News Releases

Legislation passed today by the Senate will reclassify most minor fish and wildlife crimes as civil infractions, simplifying prosecution and reducing court costs, while also enabling the suspension of hunting and fishing privileges for egregious violations. Having already passed the House, House Bill 2571 now goes to the governor to ...

The operating budget passed today by the Senate would add $5 million in assistance for local businesses whose trade has been decimated by international reactions to the coronavirus pandemic, at the request of state lawmakers representing the 19^th and 24^th legislative districts. Though the funds may be requested by a number ...

State agencies would recognize and support efforts by timber companies to reduce carbon emissions through reforestation, afforestation, timber harvesting, and the planting of forested buffers in riparian areas, under legislation passed Thursday by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee. “There’s a presumption out there that timber harvesting and ...

The new legislative assistant to Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) brings strong familiarity and knowledge of the communities that make up the 24^th Legislative District. Van De Wege’s office is now managed by Peter Steelquist, an experienced political staffer and native of Sequim. “I have had the very good fortune of ...

The operating budget passed late today by the Legislature includes $20,000 to fund a study of the feasibility of the state producing certain generic drugs.

“The rising cost of prescription drugs is a strain on many households, even for longtime drugs like insulin that haven’t changed over the ...

A pair of bills signed into law today by Gov. Jay Inslee focus on preventing wildfires near electric utilities and increasing firefighter safety.

Senate Bill 5305, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), directs the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create a task force to ...

Several state agencies would work jointly to assess and recommend strategies to improve environmental health and reduce the threat of flooding along the Satsop River, under legislation passed late Wednesday by the Senate.

“This is a chance to address a growing flood threat while increasing the health of ...

The operating budget passed today by the Senate includes $20,000 to fund a study of the feasibility of the state producing certain generic drugs.

“One of the biggest concerns in many households today is the high cost of prescription drugs,” said Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim), who ...

The completed, 10-year restoration of the only active National Historic Landmark sailing vessel in Puget Sound will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. Friday with a public launch at the Port Townsend Boat Haven.

Like much of the earlier restoration projects, the final phase of restoration — the full replacement of ...

Several state agencies would work jointly to assess and recommend strategies to reduce the threat of flooding along the Satsop River, under legislation recommended Tuesday by the Senate Water, Agriculture, Natural Resources & Parks Committee.

“The Satsop had a long history of dredging but, since the dredging stopped, ...