Author Archives: ericlafontaine

Boehnke bills aimed at improving access to education move forward

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Two of Sen. Matt Boehnke’s pro-education bills have cleared the first deadline for legislation to move forward from policy committees in the Senate.

“Both of these bills will allow our higher-education system to accommodate more students to be successful as they move beyond the K-12 level,” Boehnke said. “They will remove barriers for these students to access the top-quality higher education our institutions offer.”

Senate Bill 5542 is about accommodating more enrollment in high-school completion programs at community and technical colleges. The bill, passed by the Senate’s higher-education committee, would expand tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges by removing the requirement that students be 19 years of age or older to qualify. The Senate Rules Committee now will decide if SB 5422 is eligible for a vote by the full Senate.

The second bill, Senate Bill 5543, would extend eligibility for College Bound Scholarships to students who have received a high school-equivalency certificate. Following its passage by the Senate education committee, the bill is now being considered by the Senate Ways and Means Committee because it would require a budget appropriation.

“These bills will bring a new level of fairness and equity for students across Washington to continue their education journey,” said Boehnke. “We know that more opportunities for students will lead to more success in their adult lives. Earning a degree or taking college-level classes will lead to a more educated workforce.”

Both measures have bipartisan sponsorship and were introduced in cooperation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

“Not every student learns the same way, and a lot of kids find success in different types of learning environments. Smaller classes, a more fluid learning pace, and online access work really well for some students, and these bills will give kids better access to more scholarships and financial resources to be successful as adults.”

The next deadlines for action on legislation are this Friday, the “cutoff” for bills with financial implications to be moved out of fiscal committees, and March 12, the “house of origin” cutoff, meaning bills must be passed in their originating chamber to remain active.

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Boehnke bill to update vehicle-emissions rule attracts strong public support

OLYMPIA… As Sen. Matt Boehnke suspected, there is strong public support for legislation he has proposed to realign Washington’s vehicle-emissions rules with federal standards instead of California’s.

Today the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held a public hearing on the Kennewick Republican’s measure, which also aims to bring more accountability to state emissions standards. Of those registering their views online, 1,865 people indicated support for the bill, while 665 opposed it.

“This is a significant step toward realigning our state’s emissions standards,” said Boehnke, the committee’s ranking Republican member. “Since 2005, Washington has followed California’s vehicle emissions standards, but California is a massive state with a larger population and different challenges.

“Washington needs to chart its own course rather than simply following California. I figured a majority of people in our state would share that view, if my bill was allowed a public hearing, and the numbers we saw in committee confirm that.”

Under SB 5091, the Department of Ecology would be required to submit annual reports on the state’s progress toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Boehnke noted that would be a major improvement from the current biennial reporting system, which offers no data newer than 2019.

The bipartisan bill would not alter Washington’s greenhouse-gas reduction targets but seeks to improve transparency and accountability in meeting those goals.

Under the federal Clean Air Act, states may follow federal emissions standards or California’s more-stringent rules. Washington is among several states that have chosen the latter. In light of its smaller population and lower number of vehicles, Boehnke argues, Washington should not want to remain tethered to the California policy.

“This bill ensures consistency with the Clean Air Act while preventing Washington from adopting outdated California emissions standards,” he said. “Our emissions profile is vastly different, and we should have regulations tailored to our state’s unique needs.”

While SB 5091 did not receive committee approval before today’s 5 p.m. deadline for action on policy legislation, Boehnke is aware that bills remain in play until the Legislature adjourns for the year.

“I don’t know why the majority was reluctant to move this bill forward. Was it out of concern for Ecology, or a desire to mimic California, or something else? But I’m not letting go, because I believe most of the people are with me on wanting this change.”

 

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Senate backs Boehnke bill on quality control for infrastructure projects

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… One of the success stories in Washington state government received the unanimous support of the Washington State Senate, through legislation introduced by Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick.

Boehnke’s Senate Bill 5034 would indefinitely extend the work of what’s known as the SYNC team, which comprises representatives from the state Public Works Board, and the departments of Commerce, Ecology and Health.

Created by legislation in 2017, the team’s job is to identify, implement, and report on system improvements for infrastructure projects. The goal is to maximize a project’s value while minimizing overall costs and disturbance to the community, and ensuring long-term durability and resilience.

“This team basically performs quality control – something that isn’t seen often enough in state government. We should promote that whenever possible, so the bill takes the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach,” said Boehnke.

“The SYNC team was initially chartered through 2021, and proved to be so effective that it was extended back then to mid-2025. It doesn’t make sense to approve another extension when the better option is to simply remove the expiration date. That’s what my bill would do, and the Senate unanimously agreed.”

“This collaboration by the state’s infrastructure-funding agencies focuses on completing critical public-works projects more effectively. That is valuable to our local governments, so it’s important for the work of the SYNC team to continue.”

Senate Bill 5034 was heard by the House of Representatives and referred to the House Capital Budget Committee for further consideration.

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8th LD Legislators - Sen. Matt Boehnke, Rep. Stephannie Barnard, and Rep. April Connors, March 24, 2023.

Newsletter | Save the Date | March 15 | 8th Dist. Town Hall

On Saturday, March 15, your 8th District lawmakers will host an in-person Town Hall meeting in the Tri-Cities. I will join my seatmates, Representative Stephanie Barnard and Representative April Connors. 

We invite you to join us. This is an excellent opportunity to hear from you on the essential things and give you a chance to spend time with your local state lawmakers.

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025

Time: 1o a.m. to noon

Location: Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, 7130 W Grandridge Blvd Ste C, Kennewick, WA  99336

Register here

Newsletter | My bills and how you can help | Feb. 11, 2025

In Dec. 2024, I began prefiling bills important to the constituents of the 8th Legislative District. Since then, I have filed over two dozen bills, many of which will positively impact Washington State’s energy policy, local agriculture, cybersecurity, and higher education.

Here is a list of my current bills you can help with. I have provided a link to each bill, which will give you more details on the legislation. I’ve also included the last date or future date the bill had action taken. The chair and vice chair are linked to emails, so if you see a bill you’d like to support, please contact the Senators listed below. Let them know you support the bill and want it to progress.

This is important as we approach our first significant cutoff date: February 21. This is the last day for policy committees to read committee reports for bills in their house of origin. However, this cutoff date does not apply to the Senate Ways & Means Committee, which has a February 28 cutoff date.

Make sure the voices of the Mighty 8th are heard.

SB 5542 | Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges | Feb 6 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development. | Feb 10 | Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30 a.m.

Chair: T’wina Nobles

Vice Chair: Drew Hansen

 

SB 5543 | Providing equity in eligibility for the college-bound scholarship. | Feb 10 | Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 10:30 a.m.

Chair: T’wina Nobles

Vice Chair: Drew Hansen

 

SB 5074 | Concerning the payment of turfgrass seed contracts.| Feb 13 | Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Mike Chapman

Vice Chair: Deborah Krishnadasan

 

SB 5014 | Concerning election security | Feb 7 | Executive session in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections. 

Chair: Javier Valdez

Vice Chair: Deborah Krishnadasan

 

SB 5015 | Increasing efficiency at the energy facility site evaluation council by removing the governor from the project approval process. | Jan 13 | First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology. 

Chair: Sharon Shewmake

Vice Chair: Vandana Slatter

 

SB 5078 | Concerning ownership of agricultural real estate. | Jan 13 | First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

Chair: Manka Dhingra

Vice Chair: Yasmin Trudeau

 

SB 5091 | Concerning motor vehicle emission standards for Washington. | Jan 13 | First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

Chair: Sharon Shewmake

Vice Chair: Vandana Slatter

 

SB 5092 | Providing a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm machinery and equipment | Jan 16 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources. | Media | Bill looks to provide tax exemption for farm equipment.

Chair: Mike Chapman

Vice Chair: Deborah Krishnadasan

 

SB 5107 | Concerning underinsured motorist coverage for local government employees.| Jan 20 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government.

Chair: Jess Salomon

Vice Chair: Liz Lovelett

 

SB 5113 | Concerning cost-of-living adjustments for plan 1 retirees of the teachers’ retirement system and public employees’ retirement system. | Jan 23 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means.

Chair: June Robinson

Vice Chair, Operating: Derek Stanford 

Vice Chair, Capital: Yasmin Trudeau

Vice Chair, Finance: Noel Frame

 

SB 5114 | Paying state retirement benefits until the end of the month in which the retiree or beneficiary dies. | Jan 23 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4 p.m.

Companion Bill: HB 1312 | Jan 27 | Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations.

Chair: June Robinson

Vice Chair, Operating: Derek Stanford 

Vice Chair, Capital: Yasmin Trudeau

Vice Chair, Finance: Noel Frame

 

SB 5302 | Prohibiting the purchase of small unmanned aircraft manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity. | Jan 16 | First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

Chair: Manka Dhingra

Vice Chair: Yasmin Trudeau

 

SB 5425 | Modernizing the Energy Independence Act to avoid regulatory duplication and overlap with other laws .| Feb 4 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology.

Chair: Sharon Shewmake

Vice Chair: Vandana Slatter

 

SB 5445 | Encouraging utility investment in local energy resilience. | Feb 4 | Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology.

Chair: Sharon Shewmake

Vice Chair: Vandana Slatter

 

SB 5512 | Allowing for the use of centralized surveillance systems by house-banked card rooms | Jan 27 | First reading, referred to Business, Financial Services & Trade.

Chair: Claudia Kauffman

Vice Chair: Adrian Cortes

 

SB 5582 | Concerning the disclosure of critical energy infrastructure information. | Jan 30 | First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.

Chair: Javier Valdez

Vice Chair: Deborah Krishnadasan

 

SB 5618 | Concerning transparency in college admissions.| Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

Chair: T’wina Nobles

Vice Chair: Drew Hansen

 

SB 5619 | Establishing minimum in-state resident enrollment thresholds for public universities. | Jan 31 | First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

Chair: T’wina Nobles

Vice Chair: Drew Hansen

 

SB 5640 | Requiring proof of adequate water supply before permitting new energy facilities | Feb 3 | First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

Chair: Sharon Shewmake

Vice Chair: Vandana Slatter

 

SB 5673 | Providing a sales and use tax exemption for manufacturing facilities and green manufacturing facilities. | Feb 5 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

Chair: June Robinson

Vice Chair, Operating: Derek Stanford 

Vice Chair, Capital: Yasmin Trudeau

Vice Chair, Finance: Noel Frame

 

SB 5674 | Concerning manufacturing facilities | Feb 5 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

Chair: June Robinson

Vice Chair, Operating: Derek Stanford 

Vice Chair, Capital: Yasmin Trudeau

Vice Chair, Finance: Noel Frame

 

SB 5675 | Concerning manufacturing facilities. | Feb 5 | First reading, referred to Ways & Means.

Chair: June Robinson

Vice Chair, Operating: Derek Stanford 

Vice Chair, Capital: Yasmin Trudeau

Vice Chair, Finance: Noel Frame

 

SJM 8010 | Requesting enactment of the Northwest Energy Security Act. | Jan 29 | First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

Chair: Sharon Shewmake

Vice Chair: Vandana Slatter

Newsletter | A measure to protect the lower Snake River dams | Feb. 11, 2025

Last week, I filed legislation encouraging federal lawmakers to protect the four lower Snake River dams from removal.

Senate Joint Memorial 8010 formally requests approval of the Northwest Energy Security Act, introduced late last month by U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse and an Idaho senator. The act safeguards the hydroelectric power, irrigation networks, and economic stability provided by dams.

The dams are essential to Washington’s energy security, transportation networks, and agriculture. With new leadership across the federal government, now is an ideal time to respond more proactively to those who blame the dams for harming salmon when good science says otherwise.

The Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite dams lie between Clarkston and Pasco. They supply reliable, carbon-free electricity to thousands of homes, businesses, and industries. The power generated by the four lower dams is estimated to serve 750,000 homes.

The former Biden administration supported dismantling the dams, the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.

My legislation highlights the efficiency of our hydroelectric dams. These dams provide low-cost electricity essential to meeting the goals set forth by Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act. They also enable regional agricultural irrigation, create a river-based economy, and support regional fish-conservation efforts.

Breaching the lower Snake River dams could add 3 million metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere if fossil-fuel electricity is the replacement. It could also raise the region’s electricity costs by $800 million, including a 50% jump in the Bonneville Power Administration’s power costs. This is not a viable solution to supporting all of the increased electricity needs in the future, as required by the Climate Commitment Act. This could increase energy costs in our homes by 25%.

Newsletter | Building bipartisan support this session | Feb. 11, 2025

I came into the 2025 legislative session to find common ground with the Senate majority – and it’s working.

Four full weeks into this year’s session, 17 of the 25 bills I’ve filed as the ranking Republican on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee have attracted co-sponsorship from across the political aisle.

My bills cover topics ranging from increasing election security, SB 5014, and increasing efficiencies when siting energy projects to strengthening Washington’s leadership and accountability on climate policy and emissions data and modifying motor-vehicle emissions standards, SB 5091.

The Tri-Cities region is poised to lead Washington’s clean-energy revolution. By streamlining energy-project siting and embracing advanced nuclear and hydrogen technologies, we’re creating jobs while securing our energy future, and SB 5015 will help support this.

Other bipartisan bills I have filed would modify cost-of-living adjustments for older, retired public employees (SB 5113), improve the process for payouts of retirement benefits when a retiree or beneficiary dies (SB 5302), and create prohibitions on the purchase of small, unmanned aircraft manufactured or assembled by certain foreign entities (SB 5302).

I am also a co-sponsor on several majority-party bills, including SB 5329, which concerns better regulating the installation of smoke-detection devices; SB 5338, which would create a veteran’s affairs advisory committee; SB 5401, which concerns wholesale power purchases by electric utilities under the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act; and SB 5430, which deals with the approval of electric-utility wildfire-mitigation plans.

As your State Senator, I remain committed to fostering a collaborative spirit, ensuring that every voice is heard as we work together to address our state and district’s most pressing challenges.

Two of Boehnke’s higher-ed bills move forward from committee

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke aimed at improving access to education was endorsed today by the state Senate’s higher-education committee.

Committee members, who include Boehnke, supported two of his bills. One is Senate Bill 5542, to accommodate more enrollment in high-school completion programs at community and technical colleges; the second is Senate Bill 5543, which would expand eligibility for College Bound scholarships.

“While we need to be thoughtful from a budget standpoint about how and when the eligibility for financial assistance is expanded, I am also interested in removing barriers to education,” said Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “By offering a new level of fairness and equity, these bills would also offer new opportunities to prospective students across our state, particularly in the 8th District.”

Both of Boehnke’s measures have bipartisan sponsorship and were introduced in cooperation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Their next stop is the Senate Ways and Means and Rules Committees, both of which Boehnke also serves.

SB 5543 would add those who receive a high-school equivalency certificate to the eligibility list for College Bound scholarships.

“Not every student learns the same way and a lot of kids find success in different types of learning environments. Smaller classes, a more fluid learning pace, and online access work really well for some students,” Boehnke explained. “This bill gives these kids better access to more scholarships to continue their learning journey.”

SB 5542 would eliminate the requirement that a student be 19 years of age or older to be eligible for a High School Completion Program tuition and fee waiver.

Boehnke has two other bills before the higher-ed committee. SB 5618 would create more transparency by requiring colleges and universities to post admissions information and data.

Senate Bill 5619 would establish minimum enrollment thresholds for in-state students so that Washington residents face less competition from out-of-state applicants for enrollment slots at the state’s public universities. The bill would require state and regional colleges and universities to have Washington residents comprise 75% of their fall first-year student enrollment.

“I’d like to encourage constituents to reach out the committee chairs and voice their support for these bills,” Boehnke said.

June Robinson is the chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and can be reached at (360) 786=7674 or email at June.Robinson@leg.wa.gov. Lt. Governor Denny Heck is the chair of the Senate Rules Committee and can be reached at (360) 786-7000 or email at ltgov@ltgov.wa.gov.

The Senate’s policy committees, including the higher-education committee, have a Feb. 21 deadline for taking action on bills; only legislation related to the budget may remain under consideration through the April 27 end of the session.

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Boehnke votes no on bill to dismantle parental rights

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Just 10 months after voting for Washington’s parental-rights act, Sen. Matt Boehnke joined every Republican state senator Wednesday to oppose a partisan effort to strip many important rights from the law.

The Kennewick lawmaker made his concerns clear before Senate Bill 5181 was passed along party lines, 30-19.

“We heard the voice of the people last year, loud and clear, that people from across my district and the state, wanted to trust what’s going on in our schools, what’s going on with our students, and what’s going on in our families, especially when we have medical issues,” Boehnke said, speaking to his colleagues in the Senate chamber. “We want to build that trust back into our schools and this bill does not do that.”

Boehnke said the supporters of SB 5181 failed to explain why they are pushing it through so quickly, to the point of claiming the bill addresses an emergency situation.

“Every Democratic senator voted to pass I-2081 in March. Every Democratic senator voted yesterday to do away with some of the most important rights the initiative guaranteed. You wonder what changed,” Boehnke said.

At the beginning of the 2024 session, I-2081 was submitted to the Legislature after 454,000 Washington voters signed petition sheets supporting the measure. Legislators passed the initiative a few days before adjourning, and the new law took effect in June.

“We were told this bill simply fixes some issues with the I-2081 language, but if that was true, why treat this like emergency legislation so the voters can’t respond with a referendum? There’s something else going on here, and the people who want these changes aren’t being transparent,” Boehnke said.

As passed by the Senate majority, SB 5181 would eliminate or weaken parents’ access to school-related medical information, including prior notification when medical services are offered (except in emergencies), notification when medical services or medication could impact health insurance, and notification when school-arranged medical treatment results in follow-up care.

SB 5181 now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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