Today is Thursday, Feb. 2, the 25th day of the 60-day session.
QUOTED
Who among us hasn’t inadvertently dropped their cellphone into the toilet? ... Common sense tells us that this (House Bill 1865) is a good way to help consumers and to help business all at the same time.”
– Rep. Steve Kirby, D-Tacoma, addressing the House floor in favor of House Bill 1865, which would allow qualified people to process certain claims, such as replacing cellphones, without an adjuster license. Such a license currently is needed to investigate insurance claims.
NOTEWORTHY
The Senate passed a proposal to authorize same-sex marriage.
TODAY
• Adding zoos, aquariums, and science and technology centers to the list of nonprofits eligible for the Building for the Arts grant will have a public hearing. The competitive award helps fund facilities projects for arts and cultural organizations. House Bill 2587 will be heard at 8 a.m. in Hearing Room D of the O’Brien Building by the House Capital Budget committee.
• Allowing same-day voter registration will have a public hearing. House Bill 2204 would authorize same-day registration in person before 5 p.m., and online registration eight days before the election. The House General Government Appropriations and Oversight committee will meet at 8 a.m. in Hearing Room C of the O’Brien Building.
• It also will hear House Bill 1474. The proposal would require lobbyists to file lobbying reports online and pay an annual fee. It also would apply to political committees, lobbyist employers, salaried elected officials who filed personal financial statements, and government entities with at least 50 full-time employees that are required to file reports. Most of the annual fees would be $200. House Bill 2302, which would increase the penalties for driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle, will have a public hearing at that same meeting.
• A proposal to invalidate votes for candidates who have not declared their write-in candidacy will have a public hearing. Senate Bill 6498 would require write-in candidates to file a declaration at least 18 days before the election. The Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations and Elections committee will meet at 10 a.m. in Hearing Room 2 of the Cherberg Building.
• That’s also when there will be a public hearing on Senate Joint Memorial 8014, which would ask the president and Congress to end the war in Afghanistan and create jobs, among other things.
• Asking the Drug Enforcement Administration to make medical marijuana a Schedule II drug – which would allow doctors to prescribe it – will have a public hearing. Senate Joint Memorial 8017 will be heard at 12:15 p.m. in Hearing Room 4 of the Cherberg Building by the Senate Health and Long-Term Care committee.
• That’s also when creating a coalition to study the impact of diabetes in Washington will have a hearing. Senate Bill 6556 would form the Diabetes Action Team Public-Private Partnership, which would include legislative members and residents.
• A proposal to reform the state retirement plans will have a public hearing. Senate Bill 6378 would address employees required to join the plan and maximum employer contribution rates, among other things. The Senate Ways and Means committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 4 of the Cherberg Building.
• House Republicans will announce their K-12 education budget at noon in their caucus room in the Capitol.
Compiled by Alexis Krell.
