Dent: 2017 Session Was A Good Year For Agriculture

The Washington regular legislative session came to a close Sunday.  Moses Lake Republican Tom Dent, a cattle farmer himself, says the 2017 session was good for the agriculture industry.

“This is the most productive session I’ve had, and even for agriculture and serving on the ag committee, I feel like this is a top session for me.”

Dent said it’s frustrating that every year, there are water bills that don’t pass, but he added he feels law makers will get a bill addressing the Hirst decision on the books during the special legislative session.  The 2017 legislative session saw several pieces of legislation targeting the agriculture industry pass, including a bills:

• Promoting agritourism
• Allowing irrigation districts to enter into public private partnerships
• Updating the Beef Check off

Governor Jay Inslee called a special session this weekend, calling lawmakers back to Olympia starting Monday.

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