WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE
Legislative Digest No. 46

SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE
Wednesday, March 14, 200766th Day - 2007 Regular Session

SENATE
SB 5151-SSB 5317-SSB 5440-SSB 5493-SSB 5528-S2SB 5557-S2SB 5586-S2
SB 5616-SSB 5659-S2SB 5805-S2SB 5828-S2SB 5843-S2SB 5859-S2SB 5862-S2
SB 5903-SSB 5905-SSB 5930-S2SCR 8407-S
HOUSE
HB 1088-S2HB 1515-SHB 1656-S2HB 1716-S2HB 1806-S2HB 1825-S2HB 1858-S
HB 1880-SHB 1891-SHB 1901-SHB 1922-S2HB 1980-S2HB 1992-S2HB 2041-S
HB 2055-S2HB 2115-SHB 2158-SHB 2176-S2HB 2331-SHB 2358-SHB 2367-S
HB 2382

This publication includes digest and history for bills, joint memorials, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, initiatives, and substitutes. Engrossed measures may be republished if the amendment makes a substantive change.

Electronic versions of Legislative Digests are available at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/digests.aspx?year=2007.


House Bills

HB 1088-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Dickerson, Kagi, Haler, Cody, Appleton, Darneille, Simpson, Takko, Kenney, Williams, Green, McDermott, Roberts, Lantz, McCoy, Ormsby, Schual-Berke, B. Sullivan, Hurst, Pettigrew, O'Brien, Lovick, P. Sullivan, Hasegawa, Hunt, Hudgins, Clibborn, Upthegrove, Morrell, Conway, Sells, Haigh, Quall, Moeller, Goodman, Wallace, Wood, and Santos)


Improving delivery of children's mental health services.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Declares an intent to substantially improve the delivery of children's mental health services in Washington state through the development and implementation of a children's mental health system that: (1) Values early identification, intervention, and prevention;

(2) Coordinates existing categorical children's mental health programs and funding, through efforts that include elimination of duplicative care plans and case management;

(3) Treats each child in the context of his or her family, and provides services and supports needed to maintain a child with his or her family and community;

(4) Integrates families into treatment through choice of treatment, participation in treatment, and provision of peer support;

(5) Focuses on resiliency and recovery;

(6) Relies to a greater extent on evidence-based and promising practices;

(7) Is sensitive to the unique cultural circumstances of children of color and children in families whose primary language is not English; and

(8) To the greatest extent possible, blends categorical funding to offer more service and support options to each child.

Declares that it is the goal of the legislature that, by 2012, the children's mental health system in Washington state include the following elements: (1) A continuum of services from early identification, intervention, and prevention through crisis intervention, including peer support and parent mentoring services;

(2) Equity in access to services for similarly situated children, including children with co-occurring disorders;

(3) Developmentally appropriate, high quality, and culturally responsive services available statewide;

(4) Treatment of each child in the context of his or her family and other persons that are a source of support and stability in his or her life;

(5) A sufficient supply of qualified and culturally diverse children's mental health providers;

(6) Use of developmentally appropriate evidence-based and promising practices; and

(7) Integrated and flexible services to meet the needs of children who, due to mental illness or emotional or behavioral disturbance, are at risk of out-of-home placement or involved with multiple child-serving systems.

Provides that educational service district boards may respond to a request for proposal for operation of a wraparound model site under this act and, if selected, may contract for the provision of services to coordinate care and facilitate the delivery of services and other supports under a wraparound model.

Repeals RCW 71.36.020 and 71.36.030.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 23Public hearing in committee.
Feb 8Executive session in committee.
Feb 20Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Placed on second reading.
Mar 62nd substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 8First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections.

HB 1515-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives P. Sullivan, Rodne, Simpson, Priest, Jarrett, Ericks, and Morrell)


Allowing owners of property enrolled in a current use property tax program to transfer the property between one another or to withdraw the property on the death of the owner, without penalty.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Authorizes owners of property enrolled in a current use property tax program to transfer the property between one another or to withdraw the property on the death of the owner, without penalty.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 13Public hearing in committee.
Mar 1Executive session in committee.
FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 10Rules suspended.
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

HB 1656-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Upthegrove, B. Sullivan, Appleton, Chase, Santos, Dickerson, and Sells)


Establishing the Puget Sound scientific research account.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that environmental problems in Puget Sound are complex and research is needed to provide information that can guide protective and restorative actions, and to explore and understand the impacts of a changing environment. The legislature also finds that there is no predictable funding process for Puget Sound research projects.

Declares that the state needs a process to focus the scientific effort on the Puget Sound ecosystem and to distribute research funds.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31Public hearing in committee.
Feb 20Executive session in committee.
Mar 3Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 102nd substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 13First reading, referred to Water, Energy & Telecommunications.

HB 1716-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Roberts, Kagi, Hinkle, Haler, Walsh, Appleton, Pettigrew, Dickerson, Darneille, Anderson, Moeller, O'Brien, McDonald, Santos, Wood, Kenney, Simpson, and Lantz)


Supporting educational achievement for children in foster care.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Declares an intent to promote the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative and practical strategies for maintaining continuity of school placement for children in foster care, and to facilitate data sharing between the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the children's administration within the department of social and health services.

Requires the children's administration within the department of social and health services to request funding and/or approval necessary to expedite the development and implementation of an interface between the statewide automated child welfare information system and the information system within the office of the superintendent of public instruction in order to facilitate ongoing effective data sharing between the two agencies regarding the educational achievement of children in foster care.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 15Public hearing in committee.
Feb 16Executive session in committee.
Mar 3Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Mar 5Placed on second reading.
Mar 62nd substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 8First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.

HB 1806-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Pedersen, Upthegrove, Campbell, Kenney, McDermott, Morrell, Chase, Appleton, Dunshee, McIntire, Santos, Moeller, Darneille, Roberts, Hudgins, Hunt, Hasegawa, Conway, O'Brien, Green, Rolfes, Simpson, Schual-Berke, Goodman, Wood, and Lantz)


Limiting the use of high hazard pesticides on school facilities.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Requires the Washington state school directors' association, in consultation with the department of health and the department of agriculture, to develop a model integrated pest management policy that emphasizes use of nonchemical pest control measures and allows use of high-hazard pesticides only as a last resort. The policy must be completed by September 1, 2008, and must be disseminated to all school districts and licensed day care centers. The Washington state school directors' association shall review and, if appropriate, update the policy at least once every five years.

Requires the state board of health to adopt by rule a list of products that the board considers to pose a high hazard to the health of children or staff if applied in or on school facilities.

Provides that, in developing the list, the board shall include products that meet the criteria of toxicity category I or toxicity category II for pesticides as defined by the United States environmental protection agency in 40 C.F.R. Sec. 156.62 as it exists on the effective date of this act.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 6Public hearing in committee.
Feb 15Executive session in committee.
Feb 27Public hearing in committee.
Mar 1Executive session in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 12Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

HB 1825-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Curtis, Dunshee, Moeller, Lovick, Morrell, Seaquist, McCoy, Clibborn, Barlow, Green, Appleton, Pedersen, Darneille, P. Sullivan, Kenney, Rolfes, Simpson, McIntire, Roberts, Ormsby, and Chase)


Providing dedicated funding for public health services.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Declares that protecting the public's health across the state is a fundamental responsibility of the state. With the commitment to state funding of the public health system as provided in this act, the state expects that measurable benefits will be realized to the health of the residents of Washington. A transparent process that shows the impact of increased public health spending on performance measures related to the health outcomes in this act is of great value to the state and its residents. In addition, a well-funded public health system is expected to become a more integral part of the state's emergency preparedness system.

Requires this increase in public health funding to deliver the following outcomes, subject to available funding: (1) Create a disease response system capable of responding at all times;

(2) Stop the increase in, and reduce, sexually transmitted disease rates;

(3) Reduce vaccine preventable diseases;

(4) Build capacity to quickly contain disease outbreaks;

(5) Decrease childhood and adult obesity and types I and II diabetes rates, and resulting kidney failure and dialysis;

(6) Increase childhood immunization rates;

(7) Improve birth outcomes and decrease child abuse;

(8) Reduce animal-to-human disease rates; and

(9) Monitor and protect drinking water across jurisdictional boundaries.

Requires that beginning November 15, 2009, the department shall report to the legislature and the governor annually on the distribution of funds under this act and the use of those funds. The initial report must discuss the performance measures adopted by the secretary and any impact the funding in this act has had on local health jurisdiction performance and health status indicators. Future reports shall evaluate trends in performance over time and the effects of expenditures on performance over time.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 7Public hearing in committee.
Feb 8Executive session in committee.
Mar 1Public hearing in committee.
Mar 3Executive session in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

HB 1858-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Fromhold, Curtis, Clibborn, Jarrett, Simpson, Springer, and Moeller)


Regarding the imposition of fees by transportation benefit districts.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Revises provisions relating to the imposition of fees by transportation benefit districts.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 5Public hearing in committee.
Mar 2Executive session in committee.
TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

HB 1880-S

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Anderson, Ormsby, Buri, Curtis, Haigh, Priest, Armstrong, Jarrett, Roberts, Kenney, Conway, Morrell, and Wood)


Creating the skills-based economic growth program.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that the education and skills of Washington's workforce is a major determinant of the state's economic growth, and that finding regional solutions to the state's workforce needs are of paramount concern.

Recognizes that different areas of the state will need the flexibility to fashion local solutions to their economic and workforce strengths and challenges, and that regional workforce systems may evolve over time.

Finds that while the workforce system in Washington is operated by numerous entities, each with a critical role, it should function as one interconnected and coordinated system. Workforce development planning, at the regional level, should be coordinated with regional strategic plans. Further, regional and state plans should be coordinated to achieve both statewide and local workforce development goals. To facilitate this coordination and cooperation among state and local regions, the legislature declares it to be in the state's interest to establish a coordinated planning program for regional workforce development systems throughout the state.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 7Public hearing in committee.
Feb 15Executive session in committee.
Mar 1Public hearing in committee.
Mar 3Executive session in committee.
APP - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 6Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 71st substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 9First reading, referred to Higher Education.
Mar 15Scheduled for public hearing in committee. (Subject to change)

HB 1891-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville, Orcutt, Quall, Cody, Hinkle, Hurst, and Dunn)


Providing a business and occupation tax deduction for the sale of certain prescription drugs.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Provides a business and occupation tax deduction for the sale of certain prescription drugs.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 16Public hearing in committee.
Mar 1Executive session in committee.
FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Mar 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 131st substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

HB 1901-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Grant, Newhouse, Linville, Orcutt, Blake, Hailey, Walsh, Morrell, Kristiansen, Dunn, and Hinkle)


Concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Revises provisions concerning the sales and use taxation of repairs to farm machinery and equipment.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 23Public hearing in committee.
Mar 2Executive session in committee.
FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 6Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

HB 1922-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Pedersen, Pettigrew, Miloscia, McIntire, Walsh, Kagi, Appleton, Kenney, Hasegawa, and Ormsby)


Creating an independent youth housing program.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that protecting the public health, safety, and welfare by providing housing resources to needy or vulnerable persons, such as young people exiting the state dependency system, is a fundamental purpose of government. The legislature further finds that providing such young people with safe and viable options for housing to avoid homelessness confers a valuable benefit on the public that constitutes consideration for financial assistance to such youth.

Provides that, 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 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.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 7Public hearing in committee.
Feb 15Executive session in committee.
Mar 3Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Placed on second reading.
Mar 62nd substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 64; nays, 32; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 8First reading, referred to Human Services & Corrections.

HB 1980-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Kelley, Santos, Ormsby, Roach, and Morrell)


Regarding the financial literacy public-private partnership.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Provides that, to the extent funds are appropriated or are available for this purpose, the superintendent of public instruction and other members of the partnership created in RCW 28A.300.455 shall make available to school districts the list of identified financial literacy skills and knowledge, instructional materials, assessments, and other relevant information.

Encourages each school district to provide its students with an opportunity to master the financial literacy skills and knowledge developed under RCW 28A.300.460.

Provides that for the purposes of RCW 28A.300.455, 28A.300.460, and this act, it is not necessary to evaluate and apply the office of the superintendent of public instruction essential academic learning requirements or to develop grade level expectations.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 15Public hearing in committee.
Feb 16Executive session in committee.
Feb 27Public hearing in committee.
Mar 1Executive session in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 132nd substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 3.

HB 1992-S2

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Santos, Kenney, and Hasegawa)


Creating community preservation and development authorities.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that major public facilities, public works, and capital projects with significant public funding generally aim to accrue broad benefits to the people of Washington. However, frequently overlooked or inadequately addressed is the interest of the stakeholder community that bears the disproportionate cost of the broad public benefit by absorbing a deleterious impact upon itself. These impacts may include dislocation, displacement, and the overall disintegration of an identifiable existing community and its historical and cultural character.

Finds that the preservation and restoration of the character of such a community, and the community's historical and cultural character, are important public policy goals that can be achieved through the creation of community preservation and development authorities.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 19Public hearing in committee.
Feb 27Executive session in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
FIN - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 92nd substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 67; nays, 30; absent, 0; excused, 1.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 12First reading, referred to Economic Development, Trade & Management.

HB 2041-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Jarrett, Simpson, Curtis, Clibborn, Campbell, Armstrong, Ormsby, Schindler, Wallace, P. Sullivan, Ericksen, and Linville)


Clarifying goals, objectives, and responsibilities of certain transportation agencies.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Serves to clarify existing goals, objectives, and responsibilities related to the operation of the statewide transportation system.

Requires the office of financial management to submit initial objectives and performance measures to the legislature for its review, and to the commission, during the 2008 legislative session. The office of financial management shall submit objectives and quantitative performance measures to the legislature for its review, and to the commission for the purpose of providing input into the statewide transportation plan, during each regular session of the legislature during an even-numbered year thereafter.

Requires that, by December 1, 2007, the office of financial management shall submit a baseline report on the attainment of policy goals under RCW 47.01.012 in the 2005-2007 fiscal biennium. By October 1, 2008, beginning with the development of the 2009-2011 biennial transportation budget, and by October 1st each year thereafter, the office of financial management shall submit to the legislature and the governor an annual report on progress made towards attainment by state transportation agencies of the state transportation policy goals and objectives prescribed by statute, appropriation, and governor directive. The report must, at a minimum, include the degree to which state transportation projects and programs progress towards attainment of the policy goals set forth in RCW 47.01.012, as measured by the objectives and performance measures established under RCW 47.01.012.

Repeals RCW 47.01.370 and 47.05.051.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 22Public hearing in committee.
Mar 1Executive session in committee.
TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

HB 2055-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Flannigan, Ahern, McCoy, Ormsby, and Santos)


Concerning traumatic brain injuries.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Provides a comprehensive plan to help individuals with traumatic brain injuries meet their needs.

Creates the Washington traumatic brain injury strategic partnership advisory council.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 20Public hearing in committee.
Feb 22Executive session in committee.
Mar 3Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 7Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 82nd substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 0.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 10First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

HB 2115-S

by House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representatives Newhouse, Lantz, B. Sullivan, Hailey, Grant, VanDeWege, Warnick, Kelley, Pedersen, Appleton, Quall, Seaquist, Hunt, Simpson, McDermott, and Ormsby)


Creating the heritage barn preservation program.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Acknowledges that factors such as changes in the agricultural economy and farming technologies, prohibitive rehabilitation costs, development pressures, and regulations restricting new uses, collectively work to endanger historic barns statewide from falling into decay or being demolished altogether.

Declares that, as historic barns represent irreplaceable resources, and recognizing that barn preservation will work to retain these structures as functional and economically viable elements of working lands, the purpose of this act is to create a system acknowledging heritage barns statewide that provides emergency assistance to heritage barn owners through matching grants, assesses the need for long-term barn preservation, and considers additional incentives and regulatory revisions that work toward the preservation of heritage barns as integral components of Washington's historic landscapes.

Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 20Public hearing in committee.
Feb 21Executive session in committee.
Mar 1Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
CB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 101st substitute bill substituted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 13First reading, referred to Agriculture & Rural Economic Development.

HB 2158-S

by House Committee on Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Hasegawa, Fromhold, O'Brien, Orcutt, Condotta, Ormsby, Roach, Kristiansen, Ericks, Curtis, Kenney, and Moeller)


Concerning the sales of vehicles and associated services to nonresidents of Washington.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Amends RCW 82.08.0264 and 82.08.0273.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 21Public hearing in committee.
Mar 2Executive session in committee.
FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

HB 2176-S2

by House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Lantz, Warnick, Pedersen, Ross, Hasegawa, Kenney, Santos, and Goodman)


Revising provisions involving court interpreters.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Provides that each trial court organized under Titles 2, 3 and 35 RCW must develop a written language assistance plan to provide a framework for the provision of interpreter services for non-English-speaking persons accessing the court system in both civil and criminal legal matters.

Provides that each court, when developing its language assistance plan, must consult with judges, court administrators and court clerks, interpreters, and members of the community, such as domestic violence organizations, pro bono programs, courthouse facilitators, legal services programs, and/or other community groups whose members speak a language other than English.

Provides that where a qualified interpreter is appointed for a hearing impaired person by a judicial officer in a proceeding before a court under this act in compliance with the provisions of RCW 2.42.130 and 2.42.170, the state of Washington shall reimburse the appointing authority for one-half of the payment to the interpreter.

Provides that where an interpreter is appointed by a judicial officer in a proceeding before a court at public expense, the state of Washington shall reimburse the appointing authority for one-half of the payment to the interpreter where: (1) The interpreter appointed is an interpreter certified by the administrative office of the courts or is a qualified interpreter registered by the administrative office of the courts in a noncertified language, or where the necessary language is not certified or registered, the interpreter has been qualified by the judicial officer pursuant to chapter 2.43 RCW;

(2) The court conducting the legal proceeding has an approved language assistance plan that complies with this act; and

(3) The fee paid to the interpreter for services is in accordance with standards established by the administrative office of the courts.

Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 20Public hearing in committee.
Feb 21Executive session in committee.
Mar 1Public hearing in committee.
Mar 3Executive session in committee.
APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 122nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 98; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

HB 2331-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson and Wood)


Funding qualifying projects through the urban corridor program of the transportation improvement board.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Requires that in any project funded by the transportation improvement board's urban corridor program, the board must consider, in addition to any other considerations required by law, the following factors when determining whether to make grants to local governments to accommodate projected growth: (1) Whether the project will improve the minimum levels of service on transportation facilities that will accommodate planned growth. For the purposes of this subsection, "minimum levels of service" means an "a" through "d" level of service on an "a" to "f" scale or other generally accepted transportation measurement scale; or

(2) Whether the project will enable the local government to implement its comprehensive and capital facilities plans to accommodate projected population and employment growth.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 27Public hearing in committee.
Mar 1Executive session in committee.
TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

HB 2358-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Rolfes, Strow, Appleton, Seaquist, VanDeWege, Lantz, Flannigan, Roberts, Cody, Green, Eickmeyer, Jarrett, and Kessler)


Regarding state ferries.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Declares an intent that Washington state ferries be given the tools necessary to maximize existing capacity and make the most efficient use of existing assets and tax dollars.

Requires the department to 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: (1) Recreational use;

(2) Vehicle customer use;

(3) Freight and goods movement demand;

(4) Reactions to potential operational and pricing strategies described under this act and RCW 47.60.290; and

(5) Impacts on local communities.

Provides that fares and pricing strategies must be adopted by rule, under chapter 34.05 RCW, by the commission, according to the following schedule: (1) Each year the department shall provide the commission a report of its review of fares and pricing strategies, with recommendations for the revision of fares for the ensuing year;

(2) By October 1st of each year, beginning in 2009, 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 on, or as near as possible to, October 1st.

Requires that, before a substantial change to the service levels provided to ferry users, the department shall consult with affected ferry users by public hearing, by review with the affected ferry advisory committees, and by other methods of gathering input.

Requires the joint legislative audit and review committee to assess and report as follows: (1) 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 act, 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

(2) Review the assignment of preservation costs and improvement costs for fiscal year 2009 to determine whether: (a) the costs are capital costs; (b) the costs meet the statutory requirements for preservation activities and for improvement activities; and (c) improvement costs are within the scope of legislative appropriations.

Provides that the report on the evaluations in this act is due by January 31, 2010.

Repeals RCW 47.60.150 and 47.60.326.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 27Public hearing in committee.
Mar 2Executive session in committee.
TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Mar 9Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 101st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 1.
-- IN THE SENATE --
Mar 13First reading, referred to Transportation.

HB 2367-S

by House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Roach, Hurst, Curtis, Ericks, Rodne, Lovick, O'Brien, Schindler, Haler, Warnick, Takko, Orcutt, Newhouse, McDonald, Condotta, Jarrett, Ahern, McCune, and Kelley)


Enhancing the security of drivers' licenses.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Requires the department, when mailing the driver's license to a first time applicant, except if the applicant is active military personnel, to mail the driver's license to a valid Washington address and may not mail the driver's license to an address outside the state of Washington. The department may adopt rules to make exceptions to this requirement when the department has determined that applicants are residents of the state of Washington but, for valid reasons shown, require the license to be mailed to a location outside the state. For the purposes of this provision, "first time applicant" means a person applying for a driver's license in the state of Washington for the first time who has not been previously issued a driver's license by the department.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 1Public hearing in committee.
Mar 2Executive session in committee.
TR - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Mar 5Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

HB 2382

by Representative Fromhold


Revising state trust land management practices.


Revises state trust land management practices.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 13First reading, referred to Capital Budget.


Senate Bills

SB 5151-S

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Kohl-Welles, and Keiser)


Requiring the registration of commercial youth athletic coaches.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that parents, local jurisdictions, nonprofit organizations, and other entities providing athletic opportunities to youth need better information about the criminal histories of prospective coaches before they hire, engage, or otherwise retain the coaches for compensation.

Declares that the safety, health, and welfare of children and families of this state would benefit from the establishment of a uniform registration system for all persons who, for compensation, provide or offer to provide athletic coaching services to persons under the age of eighteen, other than as an employee of a public or private school.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 1Public hearing in committee.
Feb 26Executive session in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 10Made eligible to be placed on second reading.

SB 5317-S

by Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Brandland, Hargrove, Stevens, Regala, and McAuliffe)


Creating additional safeguards for child care.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Declares that the purpose of this act is to provide tools to promote the hiring of suitable providers of child care by: (1) Providing parents with access to information regarding child care providers;

(2) Providing child care providers with known information regarding applicants' sexual misconduct or other abusive conduct;

(3) Providing parents with child care licensing complaint histories regarding child care providers; and

(4) Requiring background checks of applicants for employment in any child care facility licensed or regulated under current law.

Provides that, in determining whether an individual is of appropriate character, suitability, and competence to provide child care and early learning services to children, the department may consider all founded child abuse and neglect history information regarding a prospective child care provider. No unfounded or inconclusive allegation of child abuse or neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020 may be disclosed to a provider licensed under this act.

Declares that in order to determine the suitability of applicants for an agency license, licensees, their employees, and other persons who have unsupervised access to children in care, and who have not resided in the state of Washington during the three-year period before being authorized to care for children, shall be fingerprinted.

Requires the fingerprints to be forwarded to the Washington state patrol and federal bureau of investigation for a criminal history record check.

Requires the director to use the information solely for the purpose of determining eligibility for a license and for determining the character, suitability, and competence of those persons or agencies, excluding parents, not required to be licensed who are authorized to care for children.

Authorizes the department to make available on a publicly accessible web site all inspection reports and notices of enforcement actions involving child day-care centers and family day-care providers. The department shall include in the inspection report a statement of the corrective measures taken by the center or provider.

Requires the department and an agency to, at the first opportunity but in all cases within forty-eight hours of receiving a report alleging sexual misconduct or abuse by an agency employee, notify the parents of a child alleged to be the victim, target, or recipient of the misconduct or abuse. The department and an agency shall provide parents with information regarding their rights under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, to request the public records regarding the employee. This information shall be provided to all parents on an annual basis.

Provides that, for the purposes of reporting actions taken against agency employees or licensees, the following actions shall be posted to the department's web site accessible by the public: Suspension, surrender, revocation, denial, stayed suspension, or reinstatement of a license, and any written reprimand related to abuse and sexual misconduct or abuse.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 30Public hearing in committee.
Feb 23Executive session in committee.
Feb 26HSC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 1Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 101st substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Mar 13First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services.

SB 5440-S

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Kauffman, and Rockefeller)


Modifying provisions relating to public facilities districts.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Provides that the legislative authority of a city located in a county with a population greater than one million may create a public facilities district, when such city has a total population of less than one hundred fifteen thousand but greater than eighty thousand and commences construction on a regional center prior to July 1, 2008.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 30Executive session in committee.
Feb 7Public hearing in committee.
Feb 21Executive session in committee.
Feb 27Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

SB 5493-S

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Zarelli, Hatfield, Morton, Sheldon, Rasmussen, Kilmer, McAuliffe, Poulsen, Murray, Clements, Rockefeller, Swecker, Regala, Jacobsen, and Shin)


Modifying provisions relating to the excise taxation of forest products businesses.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Revises provisions relating to the excise taxation of forest products businesses.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Jan 31Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

SB 5528-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Pflug, Holmquist, Zarelli, Swecker, Clements, Stevens, Roach, Hewitt, Delvin, and Parlette)


Requiring a review of the essential academic learning requirements in mathematics. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Requiring a revision of essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations for mathematics.)


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Provides that, by July 1, 2007, the state board of education shall establish an independent mathematics review committee. Mathematics competency must be a prerequisite for inclusion on the committee.

Requires that, by December 1, 2007, the committee shall review the current essential academic learning requirements in mathematics and make recommendations regarding changes of these mathematics standards to the legislature, the governor, the state board of education, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The review shall include, but is not limited to the following: (1) Reviewing the standards for clarity, rigor, content, reason, and any negative qualities;

(2) Articulating grade level expectations over the grades as a sequence of expectations and performances that build with increasing depth after foundational knowledge and skills are acquired, and reflect, where appropriate, the sequential nature of the discipline;

(3) Using the international benchmarking system of the trends in international mathematics and science study (TIMSS) and/or the program for international student assessment (PISA); and

(4) Reviewing other states and nations that have proven and high-quality mathematics standards, including California and Singapore.

Directs the superintendent of public instruction to present the recommended changes made by the committee under this act to the education committees of the house of representatives and senate as required by RCW 28A.655.070(4) during the 2008 legislative session and shall adopt new essential academic learning requirements and standards for mathematics based on the recommendations of the committee's recommended changes unless the legislature chooses to act during the 2008 legislative session.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 5Public hearing in committee.
Feb 22Executive session in committee.
Feb 26Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 6Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 122nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

SB 5557-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Prentice, Zarelli, Hatfield, Brandland, Brown, Poulsen, Pridemore, and McAuliffe)


Concerning public facilities for economic development purposes.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Revises provisions concerning public facilities for economic development purposes.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 9Public hearing in committee.
Feb 23Executive session in committee.
Mar 1Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Made eligible to be placed on second reading.
Mar 10Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

SB 5586-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Murray, Poulsen, Rockefeller, Kline, Kilmer, Regala, Marr, Weinstein, Oemig, Hargrove, Keiser, Fairley, Tom, Kohl-Welles, and McAuliffe)


Encouraging the use of cleaner energy.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Provides that, to reduce fossil fuel dependence and build our clean energy economy, the state should develop policies and incentives that help businesses, consumers, and farmers gain greater access to affordable clean fuels and vehicles and to produce clean fuels in the state. These policies and incentives should include: (1) Incentives for replacement of the most polluting diesel engines, especially in school buses;

(2) Transitional incentives for development of the most promising in-state clean fuels and fuel feedstocks, including biodiesel crops and ethanol from plant waste;

(3) Reduced fossil fuel consumption by state fleets;

(4) Development of promising new technologies for displacing petroleum with electricity, such as "plug-in hybrids"; and

(5) Impact analysis and emission accounting procedures that prepare Washington to respond and prosper as global warming impacts occur and as policies and markets to reduce global warming pollution are developed.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 13Public hearing in committee.
Feb 28Executive session in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing, public hearing, and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 10Made eligible to be placed on second reading.

SB 5616-S

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Marr, McCaslin, Brown, Oemig, Kastama, Regala, McAuliffe, Kilmer, Berkey, Keiser, Spanel, Eide, Murray, Shin, and Kohl-Welles)


Creating health sciences and services authorities.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Creates the health sciences and services program to promote bioscience-based economic development and advance new therapies and procedures to combat disease and promote public health.

Authorizes the department to approve applications submitted by local governments for an area's designation as a health sciences and services authority under this act.

Provides that the department may develop criteria to evaluate the application, including: (1) The presence of infrastructure capable of spurring development of the area as a center of health sciences and services;

(2) The presence of higher education facilities where undergraduate or graduate coursework or research is conducted; and

(3) The presence of facilities in which health services are provided.

Declares there shall be no more than two authorities statewide.

Declares an authority may only be created in a county with a population of less than one million persons.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 20Public hearing in committee.
Feb 26Executive session in committee.
Mar 1Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

SB 5659-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Fairley, Franklin, Brown, and Kline)


Establishing family and medical leave insurance.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that, although family and medical leave laws have assisted individuals to balance the demands of the workplace with their family responsibilities, more needs to be done to achieve the goals of family care, children and family health, workforce stability, and economic security.

Finds that many individuals do not have access to family and medical leave laws, and those who do may not be in a financial position to take family and medical leave that is unpaid, and that employer-paid benefits, including family and medical leave and disability benefits, meet only a relatively small part of this need.

Declares it to be in the public interest to establish a program that: (1) Allows parents to bond with a newborn or newly placed child, and workers to care for seriously ill family members or recover from their own serious health condition;

(2) Provides limited income support for a reasonable period while an individual is away from work on family and medical leave;

(3) Reduces the impact on state income support programs by increasing an individual's ability to provide caregiving services for family members while maintaining an employment relationship; and

(4) Establishes a wage replacement benefit to be coordinated with current existing state and federal family and medical leave laws.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 22Public hearing in committee.
Feb 27Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing, public hearing, and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 12Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

SB 5805-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Hatfield, Zarelli, Rasmussen, Swecker, Shin, and Hargrove)


Modifying provisions relating to the sales and use taxation of grain elevators.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Revises provisions relating to the sales and use taxation of grain elevators.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 15Public hearing in committee.
Feb 26Executive session in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing, public hearing, and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 10Made eligible to be placed on second reading.

SB 5828-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kauffman, McAuliffe, Tom, Rasmussen, Eide, Oemig, Clements, Hobbs, Weinstein, Rockefeller, Kline, and Kohl-Welles)


Regarding early child development and learning.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that education is the single most effective investment that can be made in children, the state, the economy, and the future. A well-educated citizenry is essential both for the preservation of democracy and for enhancing the state's ability to compete in the knowledge-based global economy.

Declares that the overarching goal for education in the state is to have a world-class, learner-focused, seamless education system that educates more Washingtonians to the highest levels of educational attainment.

Requires that, in conjunction with child care providers and other early learning leaders, the department shall review and revise child care provider rules in order to emphasize the need for mutual respect among parents, providers, and state staff who enforce rules. Revised rules shall clearly focus on keeping children safe and improving early learning outcomes for children. The department shall develop a plan by July 2007 that outlines the process and timelines to complete the rules review. Nothing in this act changes the department's responsibility to collectively bargain over mandatory subjects.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 7Public hearing in committee.
Feb 21Executive session in committee.
Feb 22Executive session in committee.
Feb 26Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 92nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 1; excused, 1.
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Mar 12First reading, referred to Early Learning & Children's Services.

SB 5843-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Oemig, Tom, Rockefeller, Zarelli, and Keiser)


Regarding educational data and data systems.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Finds that: (1) Reliable data on student progress, characteristics of students and schools, and teacher qualifications and mobility is critical for accountability to the state and to the public;

(2) Educational data should be made available as widely as possible while appropriately protecting the privacy of individuals as provided by law;

(3) School districts and the office of the superintendent of public instruction need robust and compatible data systems and programs to reduce inefficiencies caused by the lack of connectivity and to minimize or eliminate multiple data entry; and

(4) Schools and districts should be supported in their management of educational data and should have access to user-friendly programs and reports that can be readily used by classroom teachers and building principals to improve instruction.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, conduct a feasibility study on establishing a statewide longitudinal student-teacher data system. The primary purpose of the data system is to better aid research into programs and interventions that are most effective in improving student performance and to provide information on areas within the educational system that need improvement.

Requires a preliminary set of data elements to be developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction by December 2007. The feasibility study shall include conducting pilot studies on the collection of this preliminary set of identified data elements in two school districts, with one over twenty thousand in full-time equivalent enrollment and the other less than two thousand in full-time equivalent enrollment.

Requires that, by November 1, 2008, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide a final report on the results of the feasibility study, including the results from the pilot studies, to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 15Public hearing in committee.
Feb 26Executive session in committee.
Mar 2Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 92nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Mar 12First reading, referred to Education.

SB 5859-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Prentice, Clements, and Murray; by request of Liquor Control Board)


Changing the formula for determining how many spirits, beer, and wine restaurant liquor licenses can be issued in the state. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Addressing retail liquor licenses.)


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Amends RCW 66.24.420 to provide that the total number of spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses issued in the state of Washington by the board, not including spirits, beer, and wine private club licenses, shall not in the aggregate at any time exceed one license for each one thousand three hundred of population in the state, determined according to the yearly population determination developed by the office of financial management pursuant to RCW 43.62.030.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 13Public hearing in committee.
Feb 27Executive session in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; do not pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 8Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 102nd substitute bill substituted.
Mar 12Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.

SB 5862-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Rockefeller, Poulsen, Kohl-Welles, and Kline)


Regarding passenger-only ferry service.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Provides that a public transportation benefit area seeking grant funding as described in RCW 47.01.350 for a passenger-only ferry route between Kingston and Seattle shall first receive approval from the governor after submitting a complete business plan to the governor and the legislature by November 1, 2007.

Requires the department of transportation to make available for sale the Washington state ferries Snohomish and Chinook at market value by June 1, 2007. Proceeds from the sale must be deposited into the passenger ferry account created in RCW 47.60.645.

Requires the department to maintain the level of service existing on January 1, 2006, for the Vashon to Seattle passenger-only ferry route until such time as the route is assumed by another entity, providing a level of service at or exceeding the state level.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 26Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing, public hearing, and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 9Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 122nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1.

SB 5903-S

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Hatfield, and Sheldon)


Creating a cooperative agreement relating to the timber harvest excise taxation of timber harvests within the Quinault Indian Reservation.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Creates a cooperative agreement relating to the timber harvest excise taxation of timber harvests within the Quinault Indian Reservation.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 12Executive session in committee.
Mar 5Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

SB 5905-S

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Pflug, Keiser, Tom, Zarelli, Marr, and Carrell)


Concerning certificate of capital authorization.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Declares that, in processing and approving certificates of capital authorization, priority shall be given to construction or major renovation of existing facilities or replacement facilities. Those existing or replacement facilities with the greatest length of time between its last major renovation or construction shall be given first priority. A certificate of capital authorization is only required for capital expenditures exceeding the expenditure minimum as defined in RCW 70.38.025.

Provides that certificates of capital authorization for new facilities shall receive last priority and be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Requires that certificate of capital authorization applications be filed with the department by the end of the previous state fiscal year to be considered for priority assignment in the following state fiscal year beginning July 1st.

Provides that projects shall be considered on an emergency basis if the construction or renovation must be completed as soon as possible to: (1) Retain a facility's license or certification;

(2) Protect the health or safety of the facility's residents; or

(3) Avoid closure.

Provides that a project that is not completed and ready for occupancy by the last day of the fiscal year for which the certificate of capital authorization was issued shall be given an extended completion deadline if it can be established that substantial and continuing progress toward commencement of the project has been made.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 5Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 10Made eligible to be placed on second reading.

SB 5930-S2

by Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Shin, and Rasmussen; by request of Governor Gregoire)


Providing high quality, affordable health care to Washingtonians based on the recommendations of the blue ribbon commission on health care costs and access.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)


Provides a plan to develop high quality, affordable health care to Washingtonians based on the recommendations of the blue ribbon commission on health care costs and access.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Feb 12Public hearing in committee.
Feb 19Executive session in committee.
Mar 2Public hearing in committee.
Mar 5Executive session in committee.
WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Minority; without recommendation.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 7Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 92nd substitute bill substituted.
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
-- IN THE HOUSE --
Mar 12First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.


Senate Concurrent Resolutions

SCR 8407-S

by Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Clements, Keiser, and Parlette)


Addressing liquor laws.


(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)


Resolves, that a joint select committee on the state liquor laws be established to review liquor licensing and tied house laws to determine whether they should be continued in their present form or reformulated to decrease the number of bills introduced in the legislature each year.

Resolves, that the committee report its findings and recommendations to the legislature at the regular session held in 2008.
-- 2007 REGULAR SESSION --
Mar 9Public hearing and executive action taken in committee.
Mar 12LCRD - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.