Month: April 2015

GOAL Post	2015-16
Legislative Update from Olympia	24 April 2015

GOOD NEWS:  LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS TWO DAYS EARLY

THEY’LL BE BACK!

GOVERNOR CALLS SPECIAL SESSION

ESHB 1713 IN TROUBLE

GOAL POST WILL CONTINUE

Having failed to agree on a biennial budget, the legislature adjourned from its 2015 regular session this evening, two days ahead of the constitutionally-mandated limit of 105 days.  But they’ll be back!

Governor Inslee has called for up-to-a 30-day special session, to begin Wednesday, 29 April.  The principal focus of the special session will be the budget, but once convened, they may pick up any legislation they choose to work on, either from the previous session or new issues.

Senate and House budget conferees continue to meet during the four-day interim, so the special session MAY consist of a quorum call on Wednesday, a fast vote in both chambers on an agreed-upon budget, and a quick close that same day.  But that’s not the way to bet.  It’s all about revenue: the Republican-controlled Senate passed a budget that is limited to existing revenues; the Democrat-controlled House wants tax increases.  Recall that candidate Inslee said, “No new taxes.”  That was BEFORE he got elected.

On Tuesday, the House voted to reject the Senate amendments to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1713 (oh, just call it HB 1713).  At this point, the bill goes to a conference committee to iron out disagreement, followed by a concurrence vote in both chambers, but it doesn’t appear that happened before adjournment tonight.  Technically the bill is dead for this session, but it could be revisited during the special session… or next year.  Although the offensive gun language was stripped out, it would be better if the bill just went away.

I normally shut GOAL Post down after the end of the session.  Obviously, with the special session continuing in a few days, GP will continue to be published.  I’ll also be publishing alerts throughout the remainder of the year, if/as the situation warrants.  One subject that is sure to be covered is the special election to be held November 3rd to fill the seat in the 30th Legislative District (Federal Way and surrounding area).  A win in that district, currently held by a Democrat, would put the Republicans within one seat of control of the state House of Representatives.

 

BILL STATUS:

*ESHB 1713 Neutral	Mental health/guns	Cody (D-34)	House Rejected Senate Amendments
SSB 5381 NEUTRAL	Return of firearms held by law enforcement	Billig (D-3)	To Governor
SB 5658 NEUTRAL	Reporting of mental health commitment	Dansel (R-7)	Died – H. Rules

* indicates change in status this week

ESHB = Engrossed Substitute House Bill, SHB/SSB = Substitute Bill (bill amended in committee), HB = House Bill, SB = Senate Bill, H. Aprop = House Appropriations, H. Jud. = House Judiciary, S. L&J = Senate Law & Justice, S. W&M = Senate Ways & Means

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED:

At this point, there is no published agenda for next week.

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:  You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.  Toll free!!!  The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.  Also toll free!!!1-800-562-6000   TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA:  Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at “www.leg.wa.gov“.  Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format.  You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com).  You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.  Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000.  You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/ (you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted.  By reading the “roll call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on any bill.  The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:  If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to “[email protected]“.  Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.  Better yet, make a couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).  PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO GOAL.  I can be reached at “[email protected]” or by telephone at (425) 985-4867.  Unfortunately, I am unable to (snail) mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals.  Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at “[email protected]” with the words “Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line.  I will remove your name immediately.  Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists.  If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list’s admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s): Puyallup          April 25-26
Monroe             May 2-3

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”Article 1, Section 24

• Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2015 Gun Owners Action League of WA

 

 

GOAL Post	2015-15
Legislative Update from Olympia	17 April 2015

SECOND CHAMBER CUT-OFF

BILLS MOVE, DIE

9 DAYS LEFT IN SESSION

BUDGET IMPASSE

SPECIAL SESSION LIKELY

SPECIAL ELECTION UPCOMING

The second chamber cut-off passed on Wednesday, and with it, one more bill died: SB 5658.  HB 1713 was amended in the Senate, so it has to either receive a concurrence vote in the House or go to a conference committee to hammer out language both sides can agree on.  SB 5381 just went through that process, with the Senate concurring in the House amendment.  In all three cases, there is nothing in any of the bills to concern gun owners.

We have nine days left in the regular session.  Per the state constitution, the legislature MUST adjourn by midnight, Sunday, 26 April.  The fat lady has been spotted on the Capitol Campus, I think in the cafeteria, practicing a few arias.

The primary purpose of the odd-year regular session is passage of a biennial budget.  Hence the 105 day length vice the 60 allowed for the short session.  There is significant disagreement between the Republican Senate and the Democrat House over several budget issues, especially as they regard major tax increases.  Miracles do happen, but the chance of agreement being reached in the next nine days is somewhere between slim and none.

So it looks like we’re headed for a special session.  If negotiations appear close, they may start a special session right away.  If not, they’ll likely go home for a few weeks to cool off, relax, have back-room discussions, and then come back to hammer out an agreement.

Speaking of special events, there is a special election coming up in November.  Rep. Roger Freeman (D-30) passed away just a couple of days before the regular election last November.  In fact, his name was on the ballot and on paper at least he was reelected.  He was replaced by an appointed member, Rep. Carol Gregory (D).  Gregory must run for confirmation in November.  Teri Hickel (R) has filed to run against Gregory.  Teri is the interim CEO Of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, so she has a good grasp of issues in the 30th District, and should pose a solid challenge to Gregory.  More on this race as the year progresses.  Teri’s web site is currently being rebuilt, but you can see her Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teri-Hickel/362492700619693

BILL STATUS:

*ESHB 1713 Neutral	Mental health/guns	Cody (D-34)	Awaiting House Action
*SSB 5381 NEUTRAL	Return of firearms held by law enforcement	Billig (D-3)	To Governor
SB 5658 NEUTRAL	Reporting of mental health commitment	Dansel (R-7)	Died – H. Rules

* indicates change in status this week

ESHB = Engrossed Substitute House Bill, SHB/SSB = Substitute Bill (bill amended in committee), HB = House Bill, SB = Senate Bill, H. Aprop = House Appropriations, H. Jud. = House Judiciary, S. L&J = Senate Law & Justice, S. HumSer = Senate Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED:

None

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE: You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 FREE. Toll free!!! The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993 FREE. Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000 FREE TDD 1-800-635-9993 FREE

OTHER DATA: Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at “www.leg.wa.gov“. Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format. You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com). You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573. Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000 FREE. You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/ (you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted. By reading the “roll call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on any bill. The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT: If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to “[email protected]“. Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights. Better yet, make a couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s). PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO GOAL. I can be reached at “[email protected]” or by telephone at (425) 985-4867. Unfortunately, I am unable to (snail) mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals. Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at“[email protected]” with the words “Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line. I will remove your name immediately. Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists. If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list’s admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Puyallup 25-26 April
Monroe 2-3 May

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2015 Gun Owners Action League of WA

GOAL Post	2015-14
Legislative Update from Olympia	10 April 2015

NRA ANNUAL MEETING AND CONVENTION IN NASHVILLE

7 APR  FISCAL COMMITTEE CUT-OFF

BILLS MOVE

15 APR CHAMBER CUT-OFF

BUDGET ISSUE:  DOL FUNDING

 

This issue of the GOAL Post is late because I was in Nashville along with 78.864 other NRA members attending the NRA annual meeting and convention (I helped staff the Second Amendment Foundation booth.)  Also in attendance were 13 Republican presidential hopefuls, each of whom was given ten minutes to explain to NRA members why they would be the best choice for gun owners next year.

The only absent face was Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, whose absence was explained by conflicting reasons.

No matter the reason, libertarian-leaning Senator Paul is probably closer to the top of the list than the bottom when it comes to Second Amendment support.

Tuesday, 7 April was the second chamber fiscal committee cut-off.

The only bill affected was ESHB 1713.

ESHB 1713 passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and now awaits a vote of the full Senate.

SSB 5381 was amended on the House floor and passed the House on a 97-0 vote (one member excused).

That bill now awaits Senate concurrence in the House changes.

SSB 5658 still awaits a floor vote in the House.

(When a bill is amended in the opposite house (Senate bill in the House, House bill in the Senate), if/after passing the second chamber it must go back to the original chamber for a concurrence vote (agreeing with the other side’s change).

If the original chamber does NOT concur, it has to go to a conference committee, made up of members from BOTH chambers to iron out the details, then to a concurrence vote by both chambers.

Nobody said it was easy!)

The next cut-off is Wednesday, 15 April, when all bills must pass their second chamber.

At this point it only affects ESHB 1713 and SSB 5658.

A new issue has popped up:  a budget line item giving the Department of Licensing $184,000 for the biennium to fund additional personnel to handle the increased workload generated by I-594.

We’re trying to get it deleted, as it was not a part of the actual initiative language.

BILL STATUS:

*ESHB 1713 Neutral	Mental health/guns	Cody (D-34)	S. Rules
*SSB 5381 NEUTRAL	Return of firearms held by law enforcement	Billig (D-3)	S. Rules
SB 5658 NEUTRAL	Reporting of mental health commitment	Dansel (R-7)	H. Rules

* indicates change in status this week

ESHB = Engrossed Substitute House Bill, SHB/SSB = Substitute Bill (bill amended in committee), HB = House Bill, SB = Senate Bill, H. Aprop = House Appropriations, H. Jud. = House Judiciary, S. L&J = Senate Law & Justice, S. HumSer = Senate Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED:

None

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE: You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 FREE. Toll free!!! The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993 FREE. Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000 FREE TDD 1-800-635-9993 FREE

OTHER DATA: Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at “www.leg.wa.gov“. Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format. You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com). You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573. Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000 FREE. You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/ (you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted. By reading the “roll call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on any bill. The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT: If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to “[email protected]“. Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights. Better yet, make a couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s). PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO GOAL. I can be reached at “[email protected]” or by telephone at (425) 985-4867. Unfortunately, I am unable to (snail) mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals. Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at“[email protected]” with the words “Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line. I will remove your name immediately. Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists. If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list’s admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Puyallup 25-26 April
Monroe 2-3 May

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2015 Gun Owners Action League of WA

GOAL Post	2015-13
Legislative Update from Olympia	03 April 2015

SECOND CHAMBER POLICY COMMITTEE CUT-OFF PASSES

HB 1713 AMENDED, PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE

23 DAYS REMAINING IN REGULAR SESSION

The second chamber policy committee cut-off date (House bills in Senate, Senate bills in House) passed Wednesday, 1 April.  The three bills we are currently following have all passed out of their policy committees.

ESHB 1713, the bill that would add chemical dependency to the list of firearm disqualifiers, was amended in the Senate Human Services Committee to delete firearm-related language. At this point the bill has no impact from a firearms perspective.

ESHB 1713 still has to clear the Senate Ways & Means Committee because of its fiscal impact. SBs 5381 and 5658 are in House Rules awaiting a full House vote. That should happen in the next week.

The session is winding down. The principal controversy at this point is the split between the Senate and House budget bills. That’s the reason for the long (105) day session. The Republican-controlled Senate has planned what is essentially a balanced budget. The Democrat-controlled House (and Governor Inslee) want more than $1 BILLION in tax increases. Surprise, surprise!

BILL STATUS:

*ESHB 1713 Neutral	Mental health/guns	Cody (D-34)	S. W&M
SSB 5381 NEUTRAL	Return of firearms held by law enforcement	Billig (D-3)	H. Rules
SB 5658 NEUTRAL	Reporting of mental health commitment	Dansel (R-7)	H. Rules

* indicates change in status this week

ESHB = Engrossed Substitute House Bill, SHB/SSB = Substitute Bill (bill amended in committee), HB = House Bill, SB = Senate Bill, H. Aprop = House Appropriations, H. Jud. = House Judiciary, S. L&J = Senate Law & Justice, S. HumSer = Senate Human Services, Mental Health & Housing

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED:

None

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:  You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 FREE.  Toll free!!!  The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993 FREE.  Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000 FREE   TDD 1-800-635-9993 FREE

OTHER DATA:  Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature’s web site at “www.leg.wa.gov“.  Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format.  You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe’s web site (http://www.adobe.com).  You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.  Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000 FREE.  You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/ (you need “RealAudio” to do this, available free at the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate “bill reports” (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted.  By reading the “roll call” for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on any bill.  The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:  If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to “[email protected]“.  Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.  Better yet, make a couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).  PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO GOAL.  I can be reached at “[email protected]” or by telephone at (425) 985-4867.  Unfortunately, I am unable to (snail) mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals.  Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at“[email protected]” with the words “Unsubscribe GOAL Post” in the subject line.  I will remove your name immediately.  Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists.  If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list’s admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Monroe              4 April (Saturday only)
Puyallup            25-26 April

“The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.”

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2015 Gun Owners Action League of WA