How they voted

Sun., April 17, 2005

The Spokesman-Review

Voter registration: By a vote of 54-42 on Thursday, the House approved Senate Bill 5743, to modify voter registration procedures and record-keeping. As introduced, the bill required the secretary of state to verify voter registration applicant citizenship with the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service, and required county election officials to randomly investigate county voter lists with the statewide database to check for persons who are deceased or whose residences differ. A series of amendments during floor debates eliminated these provisions from the bill. The House also failed to approve amendments that would have required persons registering to vote and those voting at polls to provide proof of identity. The Senate must now concur on House amendments to the bill before it can go to the governor for signature or veto.

Yes: Reps. Alex Wood, D-Spokane; Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane.

No: Reps. Larry Crouse, R-Spokane Valley; Lynn Schindler, R-Spokane Valley; John Serben, R-Spokane; John Ahern, R-Spokane; Bob Sump, R-Republic; Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda; Don Cox, R-Colfax; David Buri, R-Colfax.

Mail ballots: By a vote of 28-20 on Thursday, the Senate approved House Bill 1754, authorizing county auditors to conduct all primary, special and general elections entirely by mail ballot. The bill passed the House on March 15. The House must concur on Senate amendments to the bill before it can go to the governor for signature or veto.

Yes: Sens. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane; Bob McCaslin, R-Veradale.

No: Sens. Jon Wyss, R-Spokane (serving as a temporary replacement for Sen. Brad Benson); Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls; Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

California vehicle emissions standards: By a vote of 29-19 on Wednesday, the Senate approved House Bill 1397, directing that Washington adopt California’s motor vehicle emissions standards, which are currently more restrictive. The standards will take effect with vehicle model years beginning 2009 or 2010. Beginning in 2012, vehicle emissions testing may be done by authorized auto dealers and repair shops. The Senate version of the bill is less restrictive than the House’s version in that it prohibits the Department of Ecology from adopting California’s zero emissions standard. The original bill passed the House on March 16. The House must now concur on Senate amendments before it can go to the governor for signature or veto.

Yes: Brown.

No: McCaslin; Wyss; Morton; Schoesler.

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