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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

WA Lege Day 43: Roads budget and another I-960 vote

OLYMPIA -- Stop me if  you've heard this one: The Senate is going to vote today on whether to suspend portions of the law that requires two-third supermajorities for tax increases.

Democrats see it as a necessary step in getting something constructive done on a budget that fills a $2.8 billion hole in the state budget; Republicans see it as flaunting the will of the people.

Deja vu all over again, as Yogi Berra would say. The Senate did vote on this (twice) two weeks ago. But when the bill went to the House, folks over there made changes, so it needs to come back to the Senate  for another vote. The good news: probably won't be any amendments this time (thus removing the possibility of it going BACK to the House, for more tinkering). The bad news: there will still be an opportunity for speechifying.

Action on that bill is set for this evening.

Before that, Democrats will announce their Transportation Budget at noon. Committees have a fairly full schedule, with the bill on the House Human Services Committee agenda prompted by Phillip Paul's escape from an Eastern State Hospital outing to the Spokane County fair, one that is moving fairly smoothly and already passed the Senate.

Full committee schedule is inside the blog. Click here to see it




Legislative Meeting Schedule

Monday, February 22, 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
5:45 PMSENATE POSSIBLE SESSION/CAUCUS

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House Committees

 


Capital Budget*
2/22/10 3:30 pm

 

House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm C
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 10:09 AM

Public Hearing:
  1. SJR 8225 - Resolving to define "interest" in the state Constitution.
  2. Other bills referred to committee.

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Community & Economic Development & Trade
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

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Human Services*
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm D
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/18/2010 4:29 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. SSB 6338 - Concerning intermediate tenancies for persons with criminal backgrounds or substance abuse issues.
  2. Other Senate bills referred to committee.

Executive Session: Senate bills previously heard in committee.

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Judiciary
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Possible Executive Session:
  1. ESSB 6286 - Concerning the liability and powers of cities, diking districts, and flood control zone districts.
  2. ESB 5297 - Concerning the procedure for filing a declaration of completion of probate.
  3. SSB 6591 - Revising the procedure for complaints filed with the human rights commission.
  4. SSB 6674 - Regulating indemnification agreements involving motor carrier transportation contracts.
  5. SB 6450 - Requiring the department of licensing to establish continuing education requirements for court reporters.
  6. SSB 5383 - Regarding wolf-hybrids.
  7. 2ESSB 5742 - Concerning crime-free rental housing.
  8. 2ESSB 6508 - Changing the class of persons entitled to recoveries under a wrongful death action or survival action.
  9. SSB 6831 - Concerning estates and trusts.
  10. SSB 6395 - Addressing lawsuits aimed at chilling the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of speech and petition.
  11. SSB 6459 - Concerning the inspection of rental properties.
  12. ESB 6764 - Regarding accrual of interest on judgments founded on tortious conduct.
  13. SSB 6686 - Changing the election and appointment provisions for municipal court judges.
  14. SSB 6470 - Addressing the burdens of proof required in dependency matters affecting Indian children.

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Local Government & Housing*
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm E
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 11:35 AM

Public Hearing:
  1. SSB 5548 - Expanding certain public facilities eligible to be credited against the imposition of impact fees.
  2. SSB 6214 - Restructuring three growth management hearings boards into one board.
  3. SB 6279 - Clarifying regional transit authority facilities as essential public facilities.
  4. SSB 6520 - Extending time to complete recommendations under RCW 36.70A.5601 conducted by the William D. Ruckelshaus Center.
  5. SSB 6611 - Extending the deadlines for the review and evaluation of comprehensive land use plan and development regulations for three years and addressing the timing for adopting certain subarea plans.
  6. ESSB 6603 - Concerning land uses adjacent to general aviation airports.
  7. ESSB 6468 - Coordinating the weatherization and structural rehabilitation of residential structures.
  8. SSB 6205 - Concerning portions of state highways better served by merged districts under certain circumstances.
  9. SSB 6271 - Concerning annexations by cities and code cities located within the boundaries of a regional transit authority.
  10. SB 6418 - Regarding cities and towns annexed to fire protection districts.
  11. ESB 6261 - Addressing utility services collections against rental property.

Possible Executive Session: Senate bills previously heard in committee.

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Technology, Energy & Communications*
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm B
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 8:32 AM

Possible Executive Session:
  1. SSB 6692 - Allowing certain counties to participate and enter into ownership agreements for electric generating facilities powered by biomass.
  2. ESSB 6244 - Defining a green home and an energy efficient home.
  3. ESSB 6656 - Implementing a pilot program for energy conservation services.
  4. E2SSB 6579 - Improving the efficiency, accountability, and quality within state information systems.
  5. ESSB 6658 - Modifying community solar project provisions for investment cost recovery incentives.

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Transportation
2/22/10 3:30 pm

 

House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm B
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:
  1. SSB 6208 - Concerning temporary agricultural directional signs.
  2. SB 6209 - Allowing moneys paid to county road funds to be used for park and ride lots.
  3. SSB 6570 - Allowing certain private transportation providers to use certain public transportation facilities.
  4. SSB 6558 - Concerning petitions for administrative review of railroad crossing closures.
  5. SB 6379 - Streamlining and making technical corrections to vehicle and vessel registration and title provisions.
  6. SB 6826 - Increasing certain fees of licensing subagents.
  7. ESSB 6392 - Clarifying the use of revenue generated from tolling the state route number 520 corridor.

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Ways & Means*
2/22/10 3:30 pm

 

House Full Committee
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/18/2010 4:32 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. HB 3182 - Making unfunded mandates optional on local governments.
  2. SSB 6374 - Regarding fiscal note instructions.
  3. SB 6546 - Allowing the state director of fire protection to refuse membership in the public employees' retirement system.
  4. Bills referred to committee.

Possible Executive Session:
  1. HB 2732 - Allowing internet registration for second chance drawings of nonwinning tickets.
  2. HB 2956 - Concerning hospital safety net assessment.
  3. HB 2576 - Restructuring fees for the division of corporations and affirming authority to establish fees for the charities program of the office of the secretary of state.
  4. Bills referred to committee.

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Senate Committees

 


Agriculture & Rural Economic Development
2/22/10 10:00 am

 

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 3
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:
  1. SHB 2402 - Concerning a property tax exemption for property owned by a nonprofit organization and used for the purpose of a farmers market.
  2. SHB 2439 - Exempting church property used by a nonprofit organization conducting activities related to a farmers market from property taxation.
  3. SHB 2863 - Transferring food assistance programs to the department of agriculture.
  4. HB 3030 - Regarding the administration of irrigation districts.

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

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Early Learning & K-12 Education*
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

Watch on TVWSenate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 9:50 AM

Public Hearing:
  1. 2SHB 2731 - Creating an early learning program for educationally at-risk children.
  2. 3SHB 2687 - Creating the home visiting services account.
  3. 2SHB 2867 - Promoting early learning.
  4. HB 3068 - Providing access to alternative routes to certification for the recruiting Washington teachers program.
  5. SB 6858 - Providing for ample funding for basic education.

Executive Session:
  1. HB 2996 - Including approved private schools in the superintendent of public instruction's record check information rules.
  2. SHB 3036 - Requiring a public meeting before a school district contracts for nonvoter-approved debt.
  3. HB 1757 - Establishing a small school district contingency fund.

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

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Economic Development, Trade & Innovation*
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 3
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 4:08 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. E2SHB 1096 - Enhancing small business participation in state purchasing. (If measure is referred to committee.)
  2. SHB 2525 - Concerning public facilities districts created by at least two city or county legislative authorities. (If measure is referred to committee.)

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

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Government Operations & Elections*
2/22/10 10:00 am

 

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 2
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/18/2010 8:13 AM

Public Hearing:
  1. HB 1880 - Concerning ballot envelopes.
  2. HB 2575 - Expanding the membership of the capital projects advisory review board.
  3. HB 1080 - Allowing impact fees to be used for all fire protection facilities.
  4. SHB 2224 - Concerning the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems.
  5. SHB 2409 - Concerning the sale of water-sewer district real property.
  6. SHB 2962 - Allowing county treasurers to use electronic bill presentment and payment that includes an automatic electronic payment option for property taxes.
  7. SHB 2990 - Addressing alternative city assumption and tax authority provisions pertaining to water-sewer districts.
  8. 2EHB 1876 - Providing funds for disabled veterans through voluntary donations.

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

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Health & Long-Term Care*
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 4:04 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. HB 2989 - Concerning respiratory care practitioners.
  2. SHB 2997 - Concerning the size of a small employer's group for purposes of health benefit plans.
  3. 2SHB 2396 - Regarding emergency cardiac and stroke care.
  4. ESHB 1714 - Concerning association health plans.
  5. ESHB 3072 - Including wound care management in occupational therapy.
  6. HB 2888 - Concerning continuing education for pharmacy technicians.

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

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Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection*
2/22/10 10:00 am

 

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 8:06 AM

Public Hearing:
  1. SHB 2649 - Correcting references in RCW 50.29.021(2)(c)(i), (c)(ii), and (3)(e), RCW 50.29.062(2)(b)(i)(B) and (2)(b)(iii), and RCW 50.29.063(1)(b) and (2)(a)(ii) to unemployment insurance statutes concerning employer experience rating accounts and contribution rates.
    Carry-over testimony for individuals signed up to testify on 2/18 hearing.
  2. SHB 2804 - Concerning beer and caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverages.
  3. HB 2947 - Concerning special occasion licenses.
  4. HB 2642 - Establishing a pilot project to allow wine tasting at farmers markets.
  5. SHB 2688 - Creating a beer and wine tasting endorsement to the grocery store liquor license.
  6. E2SHB 1560 - Regarding collective bargaining at institutions of higher education.
  7. SHB 3003 - Placing symphony musicians under the jurisdiction of the public employment relations commission for purposes of collective bargaining.
  8. HB 2942 - Offering human trafficking training for criminal justice and correctional personnel, and other public safety employees.
  9. SHB 2589 - Concerning on-site wastewater treatment systems designer licensing.
  10. E2SHB 3024 - Providing uninterrupted meal and rest breaks for certain employees.

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

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Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
2/22/10 1:30 pm

 

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 2
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing:
  1. SHB 2593 - Concerning the department of fish and wildlife's ability to manage shellfish resources.
  2. SHB 2503 - Regarding membership on the board of natural resources.
  3. ESHB 2541 - Promoting the economic success of the forest products industry.
  4. 2SHB 2481 - Authorizing the department of natural resources to enter into forest biomass supply agreements.

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

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Transportation
2/22/10 3:30 pm

 

Watch on TVWSenate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

Public Hearing: SB 6381 - Making 2009-11 supplemental transportation appropriations.

Copies of proposed substitutes are available by noon on 2/22/2010 from committee staff. Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

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Ways & Means*
2/22/10 3:30 pm

 

Senate Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 4
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 2/19/2010 1:23 PM

Public Hearing:
  1. SB 6867 - Eliminating the state printer.
  2. ESHB 2753 - Creating the Washington works housing program.
  3. SB 6855 - Exempting community centers from property taxation and imposing leasehold excise taxes on such property.
  4. SB 6851 - Concerning the clean water act of 2010 funding cleanup of water pollution and other programs necessary for the health and well-being of Washington citizens through an increase in the tax on hazardous substances.
  5. E2SHB 1597 - Improving the administration of state and local tax programs without impacting tax collections by providing greater consistency in numerous tax incentive programs, revising provisions relating to the confidentiality and disclosure of tax information, and amending statutes to improve clarity and consistency, eliminate obsolete provisions, and simplify administration.
  6. SHB 1679 - Reimbursing medical expenses for certain totally disabled public safety personnel.
  7. HB 2987 - Addressing the impact on the firefighters' pension fund when a city or town enters a regional fire protection service authority.
  8. HB 2823 - Permitting retired participants to resume volunteer firefighter, emergency worker, or reserve officer service.
  9. SHB 1545 - Authorizing the higher education coordinating board to offer higher education annuities and retirement income plans.

Executive Session:
  1. SB 6748 - Concerning the business and occupation taxation of newspaper-labeled supplements.
  2. SHB 3066 - Creating uniformity among annual tax reporting survey provisions.
  3. SB 6844 - Streamlining lottery accounts by transferring local accounts into the treasury custodial accounts, directing transfers of unclaimed prize money, and eliminating obsolete provisions.
  4. SSB 6766 - Concerning forest fire prevention and suppression.
  5. SSB 6409 - Creating the Washington investment in excellence account.

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/

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