Laws now officially in force in Washington state today:

• allow sufferers of porphyria (a rare disorder that causes an extreme sensitivity to the sun) to get join the list of people given special parking privileges;
• subject line-cutting ferry riders to a $101 fine;
• extend a sales tax write-off to include the cost of fixing up old trucks, for farmers who sell at least $10K in agricultural products per year;
• give journalists a stronger shield to protect their confidential sources;
• give domestic partners some of the benefits given married couples;
• make meaningful changes to health care, including extended insurance coverage for unmarried children up to age 25;
• expand the program that gives state sponsored college scholarships to former foster kids;
• raise the age at which foster kids “age out” of Medicaid from 18 to 21;
• delay the requirement to pass the WASL math and science tests until 2013; and,
• officially recognize the Walla Walla sweet onion, the Pacific chorus frog, and the Lady Washington, respectively, as the Official State vegetable, amphibian and ship.

Related posts:

1. Get to know your state symbols: your state bug
2. Washington State: Good for bank robbers
3. Looking at the World from Washington State
4. the price of offending no one : the washington state quarters
5. Washington state gets a passing grade on public health emergency readiness