Government

More than 200 new Washington state laws took effect June 11, 90 days after the close of the legislative session, bringing changes to taxes, elections, housing, schools, sports betting, and more.

TENTATIVE AGENDA – STEVENS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC)

TENTATIVE AGENDA – FERRY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

U.S. House of Representatives candidate Nate Powell stopped by Fired Up Brewing in Colville on May 28

Washington lawmakers have returned to their home districts after another busy legislative session, prompting some in Olympia to question whether the state’s part-time Legislature still fits the demands of modern state government.

Retired police officers and firefighters in Washington are suing the state over a new law that would allow lawmakers to use nearly $900 million from a pension fund to help address state budget shortfalls.

Several positions are up for election in Stevens and Ferry counties in the Aug. 4 primary races.

U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Spokane) said he has had his differences with the president on such matters as tariffs and Donald Trump’s criticisms of the pope. But the first term congressman painted an optimistic picture on May 4 during a visit to Kettle Falls.

A Thurston County Superior Court Judge has temporarily blocked several provisions of Senate Bill 5974, a new state law intended to set stricter eligibility standards for elected sheriffs. The ruling comes after a legal challenge filed by Stevens County Sheriff Brad Manke and three other Eastern Washington sheriffs, who argue the law represents legislative overreach and unconstitutionally bypasses the rights of local voters. While the preliminary injunction does not decide the final merits of the case, it prevents the state from enforcing background checks and removal processes—conducted by governor-appointed boards—while the lawsuit proceeds.

The Colville City Council met on April 28 to address key community initiatives, including approving $5,500 in combined funding for the Farm Jam Summer Kickoff and Kettle Falls Town and Country Days. Beyond summer events, the council reviewed a drop in retail sales tax revenue, received updates on the city pool renovation, and adopted a new 2026 purchasing policy to streamline local government operations.

Judges can require bail if they determine a defendant is likely to miss court dates for any reason, Washington law states. Under the proposal, defendants could be freed with no bail unless a judge found a “high likelihood” that the accused would skip court to avoid prosecution as opposed to missing court dates due to lack of transportation or other reasons aside from a desire to flee justice.

Local 7th District Legislators Andrew Engell (R-Colville) and Hunter Abell (R-Inchelium) and State Senator Shelly Short (R-Addy) returned to the east side of the state after a 60-day legislative session in Olympia.

Child Abuse Prevention Month: the commissioners announced that Child Abuse Prevention Month is intended to draw attention to the fact that child abuse is “widespread and has strong implications for every community member of Stevens County.” In the proclamation, commissioners said, “We believe that the children of our community are to be valued as the future of our community and we should prioritize their safety.”

The Republican from Inchelium said in a March 20 social media announcement that the state is “at a crossroads,” contrasting what he described as increasing taxes and regulatory pressure with an alternative focused on affordability, competitiveness and protection of rural lifestyles.

Senate Bill 6346 would impose a 9.9% tax on annual income exceeding $1 million, roughly impacting 20,000 top-earning households, starting in 2029, according to the Washington State Budget and Policy Center.

State Rep. Andrew Engell (R-Colville) has raised concerns about a Washington State Department of Health webpage that warned residents to “avoid anti-abortion facilities;” language he and local advocates believed was directed at crisis pregnancy centers such as NEW Family Life Services in Colville.

School leaders said the results help provide stability for students and staff while ensuring the programs families count on can continue without disruption. 

The results include: Colville School District, Mary Walker School District, Valley School District, and Wellpinit School District.

Lawmakers faced their first major cutoff the week of Feb. 2, when bills did not advance out of policy committees, effectively ending their run. Measures that survived face additional hurdles, including fiscal committee deadlines for bills that cost money and a Feb. 17 deadline...

During public comment, a resident urged council members to delay any future ordinances related to pet ownership until additional data on rabies risk and dog bites can be reviewed.

Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Ferry County’s newly-appointed Superior Court Judge Thomas Webster was sworn into office on Friday, Jan. 23. “I’m honored,” Webster said, adding that the application process was long and comprehensive.

Stevens County commissioners said they are scaling back plans for a new jail and courtroom facility two years after voters approved taxes to pay for a justice center adjacent to the existing courthouse.
“(W)e can’t build the building that we want,” Commission Chairman Greg Young said at a board meeting called to discuss the project on Jan. 15. “Like I said, it’s too darn expensive.”

House Bill (HB) 2113, prefiled for the 2026 legislative session, proposed changes to state regulations governing radiologic technologists by allowing additional flexibility in physician supervision while maintaining patient safety requirements.

MINIMUM WAGE
While the state already has one of the highest minimum wages in the country, it will increase again. Officials said Washington will raise its minimum wage to $17.13 in 2026, up 2.8% from $16.66. The federal minimum wage is $7.25.