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.
Senate Bill 6194, Concerning public schools that are not common schools (charter schools)
Passed the House on March 9 by a vote of 58-39
This bill would keep Washington’s voter-approved charter schools open by responding to a state Supreme Court ruling that held their funding sources unconstitutional. Under the bill, charter schools would no longer be defined technically as “common schools” and would be funded through the Washington Opportunity Pathways account, which receives money from state lottery receipts.
Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) N
Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) N
Senate Bill 6194, Concerning public schools that are not common schools (charter schools)
Passed the Senate on final passage on March 10 by a vote of 26-23
The House added 10 amendments to the bill. The Senate concurred in the amendments and agreed to the House version. It was delivered to the governor, who now has 20 days to act on it. It would automatically become law if he fails to do so.
Sen. James Hargrove (D-Hoquiam) N
Senate Bill 6455, Reducing the state’s teacher shortage by increasing career opportunities in education
Passed the House on March 4 by a vote of 76-21
This bill, which was passed by the Senate in February, 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. The House amended the bill and the Senate refused to concur in the amendments. After revising the bill, the House passed it again by a 96-2 vote, and the Senate approved it unanimously on March 3. It has been delivered to the governor.
Rep. Tharinger Y
Rep. Van De Wege Y
House Bill 2872, Concerning the recruitment and retention of Washington State Patrol commissioned officers
Passed the House on final passage on March 9 by a vote of 92-4
This bill directs state agencies to implement the recommendations of the Washington State Patrol Trooper Recruitment and Retention Study released earlier this year, including making officers’ pay competitive with that of other law enforcement agencies. The bill specifies that state patrol trooper salaries must meet the average compensation paid to officers of corresponding rank at six other law enforcement agencies around the state, including the Seattle and Spokane Police Departments.
Rep. Tharinger Y
Rep. Van De Wege Y
House Bill 2908, Establishing the joint legislative task force on the use of deadly force in community policing
Passed the Senate on March 9 by a vote of 46-3
This bill would create a task force on the use of deadly force in community policing standards to protect the public, as well as members of law enforcement who may be faced with the need to use deadly force. The House had refused to agree to earlier Senate amendments, but agreed to the final version of the bill as passed by the Senate. It passed the House on final passage by a 97-0 vote on March 10 and was sent to the governor.
Sen. Hargrove Y
House Bill 2700, Concerning impaired driving
Passed the House on final passage on March 10 by a vote of 80-17
The bill would prohibit the Department of Licensing from destroying records relating to convictions for Reckless Driving or Negligent Driving in the first degree if the offense was originally charged as a driving under the influence offense. It originally passed the House in February by a vote of 97-1 and was amended by the Senate on March 9 with a vote of 49-0. The House agreed to the amendments and the bill was delivered to the governor.
Rep. Tharinger Y
Rep. Van De Wege Y
House Bill 1541, Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap
Passed the Senate on March 4 by a vote of 38-10
This bill passed the House twice during the 2015 legislative session, but had not advanced in the Senate. It would implement the recommendations of the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability committee, which was established in 2009. Among the committee’s top recommendations in its report to the Legislature in 2015 is a reduction in the length of time students of color are excluded from school due to suspension and expulsion, and providing student support for reengagement plans.
Sen. Hargrove Y
House Bill 1541, Implementing strategies to close the educational opportunity gap
Passed the House on final passage on March 10 by a vote of 59-38
The Senate passed the bill with amendments last week, and the House agreed to the Senate version. The bill was sent to the governor.
Rep. Tharinger Y
Rep. Van De Wege Y
