hirst decision

Republicans in the Washington House said they are frustrated that Judy Warnick’s Hirst Fix died in House committee.  Representative Vincent Buys, the ranking Republican on the House Ag Committee, told the Washington Ag Network many house Democrats do not want the kind of development that would take place under a Hirst Fix.   “...

Washington Republicans are still looking for a fix to October’s Hirst Decision, which they say puts unneeded pressure on landowners looking to draw water on their property.  Representative Joe Schmick of Colfax cosponsored House Bill 2195, which would offer tax breaks for property owners negatively impacted by the Hirst ruling.   “...

State senator Mark Schoesler says the state House allowing the Hirst Fix Legislation to die in committee will hurt all sections of Washington.  On Monday the Ritzville Republican said lack of organization from House Democrats killed good legislation.  ...

Last week, the state House failed to act on legislation sponsored by senator Judy Warnick, dubbed the Hirst Fix.  Senate Bill 5239 would have addressed the October Ruling, regarding water rights in rural Washington and who is responsible for determining how much water is available.  Wa...

Legislation introduced last week in Olympia could, according to supporters, save land owners impacted by the Hirst decision.  The bill introduced by Republican representatives John Koster of Arlington and Jacquelin Maycumber of Republic could  lower tax payments for those who have their property values drop due to the court’s water decision.   Under ...

If you ask state Representative Bruce Chandler, he’ll tell you the issue with the greatest impact on rural Washington is the Hirst Decision.  So far this session, several prices of legislation have been drafted to address the October ruling, but he told the Washington Ag Network Senator Judy Warnick’s bill has the best chance of moving on to the Governor.  Chandler said ...

A bill designed to limit the costs of obtaining water supplies in rural counties, a response to the recent Hirst Decision, has passed the Washington State Senate.   Sponsor Judy Warnick said, “It’s truly a bill that is needed in the rural areas especially for anyone who has property, property rights, water rights, that need to drill a well just simply to build a home. Those are the w...

Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler said that rural Central and Eastern Washington counties don’t have the resources to deal with the implications of the state Supreme Court’s Hirst Decision.   “They don’t really have the budget capacity to do it. Somebody might say, ‘Just f...

Much of the conversation about the new Washington Legislative session will be on education and the McCleary decision, but that’s the not the only focus.   Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler said the Hirst decision was a major blow to rural Washington.   “...

What are the key issues lawmakers in Olympia will discuss in January?  Ask state Representative Tom Dent and he’ll tell you water issues, specifically, the Hirst decision will be front and center.  The Moses Lake Republican told the Washington Ag Network many across the ag community are very concerned about the Supreme Court’s decision, and the impacts it could have.   “We’re putti...