Washington Legislative Preview: Salmon, Net Neutrality, Bump Stocks Among Pre-Filed Bills
Listen
Washington state lawmakers convene Monday, January 8 for a short 60-day election year session. Already lawmakers have pre-filed dozens of bills they’d like to see passed.
The pre-filed proposals run the gamut. There’s a bill to ban cultivation of Atlantic salmon in state waters. This follows last summer’s collapse of a salmon net pen that led to the release of more than 300,000 Atlantic salmon.
There’s a proposal to maintain net neutrality in Washington state. This comes as the Federal Communications Commission moves to repeal rules that required broadband providers to treat all data the same.
Another bill would ban so-called bump-stocks that make semi-automatic guns function more like an automatic weapon. The shooter in last October’s mass shooting in Las Vegas used a bump stock.
And there’s a proposal to test a new way to help people with mental health issues who have frequent encounters with police. The pilot program would create a 40-bed facility to provide wrap-around services to this high-risk population.
Related Stories:
Samish Indian Nation cleans up over a million pounds of marine debris, more to go
It’s that time of year when flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and crews working for the Samish Indian Nation are scouting shorelines within the San Juan archipelago, looking for marine debris.
Continue Reading Samish Indian Nation cleans up over a million pounds of marine debris, more to go
Washington state bill could change how rural communities could work to close a library
Young adult books at the Columbia County Library. Some people have requested to move the YA section into the adult section because of what they call “obscene” material in 100… Continue Reading Washington state bill could change how rural communities could work to close a library
Washington leaders try to find solutions for wolf depredations and killing of wolves
A gray wolf. (Credit: William Campbell) Listen (Runtime 1:07) Read Some ranchers are saying it is time to find creative ways to deal with wolf attacks on livestock. That’s what… Continue Reading Washington leaders try to find solutions for wolf depredations and killing of wolves