OLYMPIA – Legislation to further study and incentivize the development of geothermal energy sources passed the Washington State Senate on a unanimous vote Monday. Senate Bill 6039, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), directs the Washington Geological Survey (WGS) to update mapping and compile a public database of subsurface geologic information while also creating grant programs to support geothermal exploration ...
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Friends and neighbors, We are now more than halfway through this year’s legislative session in Olympia, and we are already seeing progress on key issues like affordable housing, behavioral health, ferry service and environmental protections. We will continue working fast and furious to pass dozens of bills before the legislative session ends on March 7.
Telephone Town Hall on February ...Read More
OLYMPIA – Legislation to give local governments new revenue options to fund affordable housing and homeless services passed today in the Washington State Senate on a 29-20 bipartisan vote. Senate Bill 5334, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), would allow counties or cities to adopt an excise tax on the sale of lodging of short-term rentals. The revenue would be ...
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State Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) is inviting the Lopez Island community to join her for an informal conversation as she prepares for the 2024 legislative session in Olympia. The event will take place on Monday, Dec. 11, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, 70 Sunset Lane on Lopez Island. Constituents will have the opportunity to ask questions ...
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“As legislators from the 40th district representing San Juan County, we were deeply dismayed to hear of the damage to the Chelan Ferry which currently serves the interisland route for the San Juans. We are thankful that no one was hurt in the accident, and we are always grateful to the crew and team at Washington State Ferries for their dedication ...
Read MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 15, 2023 Press Inquiries | 360.786.7853, courtney.james@leg.wa.gov OLYMPIA – Legislation to further protect Washington’s endangered southern resident orca population was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee today. Senate Bill 5371, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), requires whale-watching boats and other marine vessels to refrain from approaching within 1,000 yards of a southern resident killer whale. The measure ...
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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), received overwhelming bipartisan support through Lekanoff’s collaborative striker to strengthen the work of both House Democrats and Republicans. This effort resulted in ...
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OLYMPIA – Legislation to further protect Washington’s endangered southern resident orca population passed the Senate on a 29-18 vote today. Senate Bill 5371, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), would require whale-watching boats and other marine vessels to refrain from approaching within 1,000 yards of a southern resident killer whale. This would be an increase in distance from our current ...
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OLYMPIA – Today, Sen. Liz Lovelett, Rep. Alex Ramel, and Rep. Debra Lekanoff of the 40th Legislative District released the following statement: “Today, the Washington State Ferry Service announced that due to vessel capacity limitations, they are unlikely to resume the Anacortes to Sidney, BC service until 2030. “To say we are extremely disappointed with this announcement is an ...
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OLYMPIA – A bill to require the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) to adopt uniform standards for temporary emergency shelters passed the Senate on a unanimous vote today. Temporary emergency shelters such as rapid-build structures and tiny home villages provide local jurisdictions with affordable and easily scalable options for safe and rapid housing for unsheltered members of their communities. Senate ...
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