The Times/News presents a summary of action on bills by Highline-area lawmakers in the Washington Legislature.

For complete information, go to www.WashingtonVotes.com - a free, non-partisan Website that 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. Joe McDermott; Rep. Eileen Cody; Rep. Sharon Nelson.

IN THE SENATE

Senate Bill 6272-Expands financial literacy through education and counseling to promote greater home ownership security. Requires the Department of Financial Institutions to implement two programs. One program is designed to provide greater financial literacy and independences. The other program is related to education and outreach specifically for home ownership.

Passed 48-0. Referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

ESSB 5959-Creates the Transitional Housing Operating and Rent (THOR) program within the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development. The THOR program will provide grant funds to eligible organizations to assist homeless individuals and families secure and retain safe, decent and affordable housing. The THOR program is funded through a $15 million appropriation from the State general fund.

Passed 48-0.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill 2437-Authorizes 52 public works projects around the state: 10 domestic water projects totaling $48.8 million; 34 sanitary sewer projects totaling $187 million; six road projects totaling $39.8 million; two solid waste projects totaling $2.4 million. Funding comes from the Public Works Assistance Account.

Passed 97-0. Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SHB 2014-Considers regulations for the conversion condominiums. Originally considered in 2007, SHB 2014 failed to make it to the floor for a vote. Requires that a landlord provided 120 days of notice to tenants that will be affected by the conversion. Also requires relocation assistance for low-income tenants and limits interior work on the building during the 120-day notice period. When SHB 2014 was adopted, language allowing local jurisdictions the ability to limit condominium conversions was dropped from the bill.

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

EHB 1956-Prohibits discrimination against a person in a rental housing transaction based on their lawful source of income. If discrimination is found to have taken place then an administrative law judge may enforce penalties that would be paid to the State Treasury and credited to the general fund. The House also passed this measure in 2007 but no action was taken in the Senate.

Passed 63-34. Hasagawa, Hudgins, Schual-Berke, Upthegrove, Cody, Nelson voted yes. Returned to the Senate.

HB 1102-Modifies tax exemptions for military veterans. A veteran with a combined disposable income of $70,000 per year or less would be exempt from some regular property taxes and all excess property taxes. This measure was also passed unanimously by the House in 2007 but failed to pass the Senate.

Passed 98-0. Returned to the Senate.

HB 1127-Extends military leaves of absence for public employees in the National Guard or military reserve force from 15 days per year to 30 days per year. This measure was also passed unanimously by the House in 2007 but no action was taken in the Senate.

Passed 98-0. Returned to the Senate.