Author Archives: rickm

26 Jan
0

Senate Ag leaders issue statement on passing of Department of Fish and Wildlife employee

Earlier this week the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that a member of their team tragically passed away in the performance of her duties. After failing to check back with her team on the night of Jan. 23, ...

Read More
18 Jan
2

Van De Wege bill addresses deer and elk damages suffered by farmers

Legislation passed today by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee would update the state’s mitigation for losses caused by deer and elk to commercial crops. “This program was created in 1947 to encourage and support the farming ...

Read More
03 Feb
0

Van De Wege bill would reform salmon fishing methods

Legislation heard today by the Senate Ways & Means Committee would overhaul outdated state laws governing methods for catching salmon. “Our restrictions on fishing methods are badly in need of updating,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim). “Improvements to ...

Read More
21 Jan
0

Van De Wege bill would bring consistency to emergency dispatching

Public safety would be enhanced by establishing certification and training standards for emergency dispatchers, under legislation heard today by the Senate State Government & Elections Committee. “Right now, standards and practices vary across the state,” said Sen. Kevin Van De ...

Read More
20 Jan
0

Van De Wege bill would extend Public Records Act to state’s courts

All courts and offices in the state’s judicial branch would be subject to the same open records laws as the rest of Washington government, under legislation scheduled to be heard Friday by the Senate State Government & Elections Committee. Until ...

Read More
18 Jan
0

Van De Wege bill would limit cougar hunting with dogs

Using dogs to hunt or pursue black bears, cougars or bobcats would be allowed only with the authorization of the state Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), under legislation heard today by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks ...

Read More
13 Jan
0

Van De Wege seeks improvements to police accountability laws

Police accountability laws passed in 2021 would be improved in several areas by legislation introduced early this legislative session by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim). “Every year the Legislature passes laws that wind up getting adjusted and updated with ...

Read More
29 Nov
1

Van De Wege , Chapman, Wellman cry foul on Seattle crosswalk cameras

A trio of state lawmakers is uneasy that their constituents and other visitors to Seattle might unknowingly be recorded on camera violating a new law unlike any traffic laws outside the city limits. Beginning Jan. 1, Seattle will install cameras ...

Read More
13 May
1

Van De Wege bill to allow lower-cost generic drugs becomes law

Costly prescription drugs could become available to Washingtonians in the form of far less expensive generic products, thanks to legislation signed into law Wednesday by the governor. “It’s common knowledge that Americans pay far more for everyday prescription drugs than ...

Read More
03 May
0

It’s the law: Van De Wege bill bans destructive seabed mining

Seabed mining, a growing industry that destroys natural habitat to extract minerals and deposits from the ocean floor, is prohibited in offshore Washington waters by legislation signed into law today by the governor. “This will ensure that our offshore habitat ...

Read More
234