Hearing Scheduled for Estate Tax Repeal Bill – Help AWB Support This Important Measure!
AWB supports HB 1884, which would provide family-owned business with a limited deduction to the estate tax. This measure will be heard at 8 a.m., Feb. 23, by the House Finance Committee. If you are able to testify or want to support our effort, please call your legislator or send us your statement. Contact AWB's Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.
AWB-Backed Land Use Bills Making Their Way Through the Legislative Process
Two of AWB's land use bills (HB 1753 and HB 1965) received public hearings in the House Local Government Committee. Their companions (SB 5683 and 5684) will be heard in the Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee, Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m. HB 1753/SB 5683 would take away local government's ability to say no to development under GMA transportation concurrency laws if the landowner is also charged an impact fee for streets or roads. HB 1965/SB 5684 would make it easier for counties to site industrial land banks, thereby making it more attractive for large commercial and industrial business to locate within predetermined industrial areas. AWB is now working to move these bills out of committee. Contact AWB's Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.
AWB Names Manufacturers of the Year - Congratulations to Boeing (Everett) and Cascade Gasket and Manufacturing Inc!
Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Family Leave/Voluntary Quits to Be Heard Tomorrow – AWB Will OpposeSB 6082 will be heard in Senate Labor, Commerce, Research and Development, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m. This bill not only undoes the “voluntary quits” portion of the 2003 UI reforms but takes it a step further by allowing UI benefits for death, illness or disability of a member of the claimant’s immediate family, an undue family hardship, or to follow the claimant’s spouse, fiancé or domestic partner. Under this bill, these voluntary reasons for leaving employment would be compensated using employer-paid UI taxes. Please contact your legislators and ask them to vote “No” on SB 6082. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or
MellaniM@awb.org.
AWB to File Friend-of-the-Court Brief in Important Land Use Case
AWB will file a brief in the state Supreme Court in support of Skagit County’s Twin Bridge Marina, which is being challenged by Ecology over marina development. Ecology wants penalties for violation of the marina's permit despite never challenging the permit under the Land Use Petition Act. The case will be heard Mar. 22. Contact AWB’s Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or
KrisT@awb.org.
Destructive Vesting Bill Scheduled for Executive Session Vote
SB 5507, which would change Washington's long-standing vested rights doctrine, is scheduled for a committee vote on Feb. 19, 10 a.m., in the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. This bill would change the date at which a landowner's development rights vest – or "lock in". AWB members are encouraged to contact your senator, and urge them to oppose this misguided legislation. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or
ChrisM@awb.org.
Bill to Clarify Insurance Commissioner Authority Scheduled for Hearing
HB 2302 is scheduled to be heard in the House Committee on Insurance and Financial Services & Consumer Protection on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m. This bill, introduced by Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle, is designed to clarify what authority the Office of the Insurance Commissioner has in promulgating technical assistance and policy advisories. AWB will testify in support of this legislation. Contact Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or
MellaniM@awb.org.
Meeting with Reps. McIntire and Condotta on Flat Tax Proposal, Feb. 21 – Contact Amber Carter at AmberC@awb.org
Construction Industry "Reform" Bill Clears First Hurdle – Urge Your Senators to Oppose This Measure
SB 5550, which would require residential housing contractors to provide two-to ten-year express warranties to home buyers depending upon the construction item, was voted out of committee. The bill would also extend the period in which a contractor may be sued. This bill will greatly increase the cost of liability insurance for residential contractors in Washington state and encourage additional litigation. Contact Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or
ChrisM@awb.org.
Haugen, Clibborn, Jarrett & Swecker at Next Lobby Lunch – Feb. 22, 12 noon-1 p.m. – Focus on Transportation
Lobby Lunch guests: Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island; Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester; Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island; and Rep. Fred Jarrett, R-Mercer Island. Contact AWB's Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or
ShannonG@awb.org
Focus on Transportation on Next Washington Business Weekly – On the Air and Online at
www.awb.org
OSHA 10-Hour Certification Course – Mar. 7, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tacoma Sheraton
Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. Standard fee is $149, but AWB CompWise members get a discounted fee of $119. Register online at
www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp . Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or
JenniferC@awb.org
A Measured Response to Climate Change - See This Week's President's Perspective at www.awb.org
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