February 19, 2021

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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February 15, 2021

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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February 11, 2021

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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February 03, 2021

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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January 29, 2021

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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January 28, 2021

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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January 27, 2021

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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January 27, 2021

Education committee approves Hawkins’ school calendar bill

Following a challenging school year for students, parents, and schools, and anticipating significant learning loss across Washington state, the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee has taken a step forward to address “learning loss” throughout the state. The committee today approved 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins’ bipartisan legislation,...
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January 21, 2021

Committee passes Hawkins bill to promote hydrogen-powered vehicles

Sen. Brad Hawkins’ proposal to promote hydrogen-powered vehicles, the first Senate bill of the 2021 legislative session, is now also among the first measures to be approved by a Senate committee. The Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee on Thursday approved Senate Bill 5000, which would establish an eight-year statewide...
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