Date: 3/16/2006

Topic: Monthly Newsletter

Author: Michael Jackson

Dear Members,

This week the Washington State Legislature (WSL)  adjourned until next year.  Many of you have followed my reports on this session I have sent out via e-mail.  If you desire these reports call the number above or e-mail at the address given and I will put you on the list.

The highlights:

>>HB 1879.  Funding for Traffic Safety.  We testified against this Bill and it never left the House.  Expect to see it again next year.

>>HB 2842 Organ donation education.  Called for commercial driving schools to teach a section on organ donation. We testified against this Bill  with the limited connection to our programs.  Died prior to signature.

>>HB 2829. DOL Bill for improved oversight of driving schools. Passed and signed.  As a bonus DOL will have extra funding of over $800,000/annum.  While worthwhile as a whole provisions in Sections 5 and 6 concerning professional development and background checks were not well thought out and we attempted to obtained amendments to these areas.  While not completely successfully we did manage to get on the record pledges of cooperation with the industry and the ability to hire staff with only the WSP check.  If you are running into problems in these areas, let us know.

Many feel that the passage of this Bill will be a double edged sword for DOL.  DOL repeatedly stated in hearings that this Bill and the funding that was added would solve the issues outlined in last Summer’s News Tribune articles.  The period of excuses has ended and the WSL is now looking for results.  We plan to keep this issue alive and not let it be forgotten.

Early in the Session, long before the Hearings, is when our effort really begins. We have and will spend weeks with our lobbyist, Dawn Vyvyan, meeting with WSL members and giving our point of view.  If you don't do this kind of foot work showing up and trying to make a point on the day of the hearing is mostly lost effort.  This is one of the important ways that WPTSEA represents it’s members.

As owners our points of view are best channeled via the WPTSEA.  Why?  Because the WSL as well as DOL easily ignore single schools and the voice of one owner.  The meetings we held this fall with DOL got some provisions changed to DOL proposals.   We held meetings with Rep Deb Wallace, AAA, and DOL the day before the hearing.  While we are still not happy we did get  important changes.

I would ask that you join the WPTSEA for your own best interest and work within the organization to effect positive change. Your efforts will be appreciated and much more effective that just the voice of a single owner.

Elections this Fall will bring many changes. During this period is the time to contact your Senators and Representatives and let them know the issues that concern you.  Even donations of less than $100 make it known you are serious and need to be heard.

For those members interested we are close to opening our web page:   WWW.WPTSEA.ORG.  This page will have information for both members and the public with links to member web pages.  I will let you know when this is up and running.

We are looking at a general spring meeting in about 6 weeks.  We will discuss the new laws, the fall election and other issues.  Look for announcement soon and please plan to attend.

Date: 2/22/2006

Topic: House Bill 2829

Author: Michael Jackson

It was passed to be today that the Senate Transportation Committee will vote to the Floor HB2829 without any amendments.  We have received from DOL promises, that the Senate Transportation Committee is fully aware, of full cooperation as well as accommodation to office staff for background checks as well ass professional development issues.  Please let us know how well this works.

Once the Session closes I will mail out a full report on how we did and what the future holds.  It does appear that DOL has their Bill and their money-over $800.000 now we will see what action they will actually take.

Date: 1/26/2006

Topic: House Bills 1879 and 2829

Author: Michael Jackson

Yesterday WPTSEA testified on House Bills 1879 and 2829. 

After a meeting with the Bill's sponsor, Rep Deb Wallace, as well as AAA and DOL the day before we managed to get a stipulation in the record that those "non owners or instructors" need only a WSP background check while waiting for the FBI check.  DOL would not move on the other issues of professional development.

As HB 2829 now stands:

FBI BG checks for owners, instructors and at initial hiring.  All other staff can have a WSP criminal history check while waiting for the FBI check.  All this at your expense.  WSP check every year for everyone in your employ.  At the 5 year mark a renewed FBI background check, again for everyone.  Again all at your expense.

We all know the FBI BG check if your unfamiliar with the WSP check go to https://watch.wsp.wa.gov/


Up to 8 hours of professional development every year for instructor staff.  Current exam requirements stay in place.

DOL feels it needs this Bill to go after the numerous schools out of compliance.  This might not be true but they think it's so.  My question is how important does the membership feels about supporting or opposing this Bill? It's important we get a Bill we can live with but it's also important that we remain positive in the process. 

We have tried to exchange the professional development for the exam.  We don't see the need for the WSP check every year or any for the non instructor/owner staff.

What is your input?

As to HB 1879:

Along with many (except WEA) we supported public funding with the amendment that commercial schools and public schools share equally. Not likely to get far  More as things develop.

Date: 1/19/2006

Topic: House Bills 1879 and 2829

Author: Michael Jackson

Hearing will start on the 25th for HB 2829 (DOL RCW REVISION) as well as HB 1879 (Funding for public school TSE) we are trying to get an amendment to provide funding to BOTH public and private programs.  See: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1879

We are trying to get HB 2829 changed so that we can support this Bill and allow DOL to move forward on the issues of enforcement.  I would ask you contact your senators and representatives to ask that HB1879 not pass unless Commercial driving schools are treated with equity.