Medical malpractice. By a vote of 82 to 15 on Feb. 28, the House approved HB 2292. The bill takes a number of approaches to the medical malpractice issue. A medical provider's apology or statement of fault will not be admissible as evidence. A civil action for injury from health care must be commenced within three years of the act causing injury or within one year of the time that the patient discovered the injury. This cannot be more than eight years after the original act causing the injury. The bill establishes a system of voluntary arbitration for solving claims, and any awards resulting from arbitration cannot exceed $1 million. The bill also imposes penalties on attorneys who file frivolous claims. Both houses have approved the bill (the Senate passed it 48 to 0 on Feb. 22), so it awaits the governor's signature or veto. Reps. Eileen Cody and

Joe McDermott - Yes.

Changing the primary election date. By a vote of 94 to 3 on March 1, the House approved SB 6236. The bill would change the primary date to the third Tuesday in August (currently the state primary election is held either the third Tuesday in September or the seventh Tuesday before the general election, whichever is earlier). The bill would also move the candidate filing deadline to an earlier date, require overseas and absentee ballots to be mailed sooner, give counties more time to certify primary and special elections, and make other changes to election laws. Both houses have approved the bill, so it awaits the governor's signature or veto (the Senate passed the bill 37 to 11 on Feb. 1). Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe McDermott - Yes.

Unemployment insurance. By a vote of 97 to 1 on March 2, the House approved SB 6885. Unemployment benefits will be calculated based on the average of the last two quarters worked, and in case of conflict between employer and employee, the laws determining benefit claims must be "liberally construed" (these provisions were set to expire this year, but the bill makes them permanent). Employers will pay lower UI premiums until the UI trust fund falls below a certain level, at which point higher premiums will be necessary to cover benefits as calculated currently. The House amended the bill, so it will go back to the Senate for consideration (the Senate passed a different version of the bill 25 to 22 on Feb. 13). Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe McDermott - Yes.

Eliminating the $5 state parks fee. By a vote of 40 to 5 on Feb. 28, the Senate approved HB 2416, which would eliminate the $5 fee charged for accessing state parks. The bill would expressly prohibit the State Parks Commission from charging a fee for accessing or parking in state parks. The Senate amended the bill, so it will go back to the House for consideration (the House passed a different version of the bill 94 to 2 on Feb. 13). Sen. Erik Poulsen - Yes.

Subsidizing health insurance for employees of small businesses. By a vote of 42 to 5 on March 1, the Senate approved HB 2572. The bill would provide premium subsidies to eligible employees who are employed by a small business, and would provide tax incentives to small businesses that offer health insurance to their employees. The bill would also provide subsidies to employees who have Health Savings Account plans, would remove Health Savings Account plans from the community rating pool, and would loosen state regulations to allow health insurers to offer more affordable health plans. The Senate amended the bill, so it will go back to the House for consideration (the House passed a different version of the bill 57 to 41 on Feb. 8). Sen. Erik Poulsen - Yes.

2006 supplemental transportation budget. By a vote of 85 to 13 on March 2, the House approved SB 6241. The bill would modify and increase transportation spending for the 2005-07 biennium. Of note is the bill's requirement that the governor decide on a project for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct by Jan. 1, 2007. An amendment by Rep. Ed Murray extended that deadline from its original date of April 1, 2006. The House amended the bill, so it will go back to the Senate for consideration (the Senate passed a different version of the bill 45 to 0 on February 17).\ Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe McDermott - Yes.

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