AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 31, No. 9
March 7, 2008  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director
Energy & Telecommunications
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation, & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
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AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

Personnel & Labor Relations

Expanding Rights for Domestic Partnerships (2SHB 3104)

In 2007, the Legislature passed SSB 5336, which created the state domestic partnership registry and extended certain rights and responsibilities granted to spouses in various areas of the law to state-registered domestic partners. 2SHB 3104, which passed the Legislature on March 4, amends various statutes to extend additional rights and responsibilities granted to spouses to registered domestic partners, in areas such as dissolutions, community property, estate planning, taxes, court process, guardianships, and conflicts of interest for public officials.

Extending Military Leave for Public Employees (HB 1127)

Designed to extend paid military leave from 15 to 30 days each year, HB 1127 failed to pass out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee by the statutory cutoff date; however, additional days were added via an amendment to SB 6447 which passed the House on March 6.

Unpaid Leave for Family of Military Personnel (SB 6447)

This bill as introduced establishes the Family Military Leave Act under which an employee is allowed to take up to 15 days of unpaid leave while their military spouse is on leave. SB 6447 which passed the House March 6, was amended on the floor to extend paid military leave of absence from 15 days to 21 days per year for active duty personnel.

Medicare Only Benefits (HB 2510)

This bill allows the option for Medicare only health insurance benefits for public employees under a divided referendum process. The Senate Ways and Means Committee amended the original language of this bill to clarify the bill applies to Medicare only. HB 2510 was approved by the full Senate on the March 6.

Worker’s Compensation Claims on Appeal (E2SHB 3139)

This bill provides that a claim for worker’s compensation is payable to the claimant during an employer appeal unless the BIIA (Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals) orders a stay. This bill has been amended several times throughout the process and is now on the Senate floor calendar. A proposed amendment would allow self-insured cities and others to recoup overpayments. This amendment is supported by those cities that have expressed concerns with the underlying bill.