Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation to Improve Math and Science Education

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2007

Governor also signs bill to give new parents the opportunity to bond with their child and a bill she requested as part of her Working Lands Initiative to protect farmland for future generations

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure that will extend the date to 2013 by which students must meet the state math and science standards for high school graduation. Students must meet the requirements through the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) or an alternative assessment. Students that do not meet the standard are required to take more math credits. The bill also provides for additional alternative assessments by which students can demonstrate they meet standards. Previously, the requirement would have been to meet math standards by the class of 2008 and science standards by the class of 2010.

�We must improve math and science teaching and learning, but we cannot penalize students when the system has failed them,� said Governor Gregoire. �This bill extends to 2013 the deadline for students to meet the state math and science standards through the WASL or an approved alternative for high school graduation.�

Governor Gregoire vetoed sections 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the bill.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6023, sponsored by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe (D-Bothell), passed the Senate with 30 votes and passed the House with 56 votes. The bill takes effect July 22, 2007.

Gov. Gregoire Signs Legislation to Protect Farmland for Future Generations; Bill is Part of Governor�s Working Lands Initiative

Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure she requested as a part of her Working Lands Initiative that will create a statewide Office of Farmland Preservation as a resource to help protect, preserve and retain farmland for future generations.

�Not all land is suitable for farming. In fact, we have a limited amount of agricultural land that we rely on to produce food and fuels and grow our economy,� said Governor Gregoire. �This office will serve as a strong voice on the importance of farmland preservation and provide farmers and growers more options to keep their farms profitable and productive.�

Governor Gregoire vetoed sections 6 and 7 of the bill.

Substitute Senate Bill 5108, sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island), passed the Senate with 46 votes and passed the House with 95 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.

Gov. Gregoire Signs Legislation to Provide New Parents the Opportunity to Bond with Their Child

Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure that establishes a family and medical leave insurance program to give new parents benefits of up to $250 per week for up to five weeks.

�This bill gives parents the opportunity to bond with their newborn or newly-adopted child,� said Governor Gregoire. �More new parents, especially those with low or middle-incomes, will be able to stay at home with their child during the critical first few weeks of life.�

Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5659, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Kent), passed the Senate with 26 votes and passed the House with 57 votes. The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the Legislative session.

Additional Bill Action Today

Governor Gregoire today signed the following bills into law:

• HB 1051-Relating to high school completion programs.
• HB 1084 - Relating to designating the Lady Washington as the official ship of the state of Washington.
• 2SHB 1088 - Relating to children's mental health services.
• HB 1220 - Relating to the appointment of indeterminate sentence review board members.
• HB 1371 - Relating to traffic infractions involving rental vehicles.
• E2SHB 1422 - Relating to children and families of incarcerated parents.
• SHB 1456 - Relating to home visits by mental health professionals.
• HB 1526 - Relating to presidential primary ballots.
• SHB 1583 - Relating to disclosure of the percentage of automatic service charges paid to servers.
• HB 1592 - Relating to the indeterminate sentenced offenders.
• SHB 1654 - Relating to modifying provisions on the canvassing of ballots.
• SHB 1897 - Relating to disclosure of attorney invoices.
• SHB 1909 - Relating to specialized forest products.
• HB 2034 - Relating to providing a civil cause of action for victims of motor vehicle theft.
• 2SHB 2055 - Relating to traumatic brain injury.
• HB 2152 - Relating to election certification dates.
• E2SHB 2284 - Relating to the training of and collective bargaining over the training of care providers.
• ESSB 5112 - Relating to auctioning vessels.
• SSB 5202 - Relating to permissible weaponry for on-duty law enforcement officers.
• SSB 5227 - Relating to animal abandonment.
• SSB 5248 - Relating to preserving the viability of agricultural lands.
• ESSB 5312 - Relating to protecting and recovering property owned by utilities, telecommunications companies, railroads, state agencies, political subdivisions of the state, construction firms, and other parties.
• SSB 5320 - Relating to creating an office of public guardianship as an independent agency of the judiciary.
• SB 5429 - Relating to deductions from moneys received by an inmate.
• ESB 5498 - Relating to revising voter-approved funding sources for local taxing districts.
• SSB 5533 - Relating to procedures for individuals who are mentally ill and engaged in acts constituting criminal behavior.
• SSB 5534 - Relating to an exemption from unemployment compensation for certain small performing arts industries.
• SB 5572 - Relating to excise tax relief for certain limited purpose public corporations.
• SSB 5634 - Relating to corrections personnel training.
• SSB 5674 - Relating to water district commissioner candidates.
• SSB 5702 - Relating to notice to certain employees of a claim of exemption from paying unemployment insurance taxes.
• SSB 5718 - Relating to penalties for engaging in the commercial sexual abuse of minors.
• SSB 5721 - Relating to allowing for financial arrangements between the holders of a sports/entertainment facility and manufacturers, importers, and distributors.
• ESSB 5774 - Relating to revising background check processes.
• ESSB 5788 - Relating to the licensing of home inspectors.
• E2SSB 5859 - Relating to retail liquor licenses.
• SSB 5987 - Relating to gang-related offenses.
• ESSB 6032 - Relating to medical use of marijuana.
• SSB 6100 - Relating to charitable donations.
• ESB 6128 - Relating to persons authorized to make expenditures on behalf of a candidate or committee.

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