Tag Archives: House of Representatives

King’s prevailing-wage bill signed into law

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 →

King’s prevailing-wage bill now awaiting governor’s signature

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 →

King bill exempting farmers from CDL requirements to become law

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 →

Area lawmakers support historic, bipartisan Senate reform budget

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 →

Deccio ‘a dear friend and colleague,’ says King

Former Washington State Sen. Alex Deccio, who served the 14th Legislative District, passed away Tuesday evening in a Yakima hospital. Deccio’s career of public service included two terms in the House of Representatives, a term as a Yakima County commissioner, service in the Senate between 1981 and 1989, and again from 1993 until his retirement in 2005. Deccio would have been 90 years old on Friday.

Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who now serves the 14th District, issued this following statement in response to the news of Deccio’s passing: Continue reading →

King bill to allow off-road motorcycles on public roads signed into law

Today Gov. Christine Gregoire signed into law Senate Bill 5800, a measure introduced by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, to authorize the use of modified off-road motorcycles on public roads.

“My bill will allow outdoor recreationalists to use their motorcycles to get from one place to another, such as from a campsite to town and back, or from trail to trail,” King said. “I’m pleased that this measure will allow off-road motorcycle users more flexibility to enjoy their pastime without worrying about breaking the law in the process.” Continue reading →

King bill to align state with federal transportation law passes Senate

The Washington State Senate today voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 5260, which removes the 75-foot length limit for saddlemount vehicle combinations from Washington State Law and increases the limit to 97 feet.

“You’ve probably seen these vehicle combinations on freeways around the state. Often it’ll be a chain of tractor-trailer cabs,” said Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and sponsor of the bill. “This bill will bring Washington into compliance with the federal standard.” Continue reading →

King votes for budget reductions during one-day special session

State lawmakers today approved several budget bills designed to narrow the state’s $1.1 billion budget gap during an emergency six-hour special session. Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, voted in favor of the bills, saying he supports this first step toward fiscal sustainability.

“This is just a first step,” King said. “The state still has to make more changes if we are to complete the current fiscal year without having a deficit, and even when we close the budget gap for the current biennium, the state will still be facing another multi-billion dollar shortfall going into the 2011-13 biennium. There are some vital structural reform proposals that need to be looked at in January if we’re going to get the state back on the right track.” Continue reading →

Bill to create anti-gang law ready to pass Senate with King’s support

House Bill 2414, which would create a criminal street gang activity nuisance law, was made eligible today by the Senate Rules Committee for a vote by the full Senate. The measure’s chief supporter in the upper chamber of the Legislature, Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, said such a law would give law-abiding citizens another tool to help combat gang activity in their neighborhoods.

“We’ve been fighting the expanding gang presence in our district for some time now, and this bill will make it easier for private individuals to take action,” King said. “We need all the help we can get to combat this scourge and this bill will certainly do that.” Continue reading →