Efforts to resolve budget issues dominated this legislative cycle, beginning with a 17-day special session that convened in November 2011, continuing throughout the 60-day 2012 regular session (January 9 – March 8), and carrying over into another special session that began on March 12, 2012. Notwithstanding the ongoing budget challenges, over 1,300 bills were introduced during the regular session and many bills that did not pass during the 2011 legislative session were reconsidered.
Our 2012 legislative agenda included 5 legislative proposals. Our efforts achieved the following results:
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HB 2224 — An Act Relating to Estate Tax Apportionment (passed): Exempts certain small gifts from the state estate tax.
Track HB 2224 | Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
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SHB 2239 — Relating to Social Purpose Corporations (passed): Creates a new type of for-profit corporation that authorizes pursuit of both profit and a social purpose.
Track HB 2239 | Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
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SB 6218 — Relating to Escrow Licensing for Attorneys (passed): Clarifies escrow licensing requirements for attorneys.
Track SB 6218 | Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
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SSB 5627 — Relating to the Service members’ Civil Relief Act (passed): Amends the Washington Service Members' Civil Relief Act to apply to National Guard and reservist members who are under a call to service authorized by the Governor for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
Track SSB 5627
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HB 1221 — An Act Relating to Protecting National Guard and Reservist Students Enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education (did not pass): Requires institutions of higher education to provide an opportunity to make up missed exams for reservist students who are called to active duty and training for 30 days or less. Despite full bipartisan support, time ran out — this proposal died in Senate Rules.
Track HB 1221 | Track SB 6164| Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
Special thanks is extended to the prime sponsors of these bills, and to the many WSBA section executive committee members who volunteered countless hours to achieve passage of WSBA-proposed legislation and to review and comment on other legislation relevant to the practice of law. For more information, please visit the Legislature’s Bill Information page.
Last updated on March 20, 2012.
2011-2012 WSBA Sponsored Legislation
HB 1221/SB 6164 | An Act Relating to Rights of Higher Education Students Involved in Military Service
Track HB 1221 | Track SB 6164| Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
Sponsored by Representatives Finn, Rodne, Eddy, Shea, Klippert, and Kelley Sponsor, from the WSBA Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section
Status: Dead.
HB 2224 | An Act Relating to Washington estate tax apportionment
Track HB 2224 | Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
Sponsored by Representatives Nealey and Pedersen
WSBA Position: Sponsor, from the WSBA Taxation Section
Status: Awaiting Governor signature.
SHB 2239 (companion bill to SB 6230) | An Act Relating to social purpose corporations
Track HB 2239 | Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
Sponsored by Representatives Pedersen, Goodman, Rodne, and Hudgins
WSBA Position: Sponsor, from the WSBA Business Law Section, Corporate Act Revision Committee
Status: Awaiting Governor signature.
SB 6218 | An Act Relating to escrow licensing requirement exceptions.
Track SB 6218 | Read our full summary of the proposed legislation
Sponsored by Senators Frockt, Chase, Kline, Harper, Pflug, and Hobbs
WSBA Position: Sponsor, from the WSBA Board of Governors
Status: Awaiting Governor signature.
SSB 5627 (companion bill to 1615) | An Act Relating to Service Members’ Civil Relief
Track SSB 5627
Sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Murray, Kilmer, Shin
WSBA Position: Sponsor, from the WSBA Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section
Status: Chapter 24, Laws of 2012. Effective date: June 7, 2012.
Learn more about the legislative process in Washington State.