| Bill Status As Of – February 17, 2003 |
| HB 1003 |
Research/technology comm |
H Technology, |
1/13/2003 |
Morris |
Concerns |
| |
| Creates the biomedical research and technology transfer account in the custody of the state treasurer. An amount equal to ten percent of the annual receipts for the state of Washington under the master tobacco settlement agreement from the tobacco settlement account must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for grants awarded by the research and technology transfer commission and for operation of the commission established under this act. WSU has concerns about how this bill will impact funds earmarked for Cooperative Extension Energy programs. |
| HB 1004 |
Gas & electricity taxes |
H Technology, |
1/13/2003 |
Morris |
|
| |
| AN ACT Relating to energy; amending RCW 82.16.020, 82.16.050, 82.16.053, 82.16.055, and 35.21.870; adding a new section to chapter 82.16 RCW; repealing RCW 82.12.022 and 82.14.230; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. |
| HB 1048 |
State building codes |
H Local Gov. |
1/14/2003 |
Cooper |
|
| |
| Revises certain state building codes that are adopted by reference in RCW 19.27.031. |
| E SHB 1053 |
Government accountability |
S Govt Op & El |
2/5/2003 |
SG (Miloscia) |
Concerns |
| |
| Brief Summary of Substitute Bill ·Establishes the Citizen Oversight Board to develop an annual assessment and performance grading program for all state agencies. ·Authorizes the State Auditor to develop and implement a plan for conducting
recurring performance audits of government systems and operations. |
| HB 1062 |
Public contract payment |
H State Govt |
1/15/2003 |
Romero |
|
| |
| Finds that: (1) Firms and organizations that do business with the state expect and deserve to be paid in an expeditious and timely manner; and (2) Unjustified delays in paying vendors, construction contractors, and providers of service may discourage these firms and organizations, in particular small and medium-sized firms and women and minority-owned business enterprises, from doing business
with the state, and may ultimately increase the costs to the state government. Declares it is the purpose of this act to set standards for the payment of bills incurred by state agencies within specified periods of time and to require interest payments in situations where contract payments do not conform to these standards. |
| HB 1065 |
Public works apprenticeships |
H Commerce/Lab |
1/15/2003 |
Conway |
|
| |
| Provides that, from July 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003, for all public works estimated to cost two million dollars or more, all specifications shall require that no less than ten percent of the labor hours within each trade be performed by apprentices of that trade.
Provides that, from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2004, for all public works estimated to cost two million dollars or more, all specifications shall require that no less than twelve percent of the labor hours within each trade be performed by apprentices of that trade.
Provides that, from January 1, 2005, and thereafter, for all public works estimated to cost one million dollars or more, all specifications shall require that no less than fifteen percent of the labor hours within each trade be performed by apprentices of
that trade. |
| HB 1079 f |
Higher ed student residency |
*H 2nd Reading |
2/17/2003 |
Kenney |
Amendments |
| |
| Includes any student who has graduated from high school in this state or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this state and who has attended at least three years of high school in this state, however a student who is not a citizen of the United States of America shall submit an affidavit to the institution stating he or she has filed or will file an application for permanent residency in the United States at the earliest opportunity he or she is eligible to do so. |
| HB 1082 |
Sch emply housing allowance |
H Education |
1/15/2003 |
Ruderman |
|
| |
| Recognizes that, as the disparity in the cost-of-living between school districts across the state has grown in recent years, the purchasing power of equalized salaries has become more disparate for K-12 employees. A major contributor to these costs is housing.
Declares that the purpose of this act is to authorize a housing allowance for nonsupervisory public school employees in order to encourage these employees to live in the districts in which they work.
Authorizes eligible school districts to provide a housing allowance for nonsupervisory classified and certificated employees with revenues raised from a housing allowance levy authorized under this act. |
| HB 1091 |
Prescription drugs |
H Health Care |
1/15/2003 |
Cody |
|
| |
| Declares an intent to develop a comprehensive prescription drug education and utilization system in Washington state that will ensure best prescribing practices and pharmaceutical use, reduce administrative burdens on providers, increase consumer understanding of and compliance with appropriate use of prescription drugs, help to control increases in consumer and state health care spending, and improve prescription drug purchasing through a sound evidence-based process that evaluates the therapeutic value and cost-effectiveness of prescription drugs. |
| SHB 1123 |
State financial aid account |
H Approp |
2/13/2003 |
HE (Kenney) |
Support |
| |
| Declares that the primary purpose of the account is to ensure that all appropriations designated for financial aid through statewide student financial aid programs are made available to eligible students. The account shall be a nontreasury account
retaining its interest earnings in accordance with RCW 43.79A.040.
Directs the higher education coordinating board to deposit in the account all money received for the state need grant program established under RCW 28B.10.800, the state work-study program established under chapter 28B.12 RCW, the Washington scholars program established under RCW 28A.600.110, the Washington award for vocational excellence program established under RCW 28C.04.525, and the educational opportunity grant program established under chapter 28B.101 RCW. |
| HB 1131 |
Public entity reimbursement |
H Judiciary |
1/17/2003 |
Carrell |
|
| |
| Finds that citizens, through their government, are frequently unable to collect reimbursement from employees, officers, and contractors whose criminal conduct results in payment of public money to injured parties.
Finds that this inability is a drain on public resources and facilitates the avoidance of responsibility by those who engage in criminal conduct. The purpose of this act is to enable public entities on behalf of the citizens to obtain reimbursement from such employees, officers, and contractors. |
| HB 1171 |
Green building programs |
H Cap Budget |
1/23/2003 |
Romero |
Concerns |
| |
| Declares that the goals of the state of Washington, consistent with executive order 02-03, are to site, design, construct, renovate, operate, and maintain state buildings that are models of energy, water, and materials efficiency, while providing healthy,
productive, and comfortable indoor environments and long-term benefits to the state's residents.
Intends the sustainable building goal to be implemented in a cost-effective manner, while considering externalities, identifying economic and environmental performance measures, determining cost savings, using life cycle costing, and adopting an integrated systems approach.
Intends to authorize and direct that public agencies adopt the United States green building council leadership in energy and environmental design green building rating system.
Declares an intent that this rating system guide the siting, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of state-funded major facilities entering into the predesign process after July 1, 2003. |
| HB 1190 |
Alternative cert programs |
H Education |
1/20/2003 |
Quall |
|
| |
| Provides that, for a maximum of two years, a route one candidate shall retain his or her employee status during the time the candidate is participating in the program. |
| SHB 1191 |
Sch dis emply health benefit |
*H Rules R |
2/17/2003 |
APP (Fromhold) |
|
| |
| Provides that, beginning September 1, 2003, the authority shall collect from each participating school district and educational service district an amount equal to the composite rate charged to state agencies, plus an amount equal to the employee premiums by plan and family size as would be charged to state employees, for groups of district employees enrolled in authority plans as of January 1, 2003.
Provides that notwithstanding RCW 41.05.050 and RCW 41.05.065(3), the authority may allow districts enrolled on a tiered rate structure prior to September 1, 2002, to continue participation based on the same rate structure and under the same
conditions and eligibility criteria. |
| HB 1193 |
Pro educators board4201 |
H Education |
1/20/2003 |
Quall |
|
| |
| Includes a classified employee on the Washington professional educator standards board. |
| HB 1197 fo |
Retirement annual increase |
H Approp |
1/21/2003 |
Pflug |
|
| |
| Revises provisions relating to public employees' retirement system, plan 1 and teachers' retirement system, plan 1 age and retirement requirements for receipt of the annual increase amount. Companion Bill 5097 |
| HB 1198 fo |
LEOFFRS board elections |
S Ways & Means |
2/14/2003 |
Pflug |
|
| |
| Designates which fire fighters or law enforcement officers may elect or be elected to certain pension and disability boards. |
| HB 1200 fo |
Retirement system statutes |
*H Rules R |
2/17/2003 |
Conway |
|
| |
| Corrects retirement system statutes. Companion Bill 5101 |
| HB 1201 fo |
Retirement system options |
H Approp |
1/21/2003 |
Conway |
|
| |
| Authorizes a member holding state elective office the option during each term of office of membership or retirement and beginning their retirement allowance in the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system, the teachers'
retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the public employees' retirement system. |
| HB 1204 fo |
Pension policy select comm |
H Approp |
1/21/2003 |
Fromhold |
|
| |
| Provides that the select committee on pension policy has the following powers and duties: (1) Study pension issues, develop pension policies for public employees in state retirement systems, and make recommendations to the legislature;
(2) Study the financial condition of the state pension
systems, develop funding policies, and make recommendations to the
legislature; and
(3) Appoint or remove the state actuary by a two-thirds vote of the select committee.
Repeals RCW 44.44.015, 44.44.050, and 44.44.060. |
| HB 1206 fo |
Retiremnt contributions/pl 3 |
S Ways & Means |
2/14/2003 |
Pflug |
|
| |
| Revises RCW 41.34.040 relating to public employees', teachers', and school employees' retirement systems plan 3 member contribution rates. |
| HB 1209 fo |
Retirement benefits |
H Approp |
1/21/2003 |
Conway |
|
| |
| Authorizes members of the teachers' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the public employees' retirement system to begin receiving benefits without leaving service at age seventy and one-half. |
| SHB 1211 |
Public accountancy act |
H CL DP1S |
2/13/2003 |
CL (Conway) |
|
| |
| Revises accountability requirements under the public accountancy act.
Requires that, by December 1, 2003, the board of accountancy shall report to the senate committee on commerce and trade and the house committee on commerce and labor, or successor committees, on the issue of auditor independence. |
| HB 1218 |
Building map info system |
H State Govt |
1/21/2003 |
Lovick |
|
| |
| Recognizes the extreme dangers present when the safety of our citizens requires first responders such as police and fire fighters to evacuate and secure a building. In an effort to prepare for responding to unintended disasters, criminal acts, and acts of terrorism, the legislature intends to create a statewide first responder building mapping information system that will provide all first responders with the information they need to be successful when disaster strikes.
Requires that, when funded, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs shall create and operate a statewide first responder building mapping information system. |
| HB 1221 |
Paid time off |
H Commerce/Lab |
1/21/2003 |
Dickerson |
|
| |
| Declares an intent to require employers to provide workers with a minimum amount of paid time off, to allow employers to adopt reasonable policies concerning the administration of paid time off, and to encourage employers to adopt or retain leave policies more generous than the minimum requirements of this act.
Provides that an employee shall accrue at least forty hours of paid time off for each six months of full-time work for an employer, or a proportionate amount of paid time off for each six months of less than full-time work.
Declares that an employee is entitled to take paid time off only after completing the first six consecutive months of work for an employer. An employee taking paid time off shall comply with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement or employer policy applicable to the purpose for which the leave is taken. |
| HB 1229 |
Teacher cottages |
H Education |
1/21/2003 |
Quall |
|
| |
| Provides that the board of directors of a second class school district may authorize the construction of teachers' cottages using funds from the district's capital projects fund or general fund. Rental and other income from the cottages, including sale of the cottages, may be deposited, in whole or in part, into the school district's general fund, debt service fund, or capital projects fund as determined by the board of directors. |
| HB 1244 e |
Teacher salary bonus |
H Education |
1/21/2003 |
Hunter |
|
| |
| Provides that certificated instructional staff who have attained certification from the national board for professional teaching standards shall receive a bonus of three thousand five hundred dollars each year in which they maintain their certification from the national board for professional teaching standards.
Declares that the annual bonus for national board certification is provided in addition to compensation received under a district's salary schedule adopted in accordance with RCW 28A.405.200 and shall not be included in calculations of a
district's average salary and associated salary limitations under RCW 28A.400.200. |
| SHB 1245 $ |
Timber harvest/trust lands |
H Approp |
2/4/2003 |
AGNR (Linville) |
|
| |
| Finds that it is in the best interest of the trust beneficiaries to capture additional revenues while providing for additional environmental protection on timber sales.
Finds that contract harvesting is one method to achieve these desired outcomes.
Directs the department of natural resources to establish and implement contract harvesting where there exists the ability to increase revenues for the beneficiaries of the trusts while obtaining increases in environmental protection. |
| HB 1252 d |
Public land statutes |
*H 2nd Reading |
2/17/2003 |
Linville |
|
| |
| Makes technical, nonsubstantive, corrections to and recodifies various department of natural resources' public land statutes. |
| HB 1260 |
Envrnmntl impact statements |
H Agric & NR |
1/22/2003 |
Buck |
|
| |
| Declares that, on state trust lands, class I, II, and III forest practices, as defined by rules adopted by the forest practices board under RCW 76.09.050, do not require an
environmental impact statement or detailed statement required under chapter 43.21C RCW if a programmatic detailed environmental impact statement has been finalized for the ten-year sustained yield plan required for all forest practices on state lands under chapter 79.68 RCW. |
| HB 1270 |
Performance audits |
H State Govt |
1/22/2003 |
Anderson |
Concerns |
| |
| Directs the state auditor to undertake ongoing independent, objective, and comprehensive performance audits of state government, which shall be performed in accordance with government auditing standards and funded by the general fund.
Directs the state auditor to contract with private sector professional and technical experts for conducting performance audits and shall provide oversight of such audits and employees within the state auditor's office, if available and qualified, may
assist such audits.
Directs the state auditor to solicit suggestions for improving government performance from both front-line public employees, government service recipients, and the public at large in the conduct of each audit.
Requires the state auditor to establish a toll-free telephone number at which the public may make suggestions, report government waste, and note government innovation. The state auditor shall compile the information acquired and make it available upon request and may provide comments regarding the information acquired.
Directs the office of the economic and revenue forecast council to establish a peer group rating system using as benchmarks only those states having the same number of electoral votes as Washington or having plus or minus one electoral vote as does Washington and shall issue a budgeting and economic climate report
based on the peer group rating system.
Establishes the citizens' oversight committee for government accountability as a panel composed of five citizen members appointed by the leadership of the house of representatives who are not affiliated with the party of the state auditor.
Requires that one-half of one percent of the funds appropriated for the current biennium for each state agency or institution shall be dedicated towards the cost of auditing that agency or institution. |
| HB 1277 |
Edu assistance grant prgrm |
H Higher Educ |
1/22/2003 |
Kenney |
|
| |
| Creates the educational assistance grant program for students
with dependents subject to the availability of receipts of gifts,
grants, or endowments from private sources. The program is created
to serve financially needy students with dependents eighteen years
of age or younger, by assisting them directly through a grant
program to pursue a degree or certificate at public or private institutions of higher education, as defined in RCW 28B.10.802, that participate in the state need grant program.
Provides that the educational assistance grant program for students with dependents grants may be used by eligible participants to attend any public or private college or university in the state of Washington as defined in RCW 28B.10.802. The participant is not eligible for a grant if the grant will be used
to pursue a degree in theology. Companion Bill 5660 |
| HB 1280 o |
State university research |
S Ways & Means |
2/14/2003 |
Murray |
Support |
| |
| Revises provisions for financing contracts for state university research facilities or equipment. |
| HB 1284 |
PERS plan 2 early retirement |
H Approp |
1/22/2003 |
Cooper |
|
| |
| Revises provisions relating to early retirement in the public employees' retirement system, plan 2. |
| SHB 1298 |
Retirement/service vesting |
*H Rules R |
2/17/2003 |
APP (Sommers) |
|
| |
| Provides for vesting after five years of service in the defined benefit portion of the public employees' retirement system, the school employees' retirement system, and the teachers' retirement system plan 3. |
| HB 1305 |
Employment information |
H Judiciary |
1/22/2003 |
Carrell |
|
| |
| Provides that an employer who discloses information about a former or current employee's job performance, conduct, or other work-related information to a prospective employer, or employment agency as defined by RCW 49.60.040, at the specific request of that individual employer or employment agency, is presumed to be acting in good faith and is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences. |
| HB 1347 $ |
Capital supp buget |
H Cap Budget |
1/23/2003 |
Dunshee |
Concerns |
| |
| Makes supplemental appropriations and authorizing expenditures for capital improvements. |
| HB 1386 |
Prevailing wage |
H Commerce/Lab |
1/24/2003 |
Mielke |
|
| |
| Provides incentives to increase transportation revenues by reforming prevailing wage laws. |
| HB 1395 |
Alcoholic beverages |
H CL DPA |
2/13/2003 |
Sullivan |
|
| |
| Revises provisions relating to the catering of alcoholic beverages at special events by nonprofit organizations. |
| HB 1422 |
Pblc investment in higher ed |
H Higher Educ |
1/24/2003 |
Pflug |
Oppose |
| |
| Declares that it is the policy of the state that a greater focus of the public investment in higher education be to support educational and degree programs in priority academic disciplines. Priority academic disciplines are those that prepare individuals for occupations necessary for the state's overall economic and
social well-being over the medium and long term. Declares that, beginning with the 2003-2005 biennium, it is the intent to begin implementation of this policy at the four-year institutions of higher education through the state funds appropriated to each college and university. Intends to create an ongoing process for reprioritization of the public investment in higher education. |
| HB 1434 |
Education employee housing |
H Education |
1/27/2003 |
Anderson |
|
| |
| Declares that the purpose of this act is to commission a study on the impact of housing costs on nonsupervisory K-12 employees and to provide the governor and the legislature with a set of recommendations designed to address those costs within the state's constitutionally required general and uniform system of public
schools. |
| HB 1437 e |
Higher edu tuition |
H Higher Educ |
1/27/2003 |
Kenney |
Support |
| |
| Finds that public higher education funding is a shared responsibility between the state, students, and the public colleges and universities. Periodic increases in state funding, state financial aid, and tuition must be authorized to provide quality
higher education for the citizens of Washington.
Declares an intent to authorize the governing boards to establish tuition rates for all students other than resident undergraduates. |
| HB 1453 f |
Higher edu credit transfer |
H Rules R |
2/13/2003 |
Kenney |
Concerns |
| |
| Declares an intent to make improvements to the statewide transfer of credit policy and agreement through the following initiatives: (1) Improved ease of transfer of general education courses between institutions; and (2) Development of transfer degrees for specific academic majors.
Requires the higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the council of presidents, in partnership, to convene a work group to recommend changes to the statewide transfer of credit policy and agreement as provided in this act. The work group shall include representatives
from each of the public four-year institutions of higher education and a broad sample of community and technical colleges. |
| HB 1457 |
Zero-based budget reviews |
H Approp |
1/27/2003 |
Alexander |
|
| |
| Establishes the zero-base and modified zero-base budget review process to help the legislature establish priorities in the expenditure of public resources for state programs and services.
Provides that, in the omnibus operating budget bill or in other legislation, the legislature shall identify agencies on which a zero-base budget review or a modified zero-base budget review shall be conducted during each fiscal year of the biennium. When specifying agencies on which the review will be conducted, the
legislature shall seek to complement and avoid duplication of the activities or the proposed activities of the joint legislative audit and review committee under chapter 44.28 RCW. |
| HB 1466 |
Natural science education |
H Education |
1/27/2003 |
Quall |
|
| |
| Declares an intent to further the development of natural science, wildlife, and environmental education by establishing a competitive grant program, funded through state moneys to the extent those moneys are appropriated, or made available through other sources, for proven natural science, wildlife, and
environmental education programs that are fully aligned with the state's essential academic learning requirements. |
| HB 1486 |
Higher edu tuition exemption |
H Higher Educ |
1/28/2003 |
O'Brien |
|
| |
| Exempts the surviving spouse and children of certain law enforcement officers or fire fighters from paying tuition and fees. |
| HB 1488 |
Agency quality improvements |
H State Govt |
1/28/2003 |
Miloscia |
|
| |
| Provides that each state agency shall, within available funds,
develop and implement a quality management program to improve the
quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the public services it
provides through business process redesign, employee involvement,
and other quality management techniques.
Directs the senate and the house of representatives to each
develop and implement quality improvement programs as described
under this act by June 30, 2005, and to report the results of these efforts to the leadership of each major political party caucus within its respective house.
Encourages the supreme court to develop and implement quality improvement programs, as described under this act, for the judicial branch of government, by June 30, 2005, and to report the results of these efforts to the chief justice.
Encourages local governments to develop and implement quality management programs as described in this act. |
| HB 1499 |
PERS plan 1 early retirement |
H Approp |
1/28/2003 |
Romero |
|
| |
| Authorizes early retirement for public employee retirement system plan 1 members. |
| HB 1532 |
Smoking in residence halls |
H Health Care |
1/29/2003 |
Quall |
Amendments |
| |
| Provides that no person may smoke, including carrying or smoking any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment, in a publicly owned residence hall at a public institution of higher education. |
| HB 1569 |
Public bid confidentiality |
H State Govt |
1/30/2003 |
Armstrong |
|
| |
| Excludes financial and commercial information supplied by or on behalf of a bidder pursuant to a public bid, other than the bid itself, when the information is marked privileged and confidential by the bidder, including but not limited to financial and
commercial information supplied pursuant to a public entity's request for escrow bid documents. Bidder includes any general contractor, subcontractor, or supplier that submits information pursuant to a public entity's request. |
| HB 1690 |
Wage and hour laws |
H Commerce/Lab |
2/4/2003 |
Chandler |
|
| |
| Declares that all terms, provisions, rights, and obligations in chapter 49.46 RCW shall be given the same meaning as given to comparable terms, provisions, rights, and obligations under federal law, 29 U.S.C. Secs. 202 through 262, and the regulations and statements of general policy and interpretation applying and
interpreting those terms issued by the United States department of
labor. |
| HB 1706 |
Promise scholarship |
H Higher Educ |
2/5/2003 |
Mastin |
|
| |
| Revises the focus of the promise scholarship. |
| HB 1730 |
Land purchase by agencies |
H Cap Budget |
2/6/2003 |
Condotta |
|
| |
| No state agency may purchase a privately owned parcel of land in excess
of five contiguous acres in any county in which public land, federal land, and
tribal land together constitute more than seventy percent of the total land
mass, not including aquatic lands, of the county, except under the provisions
of subsection (2) of this section. (2) An agency may purchase more than five contiguous acres under the provisions of this section if: (a) The legislature takes specific action directing the agency to make the purchase; (b) the appropriate county legislative authority or authorities consent to the transaction; and (c) the
transaction is funded by other than state dollars. |
| HB 1731 d |
Education opportunity grant |
H Higher Educ |
2/6/2003 |
Kenney |
|
| |
| The legislature finds that many individuals in the state of Washington have
attended college and received an associate of arts {+ or associate of science
+} degree, or (({- its -})) {+ the +} equivalent, but are placebound.
The legislature intends to establish an educational opportunity grant
program for placebound students who have completed an associate of arts {+ or
associate of science +} degree, or (({- its -})) {+ the +} equivalent, in an
effort to increase their participation in and completion of upper- division
programs. |
| HB 1734 d |
State building code |
H Local Gov. |
2/6/2003 |
Romero |
|
| |
| (1) The intent of the adoption of the International Building Code by the legislature is to remain consistent with state laws regulating construction, including electrical, plumbing, and energy codes established in chapters 19.27, 19.27A, and 19.28 RCW. The International Building Code references the International Residential Code for provisions related to the construction of single and multiple-family dwellings. No portion of the International Residential Code shall supersede or take precedent over provisions in chapter 19.28 RCW, regulating the electrical code; nor provisions in RCW 19.27.031(4), regulating the plumbing code; nor provisions in chapter 19.27A RCW, regulating the energy code. |
| HB 1738 d |
State salary overpayment |
H Commerce/Lab |
2/6/2003 |
Haigh |
|
| |
| Debts due the state for the overpayment of salary or wages to state
employees may be recovered by the employer by deductions from subsequent salary or wage payments as provided in section 2 of this act, or by civil action. If
the overpayment is recovered by deduction from the employee's subsequent salary
or wages, each deduction shall not exceed five percent of the employee's net pay
per pay period. The deductions from salary or wages shall continue until the
overpayment is fully recouped. |
| HB 1742 |
Public facilities districts |
H Trade/Ec Dev |
2/6/2003 |
Rockefeller |
|
| |
| A public facilities district is authorized to acquire, construct, own, remodel, maintain, equip, reequip, repair, and operate sports {+ and recreation +} facilities, entertainment facilities, convention facilities, or regional centers as defined in RCW 35.57.020, together with contiguous parking facilities. The taxes that are provided for in this chapter may only be imposed for these purposes. |
| HB 1743 d |
Hazardous waste |
H Fish Eco & P |
2/6/2003 |
Cooper |
|
| |
| Substantial volumes of hazardous wastes, including used oil, are being
accumulated and managed at facilities located throughout Washington without
adequate financial reserves to pay for the safe and orderly removal of materials
and cleanup of environmental contamination when these facilities close.
Hazardous waste management facilities have been abandoned, shut down, or gone
bankrupt in Washington, leaving taxpayers, property owners, or former customers
with millions of dollars in cleanup costs and significant environmental impacts |
| HB 1748 |
Hiring retirees |
H Approp |
2/6/2003 |
Sommers |
|
| |
| Relating to hiring retired members of the public employees' retirement system plan 1 and the teachers' retirement system plan 1; amending RCW 41.32.570, 41.40.037, and 41.40.037; repealing 2001 c 317 s 1; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date. |
| HB 1763 |
Prospective teacher schlrshp |
H Higher Educ |
2/7/2003 |
Berkey |
|
| |
| Directs the higher education coordinating board to offer conditional scholarships for full or part-time studies that may be forgiven in exchange for teaching service in Washington's public K-12 schools. |
| HB 1789 |
Capital bdgt project savings |
H Cap Budget |
2/10/2003 |
Blake |
|
| |
| Revises provisions pertaining to capital budget project savings. |
| HB 1808 |
Research universities |
H Higher Educ |
2/11/2003 |
Kenney |
|
| |
| Provides that, if a four-year institution requests approval under RCW 28B.80.340 of a new degree program that is the result of legislation enacted to change the terms of RCW 28B.10.115, the higher education coordinating board shall require the institution
to submit the following information as part of the board's review of the proposed program: (1) Detailed evidence of why the program is justified, including the size and scope of student, employer, and community demand for the program;
(2) A comprehensive cost and benefit analysis regarding the proposed program, including evidence for why the proposed program would be more cost-effective than relying on public or private programs already in place;
(3) Projected future enrollment in the program and substantiation of the enrollment estimates; and
(4) Additional information as requested by the board regarding demand, need, and cost-effectiveness of the program.
Requires the higher education coordinating board to submit a complete analysis of a proposed program under this act to the higher education committees of the legislature before making a final determination regarding approval of the program. |
| HB 1811 |
Education finance system |
H Education |
2/11/2003 |
Hunter |
|
| |
| Directs the office of financial management to conduct a comprehensive study of the Washington education finance system, including examination of alternative teacher compensation models.
Provides that the study shall, at a minimum: (1) Compare Washington's common school funding system with those in other states that are beginning to link finance systems with education reform and expected student learning outcomes;
(2) Review the role of state and local funding and levy equalization policies in the Washington common school finance system, building upon the 2002 joint task force on local effort assistance report; and
(3) Design alternative common school finance systems for Washington.
Requires the office of financial management to report initial findings and recommendations of the committee to the legislature, including the education and fiscal committees of the house of representatives and the senate, by June 30, 2004. A final report
shall be provided to the education and fiscal committees of the house of representatives and the senate by December 20, 2004. Expires June 30, 2005. |
| SB 5007 f |
Agriculture/garden research |
S Agriculture |
1/13/2003 |
Jacobsen |
Opposed |
| |
| All assets at the Washington State University's research and extension centers in Puyallup and Mount Vernon must be transferred to the Western Washington Center
for Agriculture and Garden Research by June 30, 2003. The center is a quasi-administrative unit of Washington State University and must be a nonprofit and self-supporting membership organization. The center must require membership dues and may accept gifts. |
| SB 5010 |
Branch campuses |
S Higher Educ |
1/13/2003 |
Jacobsen |
|
| |
| Authorizes branch campuses to offer lower-division coursework. |
| SSB 5012 |
Charter schools |
S Ways & Means |
2/4/2003 |
EDU (Johnson) |
|
| |
| Under current law, public schools are publically financed, governed by elected
school boards, and subject to state laws and regulations. Generally, charter schools are publically financed but operate under a written contract with the charter sponsor and operate independently of most state laws and regulations. The contract, or charter, details how the school will be organized and managed, what students will be taught and expected to achieve, and how success will be measured. Charter schools can be closed for failing to satisfy these contract terms. Currently, Washington State does not have charter schools. |
| SB 5013 |
Minimum wage rate |
S Comm & Trade |
1/13/2003 |
Honeyford |
|
| |
| Declares that the adjusted minimum wage rate may not exceed 136.2 percent of the federal minimum wage rate. |
| SB 5015 |
Ergonomics rules |
S Comm & Trade |
1/13/2003 |
Hewitt |
|
| |
| Declares that rules dealing with musculoskeletal disorders, filed on May 26, 2000, by the director, and codified as WAC 296-62-05101 through 296-62-05176, are repealed.
Provides that the director shall not adopt any new or amended rules dealing with musculoskeletal disorders that are substantially the same as these rules until and unless required by congress or the federal occupational safety and health administration. |
| SB 5020 f# |
Agency purchase of land |
S NatRes/Ene/W |
1/13/2003 |
Morton |
|
| |
| A state agency may not purchase privately-owned parcels of land in excess of five contiguous acres in any county where the public land base is 70 percent of the
total area of the county, except when specifically directed to do so by an action of the Legislature. In such cases, the appropriate legislative authority must authorize the transaction and the transaction must be funded by other than state tax dollars. |
| SB 5021 f |
Education employee benefits |
S Rules 2 |
2/10/2003 |
Sheldon, T. |
|
| |
| Provides that no moneys appropriated in RCW 28A.400.200 may be expended for sick leave benefits, compensation, or health benefits during the time an employee engages in a strike or work stoppage. During a strike or work stoppage, a school district board of directors may require a signed statement from a licensed health
care provider that an employee's absence was due to illness or injury. |
| SB 5043 d |
Public land statutes |
S Rules 2 G |
2/12/2003 |
Morton |
|
| |
| Statutes governing DNR management of state uplands are reorganized
without substantive change. Nonsubstantive revisions eliminate outdated terms. |
| SSB 5074 $ |
Timber harvest/trust lands |
S Ways & Means |
1/30/2003 |
NR (Morton) |
|
| |
| DNR must establish and implement contract harvesting when it can increase revenues for the trust beneficiaries and increase environmental protection. "Contract
harvesting" is defined as a situation in which DNR contracts with an individual to harvest timber on state forest lands and process the timber into logs sorted by DNR specifications. DNR then sells the individual log sorts. |
| SB 5076 d |
Aqtc land valuable materials |
S Rules 2 |
1/27/2003 |
Morton |
|
| |
| When determining the highest responsible bidder for a sale of valuable materials from state-owned aquatic lands, the Department of Natural Resources may consider
whether the bidder was the highest bidder on a sale within the past five years, but failed to complete the sale. The department may not consider sale bids prior to January 1, 2003. |
| SSB 5079 |
Natural science education |
S 2nd Reading |
2/7/2003 |
EDU (Finkbeiner) |
|
| |
| The natural science, wildlife, and environmental education partnership account and grant program are established. The purpose of the account and of the grant program is to promote proven and innovative natural science, wildlife, and environmental education programs that are fully aligned with the state's essential academic learning requirements (EALRs). The grant program is subject to the availability of funds in the partnership account. The partnership account consists of funds provided by the Legislature or other sources. An appropriation is not required for an expenditure from the account. |
| SB 5080 |
St gvrnmnt hiring freeze |
S Govt Op & El |
1/15/2003 |
Stevens |
Oppose |
| |
| A two-year state hiring freeze is created whereby state agencies are prohibited from hiring replacements for employees who leave the agency, regardless of the reason an employee left. |
| SB 5090 fo |
LEOFFRS board elections |
S Rules 2 G |
2/7/2003 |
Carlson |
|
| |
| Active and retired police officers and fire fighters may serve on the LEOFF Plan 1 disability boards whether they are members of LEOFF Plan 1 or not. Members of the board continue to be elected by members of the LEOFF Plan 1 and the Firemen's Relief and Pension plan only. |
| SB 5091 fo |
Retiremnt contributions/pl 3 |
S Rules 2 |
2/4/2003 |
Carlson |
|
| |
| A transfer window is established in January of every year during which Plan 3 members may change their contribution rate option. Several new rate options are also provided. |
| SB 5092 o |
Pblc emply death benefits |
S Ways & Means |
1/15/2003 |
Jacobsen |
|
| |
| Provides a death benefit for certain public employees. |
| SB 5093 fo |
Retirement benefits |
S 2nd Reading |
2/7/2003 |
Spanel |
|
| |
| Members of TRS, SERS, and PERS may begin to collect benefits at age 70½ without separating from service. Employees choosing to begin benefits in this way
cease to earn new service credit or make contributions. |
| SB 5095 fo |
Retirement system options |
S 2nd Reading |
2/7/2003 |
Spanel |
|
| |
| Elected officials who are members of LEOFF Plan 2, PERS, TRS Plans
2 and 3, or SERS, are permitted to retire from their plans during a 90-day window at the beginning of each term of office without having to leave their office, provided that they are eligible under the requirements of their individual plans. Officials may choose instead to continue as active members of their plans, making contributions and accumulating service credit in the regular fashion. |
| SB 5096 f |
Teachers' retirement plan 1 |
S 2nd Reading |
2/7/2003 |
Regala |
|
| |
| Members of TRS Plan 1 are allowed to use their two highest-paid consecutive school years rather than their two highest paid fiscal years for the purpose of
determining their average final compensation. |
| SB 5097 o |
Retirement annual increase |
S Ways & Means |
1/15/2003 |
Winsley |
|
| |
| Revises provisions relating to public employees' retirement system, plan 1 and teachers' retirement system, plan 1 age and retirement requirements for receipt of the annual increase amount. Companion Bill 1197 |
| SB 5099 o |
Pension policy select comm |
S Ways & Means |
1/15/2003 |
Winsley |
|
| |
| Provides that the select committee on pension policy has the following powers and duties: (1) Study pension issues, develop pension policies for public employees in state retirement systems, and make recommendations to the legislature;
(2) Study the financial condition of the state pension systems, develop funding policies, and make recommendations to the legislature; and
(3) Appoint or remove the state actuary by a two-thirds vote of the select committee. Repeals RCW 44.44.015, 44.44.050, and 44.44.060. Companion Bill 1204 |
| SB 5101 fo |
Retirement system statutes |
S Rules 2 |
2/12/2003 |
Carlson |
|
| |
| Corrects retirement system statutes. Companion Bill 1200 |
| SB 5105 |
Educational interpreters |
S Education |
1/15/2003 |
Fraser |
|
| |
| Requires that, by November 30, 2004, the Washington professional educator standards board shall conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the following options and make recommendations to the governor, the legislature, the
superintendent of public instruction, and the state board of education regarding the following options: (1) Requiring national or state certification for all educational interpreters for deaf students and hard of hearing students;
(2) Designating educational interpreters as an education staff assistant;
(3) Requiring the state board of education to establish competencies for educational interpreters; and
(4) Any other option that the Washington professional educator standards board deems viable to increase and maintain the quality and availability of educational interpreters in a fiscally responsible manner. |
| SB 5131 |
Library computers |
S Judiciary |
1/15/2003 |
Swecker |
Concerns |
| |
| The Attorney General or county prosecuting attorney may apply to the superior court for an order authorizing the seizure of library computers used to access web
sites or files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and other records containing the identity of library patrons who had access to library computers used to access these web sites or files. The application: (a) must be based on facts and circumstances supporting a reasonable belief that the library computers were used to access web sites or files depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct; and (b) that there are no other readily available means to obtain the identity of library patrons who used the library computers to access these web sites or files. The order is valid for 15 days and may be extended for an additional 15 days. Libraries providing internet access must notify users of these provisions. |
| SB 5134 |
Border county higher ed |
*H Higher Educ |
2/17/2003 |
Carlson |
|
| |
| The Border County Higher Education Opportunities Project is made permanent. The residency requirement for eligible Oregon students is returned to a 90-day
period. This bill creates opportunities for higher education at WSU-Vancouver and WSU- Tri-Cities for residents of Oregon counties bordering Washington through the financial incentive afforded by the resident status for fee purposes. |
| SSB 5135 |
Higher ed tuition fees |
S Ways & Means |
2/7/2003 |
HIE (Carlson) |
Oppose |
| |
| Resident undergraduate students who accumulate more than 120 percent of the credits required to complete their respective baccalaureate degree at a public four-year institution of higher education or associate degree or certificate at a public community or technical college pay tuition fees equal to a sum not less than the average instructional support in general funds and operating fees per full-time equivalent (FTE) at each respective institution. An estimate from the Registrar suggests that between 500 and 700 students per year could be impacted by this legislation. The Registrar also estimates that it would require up to a full FTE of staff time to monitor. The difficulty of administering this legislation, if passed as is, has to do with the exceptions since several would be difficult if not impossible to automate, requiring manual examination of students’ records. Further, some information such as the dislocated worker provision is not requested nor recorded for students. Were such information requested, reprogramming of student information databases would be required. |
| SB 5137 |
Higher ed admissions |
S Higher Educ |
1/15/2003 |
Carlson |
Concerns |
| |
| Authorizes the use of the reading and math components of the WASL to fulfill admission requirements at institutions of higher education. |
| SB 5138 |
WASL |
S Education |
1/15/2003 |
Carlson |
|
| |
| Authorizes the use of the Washington assessment of student learning for qualifying for the promise scholarship and other purposes. |
| SB 5139 |
Remedial postsecondary ed |
S Higher Educ |
1/15/2003 |
Carlson |
|
| |
| Requires school districts to provide or pay for state-supported remedial education at institutions of higher education. |
| SB 5151 |
Open public meetings |
S Govt Op & El |
1/15/2003 |
Benton |
Concerns |
| |
| Revises provisions relating to open public meetings. |
| SSB 5158 |
Higher ed student residency |
S Rules 2 G |
2/12/2003 |
HIE (Carlson) |
Support |
| |
| WSU strongly supports efforts to enable children of migrant farm workers living in Washington State to attend university for resident tuition rates. This bill accomplishes that. WSU has suggested minor amendments designed to ensure that this bill targets those students. |
| SB 5161 f |
Ergonomics rules |
S 2nd Reading |
1/31/2003 |
Hewitt |
|
| |
| The ergonomic rules adopted by L&I on May 26, 2000 are repealed. L&I is directed to not adopt any other rules "substantially the same," unless required by Congress or OSHA. |
| SB 5183 |
First year teacher salaries |
S Education |
1/17/2003 |
Benton |
|
| |
| Authorizes a bonus for certain first year teachers. |
| SB 5185 |
Open public meetings |
S Govt Op & El |
1/17/2003 |
Benton |
Concerns |
| |
| Revises provisions relating to open public meetings. |
| SB 5189 |
Korean conflict veterans |
S Higher Educ |
1/17/2003 |
Benton |
|
| |
| Exempts veterans of the Korean conflict from tuition increases. |
| SSB 5240 |
Pro educators board |
S Rules 2 |
2/12/2003 |
EDU (Zarelli) |
|
| |
| Includes a classified employee on the Washington professional educator standards board. |
| SB 5242 |
Library computer filters |
S Govt Op & El |
1/22/2003 |
Swecker |
Concerns |
| |
| Public libraries must use Internet filtering software on computers in the children's section of the library.
In libraries without Internet access in the children's section, the library must use filtering software on a terminal near the children's area. In all cases, the filtering software used must block access to potentially offensive matter, including adult-oriented, sexually explicit Internet sites. |
| SB 5254 f |
Actions against rules |
S Rules 2 G |
2/7/2003 |
Roach |
|
| |
| The phrase in the statute explicitly placing the burden of proof on the party challenging the agency action is removed. The statute becomes silent on the question of whether the agency or the party asserting invalidity of the agency's action has the burden of proof. |
| E SB 5256 f |
Rule-making procedures |
H State Govt |
2/12/2003 |
Roach |
|
| |
| For rules subject to the significant legislative rules process, the notice of proposed rule-making must contain a statement describing the methodology to be used in the
analysis of the probable costs and benefits of the rule, or that a preliminary analysis is available upon request. |
| SB 5261 |
Forests review commission |
S NatRes/Ene/W |
1/20/2003 |
Jacobsen |
|
| |
| The Washington Forest Review Commission is established with the purpose of reviewing the economic, demographic, land use, environmental, natural and
climatic trends influencing the future of Washington forests over the next 50 years. The commission reviews the trends and makes recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for policy and budgetary allocations. The commission is composed of the Governor or his/her designee; the Commissioner of Public Lands; two members of the Senate appointed by the President, one from each caucus; two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker, one from each caucus; the President or the President's designee of the University of Washington and of Washington State University; and members representing specific interests appointed by the Governor after consulting with the
Commissioner of Public Lands and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives. The gubernatorial appointees are a representative of the industrial forest landowners; a representative of nonindustrial landowners; a representative of businesses engaged in forest product processing; a representative of general purpose local government; and a representative of organizations engaged in forest conservation and preservation. In addition, a representative of the United States Forest Service is invited to attend, and a
representative of tribal governments is invited to participate on the commission. |
| SB 5273 |
Veterans/employment exams |
S Rules 2 |
2/13/2003 |
Roach |
|
| |
| Extends the use of veterans' scoring criteria in employment examinations. |
| SB 5283 |
Trainer & minor wage rate |
S Comm & Trade |
1/21/2003 |
Sheldon, T. |
|
| |
| Declares that the adjusted minimum wage rate may not exceed 136.2 percent of the federal minimum wage rate. |
| SB 5301 |
PERS plan 2 early retirement |
S Ways & Means |
1/22/2003 |
Winsley |
|
| |
| Revises provisions relating to early retirement in the public employees' retirement system, plan 2. |
| SB 5303 o |
State university research |
S Rules 2 |
2/12/2003 |
West |
|
| |
| Wording of the statute is corrected. Financial contracts for research facilities or equipment contemplated by either the University of Washington or Washington
State University do not require prior approval of the State Finance Committee to execute. Companion Bill HB1280 |
| SB 5312 |
Quality management program |
S Govt Op & El |
1/22/2003 |
Kastama |
|
| |
| Directs each state agency to, within available funds, develop and implement a quality management program to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the public services it provides through business process redesign, employee involvement, and other quality management techniques. Each agency shall ensure that front line agency employees are engaged in the program and shall provide
employees with the training necessary for successful implementation
of efforts toward quality improvement.
Requires state agencies whose chief executives are appointed by the governor to report program results to the governor on a regular basis. State agencies whose chief executives are elected officials other than the governor shall report program results to the elected official on a regular basis.
Directs each state agency to integrate efforts made under this act with quality management programs undertaken under executive order or other authority. The office of insurance commissioner, the department of natural resources, and four-year institutions of higher education shall develop and implement a complete quality
management program by June 30, 2006. All other state agencies shall develop and implement a complete quality management program by June 30, 2004. |
| SB 5351 |
Agency land use mandates |
S LandUse & Pl |
1/22/2003 |
Haugen |
|
| |
| Provides that state agencies shall comply with the local comprehensive plans and development regulations and amendments thereto adopted pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW and must first implement on state-owned lands, any and all requirements they seek local governments to impose on private lands except as otherwise provided in RCW 71.09.250 (1) through (3), 71.09.342, and
72.09.333. A fiscal note has been requested. |
| SB 5357 |
Higher edu faculty children |
S Higher Educ |
1/23/2003 |
West |
|
| |
| Provides that the enrollment of these persons is subject to the following conditions: (1) Such persons shall register for and
be enrolled in courses on a space-available basis and no new course sections shall be created as a result of the registration;
(2) Enrollment information on persons registered under this act shall be maintained separately from other enrollment information and shall not be included in official enrollment reports, nor shall such persons be considered in any enrollment
statistics that would affect budgetary determinations; and
(3) Persons registering on a space-available basis shall be charged a registration fee of not less than five dollars. |
| SB 5385 |
Community & tech colleges |
S Higher Educ |
1/23/2003 |
Shin |
Concerns |
| |
| Directs the Washington state institute for public policy to study the feasibility of including the community and technical college system in the funding system used for K-12 public schools. The Washington state institute for public policy shall complete its study and make recommendations no later than December 1, 2004, to
the governor, the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and appropriate committees of the legislature. |
| SB 5401 $e |
Capital budget |
S Ways & Means |
1/23/2003 |
Zarelli |
|
| |
| Provides appropriations and authorizes expenditures for capital improvements. |
| SSB 5403 $ |
Operating supp budget |
H Approp |
1/30/2003 |
WM (Rossi) |
Support |
| |
| Appropriations for various agencies are modified. For additional information, see "Supplemental Operating Budget Summary" and "Statewide Summary and Agency Detail" published by the Senate Ways & Means Committee. |
| SB 5404 $e |
Operating budget 2003-05 |
S Ways & Means |
1/23/2003 |
Rossi |
|
| |
| Makes 2003-05 operating appropriations. Companion Bill 1366 |
| SB 5417 $ |
Performance audits |
S Govt Op & El |
1/24/2003 |
Reardon |
Concerns |
| |
| Declares an intent to provide greater accountability to the public through an independent performance audit of government agencies.
Finds that performance audit findings may include the identification of potential cost savings and ways to improve service delivery.
Directs the state auditor to contract for a performance audit of the executive branch of state government.
Requires the performance audit to include an examination of the efficiency and effectiveness of major management policies, practices, and functions across all executive branch agencies.
Requires the audit to include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Planning, budgeting, and program evaluation policies and practices;
(2) Personnel systems operations and management;
(3) State purchasing operations and management policies and practices;
(4) Information processing and telecommunications systems policy, organization, and management; and
(5) Organizational and staffing patterns, especially in terms of the ratio of managers and supervisors to nonmanagement personnel.
Requires the state auditor to report the results of the audit to the legislature by September 1, 2004.
Provides that the legislature shall establish a joint committee on government accountability.
Appropriates the sum of five million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, from the general fund to the state auditor for the purposes of this act. |
| SB 5420 |
Special edu teacher schlrshp |
S Higher Educ |
1/24/2003 |
McAuliffe |
|
| |
| Creates a special education teachers' conditional scholarship program. |
| SB 5425 e |
Higher edu facilities debt |
S Rules 2 |
2/12/2003 |
Winsley |
|
| |
| In 1983, the Legislature authorized the Washington Higher Education Facilities
to issue tax-exempt bonds on behalf of private nonprofit colleges and universities to build, improve, and equip higher education facilities in a manner that minimizes capital costs. To be eligible, the institution must be accredited, certified by the IRS under Section 501©(3), have its main campus permanently situated in the state, and be open to residents of the state. Eligible projects include dormitories, dining halls, student unions, administration buildings, academic buildings, classrooms, athletic facilities, health care facilities, parking facilities, etc.
The total allowable bonded indebtedness of the authority is increased from $500 million to $1 billion. |
| SB 5462 |
Wage and hour laws |
S Comm & Trade |
1/27/2003 |
Mulliken |
|
| |
| Declares that all terms, provisions, rights, and obligations in chapter 49.46 RCW shall be given the same meaning as given to comparable terms, provisions, rights, and obligations under federal law, 29 U.S.C. Secs. 202 through 262, and the regulations and statements of general policy and interpretation applying and
interpreting those terms issued by the United States department of
labor. |
| SB 5475 |
Hghr edu engineering courses |
S Rules 2 |
2/14/2003 |
Horn |
Neutral |
| |
| Limits courses of instruction in electrical engineering that are exclusive to research institutions of higher education. |
| SB 5476 |
Higher edu tuition exemption |
S Higher Educ |
1/27/2003 |
Haugen |
|
| |
| Exempts the surviving spouse and children of certain law enforcement officers or fire fighters from paying tuition and fees. |
| SB 5505 |
High school course options |
S Education |
1/28/2003 |
Carlson |
|
| |
| Declares that all public high schools of the state shall provide, directly or in cooperation with a community or technical college, an apprenticeship committee, or another school district, for students the opportunity to take any or all of the following
courses of study within each educational pathway required to be offered under RCW 28A.655.060(3)©: (1) A course of study for students whose educational plans include the pursuit of a professional or technical certificate or degree that requires less than four years of postsecondary education. The program shall help
these students receive industry certification upon completion of the program, and/or have the opportunity to articulate to postsecondary education and training programs related to their secondary program; and
(2) A course of study for students who are planning to defer further educational plans and enter the world of work upon graduation from high school. The program shall help students demonstrate the application of essential learning to the world of
work, occupation-specific skills, knowledge of more than one career or job option within their chosen pathway, and general workplace skills. |
| SSB 5530 |
B & o tax credits |
S Ways & Means |
2/12/2003 |
TC (Finkbeiner) |
|
| |
| Deletes the expiration date on certain business and occupation tax credits and deferrals. |
| SSB 5531 |
High-tech research & dev |
S Ways & Means |
2/12/2003 |
TC (Finkbeiner) |
|
| |
| Deletes the expiration date for the high-technology research and development sales and use tax deferral program. |
| SB 5564 d |
Definition of research |
S Hea/L-T Care |
1/30/2003 |
Deccio |
|
| |
| Declares that "research" means a systematic investigation,
including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed
to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities
that meet this definition are research whether or not they are
conducted or supported under a program that is considered research
for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities.
Declares that "research in the jurisdiction of a state agency"
means: (1) Research conducted by an employee or a contractor of a
state agency;
(2) Research sponsored by a state agency; or
(3) Research that involves access to or disclosure of
identifiable personal records obtained or maintained by a state agency. |
| SB 5660 |
Edu assistance grant prgrm |
S Higher Educ |
2/5/2003 |
Kohl-Welles |
|
| |
| Creates the educational assistance grant program for students
with dependents subject to the availability of receipts of gifts,
grants, or endowments from private sources. The program is created
to serve financially needy students with dependents eighteen years
of age or younger, by assisting them directly through a grant
program to pursue a degree or certificate at public or private institutions of higher education, as defined in RCW 28B.10.802, that participate in the state need grant program.
Provides that the educational assistance grant program for students with dependents grants may be used by eligible participants to attend any public or private college or university in the state of Washington as defined in RCW 28B.10.802. The participant is not eligible for a grant if the grant will be used
to pursue a degree in theology. Companion Bill 1277 |
| SB 5661 |
Agricultural land use |
S LandUse & Pl |
2/5/2003 |
Schmidt |
|
| |
| Declares that nothing in chapter 36.70A RCW may be construed as preventing a county or city from allowing agricultural lands that are not currently being used in commercial production from being used for recreational activities, including, but not limited to, playing fields for sports played on grass, provided that no permanent structures are erected on the agricultural land. |
| SB 5665 |
Irrigation districts |
S Agriculture |
2/5/2003 |
Rasmussen |
|
| |
| Revises irrigation district administration provisions. |
| SB 5667 |
Open public meetings |
S Rules 2 G |
2/12/2003 |
Roach |
|
| |
| The Open Public Meetings Act is clarified. Elected officials must be given the same opportunity to testify that is afforded to the public at an open public meeting. |
| SB 5681 |
Minimum wages |
S Comm & Trade |
2/6/2003 |
Sheahan |
|
| |
| Provides that an employer may pay a new employee an initial wage rate equal to the greater of seventy-five percent of the rate required under RCW 49.46.020 or the federal minimum wage rate for the first ninety days of employment by the employee.
Provides that an employer shall not terminate the employment of employees after the ninety-day period for the primary purpose of obtaining the reduced wage rate under this act. If the department determines that an employer has engaged in this practice, the employer must remit the entire amount of wages for all employees
that would have been paid under chapter 49.46 RCW without regard to
this act.
Provides that an employer may pay a new employee, who is not an emancipated minor under chapter 13.64 RCW, an initial wage rate equal to the greater of seventy-five percent of the rate required under RCW 49.46.020 or the federal minimum wage rate.
Provides that no political subdivision shall modify, in any respect, the minimum wage requirements of this chapter through ordinance, resolution, or other legislative action.
Declares that for the purposes of this act, "political subdivision" means a county, city, special purpose district, agency of the state, or any other municipality or public body created under state law. |
| SB 5682 |
New employee minimum wage |
S Comm & Trade |
2/6/2003 |
Honeyford |
|
| |
| Provides that an employer may pay a new employee an initial
wage rate equal to the greater of seventy-five percent of the rate
required under RCW 49.46.020 or the federal minimum wage rate for the first ninety days of employment by the employee.
Provides that an employer shall not terminate the employment of employees after the ninety-day period for the primary purpose of obtaining the reduced wage rate under this act. If the department determines that an employer has engaged in this practice, the employer must remit the entire amount of wages for all employees
that would have been paid under chapter 49.46 RCW without regard to this act. |
| SB 5684 |
Minimum wages |
S Comm & Trade |
2/6/2003 |
Honeyford |
|
| |
| Revises minimum wage provisions. |
| SB 5685 |
Nonemancipated minor wages |
S Comm & Trade |
2/6/2003 |
Honeyford |
|
| |
| Authorizes an employer to pay a new employee, who is not an emancipated minor under chapter 13.64 RCW, an initial wage rate equal to the greater of seventy-five percent of the rate required under RCW 49.46.020 or the federal minimum wage rate. |
| SB 5697 |
Minimum wage |
S Comm & Trade |
2/6/2003 |
Hewitt |
|
| |
| Revises the inflationary adjustment to the minimum wage. |
| SB 5743 f |
Rehiring pblc emply retirees |
S Ways & Means |
2/10/2003 |
Benton |
|
| |
| Provides that a retiree from plan 1 who has been separated for at least three months and who enters employment with an employer may continue to receive pension payments while engaged in such service for up to one thousand five hundred hours of service in a calendar year without a reduction of pension.
Provides that employers as defined in RCW 41.32.010 and 41.40.010 shall establish specific human resource policies regarding the hiring of retirees and publish those policies in their human resource manual and attach a document containing those policies to each job announcement. Among those policies shall be the requirement that final approval for the hiring of a retiree returning to the employer from which they retired must come from the highest public officer of the employer.
Requires employers to keep recruitment and interviewing records of each human resource transaction in which a retiree was rehired. These records may be subject to audit under chapter 43.09 RCW. |
| SB 5828 |
Meningococcal immunization |
S Hea/L-T Care |
2/14/2003 |
Sheahan |
|
| |
| Relating to provision of meningococcal immunization information to
first-time students by degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions;
adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW; and providing an effective date. |
| SSJM8002 |
Forest health management |
S Rules 2 G |
2/12/2003 |
NR (Morton) |
|
| |
| Recognizing the risks of fire and the problems of forest health, the Legislature requests that health-related management activities on all forest lands be
accelerated in order to reduce the effects of catastrophic wildfire and loss of wildlife and recreation opportunities. The Forest Service is asked to review the effectiveness of its current firefighting procedures and to ensure that the most effective firefighting methods are used. The memorial supports the federal management activities to reduce the risk of the further spread of insects and diseases to state forest lands and to private lands adjacent to federal lands. |
| SSJR8204 |
Debt service reserve fund |
S Rules 2 |
1/29/2003 |
WM (Rossi) |
|
| |
| The state Constitution is amended to establish a Debt Service Reserve Fund to help pay debt service commitments on state general obligation bonds. Each
fiscal year, 1 percent of general state revenues is transferred to the Debt Service Reserve Fund. Moneys can be appropriated from the fund by a three-fifths vote of each house of the Legislature. |
| SCR8401 |
Master plan for education |
S Higher Educ |
1/16/2003 |
Kohl-Welles |
|
| |
| A joint select committee is created to develop a "Master Plan for Education -- Prekindergarten through University." |
| SGA9047 |
JASON JOHNSON |
S Higher Educ |
1/13/2003 |
|
SUPPORT |
| |
| JASON JOHNSON, appointed June 10, 2002, for a term ending May 31, 2003, as a Member of the Board of Regents, Washington State University. |
