Judges’ lobby stops stalking bill

A bill that would offer greater protections for stalking victims will not get a full hearing by the Legislature after an intense lobbying campaign by state judges.

Under the Dome: Legistlative highlight for Feb. 10

Some lawmakers say gay-marriage votes reflected the will of constituents

To understand the “no” vote cast on same-sex marriage by Rep. Steve Kirby, a Tacoman who usually sides with his fellow Democrats, look at how the people in his district voted in 2009 on the successful referendum giving gay couples “everything but marriage.”

Legislature likely won't fast-track pot legalization before election, supporters say

An initiative to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Washington probably won’t get fast-tracked by the Legislature before it sees the ballot this fall, the campaign supporting it says.

House approves gay-marriage bill; governor's signature awaits

Washington is one step closer to legalizing gay marriage, and also to a citizen referendum against it, after the state House approved a same-sex marriage proposal Wednesday.

Under the Dome: Legislative highlights for Feb. 9

For additional coverage of the Legislature, go to www.theolympian.com/ underthedome.

Bill would create statewide program to collect unused prescription medicines

SEATTLE — Hoping to stem what they say is a rising tide of prescription drug abuse and accidental poisonings, Washington legislators want to require drug makers to set up and pay for a statewide program to collect unused prescription drugs and other medicine.

Medicaid to stop covering visits to ER later deemed 'unnecessary'

Medicaid soon won’t cover emergency-room treatment that state officials decide afterward was “not medically necessary.”

Under the Dome: Legislative highlights for Feb. 8

For additional coverage of the Legislature, go to www.theolympian.com/ underthedome.

SEIU's battle over home-care cuts is headed back to court

Service Employees International Union 775 Healthcare is headed back to court in a dispute with the state over its reduction in home-care aid for certain Medicaid clients who are disabled or elderly.