Senate Bill 5798, ESSB 5798 — Concerning the authority and responsibilities of Homeowner Associations
ESSB 5798, which passed the Senate by a vote of 39 to 9, modifies provisions relating to the authority and actions of Homeowner Associations (HOAs). ESSB 5798 establishes acceptable practices by HOAs regarding their governance, adoption of rules and setting of fines and meetings. This act also clarifies and eliminates conflicts in law related to the governance of HOAs. In addition, the act would allow HOAs to provide notice of meetings or rules changes via e-mail and also clarifies that an HOA may not place a lien on a property to secure payment of a fine. ESSB 5798 is now before the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
Sen. Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam) Yes
Senate Bill 5023, SSB 5023 — Addressing nonlegal immigration-related services
SSB 5023 would prohibit the practice of non-lawyers providing immigration services for compensation that constitutes the practice of law. SSB 5023, which passed the Senate by a vote of 44 to 5, prohibits non-lawyers from performing services such as advising someone on filling out government forms or interpreting the meaning of questions on government forms in immigration matters. In addition, this bill prohibits a non-lawyer from representing that he/she is a lawyer, immigration assistant, consultant, or profession with legal skills in the area of immigration law. SSB 5023 is now scheduled for a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam) Yes
Senate Bill 5073, E2SSB 5073 — Concerning the medical use of cannabis
E2SSB 5073 passed the Senate by a vote of 29 to 20 amending the law on the medical use of cannabis (marijuana). The bill seeks to clarify that qualified patients and designated providers who comply with the law will not be subject to arrest or prosecution, other criminal sanctions, or civil consequences based solely on their medical use of cannabis. E2SSB 5073 seeks to ensure that patients will have access to an adequate, safe, consistent, and secure source of medical quality marijuana. In addition, this bill would require licensed dispensers to be nonprofit medical organizations and to receive approval by a local government before selling cannabis. E2SSB 5073 is now before the House for additional consideration.
Sen. Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam) No
House Bill 1071, ESHB 1071 — Creates the Complete Street Grants Program
ESHB 1071 would require the Department of Transportation to create a grant program to encourage and assist local governments in retrofitting local street systems. In order to be eligible for grant funding, cities must adopt cite-wide street ordinances to provide better street access with all users in mind. The legislation specifies that all users must include pedestrians, bicyclists and public transportation systems. ESHB 1071, which passed the House by a vote of 56 to 41, would also allow the use of grant funds on state highways intersecting local roads. ESHB 1071 is now scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee.
Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) Yes
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) Yes
House Bill 1489, ESHB 1489 — Limits use of phosphorus in turf fertilizers
ESHB 1489, which passed the House by a vote of 58 to 39, would ban the sale of turf fertilizers with phosphorus beginning January 1, 2013. Retailers, however, may still sell fertilizer with phosphorus if the product labeling clearly lists the allowable uses of the product. The bill lists acceptable uses and application of turf fertilizers containing phosphorus as: for use on new lawns, repairing unhealthy existing lawns, to correct deficient soils and for vegetable gardens. ESHB 1489 also provides an exemption from the ban on phosphorus for commercial agricultural uses. ESHB 1489 is now scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee.
Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) Yes
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) Yes
House Bill 1267, E2SHB 1267 — Clarifies and expands the rights and obligations of domestic partners and allows for paid surrogacy in Washington
E2SHB 1267 amends the state’s Uniform Parentage Act by expanding the rights and obligations of registered domestic partners. In addition, E2SHB 1267 would allow parties to enter into a contractual agreement for the use of a paid surrogate in Washington. Under current state law, surrogacy is allowed, but not for compensation. This act establishes standards and requirements that must be met by both the intended parents as well as the surrogate. E2SHB 1267, which passed the House by a vote of 57 to 41, is now before the Senate Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee.
Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) Yes
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) Yes
SOURCE: WashingtonVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website to find plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator’s votes. Do you want to know more about your government? Visit www.WashingtonVotes.org today.
