February 12, 2009
Latest Bills From Olympia, Part XXI

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Senate Bill 5271 (Modifying provisions relating to candidate filing)
Substitute offered in the Senate on February 10, 2009, makes technical changes related to precinct committee officer and filing fees. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on February 10, 2009, makes technical changes related to precinct committee officer and filing fees.

House Bill 2087 (Eliminating certain boards, committees, and commissions and the transfer of certain duties)
Introduced by Rep. Larry Springer, (D-Kirkland) (D) on February 10, 2009, in the interest of reducing duplication of effort, waste of budget appropriations and increasing government efficiency, this bill lists hundred of boards, commissions and ad hoc committees to be eliminated, trimmed down or adjusted to fit current budgetary constraints, effective June 30, 2009.

House Bill 2090 (Providing a property tax exemption for first-time home buyers)
Introduced by Rep. Mike Hope, (R-Lake Stevens) (R) on February 10, 2009, exempts a residence purchased by a first-time home buyer from property taxes levied for any state purpose. Exemption applies only to taxes levied for collection in 2010 and 2011.

House Bill 2091 (Concerning visitation rights for grandparents)
Introduced by Rep. Shelly Short, (R) (R) on February 10, 2009, recognizes that the recent Washington state supreme court decision in In re Parentage of C.A.M.A. reaffirmed that Washington's grandparent visitation statutes are unconstitutional. Declares an intent to bring the law in line with the court's holding in that case, in order to ensure that grandparents have a viable means of petitioning the court for visitation with their grandchildren.

House Bill 2092 (Specifying that qualified grandparents are the priority placement option for children needing out-of-home care in dependency proceedings)
Introduced by Rep. Shelly Short, (R) (R) on February 10, 2009, provides that if the court orders an out-of-home placement for a child under chapter 13.34 RCW (juvenile court act--dependency and termination of parent-child relationship), the court shall order the child placed with a qualified grandparent unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would not be in the child's best interests.

House Bill 2101 (raising the fuel tax distribution rate by fourteen cents)
Introduced by Rep. Cary Condotta, (R-Wenatchee) (R) on February 10, 2009, increases the base rate fuel tax to be collected from the motor vehicle fund into the general fund between July 1, 2009-July 1, 2011 from twenty-three cents per gallon to thirty-seven cents per gallon.

House Bill 2103 (Concerning the taxation of adult entertainment materials and services)
Introduced by Rep. Mark Miloscia, (D-Federal Way) (D) on February 10, 2009, dedicates revenue from a tax on the sale and use of adult entertainment materials and services to crime victims' compensation, with an emphasis towards providing services, support, or therapy to those children who are victims of sexual abuse. Imposes an additional tax on each retail sale of adult entertainment materials and services equal to eighteen and one-half percent of the selling price. Requires all revenue collected on sales and use of adult entertainment materials and services to be deposited in the general fund to be used solely for the general assistance-unemployable program.

House Bill 2112 (Requiring prepaid postage for primary and general election ballots)
Introduced by Rep. Bob Hasegawa, (D-Seattle) (D) on February 10, 2009, requires return envelopes for primary and general election ballots to include prepaid postage. Requires the state to reimburse counties for the cost of return postage on mail and absentee ballots for primary and general elections.

House Bill 2115 (Allowing booking photographs and electronic images at jails to be open to the public)
Introduced by Rep. Al O'Brien, (D-Mountlake Terrace) (D) on February 10, 2009, allows booking photographs and electronic images at jails to be open to the public.

House Bill 2123 (Reducing business and occupation taxes for printing and newspapers)
Introduced by Rep. Lynn Kessler, (D-Hoquiam) (D) on February 10, 2009, reduces the business and occupation tax rate for printers, newspaper, periodical, and magazine publishers to 0.2904 percent. (See also Companion SB 5962).

Posted by pudge at February 12, 2009 08:14 AM | Email This
Comments
1. Isn't February 10 a little bit late, as a practical matter, for introducing a bill? True, the legislature could still take action and pass the bill. But if someone waits until a month into the session before introducing legislation, the chance of it being given serious consideration is pretty small.

Posted by: Richard Pope on February 12, 2009 11:01 PM
2. Depends on the bill, what committees it has to go through, etc. But, yeah, generally.

Posted by: pudge on February 13, 2009 12:28 AM
3. HB 2123: Why is it when the newspapers are struggling the democrats don't hesitate to lower taxes for them, but all other business are struggling in this state, but can they get a tax cut?

Posted by: justsumguy on February 13, 2009 08:27 AM
4. @3 - because they want to ensure the 4th estate is firmly under their purview. Considering the one party rule in this state however, I'm not sure why saving the newspapers is so important to them when every other medium on this side of the mountains is in their back pocket.

Posted by: Rick D. on February 13, 2009 08:52 AM
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