On Sunday, Gov. Inslee signed the 2013-15 operating budget passed by the Legislature, just in time for its effects to kick in today, the first day of the two-year budget cycle, and keep the doors of state government open. But that’s only because the legislation included a provision that it would take effect immediately: Bills without that clause – which includes most bills passed by the Legislature – don’t become law until after 90 days beyond the end of the session in which they are approved.
The 2013 regular session of the Legislature ended April 28, and non-emergency laws approved in that session take effect July 28. The Associated Press took the occasion of the July 1 start of the fiscal year to write a news story about some of the new laws – but what it doesn’t tell you is that two of the highlighted measures were sponsored by members of the House Democratic Caucus: House Bill 1001, by Rep. Jim Moeller of Vancouver, which authorizes beer and wine sales at smaller movie theaters, and House Bill 1009, by Rep. Sam Hunt of Olympia, which requires ID checks for alcohol purchases at self-checkout machines.
