Wash. Legislature OKs cancer drug safety changes The state Legislature approved bills Friday that aim to protect health care workers who handle hazardous drugs used in cancer treatment, restrict the use of phosphorous-based fertilizers and create a tax exemption for meals provided by restaurants to their employees.

The state Legislature approved bills Friday that aim to protect health care workers who handle hazardous drugs used in cancer treatment, restrict the use of phosphorous-based fertilizers and create a tax exemption for meals provided by restaurants to their employees.
By MOLLY ROSBACH
Associated Press
OLYMPIA, Wash. —








The state Legislature approved bills Friday that aim to protect health care workers who handle hazardous drugs used in cancer treatment, restrict the use of phosphorous-based fertilizers and create a tax exemption for meals provided by restaurants to their employees.

The House unanimously approved the hazardous drugs measure. It directs the Department of Labor and Industries to develop rules for handling hazardous drugs, like chemotherapy drugs, that meet national occupational safety standards.

This past year, the independent nonprofit journalism outlet InvestigateWest reported that nurses who handled such drugs were exposed to health problems.

"This is important for workers and their safety," said Rep. Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater.

The bill now heads to the governor.

The House also sent the governor a bill that prohibits phosphorus-based fertilizer in an effort to reduce toxic runoff getting into bodies of water.

Supporters say phosphorus in fertilizer is a main contributor to harmful algae blooms in the state's lakes and streams. The bill exempts phosphorus-based fertilizer for use in gardens and on agricultural lands, and retailers would still be able to sell it if it's clearly marked that the product is only for the permitted uses.

Opponents argued that singling out fertilizer as the culprit behind algae blooms is misleading, as all human and animal waste contains phosphorus and also contributes to the hazardous runoff.

The Legislature also wants restaurants to continue feeding their employees. The House voted 91-1 to clarify taxation law so that the Department of Revenue can't exact sales tax or business and occupation tax on free meals given by restaurants to their workers.

"The Department of Revenue was trying to charge B&O tax and sales tax on something that was not on the revenue side of the leger for restaurants - it was on the cost side of the leger, so it makes no sense to be applying that tax," said Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, in support of the bill originally introduced by Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle.

The House also approved a bill introduced by Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, that aims to get banks and homeowners working together to find alternatives to foreclosure.

The bill strengthens requirements that banks meet with homeowners to discuss options and creates a foreclosure mediation requirement to further encourage open communication between banks and their borrowers

"This is going to help families across the state to stay in their homes whenever possible," Orwall said.

Orwall's Foreclosure Fairness Act bill now goes to the governor.

House lawmakers also approved a bill allowing banks and credit unions to create prize-linked savings deposits to encourage people to save money. The measure was originally introduced by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, and sets up a lottery-like cash prize for people who put money away in the bank for at least a year. Several other states have proposed and implemented similar programs in recent years. It was first tried on a large scale in Michigan in 2009.

Lawmakers say this is an especially good idea in the wake of the Great Recession, when people need to rebuild their savings. The bill was amended by the House and must go back to the Senate for approval before advancing to the governor.