OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment to create a nest egg for lawmakers to tap in case of emergency or a downturn in the economy.

The measure was ahead by 56 percent as of Wednesday morning.

More: WA State results

The "rainy day" fund would build up to $1 billion or more during good times. During a recession or in the case of an earthquake, terrorist attack or other disaster, the money could be tapped by simple-majority vote in Olympia. Lawmakers also could access it with 60 percent supermajorities.

The measure would automatically set aside 1 percent of state government revenue each year, roughly $150 million.

Once it topped 10 percent of revenue, the excess would be available by simple majority vote for school and college construction projects.

The fund would start with about $430 million, including last year's surplus and a $135 million deposit by the 2007 Legislature.

Voters are favoring Referendum 67 to give consumers a bigger weapon for challenging insurance companies in court.

If approved, R-67 would allow policy holders to collect triple damages if their insurer unreasonably denies a claim or violates unfair practice rules.

The law would not apply to health coverage, and it wouldn't allow consumers to sue someone else's insurance provider for triple damages.

Most measures were passing as of Wednesday morning, with the exception of a 4204, a constitutional amendment on school district tax levies.