Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation that Supports Small Washington Farms

For Immediate Release: April 19, 2007

Bill eliminates expiration date for small farm direct marketing program; Governor also takes action on a bill to establish a state poet laureate

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure to help small Washington farms. The bill removes the expiration date for a program that helps farms be more successful by offering regulatory assistance and direct marketing opportunities, such as farmers markets.

�The small farm program works with about 3,000 small farms every year, providing them with tools to make sound business decisions that will increase their economic viability,� said Governor Gregoire. �This is a straight forward bill to make sure that program continues.�

House Bill 1311, sponsored by Rep. Bill Grant (D-Walla Walla), passed the House with 89 votes and passed the Senate with 48 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.

Gov. Gregoire Signs Bill to Establish a Washington Poet Laureate

Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure to establish a Washington poet laureate program. The Washington poet laureate will be appointed to a two-year term to actively promote and encourage poetry within the state.

�Creating a poet laureate for Washington honors the role played by poetry and poets in the creative culture of our state,� said Governor Gregoire.

Substitute House Bill 1279, sponsored by Rep. Mary Skinner (R-Yakima), passed the House with 90 votes and passed the Senate with 45 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.

Additional Bill Action Today

Governor Gregoire today also signed the following bills into law:

• HB 1145 - Relating to the limitations period for an account receivable.
• HB 1231 - Relating to pawnbrokers.
• HB 1235 - Relating to providing confidentiality to certain insurance commissioner examinations.
• HB 1236 - Relating to the capital and surplus requirements necessary to transact insurance.
• SSHB 1280 - Relating to the use of the school district capital projects funds for technology.
• ESHB 1497 - Relating to increasing the operating fee waiver authority for Central Washington University.
• HB 1549 - Relating to exempting wholesale sales of unprocessed milk for processing from business and occupation tax.
• ESHB 1649 - Relating to purchasing an increased benefit multiplier for past judicial service for judges in the public employees' retirement system and teachers' retirement system.
• HB 1676 - Relating to allowing public utility districts to disburse low-income energy assistance contributions.
• SHB 2010 - Relating to bidder responsibility.
• EHB 2105 - Relating to payment of prescription drugs for industrial insurance medical aid claims.
• SHB 2158 - Relating to the sales of vehicles and associated services to nonresidents of Washington.
• SHB 2361 - Relating to collective bargaining for certain employees of institutions of higher education and related boards.