The Washington legislature wrapped up its session Wednesday with several changes that affect Cascadia business. The pro-business results from the Democrat-dominated legislature could blunt GOP criticisms ahead of the November elections. Here are the highlights of what passed, from The Olympian:
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: Passed a medical liability package which protects doctors who apologize from having it used against them in lawsuits and addressing other elements of patient safety, insurance rate-setting and legal procedures.
ENERGY AND BIOFUELS: Approved a requirement for 2 percent biofuel mixtures in diesel products sold in Washington; approved financing to assist the construction of seed crushers to help stimulate biofuels-oriented agriculture; approved emergency heating-bill assistance money for the poor. Lawmakers also exempted farm fuels from sales and use taxes.
Among what didn't pass:
EMPLOYEE INSURANCE: The so-called fair-share bill requiring large employers such as Wal-Mart to spend 9 percent of payroll on health insurance died in favor of a study to identify employers of workers who use state Medicaid and Basic Health Plan services.