Committee advances two bills: SB 87 to Ways and Means; SB 731 moved to the floor with due pass

The Senate Committee on Labor and Business on Thursday opened work sessions on two bills and moved both forward to the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 87

SB 87, sponsored by Senator Meek, would permit the Electrical and Elevator Board to enter into agreements to establish an electrical licensing enforcement program for the electrical safety law within a geographic area at the request of one or more municipalities; it also increases the civil penalty that may be imposed for violation of the state building code. Committee staff noted a fiscal and revenue impact statement was posted on OLIS and that the fiscal office requested a subsequent referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means after the fiscal impact statement was issued.

Motion and vote: A committee member moved SB 87 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation and requesting referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. The committee conducted a roll call: Senators Hayden, Pham, Woods, Vice Chair Bonham and Chair Taylor all voted aye. The chair announced the motion passed and the committee closed the SB 87 work session.

Senate Bill 731

SB 731, sponsored by Senator Gelser Bluhm, would require that when a public employer’s policies provide a pay differential for use of bilingual or multilingual skills, those policies must also provide a pay differential for use of American Sign Language while performing assigned duties. Committee staff said the bill carries a minimal fiscal impact, no subsequent referrals and no amendments.

Motion and vote: Vice Chair Bonham moved SB 731 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. There was no discussion and no objection; the motion passed by unanimous consent. Senator Gelser Bluhm was named as the carrier for the measure.

Ending: Both work sessions were closed after the committee approved moving the bills to the Senate floor; SB 87 was recorded as carrying a requested subsequent referral to Ways and Means.