Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Judy Warnick cleared its final hurdle with just three days left in the 2024 legislative session. The state Senate unanimously concurred with amendments made by the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 5785 would allow the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to enter into longer-term...

Over 1 million acres across 33 wildlife areas and over 450 waterways are under the management of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The department is tasked with preserving and protecting the state’s vast natural resources and it’s a big job. State Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation would make that...

OLYMPIA… Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Judy Warnick, Senate Bill 5460 was signed into law this week, supporting the state’s only irrigation and rehabilitation district located in Moses Lake (MLIRD). The new law makes needed changes to how these districts operate, aimed at clarifying assessments and improved planning for critical projects....

State Sen. Judy Warnick is from Washington’s ag country and has worked tirelessly to promote and protect the state’s second largest industry. Today the governor signed legislation sponsored by Warnick, Senate Bill 5439, to support livestock identification efforts. The soon-to-be law will remove fees and make other sustainability improvements to the program....

During the state Senate’s first full week of floor votes, the body approved a bipartisan proposal sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick focused on improving the state’s livestock identification program. Senate Bill 5439, which was approved unanimously, would remove fees and makes other sustainability improvements. “We need the oversight body of...

OLYMPIA… During the height of the COVID pandemic, State Sen. Judy Warnick worked to secure funding for a bourgeoning and much needed alternative to large meat processing facilities who were hit hard by the virus. Closures around the country led to shocks in the meat supply causing prices to spike...

More and more people tangentially connected with state government are finding out that they are subject to Gov. Jay Inslee’s recently announced vaccine mandate – even 4-H volunteers. In a letter sent to volunteers, the Washington State University Extension, which oversees the 4-H youth agricultural program, wrote that 4-H volunteer...

Under a new law, volunteer firefighters will see additional workplace protections. State Sen. Judy Warnick sponsored Senate Bill 5384, which was signed by the governor late last week and makes a small but significant change to how these public servants are defined in the Industrial Welfare Act. Warnick said lessons...

As the COVID-19 outbreak spread in Washington, toilet paper wasn’t the only commodity in short supply. Consumers may recall that the butcher’s block was increasingly scarce, and prices were climbing. Estimates are that meat production, particularly of beef and pork, dropped by 30 percent. To protect the state’s food supply...