Originally published April 27, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified April 27, 2009 at 12:22 AM
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Alaskan Way Viaduct one of successful bills
Some of the key bills that passed the Legislature this session.
Some of the key bills that passed the Legislature this session.
Alaskan Way Viaduct, Senate Bill 5768
The Alaskan Way Viaduct will be replaced with a stacked four-lane, deep-bore tunnel under First Avenue and an elevated segment through Sodo. An amendment to the bill says Seattle-area property owners must pay for any cost overruns in building the tunnel, although several lawmakers say that provision would be difficult to enforce.
Tolls on 520 bridge, House Bill 2211
The state can place tolls on the existing Highway 520 floating bridge to raise money for a replacement. The state Transportation Commission will decide when to collect tolls on the bridge and for how much.
Basic education,
House Bill 2261
Lawmakers redefined basic education that the state must pay for to include full-day kindergarten and six classes a day for middle- and high-school students rather than five, among other things. The annual price tag will be in the billions and it is unclear when the changes will be fully enacted.
Domestic partnerships,
Senate Bill 5688
Same-sex domestic partners are granted the same rights and benefits the state offers married couples. The bill expands on previous domestic-partnership laws by adding such partnerships to all areas of state law where only married couples are mentioned.
Felon voting rights: House Bill 1517
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Felons can more easily have their voting rights restored once they are out of prison, off probation and making a good-faith effort to pay their fines.
Probation and parole, Senate Bill 5288
To save money, the state will supervise fewer criminals when they're not behind bars and cut the maximum length of supervision for those who are watched.
State parks fee,
House Bill 2339
Car tabs will go up by $5 a year to pay for state parks, but vehicle owners can opt out of paying the fee by checking a box on their vehicle-registration form. The money will keep open parks that had been listed for closure due to budget cuts.
Compiled by staff reporters Jennifer Sullivan and Andrew Garber. The Associated Press contributed.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
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