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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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,”...
Read More
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...
Read More
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....
Read More
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...
Read More
Sen. Judy Warnick calls for public hearing on women’s sports initiative
OLYMPIA — Sen. Judy Warnick is urging the Legislature to hold a public hearing on Initiative Measure No. IL26-638, a certified initiative addressing participation standards in interscholastic sports, saying it should move through the normal legislative process and be openly vetted. “This initiative was signed by hundreds of thousands of...
Read More
VIDEO | Warnick | Washington State Legislative Republican Media Avail Jan. 20, 2026
Republican Senators John Braun and Judy Warnick and Representatives Drew Stokesbary and April Connors hold a media availability to stress affordability as the top priority, criticize proposed income and other taxes, and discuss budget concerns, small business impacts, child welfare reforms, and technology regulations. Questions covered taxes, initiatives, and public...
Read More
Washington State Senate adopts resolution observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Sen. Judy Warnick/R-Moses Lake/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Today the Washington State Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 8661, officially recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and reaffirming the Legislature’s dedication to justice, equity, and human dignity. The resolution honors the life and legacy of Dr. King, emphasizing his teaching that...
Read More