Electing Library Trustees (HB 2526)

Currently, city and town library boards of trustees are appointed by the mayor and the legislative body. HB 2526 would establish two new alternative methods for vesting trustees: the appointing authority may present a ballot proposition allowing voters to decide whether library board trustees should be elected, or 10% of voters in the last election may submit a petition to the county auditor proposing that the voters determine whether trustees should be elected rather than appointed.

Upon passage of any ballot proposition, the elected trustees would replace those appointees. Cities and town elected officials have traditionally had authority over the appointments of library trustees and this bill would remove that authority. A hearing is scheduled in the House Local Government Committee on Friday, January 18. AWC will sign up opposed to this measure.

Health Care (HB 2537)

HB 2537 was heard in the House Health Care & Wellness Committee earlier this week.

In 2007 the Legislature established a Health Insurance Partnership within the Health Care Authority to serve small employers, beginning in September 2008. If funding is provided by the Legislature, the Partnership will provide a premium subsidy for low-income employees with income below 200% federal poverty level.

The bill also established a seven member Health Insurance Partnership Board. Since its inception, the Board has identified a number of issues that must be addressed prior to making subsidized health coverage available to employees of small business through the Partnership. This bill is intended to addresses those issues. It would:

Authorize the Board to limit the number of small group plans that will be offered, and limit the plans that will be eligible for a subsidy.
Remove the requirement that participating employers must have a least one employee eligible for a subsidy is deleted.
Allow the Board to limit an individual's health plan choice and limit coverage of former employees to those eligible for COBRA continuation coverage for up to two years from when the Partnership begins to offer coverage.

By far, the biggest concern expressed by stakeholders was the unintended impacts these subsidies would have on the private market, including association plans such as that administered by the AWC Health Trust. Because the new coverage offered through the Partnership is not limited to the uninsured and it is subsidized, it is expected to have a competitive advantage over existing plans and result in simply shifting those currently participating in association plans to the new Partnership offerings. This appears to be inconsistent with its stated goal of expanding access to the uninsured.

Open Public Meetings (HB 2567 and HB 2630)

Two bills relating to the Open Public Meetings Act will be heard next week on January 23 at 1:30 pm in the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee.

HB 2567 would increase the civil penalties for violating the open public meetings act from $100 to $1,000.

HB 2630 would change the definition of "meetings" from "meetings at which action is taken" to more specific language - "a gathering of a majority of the members of a governing body where they convene in person, by telephone, or by any electronic means to hear, deliberate, or take action on the business or affairs of the agency or body." In addition, electronic or telephone meetings would be subject to the notice requirements of the Act.

Tribal Police Officers (HB 2476/ SB 6524)

These bills would authorize tribal police officers to act as general authority Washington State peace officers. A written agreement with the tribal government and the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) would be mandated with all the requirements for granting, denying and revoking CJTC certification such as background checks and psychological testing. Tribal governments must carry liability insurance and waive sovereign immunity to the extent of such coverage so as to allow a civil action for tort damages. HB 2476 was heard by the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs on January 18. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear SB 6524 on January 23.

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