Category Archives: Associated Press

Bill aims to make cougar-hunting program permanent

Washington lawmakers want to make permanent a pilot program that allows the use of hounds in cougar-hunting. However, voters in 1996 passed an initiative banning the use of dogs, except in public safety or livestock depredation instances, on the grounds … Continue reading

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State’s war re-enactors want to up black powder limits

Washington state currently limits the amount of black powder a private citizen can store or transport to 5 pounds, but Civil War re-enactors want to up that number to match federal limits of 50 pounds. They need the smoke, they … Continue reading

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Wash. bill lets private schools give driver exams

Rep. Dave Upthegrove, D-Des Moines, wants to cut wait times at the DOL by contracting out driver’s licensing exams to the private driving schools that already handle driver training. HB 1635. Also at: SeattlePI.com

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Lawmakers weigh stricter signature-gathering rules

To guard against signature fraud, allegedly coming from paid signature gatherers working with various initiative campaigns, Washington lawmakers want to require paid signature gatherers and signature-gathering businesses to register with name, address and photo with the Secretary of State. Initiative … Continue reading

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State lawmakers want amendment to guard pension funds

In the face of a $6.9 billion unfunded liability from two closed pension plans from the ’70s, the State Treasurer and a bipartisan coalition of legislators want to amend the state constitution to ensure yearly contribution rates to current pension … Continue reading

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Bill tightens legal services for immigrants

In response to recent cases of “notarios” taking advantage of immigrants seeking benefits, lawmakers introduced bills in the House & Senate, requested by Attorney General Rob McKenna, aiming to tighten the language specifying who’s authorized to assist immigrants in legal … Continue reading

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Wash. anti-gang bill meets opposition at hearing

Attorney General Rob McKenna’s proposed anti-gang bill went up against stiff opposition from community activists and civil rights groups at a packed House hearing on Wednesday. The bill outlines injunctions that could be made against gang members or suspected gang … Continue reading

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Wash. redistricting commission holds first meeting

After Washington was awarded a 10th Congressional seat in Dec. 2010 following a 14.1 percent population growth over the past decade, the citizen redistricting commission has until the end of 2011 to redraw Congressional and legislative boundaries in the state … Continue reading

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Lawmakers eye bill to enhance campaign disclosure

Following a case in the November 2010 elections where a campaign consulting group effectively concealed the origin of its funding, this bill creates stricter regulations for campaign financing groups and how they must report the sources of their funding.

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WA bill would shield rape victims’ court testimony

Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Seattle, introduced a bill that would make it harder for accused rapists to directly cross-examine their victims in court, a measure that met opposition from strict Constitutionalists who argue it violates the 4th Amendment right to “face … Continue reading

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