The Times/News presents a weekly summary of actions on bills by Highline-area legislators.

For complete information, go to www.WashingtonVotes.org-a free, non-partisan Website with plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator's votes-which is the source for this report.

Highline is represented by:

District 11-Sen. Margarita Prentice; Rep Zack Hudgins, Rep. Bob Hasagawa.

District 33-Sen. Karen Keiser; Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, Rep. Dave Upthegrove.

District 34-Sen. Erik Poulsen; Rep. Eileen Cody; Rep. Joe McDermott.

All are Democrats.

IN THE SENATE

(through April 12)

House Bill 1528-Allows voters to register to vote on-line, with the Secretary of State. To register, citizens must posses a valid Washington state driver's license or state identification card. The bill also establishes that electronic voter registration is to be considered registration by mail. The bill has already passed the House and is now under consideration by the Governor.

Passed 30-17. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

HB 1024-Prohibits the sale, manufacture or distribution of products that contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), chemicals found in certain flame retardants, after January 1, 2008. The bill has already passed the House and is now under consideration by the governor.

Passed 41-8. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

HB 1094-Makes appropriations to the 2007-09 state transportation budget. The transportation budget is one of three budgets approved by the Legislature each year. These appropriations pay for transportation-related activities such as building and maintaining roads, operating the state ferry system and public safety.

Passed 44-3. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes

HB 1128-Makes appropriations to the 2007-09 state operating budget. The operating budget is one of three budgets approved by the Legislature each year. These appropriations pay for general state services such as state employee salaries, basic education and social services.

Passed 30-17. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

HB 1458-Requires at least 15 days of public notice prior to any public meeting that will make a final decision on property condemnation. Notices must be sent to impacted property owners by certified mail and published in local newspapers. Failing to comply with providing sufficient notice would void condemnation decisions affecting the specific individuals who were not properly notified. The bill has already passed the House and is now under consideration by the Governor.

Passed 49-0. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

HB 2171-Requires the Department of Labor and Industries to establish a crane certification program. The department must also develop standards for designating a person to be a qualified crane operator. Employers or contractors would be prohibited from allowing non-qualified crane operators from operating a crane except for training purposes. The bill has already passed the House and is now under consideration by the Governor.

Passed 39-8. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

IN THE HOUSE

(through April 12)

Senate Bill 5037-Prohibits the use of cell phones while driving. Exceptions are provided for drivers using a hands-free device with the phone, operating an emergency vehicle, or using the phone to report an emergency or illegal activity. State law would specifically preempt local laws on this subject. A violator would be guilty of a traffic infraction and can only be cited as a secondary offense. The bill has already passed the Senate and is now under consideration by the Governor.

Passed 59-38. Hudgins, Hasegawa, Cody, McDermott voted yes; Schual-Berke, Upthegrove voted no.

SB 5336-Create the "State Domestic Partnership Registry." Couples seeking the partnership must be unmarried, share a common residence and be members of the same sex, or one of the persons must be at least 62 years of age. A domestic partnership would grant certain rights and privileges currently given to legally married couples. The bill has already passed the Senate and is now under consideration by the Governor.

Passed 63-35. Hudgins, Hasegawa, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove, Cody, McDermott voted yes.