News Releases

OLYMPIA — Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Lake Sutherland) has been named Legislator of the Year by the Washington State Farm Bureau in recognition of his work in support of farm and ranch families across Washington state. Van De Wege, who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee, ...

OLYMPIA — A series of bills recently signed into law will sustain access to health care at rural hospitals, shield emergency dispatchers from potential distractions, assist small farmers who suffer crop damages, and create a memorial for fallen firefighters. All the bills were sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sutherland) ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation on its way to the governor will require the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to produce maps identifying the areas of Washington state that face the greatest risk of wildfires and would most likely benefit from the use of fire-resistant materials in new homes. “There are all ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation headed for the governor’s signature will update state guidelines for mitigating crop damage caused by deer and elk, prioritizing relief for smaller farms. SB 5784, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Lake Sutherland), raises the limits on damage claims and prioritizes their payout according to the ...

OLYMPIA — Senate legislation passed today by the House will reduce the scope of wildfires by promoting the use of new technology to remove dead timber and other ground materials that help the fires spread. Having already passed the Senate, SB 6121 now goes to the governor to be signed ...

OLYMPIA — Senate legislation passed late Thursday by the House will remove potential distractions for dispatchers who work with first responders to provide fast and effective assistance to people in times of emergency. “When there’s an emergency, dispatchers need to quickly identify the caller’s location and needs so they can direct ...

OLYMPIA — Senate legislation passed late Thursday by the House would require the state Department of Natural Resources to produce maps identifying the areas of Washington state that face the greatest risk of wildfires and would most likely benefit from the use of fire-resistant materials in new homes. “Wildfires are expensive, ...

OLYMPIA — Senate legislation passed unanimously today by the House will maintain levels of medical care in rural areas by allowing hospitals to hire highly trained, volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to provide certain medical care. Having already passed unanimously in the Senate, SB 5940 now goes to Gov. Jay ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation to erect a memorial to firefighters who die in the line of duty was passed unanimously today by the Senate. Sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Lake Sutherland), the bill passed in the form of House companion legislation (HB 2091) and now goes ...