Author Archives: bookerstallworth

Deadlines and Budget Battles

The 2026 legislative session is moving at a breakneck pace. Yesterday, February 25, marked a major milestone: the cutoff for policy bills to pass out of committee in the opposite house. We are now in the final stretch.

…This week, budget proposals were released, and I am deeply concerned by the direction they take. My colleagues across the aisle continue to push for reckless spending, growing the size of government, and imposing new taxes—including an unconstitutional income tax that voters have repeatedly rejected. I will dive deeper into these fiscal concerns below in this newsletter.

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Warnick advances measure to bring transparency to wildfire insurance

Wildfire risk assessments can be a mystery for many Washington homeowners. Senator Judy Warnick wants to change that. Today, the Senate passed her proposal to demystify the complex risk models used by insurance companies. The bill cleared the chamber with an overwhelming 48-1 vote.

The proposal was prompted by a growing crisis in Central and Eastern Washington. Currently, many homeowners in wildfire-prone areas are left in the dark. Their insurance is canceled, not renewed, or their future premiums skyrocket based on a “wildfire risk score” they never see and cannot challenge.

During a large community gathering in Kittitas County last fall, homeowners expressed frustration over this lack of communication and demanded more clarity about how their properties were being assessed for wildfire risk.

To address their concerns, Warnick’s measure would require insurance companies to disclose the specific factors and data points that adversely impact a homeowner’s wildfire risk score.

“Last fall, I met with many constituents who are struggling to keep their homes protected as insurance costs soar or they lose coverage entirely,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “This bill is a measured approach to give homeowners more control. By requiring companies to disclose what is driving these risk scores, we are empowering Washingtonians.

“You can’t fix a problem you don’t understand. If a homeowner knows exactly why their score is high, they can begin to take action to mitigate those risks.”

If passed into law, Senate Bill 5928 would require that companies provide a summary explanation of how the wildfire risk model is used in underwriting while also carefully balancing the need for corporate privacy.

“We’ve worked hard to bring the right people to the table, including the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and industry stakeholders, to ensure we are using the most accurate information possible,” Warnick added. “We don’t want any unnecessary or burdensome regulations; we just want transparency.”

Having passed the Senate, the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for that chamber’s consideration.

Senate unanimously passes Warnick bill for Port of Moses Lake rail expansion

Today, the Washington State Senate voted 49-0 to pass a targeted measure sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick to provide the Port of Moses Lake with the financial tools necessary to complete major infrastructure improvements.

Senate Bill 6132, titled “Authorizing a narrow modification to indebtedness limits for select inland port districts,” was drafted specifically to support the Port of Moses Lake.

“The title of this bill really says it all,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “This is a small, simple measure meant to apply only to one specific situation. The Port of Moses Lake reached out and asked for our help to ensure they could cross the finish line on important local projects, and I am glad we could provide this solution.”

To ensure the port remains eligible for the federal funding required to finish these key rail and power upgrades, SB 6132 allows for a narrow 0.25% modification to indebtedness limits. Under the bill’s requirements, this additional bonding authority is strictly limited to port districts that have established a tax increment financing (TIF) area and have a comprehensive industrial development plan approved by the state Department of Commerce.

“I want to thank my colleagues for their support today,” Warnick added. “They recognized that while this is a technical change, it has a very real impact on the Port of Moses Lake’s ability to build the infrastructure that keeps our community competitive and our economy moving forward.”

SB 6132 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Senate unanimously advances Warnick bill to evaluate DCYF child welfare assessment practices

The Washington State Senate has acted to bolster child safety and system accountability by commissioning a thorough review of how child welfare referrals are screened and managed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

The legislation is prime-sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, a veteran lawmaker who has represented the 13th District since 2007 and serves on the Senate Human Services Committee.

Her measure cleared the chamber on Feb. 10 with a 49-0 vote, reflecting a recognition by lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle that there needs to be a statewide commitment to addressing issues within Washington’s child protection services.

“This bill directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to perform an assessment of the Department of Children, Youth and Families’ use of screening tools regarding child welfare referrals and how these tools affect outcomes,” said Warnick. “I think it will work well with studies the institute has already done. It will look at some of the challenges and critical issues we are seeing in child-welfare processes.”

This legislative effort comes at a critical time for the state, as Washington has seen a consistent annual drop in dependency filings since 2016, yet has simultaneously experienced a troubling rise in “critical incidents,” including child fatalities and near-fatalities, among families already in contact with the state’s welfare system.

Senate Bill 6007 would authorize WSIPP to perform a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of the screening tools and risk assessment processes utilized by DCYF. The proposed study would determine how these tools influence critical outcomes, such as out-of-home placements, repeat referrals, and the overall safety of children.

By utilizing the nonpartisan expertise of WSIPP, the bill would ensure an objective look at current agency practices. If enacted, the Institute would be required to report its preliminary findings by December 1, with a final report due to the Legislature and DCYF by September 1, 2027.

Warnick, whose legislative focus has long included protecting Washington’s most vulnerable residents, noted that the unanimous Senate vote reflects a collective sense of urgency to refine the state’s intervention strategies.

“I am grateful for the strong, bipartisan support this bill received in the Senate,” Warnick added. “We all share the goal of ensuring no child falls through the cracks of a bureaucratic process. While this is a great first step, our work isn’t done. I urge my colleagues in the House to move quickly so we can begin the vital work of making our child-welfare system safer for every family in Washington.”

Having cleared the Senate, SB 6007 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Initiatives and taxes in the 2026 Session

I hope your 2026 is off to a wonderful start! We are officially off and running in this “short” 60-day session. Because we must finish our work by March 12, the pace in Olympia is incredibly fast. Right now, we are staring down our first big deadline: tomorrow, February 4. That’s the “policy cutoff,” the day when most bills have to pass out of their committees to keep moving forward. It’s always a bit of a scramble, but it’s a vital time to make sure our rural voices in Central Washington are heard loud and clear on everything from public safety and affordability to education and the responsible management of our state resources.

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Senate passes Warnick bill to designate official state cactus

Today, the Washington State Senate passed Sen. Judy Warnick’s measure to designate Pediocactus nigrispinus—commonly known as the Columbia Plateau cactus or snowball cactus—as Washington’s official state cactus. The bill was approved 47-2.

The Columbia Plateau cactus is unique for its ability to thrive in extreme temperatures and its beautiful pink-to-magenta blooms.

Several Ellensburg-area elementary students brought the proposal to Warnick after researching the cactus, which is native to arid regions of Central Washington. The students decided the native cactus, which has a round shape and white spines, is a fitting symbol for the state’s rugged interior.

“I’ll tell you, my heart is just full seeing the Senate come together like this,” said Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “Sometimes folks think Olympia is all about the thorny issues but today was about celebrating some pretty sharp kids. These students didn’t just send a letter; they rolled up their sleeves, did their homework, and showed us all how the ‘people’s government’ is supposed to work. I’m honored that we could recognize their effort by passing this bill with such broad support.”

Warnick also took a moment to recognize Brooklyn Edgar, the teacher who helped guide the students through the legislative process.

“We can’t forget the teachers who helped nurture these students’ curiosity and actions,” Warnick added. “It takes a lot of patience to guide a class through the twists and turns of making a law. They’re teaching these kids that their voices matter, and that’s a lesson that’ll last a lifetime.”

Senate Bill 5325 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.