The Legislature closes week eight with bills, bills, and more bills. Lawmakers in both chambers have been working late to pass legislation out of the House and Senate before next week’s critical cutoff date. Bills still moving include legal financial obligation reform, the Voting Rights Act, pro bono services for military service members, and many others.
Senate passes WSBA-request bill
WSBA-request bill SSB 5012 passed unanimously in the Senate, 49-0, on Wednesday, March 1. Originating from the WSBA Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, the bill creates a nonjudicial process for updating or amending irrevocable trusts. Prime-sponsored by Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-43, and requested by the Washington State Bar Association and Uniform Law Commission, SSB 5012 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further action.
House schedules another WSBA-request bill for hearing
WSBA-request bill SB 5011 has been scheduled for a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9. This bill modernizes the state’s Corporate Act to make Washington more business friendly and originates from the Corporate Act Revisions Committee of the WSBA Business Law Section. Also prime-sponsored by Sen. Pedersen and by request of the Washington State Bar Association, SB 5011 previously passed the Senate, 49-0, on Feb. 1.
Another session milestone approaches
The House of origin cutoff date is fast approaching. By 5 p.m. on Wednesday., March 8, all House bills must be voted out of the House, and all Senate bills must be voted out of the Senate in order to be eligible for further consideration this session.
For additional legislative information, please see the 2017 Session Cutoff Calendar and please visit WSBA Legislative Affairs.
Alison Phelan. Alison joined the WSBA as Legislative Affairs manager in 2015 after spending three years as legislative director for the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges. Her career also includes government relations work for state agencies and the Washington state Senate. She has a degree in political science and communication from the University of Washington. She can be reached at alisonp@wsba.org.
markpattersonlaw
I appreciate the update in this forum, thank you.