Rep. Bob Sump, R-Republic, left Olympia as a state representative for the final time on March 14.
     Sump, who has served for 12 years in the Legislature, will retire from the Legislature at the end of his current term.
     In recognition of Sump's service, the full House unanimously approved House Resolution 4712, which honors Sump's years of service.
     "In my twelve years in the Legislature, we have faced many challenges," said Sump. "However, there are still many issues facing the state of Washington. It's sad to say goodbye to my friends and colleagues here, but I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wife, and in a new career as a pastor."
     House members on both sides of the aisle commended Sump for his integrity, honesty, guidance and friendship. After the resolution was adopted, he and his wife, who both sat at the rostrum with the speaker of the House, were given a standing ovation.
     Sump came to the Legislature in 1997. During six terms, he served as ranking member, vice-chair and chair on a variety of House committees including K-12 Education, Natural Resources and Parks, Agriculture and Ecology, Appropriations, Transportation and Rules.
     Sump earned his degree in theology while representing the 7th District, and plans to enter the ministry in his hometown. He and his wife, Brenda, have three children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
     Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, said Sump will be missed.
     "He wasn't just my seatmate in the Legislature, he was my friend and mentor," said Kretz. "When I first got elected, he took me under his wing and even stepped down from the agriculture committee to give the spot to me. He knew I needed his help and guidance, and without asking he offered it. He shaped the way I work for the district."
     Kretz said Sump always served as the model of integrity and honesty. Both sides of the aisle praised him for his unwavering dedication to making the state a better place, he said.
     "I'll miss Bob and his wife, Brenda, immensely," said Kretz. "But I wish him and his family well as he takes time to pursue his love of the ministry and to be a grandfather."
     - The "cougar bill," sponsored by Rep. Kretz, was signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire on March 13.
     House Bill 2438 extends the cougar-hunting-with-hounds pilot project through 2011.
     "All through this process, constituents played a huge roll in helping to pass this bill. Even when the bill was delivered to the governor, calls from citizens around the state flooded her office with support," said Kretz, lead Republican on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. "This is how the process is supposed to work. I'm glad my fellow legislators and the governor were convinced that this bill is a critical public safety issue in our state."
     Kretz said he's not surprised by the overwhelming support for the bill. Families have been concerned for their children, pets and livestock because cougars have been spotted near playgrounds and homes, according to Kretz.
     House Bill 2438 would extend the three-year pilot program, passed in 2004, allowing hound-hunting of cougars for three additional years. It would also allow other counties that can substantiate predator problems to opt into the program, according to Kretz. The pilot program was originally limited to Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties.
     "The pilot program has proven to be a balanced and effective approach to proper management of dangerous wildlife, in this case cougars. The cougars we want to address are the ones that are aggressive and endangering our families, pets and livestock," said Kretz. "The bill does not allow for the indiscriminant killing of cougars. This is sound policy for our state."
     The legislation takes effect 90 days after the end of session.
     - Gov. Christine Gregoire signed legislation March 12 to help domestic partners achieve financial security.
     Rep. Jamie Pedersen and Sen. Ed Murray, both D-Seattle, sponsored the House and Senate versions of the proposal. Taking effect 90 days after the legislative session ends, House Bill 3104 will provide registered domestic partners with additional rights and responsibilities in ten major areas.
     The legislation focuses on community property, probate protections, joint responsibility for debts, protection from having to sell the family home to pay for nursing home costs, veterans benefits and spousal testimonial privileges. It also requires partners of elected officials to follow public disclosure requirements.
     Since the domestic partner registry began in July 2007, more than 3,500 couples have registered, and there are registered partners in every legislative district in the state.
     - Sen. Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls, was pleased when the governor signed the Public Works Trust Fund bill (House Bill 2437) on March 12 that includes a low-interest loan for the city of Omak.
     Omak will receive a 0.05 percent interest loan of $450,500 to fix deficiencies in the city's biosolids treatment process. Improvements include two compost containers to increase the biosolids treatment capacity by 33 percent, converting the existing backwash storage tank to a 120,000-gallon aerated sludge holding tank to improve process reliability and installing a second headworks screen to increase hydraulic capacity and improve biosolids quality by removing harmful materials, according to an announcement.
     The city's sewer reserves fund will provide $79,500, for a total cost of $530,000 for the project, according to Morton.
     "The Omak project is important to protect public health and ground water," Morton said. "I am very pleased it was included in the bill."
     - State Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, and Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee, are asking residents of the 12th District to participate in a telephone town hall meeting as a wrap-up to the 2008 legislative session on Thursday, March 20, from 7-8 p.m.
     Residents can call in and participate in a community dialogue by calling 1-(866) 447-5149 and entering 13569.
     "The 2008 legislative session was a busy one that covered a number of important topics for our district," said Parlette. "This new technology offers citizens a convenient way to hear about those issues and the bills that will have a direct impact on them. I look forward to having a conversation with the citizens I represent about the issues on their minds."
     During the tele-town hall, the two legislators will listen to residents, answer their questions and discuss a wide variety of topics related to the 2008 session. Citizens can listen in to the call, ask questions, and take part in instant polls from the comfort of their own homes.