Senate approves Warnick ag bill

OLYMPIA — Thirteenth District Senator Judy Warnick’s legislation to promote agricultural conservation, Senate Bill 5010, was approved by the Senate on Feb. 28.

The bill would protect irrigators’ water rights from relinquishment if the water allotment is not fully used due to conservation or efficiency efforts. The Senate approved the legislation 27 to 22 through a mainly party-line vote.

“The current system favors a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ approach that could lead to wasting our valuable water resources,” said Warnick, who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Water, Trade and Economic Development Committee.

“This legislation would reward agricultural water users for their conservation efforts without the risk of losing their unused water rights,” she added.