Lawmakers act on gangs, beer, bees

Tue., March 11, 2008

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

OLYMPIA – Legislators gave final approval Monday to a slew of bills on topics from combating gang violence and targeting harmful chemicals in toys to tax breaks for the state’s beekeepers.

The measures now head to the governor’s desk as lawmakers wind up the last week of this year’s short legislative session.

A bipartisan House effort crafted a broad bill to fight gang violence, but Senate Democrats objected to a clause that would allow police to stop and question a person based on clothing or body language. The Senate deleted that provision Friday, and the House supported the change Monday.

Under the measure, a coalition of local authorities and the state will create a program for getting tough on criminal gangs, including creating a database of known gang members and providing tough penalties for adults who get kids to join gangs.

Lawmakers also passed what consumer advocates are calling one of the strictest standards for chemicals in children’s toys.

A bill by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, bans lead and other toxins from children’s toys, requires companies to disclose what chemicals their products contain, and forbids retailers from selling toys with some toxins.

The Legislature also approved expanding the authority of American Indian police officers in the state. Under the measure, tribal officers would be able to arrest non-Indians on tribal land if the officers are certified by the state and obtain liability insurance. Currently, tribal police only have jurisdiction over tribe members.

The microbrewery and wine industries scored a victory on Monday as well, with lawmakers approving a pilot program to market local products by allowing beer and wine tasting in 30 grocery stores statewide. The one-year program allows shoppers to sample up to 4 ounces of beer or wine.

Beekeepers in the state also got some relief, with lawmakers approving a measure to ease the economic impact of a nationwide epidemic that has left millions of bees dead.

A person who owns more than 7,000 worker bees and at least one queen bee will be eligible for exemptions from the state business and occupation tax on sales of honey, wax and other bee products.

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