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

House Bill 2370

By a vote of 97 to 0 in the House of Representatives and 48 to 0 in the Senate on Jan. 11, the Legislature approved HB 2370. The bill appropriates $7.6 million for the 2005-07 biennium to fund energy assistance to customers in accordance with the state's low-income energy assistance program. Eligibility for the program is generally restricted to household incomes at or below 125 percent of poverty and is based on annual heating costs, family size and income. The governor signed the bill into law on Jan. 12. This bill has an emergency clause, which means it takes effect immediately.

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

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

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

House Bill 2424

By a vote of 96 to 1 on Jan. 11, the House of Representatives approved HB 2424. The bill exempts farmers from the sales and use tax on diesel fuel used for non-highway purposes. Diesel used for home heating is not exempt. The bill has an emergency clause, which means it would take effect immediately upon the governor signing it into law. Currently the bill is awaiting consideration by the Senate.

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

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

House Bill 1276

By a vote of 93 to 3 on Jan. 13, the House of Representatives approved HB 1276. The bill requires the governor to approve a significant legislative rule if the adopting agency's head or governing body is appointed by the governor. The governor must also review a rule if there were at least 50 public comments opposing the substance of the rule. The bill is awaiting consideration by the Senate.

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

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

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