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• Introduced by Sen. Ed Murray, (D-Seattle) (D) on January 17, 2007, to create the “State Domestic Partnership Registry.” Unmarried couples sharing a common residence and are either of the same-sex or are over the age of 62 can qualify for a state-registered domestic partnership. A domestic partnership would grant same-sex couples rights and privileges currently given to legally married couples. See companion HB 1351.
  • Referred to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on January 17, 2007.
    • Substitute offered to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on February 5, 2007, to remove the provision that recognized partnerships, civil unions, and reciprocal beneficiary relationships that were created in another state. The substitute also adds domestic partners as beneficiaries of wrongful death actions. Information recorded on death certificates must include domestic partnership status and the surviving partner's information to the same extent that such information is recorded for marital status and the surviving spouse's information.
    • The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 1, 2007.
  • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 5, 2007.
  • Amendment offered by Sen. Don Benton, (R-Vancouver) (R) on March 1, 2007, to insert a referendum clause.
  • The amendment failed in the Senate (18 to 29) on March 1, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Passed in the Senate (28 to 19) on March 1, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on March 5, 2007.
  • Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on March 5, 2007.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 27, 2007.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Glenn Anderson, (R-Fall City) (R) on April 10, 2007, to add a referendum clause, requiring a vote of the people for adoption or rejection at the next general election. The amendment failed in the House (35 to 63) on April 10, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Mark Miloscia, (D-Federal Way) (D) on April 10, 2007, to allow blood relatives to register as domestic partners; adds the requirement that the two persons must be prohibited from marrying each other under state law to register as domestic partners. To register, domestic partners must file with the Secretary of State a "declaration of domestic partners in a mutual beneficiary contract." Recognizes as Washington domestic partnerships those civil unions, domestic partnerships, and other relationships created in other states, provided that the parties meet the requirements under the act. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on April 10, 2007.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Jay Rodne, (R-North Bend) (R) on April 10, 2007, to provide a "reverse severability" clause. The entire act is null and void and has no effect if any provision of the act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on April 10, 2007.
  • Amendment offered by Rep. Jay Rodne, (R-North Bend) (R) on April 10, 2007, to strike the underlying bill and creates a registry for mutual beneficiaries. To register as mutual beneficiaries, two adults must be at least 18, not be married to another or in a mutual beneficiary contract, be capable of consenting, and execute and file a mutual beneficiary contract with the Secretary of State (thus, same sex couples, different sex couples, and blood relatives may register). Provides rights to mutual beneficiaries as provided to domestic partners in the underlying bill, except for the following rights: (a) cause of action for wrongful death of partner; (b) inclusion on death certificate; (c) PEBB benefits for state employees' same sex partners; (d) right to consent to remove human remains; (e) right to consent to dissection and autopsy, and to receive autopsy report; and (f) right of partner to be agent in power of attorney when partner is principal's physician or owner of health care facility where principal is treated. Contains a referendum clause. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on April 10, 2007.
• Passed in the House (63 to 35) on April 10, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on April 20, 2007.