OLYMPIA — Two bills signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee will make it harder for wildfires to spread by removing common fuels known to feed the fires. SB 6121 and SB 6120, both sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Lake Sutherland), focus on the elimination of dead timber waste and on the use of fire-resistant materials in new homes built in high-risk areas. SB 6121, signed into law today, should speed the removal of slash – piles of dead forest growth common in timber areas – by allowing an environmentally friendly method of incineration that releases fewer emissions and creates biochar, a by-product useful in agriculture. “Right now, companies have little incentive to remove slash, so the piles just ...
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About Sen. Kevin Van De Wege
Kevin has represented the communities of the 24th Legislative District for 10 years in the House followed by the past four years in the Senate, where his priorities are the creation of rural, family-wage jobs, access to health and long-term care, and quality education.
Read Kevin’s full biography here.
Sen. Kevin Van De Wege in the News
Tacoma Weekly: Legislature votes to create firefighters memorial
Legislation to erect a memorial to firefighters who die in the line ...
Read MoreKHQ: Washington state passes bill to build a memorial that honors fallen firefighters
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Legislature has passed a bill to ...
Read MoreWashington lawmakers hope to tweak new wildfire protection rules for homes
A report in today’s Columbian looks at SB 6120, Sen. Kevin Van ...
Read MoreNorthwest Sportsman: WDFW Stands Down Most Work Around Water Following L&I Inspection
WDFW says it has voluntarily stood down most staffers who work in, ...
Read MoreMEDIA: New bill would create fallen firefighter memorial in Olympia
On Saturday, KIRO-7 reported on Sen. Kevin Van De Wege’s proposed SB ...
Read MorePeninsula Daily News: Wrestling grant billed named for late Sequim firefighter
OLYMPIA — A college wrestling grant bill spurred by late firefighter Charles ...
Read MoreEverett Herald: Push is on to tax the super rich and legalize jaywalking
OLYMPIA, Feb. 13, 2023 — Happy Monday. We’ve got a holiday tomorrow ...
Read MoreKUOW: Washington State Patrol, criticized for lack of diversity, removes psychologist from hiring decision
The Washington State Patrol permanently stripped its staff psychologist of his power ...
Read MoreSequim Gazette: Sequim senator seeks improvements to police accountability laws
A state senator from Sequim says police accountability laws passed in 2021 ...
Read MorePatch News: WA Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Adjust Governor’s Emergency Powers
OLYMPIA, WA — New legislation introduced in Olympia Tuesday would increase state ...
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