Garbage thieves, teachers’ cottages and a tell-all rule for gifts to doctors…

Among the interesting bills kicking around the Legislature this week:
-Senate Bill 5599, which would make it a criminal offense to steal someone’s garbage.
“One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure,” said Sen. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, who said he was startled to learn that there was no state law specifically outlawing the theft of refuse. He’s worried about identity-thieves rummaging through trash for credit-card billings, bank statements, or other documents useful for fraud.
“The threat isn’t about someone reading love letters or discovering you have a really bad sweet tooth,” he said.
-House Bill 1399, which would require drug companies to annually report all gifts they gave to doctors and other prescribers.
-House Bill 1229, which would allow school districts to use school construction money to build “teachers’ cottages” in ritzy school districts where it’s hard to find housing that’s affordable on a teacher’s salary.