Washington House

Thursday, March 6th, was the halfway point of the Washington legislative session.  How has the farming community fared this go around in Olympia?   “We've not seen a lot of the bad stuff that we had expected," noted Colfax Representative Joe Schmick.  "But so far so goo...

Last week, Tacoma Representative Jake Fey, chair of the House Transportation Committee, introduced legislation establishing a Road Usage Charge in Washington.  Fey said an RUC is a "fair and sustainable way" to fund Washington’s transportation system as gas tax revenue declines.  He added with gas tax revenue exp...

The author of Washington House Bill 1630, requiring the state to monitor methane emissions from beef and dairy operations, said she wants to make sure the state has the most up-to-date data.  Olympia Representative Lisa Parshley said she talked with a variety of animal vets before sponsoring this legislation.  She not...

Legislation introduced in the Washington state House last week looks to establish bull kelp as the state’s marine forest.  House Bill 1631, introduced by Kitsap Representative Greg Nance cleared the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations Friday.   “Kelp is one of...

The 2025 legislative session got underway in Olympia Monday.  House Republicans said they are ready to get to work to Fix Washington.  House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary said the state is facing a catalog of crises, largely driven by failed single-party government policies.   “We have the third h...

Earlier this week, the Washington Senate approved two bills that focus on crop protection products.  Senate Bill 5143, which received a 49-0 vote in the Senate, would change the name and membership of the Commission on Pesticide Registration, adding a non-voting member from the Pacific Northwest EPA region.  ...

Legislation requiring overtime pay for farm workers cleared the Washington House on Friday with a 91-7 vote. Senate Bill 5172 will stair step the overtime requirement over the next three years, with overtime starting at 55 hours a week in January, 48 hours on January 1st, 2023 and then to 40 hours a year later ...

There are a host of bills the Washington Ag community is watching very closely during this virtual legislative session. One is House Bill 1050, which would require the reduction, and eventual elimination of hydrochlorofluorocarbon refrigerant ...

After years of experimentation and a pilot program, the Washington senate now allows remote testimony on key pieces of legislation.  Remote testimony allows constituents to coordinate with a local community college to offer feedback on proposed legislation, rather than making the trip to Olympia, which can be challenging during the winter months.  Ja...

A high rate suicides among Washington farmers has drawn the attention of lawmakers  in the state House of Representatives.  Yelm Republican J.T. Wilcox comes from a family with more than 100 years of farming experience in western Washington.  He said...