Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 58

We’re running the Concurrence Calendar in the House again today. As a reminder, the Concurrence Calendar are those bills that passed the House and were amended by the Senate. The House must concur with the amended language in order to pass the bill to the Governor or they can"not concur” and send it back to the Senate for further deliberation.

The House took action on the following bills on the Concurrence Calendar …

Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1117 passed with concurrence 91 to 7.
Second Substitute House Bill 1651 passed with concurrence 97 to 1.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2519 passed with concurrence 86 to 12.
Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2580 passed with concurrence 95 to 3.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2626 passed with concurrence 96 to 2.
Second Substitute House Bill 2627 passed with concurrence 97 to 1.
The House receded from its amendment and passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5045 86 to 12.
The House receded from its amendment, returned the bill to Second Reading to pass an amendment and passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6265 65 to 33.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2023 passed with concurrence 98 to 0.
Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2493 passed with concurrence 98 to 0.
Second Substitute House Bill 2616 passed 98 to 0.
Engrossed House Bill 2789 passed with concurrence 77 to 21.
The House receded from its amendment and passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6129 92 to 6.
House Bill 1287 passed with concurrence 61 to 37.

The House also took action on the following Senate Bills on the Floor Calendar …
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5972 passed 98 to 0.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6001 passed 65 to 33.
Senate Bill 6570 passed 75 to 23.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 54

The following bills passed of the House Floor today ….

Senate Bill 6201 passed 94 to 0 with 4 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6216 passed 93 to 0 with 4 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6226 passed 93 to 1 with 4 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6242 passed 86 to 9 with 3 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6272 passed 94 to 2 with 2 excused.
Senate Bill 6514 passed 85 to 12 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6517 passed 91 to 6 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 6522 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6442 passed 86 to 10 with 2 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6511 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2798 passed 85 to 11 with 2 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 5173 passed 64 to 32 with 2 excused.
Senate Bill 5310 passed 84 to 12 with 2 excused.
Senate Bill 5775 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 5977 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Senate Bill 6035 passed 84 to 12 with 12 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6124 passed 90 to 6 with 2 excused.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 6163 passed 87 to 9 with 2 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6273 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Senate Bill 6405 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Senate Bill 6424 passed 69 to 27 with 2 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6431 passed 90 to 6 with 2 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6446 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Concurrent Resolution 4416 passed 69 to 27 with 2 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 5467 passed 94 to 3 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 5999 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6333 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5045 passed 78 to 19 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 6093 passed 85 to 12 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 6128 passed 95 to 2 with 1 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6129 passed 92 to 5 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6436 passed 92 to 5 with 1 excused.
Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8007 passed 90 to 7 with 1 excused.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 52

The following bills passed of the House Floor today ….

Engrossed House Bill 2335 passed 85 to 12 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 5931 passed 93 to 4 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 6013 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6095 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6137 passed 92 to 4 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6265 passed 67 to 30 with 1 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6283 passed 94 to 3 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 6299 passed 88 to 9 with 1 excused.
Senate Bill 6419 passed 93 to 4 with 1 excused.
Substitute Senate Bill 6453 passed 95 to 2 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6479 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Senate Bill 5048 passed 96 to 2.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5889 passed 75 to 23.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5958 passed 91 to 7.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5973 passed 81 to 17.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6041 passed 76 to 22.
Substitute Senate Bill 6069 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute Senate Bill 6078 passed 93 to 5.
Substitute Senate Bill 6086 passed 62 to 36.
Substitute Senate Bill 6199 passed 98 to 0.
Senate Bill 6208 passed 97 to 1.
Substitute Senate Bill 6279 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute Senate Bill 6339 passed 83 to 15.
Senate Bill 6358 passed 97 to 1.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6450 passed 88 to 10.
Engrossed Senate Bill 6501 passed 98 to 0.
Senate Joint Memorial 8003 passed 98 to 0.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 8409 passed 94 to 4.
House Bill 2517 passed 98 to 0.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6016 passed 92 to 6.
Second Substitute House Bill 2041 passed 54 to 44.
House Bill 2794 passed 55 to 43.
Senate Bill 5141 passed 90 to 8.
Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5785 passed 95 to 3.
Substitute Senate Bill 6007 passed 98 to 0.
Senate Bill 6134 passed 97 to 1.
Senate Bill 6135 passed 98 to 0.
Senate Bill 6141 passed 96 to 2.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 6312 passed 69 to 29.
Engrossed House Bill 2335 passed 88 to 10.
Substitute Senate Bill 6145 passed 94 to 4.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 50

Welcome to Monday, Day 50 of the 2014 Legislative Session. Today begins the stop and go Floor action leading up to Sine Die. We passed the following bills out of the House today …

Second Substitute House Bill 1574 passed 66 to 31 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2634 passed 98 to 0.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2748 passed 57 to 41.
House Bill 2790 passed 75 to 23.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 48

Welcome to Saturday and the House Appropriations Committee Meeting. We’re accepting testimony on eight bills and may take Executive Action on eighteen bills. HB 2791 adjusting timelines relating to the hospital safety net assessment.

HB 2792 implementing the state's education funding obligation by increasing allocations to school districts, which include materials, supplies, and operating costs, all-day kindergarten, and class size reduction in kindergarten through third grade.

HB 2794 adjusting the state expenditure limit to accommodate enhancements to the prototypical school funding formula.

HB 2798 concerning payments made by the health care authority to managed health care systems.

SSB 5859 providing enhanced payment to small rural hospitals that meet the criteria of a sole community hospital.

E2SSB 6126 concerning representation of children in dependency matters.

2SSB 6163 concerning expanded learning opportunities.

SB 6519 concerning public school employees' insurance benefits reporting.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 45

In the Local Government Committee meeting this morning we’re completing a hearing on Senate Bill 6194 which provides a process for county legislative authorities to withdraw from voluntary planning under the Growth Management Act.

We may also take Executive Action on seven Senate Bills which include 5514, 6007, 6008, 6031, 6060, 6114, and 6194.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 44

In the Government Operations and Elections Committee meeting today we heard testimony on five bills and may take Executive Action on four bills. ESB 5964 concerning training public officials and employees regarding public records, records management, and open public meetings requirements.

SB 6045 promoting economic development through enhancing transparency and predictability of state agency permitting and review processes.

SB 6059 - Concerning charges for scanning public records.

SB 6141 concerning the confidentiality of certain records filed with the utilities and transportation commission or the attorney general.

SSB 6145 declaring the Ostrea lurida the official oyster of the state of Washington.

The four bills that may receive Executive Action are Senate Bills 6005, 6045, 6094, and 6145.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 36

It was a long day on the House Floor (over 15 hours), but we managed to get HB 1888 (Industrial Hemp) and HB 2789 (Constitutional use of drones) passed over to the Senate. In addition, the following bills were passed off the House Floor today …

Second Substitute House Bill 1773 passed 91 to 5 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2646 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2647 passed 95 to 1 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2446 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 1156 passed 95 to 1 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 1820 passed 90 to 6 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2253 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2318 passed 95 to 1 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 1402 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2461 passed 82 to 14 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2440 passed 90 to 6 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2556 passed 95 to 1 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2205 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 1118 passed 94 to 2 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2534 passed 59 to 37 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2705 passed 91 to 5 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2675 passed 90 to 6 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2711 passed 61 to 35 with 2 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 2752 passed 81 to 15 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2617 passed 56 to 40 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 1841 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Third Substitute House Bill 1005 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 1171 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 1742 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2150 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2169 passed 95 to 2 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2302 passed 90 to 7 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2420 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2567 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2585 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2598 passed 95 to 2 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2642 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2691 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2744 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 1013 passed 65 to 32 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1117 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2376 passed 89 to 8 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2594 passed 54 to 43 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2430 passed 81 to 16 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2315 passed 94 to 3 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2618 passed 61 to 36 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2481 passed 57 to 40 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2706 passed 98 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2405 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 1888 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2438 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2439 passed 95 to 2 with 1 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2627 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1643 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2759 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2155 passed 93 to 4 with 1 excused.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2353 passed 95 to 2 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2171 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2163 passed 91 to 7.
House Bill 2294 passed 81 to 17 passed.
House Bill 2674 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2741 passed 93 to 4 with 1 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2639 passed 66 to 31 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2339 passed 89 to 8 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2530 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2777 passed 78 to 19 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 1960 passed 67 to 30 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2552 passed 71 to 26 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2309 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2125 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 2442 passed 84 to 13 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2436 passed 53 to 44 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2196 passed 75 to 22 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2197 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2231 passed 63 to 34 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2371 passed 77 to 20 with 1 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 2789 passed 83 to 15 with 1 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 2178 passed 92 to 8.
Second Substitute House Bill 2493 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 2698 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2208 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 2454 passed 93 to 5.
Second Substitute House Bill 2251 passed 98 to 0.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2414 passed 57 to 41.
Engrossed House Bill 2733 passed 89 to 8.
House Bill 2225 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2386 passed 57 to 40 with 1 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2457 passed 88 to 9 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2624 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2363 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2527 passed 59 to 37 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2146 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2482 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 2463 passed 95 to 1 with 2 excused
Engrossed House Bill 2447 passed 73 to 23 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2229 passed 88 to 8 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2426 passed 52 to 44 with 2 excused.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2524 passed 93 to 3 with 2 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2149 passed 67 to 29 with 2 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2643 passed 68 to 28 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2673 passed 82 to 14 with 2 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 1224 passed 75 to 19 with 4 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2347 passed 57 to 37 with 4 excused.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 33

The following bills passed off the Floor today …

Substitute House Bill 2512 95 to 1 with 2 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 1170 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2130 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2515 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2175 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2177 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 1635 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2153 passed 85 to 11 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2378 passed 89 to 7 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2699 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 1651 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2373 passed 92 to 4 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2553 passed 90 to 6 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2610 passed 72 to 24 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2725 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2535 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2626 passed 87 to 10 with 1 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2746 passed 97 to 0 with 1 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 1287 passed 63 to 34 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2474 passed 54 to 43 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2743 passed 53 to 44 with 1 excused.
House Bill 2334 passed 51 to 45 with 2 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 2486 passed 59 to 37 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2694 passed 81 to 15 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2613 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 2582 passed 91 to 5 with 2 excused.
Engrossed House Bill 2684 passed 55 to 41 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2359 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
House Bill 2404 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2192 passed 96 to 0 with 2 excused.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2298 passed 83 to 13 with 2 excused.
Second Substitute House Bill 1072 passed 82 to 14 with 2 excused.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 32

In the Local Government Committee today, we’re getting briefed on NoaNet, a federally financed broadband expansion program throughout WA State. We’re back on the Floor to vote on bills at 10:00 AM today.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 30

Today is the first day of what could be a long week for Floor action in the House. The following bills passed out of the House today …

House Bill 1011 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2017 passed 94 to 4.
House Bill 2167 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2228 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2276 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2285 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 2336 passed 95 to 3.
House Bill 2398 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 2546 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2575 passed 92 to 6.
House Bill 2583 passed 94 to 4.
Substitute House Bill 2605 passed 93 to 5.
Substitute House Bill 2651 passed 97 to 1.
Substitute House Bill 2531 passed 78 to 20.
Substitute House Bill 1838 passed 76 to 22.
Substitute House Bill 2165 passed 93 to 5.
Substitute House Bill 2282 passed 90 to 8.
House Bill 2450 passed 93 to 5.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2191 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 2722 passed 53 to 45.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1675 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 1027 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 2162 passed 71 to 27.
Substitute House Bill 2164 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 1597 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 1814 passed 60 to 38.
House Bill 2332 passed 53 to 45.
House Bill 2100 passed 91 to 7.
House Bill 2137 passed 88 to 10.
House Bill 2140 passed 98 to 0.
Substitute House Bill 2255 passed 58 to 40.
House Bill 2700 passed 98 to 0.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1083 passed 98 to 0.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 29

Today is the cutoff for reporting bills out of fiscal committees, unless the bills are necessary to implement the budget (NTIB). In the Appropriations Committee today, we’re hearing testimony on twenty-six bills and may take Executive Action on six.

SHB 2572 - Concerning the effectiveness of health care purchasing and transforming the health care delivery system.
HB 2594 - Requiring the health care authority to develop a blueprint for the establishment of a federal basic health program.
HB 2617 - Regulating interpreter services.
SHB 2368 - Concerning a surcharge for local homeless housing and assistance.
SHB 2639 - Concerning state purchasing of mental health and chemical dependency treatment services.
HB 2725 - Concerning court review of involuntary treatment decisions.
SHB 2377 - Improving quality in the early care and education system.
SHB 2400 - Concerning mentoring and service learning opportunities in education.
SHB 2251 - Concerning fish barrier removals.
SHB 2347 - Enhancing the safety of the transportation of oil.
SHB 2457 - Concerning derelict and abandoned vessels.
SHB 2458 - Concerning invasive species.
SHB 2146 - Concerning department of labor and industries appeal bonds.
HB 2335 - Concerning extended foster care services.
SHB 2501 - Concerning registration requirements for contractors.
SHB 2519 - Concerning early education for children involved in the child welfare system.
SHB 2616 - Concerning parents with intellectual or developmental disabilities involved in dependency proceedings.
SHB 2432 - Concerning long-term planning for developmental disabilities services.
HB 2777 - Concerning a study to determine the feasibility of coverage for long-term care services and support needs.
HB 2281 - Addressing state lottery efficiency.
SHB 2207 - Eliminating the reduction in state basic education funding that occurs in counties with federal forest lands.
SHB 2743 - Protecting taxpayers by providing for accountability and transparency in government contracting.
2SHB 1285 - Concerning representation of children in dependency matters.
SHB 2202 - Concerning the establishment of an open data policy to facilitate sharing and publication of government data.
SHB 2214 - Concerning the training of code enforcement officials.
HB 2672 - Increasing the minimum hourly wage to twelve dollars over three years.

The six bills that may receive Executive Action are House Bills 1820, 2149, 2192, 2198, 2486, and 2746.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 26

In the Appropriations Committee hearing today, we’re hearing five bills and may take Executive Action on three bills. House Bill 2192 promoting economic development through enhancing transparency and predictability of state agency permitting and review process.

Substitute House Bill 2486 addressing the implementation of inmate postsecondary education degree programs to reduce recidivism.

Substitute House Bill 2149 concerning medical marijuana.

Substitute House Bill 2198 providing tax relief to qualifying patients for purchases of marijuana for medical use.

Substitute House Bill 2144 concerning the establishment of a dedicated local jurisdiction marijuana fund and the distribution of a specified percentage of marijuana excise tax revenues to local jurisdictions.

The three bills that may receive Executive Action are House Bills 1037, 2334 and 2378.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 26

On the House Floor today, we voted the following bills out …

House Bill 1064 passed 77 to 16 with 5 excused.
House Bill 1264 passed 94 to 0 with 4 excused.
House Bill 1634 passed 80 to 14 with 4 excused.
Substitute House Bill 2152 passed 93 to 1 with 4 excused.
House Bill 1486 passed 55 to 39 with 4 excused.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2500 passed 54 to 40 with 4 excused.
Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1467 passed 92 to 2 with 4 excused.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 25

Now that we’ve reached the cut-off for Policy Committees, the real grind begins. The cut-off for fiscal committees is next week and there are hundreds of bills that must be heard and acted on before February 11th. In the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Information Technology Committee meeting today, we have twenty-five bills scheduled for public hearing and twenty-five bills scheduled for possible Executive Action.

Here’s the full agenda … www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/APPG/Pages/Agendas....aspx

Let the fun begin.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 24

In the Government Operations and Elections Committee today, I had the honor of presenting House Bill 2561, changing ballot tabulation and receipt provisions. This bill was brought to me by students from Snohomish High School for a Senior Culminating Project. I was happy to introduce the bill on their behalf and they were able to attend the hearing to testify on their bill.

We’re hearing testimony on two additional bills today as well; House Bill 2104, providing contract information online for state capital and transportation projects and House Bill 2750, allowing write-in candidates name to be printed on a general election ballot under certain conditions.

The Committee may also take Executive Action on five bills including House Bills 1298, 2552, 2578, 2617, and 2743.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 24

Today on the House Floor the following bills were passed onto the Senate …

Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1448 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2148 passed 54 to 44.
House Bill 1607 passed 98 to 0.
House Bill 2127 passed 98 to 0.

Of particular interest is House Bill 2148, the abortion mandate bill, which I voted against. It will be interesting to see what the Senate does with the bill.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 24

In the Local Government Committee Meeting we’re considering thirteen bills for Executive Action. House Bills 1595, 1854, 2187, 2234, 2245, 2288, 2311, 2401, 2499, 2637, 2677, 2681, and 2682.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Sessionb Day 23

In the Government Operations and Elections Committee today, we’re hearing three bills and may take Executive Action on four bills. House Bill 2552 requires paid signature gatherers and signature gathering businesses that use paid signature gatherers to register with the Secretary of State and requires the declarations on petitions for recall elections, referenda, and initiatives be signed by the signature gatherer.

House Bill 2617 authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and Health Care Authority (HCA) to purchase certain spoken language interpreter services; requires the DSHS, the HCA, the L&I, and the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) to purchase certain spoken language interpreter services directly from language access providers through scheduling and coordinating delivery organizations; requires the DES to develop and implement a model that all state agencies must use to procure spoken language interpreter services by direct purchase from language access providers or through contracts with scheduling and coordinating entities, or both; establishes the Spoken Language Interpreter Advisory Group; and makes modifications to collective bargaining statutes governing language access providers, including the establishment of three statewide units in place of the current single statewide unit.

House Bill 2743 requires agencies to prepare a written record of the basis of the decision and "comprehensive impact assessment" when contracting out to purchase services that were formerly provided by public employees; requires agencies to file with the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) the written basis of decision and reports on contractor's performance; specifies inclusion of a number of contract terms in agreements to contract out; requires the DES to develop model terms for performance-based contracts, including a term to facilitate recovery of public employee staff time spent bringing a contract into compliance; mandates debarment of contractors under certain circumstances; makes changes to existing law requiring the DES to identify services that can be contracted out at reduced cost, authorizing this only when taxpayers will save 10 percent or more; amends a provision governing contractor ethics to provide that a contractor may not use public resources for private benefit or gain; and requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to review the performance of certain contracts in which public sector employee services have been outsourced.

The four bills that may receive Executive Action are House Bills 2192, 2293, 2578, and 2376.

Less Government, Lower Taxes and More Freedom - 2014 Legislative Session Day 22

It’s a busy day for the Appropriations Committee today, where we’re hearing testimony on seven bills. Because the agenda is so long, I’ve included shorter bill summaries. Substitute House Bill 1037 establishes a cost recovery mechanism for public records sought for commercial purposes.

House Bill 1820 determining the average salary for the pension purposes of state and local government employees as certified by their employer.

House Bill 2122 concerning sexually violent predators.

House Bill 2334 simplifying and enforcing employee status under employment laws to ensure fairness to employers and employees and address the underground economy.

House Bill 2378 concerning practice settings for certified chemical dependency professionals and trainees.

House Bill 2736 addressing state retirement system employer participation in the states deferred compensation program.

House Bill 2746 refinancing of Medicaid personal care services for individuals with development disabilities and individuals with long-term care needs through community first choice option.