Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Legislature is now two-thirds of the way through its 60-day session. In these final weeks, both the House and Senate will be considering each other’s policy bills and making adjustments to the current two-year budgets. I am very appreciative of your emails, phone calls and letters on legislative issues. Thank you for your input in this process.
Agricultural update
Our region’s connection to the land and natural resources is significant. For over a century, fruit, grains, and livestock have been at the heart of our economy and culture. The production, processing, storing and distribution of crops and products plays a critical role in the livelihoods of many of our residents, helping to feed millions of people around the world. Safeguarding our land and natural resources helps preserve our agricultural base.
As your elected representative, I have received the Friend of the Farm Bureau Award for consistently supporting and promoting legislation that helps the agricultural industry. I would like to thank the Farm Bureau and its membership for this recognition. I am glad to have played a part in helping this important industry thrive and grow.
House Passed Bills in the Senate
Here are some highlights of House bills in the final stages of the legislative process that would support agriculture and protect our natural resources. All of these bills are currently being considered in the Senate:
House Bill 2478 – Would create a pilot project to help develop best practices for landowners and land managers to reduce noxious weeds and replace them with pollinator-friendly native plants to help support honey bee access to pollen and nectar-rich plants.
House Bill 2634 – Would direct The Dairy Products Commission to conduct research and education on the economic uses of nutrients produced by dairy farms.
House Bill 2925 – Would allow livestock owners or their employees to retrieve or care for livestock during a fire suppression response.
House Bill 2928 – Directs DNR to create a forest resiliency burning pilot project on fire-prone land in coordination with other forest health collaboratives to help protect, preserve and expand safe and responsible use of prescribed fires on the Washington landscape.
House Bill 2493 – The Lands Group, consisting of representatives from natural resource agencies, local government and other organizations, would be extended by five additional years. This group is responsible for creating a biennial forecast of land acquisition and disposal plans, as well as monitoring the success of those acquisitions.
Staying Connected
Are you looking for ways to stay informed on what is happening in Olympia?
- TVW is the state’s own version of C-SPAN, broadcasting floor and committee action live online.
- State budget and fiscal information, including interactive fiscal reports, budget information, and maps.
- Legislature’s website has bill reports, committee agendas and information about upcoming activities.
- The Capitol Buzz is a daily list of state-wide online news stories.
- The Current is an online legislative publication from the Washington House Republicans.
- Click here for my audio tracks and recent broadcasts.
Thank you for the honor of serving as your state representative.
Sincerely,
Brad Hawkins
State Representative Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
E-mail: brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov
Web site: www.representativebradhawkins.com
122G Legislative Building – P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7832 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
