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TODAY IN THE LEGISLATURE
It will be a busy day at the Capitol. Twenty-nine committees are scheduled to hold public hearings on 113 pieces of legislation. Here’s a look at just a few of the bills being heard:
House Bill 1739, sponsored by Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, would require the boards of regents or trustees at universities and The Evergreen State College to set guidelines for the percentages of resident, nonresident and foreign students enrolled.
Senate Bill 5697, sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Chehalis, would allow changes to local sales and use taxes on only the first of January or July.
HB 1365, sponsored by Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, calls for improved security for district courts, municipal courts and courthouses.
HB 1043, sponsored by Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, would prohibit certain differential tuition models and require reductions or increases in tuition for specified institutions to be uniform among resident undergraduate students.
ELSEWHERE ON CAMPUS
A baked-potato giveaway is the highlight of Olympia Potato Day, sponsored by the Washington State Potato Commission, on the third floor mezzanine of the Legislative Building from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The group will lobby lawmakers on issues that affect the state’s approximately 250 potato growers. The expected attendance is 1,400 people. No estimate on how many potatoes will be there.
It’s also Arthritis Awareness Day at the Capitol. The Arthritis Foundation, Great West Region, is sponsoring the 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. event in the Legislative Building Room 112.
Transportation Choices is holding its Transportation Advocacy Day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at United Churches of Olympia. The group estimated that more than 200 citizen activists showed up in Olympia last year to fight for transit funding, safer streets and healthier communities.
Communities In Schools of Washington will be meeting in the Columbia Room of the Legislative Building from 8:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. The group’s website says it is the country’s largest dropout prevention organization, covering more than 3,000 schools in 27 states.
BILL INTRODUCTIONS
Energy drinks might be out of reach for minors if legislation in the House is approved. House Bill 1807, sponsored by Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, would prohibit the sale, furnishing or giving away of energy drinks to a person who is younger than 18 years old.
Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, are the focus of House Bill 1771. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee, would establish “clear standards for the lawful use” of drones by state and local jurisdictions.
