UNDER THE DOME

Good morning. Today is Tuesday, April 17, the 100th day of the 105-day legislative session.

IN BRIEF

The House approved a measure aimed at protecting the rights of foster parents Monday, sending House Bill 1102 to the governor for signing.

But advocates for better foster care want more, including opening certain court proceedings to the public. They will rally at noon Wednesday in support of that legislation, Senate Bill 5984.

Activist Cheri Covert, past president of the Yakima Foster Parents Association, said they hope to rally as many as 100 people near the O'Brien Building.

HB 1102 would, among other things, forbid Department of Social and Health Services workers from discriminating or retaliating against foster families.

SB 5984 would open certain child-dependency hearings to the public. It passed the Senate on a 49-0 vote and is awaiting action in the House.

TODAY

Backers of pay increases for nurses and home-care workers will offer their funding proposal in an 8:30 a.m. appearance on the steps of the state library on the Capitol Campus.

The plan pushed by the Washington Health Care Association, the nursing industry's trade group, would set aside a state pension fund surplus to create an endowment for nursing home workers and other long-term caregivers.

Hearings / On television

Here are a few of the major committee hearings and work sessions in the Legislature today. All House committee meetings are in the John L. O'Brien building (JLOB). All Senate committee meetings are in the John A. Cherberg Building (JAC).

House

-8 a.m.: Commerce & Labor discussion of possible work in interim after session, House Hearing Room B.

-8 a.m.: Select Elections work session on blanket primaries, HHR-E.

-8 a.m.: Financial Institutions hearing on HB 2224, licensing special products of certain lines of insurance, HHR-C.

-9 a.m.: Floor session.

-1:30 p.m.: Floor session

Senate

-9 a.m.: Floor session.

-1:30 p.m.: Floor session continued.

The following are excerpts from today's schedule for TVW, the state's public affairs network, found on Channel 23 locally.

-9 a.m.: Senate floor action (live).

-1:30 p.m.: House floor action.

-5 p.m.: Utilities & Transportation Commission hearing on Puget Sound Energy's rate-change request (taped April 11).

Compiled by Brad Shannon

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE

Get bill updates or leave messages for lawmakers on the legislative hot line, (800) 562-6000. The hot line operates from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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