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March 13, 2015

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week we spent long days debating and voting on bills. We sent a number of good House bills that made it through the committee process over to the Senate. Here are some of the bills I supported that advanced from the House to the Senate, or that are still alive in House fiscal committees:

House Bill 1276 would strengthen our state's DUI laws. Among other provisions, it provides that an offender satisfies the requirement to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) by filing a sworn statement with the court agreeing not to operate a vehicle without an IID while under an IID restriction.

House Bill 1737 would modify retirement restrictions to increase the availability of substitute teachers. Certain teachers who retired under Plans 2 or 3 using the 2008 early retirement factors would be able to return to work for up to 216 hours per school year without a suspension of their benefits.

House Bill 1003 would develop a model policy on natural disasters and school infrastructure. This bill follows last summer's Carlton Complex wildfire in North Central Washington.

House Bill 2023 would change the deadline for notices of nonrenewal of contracts for certificated school employees. This will help school districts with their hiring process if the Legislature has not completed a budget within a regular legislative session, and it provides school districts necessary funding to assist with their hiring process. 

House Bill 1828 would provide a B&O tax credit for businesses that hire individuals with developmental disabilities. This bill is still in the House Finance Committee, but could be part of the operating budget.

House Bill 1485 would expand the medical schools that participate in the Family Medicine Residency Network. The bill also establishes legislative intent to increase the number of family physicians in shortage areas by providing fiscal incentives for hospitals and clinics to develop or expand residency programs.

House Bill 1420 would allow schools to be sited outside of the urban growth boundary on land that is financially feasible for the school district.

I welcome your ideas and feedback as the session progresses. To that end, Rep. Melanie Stambaugh and I are hosting a series of coffee hours to talk with constituents:

March 14
League of Women Voters Meeting
25th District legislators
Puyallup Library
324 S. Meridian, Puyallup
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Volcano Coffee
9909 168th St. E Suite 101
South Hill
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

April 4
Summit Library
5107 112th St. E., Tacoma
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

May 9
Poodle Dog
1522 54th Ave. E., Fife,
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Hans Zeiger