Category Archives: News Release

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate approved a bipartisan transportation revenue package Friday to maintain and improve the state’s roads, bridges, ferries, and transit systems. After months of negotiation, the agreement marks a significant step toward securing Washington’s long-term transportation ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation banning the use of some animals in traveling acts was signed into law Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), prohibits traveling acts like circuses from using elephants, bears, tigers, lions, and nonhuman primates in performances ...

OLYMPIA — Bipartisan legislation ensuring the state’s Medicaid program continues to cover HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization was signed into law Friday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), requires the Health Care Authority continue covering all HIV ...

OLYMPIA — The 2025-27 bipartisan transportation package passed the Senate Saturday.  The bipartisan package, which includes a spending plan, revenue bill, and bond bill, closes the $1 billion shortfall in the state’s budget for the 2025-27 biennium and commits funding ...

OLYMPIA — A bipartisan bill creating an alternative siting pathway for fusion power projects passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday. House Bill 1018, the companion to legislation originally introduced by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), allows fusion energy projects to use the Energy ...

OLYMPIA — The Senate released its 2025-27 transportation budget, which includes two bipartisan proposals charting different funding paths for the state’s transportation system. One proposal postpones projects and reduces state agency operating costs to close the $1 billion shortfall in ...

OLYMPIA — The Senate Transportation Committee will release its 2025-2027 bipartisan budget Monday, March 24. A press release with information on the proposal’s key elements will be sent at about 11 a.m., and a media availability will be held at ...

OLYMPIA – A bill giving the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) more tools to deliver large construction projects on an expedited — and less costly — timeline passed the Senate on a 48-1 vote Tuesday. The legislation, sponsored by ...

OLYMPIA — Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) issued the following statement March 11 after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy rescinded the Biden administration’s memos on factoring environmental justice into infrastructure decisions: “Our historic transportation decisions have sometimes had devastating consequences for Washingtonians, ...

OLYMPIA — A bipartisan bill increasing penalties for some repeat traffic offenses passed the Senate on a 48-1 vote Monday. With traffic deaths at a 33-year high, the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), aims to reduce fatalities by doubling ...