Health officials said it was the first time the state had imposed such conditions on a major medical center.

The state of Washington does not impose a personal income tax.

Few states impose a tax on the value of property.

States could impose a similar requirement on parents of children 3 to 6 years old.

Some two dozen other states have also imposed different hospital rates.

"We agreed that no state should try to pressure or impose something on another country," he said.

Since 1990, 22 states have imposed term limits on their members of Congress.

The state does not now impose a time limit on benefits.

First, he noted, the state did not impose water restrictions until late in the summer of 2002.

At least 11 states also impose sales and other additional taxes.