Hirst Bill Passes Senate

A bill designed to limit the costs of obtaining water supplies in rural counties, a response to the recent Hirst Decision, has passed the Washington State Senate.

Sponsor Judy Warnick said, “It’s truly a bill that is needed in the rural areas especially for anyone who has property, property rights, water rights, that need to drill a well just simply to build a home. Those are the winners today, not just the Senate. It was the winners out there in the rural areas that want to build a home.”

The bill now moves to the House where it will be reviewed and changes proposed, but Warnick is optimistic.

“I’m confident. I’ve heard from some of the stakeholders that some of the bills, or at least one of the bills in the House has some real good talking points, some real good perspectives. I’m confident that we’re going to be able to get this year.”

Warnick said she’s happy for the bipartisan support she received, but wished she had more.