U.S. District Court Ruling Kills “Top Two” Primary in Washington – “Montana” Primary to Be Back in 2006
Washington’s new "top two" primary system, approved by voters last fall, was struck down in U.S. District Court as unconstitutional. The court ruled that the primary infringed on the rights of political parties to pick their own nominees for office. The ruling, which will be appealed, means Washington will return to the "Montana-style" primary used during 2004’s fall primary. Under that system, voters select one party's ballot and vote for their favorite candidates on that ballot.

DR-CAFTA Faces Uncertain Fate in House of Representatives – Urge Your Rep. to Support This Measure!
The U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement faces a close vote this month in the U.S. House of Representatives. Go to www.awb.org and tell your members of Congress to support DR-CAFTA.

Ecology’s PBT Rule Almost Final - Comments Due This Week!
Comments are due July 22 on Ecology’s draft Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics rule. The agency will use this rule to guide future policies on this subset of chemicals. The rule defines what a PBT is; creates a list of PBTs for Washington; sets the policy for selecting PBTs for chemical action plans; and how those plans should be developed. The draft out for public comment is nearly identical to the preliminary draft developed by Ecology and the PBT Advisory Committee which included AWB. Members are requested to review the draft rule at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/pbt/rule/. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at GrantN@awb.org or (360) 943-1600.

New Identity Theft Law Takes Effect This Week
As of July 24, businesses that own or license personally identifiable consumer information such as names, credit card numbers and/or social security numbers must disclose any breach of that data that occurs and notify affected individuals. Businesses who experience a breach of confidential information and do not notify affected individuals face stringent potential liability under the law. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

UI Task Force in Full Gear – You Are Encouraged to Attend
When the Legislature temporarily undid some of the 2003 UI reforms, it established a task force to study the issues and make recommendations to the Legislature in January. The next meeting of the task force will be held on July 26 (10:30 a.m. John L. O’Brien Building, Hearing Room A). Public comment will be accepted. We encourage attendance at both the task force meetings & at AWB’s meetings with the business representatives. Contact AWB’s Mellani Hughes McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

New Sick Leave Law Takes Effect This Week
On July 24 a new law redefining “sick leave” will take effect. “Sick leave” now includes an employer’s self-administered short-term disability plan if the employer does not otherwise offer paid sick leave. The change in definition does not affect employers who already offer paid sick leave, or who offer disability plans that are covered by the federal ERISA law, or that are purchased through insurance. But employers who use only self-administered short-term disability plans in lieu of paid sick leave must now allow employees to use time off under that plan to care for sick family members. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

State’s Permitting Problems Discussed on Washington Business Weekly’s Broadcast – Available at http://www.awb.org/
Last week, Washington Business Weekly discussed problems with our state’s permitting system in addition to providing a preview of AWB’s Environmental Summit in October. This week we’ll be talking about ways to keep Washington economically competitive. The show is broadcast live on Tacoma’s KLAY 1180 AM, every Thursday, 11 to noon. You, too, can hear the show by logging on to www.awb.org and clicking the box in the upper right. Give us your thoughts about the broadcast and ideas for future shows. Contact AWB’s Lex Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 or AlexisN@awb.org.

ESD to Hold Rulemaking Hearing on Implementation of EHB 6097
The Employment Security Dept. will hold two public hearings on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 1:30 p.m. on rulemaking to implement portions of the 2003 UI reforms that became effective in 2005. Written comments are due by Aug. 1. Draft rules are available at: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/unemployment/rulemaking. Both meetings will be held at the Employment Security building in the Fourth Floor Conference Room A, 212 Maple Park, Olympia. Contact Mellani Hughes McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Workers’ Comp Committee Meetings – Mark Your Calendar for August 3 and 31
AWB’s Workers’ Comp Committee will be meeting Aug. 3 and 31 (9 a.m.-12 noon, Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, 950 Pacific Avenue, 3rd Floor Suite 300, Tacoma). Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Watch for Washington Business Magazine Coming in YOUR Mail Soon—Save This One
Washington Business Magazine is at the press and will be in the mail soon. It has the 2005 legislative wrap-up and scorecard. Save this issue to refer to at election time.

Washington Should NOT Go the Way of Oregon - See this week’s President’s Perspective at http://www.awb.org/