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Olympia Today
By the People, for the People
Lawmakers Struggle to Pass Bills in Short Legislative Session
Many bills addressing issues like salmon restoration, tire piles, and child welfare fail to advance in Washington state legislature
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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During the short legislative session in Washington state, many bills addressing pressing issues like salmon restoration, waste tire piles, and child welfare reform failed to advance past the committee stage. Lawmakers faced challenges getting well-conceived bills through the legislative process, with only a limited window of time to consider new legislation.
Why it matters
The inability to pass these bills highlights the difficulties lawmakers face in addressing important policy problems within the constraints of a short legislative session. Failure to address issues like environmental restoration, public health hazards, and child welfare could have significant impacts on Washington communities.
The details
Several bills introduced this session did not survive the initial committee process. A bill by Sen. Perry Dozier aimed to ensure funding for maintenance of salmon restoration projects, while another of his bills would have required the state to inventory unauthorized waste tire piles. Legislation by Rep. Skyler Rude sought to address a gap in state law around filling partisan offices vacated by non-partisan officeholders. And a bill by Reps. Mary Dye and Mark Klicker would have created a task force to address statewide littering problems.
- The short legislative session in Washington is now more than half over.
- Bills must be voted out of their originating chamber by Tuesday, February 17.
The players
Sen. Perry Dozier
A Republican state senator from Waitsburg who introduced bills related to salmon restoration project maintenance and waste tire pile inventory.
Rep. Skyler Rude
A Republican state representative from Walla Walla who introduced legislation to address filling partisan offices vacated by non-partisan officeholders.
Rep. Mary Dye
A Republican state representative from Pomeroy who co-sponsored a bill to create a task force on statewide littering solutions.
Rep. Mark Klicker
A Republican state representative from Walla Walla who co-sponsored a bill to create a task force on statewide littering solutions.
Rep. Travis Couture
A Republican state representative from Allyn who introduced a bill to reform the Keeping Families Together Act related to child welfare.
What they’re saying
“All too often, Dozier said, the money, time and effort poured into these [salmon restoration] projects get washed away as streams and rivers shift.”
— Sen. Perry Dozier (The Tribune Content Agency)
What’s next
The next key deadline for bills is February 17, when they must be voted out of the chamber where they originated.
The takeaway
The inability of these bills to advance highlights the challenges lawmakers face in addressing important policy issues within the constraints of a short legislative session. Failure to pass these measures could have significant impacts on Washington's environment, public health, and child welfare system.
