Agriculture and Water

Warnick’s bipartisan livestock ID bill clears state Senate
March 03, 2023
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... Read More...
Capacity grants for local meat processors now available
February 07, 2022
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... Read More...
Expanded protections for volunteer firefighters under Warnick bill
April 21, 2021
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... Read More...
Senate unanimously approves Warnick bill to boost local meat production
March 02, 2021
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... Read More...
Warnick urges stiff penalties for Inslee’s apple maggot gaffe
September 16, 2020
In an effort to console eastern Washington communities devastated by wildfires, Gov. Jay Inslee recently stopped for a public event in the town of Malden. During his remarks, Inslee offered words of encouragement and a seemingly benign gift – a box of apples picked from his own yard. However, the... Read More...
Warnick legislation to improve state food supply clears Legislature
February 13, 2020
The state legislature has approved a bill sponsored by state Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake that would formalize a public-private partnership to improve the state’s food-supply system. Senate Bill 6091 outlines goals of the Washington Food Policy forum, to include support for small farms, increasing the availability of food grown... Read More...
Warnick bill strengthens livestock identification program
April 17, 2019
The Washington State Legislature has approved a proposal by state Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, aimed at strengthening the state’s livestock identification program. Senate Bill 5959, approved with strong bipartisan support, now heads to the governor for his signature. “This is an invaluable program to the protection of the livestock... Read More...
Warnick animal inspection bill signed by governor
March 28, 2018
Gov. Inslee signed legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick in a ceremony Tuesday. Senate Bill 6369 removes an exemption on veterinary inspections of animals brought into Washington state. Under current law, importers are exempt from an inspection if an animal is delivered to a feedlot, slaughter plant or livestock market... Read More...