Votes at a glance: Senate confirms appointees, adopts Donate Life Month and approves several bills

The Washington State Senate on Feb. 12 took a series of consolidated actions: it adopted a resolution recognizing April as National Donate Life Month, confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments, and passed several bills on final reading.

Senate Resolution 8686 (honoring National Donate Life Month) was read into the record and adopted by voice vote after remarks from Senator Gaynor and others recognizing organ donors and recipients. Senator Gaynor described the resolution as carrying “joy, sorrow and hope” as it honored donor families and recipients.

The Senate confirmed three gubernatorial appointments reported on the floor: appointment 9286 (Colin L. Bannister) to the workforce education investment accountability and oversight board (secretary announced 47 ayes, 2 excused); appointment 9289 (Amina Hussein) to the Washington State University Board of Regents (47 ayes, 2 excused); and appointment 9290 (Ramachuli/Wamatuli Baugh) to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees (47 ayes, 2 excused). Senators offered brief introductory remarks for each nominee before the roll calls.

Other bills cleared the floor on Feb. 12 during procedural business. Senate Bill 5,988 was declared passed after the secretary announced a constitutional majority. Several additional bills and amendments moved through second and third readings and were placed on final passage calendars; some measures received extended debate while others were handled with procedural motions and roll calls.

Ending: The Senate recessed at the president’s call for caucus and lunch after completing the scheduled confirmations and votes; further floor work continued after the break.