State lawmakers face backlash after vote on public records bill
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington lawmakers are facing a backlash after they bypassed normal legislative procedures and quickly approved a bill exempting themselves from the state's Public Records Act and subjecting themselves instead to more limited disclosure requirements.More than a dozen newspapers across the state ran front-page editorials Tuesday urging Gov.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington lawmakers are facing a backlash after they bypassed normal legislative procedures and quickly approved a bill exempting themselves from the state's Public Records Act and subjecting themselves instead to more limited disclosure requirements.More than a dozen newspapers across the state ran front-page editorials Tuesday urging Gov.
Washington Legislature passes net-neutrality bill after FCC's repeal of new rules
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Internet providers would be prohibited from blocking content or impairing traffic under a net-neutrality measure passed Tuesday by the Washington Legislature.The vote comes in response to the Federal Communications Commission's recent repeal of net-neutrality rules.The state Senate passed House Bill 2282 Tuesday on a bipartisan 35-14 vote and it now goes to Gov.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Internet providers would be prohibited from blocking content or impairing traffic under a net-neutrality measure passed Tuesday by the Washington Legislature.The vote comes in response to the Federal Communications Commission's recent repeal of net-neutrality rules.The state Senate passed House Bill 2282 Tuesday on a bipartisan 35-14 vote and it now goes to Gov.
Washington Legislature passes, sends governor bump stock ban
The Washington Legislature has passed a bill to ban trigger devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly.
The Washington Legislature has passed a bill to ban trigger devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly.
Seattle Times runs extremely rare front-page editorial, urges Inslee to veto bill 'on legislative secrecy'
SEATTLE -- For the first time in 110 years, The Seattle Times on Tuesday is publishing an editorial on the front page.
SEATTLE -- For the first time in 110 years, The Seattle Times on Tuesday is publishing an editorial on the front page.
Washington House passes, sends Senate a bill to ban bump stocks
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington House amended and passed a bill to ban trigger devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly.The bill moved on a 56-41 vote Friday after the chamber accepted an amendment that would allow the Washington State Patrol to set up a "buy back" program for people who already own the devices, known as bump stocks.The measure now heads for a final vote in the Senate, which passed the underlying measure last month on a 29-20 vote.The move to ban the devices came in response to last October's mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and left hundreds more injured.The ban would make it illegal for anyone in Washington to manufacture or sell bump stocks beginning July 1.In July 2019, it would become illegal to own or possess a bump stock in Washington state.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington House amended and passed a bill to ban trigger devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly.The bill moved on a 56-41 vote Friday after the chamber accepted an amendment that would allow the Washington State Patrol to set up a "buy back" program for people who already own the devices, known as bump stocks.The measure now heads for a final vote in the Senate, which passed the underlying measure last month on a 29-20 vote.The move to ban the devices came in response to last October's mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and left hundreds more injured.The ban would make it illegal for anyone in Washington to manufacture or sell bump stocks beginning July 1.In July 2019, it would become illegal to own or possess a bump stock in Washington state.
House committee passes bill to abolish death penalty in Washington
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A House committee has passed a bill to abolish the death penalty in Washington, and the measure now awaits a potential vote by the full House.The bill passed on a 7-6 party line vote out of the Judiciary Committee Thursday.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A House committee has passed a bill to abolish the death penalty in Washington, and the measure now awaits a potential vote by the full House.The bill passed on a 7-6 party line vote out of the Judiciary Committee Thursday.
Seahawks Doug Baldwin, families show support for police reform initiative
Tuesday night, Seahawks player Doug Baldwin spoke to the Washington Legislature about the importance of Initiative 940, which would provide de-escalation training to law enforcement across the state.
Tuesday night, Seahawks player Doug Baldwin spoke to the Washington Legislature about the importance of Initiative 940, which would provide de-escalation training to law enforcement across the state.
Bill creating school safety app stalls in Olympia
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington lawmakers are more than halfway through this year's 60-day legislative session and have been rapidly moving bills out of the Senate and House ahead of unveiling their supplemental budget proposals.A revenue forecast on Thursday was good news for lawmakers, projecting that they have a good deal more money to work with as they finish crafting their plans.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington lawmakers are more than halfway through this year's 60-day legislative session and have been rapidly moving bills out of the Senate and House ahead of unveiling their supplemental budget proposals.A revenue forecast on Thursday was good news for lawmakers, projecting that they have a good deal more money to work with as they finish crafting their plans.
Bill in Olympia would give more time for school counselors to help kids in crisis
OLYMPIA, Wash. --It was a moment of quiet between floor sessions Thursday for state Rep.
OLYMPIA, Wash. --It was a moment of quiet between floor sessions Thursday for state Rep.
State Senate passes bill to abolish death penalty
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to abolish the state's death penalty.Senate Bill 6052 passed on 26-22 bipartisan vote and now heads to the House for consideration.Previous efforts to ban the death penalty have failed to gain traction in recent years, in spite of a execution moratorium put in place by Gov.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to abolish the state's death penalty.Senate Bill 6052 passed on 26-22 bipartisan vote and now heads to the House for consideration.Previous efforts to ban the death penalty have failed to gain traction in recent years, in spite of a execution moratorium put in place by Gov.
State House of Representatives passes bills seeking to increase fight against opioids
SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington House passed measures Friday that require drug manufacturers and doctors to do more to fight opioid abuse, part of an effort to save the lives of hundreds of state residents who die as result of overdose every year.House Bill 1047 was passed by an 86-12 vote, while House Bill 2489 received unanimous approval.
SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington House passed measures Friday that require drug manufacturers and doctors to do more to fight opioid abuse, part of an effort to save the lives of hundreds of state residents who die as result of overdose every year.House Bill 1047 was passed by an 86-12 vote, while House Bill 2489 received unanimous approval.
Washington House passes bill to protect net-neutrality rules
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- In response to the Federal Communications Commission's recent repeal of net-neutrality rules, the Washington House on Friday passed a bill meant to ensure the state's residents don't see a disruption in internet service.House Bill 2282 passed on a strong bipartisan 93-5 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- In response to the Federal Communications Commission's recent repeal of net-neutrality rules, the Washington House on Friday passed a bill meant to ensure the state's residents don't see a disruption in internet service.House Bill 2282 passed on a strong bipartisan 93-5 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Washington bill would eliminate fees for credit freezes
A bill with bi-partisan support in the state Legislature would make it illegal for credit bureaus to charge users for putting a security freeze or other theft protection measures on their credit.
A bill with bi-partisan support in the state Legislature would make it illegal for credit bureaus to charge users for putting a security freeze or other theft protection measures on their credit.
Washington Senate approves, sends House abortion insurance bill
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that would require Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions and contraception.Senate Bill 6219 passed the chamber 26-22, with one Republican, Sen.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that would require Washington insurers offering maternity care to also cover elective abortions and contraception.Senate Bill 6219 passed the chamber 26-22, with one Republican, Sen.
Two Sasquatch-themed bills moving through Washington's legislature
Want Sasquatch on your license plate? Or a Forest Yeti as our official state symbol? Two bills currently being discussed in the state legislature are Bigfoot-inspired.
Want Sasquatch on your license plate? Or a Forest Yeti as our official state symbol? Two bills currently being discussed in the state legislature are Bigfoot-inspired.
Death penalty ban clears Washington Senate committee for first time
Senate Bill 6052 passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee Thursday on a party line 4-3 vote and now heads to the Rules Committee.
Senate Bill 6052 passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee Thursday on a party line 4-3 vote and now heads to the Rules Committee.
Bill seeks to raise Washington’s smoking age from 18 to 21
A bill that would raise the age limit to buy tobacco products in Washington is back at the Statehouse.
A bill that would raise the age limit to buy tobacco products in Washington is back at the Statehouse.
Bill in Legislature would repeal state's death penalty
SEATTLE -- King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg is urging lawmakers to repeal the state's death penalty.Satterberg plans to testify on Monday in favor of a proposal to replace capital punishment with life without the possibility of parole.He has previously called for a change to the state's death penalty, but that idea has not gained traction.
SEATTLE -- King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg is urging lawmakers to repeal the state's death penalty.Satterberg plans to testify on Monday in favor of a proposal to replace capital punishment with life without the possibility of parole.He has previously called for a change to the state's death penalty, but that idea has not gained traction.
Bill would use bonds to fund more mental health facilities
A group of state lawmakers want to ask voters this year to approve $500 million in bonds to pay for mental health facilities and other treatment centers.
A group of state lawmakers want to ask voters this year to approve $500 million in bonds to pay for mental health facilities and other treatment centers.
People are dressing up their pets as service dogs, but a new bill would make it illegal
SEATTLE -- Many of us have seen it.A person and their dog will walk into a store with a "no pets allowed" sign.
SEATTLE -- Many of us have seen it.A person and their dog will walk into a store with a "no pets allowed" sign.