There are a series of deadlines that we have to meet during the session. One of those deadlines is the House of Origin Cutoff. In order to survive this deadline, House bills must be passed out of the House and sent to the Senate before the cutoff deadline and vice versa for Senate bills. That deadline passed last week at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11.
In the days leading up to the cutoff deadline, my colleagues and I have spent long hours on the House floor passing bills. Here are just a few of the bills that we voted out of the House, sending them over to the Senate for their action.
HB 1085, which requires that lobbyist file their Public Disclosure Forms electronically. These reports allow the public to know whom and on what lobbyist are spending their money. It will create a system that allows easy access to this information. I have filed this bill several times, only to see it die in the Senate. I urge you to contact your state senator and request that they pass this legislation.
SHB 1956 – When you disagree with your insurance company, where do you go? You have the option of asking for a review by a certified independent review organization (IRO). This bill requires that the IRO submit an annual report to the Department of Health and those findings will be accessible in an online database. Giving consumers easy access when making decisions about which health insurance plan to choose.
I am also proud to tell you that the House passed legislation that requires domestic violence programs to develop and maintain a plan for: (1) Delivering domestic violence victim services, prevention efforts, and access to emergency shelter across the state (HB 1729). We also expanded the Prescription Drug Assistance Program to help low income and under-insured patients access to low-cost prescriptions (HB 2021).
In order to afford health care and keep a roof over your head, you must have a job that pays your bills. HB 1355 raises the minimum wage to $10 an hour in 2016, $10.50 in 2017 and $11 in 2018 and $12 in 2019. From then on the minimum wage will be adjusted on the Consumer Price Index.
Speaking of salaries! It’s appalling to realize that women still make less money than men for doing the same job. Countless studies show that women are still being discriminated against. Female doctors earn 71 percent of what their male colleagues earn. Minority women in Washington earn 49 cents to every male’s dollar. HB 1646 bans employers from retaliating against employees for discussing wages and salaries, allowing transparency in companies’ hiring and salary practices for everyone.
I’ve heard from many of you about a variety of bills and issues we’re talking about in Olympia this year. My focus will continue to be improving our education system, finding better and more ways to make sure everyone has access to health care, and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to succeed if they work hard. If you have any questions about a bill or an issue or just want to share your thoughts, please call my office at 360-786-7872 or email me at jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov.