HB 1569

Reforming the health care system in Washington state. By a vote of 53 to 44, on March 10, the House approved HB 1569, which would reform the health care system in Washington State by creating a Washington Health Insurance Partnership, which would be authorized to purchase and administer health insurance for small employers. The bill also requires the Health Care Authority to study the partnership and report its findings to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2008. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

Reps. Eileen Cody, Joe McDermott, Helen Sommers and Mary Lou Dickerson all voted Yes.

HB 2079

Concerning use of agency shop fees. By a vote of 55 to 42, on March 9, the House approved HB 2079, which would modify current law that prohibits labor organizations from using shop fees from non-members for political campaigns. This bill would allow shop fees to be used for political campaigns as long as the labor organization has sufficient funds from other sources. The bill has an emergency clause, which makes its take effect immediately. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

Reps. Helen Sommers, Mary Lou Dickerson, Eileen Cody and Joe McDermott all voted Yes.

HJR 4204

Amending the Constitution to provide for a simple majority of voters voting to authorize a school levy. By a vote of 79 to 19, on March 12, the House approved HJR 4204, which proposes to amend the State Constitution to allow a school levy to be approved by a simple majority. Currently, school levies can only be approved by a 60 percent supermajority. The resolution must pass both chambers of the Legislature by a two-thirds majority vote and be approved by a majority of the people through an election. The resolution is now under consideration in the Senate.

Reps. Eileen Cody, Joe McDermott, Helen Sommers and Mary Lou Dickerson all voted Yes.

SB 5803

Creating regional transportation commissions. By a vote of 33 to 14, on March 12, the Senate approved SB 5803, which would establish a regional transportation commission in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, to address transportation governance, planning, funding and administration. Kitsap County may be added in the future. The governing body would be empowered by January 1, 2009 and consist of 11 members. Eight would be elected and three appointed by the county executives. The bill also defines provisions depending on whether the Regional Transportation Investment District passes or fails in November. The bill is now under consideration in the House.

Sen. Erik Poulsen voted No

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles voted Yes

SB 5659

Establishing family and medical leave insurance.

By a vote of 32 to 17, on March 14, the Senate approved SB 5659, which would create new employee benefits for family and medical insurance. Employees on family or medical leave would be entitled to $250 per week for up to five weeks. The Department of Labor and Industries would administer the program and employers would pay premiums of two cents per hour worked, per employee for the first year. Labor and Industries would then have the authority to adjust the premiums every year thereafter. The bill exempts employers with 25 or fewer employees. The bill is now under consideration in the House.

Sens. Erik Poulsen and Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles voted Yes.

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