Phil Rockefeller, (D-Kitsap County) (D)
State Senator, District 23
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Contact Sen. Phil Rockefeller, (D-Kitsap County) (D)


Missed Votes

40 bills introduced by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, (D-Kitsap County) (D)

• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6853 .
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6802 (Adopting a sustainability groundwater policy) modifies the sustainability groundwater policy by requiring the groundwaters of the state to be managed sustainably so that both the quantity and quality is maintained and protected for both present and future generations. In all aspects of water resource management, withdrawals that would deplete a groundwater source to an extent that it would jeopardize the long-term yield and uses from that source is to be discouraged.
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6803 (Concerning the withdrawal of groundwater for stock watering purposes) to promote the clarity needed for both a sustainable livestock industry and effective water resource management, the bill intends to define "stock watering purposes," and establish a process under which existing operations may register groundwater that has been put to beneficial use. The bill also establishes quantity limits for new livestock operations that intend to rely upon the permit exemption for withdrawals in the future, and facilitate more efficient consolidation and movement of livestock and their associated water requirements among registered livestock operations.
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6741 (Regarding notice of special meetings) requires any governing body that is holding a special meeting to place a hyperlink on their website that directs to the written notice of the meeting.
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6763 (regarding exemptions on certain taxes for renewable energy machinery) exempts the sale of renewable energy machinery to electric utilities from sales and use tax. Starting in 2011, this exemption will be for 75% of the state sales and use tax.
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6672 (Modifying the energy independence act.) specifies the duties of a qualifying utility in meeting biennial conservation acquisition targets and annual renewable resource goals and notifying the department of commerce of its implementation plan for, and progress in meeting renewable energy targets. (See also HB 3034).
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6677 (Concerning oil spill contingency plan requirements.) requires vessels to immediately report potential oil spills to the military department and estimate the extent of the damage. Also requires vessels and facilities that have the potential to spill oil into water to immediately activate their oil spill contingency plan if they have spilled oil. (See also HB 2964).
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6658 (Modifying investment cost recovery incentives for community solar projects.) limits the eligibility of community solar projects for cost recovery incentives to projects with a maximum instantaneous output of 2 megawatts of electricity or less.. An LLC owning a community solar project may submit one incentive application on behalf of each member of the company. Each member of the LLC is eligible for an incentive payment up to $5,000 per year.
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6421 (Requiring the department of commerce to review state energy strategies.) provides that the department of commerce shall periodically review state energy strategies with the guidance of an advisory committee. For each review, an advisory committee shall be established with a membership resembling as closely as possible the original energy strategy advisory committee constituted in 1991.Requires the department to produce a fully updated and revised state energy strategy and implementation report .
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6217 (Making amendments to the intermediate drivers license laws retroactive to 2001.) makes amendments to the intermediate drivers license provisions made during the 2009 legislative session retroactive to 2001. (See also HB 2528).
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6267 (Expanding water right processing programs.) expands the department of ecology's water right cost- reimbursement agreement program and requires the department to establish a list of certified water right examiners. Clarifies how a water right claim may be changed or amended. (See also HB 2508) .
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6215 (Raising income thresholds for property tax relief programs.) increases various income thresholds for property tax relief programs that benefit senior citizens, persons retired due to disability, and veterans with specific service-connected disabilities. Applies to taxes levied in 2011 and beyond.
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6283 (Regarding the Washington State University extension energy program's plant operations support program.) creates a plant operations support program. The program requires the Washington State University extension energy program to provide information, technical assistance, and consultation on physical plant operation, maintenance, and public works issues to state and local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations through its plant operations support program. The bill requires the plant operations support program to be funded by voluntary subscription charges, service fees, and other funding acquired by or provided to Washington State University for such purposes. The bill also repeals the plant operation and support program, information and technical assistance, and voluntary charges and fees statutes. (See also HB 2661).
• Introduced 2010 Senate Bill 6216 (Requiring disclosure of existing property tax levies on ballot propositions to lift levy lids.) requires that for any levy that is subject to voter approval, the ballot must state the currently existing dollar rate and the amount the proposed levy increase exceeds the currently existing dollar rate .
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 6172 (Eliminating the oil spill advisory council) to eliminate the oil spill advisory council and authorize the Puget Sound partnership to provide independent advice and assessment of the state's oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response programs, including review of existing activities and recommendations for any necessary improvements. Passed in the Senate (48 to 0) on April 20, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 6077 (Improving water management) provides for a notification process for a water right holder who may not need to withdraw any or all of the water allowable under the right in order to provide some protection from relinquishment and allow the water to be used for instream flows.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5914 (concerning student transportation funding) declares an intent to respond to the findings of the 2006 pupil transportation funding study by the joint legislative audit and review committee by providing additional payments to districts to mitigate funding discrepancies identified by the study, until such time as the new funding formula can be implemented in a thoughtful and deliberative manner no later than the 2011-12 school year. Gives specific directives to the Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding the devising and implementing a new transportation funding formula.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5921 (Creating a clean energy collaborative) requires the Washington technology center to create a clean energy collaborative with defined advocacy organizations to provide a forum for public and private cooperative initiatives to promote and strengthen clean energy clusters and living wage jobs in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. Passed in the Senate (46 to 1) on March 10, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5888 (Managing permit exempt groundwater withdrawals) exempts a withdrawal of public groundwaters from application and permit requirements as long as the beneficial use or uses of the public groundwaters do not individually or collectively exceed five thousand gallons a day for specified purposes, such as domestic use, stock watering, or noncommercial lawns and gardens.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5767 (Modifying the Washington clean air act) makes technical, nonsubstantive changes to outdoor burning provisions of the Washington clean air act . Passed in the Senate (48 to 0) on March 3, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5735 (Reducing greenhouse gas emissions) makes findings that early participation in greenhouse gas emission programs that are market driven will bring the best results and sets forth various procedures and conditions for the state’s participation in regional and federal “cap and trade” programs. (See also Companion HB 1819). Passed in the Senate (29 to 19) on March 11, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5736 (Tax preferences for electric vehicles and infrastructure) provides sales and use tax exemptions for electric vehicles, electric vehicle batteries, and electric vehicle infrastructure installation until June 30, 2013.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5649 (Regarding energy efficiency in buildings) establishes a policy goal of weatherizing twenty thousand homes and businesses in the state in each of the next five years. The legislature also intends to attain this goal by supporting community programs and maximum family-wage job creation. Passed in the Senate (34 to 14) on March 10, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5565 (Limiting the use of solid fuel burning devices) authorizes local jurisdictions to prohibit the use of solid fuel burning devices, except fireplaces, and wood stoves in areas designated nonattainment for fine particulate matter by the United States environmental protection agency. (See also Companion HB 1691). Passed in the Senate (38 to 10) on March 12, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5524 (Modifying vehicle impoundment notice requirements) makes minor revisions to notification requirements for vehicle impoundments .
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5533 (Regarding the adjudication of water rights) provides that if an adjudication is needed for effective water management,, the department, of natural resources in consultation with the administrative office of the courts, will determine whether sufficient resources are available to conduct an adjudication before proceeding. (See also Companion HB 1571) .
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5485 (Authorizing local wastewater reclamation systems) authorizes a water-sewer district to construct, and operate systems of wastewater reclamation to furnish the district’s inhabitants with reclaimed wastewater for all authorized uses and to determine the service rates to be charged . Also authorizes reclaimed wastewater to be furnished outside the district. (See also Companion HB 1532). Passed in the Senate (35 to 12) on March 3, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5438 (Crime victims input on offender’s work release placement ) directs the department of corrections to provide instruction on how to submit input regarding the offender's work release placement when it notifies the crime victim andshall consider any input received from a victim or the victim's next of kin. (See also Companion HB 1076).
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5396 (Regarding retention of funds on public works projects) lightly modifies applicable RCW sections and applicable dates of public works projects to the retaining of funds. (See also Companion HB 1199).
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5397 (Regarding alternative public works contracting procedures) directs the board that governs alternative public works projects to develop guidelines for the review and approval of design-build demonstration projects, to include the appointment of a committee, modifications to requirements for public bodies seeking certification in the design-build contracting procedure and gives limitations to what public works projects may be or may not be included in design-build procedures. (See also Companion HB 1197).
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5398 (Expanding the negotiation parameters in the bidding process on public works) allows a state contracting authority to use agents to represent their interests in the negotiating an adjustment to a bid price. (See also Companion HB 1200).
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5399 (Regarding payment of undisputed claims) requires state or appropriate municipality to make payment within thirty days of completed work by a contractor for any work that is not the subject of a dispute or else pay an accrued interest rate of one percent per month. (See also Companion HB 1195) .
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5138 (integrated climate change response strategy) to create an integrated response strategy that would coordinate a state response between local and state government on climate change issues. This act creates a climate impact teams among state agency participants and shall review science and technical information relevant to providing a state response to climate change. The climate impact team shall deliver a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2011 regarding how the state could better prepare to respond to climate change. This bill makes other changes and modifications necessary for the creation and support of the climate change team. Passed in the Senate (30 to 18) on March 10, 2009.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5170 (Repealing performance audit legislation passed in 2005 ) repeals the citizen advisory board and related statutes enacted in the 2005 legislative session to remove tredundancies and conflicts with Initiative 900 (Performance Audits), and to clarify the state auditor's role and authority for conducting performance audits .
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5185 (Increasing solar energy incentives) increases solar energy incentives by including community solar projects in investment cost recovery credits paid by participating light and power businesses. Provides a base rate of thirty cents per economic development kilowatt-hour for community solar projects and sets forth the formulas and limitations for calculating the credit.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5054 (Regarding special elections for changing the form of government of a noncharter code city) revises the process for the proposal for abandonment of a plan of government of a noncharter code city. Provides that such a plan shall be voted upon, or at a special election held prior to the next general election.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5057 (Limiting the rate of increase of property valuations) provides property tax relief by limiting valuation increases until ownership of the property changes. Annual Valuation increases are limited to the lesser of current appraised value or ten percent .
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5058 (Creating a pilot vessel amnesty disposal program) authorizes the department of natural resources to create a pilot vessel amnesty disposal program to dismantle and dispose of vessels that pose a high risk of becoming a derelict vessel or abandoned vessel, but that may not yet meet the definition of "derelict “or "abandoned “vessel.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Joint Resolution 8201 (Limiting property valuation increases) proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to empower the legislature may provide a method or methods of limiting increases in taxation of real estate, under definitions, conditions, and restrictions deemed proper by the legislature.
• Introduced 2009 Senate Bill 5087 (Concerning hospital benefit zones) clarifies provisions and processes for creating and funding local government benefit zones.

10 amendments introduced by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, (D-Kitsap County) (D)

• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 2289 (Expanding the energy freedom program) to establish the energy recovery act account. Funds from the account may be expended to pay for loan guarantees, and grants that encourage the establishment of innovative and sustainable industries for renewable energy and energy efficiency technology. The act establishes the administrative procedures neccesary for the act. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 17, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 2227 (Enacting the evergreen jobs act) tp rearrange and reorder the bill for clarity, and technical changes are made. The working group is named the Evergreen Jobs Leadership Team, and it must be chaired by a person appointed by the governor to be the sole point of contact on climate change and green economy issues. CTED, the Workforce Board, and the Leadership Team must do specified tasks instead of creating a strategic plan to do them, and must report on specified criteria on a semi-annual basis. The leadership team must identify the skills and qualifications necessary to conduct energy audits and provide energy efficiency services, and must direct and prioritize moneys provided for training to fulfill the purposes of E2SSB 5649. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is required to develop curricula and training programs to meet skills and qualifications identified by CTED, the Workforce Board, and the Leadership Team, must target a portion of federal stimulus funds to providing capacity for high employer-demand programs in energy audits and efficiency, and must report on its activities, amonth other things. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 16, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 2227 (Enacting the evergreen jobs act) add provisions related to funding and training. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 16, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 2222 (concerning construction and industrial storm water general permits) to add on page 3, line 38 of the amendment, after "two" insert "complete". The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 14, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 1571 (Regarding the adjudication of water rights) to eliminates an "incorporation by reference" issue that currently exists in the striking amendment. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 14, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 1329 (regarding collective bargaining for child care workers) to make the following chages: Child care centers that choose to opt in and participate in collective bargaining under the act must file a notice of intent with the Public Employment Relations Commission between July 1, 2010, and November 1, 2010. The notice of intent must include: The names and addresses of the child care center's owners, directors, and workers; and authorization cards signed by a majority of the center's owners, directors, and workers indicating their desire to opt in. The requirement that child care centers provide the names and addresses of its employees to the Department of Early Learning is removed. Instead, labor organizations wishing to organize may request this information from the Public Employment Relations Commission. The requirement that the units for bargaining be based on DSHS regions is removed and replaced with a statewide unit. The initial election may not occur before November 1, 2010. The bargaining representative may not begin negotiations with the Governor before July 1, 2011, and must submit its request for funds necessary to implement the agreement by October 1, 2011. The definition of child care center is modified. A child care center includes those centers with one or more subsidized children. Child care centers operated by a unit of government, operated by an entity that operates ten or more child care centers, and operated by large nonprofit organizations are exempted from the bill. Adds a JLARC sunset review to the bill and other economic support for child care centers is removed from the list of permissive items that may be bargained under the bill. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 13, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 1004 (adding products to the energy efficiency code) to update energy efficiency requirements for a variety of products manufactured or sold in Washington. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 13, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 House Bill 1580 (Establishing a pilot local water management program) to strike "instream" on page 3, line 2, after "enhance" and insert "stream". The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 31, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 Senate Bill 5649 (Regarding energy efficiency in buildings) to remove the requirement that the report make recommendations on how the state's energy efficiency and weatherization programs must all be transferred to WSU. Retains the requirement for WSU and CTED to review the state's energy efficiency and weatherization programs and make recommendations on energy efficiency and weatherization program coordination or consolidation within one state entity. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 10, 2009.
• Offered an amendment to 2009 Senate Bill 5485 (Authorizing local wastewater reclamation systems) makes a technical correction adding the word reclaimed on page 11 lines 22 and 26. The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 3, 2009.

• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6503 (Mandating state employee cost reductions.). Passed in the Senate (27 to 17) on January 22, 2010, as the substitute bill that requires state agencies, including institutions of higher education, to achieve the specified reduction in employee compensation costs and submit a plan to that effect to the Office of Financial Management. Requires an agency or institution, that does not have an approved plan by June 1, 2010, to close once per month on specified dates. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6382 (Prohibiting salary increases for certain state employees.). Passed in the Senate (29 to 14) on January 22, 2010, to allow an employer to grant a salary increase to a position for which it has a demonstrated difficulty retaining qualified personnel. Any agency giving a salary increase for an exempt or WMS position must submit a report to the fiscal committees of the Legislature by July 31, 2011, describing the increases given and the reasons for the increases. The prohibition on salary increases is expanded to include awards of cash or cash equivalents given in recognition for performance or longevity. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6345 (Making the use of cell phones while driving a primary offense ). Passed in the Senate (33 to 15) on February 5, 2010, to provide that he holder of an instruction permit or an intermediate license may not use a cell phone or other wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle. An exception is made if the wireless communication device is being used to report illegal activity, summon medical or other emergency help, or to prevent injury to a person or property. For all drivers, a violation of the laws relating to the use of a cell phone or other wireless communication devices while operating a moving motor vehicle may be enforced as a primary action. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6218 (Authorizing use of tax levy money to pay for financing contracts under the local option capital asset lending program.). Passed in the Senate (45 to 0) on January 29, 2010, to allow local governments to use the State Treasurer's Office pooled financing program for voter approved bonds payable from excess property tax levies. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6219 (Modifying funding sources for time certificate of deposit investments.). Passed in the Senate (45 to 0) on January 29, 2010, to provide that the State Treasurer has discretion as to whether he or she deposits all the funds certified to be available for the Time Certificate of Deposit (TCD) program into the TCD program. As part of the funds certified to be available for the TCD program, the State Treasurer is authorized to deposit Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) funds into the TCD program. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6220 (Requiring twice yearly review of state indebtedness instruments.). Passed in the Senate (44 to 0) on January 29, 2010, to provide that the State Finance Committee must meet at least twice a year. It may delegate to the Treasurer the authority to determine dates of issuance, interest rates, price, maturities, redemption rights, and covenants. It may not delegate its authority to set the maximum bond issuance. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6248 (Prohibiting certain plastic containers made with BPA.). Passed in the Senate (36 to 9) on January 29, 2010, to provide that, beginning July 1, 2011, plastic containers made with BPA and designed to hold food or beverages primarily for children under three years old may not be manufactured, sold, or distributed in Washington State. Metal cans with interior coatings containing BPA are exempt. Manufacturers of these products must notify sellers of these restrictions and must recall products that have already been distributed and reimburse retailers or others purchasers for these recalled products. Penalties are imposed for violation of these provisions. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2009 Senate Bill 5295 (Unanimous recommendations of the public records exemptions accountability committee). Passed in the Senate (47 to 0) on February 3, 2010, to implement the unanimous recommendations of the public records exemptions accountability committee. In November of 2008 the Sunshine Committee submitted a report to the Legislature documenting 12 recommendations for modifications to disclosure exemptions. Of these, eight were unanimous and four were not. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6196 (Modifying military leave provisions for public employees.). Passed in the Senate (46 to 0) on February 3, 2010, to grant military leave of absencein order for the member, reservist or National Guard, may report for required military duty, training, or drills. The officer or employee can only be charged military leave for days the officer or employee is scheduled to work. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Supported 2010 Senate Bill 6213 (Providing new regulations for vehicles at railroad crossings.). Passed in the Senate (47 to 0) on February 5, 2010, to modify the list of vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings, referencing federal guidelines and vehicle classifications to describe vehicles carrying explosive, flammable, and hazardous substances. In addition, commercial motor vehicles transporting passengers are added to the list of vehicles required to stop before crossing railroad tracks. [Vote Details and Comments]