Monday, April 8, 2013
April 8th - 2013 Regular Legislative Session Day 85
We received word today that the House Appropriations Committee will be hearing the Operating Budget on Wednesday at 3:30 PM. Here’s the best part … we’re not hearing the budget passed by the Senate last week, we’re hearing a striking amendment that encompasses the House Democrat’s budget AND the proposed striking amendment won’t be available for public review until 12:30 on Wednesday. This will be a 400-plus page bill and 3 hours for the public and legislators to review it. How’s that for open government?
April 8th - 2013 Regular Legislative Session Day 85
Monday morning and we’re in the Appropriations Committee considering six bills for Executive Action. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5176, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5237, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5244, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5329, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5405, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5732. It could be a short day in Appropriations, but we’ll see how many new amendments pop up.
I spent the weekend in Olympia, while Molly and Tiffany were in Pullman for a volleyball tournament. I was able to get one budget read and a few errands ran, but I would have rather spent the weekend with my girls. With 21 days left in the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, we’re likely going to get pretty busy and we’re starting to hear rumors of a Special Session.
I spent the weekend in Olympia, while Molly and Tiffany were in Pullman for a volleyball tournament. I was able to get one budget read and a few errands ran, but I would have rather spent the weekend with my girls. With 21 days left in the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, we’re likely going to get pretty busy and we’re starting to hear rumors of a Special Session.
Friday, April 5, 2013
April 5th - 2013 Regular Legislative Session Day 82
The six bills we will be considering for Executive Action in the Appropriations Committee are House Bill 2016, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5176, Substitute Senate Bill 5195, Senate Bill 5337, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5480, and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5732.
April 5th - 2013 Regular Legislative Session Day 82
The next six bills we will be hearing include, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5237 assigns responsibilities to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to continue implementation of a Comprehensive Literacy Plan and support school districts in reading and early literacy; requires school districts to provide a system of instruction and services in reading and early literacy that includes screening and diagnostic assessments, use of evidence-based instructional strategies, continuous use of data, partnerships with community organizations, and family engagement; makes the third grade reading assessment an accountability measure for these efforts; directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to monitor results and progress in third grade reading and submit its findings to the OSPI biennially; and requires the OSPI to submit recommendations based on the SBE report by December 1 of each even-numbered year.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5329 updates the criteria used by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to identify persistently lowest-achieving schools to conform to revised federal rules and guidance, to be applied equally to both Title I and non-Title I schools; permits state as well as federal funds to be used for school improvement in a Required Action District (RAD); replaces a requirement that a RAD use one of four federal intervention models with a requirement for use of a school improvement model approved by the SPI; authorizes the State Board of Education to designate a RAD that has implemented a required action plan for at least three years and has not made adequate progress to a new Level II RAD process; directs that the SPI work with the school board to develop a Level II Plan that includes specified interventions and conditions binding on the district; provides a process and authority for the SPI to direct actions if the school board does not agree to a Level II Plan, or if the Level II Plan is not implemented as specified; directs the SPI to design a system of support, assistance, and intervention that applies equally to Title I and non-Title I schools if funds are available, and is implemented in the 2014-15 school year; and establishes a legislative task force to oversee implementation and monitor outcomes from the educational accountability system.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5405 expands the criteria which allow youth who age out of foster care to become eligible for extended foster care services and makes the eligibility subject to funds appropriated; requires the Department of Social and Health Services to provide written notice of and explanation of availability of extended foster care services to youth in foster care between the ages of 17 years and 17 years and six months; and applies the provisions of the act prospectively.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5551 establishes standards for the appointment of an evaluator to conduct competency evaluations when performance targets for the completion of evaluations of in-custody defendants are not being met in a county; requires the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) to reimburse the county for the costs of the appointed evaluator in an amount that is at least equivalent to the amount for evaluations conducted by the Department, subject to amounts appropriated for this specific purpose; and requires the Office of the State Human Resources Director to gather and report on market salary data for psychologists and psychiatrists employed by the state.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5595 defines the Early Achievers Program and the program goals; requires the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to convene a parent and provider oversight board; outlines specific responsibilities of the DEL and the Department of Social and Health Services with regards to the Working Connections Child Care Program (WCCC); creates a legislative task force to examine certain components of the WCCC; and incorporates some of the recommendations from the Aclara Report into practice.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5794 defines Alternative Learning Experiences (ALE) by type of course rather than by type of program; defines site-based ALE courses as providing at least 20 percent weekly in-person instructional contact; defines remote ALE courses as providing less than 20 percent weekly in-person instructional contact; uses a current definition of an online ALE course but clarifies that the primary instructional contact must be with a teacher; allocates funding for ALE courses using the statewide average Basic Education rate for high school students; adjusts provisions of the school choice laws regarding transfer of students between resident and nonresident districts to enroll in online courses; and directs the Office of Financial Management to conduct a study and create a proposal for an efficient and sustainable funding alternative for the ALE with an increased focus on educational outcomes.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5329 updates the criteria used by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to identify persistently lowest-achieving schools to conform to revised federal rules and guidance, to be applied equally to both Title I and non-Title I schools; permits state as well as federal funds to be used for school improvement in a Required Action District (RAD); replaces a requirement that a RAD use one of four federal intervention models with a requirement for use of a school improvement model approved by the SPI; authorizes the State Board of Education to designate a RAD that has implemented a required action plan for at least three years and has not made adequate progress to a new Level II RAD process; directs that the SPI work with the school board to develop a Level II Plan that includes specified interventions and conditions binding on the district; provides a process and authority for the SPI to direct actions if the school board does not agree to a Level II Plan, or if the Level II Plan is not implemented as specified; directs the SPI to design a system of support, assistance, and intervention that applies equally to Title I and non-Title I schools if funds are available, and is implemented in the 2014-15 school year; and establishes a legislative task force to oversee implementation and monitor outcomes from the educational accountability system.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5405 expands the criteria which allow youth who age out of foster care to become eligible for extended foster care services and makes the eligibility subject to funds appropriated; requires the Department of Social and Health Services to provide written notice of and explanation of availability of extended foster care services to youth in foster care between the ages of 17 years and 17 years and six months; and applies the provisions of the act prospectively.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5551 establishes standards for the appointment of an evaluator to conduct competency evaluations when performance targets for the completion of evaluations of in-custody defendants are not being met in a county; requires the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) to reimburse the county for the costs of the appointed evaluator in an amount that is at least equivalent to the amount for evaluations conducted by the Department, subject to amounts appropriated for this specific purpose; and requires the Office of the State Human Resources Director to gather and report on market salary data for psychologists and psychiatrists employed by the state.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5595 defines the Early Achievers Program and the program goals; requires the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to convene a parent and provider oversight board; outlines specific responsibilities of the DEL and the Department of Social and Health Services with regards to the Working Connections Child Care Program (WCCC); creates a legislative task force to examine certain components of the WCCC; and incorporates some of the recommendations from the Aclara Report into practice.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5794 defines Alternative Learning Experiences (ALE) by type of course rather than by type of program; defines site-based ALE courses as providing at least 20 percent weekly in-person instructional contact; defines remote ALE courses as providing less than 20 percent weekly in-person instructional contact; uses a current definition of an online ALE course but clarifies that the primary instructional contact must be with a teacher; allocates funding for ALE courses using the statewide average Basic Education rate for high school students; adjusts provisions of the school choice laws regarding transfer of students between resident and nonresident districts to enroll in online courses; and directs the Office of Financial Management to conduct a study and create a proposal for an efficient and sustainable funding alternative for the ALE with an increased focus on educational outcomes.
April 5th - 2013 Regular Legislative Session Day 82
My day today is filled with a House Appropriations Committee meeting where we’ll be hearing ten bills and considering six bills for Executive Action. The first five bills include, Substitute House Bill 1971 requires retailers of prepaid wireless telephone service to collect and remit the Enhanced 911 tax; repeals the taxes funding the Washington Telephone Assistance and Telecommunications Relay Service programs and requires the programs to be funded by State General Fund appropriations; repeals the state and local sales and use tax exemption for local residential landline service; and establishes a temporary state universal communications services program.
House Bill 2022 directs the Health Care Authority to require dispensing of contraceptive drugs with up to a one-year supply provided at one time; requires contracts with managed care plans to allow on-site dispensing of prescribed contraceptive drugs at family planning clinics; and requires dispensing practices for contraceptive drugs to follow clinical guidelines.
Substitute Senate Bill 5045 creates a special permit for day spas to offer a complimentary glass of wine or beer to customers for on-premise consumption and defines "day spa" for the purposes of the special permit.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5213 requires that contracts with managed health care systems under Medicaid include incentives for pharmacists and primary care providers to provide services to review the appropriateness and effectiveness of drugs for patients with medications for multiple chronic conditions.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5237 assigns responsibilities to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to continue implementation of a Comprehensive Literacy Plan and support school districts in reading and early literacy; requires school districts to provide a system of instruction and services in reading and early literacy that includes screening and diagnostic assessments, use of evidence-based instructional strategies, continuous use of data, partnerships with community organizations, and family engagement; makes the third grade reading assessment an accountability measure for these efforts; directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to monitor results and progress in third grade reading and submit its findings to the OSPI biennially; and requires the OSPI to submit recommendations based on the SBE report by December 1 of each even-numbered year.
House Bill 2022 directs the Health Care Authority to require dispensing of contraceptive drugs with up to a one-year supply provided at one time; requires contracts with managed care plans to allow on-site dispensing of prescribed contraceptive drugs at family planning clinics; and requires dispensing practices for contraceptive drugs to follow clinical guidelines.
Substitute Senate Bill 5045 creates a special permit for day spas to offer a complimentary glass of wine or beer to customers for on-premise consumption and defines "day spa" for the purposes of the special permit.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5213 requires that contracts with managed health care systems under Medicaid include incentives for pharmacists and primary care providers to provide services to review the appropriateness and effectiveness of drugs for patients with medications for multiple chronic conditions.
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5237 assigns responsibilities to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to continue implementation of a Comprehensive Literacy Plan and support school districts in reading and early literacy; requires school districts to provide a system of instruction and services in reading and early literacy that includes screening and diagnostic assessments, use of evidence-based instructional strategies, continuous use of data, partnerships with community organizations, and family engagement; makes the third grade reading assessment an accountability measure for these efforts; directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to monitor results and progress in third grade reading and submit its findings to the OSPI biennially; and requires the OSPI to submit recommendations based on the SBE report by December 1 of each even-numbered year.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
April 4th - 2013 Regular Legislative Session Day 81
My only Committee meeting today is in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government where we’re hearing nine bills. House Bill 1888 authorizes the Director of the Department of Agriculture to issue licenses for the growing of industrial hemp; designates industrial hemp as an agricultural product which may be grown, produced, possessed, and commercially traded pursuant to the requirements of the act; creates an industrial hemp account in the State Treasury that is funded by licensing fees; and authorizes Washington State University to undertake research regarding industrial hemp production in this state.
Substitute Senate Bill 5369 recreates the Geothermal Account to receive and direct the distribution of all revenues related to geothermal resource extraction on federal lands located in Washington; updates the existing definition of "geothermal resources" to add specific inclusions and exemptions; and clarifies the relationship among geothermal resource wells and water wells.
Substitute Senate Bill 5289 authorizes the sale of the Discover Pass at a discounted rate for sales, bundling, and partnership opportunities and provides an exception for the Discover Pass requirements for motor vehicles operating on certain roads managed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5540 allows the Insurance Commissioner to enter into reciprocal agreements to allow health insurance policies to be sold across state lines.
Engrossed Senate Bill 5603 establishes the Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council within the Office of the Governor to serve as an advisory body and forum for communication on coastal marine waters issues and establishes the Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council within the Office of the Governor to coordinate and implement certain activities pertaining to the impacts of ocean acidification through June 2017.
House Bill 2024 provides that the Attorney General is not required to institute or prosecute actions on behalf of state officers against the state or a county in matters regarding the level or sufficiency of fiscal appropriations.
Engrossed Senate Bill 5105 requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to create a list of approved housing providers; limits payment of vouchers for offenders to the providers on the list, if more than two voucher recipients will be residing per dwelling unit; requires that the DOC limit the concentration of approved housing providers in a single neighborhood and consider a locally created community impact statement before approving a provider; creates a process for local governments to request removal of a housing provider from the list; and requires the DOC to provide transition support to verify that offenders who are using the vouchers in a home with four or more individuals are participating in programs or services.
Substitute Senate Bill 5437 makes it a gross misdemeanor offense (instead of a misdemeanor) to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any drug; provides that any person who operates a vessel is deemed to have given consent to a breath or blood test when an arresting officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person was operating the vessel while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any drug; provides that a person, believed to have committed certain boating violations, could be issued an infraction if he or she refuses to take the breath or blood test upon the request of a police officer; and establishes specific boating safety criteria for any person who has vessels for rent, lease, charter, or use and makes a violation of such criteria a civil infraction unless it is the person's third violation, in which case it is a misdemeanor offense.
Engrossed Senate Bill 5860 provides that the Attorney General (AG) is not required to institute or prosecute actions on behalf of Superior Court judges against the state or a county with respect to fiscal issues and provides that any duty on the part of the AG to continue to prosecute an action on behalf of Superior Court judges ceases after the effective date of the act.
We may also take Executive Action on nine bills … HB 2024, ESB 5105, SSB 5369, SSB 5437, 2SSB 5540, ESB 5603, SSB 5760, and ESB 5860.
Substitute Senate Bill 5369 recreates the Geothermal Account to receive and direct the distribution of all revenues related to geothermal resource extraction on federal lands located in Washington; updates the existing definition of "geothermal resources" to add specific inclusions and exemptions; and clarifies the relationship among geothermal resource wells and water wells.
Substitute Senate Bill 5289 authorizes the sale of the Discover Pass at a discounted rate for sales, bundling, and partnership opportunities and provides an exception for the Discover Pass requirements for motor vehicles operating on certain roads managed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Second Substitute Senate Bill 5540 allows the Insurance Commissioner to enter into reciprocal agreements to allow health insurance policies to be sold across state lines.
Engrossed Senate Bill 5603 establishes the Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council within the Office of the Governor to serve as an advisory body and forum for communication on coastal marine waters issues and establishes the Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council within the Office of the Governor to coordinate and implement certain activities pertaining to the impacts of ocean acidification through June 2017.
House Bill 2024 provides that the Attorney General is not required to institute or prosecute actions on behalf of state officers against the state or a county in matters regarding the level or sufficiency of fiscal appropriations.
Engrossed Senate Bill 5105 requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to create a list of approved housing providers; limits payment of vouchers for offenders to the providers on the list, if more than two voucher recipients will be residing per dwelling unit; requires that the DOC limit the concentration of approved housing providers in a single neighborhood and consider a locally created community impact statement before approving a provider; creates a process for local governments to request removal of a housing provider from the list; and requires the DOC to provide transition support to verify that offenders who are using the vouchers in a home with four or more individuals are participating in programs or services.
Substitute Senate Bill 5437 makes it a gross misdemeanor offense (instead of a misdemeanor) to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any drug; provides that any person who operates a vessel is deemed to have given consent to a breath or blood test when an arresting officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person was operating the vessel while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any drug; provides that a person, believed to have committed certain boating violations, could be issued an infraction if he or she refuses to take the breath or blood test upon the request of a police officer; and establishes specific boating safety criteria for any person who has vessels for rent, lease, charter, or use and makes a violation of such criteria a civil infraction unless it is the person's third violation, in which case it is a misdemeanor offense.
Engrossed Senate Bill 5860 provides that the Attorney General (AG) is not required to institute or prosecute actions on behalf of Superior Court judges against the state or a county with respect to fiscal issues and provides that any duty on the part of the AG to continue to prosecute an action on behalf of Superior Court judges ceases after the effective date of the act.
We may also take Executive Action on nine bills … HB 2024, ESB 5105, SSB 5369, SSB 5437, 2SSB 5540, ESB 5603, SSB 5760, and ESB 5860.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
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