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Change-of-government bill sails through Senate committee

Published 12:07 pm Monday, February 2, 2009

Sen. Phil Rockefeller testifies before the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee Feb. 2.
Sen. Phil Rockefeller testifies before the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee Feb. 2.

OLYMPIA – It took the Senate Local Government and Elections less than 15 minutes Monday to approve a bill that would allow for a Bainbridge change-of-government referendum on May 19.

“I’ve never seen a bill pass committee this fast during my ten years in office,” Bainbridge Sen. Phil Rockefeller said.

The bill, HB 1066, was passed by the House of Representatives on Jan 29, by a vote of 95-2. It was the fourth bill to pass out of the house in 2009.

Rockefeller, was able to convince the committee to hear the approved house bill in place of a companion bill he had sponsored in the Senate, ensuring it’s fast-track through the legislature.

The bill will was passed to the Senate Rules Committee. A date for a Senate floor debate has yet to be set.

Bainbridge residents Andy Maron and Dennis Vogt testified before the committee. Council members Debbie Vancil and Bill Knobloch also attended the hearing.

Check back later for updates and video.

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