Agriculture and Water

Senate sends Hirst-fix legislation to House for third time
June 15, 2017
The chair of the Senate’s water-related committee, Sen. Judy Warnick, has been working to fix the fallout caused by the Hirst decision issued by the state Supreme Court in late 2016. Senate Bill 5239, which has received bipartisan support in the upper chamber but stalled in the Democrat-controlled House of... Read More...
Warnick legislation signed; will increase protections for state’s cattle industry
May 08, 2017
The governor signed Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation Friday that requires air-quality rules to treat cattle feedlots the same as other agricultural operations. Senate Bill 5196 extends the exemption to feedlots while establishing a process and guidelines for addressing activities that may be detrimental to the environment. “Other agricultural activities are... Read More...
Governor signs Warnick agritourism legislation
May 08, 2017
Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick to limit liability for agricultural businesses that open their operations to the public for agritourism activities. Senate Bill 5808 received near-unanimous approval in the Legislature. “The new law gives needed clarity to our ag-producers when they open their operations... Read More...
Governor endorses pro-energy, pro-irrigation bill from Warnick, Dent
April 20, 2017
On Wednesday the governor signed legislation from 13th District Sen. Judy Warnick and Rep. Tom Dent that would enable irrigation districts to enter into public-private partnerships for new energy infrastructure, including hydroelectric projects. “This is a good piece of bipartisan legislation that is going to create jobs and improve the... Read More...
Warnick agritourism bill garners Legislature’s approval
April 18, 2017
Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation to limit liability for ranchers and farmers engaged in agritourism activities cleared its final legislative hurdle Monday. Minor changes made to Senate Bill 5808 by the House of Representatives received near-unanimous approval from the Senate. The measure now goes to the governor to be signed. “Agritourism,... Read More...
House fails to act on needed water relief for state’s rural residents
March 30, 2017
On the day of the deadline by which policy bills must be approved to continue in the legislative process, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee failed to approve Senate Bill 5239, the “Hirst fix” legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake. This failure to act leaves rural residents... Read More...
Warnick agritourism legislation approved by Senate
March 08, 2017
Bill would expand protections for agricultural producers who host tourists Today the state Senate approved Senate Bill 5808, sponsored by Sen. Judy Warnick, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, that would limit liability for ranchers and farmers engaged in agritourism activities. The legislation was approved 42 to 6 and goes... Read More...