The following is a recap of how Kirkland legislators from the 45th and 48th Districts recently voted on several bills and resolutions (according to washingtonvotes.org) during the 2012 session:
House Bill 2127
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2127, making supplemental appropriations in the 2011-13 operating budget, passed 53-45 in the House on Feb. 29.
This act decreases State General Fund appropriations for the 2011-13 biennium by $1.15 billion; the total budget is decreased by $1.0 billion. Fund transfers and other changes to the original 2011-13 biennial budget are also made. This act is now headed to the Senate for further consideration.
Yes: Reps. Roger Goodman, Larry Springer, Ross Hunter; No: Rep. Deborah Eddy
Senate Bill 5984
Substitute Senate Bill 5984, concerning local government financial soundness, passed 62-36 in the House on Feb. 29.
This act requires an independent financial review of a Public Facilities District (PFD) prior to its creation, the issuance of debt by a PFD, or the lease, purchase, or development of a facility by a PFD. The independent financial review of debt issuances by a PFD is not required if the PFD is refinancing existing debt.
Working with local governments, the state treasurer and the state auditor must examine the state’s local governmental entities to determine any indications of financial distress. The results of the examination and recommended legislation must be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature. If a PFD has defaulted on debt, the jurisdiction in which the public facility is located may impose a sales and use tax of two-tenths of 1 percent for the purposes of refinancing the debt. This is in addition to any sales tax imposed by the PFD. After the effective date of the act, a PFD may not agree to restrict its taxing authority. This bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 1.
Yes: Goodman, Springer, Eddy, Hunter
House Bill 1627
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1627, concerning the authority of boundary review boards, passed 25-24 in the Senate on Feb. 29.
This act makes changes to provisions governing the authority of boundary review boards (boards) to modify annexation proposals. This act authorizes a board to increase no more than 100 percent the area of annexation for proposed annexations of less than 100 acres to a city or town.
Additionally, if the annexation would result in modifications to zoning ordinances governing the area subject to the proposed increase, the board may not increase the area of a city or town annexation without first obtaining written consent from the owners of property equaling at least 60 percent of the assessed valuation within the area subject to the proposed increase.
There is no requirement that the board hold a separate public hearing, preceded by at least 60 days notice to the registered owners and property owners residing in the area subject to the proposed increase (as was proposed in the original bill). This bill will return to the House for further consideration of the changes added by the Senate.
Yes: Sen. Rodney Tom; No: Sen. Andy Hill
House Bill 2373
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2373, concerning the state’s management of its recreational resources, passed 55-44 in the House on Feb. 29.
This act makes numerous changes to current law regarding the issue, purchase, possession, use, transferability, and distribution of the proceeds from the sale of the Discover Pass and day use passes.
This act modifies provisions related to accessing public lands and facilities and when a pass is required. This act changes the Parks and Recreation Commission to the State Parks and Recreation Department and vests with the Department, in consultation and cooperation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources, the regulatory authority over access to recreational lands.
Complimentary passes are available to those who currently qualify for a lifetime veteran’s disability pass from the state Parks and Recreation Commission. This act allows the state to retain local hotel/motel taxes collected from lodging services within state parks. This bill was delivered to the Senate and referred to the Ways & Means committee on March 1 for further consideration.
Yes: Goodman, Springer, Hunter; No: Eddy
Senate Bill 5895
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5895, regarding certificated employee evaluations, passed 82-16 in the House on Feb. 29.
This act establishes a four-level teacher and principal evaluation rating system. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must adopt rules that describe the ratings and set a common method for calculating the comprehensive and focused summative evaluation ratings.
Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, evaluation results for certificated classroom teachers and principals are used as one of multiple factors in making human resource and personnel decisions. All teachers and principals must be evaluated each year. Every four years, the evaluation must be comprehensive and use all eight criteria. In the intervening years, evaluations are focused, zeroing in on a specific evaluation criterion for professional development. Annual, comprehensive evaluations must be given in certain cases.
Subject to funds appropriated, OSPI must develop a professional development program to support implementation of the revised evaluation systems. Beginning in September, 2016, the Professional Educator Standards Board must incorporate evaluation training as a requirement for continued certification. This act has now passed both chambers and awaits signature by the Governor.
Yes: Springer, Eddy, Hunter; No: Goodman
Senate Bill 5967
Engrossed Senate Bill 5967, making 2011-13 supplemental operating appropriations, passed 25-24 in the Senate on March 3.
This act makes a total of $59,279,000 in supplemental appropriations for the 2011-13 operating budget. This act contains severability clause and an emergency clause. This act was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on March 5 for further consideration.
Yes: Hill, Tom
Senate Bill 6378
Engrossed Senate Bill 6378, reforming state retirement plans, passed 25-24 in the Senate on March 3.
This act modifies retirement plans to provide that members who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2012, are not eligible for alternate early retirement provisions.
The bill also provides that teachers who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2012, will become members of Plan 3. This act contains severability clause and an emergency clause. This act was referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on March 5 for further consideration.
Yes: Hill, Tom
Senate Bill 6582
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6582, concerning local transportation revenue options, passed 53-43 in the House on March 3.
This act authorizes a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) to impose: a vehicle fee of up to $40 with a majority vote of the district’s governing board; or a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) of up to 1 percent of the value of the vehicle with a vote of the people.
A TBD may impose a vehicle fee or a MVET and may not impose both. The existing county wide fuel tax authority of 10 percent of the statewide fuel tax rate is changed to $0.01, $0.02, or $0.03 per gallon of fuel. A county may only impose the tax with a vote of the people. This act will now return to the Senate for further consideration of the amendments adopted by the House.
Yes: Goodman, Springer, Eddy, Hunter
House Bill 2319
Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2319, implementing the affordable care act, passed 55-41 in the House on March 3.
This act provides that the Exchange is named the Evergreen Health Marketplace, duties are modified, and employees are authorized to participate in the state retirement program and health insurance benefits.
The Exchange Board members are restricted from lobbying and, beginning Dec. 1, 2013, the chair serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Market rules are established for individual and small group plans sold inside and outside the Exchange.
This act establishes a process for designating the benchmark plan and essential health benefits that must be offered inside and outside the Exchange. This act requires the development of the federal Basic Health option if certain findings are made by the Governor.
This act provides authority to develop the federal reinsurance and risk adjustment programs. This act requires the state to apply for a wellness demonstration project for the individual market. This act has now passed both chambers and now awaits signature by the Governor.
Yes: Goodman, Springer, Eddy, Hunter
WashingtonVotes.org is a free, non-partisan website to find plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator’s votes.
