State lawmakers push through bills as adjournment nears

State lawmakers rushing to adjourn this year's legislative session on Sunday passed several laws of note Wednesday.

Felon voters

It soon could be easier for thousands of convicted felons to vote again. The Legislature approved House Bill 1517, which would restore the voting rights of offenders once they are out of prison, off probation and making a good-faith effort to pay their fines.

The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Under current law, felons can't vote until they complete their sentences, including probation or parole, pay all restitution and other court fees, and ask a court to restore their voting rights.

Under the bill, voting rights could be revoked if a felon fails to make regular payments on court fees or restitution.

The House approved the bill 52-44 Wednesday, agreeing to changes made in the Senate.

A spokesman for Gregoire wouldn't say whether she would sign the bill, but said in an e-mail Wednesday afternoon the governor "believes that the state's current system is confusing and cumbersome."

The proposal could affect some 167,000 Washington citizens, according to legislative staff.

Breast feeding

Legislation signed into law by Gregoire will protect a mother's right to breast-feed in public.

House Bill 1596 passed the House last month and the Senate earlier this month. It was sponsored by Rep. Tami Green, D-Lakewood.

Currently, women in Washington can be asked to leave public places and feed their children in a private location. The law that takes effect this summer makes breast-feeding in public a right subject to the state's anti-discrimination law.

Women discriminated against under the law can file a complaint with the state Human Rights Commission.

Body piercing

Body piercers and tattooers must be licensed by the state under a bill that passed the Legislature.

The Senate, on a 45-2 vote, concurred with changes made in the House. Senate Bill 5391 now goes to Gregoire.

Body art, body piercing, and tattooing have not been regulated in Washington. Under the bill, people who pierce or tattoo, and businesses that offer the services, would need a license.

The measure also requires the state Health Department to adopt rules about the sterilization of needles and other instruments and jewelry used in body piercing or body art.

Hate crimes

Attacks against transgender people could be prosecuted as hate crimes under a bill signed into law by the governor.

Under current law, it's a felony to threaten, damage the property of, or physically injure a person because of ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, disability or sexual orientation.

The hate-crime definition of sexual orientation previously covered gay, straight or bisexual people. Senate Bill 5952 adds "gender expression or identity."

The law takes effect three months after this legislative session ends.

Payday loans

The size of a payday loan would be limited to 30 percent of a person's monthly income or $700 — whichever is less under a bill approved by the Legislature Wednesday night.

The bill, ESHB 1709, also would bar people from having multiple loans at different payday companies, and it would set up a database to track the number of loans taken out by individuals.

Last week, senators voted to strip a House bill of regulations that proponents had described as a compromise between the payday-lending industry and consumer advocates. The House rejected the Senate's amendment and asked the upper chamber to drop the changes.

On Wednesday, the Senate rejected the House's request. But just a few minutes later, in a surprise move, the House sent the bill back to the Senate. After political maneuvering, senators stripped their own amendment and approved the House version on a 26-23 vote.

The bill now heads to Gregoire.