Teenagers hoping to get bronzed before the big dance or upcoming swim party will have to do it the old-fashioned way under a bill being heard Monday in Olympia. If passed, tanning would be illegal for those under 18. After hearing from parents who lost children to skin cancer years after they let them hit the tanning salon, State Senator Curtis King decided it was time to step in. He’s proposing a bill that would prevent kids under the age of 18 from using tanning beds.
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On the first day of the 2013 legislative session, Washington State Supreme Court Justice Charles Johnson administered the oath of office to Republican Senator Curtis King, who represents the 14th District, to begin King’s second four-year term. Shortly thereafter, the Senate adopted a committee structure that installed King as the co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, along with 30th District Senator Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way.
“I am very pleased and honored to have been selected as co-chair of Transportation,” King said. “The Senate Transportation Committee has a longstanding tradition of bipartisanship and I will work tirelessly to see that this tradition is continued.” Continue reading
Under a new bipartisan banner, Democrat and Republican senators in the Washington State Senate today announced the formation of a Majority Coalition Caucus to lead the Senate during the 2013 legislative session. Twenty-five state senators have committed themselves to the new majority group, including Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who will also co-chair the Senate Transportation Committee.
“Transportation has always been one of the most – if not the most – bipartisan committees in the Legislature. That won’t change as we head into the 2013 session,” King said after news about the new Majority Coalition broke. “Ever since I came to the Legislature I’ve been looking for solutions that were fair and equitable for Washington citizens. It hasn’t always been easy, especially under one-party rule for so long, but this Majority Coalition Caucus gives us the chance to truly bring parity to the Senate. I hope it’s an example that others will follow as well.” Continue reading
The National Federation of Independent Business has named state Sens. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, as recipients of its Guardians of Small Business Award for 2012. The award is given to legislators with strong records of sponsoring and supporting legislation vital to the creation, growth and survival of small-business enterprises in Washington state.
“Small businesses are the driving force behind our economy and when they’re successful, we’re all successful,” said King, who represents the 14th Legislative District. “When this economy finally turns around it won’t happen from the top, down…it’ll start with our local businesses, the backbone of our state’s economic engine. I consider it a real honor to be named a guardian of that ilk.”
“I’m very proud to receive this award from the National Federation of Independent Business once again,” added Honeyford, who represents the 15th Legislative District. “In my 18 years as a state lawmaker I’ve always tried to be a champion of small businesses and have worked hard to give them every opportunity to succeed in this often-difficult environment.”
Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6423 Thursday afternoon, clarifying in state law that farmers and their employees are not required to possess commercial driver’s licenses under certain conditions. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, received unanimous support from the Washington State Senate and passed the House of Representatives97-1.
“It’s a tough time in our state right now, and the ag community doesn’t need to bear any more of a burden than it already has,” King said after the bill’s signing. “Our state’s farmers and farm workers won’t have to worry about breaking the law any longer and can now concentrate on moving their products and equipment to continue driving our economy forward.” Continue reading
Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6421 Thursday afternoon, a measure that will speed up the process of returning retainage to our state’s contractors and subcontractors more quickly to avoid potentially negative effects on a contractor’s bonding capacity and financial viability. Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, sponsored the bill, which received unanimous support from the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives.
“I’m very pleased the measure had so much support,” King said after the bill-signing. “The tough economy we find ourselves in hasn’t shown many signs of improvement, and this will help our state’s contractors by allowing them to have money returned to them faster so they can in turn reinvest it in their businesses.” Continue reading
After unanimous votes in the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives, Senate Bill 6421 is ready to be signed into law by the governor. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, says he’s pleased his measure was met with so much support.
“The bill is designed to help our state’s contractors and subcontractors have their retainage returned more quickly,” King said. “The idea is to speed up the process to avoid delayed payments that could potentially have a negative effect on a contractor’s bonding capacity.” Continue reading
The governor is soon expected to sign a measure sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, which would clarify in state law that farmers and those who work for farmers need not have a commercial driver’s license to move products from field to storage. Senate Bill 6423 received unanimous support from the Washington State Senate and passed the House of Representatives97-1.
“I was honored to be the prime sponsor of this farm-vehicle bill because I felt it was of great benefit to our eastern and central Washington farmers,” King said. “Relieving some of the bureaucratic burdens faced by our farmers and their employees should always be a priority, considering we depend so much on their efforts.” Continue reading
After a series of unprecedented procedural maneuvers Friday evening, minority members of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus joined with three like-minded Democrats to temporarily gain a philosophical majority and introduce a sustainable budget proposal that doesn’t depend on gimmicks, tricks or tax increases. Central Washington senators say not only does Senate Bill 5967 close the $1.1 billion gap, it projects to be in balance by the 2013-15 biennium. Continue reading