MORNING SESSION

Senate Chamber, Olympia

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

The Senate was called to order at 11:30 a.m. by the President of the Senate, Lt. Governor Habib presiding. No roll call was taken.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Liias, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Liias, the Senate advanced to the third order of business.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR

GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS

August 7, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

LAURA S. WILDFONG, appointed August 7, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2021, as Member of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9298.

August 8, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

ROBERT M. BUGERT, reappointed August 8, 2017, for the term ending July 15, 2021, as Member of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9299.

August 14, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

JEFFREY BRECKEL, reappointed August 14, 2017, for the term ending July 15, 2021, as Member of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9300.

August 14, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

LARRY M. CARPENTER, reappointed August 14, 2017, for the term ending December 31, 2018, as Member of the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9301.

August 14, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

DONALD O. MCISAAC, appointed August 14, 2017, for the term ending December 31, 2022, as Member of the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9302.

August 14, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

CHERYL STRANGE, appointed September 18, 2017, for the term ending at the governor’s pleasure, as Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services - Agency Head.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9303.

August 28, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

MICHAEL J. FENTON, appointed August 28, 2017, for the term ending August 2, 2019, as Member of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9304.

August 29, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

KIMBERLY N. GORDON, reappointed August 29, 2017, for the term ending August 2, 2020, as Member of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9305.

August 29, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

PHILLIP R. LEMLEY, reappointed August 29, 2017, for the term ending August 2, 2020, as Member of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9306.

September 5, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

GENE C. SHARRATT, appointed August 24, 2017, for the term ending March 26, 2021, as Member of the Higher Education Facilities Authority.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9307.

September 6, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

CLAIRE GRACE, reappointed August 24, 2017, for the term ending May 17, 2021, as Member of the Higher Education Facilities Authority.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9308.

September 11, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

JUDY GUENTHER, reappointed September 11, 2017, for the term ending August 2, 2023, as Member of the Lottery Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Labor & Commerce as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9309.

September 11, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

CHARLENE D. STRONG, reappointed September 11, 2017, for the term ending June 17, 2022, as Member of the Human Rights Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9310.

September 11, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

JON J. TUNHEIM, reappointed September 11, 2017, for the term ending August 2, 2020, as Member of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9311.

September 18, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

JENNIFER J. RANCOURT, reappointed September 18, 2017, for the term ending September 25, 2021, as Member of the Clemency and Pardons Board.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9312.

September 29, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

BOB BOLERJACK, reappointed September 29, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Everett Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9313.

September 29, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

GREG DIETZEL, reappointed September 29, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Bellevue College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9314.

September 29, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

JANET M. MCDANIEL, reappointed September 29, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Cascadia College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9315.

October 3, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

TAMRA L. JACKSON, reappointed October 3, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Wenatchee Valley College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9316.

October 3, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

MICHAEL S. MAXWELL, reappointed October 3, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Peninsula College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9317.

October 4, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

JUDITH L. HARTMANN, reappointed October 4, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the South Puget Sound Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9318.

October 5, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

DOUGLASS L. JACKSON, reappointed October 1, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9319.

October 5, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

ROBERT M. RYAN, reappointed October 1, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9320.

October 5, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

BLAINE TAMAKI, appointed October 5, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the University of Washington Board of Regents.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9321.

October 6, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

DORIS WOOD, reappointed October 5, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Centralia College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9322.

October 12, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

HEATHER B. REDMAN, appointed October 12, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2021, as Member, Board of Regents, Washington State University.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9323.

October 12, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

BRIAN K. UNTI, reappointed October 11, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Renton Technical College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9324.

October 18, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

THOMAS R. STREDWICK, appointed October 18, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9325.

October 19, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

KEDRICH JACKSON, reappointed October 19, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Columbia Basin College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9326.

October 19, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

DENISE L. JONES, reappointed October 19, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Lake Washington Institute of Technology Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9327.

October 19, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

DONALD R. MCQUARY, reappointed October 19, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2021, as Member of the Walla Walla Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9328.

October 19, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

SHARONNE A. NAVAS, reappointed October 19, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Green River College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9329.

October 30, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

SERGIO HERNANDEZ, appointed October 30, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Walla Walla Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9330.

October 30, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

NEIL A. MCCLURE, appointed October 30, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Yakima Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9331.

October 31, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

REKAH T. STRONG, reappointed October 31, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Clark College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9332.

October 31, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

EMILY A. WASHINES, appointed October 31, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2018, as Member of the Central Washington University Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9333.

November 2, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

WENDY K. BOHLKE, appointed November 2, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2019, as Member of the Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9334.

November 2, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

WILLIAM W. WARREN, appointed November 2, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2018, as Member of the Walla Walla Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9335.

November 20, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

MONICA A. ALEXANDER, appointed November 20, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the The Evergreen State College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9336.

November 20, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

REBECCA M. JOHNSON, appointed November 20, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9337.

November 20, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

GREG SZABO, appointed November 20, 2017, for the term ending July 1, 2021, as Member of the Washington State School for the Blind Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9338.

November 27, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

SUSAN BIRCH, appointed October 30, 2017, for the term ending at the governor’s pleasure, as a Director of the Health Care Authority.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Health & Long Term Care as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9339.

December 1, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

ROSS HUNTER, appointed July 6, 2017, for the term ending at the governor’s pleasure, as Secretary of the Children, Youth, and Families, Department of.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9340.

December 5, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

MICHAEL S. LATIMER, appointed December 5, 2017, for the term ending December 31, 2018, as Member of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9341.

December 13, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

ANTHONY J. ANDERSON, appointed December 13, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Bates Technical College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9342.

December 13, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

SHANNON L. CHILDS, appointed January 1, 2018, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Olympic College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9343.

December 14, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

MARK C. SCHEIBMEIR, appointed December 14, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2021, as Member of the Centralia College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9344.

December 20, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following reappointment, subject to your confirmation.

STEVEN R. HILL, reappointed December 20, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Seattle College District Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9345.

December 20, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

FLORA E. LUCATERO, appointed December 20, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2022, as Member of the Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9346.

December 27, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

GREGORY C. LINK, appointed December 27, 2017, for the term ending August 2, 2018, as Member of the Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9347.

December 28, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

BAHRAM BAGHERPOUR, appointed December 28, 2017, for the term ending April 3, 2021, as Member of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9348.

December 28, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

CHERYL A. MILLER, appointed January 15, 2018, for the term ending September 30, 2021, as Member of the Olympic College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9349.

January 3, 2018

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

KATHLEEN DREW, appointed January 16, 2018, for the term ending at the governor’s pleasure, as a Chair of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Energy, Environment & Technology as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9350.

January 3, 2018

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

ROSA PERALTA, appointed January 3, 2018, for the term ending September 30, 2021, as Member of the Seattle College District Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9351.

July 31, 2017

TO THE HONORABLE, THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit the following appointment, subject to your confirmation.

ROY CAPTAIN, appointed July 31, 2017, for the term ending September 30, 2021, as Member of the Cascadia College Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

JAY INSLEE, Governor

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development as Senate Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9352.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Liias, all appointees listed on the Gubernatorial Appointments report were referred to the committees as designated.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Liias, the Senate advanced to the fifth order of business.

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING

SB 6125 by Senator Honeyford

AN ACT Relating to extending the expiration date of the department of ecology’s authority to enter into voluntary regional agreements; amending RCW 90.90.030 and 90.90.050; and providing an expiration date.

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks.

SB 6126 by Senators Saldaña, Hasegawa, Chase, Conway, Zeiger and Keiser

AN ACT Relating to requiring completion of an apprenticeship program to receive a journey level electrician certificate of competency; amending RCW 19.28.191, 19.28.161, and 19.28.205; and adding a new section to chapter 19.28 RCW.

Referred to Committee on Labor & Commerce.

SB 6127 by Senator Van De Wege

AN ACT Relating to improving the management of the state’s halibut fishery; amending RCW 77.32.430; and adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW.

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks.

SB 6128 by Senator Van De Wege

AN ACT Relating to the initial implementation of recommendations from the collaborative process carried out to implement the state parks operating budget proviso on recreational access fee systems; and amending RCW 79A.80.060, 79A.80.080, 79A.05.065, 79A.80.020, and 79A.80.050.

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks.

SB 6129 by Senators Cleveland and Chase

AN ACT Relating to an ambulance transport quality assurance fee; reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092; adding a new chapter to Title 74 RCW; prescribing penalties; providing a contingent expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

Referred to Committee on Health & Long Term Care.

SB 6130 by Senators McCoy, Rolfes, Palumbo, Carlyle, Liias, Dhingra, Kuderer, Ranker, Cleveland, Frockt, Mullet, Pedersen, Chase, Conway, Saldaña, Van De Wege, Wellman and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to community solar gardens; and adding a new chapter to Title 80 RCW.

Referred to Committee on Energy, Environment & Technology.

SB 6131 by Senators McCoy, Hunt, Kuderer, Saldaña, Chase and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to a waiver of tuition for state residents who are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe; amending RCW 28B.15.910; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.15 RCW.

Referred to Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development.

SB 6132 by Senators Wellman, Zeiger, Chase and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to the second grade reading assessments; and amending RCW 28A.300.310 and 28A.300.320.

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6133 by Senators Zeiger, Wellman, Keiser and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to expanding statewide career and technical education course equivalency options; and amending RCW 28A.700.070.

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6134 by Senators Wellman, Zeiger and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to modifying definitions for alternative learning experience courses; and amending RCW 28A.232.010.

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6135 by Senators Wellman, Zeiger and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to updating application requirements for the academic acceleration incentive program; and amending RCW 28A.320.195 and 28A.320.196.

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6136 by Senators Rolfes, Zeiger, Wellman and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to removing concurrent enrollment requirement of algebra II for AP computer science courses to be counted as equivalent to high school mathematics; and reenacting and amending RCW 28A.230.097.

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6137 by Senators Conway, King, Keiser, Hasegawa and Wilson

AN ACT Relating to clarifying the relationship between manufacturers and new motor vehicle dealers by providing tools to resolve disparities including expanding compensation for recalled vehicles; amending RCW 46.96.185 and 46.96.260; and adding new sections to chapter 46.96 RCW.

Referred to Committee on Labor & Commerce.

SB 6138 by Senator Brown

AN ACT Relating to extending the statute of limitations for food stamp fraud; and reenacting and amending RCW 9A.04.080.

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

SB 6139 by Senator Miloscia

AN ACT Relating to increasing public access to the records of the legislature and judiciary; amending RCW 40.14.140, 42.56.010, and 42.56.580; and creating a new section.

Referred to Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections.

SB 6140 by Senators King, Van De Wege and Sheldon

AN ACT Relating to promoting the efficient and effective management of state-managed lands; amending RCW 79.125.400, 79.130.020, 79.125.030, 79.11.340, and 79.17.200; and repealing RCW 79.125.020 and 79.125.410.

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks.

SB 6141 by Senators McCoy, Wellman, Van De Wege, Keiser and Hasegawa

AN ACT Relating to strengthening school district plans for recognition, screening, and response to emotional or behavioral distress in students; and amending RCW 28A.300.288, 28A.320.127, and 28A.310.500.

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6142 by Senators Liias and Walsh

AN ACT Relating to commissioners of courts of limited jurisdiction; and amending RCW 3.50.075 and 26.04.050.

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

SB 6143 by Senator Takko

AN ACT Relating to clarifying the authority and procedures for unit priced contracting by cities; and amending RCW 35.22.620 and 35.23.352.

Referred to Committee on Local Government.

SB 6144 by Senators Wellman, Nelson, Liias, Keiser, Hunt and Saldaña

AN ACT Relating to reducing state assessment requirements to only those required for federal purposes in order to facilitate removal of inequitable barriers to students; amending RCW 28A.155.170, 28A.180.100, 28A.195.010, 28A.200.010, 28A.230.090, 28A.230.122, 28A.230.125, 28A.305.130, 28A.320.190, 28A.320.208, 28A.415.360, 28A.600.310, 28A.655.061, 28A.655.066, 28A.655.068, 28A.655.090, 28A.655.185, 28A.655.200, 28A.655.070, 28A.700.080, and 28B.15.520; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 28A.155.045, 28A.600.405, 28A.655.063, and 28A.655.065.

Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

SB 6145 by Senators Saldaña, Keiser and Dhingra

AN ACT Relating to civil service qualifications; amending RCW 41.08.070, 41.12.070, 41.14.100, 43.101.080, and 43.101.095; and adding a new section to chapter 41.04 RCW.

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

SB 6146 by Senators Saldaña, Pedersen, Keiser, Carlyle, Frockt, Hunt and Wellman

AN ACT Relating to local government authority to regulate firearms; amending RCW 9.41.300; adding a new section to chapter 9.41 RCW; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 9.41.290.

Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Liias, all measures listed on the Introduction and First Reading report were referred to the committees as designated.

MOTION

At 11:35 a.m., on motion of Senator Liias, the Senate was declared to be at ease subject to the call of the President.

The Senate was called to order at 11:49 a.m. by President Habib.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Liias, the Senate reverted to the fourth order of business.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

January 9, 2018

MR. PRESIDENT:

The Speaker has signed:

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4411,

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4412,

and the same are herewith transmitted.

NONA SNELL, Deputy Chief Clerk

SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT

Pursuant to Article 2, Section 32 of the State Constitution and Senate Rule 1(5), the President announced the signing of and thereupon did sign in open session:

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4411,

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4412.

MOTION

At 11:50 a.m., on motion of Senator Liias, the Senate was declared to be at ease subject to the call of the President for the purpose of convening a Joint Session with the House of Representatives in the House Chamber.

JOINT SESSION

Pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution No. 4411, the Senate appeared at the doors of the House of Representatives and requested admission to the Chamber. The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, Mr. Andrew Staubitz, and the Sergeant at Arms of the House, Mr. Sean Hartsock, escorted the President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Cyrus Habib; Senator Sharon Nelson, Senator Barbara Bailey and Senator Karen Keiser to seats at the Rostrum. The senators were invited to seats within the Chamber.

The Speaker Pro Tempore (Representative Lovick presiding) called upon President Habib to preside over the Joint Session.

The President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Habib called the Joint Session to order. The Clerk called the roll of House members. The Clerk called the roll of Senate members. A quorum of the Legislature was present.

President Habib: “This Joint Session has been convened to receive the state of the state message from His Excellency, Governor Jay Inslee.”

The President appointed a committee of honor to escort the Supreme Court Justices to the House Chamber: Senators Mike Padden and Jamie Pedersen and Representatives Gina McCabe and Javier Valdez.

The President appointed a committee of honor to escort the statewide elected officials to the House Chamber: Senators Guy Palumbo and Shelly Short and Representatives Andrew Barkis and Laurie Dolan.

The President appointed a committee of honor to advise His Excellency, Governor Jay Inslee, that the Joint Session had been assembled and to escort him from his Chambers to the House Chamber: Senators Manka Dhingra and Keith Wagoner and Representatives Carolyn Eslick and Vandana Slatter.

Sergeant at Arms Harstock announced the arrival of the State Supreme Court Justices at the chamber door. The committee of honor consisting of Senators Mike Padden and Jamie Pedersen and Representatives Gina McCabe and Javier Valdez escorted the Chief Justice and Justices to seats at the front of the House Chamber. The members of the Supreme Court were introduced by the President: Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst, Associate Justice Charles Johnson, Justice Barbara Madsen, Justice Susan Owens, Justice Charlie Wiggins, Justice Steven Gonzalez, Justice Cheryl Gordon McCloud and Justice Mary Yu.

Sergeant at Arms Harstock announced the arrival of the State elected officials at the chamber door. The committee of honor consisting of Senators Guy Palumbo and Shelly Short and Representatives Andrew Barkis and Laurie Dolan escorted the statewide elected officials to seats at the front of the House Chamber. The statewide elected officials were introduced by the President: Secretary of State Kim Wyman, Treasurer Duane Davidson, Auditor Pat McCarthy, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.

The President introduced officers and members of the Consular Association of Washington.

The President introduced members and leaders of the Washington Indian Tribal Council.

The President introduced members of local governments and colleges and universities.

Sergeant at Arms Harstock announced the arrival of His Excellency, Governor Jay Inslee at the chamber door. The committee of honor consisting of Senators Manka Dhingra and Keith Wagoner and Representatives Carolyn Eslick and Vandana Slatter escorted Governor Inslee to a seat at the Rostrum where he was introduced by the President.

The Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, commanded by Sergeant Greg Tri, presented the Colors.

The National Anthem was performed by the Wenatchee High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble led by Ms. Dawn McCormick

The President led the Chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The prayer was offered by Dr. Jasmit Singh, Khalsa Gurmat Center (Sikh Community), Renton, a founding member of the Sikh Coalition, a national community-based organization, which, through the community, courtroom, classroom and advocacy, works towards a world where Sikhs, and other religious minorities in America, may freely practice their faith without bias and discrimination. Dr. Singh also serves on the Interfaith Leadership Council of the Faith Action Network.

Dr. Singh: “(Dr. Singh opened the prayer with a few brief statements in Punjabi not translated here.) Let us join in prayer and reflection. As we come together today, let us keep in our hearts and prayers Deputy McCartney, his family, his colleagues in the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and all those who serve our communities with honor, strength, and sacrifice. Oh Gracious God, All-creating Light that is common to all humanity, we turn to You at this point in history and ask for Your blessing, guidance and strength for this state of Washington, its residents, Governor Inslee, and all those who are present in mind, in person, or in spirit. Please allow us to serve with truth, justice, humility, and compassion. Bless us with the wisdom and strength to address the challenges that we face today with integrity and honesty and work for Chardi Kala, the good for all people. Let us create a world based not on fear where the color of our skin, the faith that we believe in, the language that we speak, does not divide us. Instead, please help us celebrate and recognize the diversity that exists all around us. (Dr. Singh offered a brief statement in Punjabi not translated here.) We are all created from the same Light. Let us be united in purpose and give us the understanding that welfare of all humankind is a priority for those who lead us. I share a small prayer from the Sihk holy scriptures: (Dr. Singh offered a brief chant in Punjabi not translated here.) By respecting nature we respect our Creator and we respect ourselves. The air is our teacher, water is our father, and the vast Earth is our mother. (Dr. Singh offered a brief chant in Punjabi not translated here.) Grant us the wisdom to do good in this world and take care of this Earth. We shall all be judged by what we do in our lives. (Dr. Singh offered a brief chant in Punjabi not translated here.) Let us remember the divine in our hearts as we work hard and honestly to fulfill our life’s potential. Guru Nanak says, ‘Only such people who act for the good of all creatures, liberate not just themselves but countless others.’ Let us pray so that God may grant us the strength to create a caring, more just, compassionate, loving world for all creatures. Thank you. (Dr. Singh closed with brief statements in Punjabi not translated here.)”

The President introduced Mrs. Trudi Inslee, First Lady of Washington, who was present in the gallery and recognized by the joint session.

The President introduced His Excellency, Jay Robert Inslee, Governor.

STATE OF THE STATE

Governor Inslee: “Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon.

Thank you, Jasmit, for those timely and empowering words.

Thanks to the Wenatchee High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble for that inspiring rendition of our national anthem.

Thank you Lieutenant Governor for honoring Deputy McCartney. All of our hearts are with his family and I appreciate you honor him.

A big thank you to my wife, Trudi, my entire family, and in particular, to my mother-in-law, the original Trudy Tindall, who tells me that her first one hundred years in Washington have been pretty great. So thanks Trudy very much. I appreciate that.

I’d like to welcome our new legislators in our ranks, Senator Manka Dhingra, Senator Keith Wagoner, and Representative Carolyn Eslick. May you all do good work here.”

“Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Madam Chief Justice, distinguished justices of the court, members of the Legislature, tribal leaders, state and local government officials, members of the Consular Corps, and most importantly, my fellow Washingtonians:

I am honored to stand before you once again to report on the state of Washington.

Because of the work we have done together in the past five years, our state has made crucial investments in our schools and colleges, in our highways and transit systems, in our health care system.

The minimum wage was raised for Washington’s workers, and last year, we passed the best paid family leave program in the United States.

We have invested in our people. That’s why our state has one of the country’s fastest-growing economies, why it was named the Top State in the United States for doing business, and why statewide unemployment is at a historic low.

Our economy is strong. Our future is bright. But there are always new heights to reach, new challenges to overcome, and persistent wrongs to right.

When our state’s first governor, Elisha Ferry, delivered his message to our inaugural Legislator, he challenged legislators to think big.

‘It is your province,’ he said, ‘to make precedents, not to follow them; to mark the way, that others may walk in the path which you have made.’

We have been walking in the path that Governor Ferry and the first Legislature set this state for 128 years. Today, it is up to us to continue that work for future generations.

This year we cannot focus just on the length of this session, which is short. We have to focus on our legacy, which can be long. Several opportunities are in front of us to forge a prosperous path for the next generation.

Access to democracy is a cornerstone to the enduring health of our nation and our state, so let’s leave a legacy of a stronger democracy by increasing voter participation and equitable representation. It is time to pass the Washington Voting Rights Act, automatic voter registration, and Election Day registration.

And speaking of a stronger democracy, let’s leave a legacy that supports our modern democracy — and our modern economy — by ensuring equal access to the internet for all Washingtonians. When Washington, D.C., takes away that protection, we must protect net neutrality for our people, for our businesses, and for the virtues of free speech.

At a time … At a time when women’s health care rights are under attack throughout our nation, let’s leave a legacy that ensures full access to contraception and allows women to chart their own course. That includes access to long-acting reversible contraception and reproductive parity.

And not all of our work is in passing bills.

Right now, let’s all — elected leaders and employers alike — commit to inclusive workplaces where everyone is safe from sexual harassment and assault. This is one of the persistent wrongs that our society must make right.

This session … This session, let’s also continue our outstanding legacy on education.

Legislators can take pride that you’ve passed a plan that will fully comply with the McCleary decision.

I want to commend Senators John Braun and Christine Rolfes, Representatives Pat Sullivan, Timm Ormsby, and David Taylor, and so many others who’ve helped achieve what is a bipartisan success.

But the Supreme Court has made it clear that the plan needs to start one year earlier, and fortunately, we have the reserves to be able to do that.

It is crucial that we implement the McCleary plan now, because a child is only a third grader once and they don’t get that year back.

But our work on education does not stop at McCleary.

We have got to stop telling our children that a four-year degree is the only path to success. That simply is not true.

Let’s leave a legacy of opportunity for all our students by expanding career- connected learning.

My budget includes funding to help us continue our Career Connect Washington initiative, which has the potential to be one of the most exciting and meaningful things we can do for our students.

During a study mission to Switzerland last year, our Washington delegation saw a truly remarkable apprenticeship system stemming from a robust partnership with business, labor, and academia. There is no reason our own students cannot have better access to those same opportunities here at home.

Please let me recognize the chairs of that delegation who are in the gallery today: former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Suzi LeVine and her husband, Eric LeVine.

Thanks for your visionary leadership. We appreciate that. Thank you.

You can go to Tacoma and see for yourself how this works. It was a joy last year when I got to celebrate our state’s first 15 registered youth apprentices as they prepared to launch rewarding careers in aerospace. Let’s expand that opportunity, as well as apprenticeship programs for our veterans and other Washingtonians, in the coming years.

This session … This session, let’s leave a legacy of compassion by continuing our work on behavioral health care. This is a persistent challenge that intersects our efforts to end homelessness, to improve our criminal justice system, and to combat an opioid epidemic that kills an average of two Washingtonians each day.

We must build upon our current work on opioids. We need to pursue innovative approaches to affordable housing, and strengthen our partnerships with counties to help us foster healthy communities in a more robust, accessible mental health care system.

Let’s continue our bipartisan legacy of helping Dreamers fulfill their potential in the state of Washington. This is a time … This is a time … This is a time of great uncertainty and fear for our Dreamers and their families. Let’s pass legislation now to ensure the availability of College Bound scholarships for Dreamers, even if the federal government fails to renew their deferred-action status.

Let’s leave ... Let’s leave a legacy. Let’s leave a legacy of common-sense measures to help end the scourge of gun violence. Our state’s voters have demonstrated strong support for such measures. We can continue our commitment to public safety and health by banning bump stocks, closing the loophole on semi-automatic rifles, and requiring the safe storage of firearms. These are common-sense measures.

Let’s leave a legacy that upholds the equal application of justice by passing a bill to end the death penalty in the state of Washington.

And let’s make sure we don’t leave a legacy of irresponsible brinksmanship. It is absolutely crucial that we pass a capital budget as one of the first orders of business this session.

This budget … This budget supports more than 19,000 construction jobs in every corner of the state.

It would help us build more affordable housing and expand capacity in our mental health care system. This funding is languishing at exactly the same time the need for these projects are exploding.

In Yakima, students are waiting for renovations to alleviate overcrowding at East Valley High School.

In Sequim, biologists are waiting for upgrades at the Dungeness Hatchery to improve fish passage.

In Ephrata, the community is waiting to replace an aging water line.

If you want to help rural Washington — if you want more affordable housing, better mental health care and school construction — then do something about it and send this capital budget to my desk now. We need to get this job done. … — By the way, when we do this, it will be a bipartisan success and everyone in this chamber will be able to enjoy it. I’m looking forward to that day.

As we gather to do the people’s work this session, Washington’s values and this Legislature’s actions will be more important than ever.

Despite the onslaught of divisiveness, disorder, and disrespect coming from the White House this past year, the people of our state have stood proudly together.

The world should know that we are going to keep standing up for civility, tolerance, and liberty. We will fight to protect Washingtonians’ health care, a woman’s right to choose, the right for people to be safe from discrimination, and the right to clean air and water.

We will not be intimidated in the state of Washington. It’s important to know that.

You know, Washington state has so much to be proud of. Our biotech companies are creating new treatments for cancer. Scientists at Hanford have helped confirm the existence of gravitational waves predicted by Einstein. We even make world-famous beer and wine.

And we should be proud of the great progress we have made together in state government.

When I came into office, there was doubt that we could pass a transportation package. But we did, and it is the largest and greenest transportation package in state history.

When I came into office, there was doubt we could invest $7 billion in education. But we did.

We tackled transportation. We tackled education. And now we must recognize an existential threat to the health of our state, a threat to the health of our children, and a threat to the health of our businesses that demands action this year.

That threat is climate change.

This Legislature recognized this threat a decade ago — a decade ago — when it pledged to the people of Washington that we would make our air cleaner and we would reduce carbon pollution. Sadly, I have to tell ya, unless we act this year, that promise by the Legislature will be broken.

It is time to step up and give our citizens what they demand and deserve — and what is the law — which is a fight against climate change and the damaging health effects of carbon pollution.

While this session is short, our legacy on climate change must be long and must be lasting.

We have just 59 days to do our part to save our children from a certain, endless cycle of crop-killing droughts one year and rivers spilling their banks the next. To save salmon from dying in ever-warming waters and our forests from being reduced to plumes of ash.

We have allowed the unfettered release of carbon pollution into our air. That burden will be carried by our children, our economy, our security, and our quality of life.

We must be victorious over climate change, because, as Winston Churchill said, ‘… without victory, there is no survival.’

I believe Washingtonians will be together on this issue. I’ll tell you why.

Because on this issue, there is no geographic divide in our state. The Eastern Washington farmer whose irrigation supply is threatened by low snowpack faces the same crisis as the Western Washington shellfish grower whose baby oysters are threatened by ocean acidification caused by carbon pollution.

There is no age divide. The young child suffering from asthma is just as vulnerable as a grandparent suffering from COPD, a lung disease aggravated by heat and air pollution.

And there is no partisan divide. Nationally respected Democrats and Republicans are among those calling for a tax on carbon pollution.

Support for enacting a price on carbon is growing. Members of the business, tribal, environmental, and labor communities from across our state are coming to the table to talk about carbon pricing.

Some of them are here today, including Microsoft and Puget Sound Energy, which have enacted bold changes in the way they do business.

Labor leaders see the job potential in growing our clean energy economy. Our environmental leaders and tribes see the urgency of acting now to curb carbon pollution. They all agree that putting a price on carbon this year is the right thing to do, and have committed to working with me to get that accomplished.

House and Senate members have also been working closely with my office all summer and fall to design a Washington-focused approach, and their contributions have been key.

So we are joined across geography, across age, and across political interests. Now is the time to join in action and put a price on carbon pollution.

Doing so … Doing so … Doing so will allow us to reinvest in all the things that drive down emissions. We can build more solar panels. We can put more electric cars on the road. We can help more Washingtonians purchase energy-saving insulation for their homes and fir their businesses.

We can reduce the wildfire risk in rural communities and on tribal lands. We can improve utility services and modernize the electrical grid. We can make much-needed upgrades to our irrigation and water-management systems. We can prepare our workforce for new careers in clean energy.

And by doing these things, we can save our forests. We can help our rural economies. We can protect our waterways.

I am optimistic about this this year, and that optimism is well justified by Washington’s can-do spirit of confidence and innovation. And why shouldn’t we get this done?

Carbon pricing is hardly a new or bold idea at this point.

British Columbia, our neighbor to the north, is doing it and their economy is booming.

To the south, California is doing it, and Oregon is considering it.

From Quebec to Japan, from Europe to Mexico, many states and nations have enacted a price on carbon. Even China is getting on board, having recently launched the largest carbon market on the planet.

By passing a carbon tax, we would simply join our West Coast neighbors, and the rest of the world, as the global economy moves away from fossil fuels and toward a decarbonized, clean-energy future.

And I believe that Washington state is exactly the right state to lead the clean-energy economy and to seize the jobs that China and other nations are clamoring for.

This is, fundamentally, who we are in Washington. We create, we invent, we build. And the people of Washington are ready to create, and invent, and build the carbon-free future our children and our grandchildren deserve.

These clean-energy jobs belong here. Not just in China. Not just in Germany. Not just in B.C. here.

Washington employs some of the most influential climate scientists in the world. Our universities and businesses are on the cutting edge of clean-energy technologies.

In the Pacific Coast region, clean-energy jobs have grown, and this is kind of interesting to know. Clean-energy jobs have grown more than twice as fast as jobs in the overall economy.

Mukilteo is home to the inventors and manufacturers of the world’s largest vanadium flow battery. Moses Lake is home to one of the world’s largest carbon fiber manufacturing plants for electric cars. Our state is home to the inventors of biofuels that have powered the Boeing 787 across the oceans.

It is our state’s destiny — because of who we are — to defeat climate change.

Even if the White House walks away from the global effort now embraced by every single nation in the world except the United States, an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will walk forward and join this battle for the world’s healthy future. That’s who we are.

Already, Washington has joined with 14 other states and territories to form the United States Climate Alliance, and we are committed to meeting our share of the emission reduction targets outlined in the Paris Climate Accord. This is a significant collaboration. We represent 40 percent of the U.S. economy, and if we were our own nation, we would have the third-largest economy in the world. And it is the right thing to do this.

Washington is home to the most beautiful collection of fertile wheat fields, and towering forests and salty waters on Earth. It is true and inarguable that our Creator practiced on the rest of the planet, and then He created Washington state.

Every single one of us here today is deeply tied to Washington in our own unique way. We each have a part of this state that we love: a favorite fishing spot, a quiet place on the farm, that campground you’ve been going to for generations in the forest. But the things we treasure individually can only be saved collectively.

We have been given an incredible bounty of natural beauty and sustenance, and we must now ask ourselves how we can protect that bounty for future generations.

We know we are smart enough to recognize the perils of climate change, and we know we are innovative enough to do something about it.

Repeatedly, over the decades, we have lived up to Governor Ferry’s charge ‘to mark the way.’

We have succeeded in aerospace, in software, in online commerce, in coffee, in biotechnology, and there is every reason to believe we will succeed in fighting climate change and growing our economy in the process.

This is the year to believe in ourselves. This is the year to act with confidence. This is the year for us to do our part, for all who will walk in the path we will make together.

We are here in Olympia to serve the current and future, and future, interests of all Washingtonians, and I want thank each of you for your willingness to find solutions to the challenges we face.

I like to think of this Legislature and our state as one big family: We may have differences around the dinner table, but on what really counts, we agree.

We all agree that our families deserve to be safe from tragedies like mass shootings. We all agree we must do more for homeless individuals and families. We all agree that our children deserve the best education possible. We all agree that our communities deserve protection from the physical and financial threats of climate change.

Today I call on all of us to look deep in our hearts and to think of our families.

For them, and for all Washingtonians, present and future, let’s get to work together.

Thank you.”

The President thanked the Governor for his remarks.

The President called upon the committee of honor consisting of Senators Manka Dhingra and Keith Wagoner and Representatives Carolyn Eslick and Vandana Slatter to escort His Excellency, Governor Inslee from the Rostrum and the Governor retired from the House Chamber.

The President called upon the committee of honor consisting of Senators Guy Palumbo and Shelly Short and Representatives Andrew Barkis and Laurie Dolan to escort the State elected officials from the front of the Chamber and the Statewide elected officials retired from the House Chamber.

The President called upon the committee of honor consisting of Senators Mike Padden and Jamie Pedersen and Representatives Gina McCabe and Javier Valdez to escort the Justices of the State Supreme Court from the front of the Chamber and the Justices of the State Supreme Court retired from the House Chamber.

The President thanked tribal leaders and representatives, the Washington State Consular Corps, leaders from local and municipal governments, and members of the public for their attendance at the day’s ceremony and encouraged their presence at the Legislature at any time.

On motion of Representative Sullivan, the Joint Session was dissolved. The Speaker Pro Tempore (Representative Lovick presiding), assumed the chair.

The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate and the Sergeant at Arms of the House escorted President of the Senate Habib, Senator Nelson, Senator Bailey, Senator Keiser and members of the Washington State Senate from the Rostrum and seats within the Chamber and the Senate retired from the House Chamber.

AFTERNOON SESSION

The Senate was called to order at 1:11 p.m. by the President of the Senate, Lt. Governor Habib presiding.

MOTION

At 1:12 p.m., on motion of Senator Liias, the Senate adjourned until 10:00 o’clock a.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

CYRUS HABIB, President of the Senate

BRAD HENDRICKSON, Secretary of the Senate