Week of January 28, 2008
Hot Lists for 1-28-08
These are the archived Hot Lists for the week of January 28, 2008. Please check this week's Hot List for the most up-to-date information.
HOUSE
House Committee Action
HB 1773: Regarding the imposition of tolls.
Transportation: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT -- IF AMENDED
-
HB 1773 would set statewide direction for tolling policy. The Clibborn striker (H2925.2) represents a significant improvement over the version considered in committee.
-
Amendments should be incorporated to add “management” to the set of tolling purposes, to consider relevant social equity, environmental, and economic issues, and to be consistent with the state’s adopted greenhouse gas reduction goals. OPPOSE the Ericksen amendment, however, which will set the bill back.
HB 2245: Clarifying when a water right is
relinquished.
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Public
Hearing
POSITION: OPPOSE
-
This bill dramatically alters existing water law by limiting when a water right will be curtailed due to historic non-use.
-
Water rights are given to members of the public for free, and the existing law on relinquishment encourages that water is put to good use rather than simply held for financial gain
HB 2525: Allowing for the mitigation of flood damage
without obtaining a permit.
Agriculture and Natural Resources:
Possible Executive Session
POSITION: OPPOSE
-
Potentially undermines habitat and fish protection efforts by adding an unnecessary exception to permit requirements for flood mitigation and repair during a State of Emergency.
-
Existing law already contains adequate provisions for emergency situations and flexibility in case of “imminent danger.” This bill will create confusion and could lead to abuses.
SHB 2797: Addressing the
impacts of climate change through the growth management act (a.k.a. Local
Solutions to Global Warming; Rep. Geoff Simpson, Prime Sponsor).
Local Government: Possible Executive
Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
-
One of the four environmental community priorities for 2008, the consensus striker sets in motion the important first steps to help local governments reduce their climate impact. By focusing on developing the necessary tools and incorporating climate change into land use and transportation plans now, this bill supports immediate action while laying the ground work for the 2011 comprehensive plan update cycle
- The striker adds a goal to the GMA of addressing climate change and provides local governments with the tools and support to manage growth in ways that reduce climate emissions and adapt to the likely affects of climate change.
HB
2798: Enacting the
local farms-healthy kids and communities act (Rep. Eric Pettigrew, Prime
Sponsor).
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Possible
Executive Session
POSITION:
SUPPORT
-
This bill will expand markets for Washington farmers and increase children's access to nutritious, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
-
By easing up on low-cost bidding restrictions, creating a Farm to School Program, and establishing new policies to get Washington-grown food to those who need it most, this environmental community priority will help support farmers, preserve farmland, and improve the health of Washington's kids.
HB 2815: Regarding greenhouse gases emissions and providing for green collar jobs (a.k.a. Climate Action and Green Jobs; Rep. Hans Dunshee, Prime Sponsor).
Ecology and Parks: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
-
One of the four environmental community priorities for 2008, now Governor request legislation as well. This bill creates a structure and timeline for implementing the state’s global warming pollution reduction goals, and creates a program to prepare Washington workers for new jobs in the clean energy economy.
-
Last year, the Legislature adopted goals to reduce the state’s global warming pollution, increase clean energy jobs, and reduce fossil fuel dependence. This bill ensures that the state delivers on those goals by providing concrete accountability for results.
HB 2844: Concerning Urban Forestry (a.k.a. Evergreen Cities Act; Rep. Ruth Kagi, Prime Sponsor).
House Ecology & Parks Committee: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
-
Creates new urban forest program with standards, funding and increased technical assistance for cities and counties to preserve existing trees, restore urban forests on public lands and expand forest canopy in our cities, towns and suburbs.
-
Trees, forests and vegetation in the places we live are one of the most cost effective ways to reduce stormwater runoff, water and air pollution and make our cities great places to live, work, shop and play.
HB 2950: Addressing concurrency and impact fees for
transportation purposes.
Local Government: Public Hearing
POSITION: OPPOSE
-
This bill will increase traffic and congestion by allowing irresponsible development to occur despite the inability to handle additional capacity.
-
While it's important to focus additional growth in our urban areas, it's critical to ensure that infrastructure is capable of meeting the needs of higher densities.
HB 3072: Eliminating the partial relinquishment of
water rights.
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Public
Hearing
POSITION: OPPOSE
-
The bill overturns a long-standing principle of Washington water law to the detriment of other water users and the rivers and streams of the state.
-
Undermining relinquishment encourages water hording and financial speculation and raises serious due process concerns by impacting private property rights.
HB 3171: Clarifying interests in certain state lands.
Ecology and Parks: Public Hearing
POSITION: SUPPORT
· Requires DNR to withhold any lease for expanded gravel mining at the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve UNTIL confusion over ownership of the gravel on site is resolved in a court of law.
SENATE
Senate Committee Action
SB 6379: Affordable
Efficient Appliances.
Ways and Means: Public Hearing
POSITION: SUPPORT
- Energy efficiency is the cleanest, cheapest and most abundant source of energy available. This bill will increase consumer and business demand for energy-efficient appliances and equipment to conserve energy and water, reduce power bills and meet our state-of-the-art energy efficient appliances and equipment. The tax exemption sunsets after two years.
- This bill passed unanimously out of the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee. Support includes utilities, businesses, environmental and local governments support.
SB 6395: Protecting orca whales from the impacts of vessels.
Natural Resource, Ocean, and Recreation: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- This bill requires all vessels to maintain at least 300 feet from orca whales.
- Allows for enforcement of key element of whale recovery plan.
SB 6420: Adding bicyclist and pedestrian safety information to drivers' education curriculum.
Transportation: Public Hearing & Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- This bill would add pedestrian safety and bicycle safety to the basic minimum curriculum for driver training. This safety legislation is named for Matthew “Tatsuo” Nakata, a former legislative assistant, who was tragically struck and killed in a marked crosswalk in 2006.
- SB 6420 is one of the priority issues for Transportation Advocacy Day 2008, to be held on January 29th, presented by a coalition of eleven organizations promoting transportation solutions for healthier communities.
SB 6469: Regarding Urban Forestry (a.k.a. Evergreen Cities Act; Sen. Ed Murray, Prime Sponsor).
Senate Natural Resources, Oceans and Recreation: Public Hearing
POSITION: SUPPORT
- Creates new urban forest program with standards, funding and increased technical assistance for cities and counties to preserve existing trees, restore urban forests on public lands and expand forest canopy in our cities, towns and suburbs.
- Trees, forests and vegetation in the places we live are one of the most cost effective ways to reduce stormwater runoff, water and air pollution and make our cities great places to live, work, shop and play.
SB 6483: Enacting the local
farms-healthy kids and communities act. (Sen. Brian Hatfield, Prime Sponsor).
Agriculture and Rural Economic
Development: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- This bill will expand markets for Washington farmers and increase children's access to nutritious, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
- By easing up on low-cost bidding restrictions, creating a Farm to School Program, and establishing new policies to get Washington-grown food to those who need it most, this environmental community priority will help support farmers, preserve farmland, and improve the health of Washington's kids.
SB 6515: Energy Efficiency
in Public Buildings.
Ways and Means: Public Hearing
POSITION: SUPPORT
- Performance contracting is a proven strategy for gaining the greatest energy efficiency savings in state buildings, schools, libraries, fire stations, public hospitals and other public facilities … projects that more than pay for themselves through reduced utility costs. The net benefit to taxpayers is lower operating costs for public buildings through reduced utility costs.
- Provides
a sales tax exemption for state and local governments that contract for
performance-based energy efficiency improvements in public buildings
resulting in increased energy efficiency, reduced energy costs in public
buildings and reduced climate pollution.
SB 6516: Regarding greenhouse gases emissions and providing for green collar jobs (a.k.a. Climate Action and Green Jobs; Sen. Craig Pridemore, Prime Sponsor).
Water, Energy and Telecommunications: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- One of the four environmental community priorities for 2008, now Governor request legislation as well. This bill creates a structure and timeline for implementing the state’s global warming pollution reduction goals, and creates a program to prepare Washington workers for new jobs in the clean energy economy.
- Last year, the Legislature adopted goals to reduce the state’s global warming pollution, increase clean energy jobs, and reduce fossil fuel dependence. This bill ensures that the state delivers on those goals by providing concrete accountability for results.
SB 6530: The children's safe products act.
Senate Water, Energy, and Telecommunications Committee: Public Hearing
POSITION: SUPPORT
- Prohibits manufacture or sale in Washington of any children's products that contain excessive amounts lead, cadmium, and phthalates, including toys, jewelry, cosmetics, and car seats intended for use by children.
- Collects information on other toxic chemicals that are present in toys and other children's products, to determine whether further action is needed and requires manufactures of children's products to disclose to consumers and governments toxic chemical content.
SSB 6580: Addressing the impacts of climate change through the growth management act (a.k.a. Local Solutions to Global Warming; Sen. Chris Marr, Prime Sponsor).
Government Operations & Elections: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- One of the four environmental community priorities for 2008, the consensus striker sets in motion the important first steps to help local governments reduce their climate impact. By focusing on developing the necessary tools and incorporating climate change into land use and transportation plans now, this bill supports immediate action while laying the ground work for the 2011 comprehensive plan update cycle.
- The striker adds a goal to the GMA of addressing climate change and provides local governments with the tools and support to manage growth in ways that reduce climate emissions and adapt to the likely affects of climate change.
SB 6822: Establishing goals to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
Transportation: Public Hearing & Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT
- This bill, based closely on one of the Climate Advisory Team’s “most promising” proposals, would set initial state goals to reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT). It would also convene a collaborative process to give growing regions the tools, strategies, and flexibility to plan for success.
- SB 6822 is one of the priority issues for Transportation Advocacy Day 2008, to be held on January 29th, presented by a coalition of eleven organizations promoting transportation solutions for healthier communities.
