NOTEWORTHY
The Senate passed its first bills of the session Wednesday. Among the five bills that cleared the chamber with broad support were Senate Bill 5052, which would allocate an additional superior court judge to Whatcom County, and Senate Bill 5046, which would allow district court judges to finish out their terms after they reach the mandatory retirement age of 75.
TODAY IN THE LEGISLATURE
The Reproductive Parity Act will get a public hearing before the House Health Care & Wellness Committee. House Bill 1044, sponsored by Rep. Eileen Cody, D-West Seattle, concerns mandatory health plan coverage of abortions. The hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. in House Hearing Room B in the John L. O’Brien Building.
Shark fins, or more precisely the unlawful sale of shark fins, will be the topic of discussion when the Senate Natural Resources & Parks Committee takes testimony during a 1:30 p.m. public hearing. The hearing will be in Senate Hearing Room 1 in the John A. Cherberg Building. Sen. Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island, is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5081.
ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS
Physical therapists from around the state will be marching to the Capitol Campus at 10 a.m. The group plans to meet with legislators throughout the day to talk about the state’s prohibition of spinal adjustments when done by physical therapists, as well as other matters that concern the Physical Therapy Association of Washington.
Nurses, long-term caregivers and other health care workers will gather on the Capitol Campus throughout the day. SEIU Local 1199 NW is sponsoring Delegate Assembly Lobby Day on the west campus from 3 p.m.-4 p.m. SEIU Local 775 NW is sponsoring Purple Presence Day on the fourth floor mezzanine of the Legislative Building from noon- 4 p.m.
BILL INTRODUCTIONS
Sen. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma, has sponsored a proposal prohibiting ultraviolet tanning bed use by anyone under the age of 18. Senate Bill 5455 would require proof of age to use UV tanning devices. Tanning facilities that violate the law would be liable for civil penalties up to $1,000. Rep. Dawn Morrell, D-Puyallup, has introduced a similar bill in the House.
Mental health court defendants with pending cases would be required to “surrender any concealed pistol license” in their possession if Senate Bill 5478, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, is approved. Additionally, the proposal would require defendants to agree to “refrain from the possession of a firearm.”
House Bill 1545 calls for “guaranteeing that the top 1 percent pay too.” The bill, sponsored by Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, proposes a 2 percent tax on millionaires “to fund the paramount duty trust fund and reduce class sizes in grades kindergarten through four.”
