Several Parlette-sponsored bills pass 2009 Legislature

April 30, 2009

OLYMPIA...Today state Sen. Linda Evans Parlette took a look back at the 2009 session, saying she was pleased at the amount of progress she was able to make for the people of North Central Washington.

“I am very happy about the bills I was able to champion and get passed for the people of the 12th District this year,” said Parlette, R-Wenatchee. “I worked across party lines in the Senate and the House to get these bills through, and it worked very well. In that regard it was a very good session.”

Three of Parlette’s prime-sponsored bills, all of them introduced at the request of constituents in her district, passed the Legislature this year. Two have already been signed by the governor and become law.

• Salmon/Steelhead Stamp Program. Senate Bill 5421 creates the Columbia River Recreational Salmon and Steelhead Pilot Stamp Program. Under the bill, anglers over age 15 wishing to fish in the area would purchase a $7.50 stamp. Revenues would go into a dedicated account used to maintain selective fisheries on the Columbia River. SB 5421 also creates a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Recreational Anglers Board with representation from the different geographical areas of the Columbia River. The board must recommend distribution of the stamp-generated funds to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. SB 5421 has been delivered to the governor for her consideration.

• Intermediate Drivers’ License. Under Substitute Senate Bill 5469, a young driver with an intermediate drivers’ license will not be put on probation if he or she is involved in an accident, a ticket was issued and the accident was not the fault of the young driver. Gov. Christine Gregoire signed this bill April 17. It will go into effect July 26. 

• Protecting Consumers. Substitute Senate Bill 5388 will require auto dealers to disclose damage when selling a car, including to another dealer. The governor signed this bill April 10; it goes into effect July 26. 

Parlette also sponsored a key property tax measure this year that passed the Legislature and was signed into law by the governor today. Senate Bill 5368 would require counties to perform annual property tax revaluations starting in 2014. The goal of this legislation is to help property owners avoid big property tax spikes and keep them from paying higher property taxes for years on property that has declined in value. SB 5368 also includes language that the state Department of Revenue must work with one county that has the technology ready to help them convert to revaluation by the end of this year. That county is Chelan County.

Parlette considered the transportation budget adopted for 2009-11 another victory for the people of the 12th District.

“While the original Senate proposal contained funding for continuing key 12th District projects, the House version of the budget removed them,” Parlette said. “In the end we were able to retain them, which was a real victory for us, especially in a year when gas tax revenues are down and funding is tight.”  

Among other projects, the final budget retained funding for the three large George Sellar Bridge projects and work at the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 97 to Ninth Street (State Route 28).

Parlette also introduced an amendment to the supplemental (2007-09) operating budget to restore 90 percent of the planned nursing home funding reductions for fiscal year 2009. The Senate Ways and Means Committee adopted Parlette’s amendment with bipartisan support.

Finally, Parlette spoke with pride about sponsoring a Senate resolution to honor the Apple Blossom festival and its royalty, and another resolution honoring former Leavenworth mayor and long-time community leader Jim Ward.

“It was great to have visitors from home here while we passed these resolutions,” said Parlette. “I was honored to share with the Senate shining examples of the best of our district, from some of our youngest leaders to one of our longest-standing ones.” 

Parlette also took note of a bill which didn’t pass that she will continue to work on in the future. Senate Bill 5052 would have given young adults aged 19 to 34, the state’s largest population of insured, more options for affordable tailored coverage. This year the Legislature issued a report showing Parlette’s measure would cover nearly 60,000 more young adults and was the only proposal of several studied that would result in increased insurance coverage at no cost to the state.

“Young people in Washington deserve the same insurance choices and options as people in other states,” said Parlette. “This issue is too important not to continue pursuing in the future.”