Greetings Friends and Neighbors
It has been a busy first week of the legislative session. Now
that all the pomp and circumstance is over it is time to roll up my sleeves and
get to work. Wednesday I was selected by my colleagues to serve as the Vice
Chair of the Senate Republican Caucus. In this capacity I will help preside at internal meetings and coordinate
committee activities as liaison between leadership and committee chairs.
My committee, Agriculture, Water, Trade and Economic Development,
met for the first time this past Thursday to consider some legislation
pertaining to water, one of my top priorities. Read more two of the bills that
were heard and a link to
the video of the proceedings.
Senate Bill
5010 - Promoting water conservation
by protecting certain water rights from relinquishment.
This bill would give agricultural water users credit for their
conservation efforts. Right now there is somewhat of a negative incentive for people
to use more water than they need because it is a use-it-or-lose-it system under current law.
Senate Bill
5003 - Clarifying authority of the department of ecology regarding minimum
flow.
This legislation would give more flexibility to the state
Department of Ecology to make more water available. This comes on the heels of
some cities not being able to get water even after implementing mitigation
efforts. It clarifies existing law.
I am also working with my colleagues on legislation to address the
recent Hirst decision by the state Supreme Court. This decision amounts to a war
on rural Washington by making household wells almost impossible to obtain. The
decision not only places a burden on prospective homeowners to pay for costly
studies, but it may also set up conflict between the state and counties regarding the
availability of water. This decision has wide-ranging effects and not just on new
home building. It could also impact education funding through lower property
taxes and lost revenue and chill rural economic development.
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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. Please watch your email, as I look forward to providing you with regular updates
throughout the session.
 Judy Warnick,
13th District Senator
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Contact Me
Olympia Office:
103 Irv Newhouse Bldg.
P.O. Box 40410
Olympia, WA 98504
District
Phone:
509.766.6505
Olympia Phone:
360.786.7624
E-mail:
Judith.Warnick@leg.wa.gov
Website:
Click here to visit my website
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