Gov signs 3 emotions-driven bills into law
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday signed three bills into law designed to prevent carbon monoxide poisonings, puppy mill operations and home foreclosures.
And all three laws were pushed into being by three people who produced positive results from negative situations.
When investigators uncovered a suspected puppy mill in Snohomish County, the case grabbed headlines for weeks.
"This really was brought forward by Brandon and Kara Hatch," said Gregoire.
Brandon Hatch blew the whistle on his life-long friend, and testified before lawmakers on February 9. As a result, a new state law now limits the number of puppies that can be raised in a household. It also sets standards for their living conditions.
When his efforts finally came to fruition on Thursday, Hatch swelled with emotions.
"I had to hold back the tears," he said. "Really emotional for me to see it done. We did it."
Another bill signed into law helps prevent foreclosures.
When Georgene Monday found herself on the brink of losing her home, she went before lawmakers and argued for a bill requiring lenders to try to work with borrowers instead of forcing them out. The bill passed and Monday was spared from foreclosure.
The final law signed on Thursday requires the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in new construction.
Amy Searight came to Olympia after losing her husband to carbon monoxide poisoning.
"Go ahead, spend $20. Don't have your life changed forever," she said.
Each of the three bills deal with a unique issue, but they all had one thing in common: they were driven by people who had the courage to come forward and work to change the law.
And all three laws were pushed into being by three people who produced positive results from negative situations.
When investigators uncovered a suspected puppy mill in Snohomish County, the case grabbed headlines for weeks.
"This really was brought forward by Brandon and Kara Hatch," said Gregoire.
Brandon Hatch blew the whistle on his life-long friend, and testified before lawmakers on February 9. As a result, a new state law now limits the number of puppies that can be raised in a household. It also sets standards for their living conditions.
When his efforts finally came to fruition on Thursday, Hatch swelled with emotions.
"I had to hold back the tears," he said. "Really emotional for me to see it done. We did it."
Another bill signed into law helps prevent foreclosures.
When Georgene Monday found herself on the brink of losing her home, she went before lawmakers and argued for a bill requiring lenders to try to work with borrowers instead of forcing them out. The bill passed and Monday was spared from foreclosure.
The final law signed on Thursday requires the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in new construction.
Amy Searight came to Olympia after losing her husband to carbon monoxide poisoning.
"Go ahead, spend $20. Don't have your life changed forever," she said.
Each of the three bills deal with a unique issue, but they all had one thing in common: they were driven by people who had the courage to come forward and work to change the law.