Massive Expansion of Government Involvement in Health Care Passed by House
E2SSB 5930, which implements the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Cost and Access, included vital reforms to the small group market that would have allowed lower cost, more flexible health plans for small businesses when it unanimously passed the Senate. Unfortunately, the small group reforms were removed from the bill in the House, and the bill is now a blueprint for a massive and expensive expansion of government involvement in health care. This measure was passed by the House and now must be reconciled with the Senate’s version of the bill. Contact your senator and representative and urge them not to vote for the bill unless it is restored to the Senate version. Don’t let the reforms and the opportunity for lower costs offered by the Senate version of the bill slip away again. Contact AWB’s Mellani McAleenan at (360) 943-1600 or MellaniM@awb.org.

Paid Family Leave Bill Approved by House
The Paid Family Leave Bill (SB 5659) passed the House on a largely party-line vote, granting five weeks of paid leave at $250 per week for maternity or bonding leave. A task force of legislators, labor, and business is set up to figure out how to finance and administer the program before it begins in October 2009. The Senate has to concur before the bill goes to the governor's desk. AWB opposed this burdensome measure and is disappointed in its passage. For more information, check out AWB’s Olympia Watch blog at http://awbblog.typepad.com/olympia_business_watch. Contact AWB's Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org.

Eminent Domain Abuse Protection Bill Passes Senate
HB 1458, which addresses the inadequate notice issue raised in Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority v. Miller, requires at least 15 days of public notice prior to any public meeting that will make a final decision on property condemnation. Notices must be sent to impacted property owners by certified mail and published in local newspapers. Failing to provide sufficient notice would void condemnation decisions affecting the specific individuals who were not properly notified. This bill has passed the Senate and has been delivered to the governor for signature. AWB supported HB 1458 and believes this is a common sense measure to protect property owners from eminent domain abuses. Contact AWB’s Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org.

Natural Gas B&O Tax Exemption Approved by Senate, Sent to Governor
A measure to provide a B&O tax exemption (HB 1508) for the resale of natural or manufactured gas has been approved by the Senate and is now awaiting the governor. AWB supported this bill and is pleased to see its passage. Contact AWB’s Amber Carter at (360) 943-1600 or AmberC@awb.org.

Puget Sound Partnership Process Moving Forward – Nominations Requested
With the recent passage of SB 5372 by the House (which creates a new state agency called the Puget Sound Partnership), the governor is expected to sign the bill within the next few weeks. The governor’s office has requested nominations for several of the positions created by the new agency including the seven-member Leadership Council, the Executive Director and the Ecosystem Coordinating Board. The business community will have two seats. Please send nominations for any of these positions as soon as possible to Chris McCabe at (360) 943-1600 or ChrisM@awb.org

House Gives Green Light to Frivolous Lawsuits, Higher Insurance Rates
SB 5726, known as the “Insurance Fair Conduct Act,” will prohibit insurance companies from unreasonably or negligently denying a claim for coverage or payment of benefits to an insured. A plaintiff successfully proving a violation through a legal challenge may be awarded up to three times the original claim amount plus legal expenses. Although AWB strongly opposed this measure because it would encourage frivolous lawsuits against insurers, this bill was unfortunately approved by the House. It is now on its way to the governor. Contact Kris Tefft at (360) 943-1600 or KrisT@awb.org. 

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