In brief: Bill recognizes more same-sex unions

OLYMPIA – The Senate agreed that Washington should recognize domestic partnerships from other states, giving approval Wednesday to a bill that now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire.

On a 28-19 vote that largely fell along party lines, the Senate approved HB 1649, which allows domestic partnerships and other contractual unions of same-sex couples from other states to be recognized in Washington. Same-sex marriages, which aren’t recognized in Washington, would be treated as domestic partnerships under the bill.

Among Spokane-area legislators, voting yes was Lisa Brown, a Democrat; voting no were Mike Baumgartner, Jeff Baxter, Bob Morton and Mark Schoesler, all Republicans.

Jim Camden

Car tabs to go up $20 starting in September

Owners of cars registered in Spokane will start paying an additional $20 to license their cars starting Sept. 1 under the city’s new vehicle tax. The state Department of Licensing finalized the date earlier this month.

The Spokane City Council approved the tab fee on Feb. 14. State law says tab fees become effective six months after approval. Department of Licensing spokesman Brad Benfield said the state prefers to start collections at the beginning of a month.

The council created a transportation benefit district last year, giving the city the ability to approve tab taxes up to $20 without voter approval.

City officials expect to collect about $2.6 million in the first full year of collections. Most of the money will be used for street maintenance. Ten percent was earmarked for sidewalks.

Jonathan Brunt

House panel holds medical pot hearing

BOISE – An Idaho House committee held an unprecedented informational hearing Wednesday on legislation to legalize medical marijuana, though the panel doesn’t plan to advance the bill this year.

House Health and Welfare Chairwoman Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, said it will take a major educational process before Idaho is ready to pass such a law. “To me, this is just kind of a very first step … to start talking about it and learning about it,” she said.

Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow, proposed HB 19 to legalize medical marijuana for limited use by the chronically ill; he said if enacted, it would be the most restrictive medical marijuana law of any state.

Betsy Z. Russell