OLYMPIA — There’s only one week left in this year’s session of the state Legislature, but isn’t keeping some of the North Olympic Peninsula representatives from introducing a few last-minute bills.
Last week, Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, and Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, each introduced two new pieces of legislation.
Hargrove’s bills amend laws on adoption and the state’s disability lifeline program, while Van De Wege’s focus on firefighter and police pensions.
They are:
■ Senate Bill 5935, which defines “hard to place children” as those whom a caregiver has spent more time trying to place with an adoptive family than a “typically developing child.”
■ SB 5938, which creates a disability lifeline account to provide housing assistance to qualifying participants in the disability lifeline program.
■ House Bill 2068, which sets contribution rates for police and firefighter pensions for the 2011-2013 budget.
■ HB 2071, which eliminates the $5 million transfer to police and firefighter pensions set for September.
Van De Wege, the house majority whip, is a Clallam County Fire District No. 3 firefighter and paramedic.
Hargrove and Van De Wege represent the 24th Legislative District — which includes the Peninsula and a portion of Grays Harbor County — along with Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim.
House OKs bills
Bills the House passed last week include:
■ HB 1000, allowing military service members stationed overseas to receive ballots via fax and email.
The bill passed the House 96-0 Friday; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ SB 5662, to give preference for contractors based in the state on public works projects.
The bill passed the House 93-2 Friday; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ HB 1494, which would provide state Department of Social and Health Services oversight of businesses that make housing referrals for seniors.
The bill passed the House 60-37 Thursday; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
■ SB 5165, to allow liquor to be sold in airport lounges.
The bill passed the House 91-5 April 11; Van De Wege voted no, Tharinger voted yes.
■ SB 5073, providing additional legal protection to users of medical marijuana.
The bill passed the House 54-43 April 11; Van De Wege and Tharinger voted yes.
In the Senate
Bills the Senate passed last week include:
■ HB 1516, requiring the state ferry system to meet performance requirements.
The bill passed the Senate 36-11 April 11; Hargrove voted yes.
■ HB 1267, to clarify rights of domestic partners.
The bill passed the Senate 27-21 Tuesday; Hargrove voted no.
■ SB 5742, imposing a 25-cent surcharge on ferry tickets to pay for replacement of ferries.
The bill passed the Senate 36-10 April 11; Hargrove voted yes.
■ SB 5156, to authorize liquor to be sold in airport lounges.
The bill passed the Senate 42-6 Friday; Hargrove voted no.
■ SB 5021, which would increase penalties for campaign fundraising violations.
The bill passed the Senate 46-0 Thursday; Hargrove voted yes.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
