Trio of Hatfield bills pass Legislature; headed to Governor

OLYMPIA – As the adjournment of the 2008 Legislative session draws near, the Legislature is sending three bills sponsored by Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, to Governor Gregoire for her signature. Senate Bill 6483, also known as the Local Farms, Healthy Kids Act, will allow schools and institutions greater flexibility in purchasing fresh food from local farmers, ensuring healthier meals for our students. This will encourage kids to choose healthy lunch items and snacks and it can help local producers at the same time. SB 6483 passed the House on a 93-1 vote, and passed the Senate unanimously.

“Today we’re seeing an epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes as a result of unhealthy lifestyles, and we’re going to make sure that fresh, nutritious food choices are available in our kids’ schools,” said Hatfield.

The Legislature also passed SB 6504, which was requested by the Department of Ecology, and will restore a previous State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) exemption for many small construction projects disturbing less than five acres of land.

“This is common sense legislation. Anything that helps local contractors comply with state and federal water quality requirements is going to be a welcome proposal in the 19th District and across Washington,” Hatfield said.

SB 6821 also passed and would allow the Department of Fish and Wildlife to use buybacks to target those license holders whose fishing access to shellfish was “substantially restricted” due to the 1994 Rafeedie decision, which limited non-tribal access to harvesting shellfish.

“The bill is a small but critical step toward reaching our goal of a sustainable and reliable market, allowing coastal fishermen to do what they do best - provide the world’s best crab,” said Hatfield.

Now that the bills have cleared both houses of the Legislature, they await approval from Governor Gregoire. The 2008 session is scheduled to adjourn on March 13.

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