Senate unanimously approves Hawkins’ utility wildfire bill
Legislation introduced by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement recommendations by the Electric Utilities Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force on ways to prevent wildfires was approved today 46-0 by the Senate. Senate Bill 5158 would direct state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to work with the Utility Wildland...
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Senate budget committee passes Hawkins-Wellman education bill
A bill prime-sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins aimed at learning recovery due to impacts of the COVID pandemic, including a pilot project to help districts voluntarily reform their school calendars, was approved today by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. As amended and passed by the committee, Hawkins’...
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Republican education leader urges school districts to consider swapping this year’s spring and summer breaks due to COVID
It has been a difficult year for students, parents, and school officials. With a limited percentage of Washington school districts offering in-person instruction and very few districts, if any, back to their usual operations, 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins is urging districts to think differently about how to maximize...
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Ways and Means Committee passes Hawkins’ bill to implement utility-wildfire group’s recommendations
Another hurdle has been cleared for legislation sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement recommendations by the Electric Utilities Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force on ways to prevent wildfires. Senate Bill 5158 was approved late today by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The proposal now goes to...
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Transportation Committee passes Hawkins bill to promote hydrogen-powered vehicles
Sen. Brad Hawkins’ bill to promote hydrogen-powered vehicles has taken a step closer to a full Senate vote this session. The Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday unanimously approved Senate Bill 5000, which would establish an eight-year statewide pilot project for the reduction of sales tax on purchases of fuel-cell electric...
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Hawkins asks Inslee to make COVID-19 vaccine available now to all in-person school employees wanting it
Sen. Brad Hawkins, the ranking Republican on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, is asking Gov. Jay Inslee to make it possible for all in-person school employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination now if they want it. In a letter sent to the governor today, Hawkins wrote: “I...
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Hawkins thanks Supt. Reykdal for bringing in expertise and planning ahead for school employee vaccinations
Sen. Brad Hawkins, the ranking Republican on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, responded to today’s announcement of the “Get Ready Plan” partnership between the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Kaiser Permanente. “I applaud Superintendent Reykdal for working with partners to bring in expertise and...
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Hawkins’ bill to implement utility-wildfire group’s recommendations approved by key Senate committee
Two years ago, the Legislature created the Electric Utilities Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force, which focused on ways to prevent wildfires. Senate Bill 5158, sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement its recommendations, was unanimously approved today by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee. Hawkins’...
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12th District legislators sponsor Methow Valley biochar project
Following discussions in recent years with C6 Forest to Farm, a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Methow Valley, the 12th District lawmakers have agreed to support the organization by seeking funding for a biochar demonstration project. Biochar is a charcoal-like product produced through pyrolysis, a process that superheats biomass...
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