Bills alive, dead or signed in the Washington Legislature
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington state lawmakers are more than halfway through this year's 105-day legislative session, and fully funding education has been the top issue at the Capitol, with Senate Republicans and House Democrats having each passed their own education funding proposals but still working toward negotiating a final plan.Lawmakers must comply with a 2012 state Supreme Court ruling requiring them to fully fund the state's basic education system by Sept. 1, 2018.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington state lawmakers are more than halfway through this year's 105-day legislative session, and fully funding education has been the top issue at the Capitol, with Senate Republicans and House Democrats having each passed their own education funding proposals but still working toward negotiating a final plan.Lawmakers must comply with a 2012 state Supreme Court ruling requiring them to fully fund the state's basic education system by Sept. 1, 2018.
Legislature passes school levy bill sought by districts
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Legislature on Thursday passed a measure delaying a deadline for a reduction in the amount of money school districts can collect through local property tax levies, even as lawmakers continue their work on writing a two-year budget that fully funds education while lessening the districts' reliance on those very levies.The House passed a measure on an 87-10 vote a day after the Senate passed the bill on a bipartisan 48-1 vote.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Legislature on Thursday passed a measure delaying a deadline for a reduction in the amount of money school districts can collect through local property tax levies, even as lawmakers continue their work on writing a two-year budget that fully funds education while lessening the districts' reliance on those very levies.The House passed a measure on an 87-10 vote a day after the Senate passed the bill on a bipartisan 48-1 vote.
Wa. House passes bill to reduce the wage gap for working-women
The Washington House passed a measure that seeks to provide working-women with equal pay, growth opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace.
The Washington House passed a measure that seeks to provide working-women with equal pay, growth opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace.
State Senate OKs Blue Lives Matter bill
The Senate has passed a measure that would make crimes and threats against police officers a hate crime.
The Senate has passed a measure that would make crimes and threats against police officers a hate crime.
Bill to eliminate statute of limitations for serious sex crimes passes House
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for certain felony sex crimes has passed in the state House of Representatives and will now move to the Senate for consideration.House Bill 1155 is sponsored by Rep.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for certain felony sex crimes has passed in the state House of Representatives and will now move to the Senate for consideration.House Bill 1155 is sponsored by Rep.
Wa. measure would help sex trafficking victims clear convictions
Jessica Wolfe was forced into sex trafficking shortly after her 19th birthday. Years later, after running away from her pimp, she continues to struggle to find housing and a job after background checks find her prostitution convictions.
Jessica Wolfe was forced into sex trafficking shortly after her 19th birthday. Years later, after running away from her pimp, she continues to struggle to find housing and a job after background checks find her prostitution convictions.
Good news for Washington dogs! Senate passes new humane treatment bill
Good news for dogs in Washington state. A bill passed the Senate this week that set up baseline health and safety conditions for canines.
Good news for dogs in Washington state. A bill passed the Senate this week that set up baseline health and safety conditions for canines.
Wa. bill would eliminate 4-year statute of limitation on child paternity cases
For many of us, there are very few things we take more seriously than parenthood. But imagine paying years of child support only to find out that child isn't yours?
For many of us, there are very few things we take more seriously than parenthood. But imagine paying years of child support only to find out that child isn't yours?
Senate passes bill to address 'Hirst' water rights decision
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) _ The state Senate has approved a bill that takes aim at a recent state Supreme Court decision involving water rights and the use of domestic wells.Senate Bill 5239 would allow so-called permit-exempt wells to be used for development.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) _ The state Senate has approved a bill that takes aim at a recent state Supreme Court decision involving water rights and the use of domestic wells.Senate Bill 5239 would allow so-called permit-exempt wells to be used for development.
Bill in Legislature targets squatters, gives power to property owners, law enforcement
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A Monroe woman says she’s at her wit's end with a property that she says has been taken over by squatters.Q13 News has shown you through the years, squatters are a problem all over Western Washington -- a problem that’s not easy to fix.“This is on the river and if the river comes up before all this is cleaned up, it’s all going to be washed down river and washed onto my property,” said Monroe homeowner Paula Peak.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – A Monroe woman says she’s at her wit's end with a property that she says has been taken over by squatters.Q13 News has shown you through the years, squatters are a problem all over Western Washington -- a problem that’s not easy to fix.“This is on the river and if the river comes up before all this is cleaned up, it’s all going to be washed down river and washed onto my property,” said Monroe homeowner Paula Peak.
State Senate passes, sends to House REAL ID compliance bill
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate took another step Tuesday toward bringing Washington state into compliance with federal identification requirements, passing a measure that would create a two-tiered licensing system.The bill was approved by the Republican-led chamber with a 45-4 bipartisan vote and now heads the Democratic-controlled House for consideration.Republican Sen.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate took another step Tuesday toward bringing Washington state into compliance with federal identification requirements, passing a measure that would create a two-tiered licensing system.The bill was approved by the Republican-led chamber with a 45-4 bipartisan vote and now heads the Democratic-controlled House for consideration.Republican Sen.
State Senate votes for bill to vacate victims' prostitution crimes
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Victims of sex trafficking would be allowed to vacate prostitution convictions in Washington state under a measure passed by the state Senate.Senate Bill 5272, sponsored by Democratic Sen.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Victims of sex trafficking would be allowed to vacate prostitution convictions in Washington state under a measure passed by the state Senate.Senate Bill 5272, sponsored by Democratic Sen.
Bill in Legislature would give state schools chief more power
EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Board of Education could lose some of its authority over the state's K-12 public education system under a controversial bill that would transfer some of its responsibilities to the state's new chief of public schools.The Daily Herald reported (http://bit.ly/2loW5No) Monday that the House Education Committee approved the bill last week on an 11-7 vote.Under the legislation, the board would no longer be charged with monitoring a school district's compliance with education laws.
EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Board of Education could lose some of its authority over the state's K-12 public education system under a controversial bill that would transfer some of its responsibilities to the state's new chief of public schools.The Daily Herald reported (http://bit.ly/2loW5No) Monday that the House Education Committee approved the bill last week on an 11-7 vote.Under the legislation, the board would no longer be charged with monitoring a school district's compliance with education laws.
Bill seeks permanent protection for sexual assault victims in Washington
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The House passed a measure that seeks to protect victims of sexual assault in Washington state.House Bill 1384 passed Monday on a 76-21 vote and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The House passed a measure that seeks to protect victims of sexual assault in Washington state.House Bill 1384 passed Monday on a 76-21 vote and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
New distracted-driving bill moves closer to a vote in Olympia
The state of Washington is a step closer to getting a new distracted-driving law. House Bill 1371 passed out of the House Transportation Committee in Olympia Wednesday.
The state of Washington is a step closer to getting a new distracted-driving law. House Bill 1371 passed out of the House Transportation Committee in Olympia Wednesday.
Washington bill would lower the legal blood alcohol limit
This week, Washington lawmakers discussed a bill that would lower the drunk driving threshold. Right now, the limit is 0.08, but House Bill 1874 would lower that to 0.05.
This week, Washington lawmakers discussed a bill that would lower the drunk driving threshold. Right now, the limit is 0.08, but House Bill 1874 would lower that to 0.05.
Bills aim to beef up oil transportation safety
With more crude oil expected to move through Washington state, Democratic lawmakers want to toughen rules around oil transportation and raise more money for spill prevention and response efforts.
With more crude oil expected to move through Washington state, Democratic lawmakers want to toughen rules around oil transportation and raise more money for spill prevention and response efforts.
State lawmakers weigh police deadly force bills
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Lawmakers in Washington state are weighing bills that would raise the bar on when an officer can use deadly force.Current law shields officers from prosecution unless they acted with malice and without good faith.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Lawmakers in Washington state are weighing bills that would raise the bar on when an officer can use deadly force.Current law shields officers from prosecution unless they acted with malice and without good faith.
Bill in Legislature would allow coaches, school staff to pray after games
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- State lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow teachers and staff to pray after school sports.
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- State lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow teachers and staff to pray after school sports.
Washington AG continues bipartisan push to raise tobacco sale age to 21
Attorney General Bob Ferguson will continue his push to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 tomorrow before the House Health Care & Wellness Committee.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson will continue his push to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 tomorrow before the House Health Care & Wellness Committee.