OLYMPIA— Helping kids in crisis is the theme of a bill sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) that is now headed to the Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for his signature. HB 1679 is a bill that modifies and extends requirements of a work group convened to address …
WA Legislature backs compromise bill on police pursuits The state Legislature is moving to ease restrictions on when police can engage in car chases to nab fleeing criminal suspects. A bipartisan compromise bill approved by the state House this week was …
OLYMPIA – The Suciasaurus rex took one giant leap towards becoming the official state dinosaur of Washington, as it passed the Senate with a resounding vote of 39-10. This is a major victory for the supporters of HB 1020, a bill that seeks to honor the …
OLYMPIA – All health starts with oral health, according to Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane). In his first year as chair of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, Riccelli championed expanded access to appropriate dental health care and pushed to …
OLYMPIA—The Nooksack River basin in Whatcom County experienced devastating flooding in November 2021. For Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham), it was a dark time that he still thinks about. “So many people in our community stepped up to help their neighbors …
OLYMPIA—A bill to improve patient access to care passed the Senate unanimously yesterday. Sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, House Bill 1357 modernizes the prior authorization process. Before a healthcare provider can prescribe a drug, procedure …
OLYMPIA—A bill to improve patient access to care passed the Senate unanimously yesterday. Sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, House Bill 1357 modernizes the prior authorization process. Before a healthcare provider can prescribe a drug, procedure …
OLYMPIA — If a child is diagnosed with a developmental disability at a young age, the diagnosis is usually indefinite and lifelong, yet we continue to put up barriers to accessing valuable support. House Bill 1407, sponsored by Representative Jamila Taylor …
OLYMPIA—In today’s digital age, data privacy and security are more important than ever. The Washington State Senate has passed House Bill 1221 sponsored by Rep. Chris Stearns (D-Auburn), which seeks to protect the privacy of lottery players by exempting …
OLYMPIA—The House of Representatives passed legislation on April 11, 2023, to safeguard the endangered orcas in the Salish Sea. Senate Bill 5371, sponsored by Senator Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) and supported by Representative Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow), …
WA House votes to keep drug possession a misdemeanor The Washington House passed legislation early Wednesday that if passed into law would keep drug possession as a misdemeanor in the state. The policy differs from the version passed by the Washington …
OLYMPIA — If a child is diagnosed with a developmental disability at a young age, the diagnosis is usually indefinite and lifelong, yet we continue to put up barriers to accessing valuable support. House Bill 1407, sponsored by Representative Jamila Taylor …
OLYMPIA—In today’s digital age, data privacy and security are more important than ever. The Washington State Senate has passed House Bill 1221 sponsored by Rep. Chris Stearns (D-Auburn), which seeks to protect the privacy of lottery players by exempting …
OLYMPIA—The House of Representatives passed legislation on April 11, 2023, to safeguard the endangered orcas in the Salish Sea. Senate Bill 5371, sponsored by Senator Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) and supported by Representative Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow), …
OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5536 on Tuesday evening, updating Washington’s statute for possession of controlled substances and creating a comprehensive system of outreach, treatment, and …
OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 5536 on Tuesday evening, updating Washington’s statute for possession of controlled substances and creating a comprehensive system of outreach, treatment, and …
OLYMPIA—In years past, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) had as many as 400 applicants a month for open positions. Nowadays, the average number of monthly applicants is just 53. Worse yet, only about six percent of these applicants are even eligible for …
OLYMPIA— Washington State Ferries (WSF) has an aging fleet. Many of the vessels are between 30 to 50 years old, and one boat is even 64 years old. Fixing these vessels is difficult, expensive, or even next-to-impossible. “This isn’t acceptable,” said Rep. …
WA House votes to roll back police pursuit laws. Now Senate must consider amendments A bill to lower the threshold for law enforcement officials to be able to pursue suspects passed the Washington state House chamber with some conflicting votes in the …
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate passed House Bill 1469 today, protecting those who pursue or provide legal reproductive care in the state. Introduced by State Rep. Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island), the Shield Law is a robust legal response to other …
