The following are links to other web pages related to the Legislature:
The 2009 legislative session is entering its final week. The main focus will be on the 2009-2011 regular operating budget. We must continue to inform our legislators that EMS certification fees (as high as $120 per person) are opposed by all fire districts and are especially detrimental to rural, volunteer fire districts and the EMT/paramedics who volunteer their time. There is a good possibility the legislature will have to move into a special session called by the Governor to discuss various issues such as a revenue package for the state budget and have more time to iron out differences between the House and Senate on budget issues. I will provide updates as more information is received.
The 2009 legislative session is entering its final 16 days. We are in the process of examining and reviewing the 2009-2011 regular operating budget. It appears the House budget proposal calls for imposing certification fees for EMTs and paramedics in the Department of Health in order to raise approximately $700,000 to self-fund the program. We will keep you updated as it is not in the Senate budget and will be part of the budget negotiation process.
The 2009 Washington State Legislature is heading into the home stretch with a little over three weeks remaining. The 2009-2011 biennial budget proposals have been unveiled and many difficult decisions will have to be made by April 26. We have made positive progress and the following bills, reported as of Friday, April 3, are alive unless otherwise noted. Watch for email alerts if we encounter any difficulties. The next major cutoff is Friday, April 17 to pass opposite house bills out. The next few weeks are going to be very interesting. An update on the state operating budget will be included next week.
The March revenue forecast was released last week and projections are now at $9 billion for the state budget revenue shortfall. We expect the House and Senate to release their respective budgets next week. The official cutoff to pass bills out of policy committees is Monday, March 30 and the cutoff for fiscal committees is Monday, April 6.
The March state revenue forecast will be released today. We expect a larger than anticipated deficit which could climb as high as $9 billion. The House and Senate will then proceed with putting together the 2009-2011 biennial budget. The next major bill cutoff date is Monday, March 30 to pass opposite bills out of non-fiscal committees. Be ready for legislative alerts and prepare to email or call your legislators on specific issues.
The next major bill cutoff date is Monday, March 30 to pass opposite bills out of non-fiscal committees. Be ready for legislative alerts and prepare to email or call your legislators on specific issues.
IMPACT FEES AND BID LIMITS INCREASE LEGISLATION PASS THE HOUSE
ESHB 1847 and HB 1080 passed the House and have been referred to Sen. Government Operations & Elections Cmte. We will be working hard to have early hearings on both bills as the cutoff to pass bills out of opposite house policy committees is March 30.
The 2009 legislative session is entering the floor action stage as the policy committee cutoff date to pass bills out of committee was earlier this week. The fiscal and transportation committees' cutoff is March 2 and the cutoff date to pass bills out of the house of origin is March 12. Bills that "appear dead" in this report will be deleted from the report next Friday.
The 2009 legislative session is approaching its first cutoff as bills must be passed out of non-fiscal policy committees by Wednesday, February 25. The major focus continues to be directed at the now projected $8 billion state budget deficit.
The 2009 legislative session is completing its fifth week. The next cutoff date is Wednesday, February 25 to pass bills out of non-fiscal (policy) committees. Thursday, February 12 was a busy day for public hearings on legislation that the WFCA is tracking.
The 2009 legislative session is completing its fourth week and we continue to review new proposals as they are introduced. The most contentious issue faced by your legislative representatives is annexation by interlocal agreement without a vote or petition of the residents in the proposed annexed area (SB 5808).
The 2009 legislative session is completing its third week with a lower number of bills being introduced in comparison to prior years. The WFCA is monitoring over 100 legislative proposals and will keep you updated if movement occurs.
The 2009 session of the Washington State Legislature convened on Monday, January 12. This is the "long" 105-day session with the main emphasis centered on the 2009-2011 biennial budget.
The 2008 legislative session is heading into the final week. The legislature will adjourn "sine die" on Thursday, March 13. Today (5:00 p.m.) is the cut-off to pass bills out of the opposite house. There are numerous bills that we are supporting and/or opposing that must be considered on the Senate or House floor by the cut-off this afternoon. A full report will be sent on Monday, March 10. Thank you for all of your emails this week in response to our alert. NOTE: Updates from last week are shown in bold type. For additional information on bills, you may access the state legislative homepage at www.leg.wa.gov or call Roger Ferris at 1.800.491.9322.
I am sad to report that ESHB 2938, which was scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, February 26, was pulled from the list and now appears dead for this session. We are attempting to find a vehicle to "hang" our language on and to keep this issue alive during this legislative session. I am disappointed that the Association of Washington Cities, various city mayors and some individuals in the fire service do not want to even discuss the impacts that their annexations have on citizens residing in fire districts. We will be meeting in the near future to outline a plan to present to the WFCA Legislative Committee for interim meetings with legislative leadership to discuss this issue.
The 2008 legislative session is heading into the final three weeks with February 29 being the next committee cut-off date to pass bills from the opposite House. A few surprises have occurred with 2007 bills being resurrected. We will continue to support ESHB 2938 as amended to illustrate the need for reform of the Growth Management Act and annexation statutes in an attempt to level the playing field.
LEGISLATURE PASSES HALFWAY MARK
The 2008 legislative session has passed the halfway mark of 30 days and both fiscal and policy committee cut-off dates have passed. The majority of time from today through Tuesday, February 19 will be in caucus and floor action. Some bills have been deleted from this week's report due to failing to make it out of committee prior to cut-off.
SHB 2938 PASSES LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
The WFCA's number one priority bill, SHB 2938, passed out of House Local Government Committee on a 7-0 vote February 5. We will be working this issue very hard over the next two weeks as February 19 is the last day to pass bills out of the original house. Also today, February 8, is the committee
cut-off date for non-revenue bills. February 12 is the last day to move bills out of the respective revenue committees. Please be ready to email and call your legislators on various issues.
The following bills are updated as of February 1; updates from last week are shown in bold type. I want to thank everyone who attended the Legislative Day last week; your support is appreciated. For additional information on bills, you may access the state legislative homepage at www.leg.wa.gov or call Roger Ferris at 1.800.491.9322.
The 2008 legislature is closing out its second week of this 60-day session. The number of bill introductions, public hearings and floor action will proceed into high gear this week. The following are bills updated to you as of January 25. Starting today, weekly legislative reports will be posted on this website and will be email “blasted” to every member who has signed up. Those of you who attended yesterday's Legislative Day in Olympia received a report dated January 22nd; updates have been made to that report and are shown in this report in bold type. For additional information on bills, you may access the state legislative homepage at www.leg.wa.gov or call Roger Ferris at 1.800.491.9322.
Bid Law Threshold Changes Take Effect July 26, 2009.
Updated Information Regarding Volunteer Compensation.
Commissioner Compensation Information.
