GOAL Post 2015-16

FROM: GOAL <goalwa@cox.net>

TO: undisclosed-recipients:

SENT: Fri 4/24/2015 7:10 PM

SUBJECT: GOAL Post 2015-16

Legislative Update from Olympia 24 April 2015

• GOOD NEWS:  LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS TWO DAYS EARLY
• THEY'LL BE BACK!
• GOVERNOR CALLS SPECIAL SESSION
• ESHB 1713 IN TROUBLE
• GOAL POST WILL CONTINUE

Having failed to agree on a biennial budget, the legislature adjourned from its 2015 regular session this evening, two days ahead of the constitutionally-mandated limit of 105 days.  But they'll be back!

Governor Inslee has called for up-to-a 30-day special session, to begin Wednesday, 29 April.  The principal focus of the special session will be the budget, but once convened, they may pick up any legislation they choose to work on, either from the previous session or new issues.

Senate and House budget conferees continue to meet during the four-day interim, so the special session MAY consist of a quorum call on Wednesday, a fast vote in both chambers on an agreed-upon budget, and a quick close that same day.  But that's not the way to bet.  It's all about revenue: the Republican-controlled Senate passed a budget that is limited to existing revenues; the Democrat-controlled House wants tax increases.  Recall candidate Inslee said, "No new taxes."  That was BEFORE he got elected.

On Tuesday, the House voted to reject the Senate amendments to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1713 (oh, just call it HB 1713).  At this point, the bill goes to a conference committee to iron out disagreement, followed by a concurrence vote in both chambers, but it doesn't appear that happened before adjournment tonight.  Technically the bill is dead for this session, but it could be revisited during the special session... or next year.  Although the offensive gun language was stripped out, it would be better if the bill just went away.

I normally shut GOAL Post down after the end of the session.  Obviously, with the special session continuing in a few days, GP will continue to be published.  I'll also be publishing alerts throughout the remainder of the year, if/as the situation warrants.  One subject that is sure to be covered is the special election to be held November 3rd to fill the seat in the 30th Legislative District (Federal Way and surrounding area).  A win in that district, currently held by a Democrat, would put the Republicans within one seat of control of the state House of Representatives.  

BILL STATUS:

Bill #	Subject	Prime sponsor	Status	GOAL Position
*ESHB 1713	Mental health/guns	Cody (D-34)	House rejected Senate amendments	NEUTRAL
SSB 5381	Return of firearms held by law enforcement	Billig (D-3)	To Gov.	NEUTRAL
SB 5658	Reporting of mental health commitment	Dansel (R-7)	Died in H. Rules	NEUTRAL

* indicates change in status this week

ESHB = Engrossed Substitute House Bill, SHB/SSB = Substitute Bill (bill amended in committee), HB = House Bill, SB = Senate Bill, H. Aprop = House Appropriations, H. Jud. = House Judiciary, S. L&J = Senate Law & Justice, S. W&M = Senate Ways & Means

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED: At this point, there is no published agenda for next week.

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:  You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.  Toll free!!!  The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.  Also toll free!!!

            1-800-562-6000   TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA:  Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature's web site at "www.leg.wa.gov".  Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format.  You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe's web site (http://www.adobe.com).  You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.  Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000.  You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/ (you need "RealAudio" to do this, available free at the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate "bill reports" (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted.  By reading the "roll call" for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on any bill.  The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:  If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to "jwaldron@halcyon.com".  Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.  Better yet, make a couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).  PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO GOAL.  I can be reached at "jwaldron@halcyon.com" or by telephone at (425) 985-4867.  Unfortunately, I am unable to (snail) mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals.  Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at "jwaldron@halcyon.com" with the words "Unsubscribe GOAL Post" in the subject line.  I will remove your name immediately.  Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists.  If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list's admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

             Puyallup            25-26 April

             Monroe                2-3 May

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men."

                Article 1, Section 24

       Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2015 Gun Owners Action League of WA