Schoesler bills advance in Senate

RITZVILLE — Sen. Mark Schoesler has introduced several bills this legislative session in Olympia.

Here’s a status update on the 9th Legislative District senator’s bills.

Senate Bill 5291 to require the state Liquor and Cannabis Board to issue liquor licenses in a more timely manner received a public hearing last week in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.

Senate Bill 5343 to reduce costs and increase efficiency in school construction was passed last week by the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.

Senate Bill 5344 would establish a public-school revolving fund. The Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee approved it last week.

Senate Bill 5392 would permit courts to retain overpayments in amounts of $10 or less in connection with any litigation, including traffic, criminal and noncriminal matters. It passed the Senate Law and Justice Committee last week.

Senate Bill 5403 would allow school districts to create a “depreciation subfund” that can receive a transfer of up to 2% of a district’s general fund each fiscal year. It received a public hearing last week in the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.

Senate Bill 5565 would make technical corrections to tax and revenue laws. The Senate Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on it last week.

Senate Joint Resolution 8203 proposes a state constitutional amendment to establish a public-school revolving fund. (S.B. 5344 is the bill to implement this fund if Washington voters approve it.) S.J.R. 8203 was passed by the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee last week.

Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, which includes parts of Spokane and Adams counties, as well as Lincoln, Whitman and other counties.