2010 Priorities Bill Tracking
Updated March 4, 2010
Predatory Lending
Mortgage Lending
Families all around Washington State have lost their homes to foreclosure, and thousands more may lose their homes in the next three years. SB 6648 will level the playing field between mortgage lenders and families by requiring lenders to offer foreclosure mediation by a neutral third party, and to consider standardized loan modification as an alternative to foreclosure. SB 6648 did not pass out of the Senate Ways and Means committee.
Families hit hard by the recession need a lifeline when their homes are threatened with foreclosure. The original versions of HB 2623 and SB 6694 would have postponed for a year foreclosure of homes owned by families receiving unemployment benefits. A substantially weakened version of HB 2623 calling for a study existing protections passed in the House of Representatives, and SB 6694 did not pass out of the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions.
Credit Card Lending
Usurious credit card interest rates can keep working families in a cycle of debt. HB 2195 will cap interest rates at reasonable levels so these families can get out of debt. HB 2195 did not pass out of the House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.
Consumer Protections
Unfair Insurance Practices
Drivers face higher premiums because they've been laid off, have a lower level of education or have a bad credit score due to foreclosure, financial hardship or a lack of credit history. HB 2513 and SB 6252 would prohibit insurers from using a person’s credit history, income or education level to determine insurance premiums. HB 2513 did not pass out of the House Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance, and SB 6252 failed to receive a vote in the Senate before a cutoff deadline.
Debt Collection
Families attempting to pay off their debts should not have to face harassment from debt collectors. SB 6348 will level the playing field by limiting the frequency of debt collector contacts, and by prohibiting dishonest communications. SB 6348 failed to receive a vote in the Senate before a cutoff deadline.
Auto Fraud
Low-income families are frequent targets of fraudulent used car sales practices, and they need protection. HB 1772 and SB 5675 will make purchasing a used car a more fair and transparent process by requiring dealers to inspect cars for defects and disclose their findings to potential buyers. HB 1772 and SB 5675 were not heard in committee in either chamber.
Racial Justice
Civil Rights in School
All kids deserve a quality education regardless of race. Yet discrimination in our schools continues to negatively impact academic achievement and career prospects for students of color. HB 3026 will address this aspect of the achievement gap by prohibiting discrimination in schools and requiring their compliance with existing state and federal civil rights laws. HB 3026 passed in the House of Representatives, the Senate policy and fiscal committees and is now in the Senate Rules Committee.
Housing
Tenant Screening
Low-income renters can spend hundreds of dollars on application fees, paying multiple times for the same screening report. This wastes money they will need for move-in costs. HB 2622 will provide for a single tenant screening report, good for 60 days, and ensure accuracy and affordability of reports. HB 2622 did not pass out of the House Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance.
Critical Social Programs
Paving the Way to Raise Revenue
Because of Tim Eyman's Initiative 960, lawmakers who want to invest in our state are unable to close corporate tax loopholes or find new sources of revenue without a 2/3 supermajority vote of both the House and Senate. SB 6130 updates the I-960 law by temporarily suspending the supermajority requirements and permanently allowing legislators to close unfair tax loopholes. SB 6130 passed in both the House and Senate and Governor Gregoire signed it into law on February 24.
General Assistance Unemployable (GAU)
We all hope if we become disabled and unable to work that we will have support and opportunities. HB 2782 will provide families further opportunities by assisting eligible disabled workers to receive SSI benefits, by assisting GAU recipients leaving the program to find health care, and by providing housing assistance for the homeless. HB 2782 passed in the House, was amended and passed in the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee. This bill was heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on March 2.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The original version of HB 3141 would help struggling families seeking temporary financial assistance during the economic recovery. It makes critical improvements to the state’s WorkFirst program by providing alternative pathways to self-sufficiency and easing the transition for families leaving the TANF program. An amended and substantially weakened version of HB 3141 calling for a study of such improvements passed in both the House and Senate.
Reforming Ballot Measures
Accountability and Transparency for Initiatives
Our state's initiative process should be a tool for democracy and a way for voters to have a direct voice on important legislation.
Recent elections show us that this system is broken. Paid signature-gathering firms are everywhere and operate without standards and oversight.
HB 2614 and SB 6449, put in place common sense accountability measures for signature gatherers. HB 2614 failed to receive a vote in the House before a cutoff deadline. SB 6449 passed in the Senate and but failed to pass out of the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee.
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