Category Archives: News Release

OLYMPIA — Legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate would reduce the scope of wildfires by encouraging the removal of dead timber and other ground materials that help the fires spread. SB 6121, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege ...

Legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate would maintain access to medical care in rural areas by broadening the types of service that may be performed by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with advanced certification. SB 5940, sponsored by Sen. Kevin ...

Legislation passed today by the Senate would help dispatchers focus on their complex duties, instead of stalled or lagging contract negotiations, by expanding the practice of binding interest arbitration used for first responders such as firefighters and law officers. SB ...

Legislation proposed by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Lake Sutherland) would counter the growing incidence of wildfires by increasing the efficiency of incinerating potential forest ground fuels and by requiring fire-resistant materials in new houses built in potential wildfire areas. ...

Legislation to erect a memorial to firefighters who die in the line of duty was passed today by the Senate State Government & Elections Committee. SB 5946 would build and maintain the memorial with funds from a non-appropriated account created ...

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, ...

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 ...

Legislation heard today by the Senate Ways & Means Committee would overhaul outdated state laws governing methods for catching salmon.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 ...

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 ...

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 ...