Bailey and Pearson introduce bills addressing local water-access issues

Published on January 27, 2015
Two north Puget Sound lawmakers have introduced a package of bills aimed at improving public access to water. Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, and Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, introduced the legislation to address restrictive interpretations of instream-flow laws.  Restrictions on water flow have led to many people, especially those in the Skagit River Basin, being... Read More

Pearson bill would help identify the next Oso or Mount Saint Helens

Published on January 23, 2015
On Thursday the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee held a public hearing on a measure sponsored by Sen. Kirk Pearson that would establish the Department of Natural Resources as the official depository for a library of LiDAR mapping, which would be accessible to municipalities, disaster-relief workers, builders and the general public. “It wasn’t long... Read More

Victims of revenge porn could seek civil liability under Orwall and Padden bills

Published on January 22, 2015
A couple of bills introduced in the Washington State House and Senate could give victims of revenge porn some restitution by making a person civilly liable for distributing intimate images of another intentionally and without consent. Revenge porn is the online posting of explicit images of people without their permission. The identical measures were introduced... Read More

Padden: Time for Washington to get tough on repeat DUI offenders

Published on January 22, 2015
Law and Justice Committee hears testimony on Padden measure to make fourth DUI a felony When a father, mother, grandfather, husband or friend is ripped away by the actions of a drunk driver, the pain and impact caused by that can reverberate through a family and a community. The demand for justice and the desire... Read More

Benton bills to improve state government and protect consumers receive committee hearings

Published on January 21, 2015
Several measures introduced by Vancouver Sen. Don Benton received committee hearings today, including four bills aimed at protecting consumers from fraud and abuse, which came before the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. “Each session, it is important that we take a look at our laws pertaining to banking, investment, trusts and insurance to make... Read More

Panel hears support for trio of Brown bills to encourage job growth

Published on January 21, 2015
Measures would expedite permitting and help create new manufacturing and construction jobs  Sen. Sharon Brown, chair of the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee, has made attracting and retaining employers in Washington and helping them create new jobs her top priority since coming to the Senate. Today, three of her bills aimed at encouraging economic... Read More