The Times/News presents a weekly summary of actions on bills by Highline-area legislators.

For complete information, go to www.WashingtonVotes.org-a free, non-partisan Website with plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator's votes-which is the source for this report.

Highline is represented by:

District 11-Sen. Margarita Prentice; Rep Zack Hudgins, Rep. Bob Hasagawa.

District 33-Sen. Karen Keiser; Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, Rep. Dave Upthegrove.

District 34-Sen. Erik Poulsen; Rep. Eileen Cody; Rep. Joe McDermott.

All are Democrats.

IN THE SENATE

(through Feb. 9)

SB 5089-Makes Washington compliant with the national effort to standardize sales taxes across the country. The bill shifts the collection of sales taxes from the point of sale to the point of delivery. It also contains mitigation funds for cities that are negatively impacted from the sourcing change. The bill is now under consideration in the House.

Passed 45-3. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

SB 5444-Requires, by certified mail, notice to property owners before condemnation of property decisions are made. The bill is now under consideration in the House.

Passed 48-0. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

House Bill 1095- Requires the Department of Social and Health Services to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug co-payment coverage to dual eligible medical assistance and medically needy beneficiaries. The bill already passed the House on Jan. 22 and has been delivered to the Governor for consideration.

Passed 43-0. Prentice, Keiser, Poulsen voted yes.

IN THE HOUSE

(through Feb. 9)

HB 1196-Eases the election year restrictions on legislator's ability to send email. Currently, legislators are generally prohibited from sending a letter, newsletter or other literature 12 months prior to their election. This bill allows electronic messages to be sent until 45 days after the legislative session adjourns. It is now under consideration in the Senate.

Passed 95-0. Hudgins, Hasagawa, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove, Cody, McDermott voted yes.

HB 1057- Requires state agencies that own and operate gas stations to inform the Legislature at which gas stations it would be practical to offer alternative fuels to the public and to other state agencies. They would also need to report the necessary renovation plans and projected costs of providing alternative fuels. Agencies would have to report to the Legislature by Dec. 31, 2008. The bill is under consideration in the after the legislative session adjourns, during their election year. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

Passed 94-3. Hudgins, Hasagawa, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove, Cody, McDermott voted yes.

HB 1079-Merges the fishing and hunting license fees for certain veterans and persons with disabilities. For the purposes of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, it amends the definition of "disability" to include a person who has ambulatory difficulty, difficulty handling or operating hunting or fishing equipment, and visual impairments. The new definition expands the eligibility for reduced fishing and hunting license fees. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

Passed 95-0. Hudgins, Hasagawa, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove, Cody, McDermott voted yes.

HB 1082-Removes the requirement that a person with a shellfish, seaweed or razor clam license must display the license in visible manner while harvesting. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

Passed 95-0. Hudgins, Hasagawa, Schual-Berke, Cody, McDermott voted yes. Upthegrove did not vote.

HB 1085-Allows the Public Employees Benefit Board to make available one or more long-term care insurance plans to eligible employees, retired employees, and retired school employees as well as eligible dependents. The bill also eliminates the requirement for a consumer education program and alternative plan of care benefit for long-term care insurance. It is now under consideration in the Senate

Passed 97-0. Hudgins, Hasagawa, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove, Cody, McDermott voted yes.