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  3. WA Lege Day 22: Gregoire confident Medicaid money coming

WA Lege Day 22: Gregoire confident Medicaid money coming

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire said she's confident the federal government will come up with some $435 million in money for Medicaid reimbursements over the next 18 months, easing somewhat the cuts the state would have to make on health care spending.

At a morning press conference to announce the number of jobs generated by federal stimulus money, Gregoire said she now expects both houses of Congress will extend a Medicaid matching program known as FMAP in the 2011 fiscal year. That would reduce the amount of revenue the state would have to produce -- through taxes or fees or federal grants -- to "buy back" some programs from proposed cuts in her December budget.

The proposal has yet to pass the Senate, but is in President Barack Obama's 2011 budget proposal. "I'm going to book it," Gregoire said.

But it would still leave about $345 million out of the amount she said the state needed to save essential programs. Some of those funds might also be in a federal jobs bill, but that is stalled in the Senate. She declined to discuss tax options for the remainder, saying the totals could change later this month when the revenue forecast is released.

More on the press conference later.

In the Legislature, the clock is ticking and tomorrow is the first cutoff when "policy" bills -- ones that change something the state does or doesn't do, not legislation that spends money -- must get out of their House committees.

The state Public Ports Association will be celebrating port districts, the State Elks will be in the Rotunda and Planned Parenthood of Washington will be lobbying for reproductive rights.

And there's a full schedule of hearings, which can be seen by clicking here and going inside the blog.


Legislative Meeting Information for February 1, 2010.

Legislative Meeting Schedule

Monday, February 01, 2010
TimeCommitteeLocation
10:00 AMHOUSE SESSION/CAUCUS

Agriculture & Rural Economic Development (S)Senate Hearing Rm 3

Government Operations & Elections (S)Senate Hearing Rm 2

Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (S)Senate Hearing Rm 4
12:00 PMPRO FORMA SENATE SESSION
1:30 PMEarly Learning & K-12 Education (S)Senate Hearing Rm 1

Economic Development, Trade & Innovation (S)Senate Hearing Rm 3

Health & Long-Term Care (S)Senate Hearing Rm 4

Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (S)Senate Hearing Rm 2

Community & Economic Development & Trade (H)House Hearing Rm C

Human Services (H)House Hearing Rm D

Judiciary (H)House Hearing Rm A

Local Government & Housing (H)House Hearing Rm E

Technology, Energy & Communications (H)House Hearing Rm B
3:30 PMTransportation (S)Senate Hearing Rm 1

Ways & Means (S)Senate Hearing Rm 4

Capital Budget (H)House Hearing Rm C

Transportation (H)House Hearing Rm B

Ways & Means (H)House Hearing Rm A

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House Committees

Capital Budget*
2/1/10 3:30 pm
House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm C
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/28/2010 1:43 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. HJR 4222 - Resolving to define "interest" in the state Constitution.
  2. HB 3136 - Concerning water pollution control.
  3. HB 3146 - Regarding the use of building fees and net proceeds of the university tract for university building purposes.
  4. HB 2675 - Concerning an alternative process for selecting an electrical contractor or a mechanical contractor, or both, for general contractor/construction manager projects.
  5. Other bills referred to committee.

Work Session: State agency requirements for purchasing correctional industries furniture.

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Community & Economic Development & Trade*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm C
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/27/2010 5:30 PM

Executive Session:
  1. HB 1666 - Authorizing the creation of cultural access authorities.
  2. HB 2658 - Refocusing the department of commerce, including transferring programs.
  3. HB 2557 - Correcting references regarding the department of commerce.
  4. HB 2985 - Concerning infrastructure financing for local governments.
  5. HB 2983 - Creating the Washington global health technologies and product development competitiveness program and allowing certain tax credits for program contributions.

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Human Services
2/1/10 1:30 pmBack to Top
Judiciary*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/28/2010 1:53 PM

Possible Executive Session:
  1. HB 1913 - Changing provisions relating to process servers.
  2. HB 2414 - Authorizing abatement of nuisances involving criminal street gang activity.
  3. HB 2457 - Placing restrictions on pro se defendants when questioning witnesses.
  4. HB 2623 - Regulating the foreclosure of residential real property.
  5. HB 2657 - Addressing the dissolution of limited liability companies.
  6. HB 2681 - Allowing compensation for part-time judges' judicial services.
  7. HB 2861 - Adding state certified court reporters to the list of persons authorized to administer oaths and affirmations.
  8. HB 3016 - Updating provisions concerning the modification, review, and adjustment of child support orders to improve access to justice and to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
  9. HB 3028 - Addressing disclosure of adoption information.
  10. HB 3039 - Streamlining the truancy process to reduce the costs to courts and school districts.
  11. HB 3046 - Addressing the dissolution of the assets and affairs of a nonprofit corporation.

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Local Government & Housing*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
Watch on TVWHouse Full Committee
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/27/2010 4:50 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. HB 3007 - Authorizing airport operators to make airport property available at less than fair market rental value for public recreational or other community uses.
  2. HB 1744 - Concerning real estate excise tax expenditures for parks and capital projects.

Executive Session: Bills previously heard in committee.

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Technology, Energy & Communications*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm B
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/29/2010 4:18 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. HB 3104 - Modifying community solar project provisions for investment cost recovery incentives.
  2. HB 2432 - Recognizing hydroelectric generation as a renewable energy resource.
  3. HJR 4215 - Amending the state Constitution to require that hydroelectric generation be recognized as a renewable resource.
  4. HB 2857 - Providing alternative methods to meet the eligible renewable energy requirements under RCW 19.285.040.

Possible Executive Session:
  1. HB 2853 - Authorizing a local financing tool to fund energy efficiency upgrades and removing financial barriers to implementing energy conservation programs.
  2. HB 2601 - Studying telecommunication regulatory reform.
  3. Other bills previously heard in committee.

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Transportation*
2/1/10 3:30 pm
House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm B
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/28/2010 6:05 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. HB 2742 - Addressing accountability for persons driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. (If measure is referred to committee.)
  2. HB 2939 - Concerning notations on driver abstracts that a person was not at fault in a motor vehicle accident.
  3. HB 2230 - Renaming the Washington state ferries the Washington state marine highway system.
  4. HB 3001 - Addressing bicycle and pedestrian safety education in traffic schools.

Executive Session: Bills previously heard in committee.

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Ways & Means*
2/1/10 3:30 pm
Watch on TVWHouse Full Committee
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/29/2010 10:51 AM

Public Hearing:
  1. HB 1545 - Authorizing the higher education coordinating board to offer higher education annuities and retirement income plans.
  2. HB 2778 - Concerning domestic violence.
  3. HB 2793 - Clarifying and expanding the rights and obligations of state registered domestic partners and other couples related to parentage.
  4. HB 3048 - Concerning administration of the medicaid program.
  5. Other bills referred to committee.

Possible Executive Session:
  1. SSB 6503 - Closing state agencies on specified dates.
  2. Bills referred to committee.

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Senate Committees

Agriculture & Rural Economic Development
2/1/10 10:00 am
Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 3
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6745 - Concerning veterinary technician licenses.
  2. SB 6653 - Concerning a property tax exemption for property owned by a nonprofit organization and used for the purpose of a farmers market.

Work Session: Update on animal health/services programs by State Veterinarian.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Early Learning & K-12 Education*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
Watch on TVWSenate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/28/2010 4:00 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6511 - Regarding gang and hate group activity at schools and school activities.
  2. SB 6512 - Increasing school safety.
  3. SB 6519 - Streamlining Becca bill provisions for middle and high school students.
  4. SB 6702 - Providing education programs for juveniles in adult jails.
  5. SB 6619 - Including approved private schools in the superintendent of public instruction's record check information rules.

Executive Session:
  1. SB 6696 - Regarding education reform.
  2. SB 6593 - Transferring the administration of the infant and toddler early intervention program from the department of social and health services to the department of early learning.
  3. SB 6668 - Regarding eligibility requirements for the early childhood education and assistance program.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Economic Development, Trade & Innovation*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 3
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/29/2010 1:08 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6805 - Concerning the Washington state economic development commission.
  2. SB 6790 - Providing regional economic development services.

Executive Session: SB 6684 - Regarding the governance and financing of the Washington state convention and trade center.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Government Operations & Elections
2/1/10 10:00 am
Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 2
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6688 - Concerning filling vacancies in nonpartisan elective office.
  2. SB 6689 - Concerning ballot title information.
  3. SB 6695 - Establishing the number of days of shared leave an employee is eligible to receive.
  4. SB 6724 - Allowing employees of a school district or educational service district to share leave with employees in another agency.
  5. SB 6611 - Extending the deadlines for the review and evaluation of comprehensive land use plan and development regulations for three years.
  6. SB 5631 - Counting absentee ballots.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Health & Long-Term Care*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/29/2010 2:52 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6486 - Requiring hospitals to adopt policies concerning vaccination of health care workers.
  2. SB 6710 - Concerning administration of the medicaid program.
  3. SB 6698 - Concerning the acquisition of nonprofit hospitals.
  4. SB 6811 - Concerning naturopathy. (If measure is referred to committee.)
  5. SB 6812 - Authorizing health carriers to offer plans equivalent to the basic health plan. (If measure is referred to committee.)

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection
2/1/10 10:00 am
Watch on TVWSenate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Work Session: Industrial insurance.

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6775 - Creating a task force to study and report on the state's workers' compensation system.
  2. SB 6732 - Addressing claims of insolvent self-insurers under industrial insurance.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation*
2/1/10 1:30 pm
Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 2
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/29/2010 3:26 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. SJM 8025 - Requesting that a retired space shuttle orbiter be transferred to Washington's museum of flight.
  2. SB 6690 - Regarding access to information for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities.
  3. SB 6738 - Concerning the sale of surplus salmon from state hatcheries.
  4. SB 6766 - Concerning forest fire prevention and suppression.

Executive Session:
  1. SB 6554 - Extending the Washington biodiversity council.
  2. SB 6622 - Mitigating damage to crops caused by migrating waterfowl.
  3. SB 6641 - Concerning forest practices applications leading to conversion of land for development purposes.
  4. SB 6644 - Concerning the possession and capture of birds of prey.
  5. SB 6676 - Concerning changes in vessel designations on Dungeness crab-coastal fishery licenses.
  6. SB 6747 - Authorizing the department of natural resources to recover costs for data delivery services provided under the natural heritage program.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Transportation*
2/1/10 3:30 pm
Watch on TVWSenate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/29/2010 3:02 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6693 - Concerning vehicle license fraud.
  2. SB 6774 - Addressing transportation benefit district governance.
  3. SB 6510 - Extending state route number 166.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Copies of the proposed substitute are available from committee staff. Other business.

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Ways & Means*
2/1/10 3:30 pm
Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 1/29/2010 3:00 PM

Public Hearing: SSB 6263 - Establishing the Washington vaccine association.

Work Session: Medicaid provider assessments.

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6758 - Concerning hospital safety net assessment.
  2. SB 6751 - Establishing the medicaid nursing facility quality assurance trust fund.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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House committee meeting documents for this session may be viewed once the meeting has started and for any previous meetings from this session at the following Web site: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/cmd/

If you plan to visit the Capitol Campus in Olympia, please keep in mind parking is very limited. For directions, maps and information regarding parking and free shuttle service please see: http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Parking.aspx

This list (waleg-schedule@listserv.wa.gov) is maintained and distributed by the Washington State Legislature. If you wish to unsubscribe to this list, please go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/subscriptions/, or send an email to listserv@listserv.wa.gov with the subject line blank and the command "signoff waleg-schedule@listserv.wa.gov" in the body of the e-mail (without quotes).

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