Update on Washington State Bills

[NPIII]

There are now 2 bills up for consideration in Washington State:
HB 1243 and HB 2127
Links to each bill:
HB 1243:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...&year=2007

HB 2127:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...&year=2007

Summary: HB 1243 makes there be no crime to play online poker for recreational purposes. HB 2127 changes the felony part of the law into a misdemeanor.

After talking with lawmakers, it appears that HB 1243 is not going to get a chance because Representative Steve Conway (head of the Commerce and Labor committee) will not allow it to be discussed. HB 2127 (which was introduced much later than HB 1243) already has a hearing date set - Febuary 16th at 3pm. In my opinion, we should continue to push for HB 1243 - because it is the right law. However, we might just have to "take whatever we can get" on this front - which would be HB 2127.

[AmericanAirline$]

Should we try for the good option with a low chance of success - HB 1243?
Or take the reasonable option with a higher chance of success - HB 2127?

[NPIII]

bump

[NPIII]

I guess I would have to go with pushing for HB1243.

At least I won't be too disappointed with HB 2127. :-(

[duh]

Are we not all poker players????

GAMBOOOL on 1243

[Trouthunter]

I received a favorable response from my Representative - Brendan Williams (22nd Dist.) on 1243. He said that 1243 makes a great deal of sense and the law now is unenforceable. It wasn't enthusiastic, but it certainly was supportive of the bill.

How do we get through to Rep. Conway to get the bill a hearing?

[WayAbvPar]

Sent the following to each of my reps (and a slightly edited version for my Senator)-

[ QUOTE ]
Representative (Last Name)-
I am writing to ask that you do everything in your power to insure that HB 1243 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...&year=2007) is not only granted a hearing, but is passed by the House. It is legal to play poker in many locations around the state of Washington, and restricting adults from playing on the Internet in the privacy of their own homes is ridiculous, and a serious intrusion by the government. I view this as a key issue which will have a direct impact on how I vote in upcoming elections. I have been a lifelong Democrat, so it would pain me to vote otherwise, but having one of my favorite hobbies explicitly outlawed has had a direct impact on my quality of life.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our community.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure how much good it will do, but I feel better for having at least made an effort. I encourage everyone else to do the same; it takes less than 10 minutes.

[disjunction]

[ QUOTE ]
Should we try for the good option with a low chance of success - HB 1243?
Or take the reasonable option with a higher chance of success - HB 2127?

[/ QUOTE ]

From the information given, it doesn't look like this should phrased in terms of a choice. If you support 2127 there is no way to go back. Once you choose to compromise, the lawmakers will look for a way to compromise from your compromise.

[govman6767]

[ QUOTE ]
I received a favorable response from my Representative - Brendan Williams (22nd Dist.) on 1243. He said that 1243 makes a great deal of sense and the law now is unenforceable. It wasn't enthusiastic, but it certainly was supportive of the bill.

How do we get through to Rep. Conway to get the bill a hearing?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes now the law is unenforcable No judge in the world will give me a felony charge and throw me in jail after coming home from Iraq twice over internet poker.

But with the new law he would have no problem fining me a 1000 bucks. We were better off with unenforcable.

I sent a washington senator a email about poker and he sent me a form letter about iraq. The seceratary must be on drugs.

[Tical]

Anybody have an update on how the hearing went on 2/16? Anybody show up?