OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - A House committee has approved a bill that would ban trigger devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly, similar to the ones used in the Las Vegas mass shooting.
The measure, which passed out of the full Senate last month on a 29-20 vote, passed the House Judiciary Committee Thursday on a 10-3 vote.
The move to ban the devices - known as bump stocks - came in response to last October's mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and left hundreds more injured.
The ban would make it illegal for anyone in Washington to manufacture or sell bump stocks beginning July 1. In July 2019, it would become illegal to own or possess a bump stock in Washington.
The bill's chances of making it to the House floor are still unclear. Democrats hold a narrow majority in the House, and legislative leaders have said the measure will need bipartisan support to pass.
House passes tougher greenhouse gas emissions targets
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington state would set more aggressive targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under a bill that passed the House.
After lengthy heated debate, the House passed the measure Wednesday night on a 50-48 vote, along party lines. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The measure calls for deeper cuts to greenhouse gas emissions than what the Legislature set in 2008.
By 2025, the state would reduce emissions to 19 percent below 1990 levels while aiming for 21 percent. By 2035, the state would reduce emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels. By 2050, the state will reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels.
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, a Seattle Democrat and bill sponsor, and other supporters say the measure will reduce emissions to safe levels and do what's responsible for the next generation.
Many Republicans spoke in opposition to House Bill 1144, saying the bill doesn't consider impacts to families, the economy and jobs.