Agriculture and Water

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...
Warnick bill would ‘beef up’ state’s cattle industry
March 08, 2017
On Tuesday evening the state Senate approved legislation from Sen. Judy Warnick that would help promote the state’s beef industry. Senate Bill 5793, also known as the “Beef Check Off,” would make changes to the per-head assessment for the Washington Beef Commission and generate more funding to expand markets. The... Read More...
Senate approves Warnick bill to encourage agricultural conservation
March 01, 2017
Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation to promote agricultural conservation, Senate Bill 5010, was approved by the Senate Tuesday evening. The bill would protect irrigators’ water rights from relinquishment if the water allotment was not fully used due to conservation or efficiency efforts. The Senate approved the legislation 27 to 22 through... Read More...
Warnick legislation to fix flawed Hirst water decision clears Senate
March 01, 2017
  Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation to fix the Hirst decision was approved Tuesday evening by the state Senate, despite efforts by some opposition Democrats to delay a legislative response that would aid rural homeowners. The decision, issued by the state Supreme Court in late 2016, effectively prevents the drilling of... Read More...
Warnick bill would grant new protections for state’s cattle industry
February 28, 2017
Sen. Judy Warnick’s legislation to have air-quality rules treat cattle feedlots the same as other agricultural operations was approved today by the state Senate. Agricultural operations are exempt from state clean-air rules; Warnick’s Senate Bill 5196 would extend the exemption to feedlots while establishing a process and guidelines for addressing... Read More...