March 27, 2008

Governor signs Schmick bills in Spokane

Two measures sponsored by 9th District Rep. Joe Schmick became law March 20 during a bill-signing ceremony in Spokane. Schmick, R-Colfax, was on hand as Gov. Christine Gregoire formally approved the bills, which passed the Legislature during the final week of the 2008 session.

House Bill 3129 will increase the availability of public information to inform, encourage and assist high-school students who live in rural and remote communities to participate – via the Internet – in programs like Running Start to earn college credits.

Schmick introduced the bill with an eye toward ensuring that young people who live in remote areas of the state have the information they need to participate in distance-learning options that are available.

Under the legislation, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction must compile and post information on its Web site about the benefits of distance learning, and how to access Web-delivered courses. Teachers and counselors also are required to have information about online learning programs, and school districts must provide general information to all 10th -, 11th - and 12th-grade students, and their parents, on how to enroll and earn credits through online courses.

“The progression of Internet technology makes distance learning on the Web a great alternative to attending classes in a conventional brick and mortar classroom setting,” said Schmick. “The 9th District is one of the biggest in the state and largely rural. This law provides a tool to help bridge the gap between where people live and where educational opportunities exist.”

The governor also signed into law House Bill 3200, a bipartisan measure Schmick sponsored that will make it easier for counties to establish local cemetery districts.

The bill decreases from 15 to 10 percent the number of voter signatures required on a cemetery-district petition, and allows county commissioners to put the proposal before voters as a ballot proposition

“The legislation was prompted by a situation in Asotin County, where efforts to form a cemetery district fell short because supporters couldn’t get the necessary number of petition signatures,” Schmick explained. “By lowering the signature requirement, the cemetery association will have a better chance of getting the proposal to the ballot.”