Legislative update from Tom Dent

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Legislature officially convened the 2025 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 13. There are many new faces on both sides of the aisle. I always make an effort to get to know all the new members. It is much easier to accomplish things in Olympia if we work together.

Governor’s transition team

After the incoming Gov. Bob Ferguson was elected in November, I was asked to serve on his 53-person transition team-one of a few Republicans. The team met to assist in developing his priorities in the first 100 days of his new administration. The transition team was originally set up with 12 subcommittees covering various aspects of state government.  I served on several subcommittees including Transportation, Climate and Environment and Customer Service. I was concerned there was not an Agriculture Subcommittee and having further conversations with Gov-Elect Ferguson, an Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee was formed. I was asked to co-chair this committee.

I sincerely appreciate being asked to participate on the transition team. It was important for me to be on this team to bring our rural issues to their attention so the team could see a different set of political views and opinions with our state being under new leadership. As a co-chair of the ag subcommittee, we were able to address how difficult things are for the agricultural community. Many feel left out of the rules and regulations being proposed by the Legislature over the last decade. There is frustration, disappointment, and hopelessness among our farmers and ranchers. It was good to be able to share those issues. We came up with bipartisan recommendations to address the economic and social crises hitting Washington farmers. Some of the draft recommendations include:

• A positive shift in tone related to our agricultural community;
• Create a Governor’s Office Tribal-Agricultural Communities Workgroup;
• Broad review of agricultural regulations;
• Broad review of labor and overtime rules for compliance with agricultural industry practices;
• Support for agricultural community housing;
• Support for mental health initiatives to support agricultural members in crisis;
• Water availability joint efforts between the Department of Ecology and the Department of Agriculture;
• Climate Commitment Act – fuel exemptions; and
• Wolf management.

There are many more draft recommendations. It was an extensive and detailed report. Given the importance of agriculture and natural resources to our beautiful state, I am optimistic the governor will work with both sides of the aisle to accomplish some of these goals. We are condensing the report to fit into the transition teams overall report. If you would like a copy of the report please reach out to my office.

Gov. Ferguson pointed me out during his inaugural address. He thanked me for meeting with him in Ellensburg in November and promised to uphold the agreement that the agricultural community be exempt from the Climate Commitment Act (CCA).

The cap-and-trade program was enacted with the understanding that the agricultural industry would be exempt from the increased costs created by the carbon emissions market. However, those in the agricultural industry have only received a small fraction of what they are owed, if any reimbursement at all.

There is a lot of work to do. There is a long list of crises we are dealing with in Washington state, not just in agriculture. Skyrocketing housing costs, rising crime rates, a lack of affordable child care, struggling businesses, a disappointing education system, an illicit drug epidemic claiming thousands of lives every year, and persistent homelessness. I expect both sides to work together to begin addressing these crises.

Leadership role with the State Ag and Rural Leaders

I was in Iowa last month for the yearly State Agriculture and Rural Leaders (SARL) conference. I have been part of the organization since 2016, and I was elected to the board of directors in 2019. This year I was elected second vice president. Given the importance of agriculture to the 13th District and Washington state, I am pleased to be named to this leadership position.

The organization focuses on cooperation, leadership and educational opportunities for state and provincial legislators who are passionate about agriculture and rural communities. Invitations are extended to agricultural legislative leaders in agriculture from the 50 states and Canada.

Committees 2025 Session

In the 2025 session I will continue to lead my caucus on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which I have served on the committee since being elected in 2014. I expect us to review important issues such as riparian buffers, water rights and storage, wildfires, and forest management.

I am also pleased to continue serving on the House Early Learning and Human Services Committee. As in past sessions, much of my legislative focus will be on our youth, whether it’s child care, mental health or foster care.

My third committee remains the same: the House Transportation Committee. I am working to expand and improve our state’s aviation infrastructure, and my aviation background gives me a unique perspective on this committee.

Primary-sponsored bills

I am working on several bills and issues. Here is a brief breakdown of some of those bills so far.

• House Bill 1037 would allow cities or towns in smaller populated counties the authority to create a public facilities district.
• House Bill 1047 would create a sales tax exemption for equipment purchased by fire districts in rural counties.
• House Bill 1048 would create a pilot project by forming a public-private Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA). This would allow local farmers and ranchers to work directly with firefighters on the initial attack when a wildfire breaks out.
• House Bill 1083 would modify the distribution of aircraft fuel tax revenue and reallocate some of the total tax revenue to the state aeronautics account.
• House Bill 1084 would establish tax exemptions for unleaded aircraft fuel. This is an important bill to ensure there are lead-free aviation fuel options for the aircraft that need them as environmental agencies and organizations look to eliminate lead emissions from aircraft.
• House Bill 1294 would extend the Pesticide Application Safety Committee through 2035. This legislation passed the House unanimously last year but died in the Senate.

Wildfires in Washington

It is devastating to look south and see what is happening in California. Legislators are asking what we could do to prevent wildfires of that magnitude in Washington. I was recently interviewed by KOMO-TV about this issue. Gov. Bob Ferguson has requested state agencies look at cuts for budget savings. There has been some speculation that could impact the Department of Natural Resources firefighting and prevention budget . That would not be wise given our recent history with wildfires and I do not believe that is the intention of the governor. To watch the story and portions of my interview click the photo below.

Stay engaged

Below are some links so you can stay updated and engaged on what is happening in the Legislature and state government.

Following the Legislature

I encourage you to stay engaged and follow the legislative session. Your input and feedback are helpful to me and other legislators as we represent you in Olympia. Below are some websites that can help you follow the action.

• My legislative website: You will find my contact information, bio, news releases, email updates, opinion pieces, bills, and other information: https://bit.ly/TDENT1 
• How you can be involved in the legislative process: This includes a citizen’s guide to effective legislative participation: https://bit.ly/WAENGAGE 
• How to comment on a bill: You can send legislators comments on legislation: https://bit.ly/WABEHEARD 
• Committee Sign-In – Remote Testimony: Testify on legislation during public hearings: https://bit.ly/WACOMMENTS 
• The Ledger: A legislative news aggregator that is updated frequently: https://bit.ly/WALEDGER 
• Capitol Buzz: Sent out each weekday, featuring stories from media outlets throughout the state, including newspaper, radio, and television: https://bit.ly/WABUZZ 
• The Current: This is an online legislative publication from the Washington House Republicans that is sent out weekly during the legislative session and every month during the interim: https://bit.ly/WAGOPCURRENT 

Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns about this update or the legislative session.

It is an honor to serve the great folks of the 13th Legislative District!

Sincerely,

Tom Dent