News Releases

Senate Bill 5546, legislation establish to authorize a state cannabis commission, passed the Senate on Wednesday. “I sponsored this bill because I believe in agricultural research. Research has been a powerful force in providing cheap and safe crops for our nation, and continues to push agriculture to be more efficient, more humane and more sustainable. However, cannabis has not had ...

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to promote Washington state’s manufacturing sector as it transitions to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 passed the Senate on Wednesday, March 8th. Senate Bill 5269 creates the Washington Clean Manufacturing Leadership Act, directing the state Department of Commerce to develop an independent assessment strategy to capture and support new and emerging manufacturing ...

The Washington State Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to help working forests from potential liability under the federal Endangered Species Act. SB 5390 would authorize the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to work with landowners and the federal fish and wildlife services to develop voluntary “safe harbor” agreements that landowners could enter, wherein they ...

The Washington State Senate passed legislation to support ranchers and Washington’s beef industry. SB 5150, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), would provide additional funding for the Washington State Beef Commission and its promotional efforts on behalf of ranchers and dairy farmers by raising the checkoff fee paid on the sale of each head of cattle. “Ranchers asked me to ...

Today, the Washington State Senate passed SB 5452, legislation to expand options for local governments to use money from impact fees to build bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. “We use impact fees to pay for all kinds of good, helpful infrastructure – why not for more bike options?” asked Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), prime sponsor of the bill. “Places for people ...

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to expand construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, passed the Senate on a 42-6 vote today. ADUs, often referred to as backyard cottages or mother-in-law units, are residential homes that occupy the same lot as an existing home. As smaller buildings that share a lot, they are typically more affordable and more environmentally friendly ...

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to streamline the removal of derelict vessels in Washington waters passed the state Senate on a unanimous vote. The state’s Derelict Vessel Removal Program is often used to salvage boats that are abandoned, sunk, or run aground in Washington waters – it removed one just off shore near Bellingham’s Waypoint Park in the ...

Augustus Booker, a senior at Bellingham High School, served as a page for the Washington State Senate the week of Feb. 6. Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) sponsored his week at the Legislature. The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. During the week-long interactive learning experience, students get a first-hand look at the ...

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to expand construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, passed out of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs today. ADUs, often referred to as backyard cottages or mother-in-law units, are residential homes that occupy the same lot as an existing home. As smaller buildings that share a lot, they are ...