Please note that the following legislative actions have been taken.
House Bill 1393: Providing information to assist in unemployment insurance overpayment recovery
Introduced by Rep. Sam Hunt, (Olympia) (D) on January 25, 2013, requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to disclose personally identifying information, including social security numbers, about persons who get recreational licenses to the Employment Security Department for the purpose of unemployment insurance overpayment recovery. (See also SB 5353).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152236
House Bill 1395: Implementing the unemployment insurance integrity provisions of the federal trade adjustment assistance extension act of 2011
Introduced by Rep. Mike Sells, (Everett) (D) on January 25, 2013, switches some funds from the administrative contingency fund to the unemployment compensation fund. This act alters provides that an individual who is disqualified for unemployment benefits for the first time is subject to an additional penalty. This act reforms employers’ reporting requirements relating to unemployment benefits. This act takes effect on October 20, 2013. (See also SB 5355).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152239
House Bill 1405: Creating a competitive grant program for informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
Introduced by Rep. Marko Liias, (D-Mukilteo) (D) on January 25, 2013, creates a competitive grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in obtaining, building, or rehabilitating science or technology centers, zoos, and aquarium facilities. This act directs the Department of Commerce to establish an advisory committee to evaluate and rank grant applications. (See also SB 5146).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152257
House Bill 1407: Regarding the ability of a local legislative authority to regulate genetically modified organisms
Introduced by Rep. Cary Condotta (R) on January 25, 2013, permits local governments to regulate genetically modified organisms, including their production, use, advertising, sale, distribution, storage, transportation, formulation, packaging, labeling, certification, registration, propagation, cultivation, raising, or growing. (See also SB 5167).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152260
House Bill 1414: Concerning Yakima river basin water resource management
Introduced by Rep. Bruce Chandler (R) on January 25, 2013, authorizes the Department of Ecology to implement the integrated water resource management plan in the Yakima River Basin. (See also SB 5367).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152272
House Bill 1438: Concerning de facto changes in water rights for irrigation purposes that involved conversion to more efficient irrigation technologies
Introduced by Rep. Vincent Buys (R) on January 28, 2013, provides that the Department of Ecology will review applications for a change in the place of use, purpose of use, or point of diversion for water, provided the applicant has converted to and beneficially used microirrigation. This act specifies the requirements of such applications. (See also SB 5199).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152427
House Bill 1446: Concerning judicial proceedings and forms
Introduced by Rep. Steve Kirby, (D-Tacoma) (D) on January 28, 2013, eliminates a requirement that the county clerk notify the county auditor of undeliverable jury duty summons. This act requires that certain judicial proceedings be commenced as a new action. This act also provides that all documents and pleadings related to certain judicial proceedings involving parentage are open for public inspection. (See also SB 5135).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152435
House Bill 1457: Implementing family and medical leave insurance
Introduced by Rep. Tami Green, (D-Lakewood) (D) on January 28, 2013, allows workers to care for family members with a serious health condition or to recover from their own serious health condition. Expands duties of the employment security department. Requires each employer, for each individual, to pay a premium to the employment security department based on the amount of the employee’s wages. (See also SB 5292).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152446
House Bill 1460: Creating a process for administrative reassignment of public employees
Introduced by Rep. Matt Manweller (R) on January 28, 2013, permits state employees to be placed on administrative reassignment if necessary for an investigation of a workplace complaint. Administrative reassignment can last up to fifteen days, although it may be extended in thirty day increments if necessary. (See also SB 5160).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152449
House Bill 1462: Creating a good faith defense for certain minimum wage and overtime compensation complaints
Introduced by Rep. Matt Manweller (R) on January 28, 2013, establishes that an employer is not liable for failure to meet minimum wage or overtime pay requirements if they failed to do so because of good faith reliance on a rule related to wage payment requirements, an order or opinion from the Director of the Department of Labor and Industries, or an administrative policy from the Department. (See also SB 5158).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152451
House Bill 1466: Revising alternative public works contracting procedures
Introduced by Rep. Kathy Haigh, (Shelton) (D) on January 28, 2013, alters membership procedures for the Capital Project Advisory Review Board, reforms the duties of the public works Project Review Committee, and implements a number of other changes to public works contracting procedures. This act takes effect on June 30, 2013. (See also SB 5349).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152455
House Bill 1467: Addressing the collection of unpaid wages
Introduced by Rep. Tami Green, (D-Lakewood) (D) on January 28, 2013, permits courts to issue a warrant directing law enforcement to search for and seize an employer’s property, and sell it for the purpose of paying unpaid wages to the employer’s employees. This act also provides that, if the Department of Labor and Industries believes that an employer is insolvent or about to cease business, leave the state, or remove assets which could be used to pay wages, penalties, fees, or interest, and the collection of any wages accrued will be jeopardized by waiting, the Department Director may make an immediate assessment and proceed to enforce collection immediately. (See also SB 5360).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152456
House Bill 1468: Modifying payment methods on certain claimants’ benefits
Introduced by Rep. Mike Sells, (Everett) (D) on January 28, 2013, permits individuals receiving crime victim’s compensation or industrial insurance to opt to receive payments electronically. (See also SB 5361).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152457
House Bill 1469: Addressing industrial insurance for horse racing employment
Introduced by Rep. Joe Schmick, (Colfax) (R) on January 28, 2013, modifies existing law pertaining to industrial insurance for certain licensed horse racing employments. This act repeals a section of law which classified hotwalkers as grooms. This act also grants certain authority to the Department of Labor and Industries and the Washington Horse Racing Commission to determine industrial insurance premiums. (See also SB 5363).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152458
Senate Bill 5334: Concerning public facilities’ grants and loans
Introduced by Sen. Mike Hewitt (R) on January 28, 2013, reforms the functions of the Community Economic Revitalization Board. This act provides that four members of the board must represent small business, instead of one, and two members must represent large businesses. This act permits the Board to prepare biennial operating and capital budgets, and authorizes the Board to manage the public facilities construction loan revolving account to assist political subdivisions in financing the cost of public facilities. This act provides criteria for the Board to use to prioritize awards for committed private sector construction projects and makes other reforms related to the Board.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152368
Senate Bill 5338: Addressing nonprofit debt adjusters
Introduced by Sen. Steve Hobbs (D) on January 28, 2013, provides that the fee retained by a debt adjuster from any one payment by the debtor may not exceed fifteen percent of the payment not including fair share. This act defines “fair share” as the creditor contributions paid to nonprofit debt adjusters by the creditors whose consumers receive debt adjusting services from the nonprofit debt adjusters. This act prohibits debt adjusters from accepting any cash, fee, gift, bonus, premium, reward, or other compensation, other than fair share.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152372
Senate Bill 5340: Limiting maximum capital and reserves accumulations by health care service contractors and health maintenance organizations
Introduced by Sen. Maralyn Chase (D) on January 28, 2013, provides that, when annual premiums are in excess of two hundred fifty million dollars, a health care service contractor or a health maintenance organization may not accumulate capital and reserves, including risk-based capital, in excess of two months of claims expense. Any excess shall be returned to policyholders.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152374
Senate Bill 5341: Concerning the use of nonconviction records for employment and housing opportunities
Introduced by Sen. Jeannie Darneille (D) on January 28, 2013, requests the state supreme court to redact or seal nonconviction court records that may harm non-convicted individuals’ employment and housing opportunities. This act prohibits employers and landlords from asking about nonconviction records, with some exceptions.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152375
Senate Bill 5344: Revising state statutes concerning trusts
Introduced by Sen. Mark Mullet (D) on January 28, 2013, reforms laws governing who may serve as a personal representative as well as who may serve as a trustee and makes numerous other reforms to state law regarding trusts.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152378
Senate Bill 5347: Assuring the people’s right to vote on initiatives that submit sufficient valid voter signatures
Introduced by Sen. Ann Rivers (R) on January 28, 2013, mandates that any state or local initiative which received enough valid voter signatures within the required time window must be submitted to a vote of the people at the next election.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152381
Senate Bill 5349: Revising alternative public works contracting procedures
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Dammeier (R) on January 28, 2013, alters membership procedures for the Capital Project Advisory Review Board, reforms the duties of the public works Project Review Committee, and implements a number of other changes to public works contracting procedures. This act takes effect on June 30, 2013. (See also HB 1466).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152383
Senate Bill 5351: Creating a state universal communications service program
Introduced by Sen. Doug Ericksen (R) on January 28, 2013, creates the State Universal Communications Service Program to subsidize small, rural telecommunications and radio service companies. The program will be funded by a surcharge on each working telephone number in the state. This act begins to take effect on July 1, 2013.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152385
Senate Bill 5352: Clarifying the terminology and duties of the real estate agency relationship law to be consistent with other existing laws
Introduced by Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry (R) on January 28, 2013, modifies state regulations governing the interactions between real estate brokers, real estate firms, and buyers. (See also HB 1487).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152386
Senate Bill 5353: Providing information to assist in unemployment insurance overpayment recovery
Introduced by Sen. Pam Roach (R) on January 28, 2013, requires the Department of Fish and Wildlife to disclose personally identifying information, including social security numbers, about persons who get recreational licenses to the Employment Security Department for the purpose of unemployment insurance overpayment recovery. (See also HB 1393).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152387
Senate Bill 5355: Implementing the unemployment insurance integrity provisions of the federal trade adjustment assistance extension act of 2011
Introduced by Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry (R) on January 28, 2013, switches some funds from the administrative contingency fund to the unemployment compensation fund. This act alters provides that an individual who is disqualified for unemployment benefits for the first time is subject to an additional penalty. This act reforms employers’ reporting requirements relating to unemployment benefits. This act takes effect on October 20, 2013. (See also HB 1395).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152389
Senate Bill 5359: Concerning mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect by supervised persons
Introduced by Sen. Mike Carrell (R) on January 28, 2013, specifies that any business, non-federal government agency, non-profit organization , or individual or group engaged in a trade, occupation, enterprise, governmental function, charitable function, or similar activity, must report any incident in which they have reasonable cause to believe child abuse or neglect is taking place.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152393
Senate Bill 5360: Addressing the collection of unpaid wages
Introduced by Sen. Steve Conway (D) on January 28, 2013, permits courts to issue a warrant directing law enforcement to search for and seize an employer’s property, and sell it for the purpose of paying unpaid wages to the employer’s employees. This act also provides that, if the Department of Labor and Industries believes that an employer is insolvent or about to cease business, leave the state, or remove assets which could be used to pay wages, penalties, fees, or interest, and the collection of any wages accrued will be jeopardized by waiting, the Department Director may make an immediate assessment and proceed to enforce collection immediately. (See also HB 1467).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152394
Senate Bill 5361: Modifying payment methods on certain claimants’ benefits
Introduced by Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry (R) on January 28, 2013, permits individuals receiving crime victim’s compensation or industrial insurance to opt to receive payments electronically. (See also HB 1468).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152395
Senate Bill 5363: Addressing industrial insurance for horse racing employment
Introduced by Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry (R) on January 28, 2013, modifies existing law pertaining to industrial insurance for certain licensed horse racing employments. This act repeals a section of law which classified hotwalkers as grooms. This act also grants certain authority to the Department of Labor and Industries and the Washington Horse Racing Commission to determine industrial insurance premiums. (See also HB 1469).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152397
Senate Bill 5367: Concerning Yakima river basin water resource management
Introduced by Sen. Jim Honeyford (R) on January 28, 2013, authorizes the Department of Ecology to implement the integrated water resource management plan in the Yakima River Basin. (See also HB 1414).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152401
Senate Bill 5368: Determining the proportion of supplemental income to be paid by component cities, towns, and counties
Introduced by Sen. Jim Honeyford (R) on January 28, 2013, provides that the method for determining the supplemental income to be obtained from component cities, towns, or counties to support air pollution control authorities must exclude consideration of either the assessed valuation of property or population located within federally recognized Indian reservations.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152402
Senate Bill 5369: Concerning the use of geothermal resources
Introduced by Sen. Adam Kline (D) on January 28, 2013, broadens the definition of “geothermal resources.” This act provides that unless the geothermal resources have been otherwise reserved or conveyed, they are the property of the holder of the title to the surface land above the resources. This act exempts certain uses of water associated with a geothermal well from the normal appropriation procedure. This act creates the geothermal account to support geothermal exploration, assessment, and research.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152403
Senate Bill 5378: Creating a six-year time frame for substantial building code amendments
Introduced by Sen. Don Benton (R) on January 28, 2013, prohibits the State Building Code Council from making substantial changes to the state building and energy codes more frequently than every six years.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152412
Senate Bill 5380: Concerning the verification of voter registration qualifications
Introduced by Sen. Don Benton (R) on January 28, 2013, requires that persons obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or other state-issued ID must be able to prove U.S. citizenship. This act requires the Secretary of State to cross-check the voter registration database with the Department of Licensing’s list of person’s with valid driver’s licenses or other forms of ID. Any mismatches must have their voter registration suspended and be notified by the Secretary of State. Persons not responding within thirty days will have their voter registration cancelled.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152414
Senate Bill 5381: Concerning cellular telephone use by state employees
Introduced by Sen. Don Benton (R) on January 28, 2013, directs the Office of the Chief Information Officer to contract with a private optimization specialist to develop a strategy for the more efficient use and delivery of cellular services for state employees. This act prohibits state agencies from issuing cell phones to their employees unless certain conditions are met, and encouraged the use of prepaid cell phone services.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152415
Senate Bill 5382: Promoting economic development through tax relief for start-up firms
Introduced by Sen. Don Benton (R) on January 28, 2013, provides a fifty percent business and occupation tax credit for new businesses. This act takes effect on August 1, 2013.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152416
Senate Bill 5383: Removing one of the restrictions on collecting a pension in the public employees’ retirement system for retirees returning to work
Introduced by Sen. Don Benton (R) on January 28, 2013, establishes that a retiree may enter employment with the elections division of a county auditor at least one month after his or her accrual date at a rate of compensation not exceeding their rate at retirement and continue to receive pension payments while engaged in such service for up to sixty days without a reduction of pension.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152417
Senate Bill 5384: Making the board of denturists the disciplining authority for licensed denturists
Introduced by Sen. Barbara Bailey (R) on January 29, 2013, modifies current law to authorize the Board of Denturists the disciplining authority for licensed denturists, rather than the state Department of Health. (See also HB 1270).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152470
Senate Bill 5385: Concerning the practice of denturism
Introduced by Sen. Barbara Bailey (R) on January 29, 2013, modifies current law to add to the practice of denturism the making, placing, and repair of removable, non-orthodontic devices, and teeth-whitening services. (See also HB 1271).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152471
Senate Bill 5386: Reducing the littering of retail carryout bags
Introduced by Sen. Mark Mullet (D) on January 29, 2013, authorizes cities and counties to ban plastic shopping bags and provides ordinance language, exceptions for those on state aid, and exceptions for special products. (See also HB 1310).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152472
Senate Bill 5394: Requiring use of resident workers on public works
Introduced by Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D) on January 29, 2013, provides that the specifications for every public works contract must contain a provision requiring that at least seventy-five percent of the labor hours be performed by Washington residents. Residents of a state bordering on Washington may be considered Washington residents for purposes of this section if the bordering state does not restrict the right of a Washington resident to be employed on public works in the bordering state. (See also HB 1026).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152480
Senate Bill 5395: Extending the application of prevailing wage requirements
Introduced by Sen. Steve Conway (D) on January 29, 2013, extends the prevailing wage requirements for public works to work that is subsidized by the public, which includes use of public lands, tax preferences, and loans from the state or local jurisdictions. (See also HB 1025).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152481
Senate Bill 5396: Allowing limited on-premise spirits sampling
Introduced by Sen. Mike Hewitt (R) on January 29, 2013, authorizes holders of a spirits retail license to provide single-serving samples of one-half ounce or less of spirits, and no more than a total of one and one-half ounces in spirits samples per person, for the purpose of sale promotion. (See also HB 1332).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152482
Senate Bill 5399: Addressing the timing of penalties under the growth management act
Introduced by Sen. Bruce Dammeier (R) on January 29, 2013, modifies the Growth Management Act to prohibit state agencies, commissions or governing boards from penalizing a jurisdiction in any way during a period of remand unless a determination of invalidity of its proposed plan has been issued, or if an appeal is pending. This act also authorizes a county, city or town to request grants or loans for public works projects and pollution control projects once a comprehensive plan and development regulations have been adopted. (See also HB 1401).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152485
Senate Bill 5410: Concerning metropolitan park district property tax levies
Introduced by Sen. Nathan Schlicher (D) on January 29, 2013, allows certain metropolitan park districts to submit a ballot proposition to voters of the district authorizing the protection of the district’s tax levy from prorationing for taxes levied for collection in 2014 and thereafter. (See also HB 1042).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152496
Senate Bill 5411: Regarding the terms of port commissioners
Introduced by Sen. Christine Rolfes (D) on January 29, 2013, modifies current law to require the ballot proposition to reduce the terms of office of port commissioners from six to four years be submitted at the next general election. (See also HB 1078).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152497
Senate Bill 5414: Regarding the requirements of physician licensure
Introduced by Sen. Nathan Schlicher (D) on January 29, 2013, authorizes medical school graduates from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany and South Africa, and to apply for specific medical licenses. This act authorizes the State Medical Quality Assurance Commission to adopt rules for other applicants from foreign nations and to develop alternative licensing methods. (See also HB 1409).
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152500
Senate Joint Memorial 8002: Requesting an amendment to the United States Constitution to return the authority to regulate election campaign contributions to congress and state legislatures
Introduced by Sen. Adam Kline (D) on January 28, 2013, requests the U.S. Congress to amend the Constitution to return to state legislatures the authority to regulate the size and timing of contributions to election campaigns.
http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=152418