September 21, 2017 |
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 Greetings Friends and NeighborsAlthough the Legislature has been out of session for two months, I am still working on unresolved issues with the proposed capital budget and with the Supreme Court’s Hirst decision that placed restrictions on household wells. I have been meeting with water-management stakeholders and conversing with my counterparts across the political aisle to find agreement that will address their concerns and let rural property owners build on their land. Unfortunately, progress has been slow and my Democrat colleagues haven’t demonstrated that they grasp how important this issue is for rural Washington. This is especially concerning in light of a recent study that demonstrates the significant financial harm caused by not fixing the Hirst problem. My Senate Majority colleagues and I noted that recently when we sent a letter to the governor asking him to demonstrate leadership and bring his fellow Democrats to the negotiating table. Failing to act will result in a loss of nearly $7 billion to our state’s economy. Please click here to read my recent press release that includes the letter and link to the study. Skagit Agriculture Tour
Jolly Mountain FireI recently attended a meeting in Kittitas County regarding the Jolly Mountain fire. The fire has burned over 36,000 acres and is about 40 percent contained. Officials indicate that the eastern, western and southern lines have been brought mostly under control, but expect the fire to continue to burn to the north and will be closely monitored. Over 800 people had been working in this dangerous and rugged terrain. I am thankful for our first responders and firefighters who are putting their lives on the line to fight these fires and keep our communities safe. Please visit the links below to stay informed about the fire and any closures and evacuations. Leading the nationOur community is a hub of innovation and industry. The city of Quincy was recently recognized as a “Utility of the Future Today” and will be honored at a national conference in Chicago for its work on water reuse. Click here to read a recent news story. It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your state government.
Judy Warnick, Your State Senator |
Tag Archives: Water rights
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 hoping to drill a small, household well without access to water.
In late 2016 the state Supreme Court issued its Hirst decision, which turned decades of water law on its head and prevents future domestic wells from being used. Warnick, who chairs the Senate’s water-related committee, made the following statement in light of the House’s inaction.
“I am disappointed that the House committee was unable to move my legislation that brings needed relief to residents in rural areas of our state. I worked with stakeholders to address concerns and put forth a solution that actually works for the thousands of people who are left with no access to water on their properties.
“When the session began, the impacts of the Hirst decision became painfully clear. The lives of the people I represent and really, of all of Washington’s residents who don’t have the luxury of hooking up to city water systems, are being adversely affected and it demands action.
“This issue is not just about water. The inability for housing development in rural areas is crippling for county revenues, for school districts and for areas in our state that haven’t felt the economic recovery like the Central Puget Sound has. Families are hurting and they deserve relief.
“The next step to solve this crisis is on the House. The Senate approved a bipartisan solution to address the Hirst decision – the House failed to act. I listened to the people who had spent their life’s savings on a property to make a home, but the House ignored them.
“The bottom line is that we must deliver a reasonable policy that lets property owners have access to water on their property without undue burdens and costs that will make their lives harder.”
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 a mainly party-line vote.
“The current system favors a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ approach that could lead to wasting our valuable water resources,” said Warnick, who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Water, Trade and Economic Development Committee. “This legislation would reward agricultural water users for their conservation efforts without the risk of losing their unused water rights.”
There are other exemptions for water-rights relinquishment, but none aimed at conservation or efficiency.
“Our agricultural producers are good stewards of our state’s natural resources, and this would give them another tool to be a leader in those efforts,” added Warnick
April 29, 2016 |
Greetings Friends and Neighbors,Now that the legislative session is over, I am back in district meeting with constituents and gathering input on issues facing our community. This is an important time to prepare for the upcoming legislative session where we will be focusing on building a new state budget for the next two years. I will be holding town hall meetings in Lincoln County May 2 and I hope you will be able to attend. 10:00 a.m.Harrington Opera House – on the corner of Willis and South Third Streets Enter on the South side of the City Hall Building, 19 S. Third Street, Harrington
2:00 p.m.Wilbur Community Center New opportunitiesRecently, my colleague, the Senate Majority Leader, requested that I be appointed to the Washington State Blue Ribbon Commission on the Delivery of Services to Children and Families, as referenced in Executive Order 16-03 by Governor Inslee. I am honored to be nominated for this opportunity to work to improve the lives of children and families in our state. During the interim I am keeping busy. I am a member of numerous committees and boards that meet when the Legislature is not in session. I recently met with those on the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System, (LEOFF) 2 Board. This group sets policy for the first responders’ benefits in that system. I sponsored a bill this session that became law, Senate Bill 6263 that allows members to receive full retirement benefits for injuries that are currently considered non-duty related, such as responding to federally declared emergencies. I also serve on the Community and Economic Revitalization Board. It provides funding to local governments for public infrastructure to support private business growth and expansion. This program is critical to rural economic development and many jurisdictions in our district have successfully used these funds to improve their communities. I continue working with constituents and state agencies such as the state Departments of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Fish and Wildlife to ensure that solutions are found for issues that have been brought to my attention, including:
These executive agencies need to be aware of the impacts their regulations have so that rules won’t negatively affect our local businesses and communities. For example, the state Department of Ecology is drafting a rule regarding the rail transport of biological oil, such as canola. Currently, those types of biological oils are considered the same as crude oil for emergency planning purposes. Unfortunately, legislation that I sponsored to change that was not adopted. Senate Bill 6576 would have not required the same kind of planning for biological oil as is required when transporting crude oil by rail. Although the Legislature is not in session, I am busy working on issues that affect our community. I look forward to connecting with you while I am back in district and getting your insights on how we can improve our state and community. It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions regarding your state government.
Sincerely,
Judy Warnick, 13th District Senator Share my E-newsletterDo you know others who live in our district who may not be receiving my e-news updates? Please feel free to forward this e-mail invitation to them or click on the share button below. If you have received this without directly subscribing, please visit my website by clicking here and sign up to receive my e-newsletters!
Contact MeOlympia Office:103 Irv Newhouse Bldg. P.O. Box 40410 Olympia, WA 98504
District Phone:509.766.6505 Olympia Phone:360.786.7624
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