Other issues

Sex offenders

Lawmakers will take up more than a dozen bills aimed at toughening sex-offender laws. They include proposals to better monitor registered sex offenders, such as increasing penalties for offenders who don't register and requiring some to wear tracking devices. There also are proposals to increase penalties for certain sex crimes. The push for tougher laws was sparked by high-profile cases involving sex offenders and flaws in the state's offender registration system, including trouble tracking homeless offenders.

Key legislators:

• Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam: chairman of Human Services and Corrections Committee:
(360) 786-7646 or www.sdc.wa.gov/hargrove.htm

• Rep. Al O'Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace: chairman of House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee:
(360) 786-7928 or www1.leg.wa.gov/house/obrien

Alternative energy/biodiesel

Lawmakers from both parties want to boost production and consumption of biodiesel, clean-burning fuel made from a mix of vegetable oil and methanol. They see it as a way to reduce fossil fuel use while also creating a new market for Washington farmers who grow canola and mustard seed. Gregoire has proposed a $17.5 million program to provide low-interest loans for biodiesel factories. She also wants to require that diesel fuels sold in state contain a minimum amount of biodiesel.

Key legislators:

• Sen. Erik Poulsen, D-Seattle: chairman of the Senate Water, Energy and Environment Committee:
(360) 786-7667 or www1.leg.wa.gov/senate/poulsen

• Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville: ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Committee:
(360) 786-7620 or www1.leg.wa.gov/senate/schoesler

Key interest group: National Biodiesel Board, industry trade group,
(800) 841-5849, www.biodiesel.org

Puget Sound protection

Gov. Christine Gregoire wants to add $42 million to the state's budget to clean up and protect Puget Sound. Aside from identifying and cleaning up toxic sites, Gregoire has proposed beefing up the state's ability to prevent and respond to fuel spills.

Key legislators:

• Sen. Eric Poulsen, D-Seattle: chairman of Senate Water, Energy and Environment Committee:
(360) 786-7667 or www1.leg.wa.gov/senate/poulsen

• Rep. Brian Sullivan, D-Mukilteo: chairman of House Natural Resources, Ecology and Parks Committee.
(360) 786-7972 or www1.leg.wa.gov/house/sullivanb

Key interest group: Washington Conservation Voters:
(206) 374-0760 or www.wcvoters.org