WashingtonVotes.org

WashingtonVotes.org provides a free periodic roll call service to media outlets as long as the legislature is in session. It is a free public service of Washington Policy Center, a nonprofit research and educational organization.

See www.washingtonvotes.org.

Senate Bill 6195, Creating a task force on basic education funding issues

Passed the Senate on Feb. 16 by a vote of 26-23

As amended, this bill would require the task force to collect data on teacher compensation from local school districts and would direct the Legislature to take legislative action by the end of the 2017 session to eliminate the reliance on local school levies referred to by the state supreme court in its “McLeary” decision.

Sen. James Hargrove (D-Hoquiam)     Y

Senate Bill 6396, Changing rule making to require review by the attorney general before adoption and providing for yearly expiration of rules, unless approved by the legislature

Passed the Senate on Feb. 17 by a vote of 26-23

This bill would bring review and accountability to agency rule-making by requiring the state Attorney General to confirm that new agency rules or changes to existing rules are legal and constitutional before they are enforced on the public.

Sen. Hargrove N

Senate Bill 6455, Reducing the state’s teacher shortage by increasing career opportunities in education

Passed the Senate on Feb. 17 by a vote of 45-4

This bill would allow recently retired teachers to serve as teachers or substitutes without reducing their earned pension benefits. It also allows certain experienced out-of-state teachers to automatically obtain professional certification in Washington, and creates a recruitment campaign for out-of-state teachers and prospective new teachers in Washington.

Sen. Hargrove Y

Senate Bill 6195, Creating a task force on basic education funding issues

Passed the House on Feb. 18 by a vote of 66-31

This bill is identical to HB 2366, which passed the House on Jan. 25 by a vote of 64-34.

The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.

Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) Y

Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim)    Y

House Bill 2682, Providing automatic voter registration at qualified voter registration agencies

Passed the House on Feb. 15 by a vote of 55-42

Under this bill, state residents who are not on registered voter lists would be automatically enrolled if they apply, or have already applied for an enhanced or commercial driver’s licenses, which require citizenship verification.

Rep. Tharinger  Y

Rep. Van De Wege Y