Author Archives: Laudan

Hawkins announces 7th annual listening tour!

State Senator Brad Hawkins’ 7th annual 12th District “listening tour” will take place September 5th through 8th. This year’s listening tour will be split between the traditional areas of the 12th District and the new areas of the district resulting from last year’s state redistricting. The first portion of the tour will take place on Tuesday, September 5th for Chelan County and East Wenatchee residents. The remaining tour will take place September 6-8 in the King and Snohomish counties portion of the new 12th District. Annual listening tours in the fall help connect Senator Hawkins with the various communities throughout the district and prepare him for the legislative sessions each winter. Many past listening tour ideas have resulted in legislation and budget items. Senator Hawkins will be making stops throughout the district by scheduled appointments. In addition to the various appointments available for scheduling, the senator will host a Town Hall listening session at the Monroe School District Board Room (14692 179th Ave. SE) on Wednesday, September 6th from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Hawkins’ statement on passage of bipartisan drug possession bill

State Sen. Brad Hawkins issued the following statement on the passage of the bipartisan drug possession legislation, Senate Bill 5536.

“I’m thankful to Governor Inslee for calling this special session because Washington needed to establish a statewide framework for drug possession. Clarifying our drug possession law was one of the most important issues of the year for lawmakers, so I’m grateful that we found a way to achieve a bipartisan compromise, even if it required a special session.

“As it relates to the special session process, I would have preferred a 48-hour waiting period between the time the compromise proposal was made public and any legislative vote. This would have provided the public more opportunities to review the proposal and provide comments. While I have been receiving briefings over the past several days, I struggled with the push to bring this latest version to a vote so quickly, but I can appreciate the need to secure final passage before a compromise potentially unravels.

“I had been undecided on the compromise over the past several days but have come to appreciate its similarities to what the Senate approved in March. I supported that version of the bill, and this version is similar in structure. After much thought and consideration, I came to realize that not passing this bill could lead to less desirable options, which include legislators extending the temporary law beyond July 1 or having no statewide framework for drug possession. Neither of those is a good option.

“What is most important for us all to realize is that people across our state are struggling with personal drug use. In many cases, they are not only endangering themselves but also destroying their families and impacting others. We need to reverse this harmful trend. Having compassionate options as well as necessary penalties are important to getting people the help they need.

“The bill approved attempts to balance compassion and accountability while providing funding supports in a variety of areas. I hope it is successful.”

Background

A 2021 State Supreme Court ruling struck down Washington’s felony drug possession statute as unconstitutional. Legislators approved a temporary measure later that year to classify drug possession as a misdemeanor while working toward a more comprehensive solution. On March 3, the Washington State Senate approved Senate Bill 5536.

It represented the first major step this year to address a temporary drug possession law that expires July 1, 2023. Sen. Hawkins voted in favor of the proposal, but that version of the bill was not supported in the House, primarily due to opposition by progressive House Democrats opposed to strong penalties for personal drug use. The 105-day Legislative session adjourned April 23 without a bill to replace the short-term fix, established in 2021.

Governor Inslee called a Special Session of the Legislature to begin May 16. Bipartisan legislators in both the House and Senate continued their communications over the past several days with their colleagues and key stakeholder groups, leading to today’s votes.

Governor Signs Hawkins’ Regional Sports Complex bill

Washington state Governor Jay Inslee signed Senator Hawkins’ Senate Bill 5001 into law yesterday, allowing communities to form a second public facilities district.

Hawkins’ legislation is aimed at supporting development of a regional sports complex in the greater Wenatchee area and authorizes local governments to join together to seek voter approval of regional facilities. The bill provides a legal framework for the financing and governance of a new public facilities district.

“It’s always exciting to get a bill to the Governor, especially considering the long and arduous journey this one had,” said Hawkins. “To have this new authority signed into law today will create some great opportunities for our community.”

Hawkins credited passage to the many local officials and organizations who supported the effort. Senate Bill 5001 was supported by the City of Wenatchee, City of East Wenatchee, Chelan County, Douglas County, Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council, Link Transit, Our Valley, Our Future, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Confluence Health, Velocity Swimming, and Special Olympics of Washington.

Working with local mayors, county commissioners, regional port, chamber, community leaders, and swimming groups, Hawkins hosted several meetings last fall on the proposal. From those conversations, stakeholders have expressed interest in potentially siting a project in the Wenatchi Landing area near East Wenatchee, 283 acres of regionally accessible land near the Odabashian Bridge.

“A Regional Sports Complex in Wenatchi Landing will serve as a catalyst for development of significant economic activities in that area, including hotels, restaurants, and retail shopping,” Hawkins said.

The Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority is currently administering a feasibility study to analyze the project and its economic benefits. The study group is comprised of numerous local officials and is chaired by East Wenatchee Mayor Jerrilea Crawford. For more information, click here.

Legislature approves Hawkins’ Regional Sports Complex bill

The state Senate today gave final approval to Sen. Brad Hawkins’ proposal, Senate Bill 5001, which would allow communities to form a second public facilities district, concurring with amendments made by the state House of Representatives.

“I am beyond excited to get this bill to the governor’s desk. To say that it had quite the journey is probably a massive understatement. Despite the strong bipartisan votes within the two chambers, it was one of the most challenging bills I’ve ever had to navigate through the process,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins credited passage to the many local officials and organizations who supported the effort. “I am so grateful for the help of so many local leaders. Successfully navigating through the entire process was a huge effort, but our locals were with me every step of the way. It was awesome! I’d also like to thank my House seatmates, Rep. Goehner and Rep. Steele who assisted with the bill in the House,” Hawkins said.

Senate Bill 5001 was supported by the City of Wenatchee, City of East Wenatchee, Chelan County, Douglas County, Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council, Link Transit, Our Valley, Our Future, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Confluence Health.

In a showing of support for the bill, a previously sent letter of support said, “SB 5001 will provide our region with the organizational and financing mechanism to seek voter approval to form a second Public Facilities District for the specific purpose of constructing and operating a regional aquatic center-sports complex.”

The supporters added, “As our region continues to thoughtfully consider the possibilities of joining forces to construct and operate a regional aquatic center-sports complex and to potentially seek voter-approval, we need certainty that a sufficient organizational and financial mechanism is available.”

Hawkins believes a Regional Sports Complex in Wenatchi Landing will serve as a catalyst for development of significant economic activities in that area, including hotels, restaurants, and retail shopping.

Senate Bill 5001 was approved unanimously by the Senate on March 1st and yesterday by the House of Representatives by a vote of 91-6. It was approved by five different legislative committees, often with various changes along the way. This afternoon, the Senate concurred unanimously to the House amendments, which constitutes final Legislative approval. The bill now heads to Governor Inslee for his consideration.

Hawkins Congratulates Local NCAA Star on Senate Floor

As college sports fans frustratingly watch their brackets, state Sen. Brad Hawkins took a moment of personal privilege (an official parliamentary procedure) on the Senate Floor to recognize a local tie to the ongoing March Madness.

Hailey Van Lith from Cashmere returns to Washington tonight for the Sweet 16 playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena as a player for the women’s NCAA Louisville Cardinals. She scored 21 points in a recent hard-fought game against the Texas Longhorns.

Hawkins said in his floor speech of Hailey, “She’s not only a great basketball player, she’s an excellent student – one of Cashmere High School’s very best…”

Watch Hawkins’ floor speech by clicking here.

Local stakeholders urge passage of Regional Sports Complex bill

Numerous local governments and organizations have sent a letter to House Local Government Committee members urging passage of Senate Bill 5001 sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins.

Senate Bill 5001, which passed the Senate unanimously on March 1st after successfully advancing through three Senate committees is now scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday before the House Local Government Committee. The Ranking Republican on the committee is 12th District House member Keith Goehner.

Signatories to the group letter include, Chelan County, Douglas County, East Wenatchee, Wenatchee, Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council, Link Transit, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Confluence Health, and Our Valley, Our Future. The letter said, “SB 5001 will provide our region with the organizational and financing mechanism to seek voter approval to form a second Public Facilities District for the specific purpose of constructing and operating a regional aquatic center-sports complex.”

Urging passage of the bill, stakeholders share, “As our region continues to thoughtfully consider the possibilities of joining forces to construct and operate a regional aquatic center-sports complex and to potentially seek voter-approval, we need certainty that a sufficient organizational and financial mechanism is available.”

Sen. Hawkins said, “It is fantastic to see all these organizations come together in an effort to gain this statutory authority. Doing so will provide our region a great option to pursue a future facility together, if that is what local voters ultimately decide to do.”

Click here to view the Stakeholder Letter

Click here to for Hawkins Audio Clip

Wenatchee High School student sings National Anthem to open State Senate

Wenatchee High School student, Violet Madson, sang the National Anthem Wednesday, March 8, to open the State Senate on a key day of voting. Madson, a senior and soprano, is the winner of the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musician Competition. She was invited by Sen. Brad Hawkins who coordinated the opportunity for Violet to sing the anthem in the Senate chambers.

Hawkins said, “It was so great to have Violet sing the anthem to start today’s long day of voting. A flag procession, flag salute, and prayer are pretty standard to begin each day of voting, but hearing Violet sing the anthem was amazing. My colleagues and I all thought she was exceptional because she is.”

Violet, who has been auditioning before east coast college musical programs over the past several weeks was excited to sing at the State Capitol. She said, “I’ve been singing the national anthem at swim meets and other events since I was 5 years old. It’s something that’s just so natural to me and I would have never expected anything to come from it. Now that I’m here in Olympia at the Capitol Building, it’s just a really cool experience.”

In attendance to support Violet were her parents, brother, and grandparents.

Today is the final day of Senate voting on its March 8^th cutoff date for bills that originated in the Senate to be approved by the Senate.

Watch the opening ceremonies by clicking here.

Sen. Hawkins Interview with Violet and her National Anthem

Hawkins Audio – Quote

Madson Audio – Quote

Madson Audio – National Anthem

Hawkins issues statement on passage of Senate’s drug possession bill

The Washington State Senate today approved Senate Bill 5536 sponsored by Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett. It represents the first major step this legislative session to address a temporary drug possession law that sunsets this July. In 2021, the State Supreme Court’s Blake Decision struck down Washington’s felony drug possession statute as unconstitutional.

Legislators approved a temporary measure later that year to classify drug possession as a misdemeanor while working toward a more comprehensive solution. The proposal that was approved today by a vote of 28 to 21 includes a classification of possession offenses, steps to pretrial diversion, prosecution, and resources. Hawkins voted in favor of the proposal, which now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

State Sen. Brad Hawkins issued the following statement:

“Many of my legislative colleagues have characterized drug abuse as a ‘personal healthcare issue.’ I don’t necessarily disagree, but our state needs to maintain options in our criminal justice system to protect people from themselves and others. I would have preferred something much stronger, but this is a bipartisan compromise.”

“This is one of the most important issues of this session. The Senate’s approach isn’t a perfect solution, but I believe it strikes the right balance between having a helping hand of compassion and a heavier hand of punishment. One way or another, we need to get people the help they need to get healthy, but we also don’t want them endangering themselves or others.”

Senate Bill 5536 Summary

Audio Clips

“The state needs options…”

“Not a perfect solution…”

Hawkins’ Regional Sports Complex bill approved by Senate

After successfully advancing through three Senate committees this session, Senate Bill 5001, sponsored by Sen. Brad Hawkins, has been approved unanimously by the Washington State Senate.

“This bill would give us the option of forming a second Public Facilities District, which would provide our region a legal structure for both financing and governance,” said Hawkins. He added, “If we can advance this bill through the rest of the process, we will have the ability to construct and operate a regional sports complex, if that is what our community leaders and voters decide to do.”

Senate Bill 5001 would amend the existing Public Facilities District statute to allow communities in the region to form a second district and ultimately seek voter approve a regional sports complex.

Hawkins hosted several meetings last fall with local mayors, county commissioners, regional port, chamber, community leaders, and swimming groups. Stakeholders are interested in potentially locating any project in the Wenatchi Landing area near East Wenatchee, 283 acres of regionally accessible land near the Odabashian Bridge.

Hawkins believes development of a facility in Wenatchi Landing would help meet an aquatic and recreational need in the region while also serving as a catalyst development project, potentially leading to significant economic activities in that area, including hotels, restaurants, and retail shopping.

East Wenatchee Mayor Jerrilea Crawford and Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz visited with me in Olympia earlier in the session and testified for Senate Bill 5001, our public facilities districts bill.