News Releases

SEATTLE — Legislation passed today by the Senate would allow expanded transportation services when schools provide remote instruction during emergencies.  SB 5128, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island), solves the funding gap school districts face in providing expanded services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  “I’ve been ...

SEATTLE —SB 5299, passed by the Senate and sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island), allows high school students to take a computer science elective in place of a third year math or science course to count towards graduation requirements. “There are many students who will benefit by having an introduction to computer technology,” Wellman said. “There may be students ...

SEATTLE — Today the Senate passed legislation directing the state’s mastery-based learning work group to build a profile of skills a student must have at the time of graduation. This profile goes beyond the traditional subject matter such as reading and writing to include the attributes necessary to succeed in a 21^st century workplace. SB 5249, sponsored by Sen. Lisa ...

SEATTLE — Legislation passed today by the Senate would require physicians and osteopathic physicians to provide patients with full breast implant information and obtain informed consent before performing breast implant surgery. SB 5441, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island), ensures informed consent — the process by which the treating health care provider discloses information to a patient so the ...

Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) released the following statement today regarding Gov. Jay Inslee’s decision to close public schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Wellman serves as chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. “Our number one concern is keeping our students, staff and their families safe. We know many people who attend or work in our ...

Kai Thomson, 15, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of January 31. Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) sponsored Thomson’s week in the Legislature. The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The interactive learning experience includes classes ...

Isabella Syverson, 16, served as a page in the Washington State Senate during the week of Jan. 24. Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) sponsored Syverson’s week in the Legislature. The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The interactive learning experience includes classes ...

Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island) released the following statement in response to a press conference held today by Nathalie Asher, director of Seattle’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office. During her remarks, Asher specifically referenced Senate Bill 5497, the Keep Washington Working Act, which was sponsored by Wellman in the Legislature and enacted earlier this year. “Our nation and our ...

A bill signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee increases funding for special education, paving the way for more inclusive learning environments. Senate Bill 5091 was sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island), who chairs the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committee. The additional special education funding comes at the request of parents, teachers and schools.

Gov. Inslee signed a bill today to expand broadband access to underserved communities. Senate Bill 5511 was sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island).

“Expanding internet access throughout Washington state will increase equity in both education and business,” Wellman said. “Many of us simply can’t get through the day without accessing the internet. But we still have so many rural ...