Phosphate ban all but certain
Washington could soon become the first state in the nation to sharply limit phosphates in automatic dishwashing detergents, a move designed to aid cleanup of the Spokane River.
A modified version of legislation already approved by the state House cleared the Senate on Wednesday. The House is expected to agree to the changes, despite heavy opposition from the detergent industry, and send the measure to Gov. Chris Gregoire this week.
“The phosphate ban is important to Spokane. We need it,” said Sen. Brad Benson, R-Spokane.
Phosphates – common in fertilizer – spur the growth of algae in lakes and rivers. When algae dies and decays, it uses up oxygen in the water, resulting ailing or dead fish.
Because of that, Spokane County is under the regulatory gun to dramatically reduce the amount of phosphate pollution in the Spokane River. Even with a new sewage plant planned, county Commissioner Todd Mielke told lawmakers that limiting phosphates going down the drain is critical to helping the county meet federal clean water standards.
Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, is the prime sponsor of House Bill 2322, which would limit the amount of phosphorus to half a percent. Current law allows nearly 9 percent. The state passed a similar law for laundry detergents in 1993.
Bestiality bill heads to governor: It soon will be illegal in Washington to have sex with animals.
The House unanimously approved an anti-bestiality bill Wednesday that now heads to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it.
The bill passed the Senate last month on a 36-0 vote, with 13 lawmakers excused. It was prompted by a widely publicized Washington state case in which a man died of injuries suffered while having sex with a horse.
The measure would make bestiality a Class C felony, which is punishable by a maximum five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Anyone videotaping such acts also could be convicted under animal cruelty laws, as could anyone permitting such acts to take place on their property.
Reporter privilege: A bill to protect reporters from having to choose between jail and revealing confidential sources appears doomed in the state Senate, Majority Leader Lisa Brown said Thursday.
“Unless the proponents and opponents get a little more consensus, it’s doubtful that we’ll bring it up for a vote,” Brown said.
Many newspapers and broadcasters backed the bill. Opponents included trial lawyers, two construction trade associations and a Texas-based company that was the subject of an investigative TV report two years ago.
Compiled from staff and wire reports.