WA lawmakers approve bills on gangs, beer, wine and bees

Legislators gave their 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 last Friday, and the House supported the change on Monday.

"Gangs are on the rise, and this is how we're going to fight back," said Rep. Chris Hurst, D-Enumclaw, a key sponsor. "In its current form, it's a foundation."

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. Opponents had said the measure would hurt local retailers and the state's sales tax revenue because fewer toys would be bought.

"This is the best way to ensure good sales, this bill restores consumer confidence," said Nick Federici of the Washington Toxics Coalition, a consumer advocate organization.

The Legislature also approved expanding the authority of American Indian police officers in the state. Under the measure, tribal police 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 allow beer and wine tasting in 30 grocery stores statewide in an effort to market local products. The Senate approved the minor changes in the bill from the House, passing it on a 29-17 vote.

The one-year program allows shoppers to sample as much as 4 ounces of beer or wine. Supporters of the bill said it allows small wineries or breweries with no marketing budget to get their products out to the public.

But opponents contended the program sets a bad example by exposing children to alcohol consumption.

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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The gang violence bill is HB 2712. The toxic toys bill is HB 2647. The tribal police bill is HB 2476. The beer and wine tasting bill is SB 5751. The beekeepers bill is SB 6468.

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On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.leg.wa.gov