Category: Legislative Update

GOAL Post	2015-Special 2
Legislative Update from Olympia	08 May 2015

NO ACTIVITY!

The lights are on, but apparently no one is home — at least as far as putting out work product is concerned.  It’s all about the biennial budget, and so far, no budget.  A couple of public hearings were held on various budget issues, most attention focusing on tax increases.

Two legislative committee meetings are scheduled for next week, but nothing involving firearms.

HB 1713 is included in the Bill Status list because technically it is in play.  But it’s going nowhere.

BILL STATUS:

*ESHB 1713 Neutral

Mental health/guns

Cody (D-34)

S. W&M

* 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 27-28 June

Monroe 11-12 July

“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-Special 2
Legislative Update from Olympia	08 May 2015

SPECIAL SESSION DRAGS ON

NO SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY

After a flurry of holdover bill passing on 29 April, there has been no floor activity since the special session began.  There have been a handful of committee meetings, mostly to discuss future plans and activities (such as local town hearings or monthly work sessions in Olympia) before the next regular session begins in January 2016.

No doubt the budget conferees are hard at work behind the scenes.  What the status of those negotiations might be is a mystery.  The Democrat budget proposal calls for more than a $1 BILLION tax increase.  As I recall, Governor Inslee ran for office on a “no new taxes” promise.  But he supports the Democrat budget proposal.

BILL STATUS:

*ESHB 1713 Neutral

Mental health/guns

Cody (D-34)

S. W&M

* 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):

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

Puyallup         27-28 June

Monroe            11-12 July

“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	2015-17
Legislative Update from Olympia	01 May 2015

THEY’RE B-A-A-A-C-K!

SEVERAL HOLDOVER BILLS PASSED

ESHB 1713 REPASSED HOUSE

MORE GUN BILLS COMING BACK?

HOW LONG WILL THE SESSION LAST?

MANY ARE FILED, FEW ARE CHOSEN

The 30-day special session of the legislature convened on Wednesday, 29 April.  While waiting for the budgeteers to finish their negotiations, both the House and Senate took up several bills still pending at the end of the regular session.  A total of 25 bills were passed, eight in the Senate and 17 in the House.

The only bill of interest moving is HB 1713.  The bill passed both the House and Senate in the regular session, but the House refused to concur in the Senate amendments.  It went back to the House at the end of the session.  The House passed it out again, and the Senate assigned it to Senate Ways & Means… again.  The restrictive firearm language has been removed from the bill.

Rumors are circulating that the governor has asked that selected anti-gun bills be revived and acted on by the legislature.  You may recall, I reported that once the legislature goes into special session, they can do anything they please (legislatively!).  It’s alike a constitutional convention in that regard, once the door is opened, you lose control over who enters.

Having said that, the only specific legislation the governor mentioned in his proclamation calling for a special session is specific budgetary items… and one other thing:  “Work remains to be done with critical policy bills… ”  Could those include gun bills?  Yes.  Is the legislature going to act on them?  Not likely.  Here’s a link to the proclamation:  http://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/proc_15-08_0.pdf

For those of you who are not familiar with our governor’s history on the gun issue…  Jay Inslee was first elected to Congress in 1992 to represent the 4th Congressional District — the central Washington corridor.  In 1994, he cast an “aye” vote on the Clinton “assault weapon” ban.  In fact, it is believed he cast the deciding vote (it passed by ONE vote of 435) after his arm was twisted by then-Speaker Tom Foley (D-WA-5).  Sort of an “fellow eastern Washingtonian, do me a favor.”  That November BOTH Inslee and Foley were thrown out of Congress!  (Foley holds the distinction of being the first speaker to be thrown out of office since 1862 – 132 years.  Inslee moved to the west side, where he was elected to represent the 1st Congressional District (North Seattle and environs).  So Mr Inslee has no love for gun owners.

Special sessions are called in 30-day segments.  This session began on 29 April and will end on 30 May, unless previously adjourned.  How long will this one last?  Until budgeteers arrive at an agreement acceptable to both chambers.  It could be over in a few days, it could take the entire 30 days.  And ANOTHER 30 days!  Are you ready for a major tax increase?  The governor wants more money to spend, the House Democrats wan t to give it to him, the Senate Republicans do not.  Who will blink first?

To put things in a little better perspective, during the regular session that ended last week, a total of 2,445 bills of various types were filed in both chambers.  Of the 2,400, only 308 made it to the governor’s desk.  12.6% — almost 90% died along the way.

BILL STATUS:

*ESHB 1713 Neutral

Mental health/guns

Cody (D-34)

S. W&M

* 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):

Monroe May 2-3
Puyallup June 27-28

“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	2015-16
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

GOAL Post	2015-11
Legislative Update from Olympia	20 March 2015

ESHB 1713 SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING

HOUSE JUDICIARY TO VOTE ON SSB/SB 5381 AND 5658

ATF “BACKDOWN”

ATF DIRECTOR B. TODD JONES RESIGNS

FORMER DIRNSA/CIA ON THE VULNERABILITY TO TERRORIST ATTACK

A public hearing on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1713 has been scheduled in Senate Human Services and Mental Health at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 24 March.   Essentially, the bill adds “chemical dependency” (including alcohol) to the existing mental health commitment program.  This increases the opportunity, beyond existing law, for the state to take away an individual’s fundamental right to own a firearm.  The bill treats substance “use” essentially the same as “abuse,” with insufficient safeguards for protecting rights.

Public hearings were held on SSB 5381 and SB 5658 this week.  Both bills are scheduled for executive session (committee vote) in House Judiciary on Thursday, 26 March.  An amendment will be offered for SSB 5381 that should resolve any remaining issues with the bill.

A few readers challenged my assertion last week that ATF’s backdown on 5.56 M855 ammo was only temporary, and that — like The Terminator — “they would be back.” In effect, I was raining on the gun lobby’s victory parade.

This was ATF appearing to back down on Tuesday, 10 March:

http://www.atf.gov/press/releases/2015-03-021015-advisory-notice-those-commenting-armor-piercing-ammunition-exemption-framework.html

And this is ATF Director B. Todd Jones to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, 12 March:

http://bearingarms.com/atf-chief-suggests-5-56-ammo-threat-law-enforcement/

And note that he wants to work with Congress to “fix” the 1986 law.  He clearly stated he thought ALL 5.56mm ammunition posed a threat to police officers.  If you think Jones’ “fix” is going to make it better for gun owners, promises for transparency and taking into account public input notwithstanding, well… you decide .

While I still question the motives of some in the ATF bureaucracy, you won’t have to worry about ATF Director B. Todd Jones much longer.  In a surprise announcement this morning (his departure had been rumored for a week or longer), Jones announced he’s resigning from the ATF directorship effective 31 March.  The official line is he is resigning “to pursue other opportunities in the private sector.”  Rumor has it he will become a senior counsel — possible general counsel — for the NFL.  Stand by for political manipulation within the NFL?  I guess the jump from FFLs to NFL isn’t that big a leap.

At this time Deputy Director Thomas Brandon will take the helm.  Brandon was the ATF’s choice to be clean-up (cover-up?) man heading the Phoenix Field Division following the Fast & Furious debacle.  We — and Congress — are still awaiting the final report on that one.

On a separate topic, retired USAF General Michael Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency and the CIA, in comments made after the Tunisia museum attack earlier this week, warned that this kind of low level attack could happen at any soft target in the U.S.  This comes on the heels of FBI Director James Comey warning there are active ISIS or ISIS-sympathizer cells active in all 50 states — and the White House claiming we are at our safest since 9/11/01.

This is the one kind of attack where the armed citizen can make a critical difference — the immediate responder that is already on the scene, not minutes away as are police.  Are YOU carrying today?  Every day?

BILL STATUS:

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

* 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

HEARINGS SCHEDULED:

ESHB 1713 23 Mar

S. HumSer 1000

Senate Hearing Room “?”

John A. Cherberg Office Bldg

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 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          21-22 March

Monroe            4 April (Saturday only)

“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	2015-10
Legislative Update from Olympia	13 March 2015

CHAMBER CUT-OFF

THREE BILLS STILL ALIVE

PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED

ON/OFF/ON AGAIN ATF AMMO BAN

The original chamber cut-off passed Wednesday evening.  Eight bills died at that point (see “BILL STATUS” below).

Three bills remain under consideration for the remainder of the session, ESHB 1731 (mental health/guns), SSB 5381 (return of firearms) and SB 5658 (reporting mental health commitment).  The only bill of concern remains ESHB 1713.  As originally introduced, it would have treated any person deemed to have a chemical dependency (alcohol!) the same as a mental health involuntary commitment, with loss of firearm rights.  The bill was amended in the House Judiciary committee(SHB 1713), and finally on the House floor (ESHB 1713).  The current version is better than the original, but is still unacceptable, as it incorporates federal disqualifiers (firearms prohibitions) into state law.

Two public hearings on bills are scheduled in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday (SSB 5381) and Wednesday (SSB 5658).

In a fine example of a federal kubuki dance, early in the week the ATF announced it was backing down on its reclassification of M855 ammunition as armor piercing — and thus adding it to the “ban” list.  Then on Thursday, they announced they were reviewing ALL 5.56x45mm surplus ammunition because it posed a potential danger to police officers (allegedly because of the increasing number of AR-based handguns on the market).  But not commercial .223 ammunition.  Exactly what is the difference between 5.56mm M193 and commercial .223 55gr FMJ ammunition?  Both use the same projectile, the original 55 grain FMJ bullet introduced with the M16 family of firearms back around 1963.  Law enforcement organizations have publicly stated that 5.56 military surplus ammunition does NOT pose a unique threat to officers… but what do they know?

Apparently what happened is the ATF received overwhelming opposition to its M855 ban, from industry, from law enforcement, from the public and from Congress, so they backed down.  But someone forgot to give the memo to the White House, and President Obama still wants a 5.56mm ammo ban.  So the games continue.  Meanwhile we’re looking at another shortage of 5.56mm ammunition as gun owners clean dealers’ shelves.  Again.  (Everyone DOES keep 500 rounds on hand for all the guns you own, yes?)

BILL STATUS:

Bill #	Subject	Prime sponsor	Status
*ESHB 1713 OPPOSE	Mental health/guns	Cody (D-34)	Passed House, S. HumServ
*HB 1731 OPPOSE	Return of firearms held by law enforcement	Ormsby (D-3)	Died
*SB 5036 NEUTRAL	Penalizes criminal misuse of body armor	O’Ban (R-28)	Died
*SSB 5381 NEUTRAL	Return of firearms held by law enforcement	Billig (D-3)	H. Judiciary
SB 5500 SUPPORT	Allows retired LEOs to carry on school grounds	Roach (R-31)	Died
SB 5539 SUPPORT	Exempts LEO’s from three day waiting period	Roach (R-31)	Died
SSB 5579 SUPPORT	Exempts licensed security guards from b/g checks	Dammeier (R-25)	Died
SB 5615 SUPPORT	Exempts military members from b/g checks	Benton (R-17)	Died
*SB 5658 NEUTRAL	Reporting of mental health commitment	Dansel (R-7)	H. Judiciary
SB 5831 Support	Restoration of firearm rights	Honeyford (R-15)	Died
SSB 6015 Support	NRA License Plate	Roach (R-31)	Died

* 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

HEARINGS SCHEDULED:

SSB 5381 17 Mar 2015	H. Judiciary 1030	House Hearing Room A	John L. O’Brien Office Bldg
SB 5658 18 Mar 2015	H. Judiciary 0830	House Hearing Room A	John L. O’Brien Office Bldg

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 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         21-22 March

Monroe             4 April (Saturday only)

“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