Y = Yes N = No E = Excused NV = Not Voting

SB 5058

Establishing the eastern Washington state veterans' cemetery.

By a vote of 48 to 0 on Feb. 2, 2007, the Senate voted to approve SB 5058, which would allow the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a veterans' cemetery in Eastern Washington. All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses would be eligible for burial at the cemetery. The bill is now under consideration in the House.

Sen. Erik Poulsen D - West Seattle y

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles D - Ballard y

SB 5089

Conforming Washington's tax structure to the streamlined sales and use tax agreement.

By a vote of 45 to 3 on Feb. 2, 2007, the Senate voted to approve SB 5089, which would conform Washington's tax structure to the streamlined sales and use tax agreement. The bill would make Washington compliant with the national effort to standardize sales taxes across the country. The bill would shift the collection of sales taxes from the point of sale to the point of delivery. The bill also contains mitigation funds for cities that are negatively impacted from the sourcing change. The bill is now under consideration in the House.

Sen. Erik Poulsen D - West Seattle y

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles D - Ballard y

SB 5444

Requiring notice to property owners before condemnation decisions.

By a vote of 48 to 0 on Feb. 2, 2007, the Senate voted to approve SB 5444, which would require, by certified mail, notice to property owners before condemnation of property decisions are made. The notice must contain a general description of the property such as an address, lot number, or parcel number and specify that condemnation of the property will be considered during the final action or at the public meeting. The notice must also describe the date, time, and location of the final action or public meeting at which the condemnor will decide whether or not to authorize the condemnation of the property. The bill is now under consideration in the House.

Sen. Erik Poulsen D - West Seattle y

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles D - Ballard y

HB 1052

Modifying the legislative youth advisory council.

By a vote of 89 to 6 on Feb. 5, 2007, the House voted to approve HB 1052, which would modify the Washington State Youth Advisory Council. The bill would lower the eligibility age of participating on the council from 14 to 12. The bill also requires four legislators to serve on the council in an advisory role. The council would also have specific authority to solicit and accept grants from the public to support council activities. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

Rep. Eileen Cody D - West Seattle y

Rep. Joe McDermott D - West Seattle y

Rep. Helen Sommers D - Ballard y

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson D - Ballard y

HN 1196

Regulating legislators' mail to constituents.

By a vote of 95 to 0 on Feb. 5, 2007, the House voted to approve HB 1196, which would ease 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 would allow electronic messages to be sent until 45 days after the legislative session adjourns, during their election year, through November 30th of that same year. The bill is now under consideration in the Senate.

Rep. Eileen Cody D - West Seattle y

Rep. Joe McDermott D - West Seattle y

Rep. Helen Sommers D - Ballard y

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson D - Ballard y

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