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Posted
March 6, 2007
 Legislative Action Committee Report
State Legislative Update
by Toni Lysen
34th District Legislative Action Committee Chair
E-mail Toni Lysen
March 6th Update
Election Reform (Leads: Craig Salins, Elizabeth Walter and Dave Thomas)
• Public Financing—local option:
• HB 1551 McDermott (amended to use local dollars only) –awaiting action by Rules and floor vote.
• SSB 5278 Franklin (amended to cities only)—awaiting action by Rules and floor vote.
• Public Financing—judicial:
• HB 1186 Schual-Berke (compromise between Gov and org bill)--needs action by Rules and floor vote
• SSB 5226 Oemig (revised and updated)—awaits action by Ways and Means
• Public Financing—state offices:
• HB 1360 Miloscia/SB 5110 Kastama: Had a hearing and rally—good 1st steps—more next session!
Voting Integrity Bill—audits & accountability—possible legislation next year
Social Justice (Leads: Sarajane Siegfriedt and Elizabeth Younger)
• Predatory Lending—36% cap: HB 1020 Appleton—died early in the process—will hold future LAC meeting on this topic in 37th.
Affordable Housing—increasing Housing Trust Fund- $
• Numbers range from $130 million to $200 million
Homeowners Bill of Rights:
• SB 5045 Contractor licensing—in Rules, amended—less impact than hoped
• SB 5505 Concerning real property—in Rules and expected to pass Senate.
• SB 5048 Contractor defects—in Rules and expected to pass Senate.
Marriage Equality—Domestic Partnership:
• Passed Senate, is expected to pass House and be signed by Governor!
Restoration of Voting Rights for Felons—no formal action
Environment (Leads: Bill Austin and Bob Loeliger)
• Elimination of Toxic Flame Retardants:
• HB 1374 Upthegrove—in Appropriations
• ESHB 1024 Hunter—Passed House, in Rules in Senate (SB 4034 Regala)
Save our Sound:
• HB 1374 Upthegrove-- in Appropriations
• SB 5372 Rockefeller-- passed out of committee
• $100 Million for Parks and Wildlife-budget line item
Cleaner Energy:
HB 1303 Dickerson in Appropriations/SB 5586 Murray—in Ways & Means
March 3rd Update
The following is an update of state legislation the 34th LD Dems and KC Legislation
Action Committee are following.
Impeachment Resolution:
• Requesting impeachment investigation of Bush/Cheney: SJM 8016 - Oeming (45th LD) - hearing 3/1/07
Election Reform:
• Public financing of local government campaigns: HB 1551 - McDermott - Rules Committee.
• Allows voter registration up to and on election day: SB5561 - Oeming - Rules Committee
• Public financing of judicial races (Governor request legislation): SB 5226- Oeming- passed Government Elections Com, in Ways and Means/HB 1589-Schual-Berke - hearing 2/7/07.
Social Justice:
• Predatory Lending: HB 1020-Appleton- in committee since 1/8/07
• Homeowners Bill of Rights: HB 5045-6, 5048-9-Weinstein: 5045-hearing 1/18/07, 5048-Rules,
• Spouse Rights to Domestic Partners: HB 1351- McDermott: Rules Committee/SB5336 - Murray- Rules
Environment:
• Elimination of Toxic Flame Retardants: HB1024- passed House 2/16/07/ referred to Senate Water/Energy Com
• Establish Maury Island Aquatic Reserve: SB 6011/6012-passed Water/ Energy, referred to Senate Rules
• Preserve MI Aquatic Reserve/Puget Sound: SB 6010 - hearing Natural Resources Com 2-22-07
Education:
• Simple Majority: SB 5028/Eide- hearing 1-15-07/HJR4201-Schual-Berke – hearing 1-19-07
• Alternatives to WASL: HB1051/Upthegrove –passed House 1/22/07/referred to Senate Education Com
Health Care:
• Fair Share (Employers offer health care or pay to state system): SHB 1569-Cody –passed Health Care Com/hearing Appropriations Com 3/1/07.
Energy:
• Incentives to end fossil fuels: SB5586/Poulsen – hearing 2-13-07 Water/Energy Com
• Carbon credit purchase: SB5237/Poulsen – Revised 1st Substitute passed Water/Energy Com/ referred to Rules
Annexation:
• Allow Seattle to receive same tax rebate as smaller cities: HB 1139/McDermott/Cody-hearing 1-26-07/SB5330-Poulsen –passed Senate Government Com 1/24/07/ referred to Ways & Means
Viaduct:
• KC sales tax to pay for viaduct or Lk. Wa. bridge: SB 5022-hearing 1/24/07 Senate Transportation Com
To find state legislation go to: www.leg.wa.gov/legislature.
Next month this column will also focus on federal legislation sponsored by Senators Murray & Cantwell and Representatives McDermott and Smith.
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