Y = Yes N = No E = Excused NV = Not Voting

Allowing motorcycles to go through traffic signals

By a vote of 92 to 2 on Jan. 18, the House approved HB 1466, which would allow motorcycles to turn left after one cycle at a signalized intersection equipped with a vehicle detection device that fails to register the presence of the motorcycle. The bill is under consideration in the Senate.

Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) - Y

Rep. Joe McDermott (D-West Seattle) - Y

Uninsured motorist coverage

By a vote of 96 to 0 on Jan. 18, the House approved HB 2415. The bill would require that those covered by under- or un-insured motorist coverage be entitled to coverage without regard to whether an incident was intentionally caused, unless the insurer can demonstrate that the covered person intended to cause the damage for which coverage is sought. "Accident" is defined as an occurrence that is unexpected and unintended from the standpoint of the covered person. The bill is under consideration in the Senate.

Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) - Y

Rep. Joe McDermott (D-West Seattle) - Y

Banning possession of dangerous wild animals

By a vote of 67 to 29 on Jan. 18, the House approved HB 1151. The bill would ban the possession of potentially dangerous wild animals, including large cats, wolves (excluding wolf-hybrids), bears, hyenas, primates, elephants, certain snakes and crocodiles. Special permission would be necessary from an animal control authority to possess these animals. Organizations such as zoos and aquariums would be exempt. The bill is under consideration in the Senate.

Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) - Y

Rep. Joe McDermott (D-West Seattle) - Y

Discrimination based on sexual orientation

By a vote of 60 to 37 on Jan. 20, the House approved HB 2661. Introduced at the request of Gov. Gregoire, the bill would prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation in employment, in credit and insurance transactions, in places of public resort, accommodation or amusement, and in real property transactions. For these purposes, "Sexual orientation" means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and gender expression or identity. As used in this definition, "gender expression or identity" means having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression, whether or not it is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth. The bill is under consideration in the Senate.

Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) - Y

Rep. Joe McDermott (D-West Seattle) - Y

Statute of limitations for rape crimes

By a vote o 47 to 0 on Jan. 18, the Senate approved SB 5042. The bill would remove the statute of limitations for the crimes of 1st and 2nd degree rape (but only if the victim was under 18 years of age), and 1st and 2nd degree child rape. As a result, such offenses could be prosecuted at any time after the date the crime is committed, regardless of when the victim reports the crime. The bill is under consideration in the House of Representatives.

Sen. Erik Poulsen (D-West Seattle) - Y

WashingtonVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website to find plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator's votes. www.WashingtonVotes.org .