 1, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Voting nay: Representative Anderson - 1.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1201, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 3, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1217 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 71.24.025 and 2006 c 333 s 104 are each amended to read as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Acutely mentally ill" means a condition which is limited to a short-term severe crisis episode of:
(a) A mental disorder as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020;
(b) Being gravely disabled as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, a gravely disabled minor as defined in RCW 71.34.020; or
(c) Presenting a likelihood of serious harm as defined in RCW 71.05.020 or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020.
(2) "Available resources" means funds appropriated for the purpose of providing community mental health programs, federal funds, except those provided according to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, and state funds appropriated under this chapter or chapter 71.05 RCW by the legislature during any biennium for the purpose of providing residential services, resource management services, community support services, and other mental health services. This does not include funds appropriated for the purpose of operating and administering the state psychiatric hospitals.
(3) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen years.
(4) "Chronically mentally ill adult" or "adult who is chronically mentally ill" means an adult who has a mental disorder and meets at least one of the following criteria:
(a) Has undergone two or more episodes of hospital care for a mental disorder within the preceding two years; or
(b) Has experienced a continuous psychiatric hospitalization or residential treatment exceeding six months' duration within the preceding year; or
(c) Has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any mental disorder which has lasted for a continuous period of not less than twelve months. "Substantial gainful activity" shall be defined by the department by rule consistent with Public Law 92-603, as amended.
(5) "Clubhouse" means a community-based program that provides rehabilitation services and is certified by the department of social and health services.
(6) "Community mental health program" means all mental health services, activities, or programs using available resources.
(((6))) (7) "Community mental health service delivery system" means public or private agencies that provide services specifically to persons with mental disorders as defined under RCW 71.05.020 and receive funding from public sources.
(((7))) (8) "Community support services" means services authorized, planned, and coordinated through resource management services including, at a minimum, assessment, diagnosis, emergency crisis intervention available twenty-four hours, seven days a week, prescreening determinations for persons who are mentally ill ((persons)) being considered for placement in nursing homes as required by federal law, screening for patients being considered for admission to residential services, diagnosis and treatment for children who are acutely mentally ill ((and)) or severely emotionally disturbed ((children)) discovered under screening through the federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program, investigation, legal, and other nonresidential services under chapter 71.05 RCW, case management services, psychiatric treatment including medication supervision, counseling, psychotherapy, assuring transfer of relevant patient information between service providers, recovery services, and other services determined by regional support networks.
(((8))) (9) "Consensus-based" means a program or practice that has general support among treatment providers and experts, based on experience or professional literature, and may have anecdotal or case study support, or that is agreed but not possible to perform studies with random assignment and controlled groups.
(((9))) (10) "County authority" means the board of county commissioners, county council, or county executive having authority to establish a community mental health program, or two or more of the county authorities specified in this subsection which have entered into an agreement to provide a community mental health program.
(((10))) (11) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
(((11))) (12) "Designated mental health professional" means a mental health professional designated by the county or other authority authorized in rule to perform the duties specified in this chapter.
(((12))) (13) "Emerging best practice" or "promising practice" means a practice that presents, based on preliminary information, potential for becoming a research-based or consensus-based practice.
(((13))) (14) "Evidence-based" means a program or practice that has had multiple site random controlled trials across heterogeneous populations demonstrating that the program or practice is effective for the population.
(((14))) (15) "Licensed service provider" means an entity licensed according to this chapter or chapter 71.05 RCW or an entity deemed to meet state minimum standards as a result of accreditation by a recognized behavioral health accrediting body recognized and having a current agreement with the department, that meets state minimum standards or persons licensed under chapter 18.57, 18.71, 18.83, or 18.79 RCW, as it applies to registered nurses and advanced registered nurse practitioners.
(((15))) (16) "Long-term inpatient care" means inpatient services for persons committed for, or voluntarily receiving intensive treatment for, periods of ninety days or greater under chapter 71.05 RCW. "Long-term inpatient care" as used in this chapter does not include: (a) Services for individuals committed under chapter 71.05 RCW who are receiving services pursuant to a conditional release or a court-ordered less restrictive alternative to detention; or (b) services for individuals voluntarily receiving less restrictive alternative treatment on the grounds of the state hospital.
(((16))) (17) "Mental health services" means all services provided by regional support networks and other services provided by the state for ((the)) persons who are mentally ill.
(((17))) (18) "Mentally ill persons," "persons who are mentally ill," and "the mentally ill" mean persons and conditions defined in subsections (1), (4), (((26))) (27), and (((27))) (28) of this section.
(((18))) (19) "Recovery" means the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities.
(((19))) (20) "Regional support network" means a county authority or group of county authorities or other nonprofit entity recognized by the secretary in contract in a defined region.
(((20))) (21) "Registration records" include all the records of the department, regional support networks, treatment facilities, and other persons providing services to the department, county departments, or facilities which identify persons who are receiving or who at any time have received services for mental illness.
(((21))) (22) "Research-based" means a program or practice that has some research demonstrating effectiveness, but that does not yet meet the standard of evidence-based practices.
(((22))) (23) "Residential services" means a complete range of residences and supports authorized by resource management services and which may involve a facility, a distinct part thereof, or services which support community living, for persons who are acutely mentally ill ((persons)), adults who are chronically mentally ill ((adults)), children who are severely emotionally disturbed ((children)), or adults who are seriously disturbed ((adults)) and determined by the regional support network to be at risk of becoming acutely or chronically mentally ill. The services shall include at least evaluation and treatment services as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW, acute crisis respite care, long-term adaptive and rehabilitative care, and supervised and supported living services, and shall also include any residential services developed to service persons who are mentally ill ((persons)) in nursing homes, boarding homes, and adult family homes, and may include outpatient services provided as an element in a package of services in a supported housing model. Residential services for children in out-of-home placements related to their mental disorder shall not include the costs of food and shelter, except for children's long-term residential facilities existing prior to January 1, 1991.
(((23))) (24) "Resilience" means the personal and community qualities that enable individuals to rebound from adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or other stresses, and to live productive lives.
(((24))) (25) "Resource management services" mean the planning, coordination, and authorization of residential services and community support services administered pursuant to an individual service plan for: (a) Adults and children who are acutely mentally ill ((adults and children)); (b) adults who are chronically mentally ill ((adults)); (c) children who are severely emotionally disturbed ((children)); or (d) adults who are seriously disturbed ((adults)) and determined solely by a regional support network to be at risk of becoming acutely or chronically mentally ill. Such planning, coordination, and authorization shall include mental health screening for children eligible under the federal Title XIX early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program. Resource management services include seven day a week, twenty-four hour a day availability of information regarding ((mentally ill adults' and children's)) enrollment of adults and children who are mentally ill in services and their individual service plan to designated mental health professionals, evaluation and treatment facilities, and others as determined by the regional support network.
(((25))) (26) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health services.
(((26))) (27) "Seriously disturbed person" means a person who:
(a) Is gravely disabled or presents a likelihood of serious harm to himself or herself or others, or to the property of others, as a result of a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW;
(b) Has been on conditional release status, or under a less restrictive alternative order, at some time during the preceding two years from an evaluation and treatment facility or a state mental health hospital;
(c) Has a mental disorder which causes major impairment in several areas of daily living;
(d) Exhibits suicidal preoccupation or attempts; or
(e) Is a child diagnosed by a mental health professional, as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, as experiencing a mental disorder which is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school or with peers or is clearly interfering with the child's personality development and learning.
(((27))) (28) "Severely emotionally disturbed child" or "child who is severely emotionally disturbed" means a child who has been determined by the regional support network to be experiencing a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, including those mental disorders that result in a behavioral or conduct disorder, that is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school or with peers and who meets at least one of the following criteria:
(a) Has undergone inpatient treatment or placement outside of the home related to a mental disorder within the last two years;
(b) Has undergone involuntary treatment under chapter 71.34 RCW within the last two years;
(c) Is currently served by at least one of the following child-serving systems: Juvenile justice, child-protection/welfare, special education, or developmental disabilities;
(d) Is at risk of escalating maladjustment due to:
(i) Chronic family dysfunction involving a caretaker who is mentally ill or inadequate ((caretaker));
(ii) Changes in custodial adult;
(iii) Going to, residing in, or returning from any placement outside of the home, for example, psychiatric hospital, short-term inpatient, residential treatment, group or foster home, or a correctional facility;
(iv) Subject to repeated physical abuse or neglect;
(v) Drug or alcohol abuse; or
(vi) Homelessness.
(((28))) (29) "State minimum standards" means minimum requirements established by rules adopted by the secretary and necessary to implement this chapter for: (a) Delivery of mental health services; (b) licensed service providers for the provision of mental health services; (c) residential services; and (d) community support services and resource management services.
(((29))) (30) "Treatment records" include registration and all other records concerning persons who are receiving or who at any time have received services for mental illness, which are maintained by the department, by regional support networks and their staffs, and by treatment facilities. Treatment records do not include notes or records maintained for personal use by a person providing treatment services for the department, regional support networks, or a treatment facility if the notes or records are not available to others.
(((30))) (31) "Tribal authority," for the purposes of this section and RCW 71.24.300 only, means: The federally recognized Indian tribes and the major Indian organizations recognized by the secretary insofar as these organizations do not have a financial relationship with any regional support network that would present a conflict of interest.
Sec. 2. RCW 71.24.035 and 2006 c 333 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The department is designated as the state mental health authority.
(2) The secretary shall provide for public, client, and licensed service provider participation in developing the state mental health program, developing contracts with regional support networks, and any waiver request to the federal government under medicaid.
(3) The secretary shall provide for participation in developing the state mental health program for children and other underserved populations, by including representatives on any committee established to provide oversight to the state mental health program.
(4) The secretary shall be designated as the regional support network if the regional support network fails to meet state minimum standards or refuses to exercise responsibilities under RCW 71.24.045.
(5) The secretary shall:
(a) Develop a biennial state mental health program that incorporates regional biennial needs assessments and regional mental health service plans and state services for mentally ill adults and children. The secretary shall also develop a six-year state mental health plan;
(b) Assure that any regional or county community mental health program provides access to treatment for the region's residents in the following order of priority: (i) The acutely mentally ill; (ii) chronically mentally ill adults and severely emotionally disturbed children; and (iii) the seriously disturbed. Such programs shall provide:
(A) Outpatient services;
(B) Emergency care services for twenty-four hours per day;
(C) Day treatment for mentally ill persons which includes training in basic living and social skills, supported work, vocational rehabilitation, and day activities. Such services may include therapeutic treatment. In the case of a child, day treatment includes age-appropriate basic living and social skills, educational and prevocational services, day activities, and therapeutic treatment;
(D) Screening for patients being considered for admission to state mental health facilities to determine the appropriateness of admission;
(E) Employment services, which may include supported employment, transitional work, placement in competitive employment, and other work-related services, that result in mentally ill persons becoming engaged in meaningful and gainful full or part-time work. Other sources of funding such as the division of vocational rehabilitation may be utilized by the secretary to maximize federal funding and provide for integration of services;
(F) Consultation and education services; and
(G) Community support services;
(c) Develop and adopt rules establishing state minimum standards for the delivery of mental health services pursuant to RCW 71.24.037 including, but not limited to:
(i) Licensed service providers. These rules shall permit a county-operated mental health program to be licensed as a service provider subject to compliance with applicable statutes and rules. The secretary shall provide for deeming of compliance with state minimum standards for those entities accredited by recognized behavioral health accrediting bodies recognized and having a current agreement with the department;
(ii) Regional support networks; and
(iii) Inpatient services, evaluation and treatment services and facilities under chapter 71.05 RCW, resource management services, and community support services;
(d) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly, disabled, children, and low-income persons are met within the priorities established in this section;
(e) Establish a standard contract or contracts, consistent with state minimum standards and RCW 71.24.320, 71.24.330, and 71.24.3201, which shall be used in contracting with regional support networks. The standard contract shall include a maximum fund balance, which shall be consistent with that required by federal regulations or waiver stipulations;
(f) Establish, to the extent possible, a standardized auditing procedure which minimizes paperwork requirements of regional support networks and licensed service providers. The audit procedure shall focus on the outcomes of service and not the processes for accomplishing them;
(g) Develop and maintain an information system to be used by the state and regional support networks that includes a tracking method which allows the department and regional support networks to identify mental health clients' participation in any mental health service or public program on an immediate basis. The information system shall not include individual patient's case history files. Confidentiality of client information and records shall be maintained as provided in this chapter and in RCW 71.05.390, 71.05.420, and 71.05.440;
(h) License service providers who meet state minimum standards;
(i) Certify regional support networks that meet state minimum standards;
(j) Periodically monitor the compliance of certified regional support networks and their network of licensed service providers for compliance with the contract between the department, the regional support network, and federal and state rules at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner;
(k) Fix fees to be paid by evaluation and treatment centers to the secretary for the required inspections;
(l) Monitor and audit regional support networks and licensed service providers as needed to assure compliance with contractual agreements authorized by this chapter;
(m) Adopt such rules as are necessary to implement the department's responsibilities under this chapter; ((and))
(n) Assure the availability of an appropriate amount, as determined by the legislature in the operating budget by amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, of community-based, geographically distributed residential services; and
(o) Certify clubhouses that meet state minimum standards.
(6) The secretary shall use available resources only for regional support networks, except to the extent authorized, and in accordance with any priorities or conditions specified, in the biennial appropriations act.
(7) Each certified regional support network and licensed service provider shall file with the secretary, on request, such data, statistics, schedules, and information as the secretary reasonably requires. A certified regional support network or licensed service provider which, without good cause, fails to furnish any data, statistics, schedules, or information as requested, or files fraudulent reports thereof, may have its certification or license revoked or suspended.
(8) The secretary may suspend, revoke, limit, or restrict a certification or license, or refuse to grant a certification or license for failure to conform to: (a) The law; (b) applicable rules and regulations; (c) applicable standards; or (d) state minimum standards.
(9) The superior court may restrain any regional support network or service provider from operating without certification or a license or any other violation of this section. The court may also review, pursuant to procedures contained in chapter 34.05 RCW, any denial, suspension, limitation, restriction, or revocation of certification or license, and grant other relief required to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(10) Upon petition by the secretary, and after hearing held upon reasonable notice to the facility, the superior court may issue a warrant to an officer or employee of the secretary authorizing him or her to enter at reasonable times, and examine the records, books, and accounts of any regional support network or service provider refusing to consent to inspection or examination by the authority.
(11) Notwithstanding the existence or pursuit of any other remedy, the secretary may file an action for an injunction or other process against any person or governmental unit to restrain or prevent the establishment, conduct, or operation of a regional support network or service provider without certification or a license under this chapter.
(12) The standards for certification of evaluation and treatment facilities shall include standards relating to maintenance of good physical and mental health and other services to be afforded persons pursuant to this chapter and chapters 71.05 and 71.34 RCW, and shall otherwise assure the effectuation of the purposes of these chapters.
(13) The standards for certification of a clubhouse shall at a minimum include:
(a) The facilities may be peer-operated and must be recovery-focused;
(b) Members and employees must work together;
(c) Members must have the opportunity to participate in all the work of the clubhouse, including administration, research, intake and orientation, outreach, hiring, training and evaluation of staff, public relations, advocacy, and evaluation of clubhouse effectiveness;
(d) Members and staff and ultimately the clubhouse director must be responsible for the operation of the clubhouse, central to this responsibility is the engagement of members and staff in all aspects of clubhouse operations;
(e) Clubhouse programs must be comprised of structured activities including but not limited to social skills training, vocational rehabilitation, employment training and job placement, and community resource development;
(f) Clubhouse programs must provide in-house educational programs that significantly utilize the teaching and tutoring skills of members and assist members by helping them to take advantage of adult education opportunities in the community;
(g) Clubhouse programs must focus on strengths, talents, and abilities of its members;
(h) The work-ordered day may not include medication clinics, day treatment, or other therapy programs within the clubhouse.
(14) The department shall distribute appropriated state and federal funds in accordance with any priorities, terms, or conditions specified in the appropriations act.
(((14))) (15) The secretary shall assume all duties assigned to the nonparticipating regional support networks under chapters 71.05, 71.34, and 71.24 RCW. Such responsibilities shall include those which would have been assigned to the nonparticipating counties in regions where there are not participating regional support networks.
The regional support networks, or the secretary's assumption of all responsibilities under chapters 71.05, 71.34, and 71.24 RCW, shall be included in all state and federal plans affecting the state mental health program including at least those required by this chapter, the medicaid program, and P.L. 99-660. Nothing in these plans shall be inconsistent with the intent and requirements of this chapter.
(((15))) (16) The secretary shall:
(a) Disburse funds for the regional support networks within sixty days of approval of the biennial contract. The department must either approve or reject the biennial contract within sixty days of receipt.
(b) Enter into biennial contracts with regional support networks. The contracts shall be consistent with available resources. No contract shall be approved that does not include progress toward meeting the goals of this chapter by taking responsibility for: (i) Short-term commitments; (ii) residential care; and (iii) emergency response systems.
(c) Notify regional support networks of their allocation of available resources at least sixty days prior to the start of a new biennial contract period.
(d) Deny all or part of the funding allocations to regional support networks based solely upon formal findings of noncompliance with the terms of the regional support network's contract with the department. Regional support networks disputing the decision of the secretary to withhold funding allocations are limited to the remedies provided in the department's contracts with the regional support networks.
(((16))) (17) The department, in cooperation with the state congressional delegation, shall actively seek waivers of federal requirements and such modifications of federal regulations as are necessary to allow federal medicaid reimbursement for services provided by free-standing evaluation and treatment facilities certified under chapter 71.05 RCW. The department shall periodically report its efforts to the appropriate committees of the senate and the house of representatives.
Sec. 3. RCW 49.19.010 and 2000 c 94 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) "Health care setting" means:
(a) Hospitals as defined in RCW 70.41.020;
(b) Home health, hospice, and home care agencies under chapter 70.127 RCW, subject to RCW 49.19.070;
(c) Evaluation and treatment facilities as defined in RCW 71.05.020(((12))); and
(d) Community mental health programs as defined in RCW 71.24.025(((5))).
(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.
(3) "Employee" means an employee as defined in RCW 49.17.020.
(4) "Violence" or "violent act" means any physical assault or verbal threat of physical assault against an employee of a health care setting."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "services;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 71.24.025, 71.24.035, and 49.19.010."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1217 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Hinkle spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed House Bill No. 1217, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed House Bill No. 1217, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1217, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 10, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1224 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 28B.10.590 and 2006 c 81 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The boards of regents of the state universities ((and)), the boards of trustees of the regional universities and The Evergreen State College, and the boards of trustees of each community and technical college district, in collaboration with affiliated bookstores and student and faculty representatives, shall adopt rules requiring that:
(a) Affiliated bookstores:
(i) Provide students the option of purchasing materials that are unbundled when possible, disclose to faculty and staff the costs to students of purchasing materials, and disclose publicly how new editions vary from previous editions;
(ii) Actively promote and publicize book buy-back programs; and
(iii) Disclose retail costs for course materials on a per course basis to faculty and staff and make this information publicly available; and
(b) Faculty and staff members consider the least costly practices in assigning course materials, such as adopting the least expensive edition available when educational content is comparable as determined by the faculty and working closely with publishers and local bookstores to create bundles and packages if they deliver cost savings to students.
(2) As used in this section:
(a) "Materials" means any supplies or texts required or recommended by faculty or staff for a given course.
(b) "Bundled" means a group of objects joined together by packaging or required to be purchased as an indivisible unit."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "colleges;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 28B.10.590."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1224 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Kelley spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of House Bill No. 1224, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of House Bill No. 1224, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 1, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Voting nay: Representative Jarrett - 1.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1224, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1233 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 48.43.005 and 2006 c 25 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Adjusted community rate" means the rating method used to establish the premium for health plans adjusted to reflect actuarially demonstrated differences in utilization or cost attributable to geographic region, age, family size, and use of wellness activities.
(2) "Basic health plan" means the plan described under chapter 70.47 RCW, as revised from time to time.
(3) "Basic health plan model plan" means a health plan as required in RCW 70.47.060(2)(e).
(4) "Basic health plan services" means that schedule of covered health services, including the description of how those benefits are to be administered, that are required to be delivered to an enrollee under the basic health plan, as revised from time to time.
(5) "Catastrophic health plan" means:
(a) In the case of a contract, agreement, or policy covering a single enrollee, a health benefit plan requiring a calendar year deductible of, at a minimum, one thousand five hundred dollars and an annual out-of-pocket expense required to be paid under the plan (other than for premiums) for covered benefits of at least three thousand dollars; and
(b) In the case of a contract, agreement, or policy covering more than one enrollee, a health benefit plan requiring a calendar year deductible of, at a minimum, three thousand dollars and an annual out-of-pocket expense required to be paid under the plan (other than for premiums) for covered benefits of at least five thousand five hundred dollars; or
(c) Any health benefit plan that provides benefits for hospital inpatient and outpatient services, professional and prescription drugs provided in conjunction with such hospital inpatient and outpatient services, and excludes or substantially limits outpatient physician services and those services usually provided in an office setting.
(6) "Certification" means a determination by a review organization that an admission, extension of stay, or other health care service or procedure has been reviewed and, based on the information provided, meets the clinical requirements for medical necessity, appropriateness, level of care, or effectiveness under the auspices of the applicable health benefit plan.
(7) "Concurrent review" means utilization review conducted during a patient's hospital stay or course of treatment.
(8) "Covered person" or "enrollee" means a person covered by a health plan including an enrollee, subscriber, policyholder, beneficiary of a group plan, or individual covered by any other health plan.
(9) "Dependent" means, at a minimum, the enrollee's legal spouse and unmarried dependent children who qualify for coverage under the enrollee's health benefit plan.
(10) "Eligible employee" means an employee who works on a full-time basis with a normal work week of thirty or more hours. The term includes a self-employed individual, including a sole proprietor, a partner of a partnership, and may include an independent contractor, if the self-employed individual, sole proprietor, partner, or independent contractor is included as an employee under a health benefit plan of a small employer, but does not work less than thirty hours per week and derives at least seventy-five percent of his or her income from a trade or business through which he or she has attempted to earn taxable income and for which he or she has filed the appropriate internal revenue service form. Persons covered under a health benefit plan pursuant to the consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act of 1986 shall not be considered eligible employees for purposes of minimum participation requirements of chapter 265, Laws of 1995.
(11) "Emergency medical condition" means the emergent and acute onset of a symptom or symptoms, including severe pain, that would lead a prudent layperson acting reasonably to believe that a health condition exists that requires immediate medical attention, if failure to provide medical attention would result in serious impairment to bodily functions or serious dysfunction of a bodily organ or part, or would place the person's health in serious jeopardy.
(12) "Emergency services" means otherwise covered health care services medically necessary to evaluate and treat an emergency medical condition, provided in a hospital emergency department.
(13) "Enrollee point-of-service cost-sharing" means amounts paid to health carriers directly providing services, health care providers, or health care facilities by enrollees and may include copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.
(14) "Grievance" means a written complaint submitted by or on behalf of a covered person regarding: (a) Denial of payment for medical services or nonprovision of medical services included in the covered person's health benefit plan, or (b) service delivery issues other than denial of payment for medical services or nonprovision of medical services, including dissatisfaction with medical care, waiting time for medical services, provider or staff attitude or demeanor, or dissatisfaction with service provided by the health carrier.
(15) "Health care facility" or "facility" means hospices licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW, hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, rural health care facilities as defined in RCW 70.175.020, psychiatric hospitals licensed under chapter 71.12 RCW, nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW, community mental health centers licensed under chapter 71.05 or 71.24 RCW, kidney disease treatment centers licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, ambulatory diagnostic, treatment, or surgical facilities licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, drug and alcohol treatment facilities licensed under chapter 70.96A RCW, and home health agencies licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW, and includes such facilities if owned and operated by a political subdivision or instrumentality of the state and such other facilities as required by federal law and implementing regulations.
(16) "Health care provider" or "provider" means:
(a) A person regulated under Title 18 or chapter 70.127 RCW, to practice health or health-related services or otherwise practicing health care services in this state consistent with state law; or
(b) An employee or agent of a person described in (a) of this subsection, acting in the course and scope of his or her employment.
(17) "Health care service" means that service offered or provided by health care facilities and health care providers relating to the prevention, cure, or treatment of illness, injury, or disease.
(18) "Health carrier" or "carrier" means a disability insurer regulated under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, a health care service contractor as defined in RCW 48.44.010, or a health maintenance organization as defined in RCW 48.46.020.
(19) "Health plan" or "health benefit plan" means any policy, contract, or agreement offered by a health carrier to provide, arrange, reimburse, or pay for health care services except the following:
(a) Long-term care insurance governed by chapter 48.84 RCW;
(b) Medicare supplemental health insurance governed by chapter 48.66 RCW;
(c) Coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55, Title 10, United States Code;
(d) Limited health care services offered by limited health care service contractors in accordance with RCW 48.44.035;
(e) Disability income;
(f) Coverage incidental to a property/casualty liability insurance policy such as automobile personal injury protection coverage and homeowner guest medical;
(g) Workers' compensation coverage;
(h) Accident only coverage;
(i) Specified disease ((and)) or illness-triggered fixed payment insurance, hospital confinement ((indemnity when marketed solely as a supplement to a health plan)) fixed payment insurance, or other fixed payment insurance offered as an independent, noncoordinated benefit;
(j) Employer-sponsored self-funded health plans;
(k) Dental only and vision only coverage; and
(l) Plans deemed by the insurance commissioner to have a short-term limited purpose or duration, or to be a student-only plan that is guaranteed renewable while the covered person is enrolled as a regular full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited higher education institution, after a written request for such classification by the carrier and subsequent written approval by the insurance commissioner.
(20) "Material modification" means a change in the actuarial value of the health plan as modified of more than five percent but less than fifteen percent.
(21) "Preexisting condition" means any medical condition, illness, or injury that existed any time prior to the effective date of coverage.
(22) "Premium" means all sums charged, received, or deposited by a health carrier as consideration for a health plan or the continuance of a health plan. Any assessment or any "membership," "policy," "contract," "service," or similar fee or charge made by a health carrier in consideration for a health plan is deemed part of the premium. "Premium" shall not include amounts paid as enrollee point-of-service cost-sharing.
(23) "Review organization" means a disability insurer regulated under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, health care service contractor as defined in RCW 48.44.010, or health maintenance organization as defined in RCW 48.46.020, and entities affiliated with, under contract with, or acting on behalf of a health carrier to perform a utilization review.
(24) "Small employer" or "small group" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, political subdivision, sole proprietor, or self-employed individual that is actively engaged in business that, on at least fifty percent of its working days during the preceding calendar quarter, employed at least two but no more than fifty eligible employees, with a normal work week of thirty or more hours, the majority of whom were employed within this state, and is not formed primarily for purposes of buying health insurance and in which a bona fide employer-employee relationship exists. In determining the number of eligible employees, companies that are affiliated companies, or that are eligible to file a combined tax return for purposes of taxation by this state, shall be considered an employer. Subsequent to the issuance of a health plan to a small employer and for the purpose of determining eligibility, the size of a small employer shall be determined annually. Except as otherwise specifically provided, a small employer shall continue to be considered a small employer until the plan anniversary following the date the small employer no longer meets the requirements of this definition. A self-employed individual or sole proprietor must derive at least seventy-five percent of his or her income from a trade or business through which the individual or sole proprietor has attempted to earn taxable income and for which he or she has filed the appropriate internal revenue service form 1040, schedule C or F, for the previous taxable year except for a self-employed individual or sole proprietor in an agricultural trade or business, who must derive at least fifty-one percent of his or her income from the trade or business through which the individual or sole proprietor has attempted to earn taxable income and for which he or she has filed the appropriate internal revenue service form 1040, for the previous taxable year. A self-employed individual or sole proprietor who is covered as a group of one on the day prior to June 10, 2004, shall also be considered a "small employer" to the extent that individual or group of one is entitled to have his or her coverage renewed as provided in RCW 48.43.035(6).
(25) "Utilization review" means the prospective, concurrent, or retrospective assessment of the necessity and appropriateness of the allocation of health care resources and services of a provider or facility, given or proposed to be given to an enrollee or group of enrollees.
(26) "Wellness activity" means an explicit program of an activity consistent with department of health guidelines, such as, smoking cessation, injury and accident prevention, reduction of alcohol misuse, appropriate weight reduction, exercise, automobile and motorcycle safety, blood cholesterol reduction, and nutrition education for the purpose of improving enrollee health status and reducing health service costs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW to read as follows:
The commissioner shall adopt rules setting forth the content of a standard disclosure form to be provided to all applicants for individual, illness-triggered fixed payment insurance, hospital confinement fixed payment insurance, or other fixed payment insurance. The standard disclosure shall provide information regarding the level, type, and amount of benefits provided and the limitations, exclusions, and exceptions under the policy, as well as additional information to enhance consumer understanding. The disclosure shall specifically disclose that the coverage is not comprehensive in nature and will not cover the cost of most hospital and other medical services. Such disclosure form must be filed for approval with the commissioner prior to use. The standard disclosure forms must be provided at the time of solicitation and completion of the application form. All advertising and marketing materials other than the standard disclosure form must be filed with the commissioner at least thirty days prior to use.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW to read as follows:
Illness-triggered fixed payment insurance, hospital confinement fixed payment insurance, or other fixed payment insurance policies are not considered to provide coverage for hospital or medical expenses under this chapter, if the benefits provided are a fixed dollar amount that is paid regardless of the amount charged. The benefits may not be related to, or be a percentage of, the amount charged by the provider of service and must be offered as an independent and noncoordinated benefit with any other health plan as defined in RCW 48.43.005(19).
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:
The commissioner shall adopt rules setting forth the content of a standard disclosure form to be delivered to all applicants for group illness-triggered fixed payment insurance, hospital confinement fixed payment insurance, or other fixed payment insurance. The standard disclosure shall provide information regarding the level, type, and amount of benefits provided and the limitations, exclusions, and exceptions under the policy, as well as additional information to enhance consumer understanding. The disclosure shall specifically disclose that the coverage is not comprehensive in nature and will not cover the cost of most hospital and other medical services. Such disclosure form must be filed for approval with the commissioner prior to use. The standard disclosure form must be provided to the master policyholders at the time of solicitation and completion of the application and to all enrollees at the time of enrollment. All advertising and marketing materials other than the standard disclosure form must be filed with the commissioner at least thirty days prior to use.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:
Illness-triggered fixed payment insurance, hospital confinement fixed payment insurance, or other fixed payment insurance policies are not considered to provide coverage for hospital or medical expenses or care under this chapter, if the benefits provided are a fixed dollar amount that is paid regardless of the amount charged. The benefits may not be related to, or be a percentage of, the amount charged by the provider of service and must be offered as an independent and noncoordinated benefit with any other health plan as defined in RCW 48.43.005(19).
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows:
The commissioner shall collect information from insurers offering fixed payment insurance products, and report aggregated data for each calendar year, including the number of groups purchasing the products, the number of enrollees, and the number of consumer complaints filed. The reports shall be provided to the legislature annually to reflect the calendar year experience, and the initial report shall reflect calendar year 2008 and be due no later than June 1, 2009, and each June thereafter."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "insurance;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 48.43.005; adding new sections to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 48.21 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1233 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Cody spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1233, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1233, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1233, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 4, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1244 with the following amendment:
On page 2, line 8, after "fuel," strike "health care,"
On page 2, starting on line 9, after "hire," strike all material through "Wages" on line 12
On page 2, line 13, after "section." insert "As consideration of like nature to board, housing, and fuel, wages shall also include the employer's payment or contributions, or appropriate portions thereof, for health care benefits unless the employer continues ongoing and current payment or contributions for these benefits at the same level as provided at the time of injury."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1244 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Conway spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
Representative Newhouse spoke against the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1244, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1244, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 63, Nays - 31, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Appleton, Barlow, Blake, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McDermott, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Quall, Roberts, Rolfes, Santos, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 63.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Bailey, Buri, Chandler, Crouse, Curtis, DeBolt, Dunn, Ericksen, Hailey, Haler, Hinkle, Jarrett, Kretz, Kristiansen, McCune, McDonald, Newhouse, Orcutt, Pearson, Priest, Roach, Rodne, Ross, Schindler, Skinner, Walsh and Warnick - 31.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1244, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1259 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 79A.05.065 and 1999 c 249 s 305 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) The commission shall grant to any person who meets the eligibility requirements specified in this section a senior citizen's pass which shall (((a))) entitle such person, and members of his or her camping unit, to a fifty percent reduction in the campsite rental fee prescribed by the commission, and (((b))) entitle such person to free admission to any state park.
(((2))) (b) The commission shall grant a senior citizen's pass to any person who applies for the same and who meets the following requirements:
(((a))) (i) The person is at least sixty-two years of age; and
(((b))) (ii) The person is a domiciliary of the state of Washington and meets reasonable residency requirements prescribed by the commission; and
(((c))) (iii) The person and his or her spouse have a combined income which would qualify the person for a property tax exemption pursuant to RCW 84.36.381((, as now law or hereafter amended)). The financial eligibility requirements of this ((subparagraph (c))) subsection (1)(b)(iii) shall apply regardless of whether the applicant for a senior citizen's pass owns taxable property or has obtained or applied for such property tax exemption.
(((3))) (c) Each senior citizen's pass granted pursuant to this section is valid so long as the senior citizen meets the requirements of (b)(ii) of this subsection (((2)(b) of this section)). Notwithstanding, any senior citizen meeting the eligibility requirements of this section may make a voluntary donation for the upkeep and maintenance of state parks.
(((4))) (d) A holder of a senior citizen's pass shall surrender the pass upon request of a commission employee when the employee has reason to believe the holder fails to meet the criteria in (b) of this subsection (((2)(a), (b), or (c) of this section)). The holder shall have the pass returned upon providing proof to the satisfaction of the director of the parks and recreation commission that the holder does meet the eligibility criteria for obtaining the senior citizen's pass.
(((5))) (2)(a) Any resident of Washington who is disabled as defined by the social security administration and who receives social security benefits for that disability, or any other benefits for that disability from any other governmental or nongovernmental source, or who is entitled to benefits for permanent disability under RCW 71A.10.020(3) due to unemployability full time at the minimum wage, or who is legally blind or profoundly deaf, or who has been issued a card, decal, or special license plate for a permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 shall be entitled to receive, regardless of age and upon making application therefor, a disability pass at no cost to the holder. The pass shall (((a))) entitle such person, and members of his or her camping unit, to a fifty percent reduction in the campsite rental fee prescribed by the commission, and (((b))) entitle such person to free admission to any state park.
(((6))) (b) A card, decal, or special license plate issued for a permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 may serve as a pass for the holder to entitle that person and members of the person's camping unit to a fifty percent reduction in the campsite rental fee prescribed by the commission, and to allow the holder free admission to state parks.
(((7))) (3) Any resident of Washington who is a veteran and has a service-connected disability of at least thirty percent shall be entitled to receive a lifetime veteran's disability pass at no cost to the holder. The pass shall: (a) Entitle such person, and members of his or her camping unit, to free use of any campsite within any state park; (b) entitle such person to free admission to any state park; and (c) entitle such person to an exemption from any reservation fees.
(((8))) (4) All passes issued pursuant to this section shall be valid at all parks any time during the year((: PROVIDED, That)). However, the pass shall not be valid for admission to concessionaire operated facilities.
(((9))) (5) The commission may deny or revoke any Washington state park pass issued under this section for cause, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Residency outside the state of Washington;
(b) Violation of laws or state park rules resulting in eviction from a state park;
(c) Intimidating, obstructing, or assaulting a park employee or park volunteer who is engaged in the performance of official duties;
(d) Fraudulent use of a pass;
(e) Providing false information or documentation in the application for a state parks pass;
(f) Refusing to display or show the pass to park employees when requested; or
(g) Failing to provide current eligibility information upon request by the agency or when eligibility ceases or changes.
(6) This section shall not affect or otherwise impair the power of the commission to continue or discontinue any other programs it has adopted for senior citizens.
(((10))) (7) The commission may engage in a mutually agreed upon reciprocal or discounted program for all or specific pass programs with other outdoor recreation agencies.
(8) The commission shall adopt such rules as it finds appropriate for the administration of this section. Among other things, such rules shall prescribe a definition of "camping unit" which will authorize a reasonable number of persons traveling with the person having a pass to stay at the campsite rented by such person, a minimum Washington residency requirement for applicants for a senior citizen's pass and an application form to be completed by applicants for a senior citizen's pass.
Sec. 2. RCW 79A.05.165 and 2003 c 53 s 382 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Every person is guilty of a misdemeanor who:
(a) Cuts, breaks, injures, destroys, takes, or removes any tree, shrub, timber, plant, or natural object in any park or parkway except in accordance with such rules as the commission may prescribe; or
(b) Kills, or pursues with intent to kill, any bird or animal in any park or parkway except in accordance with a research pass, permit, or other approval issued by the commission, pursuant to rule, for scientific research purposes; or
(c) Takes any fish from the waters of any park or parkway, except in conformity with such general rules as the commission may prescribe; or
(d) Willfully mutilates, injures, defaces, or destroys any guidepost, notice, tablet, fence, inclosure, or work for the protection or ornamentation of any park or parkway; or
(e) Lights any fire upon any park or parkway, except in such places as the commission has authorized, or willfully or carelessly permits any fire which he or she has lighted or which is under his or her charge, to spread or extend to or burn any of the shrubbery, trees, timber, ornaments, or improvements upon any park or parkway, or leaves any campfire which he or she has lighted or which has been left in his or her charge, unattended by a competent person, without extinguishing it; or
(f) Places within any park or parkway or affixes to any object therein contained, without a written license from the commission, any word, character, or device designed to advertise any business, profession, article, thing, exhibition, matter, or event.
(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a person who violates any rule adopted, promulgated, or issued by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) The commission may specify by rule, when not inconsistent with applicable statutes, that violation of the rule is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "passes;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 79A.05.065 and 79A.05.165."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1259 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative B. Sullivan spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1259, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1259, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1259, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1267 with the following amendment:
On page 2, after line 17, insert the following:
"(c) If the applicant's primary use of a commercial driver's license is for any of the following, then the applicant shall pay a fee of no more than seventy-five dollars for each classified skill examination or combination of classified skill examinations whether conducted by the department or a third-party tester:
(i) Public benefit not for profit corporations that are federally supported head start programs; or
(ii) Public benefit not for profit corporations that support early childhood education and assistance programs as described in RCW 43.215.405(4)."
Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1267 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Wallace and Jarrett spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1267, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1267, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 78, Nays - 16, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Alexander, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Curtis, Darneille, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rolfes, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace, Walsh, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 78.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Anderson, Crouse, DeBolt, Dunn, Ericksen, Grant, Hinkle, Kretz, Kristiansen, Orcutt, Pearson, Rodne, Ross, Van De Wege, and Warnick - 16.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1267, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1276 with the following amendment:
On page 2, line 13, after "least", strike "one", and insert "two"
On page 2, line 14, after "nominees", insert "per position"
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1276 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Linville and Bailey spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1276, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1276, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 1, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Voting nay: Representative Orcutt - 1.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1276, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 10, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1287 with the following amendment:
On page 12, after line 29, insert the following:
"Sec. 6. RCW 74.13.280 and 2001 c 318 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Except as provided in RCW 70.24.105, whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care by the department or a child-placing agency, the department or agency shall share information about the child and the child's family with the care provider and shall consult with the care provider regarding the child's case plan. If the child is dependent pursuant to a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW, the department or agency shall keep the care provider informed regarding the dates and location of dependency review and permanency planning hearings pertaining to the child.
(2) Any person who receives information about a child or a child's family pursuant to this section shall keep the information confidential and shall not further disclose or disseminate the information except as authorized by law. Care providers shall agree in writing to keep the information that they receive confidential and shall affirm that the information will not be further disclosed or disseminated, except as authorized by law.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the department or child-placing agencies to disclose client information or to maintain client confidentiality as provided by law.
Sec. 7. RCW 74.13.285 and 2000 c 88 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Within available resources, the department shall prepare a passport containing all known and available information concerning the mental, physical, health, and educational status of the child for any child who has been in a foster home for ninety consecutive days or more. The passport shall contain education records obtained pursuant to RCW 28A.150.510. The passport shall be provided to a foster parent at any placement of a child covered by this section. The department shall update the passport during the regularly scheduled court reviews required under chapter 13.34 RCW.
New placements after July 1, 1997, shall have first priority in the preparation of passports. Within available resources, the department may prepare passports for any child in a foster home on July 1, 1997, provided that no time spent in a foster home before July 1, 1997, shall be included in the computation of the ninety days.
(2) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the department shall, within available resources, notify a foster parent before placement of a child of any known health conditions that pose a serious threat to the child and any known behavioral history that presents a serious risk of harm to the child or others.
(3) The department shall hold harmless the provider for any unauthorized disclosures caused by the department.
(4) Any foster parent who receives information about a child or a child's family pursuant to this section shall keep the information confidential and shall not further disclose or disseminate the information, except as authorized by law. Such individuals shall agree in writing to keep the information that they receive confidential and shall affirm that the information will not be further disclosed or disseminated, except as authorized by law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2007."
On page 1, line 3 of the title, after "13.34.145," strike "and" and after "13.34.062" insert ", 74.13.280, and 74.13.285"
On page 1, line 3 of the title, after "13.34.062;" strike "and" and after "13.34 RCW" insert "; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency"
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1287 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Kagi and Haler spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1287, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1287, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1287, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 207
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1298 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 18.29.056 and 1997 c 37 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) Subject to section 3 of this act and (c) of this subsection, dental hygienists licensed under this chapter with two years' practical clinical experience with a licensed dentist within the preceding five years may be employed or retained by health care facilities to perform authorized dental hygiene operations and services without dental supervision, limited to removal of deposits and stains from the surfaces of the teeth, application of topical preventive or prophylactic agents, polishing and smoothing restorations, and performance of root planing and soft-tissue curettage, but shall not perform injections of anesthetic agents, administration of nitrous oxide, or diagnosis for dental treatment.
(b) The performance of dental hygiene operations and services in health care facilities shall be limited to patients, students, and residents of the facilities.
(c) A dental hygienist employed or retained to perform services under this section in a senior center must, before providing services:
(i) Enter into a written practice arrangement plan, approved by the department, with a dentist licensed in this state, under which the dentist will provide off-site supervision of the dental services provided. This agreement does not create an obligation for the dentist to accept referrals of patients receiving services under the program;
(ii) Collect data on the patients treated by dental hygienists under the program, including age, treatments rendered, insurance coverage, if any, and patient referral to dentists. This data must be submitted to the department of health at the end of each annual quarter, commencing October 1, 2007; and
(iii) Obtain information from the patient's primary health care provider about any health conditions of the patient that would be relevant to the provision of preventive dental care. The information may be obtained by the dental hygienist's direct contact with the provider or through a written document from the provider that the patient presents to the dental hygienist.
(d) For dental planning and dental treatment, dental hygienists shall refer patients to licensed dentists.
(2) For the purposes of this section((,)):
(a) "Health care facilities" are limited to hospitals; nursing homes; home health agencies; group homes serving the elderly, ((handicapped)) individuals with disabilities, and juveniles; state-operated institutions under the jurisdiction of the department of social and health services or the department of corrections; and federal, state, and local public health facilities, state or federally funded community and migrant health centers, and tribal clinics. Until July 1, 2009, "health care facilities" also include senior centers.
(b) "Senior center" means a multipurpose community facility operated and maintained by a nonprofit organization or local government for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of health, social, nutritional, and educational services and recreational activities for persons sixty years of age or older.
Sec. 2. RCW 18.29.220 and 2001 c 93 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(((1))) For low-income, rural, and other at-risk populations and in coordination with local public health jurisdictions and local oral health coalitions, a dental hygienist licensed in this state ((as of April 19, 2001,)) may assess for and apply sealants and apply fluoride varnishes, and may remove deposits and stains from the surfaces of teeth until July 1, 2009, in community-based sealant programs carried out in schools:
(1) Without attending the department's school sealant endorsement program((.)) if the dental hygienist was licensed as of April 19, 2001; or
(2) ((For low-income, rural, and other at-risk populations and in coordination with local public health jurisdictions and local oral health coalitions,)) If the dental hygienist((s who are)) is school sealant endorsed under RCW 43.70.650 ((may assess for and apply sealants and fluoride varnishes in community-based sealant programs carried out in schools)).
A hygienist providing services under this section must collect data on patients treated, including age, treatment rendered, methods of reimbursement for treatment, evidence of coordination with local public health jurisdictions and local oral health coalitions, and patient referrals to dentists. These data must be submitted to the department of health at the end of each annual quarter, commencing October 1, 2007.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 18.29 RCW to read as follows:
A dental hygienist participating in a program under RCW 18.29.056 that involves providing services at senior centers, as defined in RCW 18.29.056, or under RCW 18.29.220 that involves removing deposits and stains from the surfaces of teeth in a community-based sealant program must:
(1) Provide the patient or, if the patient is a minor, the parent or legal guardian of the patient, if reasonably available, with written information that includes at least the following:
(a) A notice that the treatment being given under the program is not a comprehensive oral health care service, but is provided as a preventive service only; and
(b) A recommendation that the patient should be examined by a licensed dentist for comprehensive oral health care services; and
(2) Assist the patient in obtaining a referral for further dental planning and treatment, including providing a written description of methods and sources by which a patient may obtain a referral, if needed, to a dentist, and a list of licensed dentists in the community. Written information should be provided to the parent on the potential needs of the patient.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The secretary of health, in consultation with representatives of dental hygienists and dentists, shall provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2008, that:
(1) Provides a summary of the information about patients receiving dental services in senior centers that is collected under RCW 18.29.056(1)(c)(ii), and in community-based sealant programs carried out in schools under RCW 18.29.220, and describing the dental health outcomes, including both effects on dental health and adverse incidents, if any, related to the services these patients receive under the programs; and
(2) Makes recommendations, as appropriate, with regard to the services that could be appropriately provided by dental hygienists in senior centers and community-based sealant programs carried out in schools, and the effects on dental health of patients treated."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "hygiene;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 18.29.056 and 18.29.220; adding a new section to chapter 18.29 RCW; and creating a new section."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1298 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Green spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1298, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1298, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 69, Nays - 25, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hunt, Hurst, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Sullivan, B., Upthegrove, Wallace, Walsh, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 69.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Armstrong, Buri, Chandler, Dunn, Ericksen, Hailey, Haler, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunter, Jarrett, Kagi, Kretz, Kristiansen, Newhouse, Orcutt, Pearson, Ross, Simpson, Strow, Sullivan, P., Takko, Van De Wege and Warnick - 25.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1298, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 4, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1304 with the following amendment:
On page 3, after line 23, insert the following:
"(4) Beginning on June 30, 2012, the requirements of subsection (3) of this section apply to any original or renewal application that is submitted to the department for registration of a commercial motor vehicle that is owned by a motor carrier subject to RCW 46.32.080, and that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 7,258 kilograms (16,001 pounds) or more."
On page 9, after line 4, insert the following:
"(b) All motor carriers operating in this state who (i) have not applied under (a) of this subsection for a department of transportation number, as defined in section 3 of this act, and (ii) have a commercial motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 7,258 kilograms (16,001 pounds) or more, must apply for a department of transportation number by January 1, 2011."
Reletter the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1304 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Kagi and Jarrett spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1304, as amended by the Senate.
MOTION
Representative Schual-Berke was excused from the Rostrum.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1304, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 82, Nays - 11, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 82.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Crouse, Curtis, Dunn, Ericksen, Hinkle, Kretz, Kristiansen, Pearson, Roach and Schindler - 11.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke and Sump - 5.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1304, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1319 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 9A.46.110 and 2006 c 95 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A person commits the crime of stalking if, without lawful authority and under circumstances not amounting to a felony attempt of another crime:
(a) He or she intentionally and repeatedly harasses or repeatedly follows another person; and
(b) The person being harassed or followed is placed in fear that the stalker intends to injure the person, another person, or property of the person or of another person. The feeling of fear must be one that a reasonable person in the same situation would experience under all the circumstances; and
(c) The stalker either:
(i) Intends to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person; or
(ii) Knows or reasonably should know that the person is afraid, intimidated, or harassed even if the stalker did not intend to place the person in fear or intimidate or harass the person.
(2)(a) It is not a defense to the crime of stalking under subsection (1)(c)(i) of this section that the stalker was not given actual notice that the person did not want the stalker to contact or follow the person; and
(b) It is not a defense to the crime of stalking under subsection (1)(c)(ii) of this section that the stalker did not intend to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person.
(3) It shall be a defense to the crime of stalking that the defendant is a licensed private investigator acting within the capacity of his or her license as provided by chapter 18.165 RCW.
(4) Attempts to contact or follow the person after being given actual notice that the person does not want to be contacted or followed constitutes prima facie evidence that the stalker intends to intimidate or harass the person. "Contact" includes, in addition to any other form of contact or communication, the sending of an electronic communication to the person.
(5)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a person who stalks another person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(b) A person who stalks another is guilty of a class C felony if any of the following applies: (i) The stalker has previously been convicted in this state or any other state of any crime of harassment, as defined in RCW 9A.46.060, of the same victim or members of the victim's family or household or any person specifically named in a protective order; (ii) the stalking violates any protective order protecting the person being stalked; (iii) the stalker has previously been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or felony stalking offense under this section for stalking another person; (iv) the stalker was armed with a deadly weapon, as defined in RCW 9.94A.602, while stalking the person; (v)(A) the stalker's victim is or was a law enforcement officer((,)); judge((,)); juror((,)); attorney((,)); victim advocate((,)); legislator((,)); community correction's officer((,)); an employee, contract staff person, or volunteer of a correctional agency; or an employee of the child protective, child welfare, or adult protective services division within the department of social and health services((,)); and (B) the stalker stalked the victim to retaliate against the victim for an act the victim performed during the course of official duties or to influence the victim's performance of official duties; or (vi) the stalker's victim is a current, former, or prospective witness in an adjudicative proceeding, and the stalker stalked the victim to retaliate against the victim as a result of the victim's testimony or potential testimony.
(6) As used in this section:
(a) "Correctional agency" means a person working for the department of natural resources in a correctional setting or any state, county, or municipally operated agency with the authority to direct the release of a person serving a sentence or term of confinement and includes but is not limited to the department of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, and the department of social and health services.
(b) "Follows" means deliberately maintaining visual or physical proximity to a specific person over a period of time. A finding that the alleged stalker repeatedly and deliberately appears at the person's home, school, place of employment, business, or any other location to maintain visual or physical proximity to the person is sufficient to find that the alleged stalker follows the person. It is not necessary to establish that the alleged stalker follows the person while in transit from one location to another.
(((b))) (c) "Harasses" means unlawful harassment as defined in RCW 10.14.020.
(((c))) (d) "Protective order" means any temporary or permanent court order prohibiting or limiting violence against, harassment of, contact or communication with, or physical proximity to another person.
(((d))) (e) "Repeatedly" means on two or more separate occasions."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "stalking;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 9A.46.110."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1319 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives O'Brien and Pearson spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1319, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1319, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke and Sump - 5.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1319, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1414 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Ambulatory surgical facility" means any distinct entity that operates for the primary purpose of providing specialty or multispecialty outpatient surgical services in which patients are admitted to and discharged from the facility within twenty-four hours and do not require inpatient hospitalization, whether or not the facility is certified under Title XVIII of the federal social security act.
(2) "Department" means the department of health.
(3) "General anesthesia" means a state of unconsciousness intentionally produced by anesthetic agents, with absence of pain sensation over the entire body, in which the patient is without protective reflexes and is unable to maintain an airway.
(4) "Person" means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, and the legal successor thereof.
(5) "Practitioner" means any physician or surgeon licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW, an osteopathic physician or surgeon licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW, or a podiatric physician or surgeon licensed under chapter 18.22 RCW.
(6) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.
(7) "Surgical services" means invasive medical procedures that:
(a) Utilize a knife, laser, cautery, cryogenics, or chemicals; and
(b) Remove, correct, or facilitate the diagnosis or cure of a disease, process, or injury through that branch of medicine that treats diseases, injuries, and deformities by manual or operative methods by a practitioner.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The secretary shall:
(1) Issue a license to any ambulatory surgical facility that:
(a) Submits payment of the fee established in section 7 of this act;
(b) Submits a completed application that demonstrates the ability to comply with the standards established for operating and maintaining an ambulatory surgical facility in statute and rule. An ambulatory surgical facility shall be deemed to have met the standards if it submits proof of certification as a medicare ambulatory surgical facility or accreditation by an organization that the secretary has determined to have substantially equivalent standards to those of the department; and
(c) Successfully completes the survey requirements established in section 11 of this act;
(2) Develop an application form for applicants for a license to operate an ambulatory surgical facility;
(3) Initiate investigations and enforcement actions for complaints or other information regarding failure to comply with this chapter or the standards and rules adopted under this chapter;
(4) Conduct surveys of facilities, including reviews of medical records and documents required to be maintained under this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter;
(5) By March 1, 2008, determine which accreditation organizations have substantially equivalent standards for purposes of deeming specific licensing requirements required in statute and rule as having met the state's standards; and
(6) Adopt any rules necessary to implement this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Except as provided in section 4 of this act, after June 30, 2009, no person or governmental unit of the state of Washington, acting separately or jointly with any other person or governmental unit, shall establish, maintain, or conduct an ambulatory surgical facility in this state or advertise by using the term "ambulatory surgical facility," "day surgery center," "licensed surgical center," or other words conveying similar meaning without a license issued by the department under this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Nothing in this chapter:
(1) Applies to an ambulatory surgical facility that is maintained and operated by a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW;
(2) Applies to an office maintained for the practice of dentistry;
(3) Applies to outpatient specialty or multispecialty surgical services routinely and customarily performed in the office of a practitioner in an individual or group practice that do not require general anesthesia; or
(4) Limits an ambulatory surgical facility to performing only surgical services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) An applicant for a license to operate an ambulatory surgical facility must demonstrate the ability to comply with the standards established for operating and maintaining an ambulatory surgical facility in statute and rule, including:
(a) Submitting a written application to the department providing all necessary information on a form provided by the department, including a list of surgical specialties offered;
(b) Submitting building plans for review and approval by the department for new construction, alterations other than minor alterations, and additions to existing facilities, prior to obtaining a license and occupying the building;
(c) Demonstrating the ability to comply with this chapter and any rules adopted under this chapter;
(d) Cooperating with the department during on-site surveys prior to obtaining an initial license or renewing an existing license;
(e) Providing such proof as the department may require concerning the ownership and management of the ambulatory surgical facility, including information about the organization and governance of the facility and the identity of the applicant, officers, directors, partners, managing employees, or owners of ten percent or more of the applicant's assets;
(f) Submitting proof of operation of a coordinated quality improvement program in accordance with section 9 of this act;
(g) Submitting a copy of the facility safety and emergency training program established under section 6 of this act;
(h) Paying any fees established under section 7 of this act; and
(i) Providing any other information that the department may reasonably require.
(2) A license is valid for three years, after which an ambulatory surgical facility must submit an application for renewal of license upon forms provided by the department and the renewal fee as established in section 7 of this act. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to comply with the standards established for operating and maintaining an ambulatory surgical facility in statutes, standards, and rules. The applicant must submit the license renewal document no later than thirty days prior to the date of expiration of the license.
(3) The applicant may demonstrate compliance with any of the requirements of subsection (1) of this section by providing satisfactory documentation to the secretary that it has met the standards of an accreditation organization or federal agency that the secretary has determined to have substantially equivalent standards as the statutes and rules of this state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. An ambulatory surgical facility shall have a facility safety and emergency training program. The program shall include:
(1) On-site equipment, medication, and trained personnel to facilitate handling of services sought or provided and to facilitate the management of any medical emergency that may arise in connection with services sought or provided;
(2) Written transfer agreements with local hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, approved by the ambulatory surgical facility's medical staff; and
(3) A procedural plan for handling medical emergencies that shall be available for review during surveys and inspections.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department of health shall convene a group of interested stakeholders to identify relevant regulatory issues related to the implementation of this act, including a reasonable fee schedule for licenses and renewal licenses. The group shall report to the department on their recommendations no later than December 15, 2007.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. (1) The secretary may deny, suspend, or revoke the license of any ambulatory surgical facility in any case in which he or she finds the applicant or registered entity knowingly made a false statement of material fact in the application for the license or any supporting data in any record required by this chapter or matter under investigation by the department.
(2) The secretary shall investigate complaints concerning operation of an ambulatory surgical facility without a license. The secretary may issue a notice of intention to issue a cease and desist order to any person whom the secretary has reason to believe is engaged in the unlicensed operation of an ambulatory surgical facility. If the secretary makes a written finding of fact that the public interest will be irreparably harmed by delay in issuing an order, the secretary may issue a temporary cease and desist order. The person receiving a temporary cease and desist order shall be provided an opportunity for a prompt hearing. The temporary cease and desist order shall remain in effect until further order of the secretary. Any person operating an ambulatory surgical facility under this chapter without a license is guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day of operation of an unlicensed ambulatory surgical facility constitutes a separate offense.
(3) The secretary is authorized to deny, suspend, revoke, or modify a license or provisional license in any case in which it finds that there has been a failure or refusal to comply with the requirements of this chapter or the standards or rules adopted under this chapter. RCW 43.70.115 governs notice of a license denial, revocation, suspension, or modification and provides the right to an adjudicative proceeding.
(4) Pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, the secretary may assess monetary penalties of a civil nature not to exceed one thousand dollars per violation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. (1) Every ambulatory surgical facility shall maintain a coordinated quality improvement program for the improvement of the quality of health care services rendered to patients and the identification and prevention of medical malpractice. The program shall include at least the following:
(a) The establishment of a quality improvement committee with the responsibility to review the services rendered in the ambulatory surgical facility, both retrospectively and prospectively, in order to improve the quality of medical care of patients and to prevent medical malpractice. The committee shall oversee and coordinate the quality improvement and medical malpractice prevention program and shall ensure that information gathered pursuant to the program is used to review and to revise the policies and procedures of the ambulatory surgical facility;
(b) A medical staff privileges sanction procedure through which credentials, physical and mental capacity, and competence in delivering health care services are periodically reviewed as part of an evaluation of staff privileges;
(c) The periodic review of the credentials, physical and mental capacity, and competence in delivering health care services of all persons who are employed or associated with the ambulatory surgical facility;
(d) A procedure for the prompt resolution of grievances by patients or their representatives related to accidents, injuries, treatment, and other events that may result in claims of medical malpractice;
(e) The maintenance and continuous collection of information concerning the ambulatory surgical facility's experience with negative health care outcomes and incidents injurious to patients, patient grievances, professional liability premiums, settlements, awards, costs incurred by the ambulatory surgical facility for patient injury prevention, and safety improvement activities;
(f) The maintenance of relevant and appropriate information gathered pursuant to (a) through (e) of this subsection concerning individual practitioners within the practitioner's personnel or credential file maintained by the ambulatory surgical facility;
(g) Education programs dealing with quality improvement, patient safety, medication errors, injury prevention, staff responsibility to report professional misconduct, the legal aspects of patient care, improved communication with patients, and causes of malpractice claims for staff personnel engaged in patient care activities; and
(h) Policies to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements of this section.
(2) Any person who, in substantial good faith, provides information to further the purposes of the quality improvement and medical malpractice prevention program or who, in substantial good faith, participates on the quality improvement committee is not subject to an action for civil damages or other relief as a result of such activity. Any person or entity participating in a coordinated quality improvement program that, in substantial good faith, shares information or documents with one or more other programs, committees, or boards under subsection (8) of this section is not subject to an action for civil damages or other relief as a result of the activity. For the purposes of this section, sharing information is presumed to be in substantial good faith. However, the presumption may be rebutted upon a showing of clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the information shared was knowingly false or deliberately misleading.
(3) Information and documents, including complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee are not subject to review or disclosure, except as provided in this section, or discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action, and no person who was in attendance at a meeting of such committee or who participated in the creation, collection, or maintenance of information or documents specifically for the committee shall be permitted or required to testify in any civil action as to the content of such proceedings or the documents and information prepared specifically for the committee. This subsection does not preclude: (a) In any civil action, the discovery of the identity of persons involved in the medical care that is the basis of the civil action whose involvement was independent of any quality improvement activity; (b) in any civil action, the testimony of any person concerning the facts which form the basis for the institution of such proceedings of which the person had personal knowledge acquired independently of such proceedings; (c) in any civil action by a health care provider regarding the restriction or revocation of that individual's clinical or staff privileges, introduction into evidence of information collected and maintained by quality improvement committees regarding such health care provider; (d) in any civil action, disclosure of the fact that staff privileges were terminated or restricted, including the specific restrictions imposed, if any, and the reasons for the restrictions; or (e) in any civil action, discovery and introduction into evidence of the patient's medical records required by rule of the department to be made regarding the care and treatment received.
(4) Each quality improvement committee shall, on at least a semiannual basis, report to the management of the ambulatory surgical facility, as identified in the facility's application, in which the committee is located. The report shall review the quality improvement activities conducted by the committee, and any actions taken as a result of those activities.
(5) The department shall adopt such rules as are deemed appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this section.
(6) The medical quality assurance commission, the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, or the podiatric medical board, as appropriate, may review and audit the records of committee decisions in which a practitioner's privileges are terminated or restricted. Each ambulatory surgical facility shall produce and make accessible to the commission or board the appropriate records and otherwise facilitate the review and audit. Information so gained is not subject to the discovery process and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsection (3) of this section. Failure of an ambulatory surgical facility to comply with this subsection is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
(7) The department and any accrediting organization may review and audit the records of a quality improvement committee or peer review committee in connection with their inspection and review of the ambulatory surgical facility. Information so obtained is not subject to the discovery process, and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsection (3) of this section. Each ambulatory surgical facility shall produce and make accessible to the department the appropriate records and otherwise facilitate the review and audit.
(8) A coordinated quality improvement program may share information and documents, including complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250 with one or more other coordinated quality improvement programs maintained in accordance with this section or RCW 43.70.510 or 70.41.200, a quality assurance committee maintained in accordance with RCW 18.20.390 or 74.42.640, or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250, for the improvement of the quality of health care services rendered to patients and the identification and prevention of medical malpractice. The privacy protections of chapter 70.02 RCW and the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 and its implementing regulations apply to the sharing of individually identifiable patient information held by a coordinated quality improvement program. Any rules necessary to implement this section shall meet the requirements of applicable federal and state privacy laws. Information and documents disclosed by one coordinated quality improvement program to another coordinated quality improvement program or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250 and any information and documents created or maintained as a result of the sharing of information and documents are not subject to the discovery process and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsection (3) of this section, RCW 18.20.390 (6) and (8), 70.41.200(3), 74.42.640 (7) and (9), and 4.24.250.
(9) An ambulatory surgical facility that participates in a coordinated quality improvement program under RCW 43.70.510 shall be deemed to have met the requirements of this section.
(10) Violation of this section shall not be considered negligence per se.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The department shall establish and adopt such minimum standards and rules pertaining to the construction, maintenance, and operation of ambulatory surgical facilities and rescind, amend, or modify such rules, as are necessary in the public interest, and particularly for the establishment and maintenance of standards of patient care required for the safe and adequate care and treatment of patients. In establishing the format and content of these standards and rules, the department shall give consideration to maintaining consistency with such minimum standards and rules applicable to ambulatory surgical facilities in the survey standards of accrediting organizations or federal agencies that the secretary has determined to have substantially equivalent standards as the statutes and rules of this state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. (1) The department shall make or cause to be made a survey of all ambulatory surgical facilities every eighteen months. Every survey of an ambulatory surgical facility may include an inspection of every part of the surgical facility. The department may make an examination of all phases of the ambulatory surgical facility operation necessary to determine compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. In the event that the department is unable to make a survey or cause a survey to be made during the three years of the term of the license, the license of the ambulatory surgical facility shall remain in effect until the state conducts a survey or a substitute survey is performed if the ambulatory surgical facility is in compliance with all other licensing requirements.
(2) An ambulatory surgical facility shall be deemed to have met the survey standards of this section if it submits proof of certification as a medicare ambulatory surgical facility or accreditation by an organization that the secretary has determined to have substantially equivalent survey standards to those of the department. A survey performed pursuant to medicare certification or by an approved accrediting organization may substitute for a survey by the department if:
(a) The ambulatory surgical facility has satisfactorily completed a survey by the department in the previous eighteen months; and
(b) Within thirty days of learning the result of a survey, the ambulatory surgical facility provides the department with documentary evidence that the ambulatory surgical facility has been certified or accredited as a result of a survey and the date of the survey.
(3) Ambulatory surgical facilities shall make the written reports of surveys conducted pursuant to medicare certification procedures or by an approved accrediting organization available to department surveyors during any department surveys, upon request.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. The department shall require ambulatory surgical facilities to submit data related to the quality of patient care for review by the department. The data shall be submitted every eighteen months. The department shall consider the reporting standards of other public and private organizations that measure quality in order to maintain consistency in reporting and minimize the burden on the ambulatory surgical facility. The department shall review the data to determine the maintenance of quality patient care at the facility. If the department determines that the care offered at the facility may present a risk to the health and safety of patients, the department may conduct an inspection of the facility and initiate appropriate actions to protect the public. Information submitted to the department pursuant to this section shall be exempt from disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. (1) The chief administrator or executive officer of an ambulatory surgical facility shall report to the department when the practice of a health care provider licensed by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040 is restricted, suspended, limited, or terminated based upon a conviction, determination, or finding by the ambulatory surgical facility that the provider has committed an action defined as unprofessional conduct under RCW 18.130.180. The chief administrator or executive officer shall also report any voluntary restriction or termination of the practice of a health care provider licensed by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040 while the provider is under investigation or the subject of a proceeding by the ambulatory surgical facility regarding unprofessional conduct, or in return for the ambulatory surgical facility not conducting such an investigation or proceeding or not taking action. The department shall forward the report to the appropriate disciplining authority.
(2) Reports made under subsection (1) of this section must be made within fifteen days of the date of: (a) A conviction, determination, or finding by the ambulatory surgical facility that the health care provider has committed an action defined as unprofessional conduct under RCW 18.130.180; or (b) acceptance by the ambulatory surgical facility of the voluntary restriction or termination of the practice of a health care provider, including his or her voluntary resignation, while under investigation or the subject of proceedings regarding unprofessional conduct under RCW 18.130.180.
(3) Failure of an ambulatory surgical facility to comply with this section is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
(4) An ambulatory surgical facility, its chief administrator, or its executive officer who files a report under this section is immune from suit, whether direct or derivative, in any civil action related to the filing or contents of the report, unless the conviction, determination, or finding on which the report and its content are based is proven to not have been made in good faith. The prevailing party in any action brought alleging that the conviction, determination, finding, or report was not made in good faith is entitled to recover the costs of litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
(5) The department shall forward reports made under subsection (1) of this section to the appropriate disciplining authority designated under Title 18 RCW within fifteen days of the date the report is received by the department. The department shall notify an ambulatory surgical facility that has made a report under subsection (1) of this section of the results of the disciplining authority's case disposition decision within fifteen days after the case disposition. Case disposition is the decision whether to issue a statement of charges, take informal action, or close the complaint without action against a provider. In its biennial report to the legislature under RCW 18.130.310, the department shall specifically identify the case dispositions of reports made by ambulatory surgical facilities under subsection (1) of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. Each ambulatory surgical facility shall keep written records of decisions to restrict or terminate privileges of practitioners. Copies of such records shall be made available to the medical quality assurance commission, the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, or the podiatric medical board, within thirty days of a request, and all information so gained remains confidential in accordance with sections 9 and 13 of this act and is protected from the discovery process. Failure of an ambulatory surgical facility to comply with this section is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. (1) Prior to granting or renewing clinical privileges or association of any practitioner or hiring a practitioner, an ambulatory surgical facility approved pursuant to this chapter shall request from the practitioner and the practitioner shall provide the following information:
(a) The name of any hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, or other facility with or at which the practitioner had or has any association, employment, privileges, or practice;
(b) If such association, employment, privilege, or practice was discontinued, the reasons for its discontinuation;
(c) Any pending professional medical misconduct proceedings or any pending medical malpractice actions in this state or another state, the substance of the allegations in the proceedings or actions, and any additional information concerning the proceedings or actions as the practitioner deems appropriate;
(d) The substance of the findings in the actions or proceedings and any additional information concerning the actions or proceedings as the practitioner deems appropriate;
(e) A waiver by the practitioner of any confidentiality provisions concerning the information required to be provided to ambulatory surgical facilities pursuant to this subsection; and
(f) A verification by the practitioner that the information provided by the practitioner is accurate and complete.
(2) Prior to granting privileges or association to any practitioner or hiring a practitioner, an ambulatory surgical facility approved under this chapter shall request from any hospital or ambulatory surgical facility with or at which the practitioner had or has privileges, was associated, or was employed, the following information concerning the practitioner:
(a) Any pending professional medical misconduct proceedings or any pending medical malpractice actions, in this state or another state;
(b) Any judgment or settlement of a medical malpractice action and any finding of professional misconduct in this state or another state by a licensing or disciplinary board; and
(c) Any information required to be reported by hospitals or ambulatory surgical facilities pursuant to RCW 18.130.070.
(3) The medical quality assurance commission, board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, podiatric medical board, or dental quality assurance commission, as appropriate, shall be advised within thirty days of the name of any practitioner denied staff privileges, association, or employment on the basis of adverse findings under subsection (1) of this section.
(4) A hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, or other facility that receives a request for information from another hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, or other facility pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall provide such information concerning the physician in question to the extent such information is known to the hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, or other facility receiving such a request, including the reasons for suspension, termination, or curtailment of employment or privileges at the hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, or facility. A hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, other facility, or other person providing such information in good faith is not liable in any civil action for the release of such information.
(5) Information and documents, including complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action, and no person who was in attendance at a meeting of such committee or who participated in the creation, collection, or maintenance of information or documents specifically for the committee shall be permitted or required to testify in any civil action as to the content of such proceedings or the documents and information prepared specifically for the committee. This subsection does not preclude: (a) In any civil action, the discovery of the identity of persons involved in the medical care that is the basis of the civil action whose involvement was independent of any quality improvement activity; (b) in any civil action, the testimony of any person concerning the facts which form the basis for the institution of such proceedings of which the person had personal knowledge acquired independently of such proceedings; (c) in any civil action by a health care provider regarding the restriction or revocation of that individual's clinical or staff privileges, introduction into evidence information collected and maintained by quality improvement committees regarding such health care provider; (d) in any civil action, disclosure of the fact that staff privileges were terminated or restricted, including the specific restrictions imposed, if any, and the reasons for the restrictions; or (e) in any civil action, discovery and introduction into evidence of the patient's medical records required by rule of the department to be made regarding the care and treatment received.
(6) Ambulatory surgical facilities shall be granted access to information held by the medical quality assurance commission, board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medical board pertinent to decisions of the ambulatory surgical facility regarding credentialing and recredentialing of practitioners.
(7) Violation of this section shall not be considered negligence per se.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. Ambulatory surgical facilities shall have in place policies to assure that, when appropriate, information about unanticipated outcomes is provided to patients or their families or any surrogate decision makers identified pursuant to RCW 7.70.065. Notifications of unanticipated outcomes under this section do not constitute an acknowledgement or admission of liability, nor may the fact of notification, the content disclosed, or any and all statements, affirmations, gestures, or conduct expressing apology be introduced as evidence in a civil action.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. Every ambulatory surgical facility shall post in conspicuous locations a notice of the department's ambulatory surgical facility complaint toll-free telephone number. The form of the notice shall be approved by the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. Information received by the department through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized under this chapter may be disclosed publicly, as permitted under chapter 42.56 RCW, subject to the following provisions:
(1) Licensing inspections, or complaint investigations regardless of findings, shall, as requested, be disclosed no sooner than three business days after the ambulatory surgical facility has received the resulting assessment report;
(2) Information regarding administrative action against the license shall, as requested, be disclosed after the ambulatory surgical facility has received the documents initiating the administrative action;
(3) Information about complaints that did not warrant an investigation shall not be disclosed except to notify the ambulatory surgical facility and the complainant that the complaint did not warrant an investigation; and
(4) Information disclosed under this section shall not disclose individual names.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. The ambulatory surgical facility account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from fees and penalties imposed under this chapter must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for administration of this chapter. Only the secretary or the secretary's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
Sec. 20. RCW 70.56.010 and 2006 c 8 s 105 are each amended to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Adverse health event" or "adverse event" means the list of serious reportable events adopted by the national quality forum in 2002, in its consensus report on serious reportable events in health care. The department shall update the list, through adoption of rules, as subsequent changes are made by the national quality forum. The term does not include an incident.
(2) "Ambulatory surgical facility" means ((any distinct entity that operates exclusively for the purpose of providing surgical services to patients not requiring hospitalization, whether or not the facility is certified under Title XVIII of the federal social security act)) a facility licensed under chapter 70.-- RCW (sections 1 through 19 of this act).
(3) "Childbirth center" means a facility licensed under chapter 18.46 RCW.
(4) "Correctional medical facility" means a part or unit of a correctional facility operated by the department of corrections under chapter 72.10 RCW that provides medical services for lengths of stay in excess of twenty-four hours to offenders.
(5) "Department" means the department of health.
(6) "Health care worker" means an employee, independent contractor, licensee, or other individual who is directly involved in the delivery of health services in a medical facility.
(7) "Hospital" means a facility licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW.
(8) "Incident" means an event, occurrence, or situation involving the clinical care of a patient in a medical facility that:
(a) Results in unanticipated injury to a patient that is not related to the natural course of the patient's illness or underlying condition and does not constitute an adverse event; or
(b) Could have injured the patient but did not either cause an unanticipated injury or require the delivery of additional health care services to the patient.
"Incident" does not include an adverse event.
(9) "Independent entity" means that entity that the department of health contracts with under RCW 70.56.040 to receive notifications and reports of adverse events and incidents, and carry out the activities specified in RCW 70.56.040.
(10) "Medical facility" means a childbirth center, hospital, psychiatric hospital, or correctional medical facility. An ambulatory surgical facility shall be considered a medical facility for purposes of this chapter upon the effective date of any requirement for state registration or licensure of ambulatory surgical facilities.
(11) "Psychiatric hospital" means a hospital facility licensed as a psychiatric hospital under chapter 71.12 RCW.
Sec. 21. RCW 43.70.510 and 2006 c 8 s 113, 2005 c 291 s 2, 2005 c 274 s 302, and 2005 c 33 s 6 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) Health care institutions and medical facilities, other than hospitals, that are licensed by the department, professional societies or organizations, health care service contractors, health maintenance organizations, health carriers approved pursuant to chapter 48.43 RCW, and any other person or entity providing health care coverage under chapter 48.42 RCW that is subject to the jurisdiction and regulation of any state agency or any subdivision thereof may maintain a coordinated quality improvement program for the improvement of the quality of health care services rendered to patients and the identification and prevention of medical malpractice as set forth in RCW 70.41.200.
(b) All such programs shall comply with the requirements of RCW 70.41.200(1) (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) as modified to reflect the structural organization of the institution, facility, professional societies or organizations, health care service contractors, health maintenance organizations, health carriers, or any other person or entity providing health care coverage under chapter 48.42 RCW that is subject to the jurisdiction and regulation of any state agency or any subdivision thereof, unless an alternative quality improvement program substantially equivalent to RCW 70.41.200(1)(a) is developed. All such programs, whether complying with the requirement set forth in RCW 70.41.200(1)(a) or in the form of an alternative program, must be approved by the department before the discovery limitations provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section and the exemption under RCW 42.56.360(1)(c) and subsection (5) of this section shall apply. In reviewing plans submitted by licensed entities that are associated with physicians' offices, the department shall ensure that the exemption under RCW 42.56.360(1)(c) and the discovery limitations of this section are applied only to information and documents related specifically to quality improvement activities undertaken by the licensed entity.
(2) Health care provider groups of five or more providers may maintain a coordinated quality improvement program for the improvement of the quality of health care services rendered to patients and the identification and prevention of medical malpractice as set forth in RCW 70.41.200. For purposes of this section, a health care provider group may be a consortium of providers consisting of five or more providers in total. All such programs shall comply with the requirements of RCW 70.41.200(1) (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) as modified to reflect the structural organization of the health care provider group. All such programs must be approved by the department before the discovery limitations provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section and the exemption under RCW 42.56.360(1)(c) and subsection (5) of this section shall apply.
(3) Any person who, in substantial good faith, provides information to further the purposes of the quality improvement and medical malpractice prevention program or who, in substantial good faith, participates on the quality improvement committee shall not be subject to an action for civil damages or other relief as a result of such activity. Any person or entity participating in a coordinated quality improvement program that, in substantial good faith, shares information or documents with one or more other programs, committees, or boards under subsection (6) of this section is not subject to an action for civil damages or other relief as a result of the activity or its consequences. For the purposes of this section, sharing information is presumed to be in substantial good faith. However, the presumption may be rebutted upon a showing of clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the information shared was knowingly false or deliberately misleading.
(4) Information and documents, including complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee are not subject to review or disclosure, except as provided in this section, or discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action, and no person who was in attendance at a meeting of such committee or who participated in the creation, collection, or maintenance of information or documents specifically for the committee shall be permitted or required to testify in any civil action as to the content of such proceedings or the documents and information prepared specifically for the committee. This subsection does not preclude: (a) In any civil action, the discovery of the identity of persons involved in the medical care that is the basis of the civil action whose involvement was independent of any quality improvement activity; (b) in any civil action, the testimony of any person concerning the facts that form the basis for the institution of such proceedings of which the person had personal knowledge acquired independently of such proceedings; (c) in any civil action by a health care provider regarding the restriction or revocation of that individual's clinical or staff privileges, introduction into evidence information collected and maintained by quality improvement committees regarding such health care provider; (d) in any civil action challenging the termination of a contract by a state agency with any entity maintaining a coordinated quality improvement program under this section if the termination was on the basis of quality of care concerns, introduction into evidence of information created, collected, or maintained by the quality improvement committees of the subject entity, which may be under terms of a protective order as specified by the court; (e) in any civil action, disclosure of the fact that staff privileges were terminated or restricted, including the specific restrictions imposed, if any and the reasons for the restrictions; or (f) in any civil action, discovery and introduction into evidence of the patient's medical records required by rule of the department of health to be made regarding the care and treatment received.
(5) Information and documents created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee are exempt from disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.
(6) A coordinated quality improvement program may share information and documents, including complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250 with one or more other coordinated quality improvement programs maintained in accordance with this section or with RCW 70.41.200, a coordinated quality improvement committee maintained by an ambulatory surgical facility under section 8 of this act, a quality assurance committee maintained in accordance with RCW 18.20.390 or 74.42.640, or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250, for the improvement of the quality of health care services rendered to patients and the identification and prevention of medical malpractice. The privacy protections of chapter 70.02 RCW and the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 and its implementing regulations apply to the sharing of individually identifiable patient information held by a coordinated quality improvement program. Any rules necessary to implement this section shall meet the requirements of applicable federal and state privacy laws. Information and documents disclosed by one coordinated quality improvement program to another coordinated quality improvement program or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250 and any information and documents created or maintained as a result of the sharing of information and documents shall not be subject to the discovery process and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsection (4) of this section and RCW 4.24.250.
(7) The department of health shall adopt rules as are necessary to implement this section.
Sec. 22. RCW 70.41.200 and 2005 c 291 s 3 and 2005 c 33 s 7 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) Every hospital shall maintain a coordinated quality improvement program for the improvement of the quality of health care services rendered to patients and the identification and prevention of medical malpractice. The program shall include at least the following:
(a) The establishment of a quality improvement committee with the responsibility to review the services rendered in the hospital, both retrospectively and prospectively, in order to improve the quality of medical care of patients and to prevent medical malpractice. The committee shall oversee and coordinate the quality improvement and medical malpractice prevention program and shall ensure that information gathered pursuant to the program is used to review and to revise hospital policies and procedures;
(b) A medical staff privileges sanction procedure through which credentials, physical and mental capacity, and competence in delivering health care services are periodically reviewed as part of an evaluation of staff privileges;
(c) The periodic review of the credentials, physical and mental capacity, and competence in delivering health care services of all persons who are employed or associated with the hospital;
(d) A procedure for the prompt resolution of grievances by patients or their representatives related to accidents, injuries, treatment, and other events that may result in claims of medical malpractice;
(e) The maintenance and continuous collection of information concerning the hospital's experience with negative health care outcomes and incidents injurious to patients, patient grievances, professional liability premiums, settlements, awards, costs incurred by the hospital for patient injury prevention, and safety improvement activities;
(f) The maintenance of relevant and appropriate information gathered pursuant to (a) through (e) of this subsection concerning individual physicians within the physician's personnel or credential file maintained by the hospital;
(g) Education programs dealing with quality improvement, patient safety, medication errors, injury prevention, staff responsibility to report professional misconduct, the legal aspects of patient care, improved communication with patients, and causes of malpractice claims for staff personnel engaged in patient care activities; and
(h) Policies to ensure compliance with the reporting requirements of this section.
(2) Any person who, in substantial good faith, provides information to further the purposes of the quality improvement and medical malpractice prevention program or who, in substantial good faith, participates on the quality improvement committee shall not be subject to an action for civil damages or other relief as a result of such activity. Any person or entity participating in a coordinated quality improvement program that, in substantial good faith, shares information or documents with one or more other programs, committees, or boards under subsection (8) of this section is not subject to an action for civil damages or other relief as a result of the activity. For the purposes of this section, sharing information is presumed to be in substantial good faith. However, the presumption may be rebutted upon a showing of clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the information shared was knowingly false or deliberately misleading.
(3) Information and documents, including complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee are not subject to review or disclosure, except as provided in this section, or discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action, and no person who was in attendance at a meeting of such committee or who participated in the creation, collection, or maintenance of information or documents specifically for the committee shall be permitted or required to testify in any civil action as to the content of such proceedings or the documents and information prepared specifically for the committee. This subsection does not preclude: (a) In any civil action, the discovery of the identity of persons involved in the medical care that is the basis of the civil action whose involvement was independent of any quality improvement activity; (b) in any civil action, the testimony of any person concerning the facts which form the basis for the institution of such proceedings of which the person had personal knowledge acquired independently of such proceedings; (c) in any civil action by a health care provider regarding the restriction or revocation of that individual's clinical or staff privileges, introduction into evidence information collected and maintained by quality improvement committees regarding such health care provider; (d) in any civil action, disclosure of the fact that staff privileges were terminated or restricted, including the specific restrictions imposed, if any and the reasons for the restrictions; or (e) in any civil action, discovery and introduction into evidence of the patient's medical records required by regulation of the department of health to be made regarding the care and treatment received.
(4) Each quality improvement committee shall, on at least a semiannual basis, report to the governing board of the hospital in which the committee is located. The report shall review the quality improvement activities conducted by the committee, and any actions taken as a result of those activities.
(5) The department of health shall adopt such rules as are deemed appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this section.
(6) The medical quality assurance commission or the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery, as appropriate, may review and audit the records of committee decisions in which a physician's privileges are terminated or restricted. Each hospital shall produce and make accessible to the commission or board the appropriate records and otherwise facilitate the review and audit. Information so gained shall not be subject to the discovery process and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsection (3) of this section. Failure of a hospital to comply with this subsection is punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
(7) The department, the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations, and any other accrediting organization may review and audit the records of a quality improvement committee or peer review committee in connection with their inspection and review of hospitals. Information so obtained shall not be subject to the discovery process, and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsection (3) of this section. Each hospital shall produce and make accessible to the department the appropriate records and otherwise facilitate the review and audit.
(8) A coordinated quality improvement program may share information and documents, including complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality improvement committee or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250 with one or more other coordinated quality improvement programs maintained in accordance with this section or RCW 43.70.510, a coordinated quality improvement committee maintained by an ambulatory surgical facility under section 8 of this act, a quality assurance committee maintained in accordance with RCW 18.20.390 or 74.42.640, or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250, for the improvement of the quality of health care services rendered to patients and the identification and prevention of medical malpractice. The privacy protections of chapter 70.02 RCW and the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 and its implementing regulations apply to the sharing of individually identifiable patient information held by a coordinated quality improvement program. Any rules necessary to implement this section shall meet the requirements of applicable federal and state privacy laws. Information and documents disclosed by one coordinated quality improvement program to another coordinated quality improvement program or a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250 and any information and documents created or maintained as a result of the sharing of information and documents shall not be subject to the discovery process and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsection (3) of this section, RCW 18.20.390 (6) and (8), 74.42.640 (7) and (9), and 4.24.250.
(9) A hospital that operates a nursing home as defined in RCW 18.51.010 may conduct quality improvement activities for both the hospital and the nursing home through a quality improvement committee under this section, and such activities shall be subject to the provisions of subsections (2) through (8) of this section.
(10) Violation of this section shall not be considered negligence per se.
Sec. 23. RCW 18.130.070 and 2006 c 99 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) The secretary shall adopt rules requiring every license holder to report to the appropriate disciplining authority any conviction, determination, or finding that another license holder has committed an act which constitutes unprofessional conduct, or to report information to the disciplining authority, an impaired practitioner program, or voluntary substance abuse monitoring program approved by the disciplining authority, which indicates that the other license holder may not be able to practice his or her profession with reasonable skill and safety to consumers as a result of a mental or physical condition.
(b) The secretary may adopt rules to require other persons, including corporations, organizations, health care facilities, impaired practitioner programs, or voluntary substance abuse monitoring programs approved by a disciplining authority, and state or local government agencies to report:
(i) Any conviction, determination, or finding that a license holder has committed an act which constitutes unprofessional conduct; or
(ii) Information to the disciplining authority, an impaired practitioner program, or voluntary substance abuse monitoring program approved by the disciplining authority, which indicates that the license holder may not be able to practice his or her profession with reasonable skill and safety to consumers as a result of a mental or physical condition.
(c) If a report has been made by a hospital to the department pursuant to RCW 70.41.210 or by an ambulatory surgical facility pursuant to section 12 of this act, a report to the disciplining authority is not required. To facilitate meeting the intent of this section, the cooperation of agencies of the federal government is requested by reporting any conviction, determination, or finding that a federal employee or contractor regulated by the disciplining authorities enumerated in this chapter has committed an act which constituted unprofessional conduct and reporting any information which indicates that a federal employee or contractor regulated by the disciplining authorities enumerated in this chapter may not be able to practice his or her profession with reasonable skill and safety as a result of a mental or physical condition.
(d) Reporting under this section is not required by:
(i) Any entity with a peer review committee, quality improvement committee or other similarly designated professional review committee, or by a license holder who is a member of such committee, during the investigative phase of the respective committee's operations if the investigation is completed in a timely manner; or
(ii) An impaired practitioner program or voluntary substance abuse monitoring program approved by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.175 if the license holder is currently enrolled in the treatment program, so long as the license holder actively participates in the treatment program and the license holder's impairment does not constitute a clear and present danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(2) If a person fails to furnish a required report, the disciplining authority may petition the superior court of the county in which the person resides or is found, and the court shall issue to the person an order to furnish the required report. A failure to obey the order is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.21 RCW.
(3) A person is immune from civil liability, whether direct or derivative, for providing information to the disciplining authority pursuant to the rules adopted under subsection (1) of this section.
(4)(a) The holder of a license subject to the jurisdiction of this chapter shall report to the disciplining authority:
(i) Any conviction, determination, or finding that he or she has committed unprofessional conduct or is unable to practice with reasonable skill or safety; and
(ii) Any disqualification from participation in the federal medicare program, under Title XVIII of the federal social security act or the federal medicaid program, under Title XIX of the federal social security act.
(b) Failure to report within thirty days of notice of the conviction, determination, finding, or disqualification constitutes grounds for disciplinary action.
Sec. 24. RCW 18.71.0195 and 2005 c 274 s 227 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The contents of any report filed under RCW 18.130.070 shall be confidential and exempt from public disclosure pursuant to chapter 42.56 RCW, except that it may be reviewed (a) by the licensee involved or his or her counsel or authorized representative who may submit any additional exculpatory or explanatory statements or other information, which statements or other information shall be included in the file, or (b) by a representative of the commission, or investigator thereof, who has been assigned to review the activities of a licensed physician.
Upon a determination that a report is without merit, the commission's records may be purged of information relating to the report.
(2) Every individual, medical association, medical society, hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, medical service bureau, health insurance carrier or agent, professional liability insurance carrier, professional standards review organization, agency of the federal, state, or local government, or the entity established by RCW 18.71.300 and its officers, agents, and employees are immune from civil liability, whether direct or derivative, for providing information to the commission under RCW 18.130.070, or for which an individual health care provider has immunity under the provisions of RCW 4.24.240, 4.24.250, or 4.24.260.
Sec. 25. RCW 42.56.360 and 2006 c 209 s 9 and 2006 c 8 s 112 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) The following health care information is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
(a) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy as provided in RCW 69.45.090;
(b) Information obtained by the board of pharmacy or the department of health and its representatives as provided in RCW 69.41.044, 69.41.280, and 18.64.420;
(c) Information and documents created specifically for, and collected and maintained by a quality improvement committee under RCW 43.70.510, section 9 of this act, or 70.41.200, or by a peer review committee under RCW 4.24.250, or by a quality assurance committee pursuant to RCW 74.42.640 or 18.20.390, and notifications or reports of adverse events or incidents made under RCW 70.56.020 or 70.56.040, regardless of which agency is in possession of the information and documents;
(d)(i) Proprietary financial and commercial information that the submitting entity, with review by the department of health, specifically identifies at the time it is submitted and that is provided to or obtained by the department of health in connection with an application for, or the supervision of, an antitrust exemption sought by the submitting entity under RCW 43.72.310;
(ii) If a request for such information is received, the submitting entity must be notified of the request. Within ten business days of receipt of the notice, the submitting entity shall provide a written statement of the continuing need for confidentiality, which shall be provided to the requester. Upon receipt of such notice, the department of health shall continue to treat information designated under this subsection (1)(d) as exempt from disclosure;
(iii) If the requester initiates an action to compel disclosure under this chapter, the submitting entity must be joined as a party to demonstrate the continuing need for confidentiality;
(e) Records of the entity obtained in an action under RCW 18.71.300 through 18.71.340;
(f) Except for published statistical compilations and reports relating to the infant mortality review studies that do not identify individual cases and sources of information, any records or documents obtained, prepared, or maintained by the local health department for the purposes of an infant mortality review conducted by the department of health under RCW 70.05.170; and
(g) Complaints filed under chapter 18.130 RCW after July 27, 1997, to the extent provided in RCW 18.130.095(1).
(2) Chapter 70.02 RCW applies to public inspection and copying of health care information of patients.
Sec. 26. RCW 18.71.017 and 2000 c 171 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The commission may adopt such rules as are not inconsistent with the laws of this state as may be determined necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The commission is the successor in interest of the board of medical examiners and the medical disciplinary board. All contracts, undertakings, agreements, rules, regulations, and policies continue in full force and effect on July 1, 1994, unless otherwise repealed or rejected by this chapter or by the commission.
(2) The commission may adopt rules governing the administration of sedation and anesthesia in the offices of persons licensed under this chapter, including necessary training and equipment.
Sec. 27. RCW 18.57.005 and 1986 c 259 s 94 are each amended to read as follows:
The board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To administer examinations to applicants for licensure under this chapter;
(2) To make such rules and regulations as are not inconsistent with the laws of this state as may be deemed necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
(3) To establish and administer requirements for continuing professional education as may be necessary or proper to insure the public health and safety as a prerequisite to granting and renewing licenses under this chapter: PROVIDED, That such rules shall not require a licensee under this chapter to engage in continuing education related to or provided by any specific branch, school, or philosophy of medical practice or its political and/or professional organizations, associations, or societies;
(4) To adopt rules governing the administration of sedation and anesthesia in the offices of persons licensed under this chapter, including necessary training and equipment;
(5) To keep an official record of all its proceedings, which record shall be evidence of all proceedings of the board which are set forth therein.
Sec. 28. RCW 18.22.015 and 1990 c 147 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
The board shall:
(1) Administer all laws placed under its jurisdiction;
(2) Prepare, grade, and administer or determine the nature, grading, and administration of examinations for applicants for podiatric physician and surgeon licenses;
(3) Examine and investigate all applicants for podiatric physician and surgeon licenses and certify to the secretary all applicants it judges to be properly qualified;
(4) Adopt any rules which it considers necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
(5) Adopt rules governing the administration of sedation and anesthesia in the offices of persons licensed under this chapter, including necessary training and equipment;
(6) Determine which schools of podiatric medicine and surgery will be approved.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 29. Except for section 7 of this act, this act takes effect July 1, 2009.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 30. The secretary of health may take the necessary steps to ensure that this act is implemented on its effective date.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 31. Sections 1 through 6 and 8 through 19 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "facilities;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 70.56.010, 18.130.070, 18.71.0195, 18.71.017, 18.57.005, and 18.22.015; reenacting and amending RCW 43.70.510, 70.41.200, and 42.56.360; adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW; creating new sections; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1414 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Cody and Hinkle spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1414, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1414, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 91, Nays - 2, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 91.
Voting nay: Representatives Dunn and Orcutt - 2.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke and Sump - 5.
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1414, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 3, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1543 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 82.14.370 and 2004 c 130 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The legislative authority of a rural county may impose a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter. The tax is in addition to other taxes authorized by law and shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the county. The rate of tax shall not exceed 0.08 percent of the selling price in the case of a sales tax or value of the article used in the case of a use tax, except that for rural counties with population densities between sixty and one hundred persons per square mile, the rate shall not exceed 0.04 percent before January 1, 2000.
(2) The tax imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be deducted from the amount of tax otherwise required to be collected or paid over to the department of revenue under chapter 82.08 or 82.12 RCW. The department of revenue shall perform the collection of such taxes on behalf of the county at no cost to the county.
(3)(a) Moneys collected under this section shall only be used to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes in rural counties and finance personnel in economic development offices. The public facility must be listed as an item in the officially adopted county overall economic development plan, or the economic development section of the county's comprehensive plan, or the comprehensive plan of a city or town located within the county for those counties planning under RCW 36.70A.040. For those counties that do not have an adopted overall economic development plan and do not plan under the growth management act, the public facility must be listed in the county's capital facilities plan or the capital facilities plan of a city or town located within the county.
(b) In implementing this section, the county shall consult with cities, towns, and port districts located within the county and the associate development organization serving the county to ensure that the expenditure meets the goals of chapter 130, Laws of 2004 and the requirements of (a) of this subsection. Each county collecting money under this section shall report, as follows, to the office of the state auditor, ((no later than October 1st)) within one hundred fifty days after the close of each fiscal year((,)): (i) A list of new projects ((from)) begun during the ((prior)) fiscal year, showing that the county has used the funds for those projects consistent with the goals of chapter 130, Laws of 2004 and the requirements of (a) of this subsection; and (ii) expenditures during the fiscal year on projects begun in a previous year. Any projects financed prior to June 10, 2004, from the proceeds of obligations to which the tax imposed under subsection (1) of this section has been pledged shall not be deemed to be new projects under this subsection.
(c) ((For the purposes of this section,)) The definitions in this section apply throughout this section.
(i) "Public facilities" means bridges, roads, domestic and industrial water facilities, sanitary sewer facilities, earth stabilization, storm sewer facilities, railroad, electricity, natural gas, buildings, structures, telecommunications infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, or commercial infrastructure, and port facilities in the state of Washington((; and)).
(ii) "Economic development purposes" means those purposes which facilitate the creation or retention of businesses and jobs in a county.
(iii) "Economic development office" means an office of a county, port districts, or an associate development organization as defined in RCW 43.330.010, which promotes economic development purposes within the county.
(4) No tax may be collected under this section before July 1, 1998. No tax may be collected under this section by a county more than twenty-five years after the date that a tax is first imposed under this section.
(5) For purposes of this section, "rural county" means a county with a population density of less than one hundred persons per square mile or a county smaller than two hundred twenty-five square miles as determined by the office of financial management and published each year by the department for the period July 1st to June 30th."
Beginning on line 1 of the title, strike the remainder of the title and insert "AN ACT Relating to financing economic development offices; and amending RCW 82.14.370."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1543 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Buri and Kenney spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of House Bill No. 1543, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of House Bill No. 1543, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 88, Nays - 5, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 88.
Voting nay: Representatives Curtis, Dunn, Hinkle, Hunt and Orcutt - 5.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke and Sump - 5.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1543, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1599 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 9.46.0209 and 2000 c 233 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) "Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization," as used in this chapter, means: (((1)))
(i) Any organization duly existing under the provisions of chapter 24.12, 24.20, or 24.28 RCW, any agricultural fair authorized under the provisions of chapters 15.76 or 36.37 RCW, or any nonprofit corporation duly existing under the provisions of chapter 24.03 RCW for charitable, benevolent, eleemosynary, educational, civic, patriotic, political, social, fraternal, athletic or agricultural purposes only, or any nonprofit organization, whether incorporated or otherwise, when found by the commission to be organized and operating for one or more of the aforesaid purposes only, all of which in the opinion of the commission have been organized and are operated primarily for purposes other than the operation of gambling activities authorized under this chapter; or (((2)))
(ii) Any corporation which has been incorporated under Title 36 U.S.C. and whose principal purposes are to furnish volunteer aid to members of the armed forces of the United States and also to carry on a system of national and international relief and to apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other national calamities and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same. ((Such))
(b) An organization defined under (a) of this subsection must:
(i) Have been organized and continuously operating for at least twelve calendar months immediately preceding making application for any license to operate a gambling activity, or the operation of any gambling activity authorized by this chapter for which no license is required((. It must));
(ii) Have not less than fifteen bona fide active members each with the right to an equal vote in the election of the officers, or board members, if any, who determine the policies of the organization in order to receive a gambling license((. An organization must)); and
(iii) Demonstrate to the commission that it has made significant progress toward the accomplishment of the purposes of the organization during the twelve consecutive month period preceding the date of application for a license or license renewal. The fact that contributions to an organization do not qualify for charitable contribution deduction purposes or that the organization is not otherwise exempt from payment of federal income taxes pursuant to the internal revenue code of 1954, as amended, shall constitute prima facie evidence that the organization is not a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization for the purposes of this section.
(c) Any person, association or organization which pays its employees, including members, compensation other than is reasonable therefor under the local prevailing wage scale shall be deemed paying compensation based in part or whole upon receipts relating to gambling activities authorized under this chapter and shall not be a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization for the purposes of this chapter.
(2) For the purposes of RCW 9.46.0315 and 9.46.110, a bona fide nonprofit organization also includes:
(a) A credit union organized and operating under state or federal law. All revenue less prizes and expenses received from raffles conducted by credit unions must be devoted to purposes authorized under this section for charitable and nonprofit organizations; and
(b) A group of executive branch state employees that:
(i) Has requested and received revocable approval from the agency's chief executive official, or such official's designee, to conduct one or more raffles in compliance with this section;
(ii) Conducts a raffle solely to raise funds for either the state combined fund drive, created under RCW 41.04.033; an entity approved to receive funds from the state combined fund drive; or a charitable or benevolent entity, including but not limited to a person or family in need, as determined by a majority vote of the approved group of employees. No person or other entity may receive compensation in any form from the group for services rendered in support of this purpose;
(iii) Promptly provides such information about the group's receipts, expenditures, and other activities as the agency's chief executive official or designee may periodically require, and otherwise complies with this section and RCW 9.46.0315; and
(iv) Limits the participation in the raffle such that raffle tickets are sold only to, and winners are determined only from, the employees of the agency.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 42.52 RCW to read as follows:
(1) When soliciting gifts, grants, or donations solely to support the charitable activities of executive branch state employees conducted pursuant to RCW 9.46.0209, the executive branch state officers and executive branch state employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in RCW 42.52.140. However, the gifts, grants, or donations must only be solicited from state employees or businesses and organizations that have no business dealings with the soliciting employee's agency. For the purposes of this subsection, "business dealings" includes being subject to regulation by the agency, having a contractual relationship with the agency, and purchasing goods or services from the agency.
(2) For purposes of this section, activities are deemed to be charitable if the activities are devoted to the purposes authorized under RCW 9.46.0209 for charitable and nonprofit organizations listed in that section, or are in support of the activities of those charitable or nonprofit organizations."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "employees;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 9.46.0209; and adding a new section to chapter 42.52 RCW."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1599 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Hunt spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of House Bill No. 1599, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of House Bill No. 1599, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke, and Sump - 5.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1599, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 9, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1592 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 9.95.011 and 2002 c 174 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) When the court commits a convicted person to the department of corrections on or after July 1, 1986, for an offense committed before July 1, 1984, the court shall, at the time of sentencing or revocation of probation, fix the minimum term. The term so fixed shall not exceed the maximum sentence provided by law for the offense of which the person is convicted.
The court shall attempt to set the minimum term reasonably consistent with the purposes, standards, and sentencing ranges adopted under RCW 9.94A.850, but the court is subject to the same limitations as those placed on the board under RCW 9.92.090, 9.95.040 (1) through (4), 9.95.115, 9A.32.040, 9A.44.045, and chapter 69.50 RCW. The court's minimum term decision is subject to review to the same extent as a minimum term decision by the parole board before July 1, 1986.
Thereafter, the expiration of the minimum term set by the court minus any time credits earned under RCW 9.95.070 and 9.95.110 constitutes the parole eligibility review date, at which time the board may consider the convicted person for parole under RCW 9.95.100 and 9.95.110 and chapter 72.04A RCW. Nothing in this section affects the board's authority to reduce or increase the minimum term, once set by the court, under RCW 9.95.040, 9.95.052, 9.95.055, 9.95.070, 9.95.080, 9.95.100, 9.95.115, 9.95.125, or 9.95.047.
(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, not less than ninety days prior to the expiration of the minimum term of a person sentenced under RCW 9.94A.712, for a sex offense committed on or after September 1, 2001, less any time credits permitted by statute, the board shall review the person for conditional release to community custody as provided in RCW 9.95.420. If the board does not release the person, it shall set a new minimum term not to exceed an additional ((two)) five years. The board shall review the person again not less than ninety days prior to the expiration of the new minimum term.
(b) If at the time a person sentenced under RCW 9.94A.712 for a sex offense committed on or after September 1, 2001, arrives at a department of corrections facility, the offender's minimum term has expired or will expire within one hundred twenty days of the offender's arrival, then no later than one hundred twenty days after the offender's arrival at a department of corrections facility, but after the board receives the results from the end of sentence review process and the recommendations for additional or modified conditions of community custody from the department, the board shall review the person for conditional release to community custody as provided in RCW 9.95.420. If the board does not release the person, it shall set a new minimum term not to exceed an additional ((two)) five years. The board shall review the person again not less than ninety days prior to the expiration of the new minimum term.
(c) In setting a new minimum term, the board may consider the length of time necessary for the offender to complete treatment and programming as well as other factors that relate to the offender's release under RCW 9.95.420. The board's rules shall permit an offender to petition for an earlier review if circumstances change or the board receives new information that would warrant an earlier review.
Sec. 2. RCW 9.95.420 and 2006 c 313 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) Except as provided in (c) of this subsection, before the expiration of the minimum term, as part of the end of sentence review process under RCW 72.09.340, 72.09.345, and where appropriate, 72.09.370, the department shall conduct, and the offender shall participate in, an examination of the offender, incorporating methodologies that are recognized by experts in the prediction of sexual dangerousness, and including a prediction of the probability that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released.
(b) The board may contract for an additional, independent examination, subject to the standards in this section.
(c) If at the time the sentence is imposed by the superior court the offender's minimum term has expired or will expire within one hundred twenty days of the sentencing hearing, the department shall conduct, within ninety days of the offender's arrival at a department of corrections facility, and the offender shall participate in, an examination of the offender, incorporating methodologies that are recognized by experts in the prediction of sexual dangerousness, and including a prediction of the probability that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released.
(2) The board shall impose the conditions and instructions provided for in RCW 9.94A.720. The board shall consider the department's recommendations and may impose conditions in addition to those recommended by the department. The board may impose or modify conditions of community custody following notice to the offender.
(3)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, no later than ninety days before expiration of the minimum term, but after the board receives the results from the end of sentence review process and the recommendations for additional or modified conditions of community custody from the department, the board shall conduct a hearing to determine whether it is more likely than not that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released on conditions to be set by the board. The board may consider an offender's failure to participate in an evaluation under subsection (1) of this section in determining whether to release the offender. The board shall order the offender released, under such affirmative and other conditions as the board determines appropriate, unless the board determines by a preponderance of the evidence that, despite such conditions, it is more likely than not that the offender will commit sex offenses if released. If the board does not order the offender released, the board shall establish a new minimum term((, not to exceed an additional two years)) as provided in RCW 9.95.011.
(b) If at the time the offender's minimum term has expired or will expire within one hundred twenty days of the offender's arrival at a department of correction's facility, then no later than one hundred twenty days after the offender's arrival at a department of corrections facility, but after the board receives the results from the end of sentence review process and the recommendations for additional or modified conditions of community custody from the department, the board shall conduct a hearing to determine whether it is more likely than not that the offender will engage in sex offenses if released on conditions to be set by the board. The board may consider an offender's failure to participate in an evaluation under subsection (1) of this section in determining whether to release the offender. The board shall order the offender released, under such affirmative and other conditions as the board determines appropriate, unless the board determines by a preponderance of the evidence that, despite such conditions, it is more likely than not that the offender will commit sex offenses if released. If the board does not order the offender released, the board shall establish a new minimum term((, not to exceed an additional two years)) as provided in RCW 9.95.011.
(4) In a hearing conducted under subsection (3) of this section, the board shall provide opportunities for the victims of any crimes for which the offender has been convicted to present oral, video, written, or in-person testimony to the board. The procedures for victim input shall be developed by rule. To facilitate victim involvement, county prosecutor's offices shall ensure that any victim impact statements and known contact information for victims of record are forwarded as part of the judgment and sentence.
Sec. 3. RCW 9.95.435 and 2003 c 218 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) If an offender released by the board under RCW 9.95.420 violates any condition or requirement of community custody, the board may transfer the offender to a more restrictive confinement status to serve up to the remaining portion of the sentence, less credit for any period actually spent in community custody or in detention awaiting disposition of an alleged violation and subject to the limitations of subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Following the hearing specified in subsection (3) of this section, the board may impose sanctions such as work release, home detention with electronic monitoring, work crew, community restitution, inpatient treatment, daily reporting, curfew, educational or counseling sessions, supervision enhanced through electronic monitoring, or any other sanctions available in the community, or may suspend the release and sanction up to sixty days' confinement in a local correctional facility for each violation, or revoke the release to community custody whenever an offender released by the board under RCW 9.95.420 violates any condition or requirement of community custody.
(3) If an offender released by the board under RCW 9.95.420 is accused of violating any condition or requirement of community custody, he or she is entitled to a hearing before the board or a designee of the board prior to the imposition of sanctions. The hearing shall be considered as offender disciplinary proceedings and shall not be subject to chapter 34.05 RCW. The board shall develop hearing procedures and a structure of graduated sanctions consistent with the hearing procedures and graduated sanctions developed pursuant to RCW 9.94A.737. The board may suspend the offender's release to community custody and confine the offender in a correctional institution owned, operated by, or operated under contract with the state prior to the hearing unless the offender has been arrested and confined for a new criminal offense.
(4) The hearing procedures required under subsection (3) of this section shall be developed by rule and include the following:
(a) Hearings shall be conducted by members or designees of the board unless the board enters into an agreement with the department to use the hearing officers established under RCW 9.94A.737;
(b) The board shall provide the offender with ((written notice of the violation,)) findings and conclusions which include the evidence relied upon, and the reasons the particular sanction was imposed. ((The notice shall include a statement of the rights specified in this subsection, and the offender's)) The board shall notify the offender of the right to appeal the sanction and the right to file a personal restraint petition under court rules after the final decision of the board;
(c) The hearing shall be held unless waived by the offender, and shall be electronically recorded. For offenders not in total confinement, the hearing shall be held within thirty days of service of notice of the violation, but not less than twenty-four hours after notice of the violation. For offenders in total confinement, the hearing shall be held within thirty days of service of notice of the violation, but not less than twenty-four hours after notice of the violation. The board or its designee shall make a determination whether probable cause exists to believe the violation or violations occurred. The determination shall be made within forty-eight hours of receipt of the allegation;
(d) The offender shall have the right to: (i) Be present at the hearing; (ii) have the assistance of a person qualified to assist the offender in the hearing, appointed by the ((hearing examiner)) presiding hearing officer if the offender has a language or communications barrier; (iii) testify or remain silent; (iv) call witnesses and present documentary evidence; (v) question witnesses who appear and testify; and (vi) be represented by counsel if revocation of the release to community custody upon a finding of violation is a probable sanction for the violation. The board may not revoke the release to community custody of any offender who was not represented by counsel at the hearing, unless the offender has waived the right to counsel; and
(e) The sanction shall take effect if affirmed by the ((hearing examiner)) presiding hearing officer.
(5) Within seven days after the ((hearing examiner's)) presiding hearing officer's decision, the offender may appeal the decision to the full board or to a panel of three reviewing examiners designated by the chair of the board or by the chair's designee. The sanction shall be reversed or modified if a majority of the panel finds that the sanction was not reasonably related to any of the following: (a) The crime of conviction; (b) the violation committed; (c) the offender's risk of reoffending; or (d) the safety of the community.
(6) For purposes of this section, no finding of a violation of conditions may be based on unconfirmed or unconfirmable allegations.
Sec. 4. RCW 9.96.050 and 2002 c 16 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) When ((a prisoner)) an offender on parole has performed all obligations of his or her release, including any and all legal financial obligations, for such time as shall satisfy the indeterminate sentence review board that his or her final release is not incompatible with the best interests of society and the welfare of the paroled individual, the board may make a final order of discharge and issue a certificate of discharge to the ((prisoner)) offender. ((The certificate of discharge shall be issued to the offender in person or by mail to the prisoner's last known address.))
(b) The board retains the jurisdiction to issue a certificate of discharge after the expiration of the offender's or parolee's maximum statutory sentence. If not earlier granted and any and all legal financial obligations have been paid, the board shall issue a final order of discharge three years from the date of parole unless the parolee is on suspended or revoked status at the expiration of the three years.
(c) The discharge, regardless of when issued, shall have the effect of restoring all civil rights lost by operation of law upon conviction, and the certification of discharge shall so state.
(d) This restoration of civil rights shall not restore the right to receive, possess, own, or transport firearms.
(e) The board shall issue a certificate of discharge to the offender in person or by mail to the offender's last known address.
(2) The board shall send a copy of every signed certificate of discharge to the auditor for the county in which the offender was sentenced and to the department of corrections. The department shall create and maintain a data base containing the names of all felons who have been issued certificates of discharge, the date of discharge, and the date of conviction and offense.
((The board retains the jurisdiction to issue a certificate of discharge after the expiration of the prisoner's or parolee's maximum statutory sentence. If not earlier granted, the board shall make a final order of discharge three years from the date of parole unless the parolee is on suspended or revoked status at the expiration of the three years. Such discharge, regardless of when issued, shall have the effect of restoring all civil rights lost by operation of law upon conviction, and the certification of discharge shall so state. This restoration of civil rights shall not restore the right to receive, possess, own, or transport firearms.))
(3) The discharge provided for in this section shall be considered as a part of the sentence of the convicted person and shall not in any manner be construed as affecting the powers of the governor to pardon any such person."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "offenders;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 9.95.011, 9.95.420, 9.95.435, and 9.96.050."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1592 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Hurst spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of House Bill No. 1592, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of House Bill No. 1592, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke, and Sump - 5.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1592, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 9, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1636 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that current concern over the rapid and increasing loss of rural, agricultural, and forested land has led to the exploration of creative approaches to preserving these important lands. The legislature finds also that the creation of a regional transfer of development rights marketplace will assist in slowing the conversion of these lands.
The legislature further finds that transferring development rights is a market-based technique that encourages the voluntary transfer of growth from places where a community would like to see less development, referred to as sending areas, to places where a community would like to see more development, referred to as receiving areas. Under this technique, permanent deed restrictions are placed on the sending area properties to ensure that the land will be used only for approved activities such as farming, forest management, conservation, or passive recreation. Also under this technique, the costs of purchasing the recorded development restrictions are borne by the developers who receive the building credit or bonus.
Accordingly, the legislature has determined that it is good public policy to build upon existing transfer of development rights programs, pilot projects, and private initiatives that foster effective use of transferred development rights through the creation of a market-based program that focuses on the central Puget Sound region.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the department of community, trade, and economic development.
(2) "Nongovernmental entities" includes nonprofit or membership organizations with experience or expertise in transferring development rights.
(3) "Transfer of development rights" includes methods for protecting land from development by voluntarily removing the development rights from a sending area and transferring them to a receiving area for the purpose of increasing development density in the receiving area.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department shall fund a process to develop a regional transfer of development rights program that comports with chapter 36.70A RCW that:
(1) Encourages King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, and the cities within these counties, to participate in the development and implementation of regional frameworks and mechanisms that make transfer of development rights programs viable and successful. The department shall encourage and embrace the efforts in any of these counties or cities to develop local transfer of development rights programs. In fulfilling the requirements of this chapter, the department shall work with the Puget Sound regional council and its growth management policy board to develop a process that satisfies the requirements of this chapter. In the development of a process to create a regional transfer of development rights program, the Puget Sound regional council and its growth management policy board shall develop policies to discourage, or prohibit if necessary, the transfer of development rights from a sending area that would negatively impact the future economic viability of the sending area. The department shall also work with an advisory committee to develop a regional transfer of development rights marketplace that includes, but is not limited to, supporting strategies for financing infrastructure and conservation. The department shall establish an advisory committee of nine stakeholders with representatives of the following interests:
(a) Two qualified nongovernmental organizations with expertise in the transfer of development rights. At least one organization must have a statewide expertise in growth management planning and in the transfer of development rights and at least one organization must have a local perspective on market-based conservation strategies and transfer of development rights;
(b) Two representatives from real estate and development;
(c) One representative with a county government perspective;
(d) Two representatives from cities of different sizes and geographic areas within the four-county region; and
(e) Two representatives of the agricultural industry; and
(2) Allows the department to utilize recommendations of the interested local governments, nongovernmental entities, and the Puget Sound regional council to develop recommendations and strategies for a regional transfer of development rights marketplace with supporting strategies for financing infrastructure and conservation that represents the consensus of the governmental and nongovernmental parties engaged in the process. However, if agreement between the parties cannot be reached, the department shall make recommendations to the legislature that seek to balance the needs and interests of the interested governmental and nongovernmental parties. The department may contract for expertise to accomplish any of the following tasks. Recommendations developed under this subsection must:
(a) Identify opportunities for cities, counties, and the state to achieve significant benefits through using transfer of development rights programs and the value in modifying criteria by which capital budget funds are allocated, including but not limited to, existing state grant programs to provide incentives for local governments to implement transfer of development rights programs;
(b) Address challenges to the creation of an efficient and transparent transfer of development rights market, including the creation of a transfer of development rights bank, brokerage, or direct buyer-seller exchange;
(c) Address issues of certainty to buyers and sellers of development rights that address long-term environmental benefits and perceived inequities in land values and permitting processes;
(d) Address the means for assuring that appropriate values are recognized and updated, as well as specifically addressing the need to maintain the quality of life in receiving neighborhoods and the protection of environmental values over time;
(e) Identify opportunities and challenges that, if resolved, would result in cities throughout the Puget Sound region participating in a transfer of development rights market;
(f) Compare the uses of a regional transfer of development rights program to other existing land conservation strategies to protect rural and resource lands and implement the growth management act; and
(g) Identify appropriate sending areas so as to protect future growth and economic development needs of the sending areas.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department shall submit recommendations, findings, and legislative recommendations according to the following schedule:
(1) By December 1, 2007, the department shall notify the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature of any recommended actions for advancing the purposes of this act.
(2) By December 1, 2008, the department shall notify the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature of findings and legislative recommendations to implement a regional transfer of development rights program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "program;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and creating a new section."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1636 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Simpson spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1636, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1636, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 91, Nays - 2, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 91.
Voting nay: Representatives Dunn, and Orcutt - 2.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke, and Sump - 5.
SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1636, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1646 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature intends that sampling of fish, wildlife, and shellfish by department of fish and wildlife employees will ensure the conservation and management of fish, shellfish, and wildlife. Because the harvest of fish and wildlife is regulated by the department, the legislature finds that sampling by departmental employees will benefit the resource, and will further the department's research related to fish, wildlife, and shellfish. This section and section 2 of this act do not apply to the harvest of private sector cultured aquatic products as defined in RCW 15.85.020.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Department employees, in carrying out their duties under this title on public lands or state waters, may:
(a) Collect samples of tissue, fluids, or other bodily parts of fish, wildlife, or shellfish; or
(b) Board vessels in state waters engaged in commercial and recreational harvest activities to collect samples of fish, wildlife, or shellfish.
(i) Department employees shall ask permission from the owner or his or her agent before boarding vessels in state waters.
(ii) If an employee of the department is denied access to any vessel where access was sought for the purposes of (b) of this subsection, the department employee may contact an enforcement officer for assistance in applying for a search warrant authorizing access to the vessel in order to carry out the department employee's duties under this section.
(2) Department employees must have official identification, announce their presence and intent, and perform their duties in a safe and professional manner while carrying out the activities in this section.
(3) This section does not apply to the harvest of private sector cultured aquatic products as defined in RCW 15.85.020.
(4) This section does not apply to fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers carrying out their duties under this title.
Sec. 3. RCW 77.15.360 and 2000 c 107 s 243 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful interfering in department operations if the person prevents department employees from carrying out duties authorized by this title, including but not limited to interfering:
(a) In the operation of department vehicles, vessels, or aircraft; or
(b) With the collection of samples of tissue, fluids, or other bodily parts of fish, wildlife, and shellfish under section 2 of this act.
(2) Unlawful interfering in department operations is a gross misdemeanor.
Sec. 4. RCW 77.15.568 and 2003 c 336 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
((Since violation of rules of the department relating to the accounting of the commercial harvest of food fish, commercialized game fish, and shellfish result in damage to the resources of the state, persons selling such fish and shellfish at retail, including but not limited to stores, markets, and restaurants, must maintain sufficient records for the department to be able to ascertain the origin of the fish and shellfish in their possession.
(1) A retail fish seller is guilty of retail fish seller's failure to account for commercial harvest if the retail seller sells fish or shellfish at retail, the fish or shellfish were required to be entered on a Washington state fish receiving ticket, the seller is not a wholesale fish dealer or fisher selling under a direct retail sale endorsement, and the seller fails to maintain sufficient records at the location where the fish or shellfish are being sold to determine the following:
(a) The name of the wholesale fish dealer or fisher selling under a direct retail sale endorsement from whom the fish were purchased;
(b) The wholesale fish dealer's license number or the number of the fisher's sale under a direct retail sale endorsement;
(c) The fish receiving ticket number documenting original receipt, if known;
(d) The date of purchase; and
(e) The amount of fish or shellfish originally purchased from the wholesale dealer or fisher selling under a direct retail sale endorsement.
(2) A retail fish seller's failure to account for commercial harvest is a misdemeanor.))
(1) A person is guilty of a secondary commercial fish receiver's failure to account for commercial harvest if:
(a) The person sells fish or shellfish at retail, stores or holds fish or shellfish for another in exchange for valuable consideration, ships fish or shellfish in exchange for valuable consideration, or brokers fish or shellfish in exchange for valuable consideration;
(b) The fish or shellfish were required to be entered on a Washington fish receiving ticket or a Washington aquatic farm production annual report; and
(c) The person fails to maintain records of each receipt of fish or shellfish, as required under subsections (3) through (5) of this section, at the location where the fish or shellfish are being sold, at the location where the fish or shellfish are being stored or held, or at the principal place of business of the shipper or broker.
(2) This section does not apply to a wholesale fish dealer, a fisher selling under a direct retail sale endorsement, or a registered aquatic farmer.
(3) Records of the receipt of fish or shellfish required to be kept under this section must be in the English language and be maintained for three years from the date fish or shellfish are received, shipped, or brokered.
(4) Records maintained by persons that retail or broker must include the following:
(a) The name, address, and phone number of the wholesale fish dealer, fisher selling under a direct retail sale endorsement, or aquatic farmer or shellstock shipper from whom the fish or shellfish were purchased or received;
(b) The Washington fish receiving ticket number documenting original receipt or aquatic farm production quarterly report documenting production, if available;
(c) The date of purchase or receipt; and
(d) The amount and species of fish or shellfish purchased or received.
(5) Records maintained by persons that store, hold, or ship fish or shellfish for others must state the following:
(a) The name, address, and phone number of the person and business from whom the fish or shellfish were received;
(b) The date of receipt; and
(c) The amount and species of fish or shellfish received.
(6) A secondary commercial fish receiver's failure to account for commercial harvest is a misdemeanor."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "employees;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 77.15.360 and 77.15.568; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1646 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Appleton spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1646, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1646, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke, and Sump - 5.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1646, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1648 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that agricultural activities are often subjected to nuisance lawsuits. The legislature also finds that such lawsuits hasten premature conversion of agricultural lands to other uses. The legislature further finds that agricultural activities must be able to adopt new technologies and diversify into new crops and products if the agricultural industry is to survive and agricultural lands are to be conserved. Therefore, the legislature intends to enhance the protection of agricultural activities from nuisance lawsuits, and to further the clear legislative directive of the state growth management act to maintain and enhance the agricultural industry and conserve productive agricultural lands.
Sec. 2. RCW 7.48.305 and 1992 c 151 s 1 and 1992 c 52 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, agricultural activities conducted on farmland and forest practices, if consistent with good agricultural and forest practices and established prior to surrounding nonagricultural and nonforestry activities, are presumed to be reasonable and shall not be found to constitute a nuisance unless the activity or practice has a substantial adverse effect on ((the)) public health and safety.
If those agricultural activities and forest practices are undertaken in conformity with all applicable laws and rules, ((the activities)) they are presumed to be good agricultural and forest practices not adversely affecting the public health and safety for purposes of this section and RCW 7.48.300. An agricultural activity that is in conformity with such laws and rules shall not be restricted as to the hours of the day or day or days of the week during which it may be conducted.
Nothing in this section shall affect or impair any right to sue for damages.
Sec. 3. RCW 7.48.310 and 1992 c 52 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
As used in RCW 7.48.305:
(1) "Agricultural activity" means a condition or activity which occurs on a farm in connection with the commercial production of farm products and includes, but is not limited to, marketed produce at roadside stands or farm markets; noise; odors; dust; fumes; operation of machinery and irrigation pumps; movement, including, but not limited to, use of current county road ditches, streams, rivers, canals, and drains, and use of water for agricultural activities; ground and aerial application of seed, fertilizers, conditioners, and plant protection products; keeping of bees for production of agricultural or apicultural products; employment and use of labor; roadway movement of equipment and livestock; protection from damage by wildlife; prevention of trespass; construction and maintenance of buildings, fences, roads, bridges, ponds, drains, waterways, and similar features and maintenance of streambanks and watercourses; and conversion from one agricultural activity to another, including a change in the type of plant-related farm product being produced. The term includes use of new practices and equipment consistent with technological development within the agricultural industry.
(2) "Farm" means the land, buildings, freshwater ponds, freshwater culturing and growing facilities, and machinery used in the commercial production of farm products.
(3) "Farmland" means land or freshwater ponds devoted primarily to the production, for commercial purposes, of livestock, freshwater aquacultural, or other ((agricultural commodities)) farm products.
(4) "Farm product" means those plants and animals useful to humans and includes, but is not limited to, forages and sod crops, dairy and dairy products, poultry and poultry products, livestock, including breeding, grazing, and recreational equine use, fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds, grasses, trees, freshwater fish and fish products, apiaries and apiary products, equine and other similar products, or any other product which incorporates the use of food, feed, fiber, or fur.
(5) "Forest practice" means "forest practice" as defined in RCW 76.09.020."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "practices;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 7.48.310; reenacting and amending RCW 7.48.305; and creating a new section."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1648 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative B. Sullivan spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed House Bill No. 1648, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed House Bill No. 1648, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke and Sump - 5.
ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1648, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1654 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 29A.60.160 and 2005 c 243 s 15 and 2005 c 153 s 11 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) Except for an election conducted under the instant runoff voting method for the pilot project authorized by RCW 29A.53.020, (([and] except Sundays and legal holidays,)) the county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, shall process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at that primary or election on a daily basis in counties with a population of seventy-five thousand or more, or at least every third day for counties with a population of less than seventy-five thousand, if the county auditor is in possession of more than ((twenty-five)) five hundred ballots that have yet to be canvassed. ((The county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, may use his or her discretion in determining when to process the remaining absentee ballots and canvass the votes during the final four days before the certification of election results in order to protect the secrecy of any ballot. In counties where this process has not been delegated to the county auditor, the county auditor shall convene the county canvassing board to process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at the primary or election as set forth in this section.
Except for an election conducted under the instant runoff voting method for the pilot project authorized by RCW 29A.53.020, each absentee ballot previously not canvassed that was received by the county auditor two days or more before processing absentee ballots and canvassing the votes as delegated by or processed by the county canvassing board, that either was received by the county auditor before the closing of the polls on the day of the primary or election for which it was issued, or that bears a postmark on or before the primary or election for which it was issued, must be processed at that time. The tabulation of votes that results from that day's canvass must be made available to the general public immediately upon completion of the canvass.))
(2) Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted for purposes of this section.
(3) In order to protect the secrecy of a ballot, the county auditor may use discretion to decide when to process absentee ballots and canvass the votes.
(4) Tabulation results must be made available to the public immediately upon completion of the canvass.
Sec. 2. RCW 29A.60.160 and 2005 c 243 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
((Except Sundays and legal holidays,)) (1) The county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, shall process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at that primary or election on a daily basis in counties with a population of seventy-five thousand or more, or at least every third day for counties with a population of less than seventy-five thousand, if the county auditor is in possession of more than ((twenty-five)) five hundred ballots that have yet to be canvassed. ((The county auditor, as delegated by the county canvassing board, may use his or her discretion in determining when to process the remaining absentee ballots and canvass the votes during the final four days before the certification of election results in order to protect the secrecy of any ballot. In counties where this process has not been delegated to the county auditor, the county auditor shall convene the county canvassing board to process absentee ballots and canvass the votes cast at the primary or election as set forth in this section.
Each absentee ballot previously not canvassed that was received by the county auditor two days or more before processing absentee ballots and canvassing the votes as delegated by or processed by the county canvassing board, that either was received by the county auditor before the closing of the polls on the day of the primary or election for which it was issued, or that bears a postmark on or before the primary or election for which it was issued, must be processed at that time. The tabulation of votes that results from that day's canvass must be made available to the general public immediately upon completion of the canvass.))
(2) Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted for purposes of this section.
(3) In order to protect the secrecy of a ballot, the county auditor may use discretion to decide when to process absentee ballots and canvass the votes.
(4) Tabulation results must be made available to the public immediately upon completion of the canvass.
Sec. 3. RCW 29A.60.170 and 2003 c 111 s 1517 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The counting center in a county using voting systems is under the direction of the county auditor and must be observed by one representative from each major political party, if representatives have been appointed by the respective major political parties and these representatives are present while the counting center is operating. The proceedings must be open to the public, but no persons except those employed and authorized by the county auditor may touch any ballot or ballot container or operate a vote tallying system.
(2) In counties in which ballots are not counted at the polling place, the official political party observers, upon mutual agreement, may request that a precinct be selected at random on receipt of the ballots from the polling place and that a manual count be made of the number of ballots and of the votes cast on any office or issue. The ballots for that precinct must then be counted by the vote tallying system, and this result will be compared to the results of the manual count. This may be done as many as three times during the tabulation of ballots on the day of the primary or election.
(3) In counties using poll-site ballot counting devices, the political party observers, upon mutual agreement, may choose as many as three precincts and request that a manual count be made of the number of ballots and the votes cast on any office or issue. The results of this count will be compared to the count of the precinct made by the poll-site ballot counting device. These selections must be made no later than thirty minutes after the close of the polls. The manual count must be completed within forty-eight hours after the close of the polls. The process must take place at a location designated by the county auditor for that purpose. The political party observers must receive timely notice of the time and location, and have the right to be present. However, the process must proceed as scheduled if the observers are unable to attend.
(4) In counties voting entirely by mail, a random check of the ballot counting equipment may be conducted upon mutual agreement of the political party observers or at the discretion of the county auditor. The random check procedures must be adopted by the county canvassing board prior to the processing of ballots. The random check process shall involve a comparison of a manual count to the machine count and may involve up to either three precincts or six batches depending on the ballot counting procedures in place in the county. The random check will be limited to one office or issue on the ballots in the precincts or batches that are selected for the check. The selection of the precincts or batches to be checked must be selected according to procedures established by the county canvassing board and the check must be completed no later than forty-eight hours after election day.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Section 1 of this act expires July 1, 2013.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Section 2 of this act takes effect July 1, 2013."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "ballots;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 29A.60.160 and 29A.60.170; reenacting and amending RCW 29A.60.160; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1654 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Appleton spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1654, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1654, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke and Sump - 5.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1654, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 10, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1761 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 70.105D.030 and 2002 c 288 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The department may exercise the following powers in addition to any other powers granted by law:
(a) Investigate, provide for investigating, or require potentially liable persons to investigate any releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, including but not limited to inspecting, sampling, or testing to determine the nature or extent of any release or threatened release. If there is a reasonable basis to believe that a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance may exist, the department's authorized employees, agents, or contractors may enter upon any property and conduct investigations. The department shall give reasonable notice before entering property unless an emergency prevents such notice. The department may by subpoena require the attendance or testimony of witnesses and the production of documents or other information that the department deems necessary;
(b) Conduct, provide for conducting, or require potentially liable persons to conduct remedial actions (including investigations under (a) of this subsection) to remedy releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances. In carrying out such powers, the department's authorized employees, agents, or contractors may enter upon property. The department shall give reasonable notice before entering property unless an emergency prevents such notice. In conducting, providing for, or requiring remedial action, the department shall give preference to permanent solutions to the maximum extent practicable and shall provide for or require adequate monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the remedial action;
(c) Indemnify contractors retained by the department for carrying out investigations and remedial actions, but not for any contractor's reckless or wilful misconduct;
(d) Carry out all state programs authorized under the federal cleanup law and the federal resource, conservation, and recovery act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6901 et seq., as amended;
(e) Classify substances as hazardous substances for purposes of RCW 70.105D.020(7) and classify substances and products as hazardous substances for purposes of RCW 82.21.020(1);
(f) Issue orders or enter into consent decrees or agreed orders that include, or issue written opinions under (i) of this subsection that may be conditioned upon, deed restrictions where necessary to protect human health and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance from a facility. Prior to establishing a deed restriction under this subsection, the department shall notify and seek comment from a city or county department with land use planning authority for real property subject to a deed restriction;
(g) Enforce the application of permanent and effective institutional controls that are necessary for a remedial action to be protective of human health and the environment and the notification requirements established in RCW 70.105D.110, and impose penalties for violations of that section consistent with RCW 70.105D.050;
(h) Require holders to conduct remedial actions necessary to abate an imminent or substantial endangerment pursuant to RCW 70.105D.020(12)(b)(ii)(C);
(i) Provide informal advice and assistance to persons regarding the administrative and technical requirements of this chapter. This may include site-specific advice to persons who are conducting or otherwise interested in independent remedial actions. Any such advice or assistance shall be advisory only, and shall not be binding on the department. As a part of providing this advice and assistance for independent remedial actions, the department may prepare written opinions regarding whether the independent remedial actions or proposals for those actions meet the substantive requirements of this chapter or whether the department believes further remedial action is necessary at the facility. The department may collect, from persons requesting advice and assistance, the costs incurred by the department in providing such advice and assistance; however, the department shall, where appropriate, waive collection of costs in order to provide an appropriate level of technical assistance in support of public participation. The state, the department, and officers and employees of the state are immune from all liability, and no cause of action of any nature may arise from any act or omission in providing, or failing to provide, informal advice and assistance; and
(j) Take any other actions necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including the power to adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW.
(2) The department shall immediately implement all provisions of this chapter to the maximum extent practicable, including investigative and remedial actions where appropriate. The department shall adopt, and thereafter enforce, rules under chapter 34.05 RCW to:
(a) Provide for public participation, including at least (i) public notice of the development of investigative plans or remedial plans for releases or threatened releases and (ii) concurrent public notice of all compliance orders, agreed orders, enforcement orders, or notices of violation;
(b) Establish a hazard ranking system for hazardous waste sites;
(c) Provide for requiring the reporting by an owner or operator of releases of hazardous substances to the environment that may be a threat to human health or the environment within ninety days of discovery, including such exemptions from reporting as the department deems appropriate, however this requirement shall not modify any existing requirements provided for under other laws;
(d) Establish reasonable deadlines not to exceed ninety days for initiating an investigation of a hazardous waste site after the department receives notice or otherwise receives information that the site may pose a threat to human health or the environment and other reasonable deadlines for remedying releases or threatened releases at the site;
(e) Publish and periodically update minimum cleanup standards for remedial actions at least as stringent as the cleanup standards under section 121 of the federal cleanup law, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9621, and at least as stringent as all applicable state and federal laws, including health-based standards under state and federal law; and
(f) Apply industrial clean-up standards at industrial properties. Rules adopted under this subsection shall ensure that industrial properties cleaned up to industrial standards cannot be converted to nonindustrial uses without approval from the department. The department may require that a property cleaned up to industrial standards is cleaned up to a more stringent applicable standard as a condition of conversion to a nonindustrial use. Industrial clean-up standards may not be applied to industrial properties where hazardous substances remaining at the property after remedial action pose a threat to human health or the environment in adjacent nonindustrial areas.
(3) To achieve and protect the state's long-term ecological health, the department shall prioritize sufficient funding to clean up hazardous waste sites and prevent the creation of future hazards due to improper disposal of toxic wastes, and create financing tools to clean up large-scale hazardous waste sites requiring multiyear commitments. To effectively monitor toxic accounts expenditures, the department shall develop a comprehensive ten-year financing report that identifies long-term remedial action project costs, tracks expenses, and projects future needs.
(4) Before ((November 1st)) December 20th of each even-numbered year, the department shall ((develop, with public notice and hearing, and submit to)):
(a) Develop a comprehensive ten-year financing report in coordination with all local governments with clean-up responsibilities that identifies the projected biennial hazardous waste site remedial action needs that are eligible for funding from the local toxics control account;
(b) Work with local governments to develop working capital reserves to be incorporated in the ten-year financing report;
(c) Identify the projected remedial action needs for orphaned, abandoned, and other clean-up sites that are eligible for funding from the state toxics control account;
(d) Project the remedial action need, cost, revenue, and any recommended working capital reserve estimate to the next biennium's long-term remedial action needs from both the local toxics control account and the state toxics control account, and submit this information to the ((ways and means and)) appropriate standing fiscal and environmental committees of the senate and house of representatives ((a ranked list of projects and expenditures recommended for appropriation from both the state and local toxics control accounts. The department shall also)). This submittal must also include a ranked list of such remedial action projects for both accounts; and
(e) Provide the legislature and the public each year with an accounting of the department's activities supported by appropriations from the state and local toxics control accounts, including a list of known hazardous waste sites and their hazard rankings, actions taken and planned at each site, how the department is meeting its ((top two)) waste management priorities under RCW 70.105.150, and all funds expended under this chapter.
(((4))) (5) The department shall establish a scientific advisory board to render advice to the department with respect to the hazard ranking system, cleanup standards, remedial actions, deadlines for remedial actions, monitoring, the classification of substances as hazardous substances for purposes of RCW 70.105D.020(7) and the classification of substances or products as hazardous substances for purposes of RCW 82.21.020(1). The board shall consist of five independent members to serve staggered three-year terms. No members may be employees of the department. Members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(((5))) (6) The department shall establish a program to identify potential hazardous waste sites and to encourage persons to provide information about hazardous waste sites.
Sec. 2. RCW 70.105D.070 and 2005 c 488 s 926 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The state toxics control account and the local toxics control account are hereby created in the state treasury.
(2) The following moneys shall be deposited into the state toxics control account: (a) Those revenues which are raised by the tax imposed under RCW 82.21.030 and which are attributable to that portion of the rate equal to thirty-three one-hundredths of one percent; (b) the costs of remedial actions recovered under this chapter or chapter 70.105A RCW; (c) penalties collected or recovered under this chapter; and (d) any other money appropriated or transferred to the account by the legislature. Moneys in the account may be used only to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including but not limited to the following activities:
(i) The state's responsibility for hazardous waste planning, management, regulation, enforcement, technical assistance, and public education required under chapter 70.105 RCW;
(ii) The state's responsibility for solid waste planning, management, regulation, enforcement, technical assistance, and public education required under chapter 70.95 RCW;
(iii) The hazardous waste cleanup program required under this chapter;
(iv) State matching funds required under the federal cleanup law;
(v) Financial assistance for local programs in accordance with chapters 70.95, 70.95C, 70.95I, and 70.105 RCW;
(vi) State government programs for the safe reduction, recycling, or disposal of hazardous wastes from households, small businesses, and agriculture;
(vii) Hazardous materials emergency response training;
(viii) Water and environmental health protection and monitoring programs;
(ix) Programs authorized under chapter 70.146 RCW;
(x) A public participation program, including regional citizen advisory committees;
(xi) Public funding to assist potentially liable persons to pay for the costs of remedial action in compliance with cleanup standards under RCW 70.105D.030(2)(e) but only when the amount and terms of such funding are established under a settlement agreement under RCW 70.105D.040(4) and when the director has found that the funding will achieve both (A) a substantially more expeditious or enhanced cleanup than would otherwise occur, and (B) the prevention or mitigation of unfair economic hardship; and
(xii) Development and demonstration of alternative management technologies designed to carry out the ((top two)) hazardous waste management priorities of RCW 70.105.150.
(3) The following moneys shall be deposited into the local toxics control account: Those revenues which are raised by the tax imposed under RCW 82.21.030 and which are attributable to that portion of the rate equal to thirty-seven one-hundredths of one percent.
(a) Moneys deposited in the local toxics control account shall be used by the department for grants or loans to local governments for the following purposes in descending order of priority: (i) Remedial actions; (ii) hazardous waste plans and programs under chapter 70.105 RCW; (iii) solid waste plans and programs under chapters 70.95, 70.95C, 70.95I, and 70.105 RCW; (iv) funds for a program to assist in the assessment and cleanup of sites of methamphetamine production, but not to be used for the initial containment of such sites, consistent with the responsibilities and intent of RCW 69.50.511; and (v) cleanup and disposal of hazardous substances from abandoned or derelict vessels that pose a threat to human health or the environment. For purposes of this subsection (3)(a)(v), "abandoned or derelict vessels" means vessels that have little or no value and either have no identified owner or have an identified owner lacking financial resources to clean up and dispose of the vessel. Funds for plans and programs shall be allocated consistent with the priorities and matching requirements established in chapters 70.105, 70.95C, 70.95I, and 70.95 RCW. During the 1999-2001 fiscal biennium, moneys in the account may also be used for the following activities: Conducting a study of whether dioxins occur in fertilizers, soil amendments, and soils; reviewing applications for registration of fertilizers; and conducting a study of plant uptake of metals. During the 2005-2007 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the local toxics control account to the state toxics control account such amounts as specified in the omnibus capital budget bill. During the 2005-2007 fiscal biennium, moneys in the account may also be used for grants to local governments to retrofit public sector diesel equipment and for storm water planning and implementation activities.
(b) Funds may also be appropriated to the department of health to implement programs to reduce testing requirements under the federal safe drinking water act for public water systems. The department of health shall reimburse the account from fees assessed under RCW 70.119A.115 by June 30, 1995.
(c) To expedite cleanups throughout the state, the department shall partner with local communities and liable parties for cleanups. The department is authorized to use the following additional strategies in order to ensure a healthful environment for future generations:
(i) The director may alter grant-matching requirements to create incentives for local governments to expedite cleanups when one of the following conditions exists:
(A) Funding would prevent or mitigate unfair economic hardship imposed by the clean-up liability;
(B) Funding would create new substantial economic development, public recreational, or habitat restoration opportunities that would not otherwise occur; or
(C) Funding would create an opportunity for acquisition and redevelopment of vacant, orphaned, or abandoned property under RCW 70.105D.040(5) that would not otherwise occur;
(ii) The use of outside contracts to conduct necessary studies;
(iii) The purchase of remedial action cost-cap insurance, when necessary to expedite multiparty clean-up efforts.
(4) Except for unanticipated receipts under RCW 43.79.260 through 43.79.282, moneys in the state and local toxics control accounts may be spent only after appropriation by statute.
(5) One percent of the moneys deposited into the state and local toxics control accounts shall be allocated only for public participation grants to persons who may be adversely affected by a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance and to not-for-profit public interest organizations. The primary purpose of these grants is to facilitate the participation by persons and organizations in the investigation and remedying of releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances and to implement the state's solid and hazardous waste management priorities. However, during the 1999-2001 fiscal biennium, funding may not be granted to entities engaged in lobbying activities, and applicants may not be awarded grants if their cumulative grant awards under this section exceed two hundred thousand dollars. No grant may exceed sixty thousand dollars. Grants may be renewed annually. Moneys appropriated for public participation from either account which are not expended at the close of any biennium shall revert to the state toxics control account.
(6) No moneys deposited into either the state or local toxics control account may be used for solid waste incinerator feasibility studies, construction, maintenance, or operation.
(7) The department shall adopt rules for grant or loan issuance and performance.
(8) During the 2005-2007 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the state toxics control account to the water quality account such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the fund."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "cleanups;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 70.105D.030 and 70.105D.070."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1761 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Linville spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1761, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1761, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke and Sump - 5.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1761, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1779 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The GET ready for math and science scholarship program is established. The purpose of the program is to provide scholarships to students who achieve level four on the mathematics or science portions of the tenth grade Washington assessment of student learning or achieve a score in the math section of the SAT or the math section of the ACT that is above the ninety-fifth percentile, major in a mathematics, science, or related field in college, and commit to working in mathematics, science, or a related field for at least three years in Washington following completion of their bachelor's degree. The program shall be administered by the nonprofit organization selected as the private partner in the public-private partnership.
(2) The total annual amount of each GET ready for math and science scholarship may vary, but shall not exceed the annual cost of resident undergraduate tuition fees and mandatory fees at the University of Washington. An eligible recipient may receive a GET ready for math and science scholarship for up to one hundred eighty quarter credits, or the semester equivalent, or for up to five years, whichever comes first.
(3) Scholarships shall be awarded only to the extent that state funds and private matching funds are available for that purpose in the GET ready for math and science account established in section 11 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Board" means the higher education coordinating board.
(2) "GET units" means tuition units under the advanced college tuition payment program in chapter 28B.95 RCW.
(3) "Institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in RCW 28B.92.030.
(4) "Program administrator" means the private nonprofit corporation that is registered under Title 24 RCW and qualified as a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code, that will serve as the private partner in the public-private partnership under this chapter.
(5) "Qualified program" or "qualified major" means a mathematics, science, or related degree program or major line of study offered by an institution of higher education that is included on the list of programs or majors selected by the board and the program administrator under section 10 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) An eligible student is a student who:
(a) Is eligible for resident tuition and fee rates as defined in RCW 28B.15.012;
(b) Achieved level four on the mathematics or science portion of the tenth grade Washington assessment of student learning or achieved a score in the math section of the SAT or the math section of the ACT that is above the ninety-fifth percentile;
(c) Has a family income at or below one hundred twenty-five percent of the state median family income at the time the student applies for a GET ready for math and science scholarship and for up to the two previous years;
(d) Has declared an intention to complete a qualified program or qualified major or has entered a qualified program or declared a qualified major at an institution of higher education;
(e) Has declared an intention to work in a mathematics, science, or related field in Washington for at least three years immediately following completion of a bachelor's degree or higher degree.
(2) An eligible recipient is an eligible student who:
(a) Has been awarded a scholarship in accordance with the selection criteria and process established by the board and the program administrator;
(b) Enrolls at an institution of higher education within one year of graduating from high school;
(c) Maintains satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the institution of higher education where the student is enrolled;
(d) Takes at least one college-level mathematics or science course each term since enrolling in an institution of higher education; and
(e) Enters a qualified program or qualified major no later than the end of the first term in which the student has junior level standing.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) If the student enrolls in a qualified program or declares a qualified major and the program or major is subsequently removed from the list of qualified programs and qualified majors by the board and the program administrator, the student's eligibility to receive a GET ready for math and science scholarship shall not be affected.
(2) If a student who received a GET ready for math and science scholarship ceases to be enrolled in an institution of higher education, withdraws or is no longer enrolled in a qualified program, declares a major that is not a qualified major, or otherwise is no longer eligible to receive a GET ready for math and science scholarship, the student shall notify the program administrator as soon as practicable and is not eligible for further GET ready for math and science scholarship awards. Such a student shall also repay the amount of the GET ready for math and science scholarship awarded to the student as required by section 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) A recipient of a GET ready for math and science scholarship incurs an obligation to repay the scholarship, with interest and an equalization fee, if he or she does not:
(a) Graduate with a bachelor's degree from a qualified program or in a qualified major within five years of first enrolling at an institution of higher education; and
(b) Work in Washington in a mathematics, science, or related occupation full time for at least three years following completion of a bachelor's degree, unless he or she is enrolled in a graduate degree program as provided in subsection (4) of this section.
(2) A former scholarship recipient who has earned a bachelor's degree shall annually verify to the board that he or she is working full time in a mathematics, science, or related field for three years.
(3) If a former scholarship recipient begins but then stops working full time in a mathematics, science, or related field within three years following completion of a bachelor's degree, he or she shall pay back a prorated portion of the amount of the GET ready for math and science scholarship award received by the recipient, plus interest and a prorated equalization fee.
(4) A recipient may postpone for up to three years his or her in-state work obligation if he or she enrolls full time in a graduate degree program in mathematics, science, or a related field.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall:
(1) Notify elementary, middle, junior high, high school, and school district staff and administrators, and the children's administration of the department of social and health services about the GET ready for math and science scholarship program using methods in place for communicating with schools and school districts; and
(2) Provide data showing the race, ethnicity, income, and other available demographic information of students who achieve level four of the math and science Washington assessment of student learning in the tenth grade. Compare those data with comparable information on the tenth grade student population as a whole. Submit a report with the analysis to the committees responsible for education and higher education in the legislature on December 1st of even-numbered years.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The board shall:
(1) Purchase GET units to be owned and held in trust by the board, for the purpose of scholarship awards as provided for in this section;
(2) Distribute scholarship funds, in the form of GET units or through direct payments from the GET ready for math and science scholarship account, to institutions of higher education on behalf of eligible recipients identified by the program administrator;
(3) Provide the program administrator with annual reports regarding enrollment, contact, and graduation information of GET ready for math and science scholarship recipients, if the recipients have given permission for the board to do so;
(4) Collect repayments from former scholarship recipients who do not meet the eligibility criteria or work obligations;
(5) Establish rules for scholarship repayment, approved leaves of absence, deferments, and exceptions to recognize extenuating circumstances that may impact students; and
(6) Provide information to school districts in Washington, at least once per year, about the GET ready for math and science scholarship program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. School districts shall:
(1) Notify parents, teachers, counselors, and principals about the GET ready for math and science scholarship program through existing channels. Notification methods may include, but are not limited to, regular school district and building communications, online scholarship bulletins and announcements, notices posted on school walls and bulletin boards, information available in each counselor's office, and school or district scholarship information sessions.
(2) Provide each student who achieves level four on the mathematics or science high school Washington assessment of student learning with information regarding the scholarship program and how to contact the program administrator.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The program administrator shall:
(1) Solicit and accept grants and donations from private sources to match state funds appropriated for the GET ready for math and science scholarship program;
(2) Develop and implement an application, selection, and notification process for awarding GET ready for math and science scholarships;
(3) Notify institutions of higher education of scholarship recipients who will attend their institutions and inform them of the terms of the students' eligibility; and
(4) Report to private donors on the program outcomes and facilitate contact between scholarship recipients and donors, if the recipients have given the program administrator permission to do so, in order for donors to offer employment opportunities, internships, and career information to recipients.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The board and the program administrator shall jointly:
(1) Determine criteria for qualifying undergraduate programs, majors, and courses leading to a bachelor's degree in mathematics, science, or a related field, offered by institutions of higher education. The board shall publish the criteria for qualified courses, and lists of qualified programs and qualified majors on its web site on a biennial basis; and
(2) Establish criteria for selecting among eligible applicants those who, without scholarship assistance, would be least likely to pursue a qualified undergraduate program at an institution of higher education in Washington state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. (1) The GET ready for math and science scholarship account is created in the custody of the state treasurer.
(2) The board shall deposit into the account all money received for the GET ready for math and science scholarship program from appropriations and private sources. The account shall be self-sustaining.
(3) Expenditures from the account shall be used for scholarships to eligible students and for purchases of GET units. Purchased GET units shall be owned and held in trust by the board. Expenditures from the account shall be an equal match of state appropriations and private funds raised by the program administrator.
(4) With the exception of the operating costs associated with the management of the account by the treasurer's office as authorized in chapter 43.79A RCW, the account shall be credited with all investment income earned by the account.
(5) Disbursements from the account are exempt from appropriations and the allotment provisions of chapter 43.88 RCW.
(6) Disbursements from the account shall be made only on the authorization of the board.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 28B.95 RCW to read as follows:
Ownership of tuition units purchased by the higher education coordinating board for the GET ready for math and science scholarship program under section 7 of this act shall be in the name of the state of Washington and may be redeemed by the state of Washington on behalf of recipients of GET ready for math and science scholarship program scholarships for tuition and fees.
Sec. 13. RCW 28B.95.060 and 2000 c 14 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The Washington advanced college tuition payment program account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. The account shall be a discrete nontreasury account retaining its interest earnings in accordance with RCW 43.79A.040.
(2)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the governing body shall deposit in the account all money received for the program. The account shall be self-sustaining and consist of payments received from purchasers of tuition units and funds received from other sources, public or private. With the exception of investment and operating costs associated with the investment of money by the investment board paid under RCW 43.33A.160 and 43.84.160, the account shall be credited with all investment income earned by the account. Disbursements from the account are exempt from appropriations and the allotment provisions of chapter 43.88 RCW. Money used for program administration is subject to the allotment of all expenditures. However, an appropriation is not required for such expenditures. Program administration shall include, but not be limited to: The salaries and expenses of the program personnel including lease payments, travel, and goods and services necessary for program operation; contracts for program promotion and advertisement, audits, and account management; and other general costs of conducting the business of the program.
(b) All money received by the program from the higher education coordinating board for the GET ready for math and science scholarship program shall be deposited in the GET ready for math and science scholarship account created in section 11 of this act.
(3) The assets of the account may be spent without appropriation for the purpose of making payments to institutions of higher education on behalf of the qualified beneficiaries, making refunds, transfers, or direct payments upon the termination of the Washington advanced college tuition payment program. Disbursements from the account shall be made only on the authorization of the governing body.
(4) With regard to the assets of the account, the state acts in a fiduciary, not ownership, capacity. Therefore the assets of the program are not considered state money, common cash, or revenue to the state.
Sec. 14. RCW 43.79A.040 and 2006 c 311 s 21 and 2006 c 120 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) Money in the treasurer's trust fund may be deposited, invested, and reinvested by the state treasurer in accordance with RCW 43.84.080 in the same manner and to the same extent as if the money were in the state treasury.
(2) All income received from investment of the treasurer's trust fund shall be set aside in an account in the treasury trust fund to be known as the investment income account.
(3) The investment income account may be utilized for the payment of purchased banking services on behalf of treasurer's trust funds including, but not limited to, depository, safekeeping, and disbursement functions for the state treasurer or affected state agencies. The investment income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for payments to financial institutions. Payments shall occur prior to distribution of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.
(4)(a) Monthly, the state treasurer shall distribute the earnings credited to the investment income account to the state general fund except under (b) and (c) of this subsection.
(b) The following accounts and funds shall receive their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period: The Washington promise scholarship account, the college savings program account, the Washington advanced college tuition payment program account, the agricultural local fund, the American Indian scholarship endowment fund, the foster care scholarship endowment fund, the foster care endowed scholarship trust fund, the students with dependents grant account, the basic health plan self-insurance reserve account, the contract harvesting revolving account, the Washington state combined fund drive account, the commemorative works account, the Washington international exchange scholarship endowment fund, the developmental disabilities endowment trust fund, the energy account, the fair fund, the fruit and vegetable inspection account, the future teachers conditional scholarship account, the game farm alternative account, the GET ready for math and science scholarship account, the grain inspection revolving fund, the juvenile accountability incentive account, the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' plan 2 expense fund, the local tourism promotion account, the produce railcar pool account, the regional transportation investment district account, the rural rehabilitation account, the stadium and exhibition center account, the youth athletic facility account, the self-insurance revolving fund, the sulfur dioxide abatement account, the children's trust fund, the Washington horse racing commission Washington bred owners' bonus fund account, the Washington horse racing commission class C purse fund account, the individual development account program account, the Washington horse racing commission operating account (earnings from the Washington horse racing commission operating account must be credited to the Washington horse racing commission class C purse fund account), the life sciences discovery fund, and the reading achievement account. However, the earnings to be distributed shall first be reduced by the allocation to the state treasurer's service fund pursuant to RCW 43.08.190.
(c) The following accounts and funds shall receive eighty percent of their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period: The advanced right of way revolving fund, the advanced environmental mitigation revolving account, the city and county advance right-of-way revolving fund, the federal narcotics asset forfeitures account, the high occupancy vehicle account, the local rail service assistance account, and the miscellaneous transportation programs account.
(5) In conformance with Article II, section 37 of the state Constitution, no trust accounts or funds shall be allocated earnings without the specific affirmative directive of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. Sections 1 through 11 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW."
On page 1, beginning on line 2 of the title, after "program;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 28B.95.060; reenacting and amending RCW 43.79A.040; adding a new section to chapter 28B.95 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1779 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Wallace spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
Representative Anderson spoke against the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1779, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1779, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 72, Nays - 21, Absent - 0, Excused - 5.
Voting yea: Representatives Appleton, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rolfes, Santos, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 72.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Bailey, Chandler, Crouse, Curtis, Dunn, Eddy, Ericksen, Haler, Hinkle, Kristiansen, Newhouse, Orcutt, Pearson, Rodne, Ross, Schindler, and Warnick - 21.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh, Schual-Berke, and Sump - 5.
ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1779, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 6, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1802 with the following amendment:
"Sec. 1. RCW 28A.210.080 and 2005 c 404 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The attendance of every child at every public and private school in the state and licensed day care center shall be conditioned upon the presentation before or on each child's first day of attendance at a particular school or center, of proof of either (a) full immunization, (b) the initiation of and compliance with a schedule of immunization, as required by rules of the state board of health, or (c) a certificate of exemption as provided for in RCW 28A.210.090. The attendance at the school or the day care center during any subsequent school year of a child who has initiated a schedule of immunization shall be conditioned upon the presentation of proof of compliance with the schedule on the child's first day of attendance during the subsequent school year. Once proof of full immunization or proof of completion of an approved schedule has been presented, no further proof shall be required as a condition to attendance at the particular school or center.
(2)(a) Beginning with sixth grade entry, every public and private school in the state shall provide parents and guardians with information about meningococcal disease and its vaccine at the beginning of every school year. The information about meningococcal disease shall include:
(i) Its causes and symptoms, how meningococcal disease is spread, and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children; and
(ii) Current recommendations from the United States centers for disease control and prevention regarding the receipt of vaccines for meningococcal disease and where the vaccination can be received.
(b) This subsection shall not be construed to require the department of health or the school to provide meningococcal vaccination to students.
(c) The department of health shall prepare the informational materials and shall consult with the office of superintendent of public instruction.
(d) This subsection does not create a private right of action.
(3)(a) Beginning with sixth grade entry, every public school in the state shall provide parents and guardians with information about human papillomavirus disease and its vaccine at the beginning of every school year. The information about human papillomavirus disease shall include:
(i) Its causes and symptoms, how human papillomavirus disease is spread, and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children; and
(ii) Current recommendations from the United States centers for disease control and prevention regarding the receipt of vaccines for human papillomavirus disease and where the vaccination can be received.
(b) This subsection shall not be construed to require the department of health or the school to provide human papillomavirus vaccination to students.
(c) The department of health shall prepare the informational materials and shall consult with the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
(d) This subsection does not create a private right of action.
(4) Private schools are required by state law to notify parents that information on the human papillomavirus disease prepared by the department of health is available."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "vaccine;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 28A.210.080."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1802 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Darneille spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1802, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1802, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 76, Nays - 18, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea:Representatives Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Curtis, Darneille, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Santos, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 76.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Buri, Chandler, Crouse, DeBolt, Dunn, Ericksen, Hailey, Hinkle, Kretz, Kristiansen, McCune, Orcutt, Pearson, Ross, Schindler and Warnick - 18.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1802, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1837 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 18.73.180 and 1987 c 214 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
Other vehicles not herein defined by this chapter shall not be used for transportation of patients who must be carried on a stretcher or who may require medical attention en route, except that such transportation may be used when:
(1) A disaster creates a situation that cannot be served by licensed ambulances; or
(2) The use of a stretcher is necessary because an individual's personal mobility aid cannot be adequately secured in the nonambulance vehicle and the individual has written authorization from his or her physician that it is safe to transfer the individual from a personal mobility aid to a stretcher.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The department of health shall convene a stakeholder group including the department of social and health services, the department of transportation, and local special needs transportation providers who shall assist in the development of guidelines for the safe transport of individuals who rely on stretchers and personal mobility devices.
(2) The department of health shall prepare guidelines for the public and vehicle operators relating to:
(a) Appropriate situations in which vehicles other than ambulances may be used to transport individuals who rely upon personal mobility aids in the normal course of their lives; and
(b) Methods for properly securing personal mobility aids on vehicles other than ambulances and determining if they are adequately secured."
On page 1, line 3 of the title, after "devices;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 18.73.180; and creating a new section."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1837 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Cody and Newhouse spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1837, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1837, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1837, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 6, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1883 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"PART 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 101. RCW 28B.76.050 and 2004 c 275 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
The members of the board, except ((the chair serving on June 13, 2002, and)) the student member, shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term ((except that in the case of initial members, two shall be appointed to two-year terms, three shall be appointed to three-year terms, and three shall be appointed to four-year terms)). The student member shall hold his or her office for a term of one year ((from)) beginning on the first day of July. ((The chair serving on June 13, 2002, shall serve at the pleasure of the governor.))
Sec. 102. RCW 28B.76.090 and 2004 c 275 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
The board shall employ a director and may delegate agency management to the director. The director shall serve at the pleasure of the board, shall be the executive officer of the board, and shall, under the board's supervision, administer the provisions of this chapter. The executive director shall, with the approval of the board: (1) Employ necessary deputy and assistant directors and other exempt staff under chapter 41.06 RCW who shall serve at his or her pleasure on such terms and conditions as he or she determines and (2) subject to the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW, appoint and employ such other employees as may be required for the proper discharge of the functions of the board. The executive director shall exercise such additional powers, other than rule making, as may be delegated by the board by resolution. In fulfilling the duties under this chapter, the board shall make extensive use of those state agencies with responsibility for implementing and supporting postsecondary education plans and policies including but not limited to appropriate legislative groups, the postsecondary education institutions, the office of financial management, the workforce training and education coordinating board, ((and)) the state board for community and technical colleges, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction. Outside consulting and service agencies may also be employed. The board may compensate these groups and consultants in appropriate ways.
Sec. 103. RCW 28B.76.100 and 2004 c 275 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The board shall establish an advisory council consisting of: A representative of the superintendent of public instruction; a representative of the state board of education appointed by the state board of education; a representative of the two-year system of the state board for community and technical colleges appointed by the state board for community and technical colleges; a representative of the workforce training and education coordinating board appointed by the workforce training and education coordinating board; one representative of the research universities appointed by the president of the University of Washington and the president of Washington State University; a representative of the regional universities and The Evergreen State College appointed through a process developed by the council of presidents; a representative of the faculty for the four-year institutions appointed by the council of faculty representatives; a representative of the proprietary schools appointed by the federation of private career schools and colleges; a representative of the independent colleges appointed by the independent colleges of Washington; and a faculty member in the community and technical college system appointed by the state board for community and technical colleges in consultation with the faculty unions.
(2) The members of the advisory council shall each serve a two-year term ((except for the superintendent of public instruction, whose term is concurrent with his or her term of office)).
(3) The board shall meet with the advisory council at least quarterly and shall seek advice from the council regarding the board's discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
PART 2
POLICY AND PLANNING
Sec. 201. RCW 28B.76.200 and 2004 c 275 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The board shall develop a statewide strategic master plan for higher education that proposes a vision and identifies measurable goals and priorities for the system of higher education in Washington state for a ten-year time period. The board shall update the statewide strategic master plan every four years. The plan shall address the goals of: (a) Expanding access; (b) using methods of educational delivery that are efficient, cost-effective, and productive to deliver modern educational programs; and (c) using performance measures to gauge the effectiveness of the state's progress towards meeting its higher education goals. The plan shall encompass all sectors of higher education, including the two-year system, workforce training, the four-year institutions, and financial aid. The board shall also specify strategies for ((maintaining and)) expanding access, affordability, quality, efficiency, and accountability among the various institutions of higher education.
(2) In developing the statewide strategic master plan for higher education, the board shall collaborate with the four-year institutions of higher education including the council of presidents, the community and technical college system, and, when appropriate, the workforce training and education coordinating board, the superintendent of public instruction, ((and)) the independent higher education institutions, the business sector, and labor. The board shall identify and utilize models of regional planning and decision making before initiating a statewide planning process. The board shall also seek input from students, faculty organizations, community and business leaders in the state, members of the legislature, and the governor.
(3) As a foundation for the statewide strategic master plan for higher education, the board shall review role and mission statements for each of the four-year institutions of higher education and the community and technical college system. The purpose of the review is to ensure institutional roles and missions are aligned with the overall state vision and priorities for higher education.
(4) In assessing needs of the state's higher education system, the board ((may)) should encourage partnerships, embrace innovation, and consider ((and)), analyze, and make recommendations concerning the following information:
(a) Demographic, social, economic, and technological trends and their impact on service delivery for a twenty-year horizon;
(b) The changing ethnic composition of the population and the special needs arising from those trends;
(c) Business and industrial needs for a skilled workforce;
(d) College attendance, retention, transfer, graduation, and dropout rates;
(e) Needs and demands for basic and continuing education and opportunities for lifelong learning by individuals of all age groups; ((and))
(f) Needs and demands for nontraditional populations including, but not limited to, adult learners; and
(g) Needs and demands for access to higher education by placebound students and individuals in heavily populated areas underserved by public institutions.
(5) The statewide strategic master plan for higher education shall include, but not be limited to, the following access and educational delivery items:
(a) Recommendations based on enrollment forecasts and analysis of data about demand for higher education, and policies and actions to meet ((those needs)) the goal of expanding access;
(b) State ((or)) and regional priorities for new or expanded degree programs or off-campus programs, including what models of service delivery may be most cost-effective;
(c) Recommended policies or actions to improve the efficiency of student transfer and graduation or completion;
(d) State ((or)) and regional priorities for addressing needs in high-demand fields where enrollment access is limited and employers are experiencing difficulty finding enough qualified graduates to fill job openings;
(e) Recommended tuition and fees policies and levels; and
(f) Priorities and recommendations including increased transparency on financial aid.
(6) The board shall present the vision, goals, priorities, and strategies in the statewide strategic master plan for higher education in a way that provides guidance for institutions, the governor, and the legislature to make further decisions regarding institution-level plans, policies, legislation, and operating and capital funding for higher education. In the statewide strategic master plan for higher education, the board shall recommend specific actions to be taken and identify measurable performance indicators and benchmarks for gauging progress toward achieving the goals and priorities.
(7) Every four years by December 15th, beginning December 15, ((2003)) 2007, the board shall submit an ((interim)) update of the ten-year statewide strategic master plan for higher education to the governor and the legislature. The ((interim)) updated plan shall reflect the expectations and policy directions of the legislative higher education and fiscal committees, and shall provide a timely and relevant framework for the development of future budgets and policy proposals. The legislature shall, by concurrent resolution, approve or recommend changes to the ((interim)) updated plan, following public hearings. The board shall submit the final plan, incorporating legislative changes, to the governor and the legislature by June of the year in which the legislature approves the concurrent resolution. The plan shall then become state higher education policy unless legislation is enacted to alter the policies set forth in the plan. The board shall report annually to the governor and the legislature on the progress being made by the institutions of higher education and the state to implement the strategic master plan.
(8) Each four-year institution shall develop an institution-level ten-year strategic plan that implements the vision, goals, priorities, and strategies within the statewide strategic master plan for higher education based on the institution's role and mission. Institutional strategic plans shall ((also)) encourage partnerships, embrace innovation, and contain measurable performance indicators and benchmarks for gauging progress toward achieving the goals and priorities with attention given to the goals and strategies of increased access and program delivery methods. The board shall review the institution-level plans to ensure the plans are aligned with and implement the statewide strategic master plan for higher education and shall periodically monitor institutions' progress toward achieving the goals and priorities within their plans.
(9) The board shall also review the comprehensive master plan prepared by the state board for community and technical colleges for the community and technical college system under RCW 28B.50.090 to ensure the plan is aligned with and implements the statewide strategic master plan for higher education.
Sec. 202. RCW 28B.76.210 and 2004 c 275 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The board shall collaborate with the four-year institutions including the council of presidents, the community and technical college system, and when appropriate the workforce training and education coordinating board, the superintendent of public instruction, and the independent higher educational institutions to identify budget priorities and levels of funding for higher education, including the two and four-year institutions of higher education and state financial aid programs. It is the intent of the legislature that recommendations from the board reflect not merely the sum of budget requests from multiple institutions, but prioritized funding needs for the overall system of higher education.
(2) By December of each odd-numbered year, the board shall distribute guidelines which outline the board's fiscal priorities to the institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges. The institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges shall submit an outline of their proposed budgets((, identifying major components, to the board no later than August 1st of each even-numbered year)) to the board no later than July 1st of each even-numbered year. Pursuant to guidelines developed by the board, operating budget outlines submitted by the institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges after January 1, 2007, shall include all policy changes and enhancements that will be requested by the institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges in their respective biennial budget requests. Operating budget outlines shall include a description of each policy enhancement, the dollar amount requested, and the fund source being requested. Capital budget outlines shall include the prioritized ranking of the capital projects being requested by two-year and four-year institutions, respectively. A description of each capital project, and the amount and fund source being requested, shall be included for each capital project appearing in the prioritized ranking. The office of financial management shall reference these reporting requirements in its budget instructions.
(3) The board shall review and evaluate the operating and capital budget requests from four-year institutions and the community and technical college system based on how the requests align with the board's budget priorities, the missions of the institutions, and the statewide strategic master plan for higher education under RCW 28B.76.200.
(4) The board shall submit recommendations on the proposed budgets and on the board's budget priorities to the office of financial management before ((November)) October 1st of each even-numbered year, and to the legislature by January 1st of each odd-numbered year.
(5) Institutions and the state board for community and technical colleges shall submit any supplemental budget requests and revisions to the board at the same time they are submitted to the office of financial management. The board shall submit recommendations on the proposed supplemental budget requests to the office of financial management by November 1st and to the legislature by January 1st.
PART 3
MISCELLANEOUS
NEW SECTION. Sec. 301. Part headings used in this act are not any part of the law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 302. Section 102 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "board;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 28B.76.050, 28B.76.090, 28B.76.100, 28B.76.200, and 28B.76.210; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1883 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Wallace spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1883, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1883, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 93, Nays - 1, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 93.
Voting nay: Representative Orcutt - 1.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1883, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 11, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1891 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW to read as follows:
In computing tax there may be deducted from the measure of tax imposed by RCW 82.04.290(2) amounts received by physicians or clinics for drugs for infusion or injection by licensed physicians or their agents for human use pursuant to a prescription, but only if the amounts: (1) Are separately stated on invoices or other billing statements; (2) do not exceed the then current federal rate; and (3) are covered or required under a health care service program subsidized by the federal or state government. The federal rate means the rate at or below which the federal government or its agents reimburse providers for prescription drugs administered to patients as provided for in the medicare, part B, drugs average sales price information resource as published by the United States department of health and human services, or any successor index thereto.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act takes effect October 1, 2007."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "prescription;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 82.04 RCW; and providing an effective date."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1891 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Linville and Orcutt spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1891, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1891, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1891, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 6, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1896 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that Washington is committed to economic development and supporting the tourism industry, and that economic development is achieved by promoting the state and the goods produced around the state. The legislature further finds that tourism is encouraged providing a memorable experience and an opportunity for visitors to take something back home with them to remind them of this experience. There are many visitors every day to the legislative building, including tourists, school children, and people from around the state visiting the state capitol. These visitors offer an opportunity for the state to showcase its products and history. Therefore, the legislature finds that a gift center in the legislative building would be an appropriate response to this opportunity, and further, that such a gift center could provide a source of revenue to help fund the oral history program and to pay for the restoration and repurchase of historical capitol furnishings.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) There is created in the legislature a legislative gift center for the retail sale of products bearing the state seal, Washington state souvenirs, other Washington products, and other products as approved. Wholesale purchase of products for sale at the legislative gift center is not subject to competitive bidding.
(2) Governance for the legislative gift center shall be under the chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate. They may designate a legislative staff member as the lead staff person to oversee management and operation of the gift shop.
(3) The chief clerk of the house of representatives and secretary of the senate shall consult with the department of general administration in planning, siting, and maintaining legislative building space for the gift center.
(4) Products bearing the "Seal of the State of Washington" as described in Article XVIII, section 1 of the Washington state Constitution and RCW 1.20.080, must be purchased from the secretary of state pursuant to an agreement between the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, and the secretary of state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The legislative gift center account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All moneys received by the gift center from the sale of Washington state souvenirs, other Washington products, and other products as approved shall be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the operations and maintenance of the gift center, including the purchase of inventory, and for other purposes as provided in this section. Only the chief clerk of the house of representatives and the secretary of the senate, or the lead staff person designated by them to oversee management and operation of the gift shop, may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
(2) Net profits, after expenses, from the sale of Washington state souvenirs, other Washington products, and products approved by the legislative gift center, shall be deposited as provided in this subsection:
(a) Twenty-five percent in the legislative oral history account in chapter 44.04 RCW (created in Substitute House Bill No. 1741);
(b) Twenty-five percent in the oral history, state library, and archives account created in RCW 43.07.380; and
(c) Fifty percent in the capitol furnishings preservation committee account created in RCW 27.48.040.
(3) Net profits, after expenses, from the sale of items bearing the state seal by the legislative gift center shall be deposited in the capitol furnishings preservation committee account created in RCW 27.48.040. A full accounting thereof shall be provided to the secretary of state.
(4) The legislative gift center may designate special sales, the proceeds of which shall go to an account specified at the time of designation.
Sec. 4. RCW 43.04.100 and 1988 c 120 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
All fees, penalties, and damages received under this chapter shall be paid to the secretary of state and with the exception of the filing fee authorized in RCW 43.04.040(2) shall be deposited by the secretary into the capitol ((building construction account in the state treasury, for use in the historical restoration and completion of the legislative building)) furnishings preservation committee account created in RCW 27.48.040.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 44 RCW."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "center;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 43.04.100; and adding a new chapter to Title 44 RCW."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1896 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Hunt spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1896, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1896, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1896, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 6, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1898 with the following amendment:
On page 2, line 33, after "district" insert ", or to any project funded in whole or in part by bond issues approved before July 1, 2007"
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1898 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Quall spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed House Bill No. 1898, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed House Bill No. 1898, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 69, Nays - 25, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Appleton, Barlow, Blake, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McDermott, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Quall, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Santos, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 69.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Bailey, Buri, Chandler, Crouse, Curtis, Dunn, Ericksen, Hailey, Hinkle, Kretz, Kristiansen, McCune, McDonald, Orcutt, Pearson, Priest, Roach, Ross, Schindler, Skinner, and Warnick - 25.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1898, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 9, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1910 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1. RCW 84.14.005 and 1995 c 375 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The legislature finds:
(1) That in many of Washington's urban centers there is insufficient availability of desirable and convenient residential units, including affordable housing units, to meet the needs of a growing number of the public who would live in these urban centers if these desirable, convenient, attractive, affordable, and livable places to live were available;
(2) That the development of additional and desirable residential units, including affordable housing units, in these urban centers that will attract and maintain a significant increase in the number of permanent residents in these areas will help to alleviate the detrimental conditions and social liability that tend to exist in the absence of a viable mixed income residential population and will help to achieve the planning goals mandated by the growth management act under RCW 36.70A.020; and
(3) That planning solutions to solve the problems of urban sprawl often lack incentive and implementation techniques needed to encourage residential redevelopment in those urban centers lacking a sufficient variety of residential opportunities, and it is in the public interest and will benefit, provide, and promote the public health, safety, and welfare to stimulate new or enhanced residential opportunities, including affordable housing opportunities, within urban centers through a tax incentive as provided by this chapter.
Sec. 2. RCW 84.14.007 and 1995 c 375 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
It is the purpose of this chapter to encourage increased residential opportunities, including affordable housing opportunities, in cities that are required to plan or choose to plan under the growth management act within urban centers where the ((legislative body)) governing authority of the affected city has found there is insufficient housing opportunities, including affordable housing opportunities. It is further the purpose of this chapter to stimulate the construction of new multifamily housing and the rehabilitation of existing vacant and underutilized buildings for multifamily housing in urban centers having insufficient housing opportunities that will increase and improve residential opportunities, including affordable housing opportunities, within these urban centers. To achieve these purposes, this chapter provides for special valuations in residentially deficient urban centers for eligible improvements associated with multiunit housing ((in residentially deficient urban centers)), which includes affordable housing.
Sec. 3. RCW 84.14.010 and 2002 c 146 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "City" means either (a) a city or town with a population of at least ((thirty)) fifteen thousand ((or)), (b) the largest city or town, if there is no city or town with a population of at least ((thirty)) fifteen thousand, located in a county planning under the growth management act, or (c) a city or town with a population of at least five thousand located in a county subject to the provisions of RCW 36.70A.215.
(2) "Affordable housing" means residential housing that is rented by a person or household whose monthly housing costs, including utilities other than telephone, do not exceed thirty percent of the household's monthly income. For the purposes of housing intended for owner occupancy, "affordable housing" means residential housing that is within the means of low or moderate-income households.
(3) "Household" means a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together.
(4) "Low-income household" means a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is at or below eighty percent of the median family income adjusted for family size, for the county where the project is located, as reported by the United States department of housing and urban development. For cities located in high-cost areas, "low-income household" means a household that has an income at or below one hundred percent of the median family income adjusted for family size, for the county where the project is located.
(5) "Moderate-income household" means a single person, family, or unrelated persons living together whose adjusted income is more than eighty percent but is at or below one hundred fifteen percent of the median family income adjusted for family size, for the county where the project is located, as reported by the United States department of housing and urban development. For cities located in high-cost areas, "moderate-income household" means a household that has an income that is more than one hundred percent, but at or below one hundred fifty percent, of the median family income adjusted for family size, for the county where the project is located.
(6) "High cost area" means a county where the third quarter median house price for the previous year as reported by the Washington center for real estate research at Washington State University is equal to or greater than one hundred thirty percent of the statewide median house price published during the same time period.
(7) "Governing authority" means the local legislative authority of a city having jurisdiction over the property for which an exemption may be applied for under this chapter.
(((3))) (8) "Growth management act" means chapter 36.70A RCW.
(((4))) (9) "Multiple-unit housing" means a building having four or more dwelling units not designed or used as transient accommodations and not including hotels and motels. Multifamily units may result from new construction or rehabilitated or conversion of vacant, underutilized, or substandard buildings to multifamily housing.
(((5))) (10) "Owner" means the property owner of record.
(((6))) (11) "Permanent residential occupancy" means multiunit housing that provides either rental or owner occupancy on a nontransient basis. This includes owner-occupied or rental accommodation that is leased for a period of at least one month. This excludes hotels and motels that predominately offer rental accommodation on a daily or weekly basis.
(((7))) (12) "Rehabilitation improvements" means modifications to existing structures, that are vacant for twelve months or longer, that are made to achieve a condition of substantial compliance with existing building codes or modification to existing occupied structures which increase the number of multifamily housing units.
(((8))) (13) "Residential targeted area" means an area within an urban center that has been designated by the governing authority as a residential targeted area in accordance with this chapter.
(((9))) (14) "Substantial compliance" means compliance with local building or housing code requirements that are typically required for rehabilitation as opposed to new construction.
(((10))) (15) "Urban center" means a compact identifiable district where urban residents may obtain a variety of products and services. An urban center must contain:
(a) Several existing or previous, or both, business establishments that may include but are not limited to shops, offices, banks, restaurants, governmental agencies;
(b) Adequate public facilities including streets, sidewalks, lighting, transit, domestic water, and sanitary sewer systems; and
(c) A mixture of uses and activities that may include housing, recreation, and cultural activities in association with either commercial or office, or both, use.
Sec. 4. RCW 84.14.020 and 2002 c 146 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) The value of new housing construction, conversion, and rehabilitation improvements qualifying under this chapter is exempt from ad valorem property taxation, as follows:
(i) For properties for which applications for certificates of tax exemption eligibility are submitted under chapter 84.14 RCW before the effective date of this act, the value is exempt for ten successive years beginning January 1 of the year immediately following the calendar year of issuance of the certificate ((of tax exemption eligibility. However, the exemption does not include the value of land or nonhousing-related improvements not qualifying under this chapter)); and
(ii) For properties for which applications for certificates of tax exemption eligibility are submitted under chapter 84.14 RCW on or after the effective date of this act, the value is exempt:
(A) For eight successive years beginning January 1st of the year immediately following the calendar year of issuance of the certificate; or
(B) For twelve successive years beginning January 1st of the year immediately following the calendar year of issuance of the certificate, if the property otherwise qualifies for the exemption under chapter 84.14 RCW and meets the conditions in this subsection (1)(a)(ii)(B). For the property to qualify for the twelve-year exemption under this subsection, the applicant must commit to renting or selling at least twenty percent of the multifamily housing units as affordable housing units to low and moderate-income households, and the property must satisfy that commitment and any additional affordability and income eligibility conditions adopted by the local government under this chapter. In the case of projects intended exclusively for owner occupancy, the minimum requirement of this subsection (1)(a)(ii)(B) may be satisfied solely through housing affordable to moderate-income households.
(b) The exemptions provided in (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection do not include the value of land or nonhousing-related improvements not qualifying under this chapter.
(2) When a local government adopts guidelines pursuant to RCW 84.14.030(2) and ((the qualifying dwelling units are each on separate parcels for the purpose of property taxation)) includes conditions that must be satisfied with respect to individual dwelling units, rather than with respect to the multiple-unit housing as a whole or some minimum portion thereof, the exemption may, at the local government's discretion, be limited to the value of the qualifying improvements allocable to those dwelling units that meet the local guidelines.
(((2))) (3) In the case of rehabilitation of existing buildings, the exemption does not include the value of improvements constructed prior to the submission of the application required under this chapter. The incentive provided by this chapter is in addition to any other incentives, tax credits, grants, or other incentives provided by law.
(((3))) (4) This chapter does not apply to increases in assessed valuation made by the assessor on nonqualifying portions of building and value of land nor to increases made by lawful order of a county board of equalization, the department of revenue, or a county, to a class of property throughout the county or specific area of the county to achieve the uniformity of assessment or appraisal required by law.
(((4))) (5) At the conclusion of the ((ten-year)) exemption period, the new or rehabilitated housing cost shall be considered as new construction for the purposes of chapter 84.55 RCW.
Sec. 5. RCW 84.14.030 and 2005 c 80 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
An owner of property making application under this chapter must meet the following requirements:
(1) The new or rehabilitated multiple-unit housing must be located in a residential targeted area as designated by the city;
(2) The multiple-unit housing must meet ((the)) guidelines as adopted by the governing authority that may include height, density, public benefit features, number and size of proposed development, parking, ((low-income or moderate-))income limits for occupancy ((requirements)), limits on rents or sale prices, and other adopted requirements indicated necessary by the city. The required amenities should be relative to the size of the project and tax benefit to be obtained;
(3) The new, converted, or rehabilitated multiple-unit housing must provide for a minimum of fifty percent of the space for permanent residential occupancy. In the case of existing occupied multifamily development, the multifamily housing must also provide for a minimum of four additional multifamily units. Existing multifamily vacant housing that has been vacant for twelve months or more does not have to provide additional multifamily units;
(4) New construction multifamily housing and rehabilitation improvements must be completed within three years from the date of approval of the application;
(5) Property proposed to be rehabilitated must fail to comply with one or more standards of the applicable state or local building or housing codes on or after July 23, 1995. If the property proposed to be rehabilitated is not vacant, an applicant shall provide each existing tenant housing of comparable size, quality, and price and a reasonable opportunity to relocate; and
(6) The applicant must enter into a contract with the city approved by the governing ((body)) authority, or an administrative official or commission authorized by the governing authority, under which the applicant has agreed to the implementation of the development on terms and conditions satisfactory to the governing authority.
Sec. 6. RCW 84.14.040 and 1995 c 375 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The following criteria must be met before an area may be designated as a residential targeted area:
(a) The area must be within an urban center, as determined by the governing authority;
(b) The area must lack, as determined by the governing authority, sufficient available, desirable, and convenient residential housing, including affordable housing, to meet the needs of the public who would be likely to live in the urban center, if the affordable, desirable, attractive, and livable places to live were available; and
(c) The providing of additional housing opportunity, including affordable housing, in the area, as determined by the governing authority, will assist in achieving one or more of the stated purposes of this chapter.
(2) For the purpose of designating a residential targeted area or areas, the governing authority may adopt a resolution of intention to so designate an area as generally described in the resolution. The resolution must state the time and place of a hearing to be held by the governing authority to consider the designation of the area and may include such other information pertaining to the designation of the area as the governing authority determines to be appropriate to apprise the public of the action intended.
(3) The governing authority shall give notice of a hearing held under this chapter by publication of the notice once each week for two consecutive weeks, not less than seven days, nor more than thirty days before the date of the hearing in a paper having a general circulation in the city where the proposed residential targeted area is located. The notice must state the time, date, place, and purpose of the hearing and generally identify the area proposed to be designated as a residential targeted area.
(4) Following the hearing, or a continuance of the hearing, the governing authority may designate all or a portion of the area described in the resolution of intent as a residential targeted area if it finds, in its sole discretion, that the criteria in subsections (1) through (3) of this section have been met.
(5) After designation of a residential targeted area, the governing authority ((shall)) must adopt and implement standards and guidelines to be utilized in considering applications and making the determinations required under RCW 84.14.060. The standards and guidelines must establish basic requirements for both new construction and rehabilitation ((including)), which must include:
(a) Application process and procedures((. These guidelines may include the following:));
(((a))) (b) Requirements that address demolition of existing structures and site utilization; and
(((b))) (c) Building requirements that may include elements addressing parking, height, density, environmental impact, and compatibility with the existing surrounding property and such other amenities as will attract and keep permanent residents and that will properly enhance the livability of the residential targeted area in which they are to be located.
(6) The governing authority may adopt and implement, either as conditions to eight-year exemptions or as conditions to an extended exemption period under RCW 84.14.020(2), or both, more stringent income eligibility, rent, or sale price limits, including limits that apply to a higher percentage of units, than the minimum conditions for an extended exemption period under RCW 84.14.020(2).
Sec. 7. RCW 84.14.050 and 1999 c 132 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
An owner of property seeking tax incentives under this chapter must complete the following procedures:
(1) In the case of rehabilitation or where demolition or new construction is required, the owner shall secure from the governing authority or duly authorized ((agent)) representative, before commencement of rehabilitation improvements or new construction, verification of property noncompliance with applicable building and housing codes;
(2) In the case of new and rehabilitated multifamily housing, the owner shall apply to the city on forms adopted by the governing authority. The application must contain the following:
(a) Information setting forth the grounds supporting the requested exemption including information indicated on the application form or in the guidelines;
(b) A description of the project and site plan, including the floor plan of units and other information requested;
(c) A statement that the applicant is aware of the potential tax liability involved when the property ceases to be eligible for the incentive provided under this chapter;
(3) The applicant must verify the application by oath or affirmation; and
(4) The application must be accompanied by the application fee, if any, required under RCW 84.14.080. The governing authority may permit the applicant to revise an application before final action by the governing authority.
Sec. 8. RCW 84.14.060 and 1995 c 375 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
The duly authorized administrative official or committee of the city may approve the application if it finds that:
(1) A minimum of four new units are being constructed or in the case of occupied rehabilitation or conversion a minimum of four additional multifamily units are being developed;
(2) If applicable, the proposed multiunit housing project meets the affordable housing requirements as described in RCW 84.14.020;
(3) The proposed project is or will be, at the time of completion, in conformance with all local plans and regulations that apply at the time the application is approved;
(((3))) (4) The owner has complied with all standards and guidelines adopted by the city under this chapter; and
(((4))) (5) The site is located in a residential targeted area of an urban center that has been designated by the governing authority in accordance with procedures and guidelines indicated in RCW 84.14.040.
Sec. 9. RCW 84.14.090 and 1995 c 375 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Upon completion of rehabilitation or new construction for which an application for a limited tax exemption under this chapter has been approved and after issuance of the certificate of occupancy, the owner shall file with the city the following:
(a) A statement of the amount of rehabilitation or construction expenditures made with respect to each housing unit and the composite expenditures made in the rehabilitation or construction of the entire property;
(b) A description of the work that has been completed and a statement that the rehabilitation improvements or new construction on the owner's property qualify the property for limited exemption under this chapter; ((and))
(c) If applicable, a statement that the project meets the affordable housing requirements as described in RCW 84.14.020; and
(d) A statement that the work has been completed within three years of the issuance of the conditional certificate of tax exemption.
(2) Within thirty days after receipt of the statements required under subsection (1) of this section, the authorized representative of the city shall determine whether the work completed, and the affordability of the units, is consistent with the application and the contract approved by the ((governing authority)) city and is qualified for a limited tax exemption under this chapter. The city shall also determine which specific improvements completed meet the requirements and required findings.
(3) If the rehabilitation, conversion, or construction is completed within three years of the date the application for a limited tax exemption is filed under this chapter, or within an authorized extension of this time limit, and the authorized representative of the city determines that improvements were constructed consistent with the application and other applicable requirements, including if applicable, affordable housing requirements, and the owner's property is qualified for a limited tax exemption under this chapter, the city shall file the certificate of tax exemption with the county assessor within ten days of the expiration of the thirty-day period provided under subsection (2) of this section.
(4) The authorized representative of the city shall notify the applicant that a certificate of tax exemption is not going to be filed if the authorized representative determines that:
(a) The rehabilitation or new construction was not completed within three years of the application date, or within any authorized extension of the time limit;
(b) The improvements were not constructed consistent with the application or other applicable requirements; ((or))
(c) If applicable, the affordable housing requirements as described in RCW 84.14.020 were not met; or
(d) The owner's property is otherwise not qualified for limited exemption under this chapter.
(5) If the authorized representative of the city finds that construction or rehabilitation of multiple-unit housing was not completed within the required time period due to circumstances beyond the control of the owner and that the owner has been acting and could reasonably be expected to act in good faith and with due diligence, the governing authority or the city official authorized by the governing authority may extend the deadline for completion of construction or rehabilitation for a period not to exceed twenty-four consecutive months.
(6) The governing authority may provide by ordinance for an appeal of a decision by the deciding officer or authority that an owner is not entitled to a certificate of tax exemption to the governing authority, a hearing examiner, or other city officer authorized by the governing authority to hear the appeal in accordance with such reasonable procedures and time periods as provided by ordinance of the governing authority. The owner may appeal a decision by the deciding officer or authority that is not subject to local appeal or a decision by the local appeal authority that the owner is not entitled to a certificate of tax exemption in superior court under RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598, if the appeal is filed within thirty days of notification by the city to the owner of the decision being challenged.
Sec. 10. RCW 84.14.100 and 1995 c 375 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Thirty days after the anniversary of the date of the certificate of tax exemption and each year for ((a period of ten years)) the tax exemption period, the owner of the rehabilitated or newly constructed property shall file with a designated ((agent)) authorized representative of the city an annual report indicating the following:
(((1))) (a) A statement of occupancy and vacancy of the rehabilitated or newly constructed property during the twelve months ending with the anniversary date;
(((2))) (b) A certification by the owner that the property has not changed use and, if applicable, that the property has been in compliance with the affordable housing requirements as described in RCW 84.14.020 since the date of the certificate approved by the city; ((and
(3))) (c) A description of changes or improvements constructed after issuance of the certificate of tax exemption; and
(d) Any additional information requested by the city in regards to the units receiving a tax exemption.
(2) All cities, which issue certificates of tax exemption for multiunit housing that conform to the requirements of this chapter, shall report annually by December 31st of each year, beginning in 2007, to the department of community, trade, and economic development. The report must include the following information:
(a) The number of tax exemption certificates granted;
(b) The total number and type of units produced or to be produced;
(c) The number and type of units produced or to be produced meeting affordable housing requirements;
(d) The actual development cost of each unit produced;
(e) The total monthly rent or total sale amount of each unit produced;
(f) The income of each renter household at the time of initial occupancy and the income of each initial purchaser of owner-occupied
units at the time of purchase for each of the units receiving a tax exemption and a summary of these figures for the city; and
(g) The value of the tax exemption for each project receiving a tax exemption and the total value of tax exemptions granted.
Sec. 11. RCW 84.14.110 and 2002 c 146 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) If improvements have been exempted under this chapter, the improvements continue to be exempted ((and)) for the applicable period under RCW 84.14.020, so long as they are not ((be)) converted to another use ((for at least ten years from date of issuance of the certificate of tax exemption)) and continue to satisfy all applicable conditions. If the owner intends to convert the multifamily development to another use, or if applicable, if the owner intends to discontinue compliance with the affordable housing requirements as described in RCW 84.14.020 or any other condition to exemption, the owner shall notify the assessor within sixty days of the change in use or intended discontinuance. If, after a certificate of tax exemption has been filed with the county assessor, the ((city or assessor or agent)) authorized representative of the governing authority discovers that a portion of the property is changed or will be changed to a use that is other than residential or that housing or amenities no longer meet the requirements, including, if applicable, affordable housing requirements, as previously approved or agreed upon by contract between the ((governing authority)) city and the owner and that the multifamily housing, or a portion of the housing, no longer qualifies for the exemption, the tax exemption must be canceled and the following must occur:
(a) Additional real property tax must be imposed upon the value of the nonqualifying improvements in the amount that would normally be imposed, plus a penalty must be imposed amounting to twenty percent. This additional tax is calculated based upon the difference between the property tax paid and the property tax that would have been paid if it had included the value of the nonqualifying improvements dated back to the date that the improvements were converted to a nonmultifamily use;
(b) The tax must include interest upon the amounts of the additional tax at the same statutory rate charged on delinquent property taxes from the dates on which the additional tax could have been paid without penalty if the improvements had been assessed at a value without regard to this chapter; and
(c) The additional tax owed together with interest and penalty must become a lien on the land and attach at the time the property or portion of the property is removed from multifamily use or the amenities no longer meet applicable requirements, and has priority to and must be fully paid and satisfied before a recognizance, mortgage, judgment, debt, obligation, or responsibility to or with which the land may become charged or liable. The lien may be foreclosed upon expiration of the same period after delinquency and in the same manner provided by law for foreclosure of liens for delinquent real property taxes. An additional tax unpaid on its due date is delinquent. From the date of delinquency until paid, interest must be charged at the same rate applied by law to delinquent ad valorem property taxes.
(2) Upon a determination that a tax exemption is to be canceled for a reason stated in this section, the governing authority or authorized representative shall notify the record owner of the property as shown by the tax rolls by mail, return receipt requested, of the determination to cancel the exemption. The owner may appeal the determination to the governing authority or authorized representative, within thirty days by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the governing authority, which notice must specify the factual and legal basis on which the determination of cancellation is alleged to be erroneous. The governing authority or a hearing examiner or other official authorized by the governing authority may hear the appeal. At the hearing, all affected parties may be heard and all competent evidence received. After the hearing, the deciding body or officer shall either affirm, modify, or repeal the decision of cancellation of exemption based on the evidence received. An aggrieved party may appeal the decision of the deciding body or officer to the superior court under RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598.
(3) Upon determination by the governing authority or authorized representative to terminate an exemption, the county officials having possession of the assessment and tax rolls shall correct the rolls in the manner provided for omitted property under RCW 84.40.080. The county assessor shall make such a valuation of the property and improvements as is necessary to permit the correction of the rolls. The value of the new housing construction, conversion, and rehabilitation improvements added to the rolls shall be considered as new construction for the purposes of chapter 84.55 RCW. The owner may appeal the valuation to the county board of equalization under chapter 84.48 RCW and according to the provisions of RCW 84.40.038. If there has been a failure to comply with this chapter, the property must be listed as an omitted assessment for assessment years beginning January 1 of the calendar year in which the noncompliance first occurred, but the listing as an omitted assessment may not be for a period more than three calendar years preceding the year in which the failure to comply was discovered.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "housing;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 84.14.005, 84.14.007, 84.14.010, 84.14.020, 84.14.030, 84.14.040, 84.14.050, 84.14.060, 84.14.090, 84.14.100, and 84.14.110; and declaring an emergency."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1910 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Ormsby spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
Representative Orcutt spoke against the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1910, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1910, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 63, Nays - 31, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Appleton, Barlow, Blake, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McDermott, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Quall, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Santos, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Sommers, Springer, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 63.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Bailey, Buri, Chandler, Crouse, Curtis, DeBolt, Dunn, Ericksen, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hinkle, Kretz, Kristiansen, McCune, McDonald, Newhouse, Orcutt, Pearson, Priest, Roach, Ross, Schindler, Skinner, Strow, Walsh, and Warnick - 31.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1910, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
I intended to vote NAY on ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1910.
JAY RODNE, 5th District
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 10, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1922 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that providing needy youth aging out of the state dependency system with safe and viable options for housing to avoid homelessness confers a valuable benefit on the public that is intended to improve public health, safety, and welfare.
(2) It is the goal of this state to:
(a) Ensure that all youth aging out of the state dependency system have access to a decent, appropriate, and affordable home in a healthy safe environment to prevent such young people from experiencing homelessness; and
(b) Reduce each year the percentage of young people eligible for state assistance upon aging out of the state dependency system.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Department" means the department of community, trade, and economic development.
(2) "Eligible youth" means an individual who:
(a) On or after September 1, 2006, is at least eighteen, was a dependent of the state under chapter 13.34 RCW in the month before his or her eighteenth birthday, and has not yet reached the age of twenty-three;
(b) Except as provided in section 4(2)(a) of this act, has a total income from all sources, except for temporary sources that include, but are not limited to, overtime wages, bonuses, or short-term temporary assignments, that does not exceed fifty percent of the area median income;
(c) Is not receiving services under RCW 74.13.031(10)(b);
(d) Complies with other eligibility requirements the department may establish.
(3) "Fair market rent" means the fair market rent in each county of the state, as determined by the United States department of housing and urban development.
(4) "Independent housing" means a housing unit that is not owned by or located within the home of the eligible youth's biological parents or any of the eligible youth's former foster care families or dependency guardians. "Independent housing" may include a unit in a transitional or other supportive housing facility.
(5) "Individual development account" or "account" means an account established by contract between a low-income individual and a sponsoring organization for the benefit of the low-income individual and funded through periodic contributions by the low-income individual that are matched with contributions by or through the sponsoring organization.
(6) "Subcontractor organization" means an eligible organization described under RCW 43.185A.040 that contracts with the department to administer the independent youth housing program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
(1) The independent youth housing program is created in the department to provide housing stipends to eligible youth to be used for independent housing. In developing a plan for the design, implementation, and operation of the independent youth housing program, the department shall:
(a) Adopt policies, requirements, and procedures necessary to administer the program;
(b) Contract with one or more eligible organizations described under RCW 43.185A.040 to provide services and conduct administrative activities as described in subsection (3) of this section;
(c) Establish eligibility criteria for youth to participate in the independent youth housing program, giving priority to youth who have been dependents of the state for at least one year;
(d) Refer interested youth to the designated subcontractor organization administering the program in the area in which the youth intends to reside;
(e) Develop a method for determining the amount of the housing stipend, first and last month's rent, and security deposit, where applicable, to be dedicated to participating youth. The method for determining a housing stipend must take into account a youth's age, the youth's total income from all sources, the fair market rent for the area in which the youth lives or intends to live, and a variety of possible living situations for the youth. The amount of housing stipends must be adjusted, by a method and formula established by the department, to promote the successful transition for youth to complete housing self-sufficiency over time;
(f) Ensure that the independent youth housing program is integrated and aligned with other state rental assistance and case management programs operated by the department, as well as case management and supportive services programs, including the independent living program, the transitional living program, and other related programs offered by the department of social and health services; and
(g) Consult with the department of social and health services and other stakeholders involved with dependent youth, homeless youth, and homeless young adults, as appropriate.
(2) The department of social and health services shall collaborate with the department in implementing and operating the independent youth housing program including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Refer potential eligible youth to the department before the youth's eighteenth birthday, if feasible, to include an indication, if known, of where the youth plans to reside after aging out of foster care;
(b) Provide information to all youth aged fifteen or older, who are dependents of the state under chapter 13.34 RCW, about the independent youth housing program, encouraging dependents nearing their eighteenth birthday to consider applying for enrollment in the program;
(c) Encourage organizations participating in the independent living program and the transitional living program to collaborate with independent youth housing program providers whenever possible to capitalize on resources and provide the greatest amount and variety of services to eligible youth;
(d) Annually provide to the department data reflecting changes in the percentage of youth aging out of the state dependency system each year who are eligible for state assistance, as well as any other data and performance measures that may assist the department to measure program success; and
(e) Annually, beginning by December 31, 2007, provide to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the interagency council on homelessness as described under RCW 43.185C.170 recommendations of strategies to reach the goals described in section 5(2)(g) of this act.
(3) Under the independent youth housing program, subcontractor organizations shall:
(a) Use moneys awarded to the organizations for housing stipends, security deposits, first and last month's rent stipends, case management program costs, and administrative costs;
(i) Administrative costs for each subcontractor organization may not exceed twelve percent of the estimated total annual grant amount to the subcontractor organization;
(ii) All housing stipends must be payable only to a landlord or housing manager of any type of independent housing;
(b) Enroll eligible youth who are referred by the department and who choose to reside in their assigned service area;
(c) Enter eligible youth program participants into the homeless client management information system as described in RCW 43.185C.180;
(d) Monitor participating youth's housing status;
(e) Evaluate participating youth's eligibility and compliance with department policies and procedures at least twice a year;
(f) Assist participating youth to develop or update an independent living plan focused on obtaining and retaining independent housing or collaborate with a case manager with whom the youth is already involved to ensure that the youth has an independent living plan;
(g) Educate participating youth on tenant rights and responsibilities;
(h) Provide support to participating youth in the form of general case management and information and referral services, when necessary, or collaborate with a case manager with whom the youth is already involved to ensure that the youth is receiving the case management and information and referral services needed;
(i) Connect participating youth, when possible, with individual development account programs, other financial literacy programs, and other programs that are designed to help young people acquire economic independence and self-sufficiency, or collaborate with a case manager with whom the youth is already involved to ensure that the youth is receiving information and referrals to these programs, when appropriate;
(j) Submit expenditure and performance reports, including information related to the performance measures in section 5 of this act, to the department on a time schedule determined by the department; and
(k) Provide recommendations to the department regarding program improvements and strategies that might assist the state to reach its goals as described in section 5(2)(g) of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
(1) An eligible youth participating in the independent youth housing program must:
(a) Sign a program compliance agreement stating that the youth agrees to:
(i) Timely pay his or her portion of the independent housing cost;
(ii) Comply with an independent living plan; and
(iii) Comply with other program requirements and policies the department may establish; and
(b) Maintain his or her status as an eligible youth, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) The department shall establish policies and procedures to allow the youth to remain in the program and continue to receive a housing stipend if the youth's total income exceeds fifty percent of the area median income during the course of his or her participation in the program. The policies must require the youth to:
(a) Participate in the individual development account program established under RCW 43.31.460 and invest a portion, to be determined by the department, of his or her income that exceeds fifty percent of the area median income in an individual development account; or
(b) If the youth is unable to participate in the individual development account program due to the program's capacity limits or eligibility requirements, participate in an alternate supervised savings program approved by the department, as long as the youth qualifies for and may participate in this savings program.
(3) An eligible youth may participate in the independent youth housing program for any duration of time and may apply to enroll in the program with the department at any time.
(4)(a) A youth may be terminated from the independent youth housing program for a violation of department policies.
(b) Youth who are terminated from the program may apply to the department for reenrollment in the program through a procedure to be developed by the department. The department shall establish criteria to evaluate a reenrollment application and may accept or deny a reenrollment application based on the department's evaluation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
Beginning in 2007, the department must annually review and report on the performance of subcontractor organizations participating in the independent youth housing program, as well as the performance of the program as a whole.
(1) Reporting should be within the context of the state homeless housing strategic plan under RCW 43.185C.040 and any other relevant state or local homeless or affordable housing plans. The outcomes of the independent youth housing program must be included in the measurement of any performance measures described in chapter 43.185C RCW.
(2) The independent youth housing program report must include, at a minimum, an update on the following program performance measures, as well as any other performance measures the department may establish, for enrolled youth in consultation with the department of social and health services, to be measured statewide and by county:
(a) Increases in housing stability;
(b) Increases in economic self-sufficiency;
(c) Increases in independent living skills;
(d) Increases in education and job training attainment;
(e) Decreases in the use of all state-funded services over time;
(f) Decreases in the percentage of youth aging out of the state dependency system each year who are eligible for state assistance as reported to the department by the department of social and health services; and
(g) Recommendations to the legislature and to the interagency council on homelessness as described under RCW 43.185C.170 on program improvements and on departmental strategies that might assist the state to reach its goals of:
(i) Ensuring that all youth aging out of the state dependency system have access to a decent, appropriate, and affordable home in a healthy safe environment to prevent such youth from experiencing homelessness; and
(ii) Reducing each year the percentage of young people eligible for state assistance upon aging out of the state dependency system.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
This act does not create:
(1) An entitlement to services;
(2) Judicial authority to (a) extend the jurisdiction of juvenile court in a proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW to a youth who has reached the age of eighteen or (b) order the provision of services to the youth; or
(3) A private right of action or claim on the part of any individual, entity, or agency against the department, the department of social and health services, or any contractor of the departments.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
The independent youth housing account is created in the state treasury. All revenue directed to the independent youth housing program must be deposited into this account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may only be used for the independent youth housing program as described in section 3 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Beginning in September 2008, the Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct a study measuring the outcomes for youth who are participating or who have participated in the independent youth housing program created in section 3 of this act. The institute shall issue a report containing its preliminary findings to the legislature by December 1, 2009, and a final report by December 1, 2010.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2007, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "program;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding new sections to chapter 43.63A RCW; and creating new sections."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1922 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Pedersen spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1922, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Second Substitute House Bill No. 1922, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 65, Nays - 29, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Appleton, Barlow, Blake, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dickerson, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McDermott, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, O'Brien, Ormsby, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roberts, Rolfes, Santos, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 65.
Voting nay: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Bailey, Buri, Chandler, Crouse, Curtis, DeBolt, Dunn, Ericksen, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hinkle, Kretz, Kristiansen, McCune, McDonald, Newhouse, Orcutt, Pearson, Roach, Rodne, Ross, Schindler, Skinner, and Warnick - 29.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1922, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 2, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1929 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds and declares that greenhouse gases offset contracts, credits, and other greenhouse gases mitigation efforts are a recognized utility purpose that confers a direct benefit on the utility's ratepayers. The legislature declares that section 2 of this act is intended to reverse the result of Okeson v. City of Seattle (January 18, 2007), by expressly granting municipal utilities the statutory authority to engage in mitigation activities to offset their utility's impact on the environment.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 35.92 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A city or town authorized to acquire and operate utilities for the purpose of furnishing the city or town and its inhabitants and other persons with water, with electricity for lighting and other purposes, or with service from sewerage, storm water, surface water, or solid waste handling facilities, may develop and make publicly available a plan to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions or achieve no-net emissions from all sources of greenhouse gases that the utility owns, leases, uses, contracts for, or otherwise controls.
(2) A city or town authorized to acquire and operate utilities for the purpose of furnishing the city or town and its inhabitants and other persons with water, with electricity for lighting and other purposes, or with service from sewerage, storm water, surface water, or solid waste handling facilities, may, as part of its utility operation, mitigate the environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gases emissions, of its operation, including any power purchases. The mitigation may include, but is not limited to, those greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms recognized by independent, qualified organizations with proven experience in emissions mitigation activities. Mitigation mechanisms may include the purchase, trade, and banking of greenhouse gases offsets or credits. If a state greenhouse gases registry is established, a utility that has purchased, traded, or banked greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms under this section shall receive credit in the registry.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The legislature finds and declares that greenhouse gases offset contracts, credits, and other greenhouse gases mitigation efforts are a recognized utility purpose that confers a direct benefit on the utility's ratepayers. The legislature declares that section 4 of this act is intended to reverse the result of Okeson v. City of Seattle (January 18, 2007), by expressly granting public utility districts the statutory authority to engage in mitigation activities to offset their utility's impact on the environment.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 54.16 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A public utility district may develop and make publicly available a plan for the district to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions or achieve no-net emissions from all sources of greenhouse gases that the district owns, leases, uses, contracts for, or otherwise controls.
(2) A public utility district may, as part of its utility operation, mitigate the environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gases emissions, of its operation and any power purchases. Mitigation may include, but is not limited to, those greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms recognized by independent, qualified organizations with proven experience in emissions mitigation activities. Mitigation mechanisms may include the purchase, trade, and banking of greenhouse gases offsets or credits. If a state greenhouse gases registry is established, a public utility district that has purchased, traded, or banked greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms under this section shall receive credit in the registry.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The legislature finds and declares that greenhouse gases offset contracts, credits, and other greenhouse gases mitigation efforts are a recognized utility purpose that confers a direct benefit on the utility's ratepayers. The legislature also finds and declares that greenhouse gases offset contracts, credits, and other greenhouse gases mitigation efforts are a recognized purpose of other county proprietary activities that are funded by users and ratepayers, and that such mitigation efforts confer a direct benefit on such payers. The legislature declares that section 6 of this act is intended to reverse the result of Okeson v. City of Seattle (January 18, 2007), by expressly granting counties the statutory authority to engage in mitigation activities to offset the impact on the environment of their utilities and certain other proprietary and user and ratepayer funded activities.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 36.01 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Any county authorized to acquire and operate utilities or conduct other proprietary or user or ratepayer funded activities may develop and make publicly available a plan for the county to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions or achieve no-net emissions from all sources of greenhouse gases that such county utility or proprietary or user or ratepayer funded activity owns, operates, leases, uses, contracts for, or otherwise controls.
(2) Any county authorized to acquire and operate utilities or conduct other proprietary or user or ratepayer funded activities may, as part of such utility or activity, reduce or mitigate the environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gases emissions, of such utility and other proprietary or user or ratepayer funded activity. The mitigation may include, but is not limited to, all greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms recognized by independent, qualified organizations with proven experience in emissions mitigation activities. Mitigation mechanisms may include the purchase, trade, and banking of carbon offsets or credits. Ratepayer funds, fees, or other revenue dedicated to a county utility or other proprietary or user or ratepayer funded activity may be spent to reduce or mitigate the environmental impacts of greenhouse gases emitted as a result of that function. If a state greenhouse gases registry is established, the county that has purchased, traded, or banked greenhouse gases mitigation mechanisms under this section shall receive credit in the registry."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "efforts;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 35.92 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 54.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.01 RCW; and creating new sections."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1929 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Hurst spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1929, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 1929, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 92, Nays - 2, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 92.
Voting nay: Representatives Chandler, and Hinkle - 2.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1929, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 9, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 1966 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that some state agencies and departments do not accept the signature of physician assistants on certain certificates, reports, and other documents that their supervising physician is permitted to sign, notwithstanding the fact that the signing of such documents is within the physician assistant's scope of practice, covered under their practice arrangement plan, and permitted pursuant to WAC 246-918-140.
It is therefore the intent of the legislature to clarify in statute what was adopted by rule in WAC 246-918-140, that a physician assistant may sign and attest to any document that might ordinarily be signed by the supervising physician and that is consistent with the terms of the practice arrangement plan.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 18.57A RCW to read as follows:
An osteopathic physician's assistant may sign and attest to any certificates, cards, forms, or other required documentation that the osteopathic physician's assistant's supervising osteopathic physician or osteopathic physician group may sign, provided that it is within the osteopathic physician's assistant's scope of practice and is consistent with the terms of the osteopathic physician's assistant's practice arrangement plan as required by this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 18.71A RCW to read as follows:
A physician assistant may sign and attest to any certificates, cards, forms, or other required documentation that the physician assistant's supervising physician or physician group may sign, provided that it is within the physician assistant's scope of practice and is consistent with the terms of the physician assistant's practice arrangement plan as required by this chapter."
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "documents;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 18.57A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 18.71A RCW; and creating a new section."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 1966 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Curtis spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of House Bill No. 1966, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of House Bill No. 1966, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1966, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 6, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed HOUSE BILL NO. 2034 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds the challenge of developing realistic, effective, and efficient solutions to the conservation and management issues facing Puget Sound and Washington's outer coast requires calling on all available sources of knowledge and creative thinking available in the collective wisdom of Washington's citizens. The legislature further finds that both Puget Sound and the outer coast are dynamic and localized waterbodies with unique local challenges and unique local solutions. As such, it is essential for the future management of these ecosystems that citizens, through their local government, have a voice and an opportunity to share their dedication and interest in the well-being of their community's unique marine waters, while providing a valuable contribution to the statewide efforts aimed at restoring the outer coast and Puget Sound as a whole.
(2) The legislature further finds that federally led efforts to establish marine resources committees have proven to be an exciting vehicle for involving local citizens and community leaders in the future discussions, decisions, and restoration commitments in the waters most important to the community. The existing model of using a community-based, nonregulatory organization to examine issues particular to a community's corner of Puget Sound, applying for grants, and thoroughly and fairly investigating available options and solutions has proved to be a valuable asset to Puget Sound and its communities, and is worthy of replication throughout the Puget Sound basin and the outer coast.
(3) In this chapter, the legislature intends to establish a structure on which interested local communities can harness the dedication, creativity, and wisdom of their residents in the form of marine resources committees. These committees are intended to complement, and not compete with or undermine, any other governmental efforts to restore and manage the Puget Sound. The legislature further intends that the department of fish and wildlife should apply the lessons learned from Puget Sound to work with county governments on the outer coast to establish marine resources committees.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1)(a) The legislative authority for each county that borders the marine waters of southern Puget Sound may establish marine resources committees consistent with the procedures outlined in section 3 of this act. Counties authorized to establish marine resources committees in the southern Puget Sound are: King, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, and Mason counties.
(b) The legislative authority for each county bordering the marine waters of the outer coast may develop a marine resources committee consistent with the procedures outlined in section 3 of this act. Counties authorized to establish marine resources committees on the outer coast are: Pacific, Grays Harbor, and Wahkiakum counties.
(c) Jefferson and Clallam counties may establish a new marine resources committee or a subcommittee of the county's existing marine resources committee, consistent with the procedures outlined in section 3 of this act, specifically to address the marine ecosystems for the outer coast or Puget Sound, where appropriate.
(2) The mission of a marine resources committee created under this section is to address, utilizing sound science, the needs of the marine ecosystem local to the county initiating the marine resources committee.
(3) A marine resources committee created under this section should review current data and resource conservation and management programs and make prioritized recommendations for additional measures that might be necessary to enhance protection of marine resources.
(4) The role of a marine resources committee in developing recommendations includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Utilizing existing data and, to the extent necessary, helping to gather new data on the health of local marine resources;
(b) Making scientifically based recommendations on local candidate sites for marine protected areas;
(c) Working closely with local and state officials to help implement recommendations of the marine resources committee;
(d) Promoting public outreach and education around marine resource conservation and management issues; and
(e) Engaging in any other activities that the initiating county deems appropriate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) A marine resources committee, as described in section 2 of this act, may be created by the legislative authority of any county bordering the marine waters of the outer coast or Puget Sound, in cooperation with all appropriate cities and special districts within their boundaries. Adjacent county legislative authorities shall coordinate their efforts whenever there is a mutual interest in creating a marine resources committee.
(2) A county may delegate the management and oversight of a marine resources committee created by the county under section 2 of this act to a city, or cities, within its jurisdiction, if the city or cities are located on the marine waters of the outer coast or southern Puget Sound and are willing to accept the delegation.
(3) Participating county legislative authorities must select members of the marine resources committee, ensuring balanced representation from: Local government; scientific experts; affected economic interests; affected recreational interests; and environmental and conservation interests. Additionally, participating county legislative authorities must invite tribal representatives to participate in the marine resources committee. An initiating county may delegate its appointment authority to a city or cities that have received from the county the delegated responsibilities of managing and overseeing the marine resources committee.
(4) County residents may petition the county legislative authority to create a marine resources committee. Upon receipt of a petition, the county legislative authority must respond in writing within sixty days as to whether they will authorize the creation of a marine resources committee as well as the reasons for their decision.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The Puget Sound action team, or its successor organization, shall serve as the regional coordinating entity for marine resources committees created in the southern Puget Sound and the department of fish and wildlife shall serve as the regional coordinating entity for marine resources committees created for the outer coast.
(2) The regional coordinating entity shall serve as a resource to, at a minimum:
(a) Coordinate and pool grant applications and other funding requests for marine resources committees;
(b) Coordinate communications and information among marine resources committees;
(c) Assist marine resources committees to measure themselves against regional performance benchmarks;
(d) Assist marine resources committees with coordinating local projects to complement regional priorities;
(e) Assist marine resources committees to interact with and complement other marine resources committees, and other similar groups, constituted under a different authority; and
(f) Coordinate with the Northwest Straits commission on issues common to marine resources committees statewide.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Nothing in section 2 or 3 of this act is intended to expand or limit the authority of local marine resources committees established under the Northwest Straits marine conservation initiative by federal act in San Juan, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Snohomish, Clallam, and Jefferson counties and existing as of the effective date of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Outer coast marine resources committees, in conjunction with their regional coordinating entity, shall meet and consult with key state, federal, local, and tribal governments, and private interest groups to develop a collaborative process to address ocean policy issues. This collaborative process should use Washington's "Ocean Action Plan: Enhancing Management of Washington State's Ocean and Outer Coasts" developed by the Washington ocean policy work group as a guide to begin the work of developing and coordinating state and local ocean policy and providing better management of Washington's coastal areas.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 36 RCW."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "committees;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding a new chapter to Title 36 RCW."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 2034 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Jarrett spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of House Bill No. 2034, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of House Bill No. 2034, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
HOUSE BILL NO. 2034, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2049 with the following amendment:
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds the challenge of developing realistic, effective, and efficient solutions to the conservation and management issues facing Puget Sound and Washington's outer coast requires calling on all available sources of knowledge and creative thinking available in the collective wisdom of Washington's citizens. The legislature further finds that both Puget Sound and the outer coast are dynamic and localized waterbodies with unique local challenges and unique local solutions. As such, it is essential for the future management of these ecosystems that citizens, through their local government, have a voice and an opportunity to share their dedication and interest in the well-being of their community's unique marine waters, while providing a valuable contribution to the statewide efforts aimed at restoring the outer coast and Puget Sound as a whole.
(2) The legislature further finds that federally led efforts to establish marine resources committees have proven to be an exciting vehicle for involving local citizens and community leaders in the future discussions, decisions, and restoration commitments in the waters most important to the community. The existing model of using a community-based, nonregulatory organization to examine issues particular to a community's corner of Puget Sound, applying for grants, and thoroughly and fairly investigating available options and solutions has proved to be a valuable asset to Puget Sound and its communities, and is worthy of replication throughout the Puget Sound basin and the outer coast.
(3) In this chapter, the legislature intends to establish a structure on which interested local communities can harness the dedication, creativity, and wisdom of their residents in the form of marine resources committees. These committees are intended to complement, and not compete with or undermine, any other governmental efforts to restore and manage the Puget Sound. The legislature further intends that the department of fish and wildlife should apply the lessons learned from Puget Sound to work with county governments on the outer coast to establish marine resources committees.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1)(a) The legislative authority for each county that borders the marine waters of southern Puget Sound may establish marine resources committees consistent with the procedures outlined in section 3 of this act. Counties authorized to establish marine resources committees in the southern Puget Sound are: King, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, and Mason counties.
(b) The legislative authority for each county bordering the marine waters of the outer coast may develop a marine resources committee consistent with the procedures outlined in section 3 of this act. Counties authorized to establish marine resources committees on the outer coast are: Pacific, Grays Harbor, and Wahkiakum counties.
(c) Jefferson and Clallam counties may establish a new marine resources committee or a subcommittee of the county's existing marine resources committee, consistent with the procedures outlined in section 3 of this act, specifically to address the marine ecosystems for the outer coast or Puget Sound, where appropriate.
(2) The mission of a marine resources committee created under this section is to address, utilizing sound science, the needs of the marine ecosystem local to the county initiating the marine resources committee.
(3) A marine resources committee created under this section should review current data and resource conservation and management programs and make prioritized recommendations for additional measures that might be necessary to enhance protection of marine resources.
(4) The role of a marine resources committee in developing recommendations includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Utilizing existing data and, to the extent necessary, helping to gather new data on the health of local marine resources;
(b) Making scientifically based recommendations on local candidate sites for marine protected areas;
(c) Working closely with local and state officials to help implement recommendations of the marine resources committee;
(d) Promoting public outreach and education around marine resource conservation and management issues; and
(e) Engaging in any other activities that the initiating county deems appropriate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) A marine resources committee, as described in section 2 of this act, may be created by the legislative authority of any county bordering the marine waters of the outer coast or Puget Sound, in cooperation with all appropriate cities and special districts within their boundaries. Adjacent county legislative authorities shall coordinate their efforts whenever there is a mutual interest in creating a marine resources committee.
(2) A county may delegate the management and oversight of a marine resources committee created by the county under section 2 of this act to a city, or cities, within its jurisdiction, if the city or cities are located on the marine waters of the outer coast or southern Puget Sound and are willing to accept the delegation.
(3) Participating county legislative authorities must select members of the marine resources committee, ensuring balanced representation from: Local government; scientific experts; affected economic interests; affected recreational interests; and environmental and conservation interests. Additionally, participating county legislative authorities must invite tribal representatives to participate in the marine resources committee. An initiating county may delegate its appointment authority to a city or cities that have received from the county the delegated responsibilities of managing and overseeing the marine resources committee.
(4) County residents may petition the county legislative authority to create a marine resources committee. Upon receipt of a petition, the county legislative authority must respond in writing within sixty days as to whether they will authorize the creation of a marine resources committee as well as the reasons for their decision.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The Puget Sound action team, or its successor organization, shall serve as the regional coordinating entity for marine resources committees created in the southern Puget Sound and the department of fish and wildlife shall serve as the regional coordinating entity for marine resources committees created for the outer coast.
(2) The regional coordinating entity shall serve as a resource to, at a minimum:
(a) Coordinate and pool grant applications and other funding requests for marine resources committees;
(b) Coordinate communications and information among marine resources committees;
(c) Assist marine resources committees to measure themselves against regional performance benchmarks;
(d) Assist marine resources committees with coordinating local projects to complement regional priorities;
(e) Assist marine resources committees to interact with and complement other marine resources committees, and other similar groups, constituted under a different authority; and
(f) Coordinate with the Northwest Straits commission on issues common to marine resources committees statewide.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Nothing in section 2 or 3 of this act is intended to expand or limit the authority of local marine resources committees established under the Northwest Straits marine conservation initiative by federal act in San Juan, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Snohomish, Clallam, and Jefferson counties and existing as of the effective date of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Outer coast marine resources committees, in conjunction with their regional coordinating entity, shall meet and consult with key state, federal, local, and tribal governments, and private interest groups to develop a collaborative process to address ocean policy issues. This collaborative process should use Washington's "Ocean Action Plan: Enhancing Management of Washington State's Ocean and Outer Coasts" developed by the Washington ocean policy work group as a guide to begin the work of developing and coordinating state and local ocean policy and providing better management of Washington's coastal areas.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 36 RCW."
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "committees;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding a new chapter to Title 36 RCW."
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2049 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representatives Rolfes and Walsh spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
The Speaker (Representative Lovick presiding) stated the question before the House to be final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 2049, as amended by the Senate.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk called the roll on the final passage of Substitute House Bill No. 2049, as amended by the Senate, and the bill passed the House by the following vote: Yeas - 94, Nays - 0, Absent - 0, Excused - 4.
Voting yea: Representatives Ahern, Alexander, Anderson, Appleton, Armstrong, Bailey, Barlow, Blake, Buri, Campbell, Chandler, Chase, Clibborn, Cody, Conway, Crouse, Curtis, Darneille, DeBolt, Dickerson, Dunn, Dunshee, Eddy, Ericks, Ericksen, Flannigan, Fromhold, Goodman, Grant, Green, Hailey, Haler, Hankins, Hasegawa, Hinkle, Hudgins, Hunt, Hunter, Hurst, Jarrett, Kagi, Kelley, Kenney, Kessler, Kirby, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lantz, Linville, Lovick, McCoy, McCune, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Miloscia, Moeller, Morrell, Morris, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Ormsby, Pearson, Pedersen, Pettigrew, Priest, Quall, Roach, Roberts, Rodne, Rolfes, Ross, Santos, Schindler, Schual-Berke, Seaquist, Sells, Simpson, Skinner, Sommers, Springer, Strow, B. Sullivan, P. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Van De Wege, Wallace, Walsh, Warnick, Williams, Wood and Mr. Speaker - 94.
Excused: Representatives Condotta, Eickmeyer, Haigh and Sump - 4.
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 2049, as amended by the Senate, having received the constitutional majority, was declared passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
April 5, 2007
Mr. Speaker:
The Senate has passed ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2113 with the following amendment:
On page 5, starting on line 10, after "request" strike all material through "hold" on line 11
On page 8, starting on line 1, after "statements" strike all material through "patrol" on line 2 and insert "given to law enforcement upon arrest"
and the same is herewith transmitted.
Thomas Hoemann, Secretary
SENATE AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL
There being no objection, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2113 and advanced the bill as amended by the Senate to final passage.
FINAL PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL
AS SENATE AMENDED
Representative Williams spoke in favor the passage of the bill.
With the consent of the House (and because of technical difficulties with the microphone system), action was deferred on ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2113.
There being no objection, the House advanced to the eleventh order of business.
There being no objection, the House adjourned until 10:00 a.m., April 16, 2007, the 99th Day of the Regular Session.
FRANK CHOPP, Speaker
RICHARD NAFZIGER, Chief Clerk