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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Olympia

On the fly: airline passengers’ rights bill…

With some significant tweaking, the Senate consumer protection committee on Friday gave a thumbs-up to Sen. Ken Jacobsen's "Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights."

The bill, which originally would have mandated cash refunds to passengers stranded for long stretches on the tarmac, has been "watered down" -- committee chair Brian Weinstein's words -- to mirror a New York law. It would require refreshments, fresh air, medical attention and waste removal for passengers stuck in on-the-ground planes for more than three hours.

"The only think I would like to have seen - I know it's not possible -- is legroom," added Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside.



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