TUESDAY
• Gov. Chris Gregoire gives her 2012 State of the State address at 10:30 a.m. to a joint legislative session in the House chambers. It may start early depending on the Senate and House schedules. TVW is airing the proceedings on its website.
• The House Capital Budget Committee holds an 8 a.m. public hearing on the governor’s proposed supplemental budget for capital projects, House Bill 2168. It is in Hearing Room D of the John L. O’Brien Building.
• Free skin cancer screenings are offered at the Capitol from 9 a.m.-noon today in the Columbia Room. The sponsor is the Washington State Dermatology Association.
NOTEWORTHY
TVW has a new tool to help the public follow legislative issues this session. TVW’s SCOUT lets users track TVW coverage of specific topics and bills with a personalized account.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Monday saw a flurry of first-day bill introductions. Here are a few that caught our attention:
Constitutional amendments: Initiatives that don’t provide a revenue source for their associated costs to the state would be kept off the ballot with Senate Joint Resolution 8218. SJR 8219 creates a constitutional limit on state expenditures, requiring a three-fifths vote in both houses to bypass the lid for emergencies. A third, SJR 8220, would designate English as the official state language.
Crime and justice: Those charged with vehicular homicide and assault would face harsher penalties with Senate Bill 6052. House Bill 2191 would authorize a $5,000 fine for harming police dogs and $10,000 fines for killing the animals. It also would exempt police dogs from liability for damages related to biting, which generally applies to canine owners.
Environment: State and federal requirements for greenhouse gas reporting would be aligned by Senate Bill 5999.
Health care: House Bill 2186 proposes to let nurses perform some tasks, such as administering tests and medications, under the direction of licensed midwives.
Ongoing training in suicide assessment, treatment and management would be mandatory for many mental health professionals under House Bill 2220.
Medical professionals would be required to provide specific information to patients seeking an abortion if House Bill 2200 passes. The patient would receive details about the procedure and alternatives at least 24 hours before undergoing the procedure.
Transportation: Senate Bill 6032 would place a $5 fee per studded tire sold to go toward road maintenance. Drivers would be required to turn on their headlights when using their windshield wipers with House Bill 2182.
Compiled by Alexis Krell
