OLYMPIA — Grant County Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake and Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, have pre-filed bills for the upcoming 2026 legislative session. Rep. Alex Ybarra has not filed any bills, but has said in prior coverage that energy is a priority for the session that begins Jan. 12 and ends March 12.  

Warnick filed three bills, including topics of wildfire risk models and insurance, carbon alternative jet fuel and workforce education. Dent filed two bills, including one extending wildfire aviation funding and another enhancing regulations on vehicle loads.  

Wildfire aviation 

Dent, alongside Reps. Larry Springer, D-Snoqualmie; Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline; and Andrew Engell, R-Colville, filed House Bill 2104 on Dec. 8, 2025. The bill is aimed at enhancing aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires. This is a permanent extension to a bill that was previously passed by the 2023 legislature and set to expire in 2027. 

Dent had previously told the Columbia Basin Herald this was one of his top priorities for the upcoming session. 

“The fire departments have found great value in this program,” he said. “I am pushing to make this provision permanent, as it enhances our ability to respond quickly to wildfires, benefiting not only the environment but also the safety and well-being of our citizens."  

Provisions in the bill allow local fire departments to access certified aviation resources for the deployment of fire retardants and water, aimed at containing wildfires before they necessitate larger-scale state and federal interventions.  

Dent explained this saves the state money by paying a smaller cost for aviation assistance versus the cost of a fire, which may become larger because it did not receive suppression assistance.   

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Natural Resources to provide ongoing suppression funding and aviation resources, ensuring local departments maintain the financial capacity needed for effective initial attack strategies against wildfires.  

There is no cost analysis available as of Friday. More information on the bill can be found at bit.ly/WAHB2104. 

Wildfire risk

Following the theme of wildfires, Warnick, along with Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, filed Senate Bill 5928 on Dec. 22, 2025. The bill aims to enhance transparency in property insurance related to wildfire risk in Washington State.  

It mandates insurers to disclose several key pieces of information to policyholders when utilizing a wildfire risk score for underwriting or rating purposes, including the property’s current score, factors influencing the score, and options for mitigation.  

Additionally, the bill requires insurers to provide this information in writing within set timeframes following applications for coverage or during policy renewals or cancellations. Insurers must also incorporate community-level and property-specific mitigation actions into their risk models, offering discounts for policyholders who undertake such measures.  

The bill further stipulates that insurers to submit their risk models to the Insurance Commissioner, ensuring they comply with the outlined regulations while safeguarding sensitive information as trade secrets. 

There is no cost analysis available as of Friday. More information on the bill can be found at bit.ly/WASB5928. 

Jet fuel 

Warnick also pre-filed Senate Bill 5932, which has to do with jet fuel production Dec. 23, 2025. She is the sole sponsor of the bill.  

The proposed legislation seeks to promote the development of low-to-zero carbon alternative jet fuel, also known as sustainable aviation fuel.  

The bill highlights the necessity for state support to achieve emissions reduction goals outlined in various climate policies, ensuring alternative jet fuel production aligns with Washington's clean energy objectives.  

The bill stipulates tax credits will be available for manufacturers and users of alternative jet fuel, contingent upon the establishment of facilities capable of producing at least 20 million gallons annually.  

Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes the assignment of carbon intensity attributes based on energy sourcing and mandates that credits can only be claimed following verification by the appropriate state departments, ensuring an organized and accountable approach to promoting sustainable aviation fuel.  

There is no cost analysis available as of Friday. More information on the bill can be found at: bit.ly/WASB5932. 

Vehicle loads 

Following the theme of transportation, Dent, alongside Rep. Adam Bernbaum, D-Olympic Peninsula, and Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland, pre-filed House Bill 2109 on Dec. 8, 2025. The bill aims to enhance safety on public highways in Washington by establishing stricter regulations for securing vehicle loads.  

The bill specifies that no vehicle should operate on public roads unless its load is secured to prevent it from dropping, spilling, or leaking, with specific provisions for covering loose materials such as dirt and gravel.  

Violations may lead to criminal repercussions, categorized into different degrees based on the severity of harm or property damage caused by the unsecured load.  

Importantly, the bill allows public maintenance vehicles to drop sand or use other substances to maintain traction or road conditions without penalty.  

The bill does not have a cost analysis report yet. However, more information about the proposed legislation can be read here: bit.ly/WAHB2109. 

Workforce education

Warnick, alongside Sen. T’Wina Nobles, D-Fircrest, filed Senate Bill 5931 on Dec. 23, 2025. The bill establishes the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, comprising 18 members from various sectors, including the legislature, businesses, labor organizations, higher education institutions, and students.  

The board will consist of four legislative members and 14 appointed by the governor, focusing on business representation, labor organizations, and education stakeholders to ensure diverse perspectives. 

The board’s primary objectives include providing legislative guidance on workforce education funding priorities and ensuring investments lead to improved student success and career readiness, as measured by retention and job placement rates.  

Additionally, if passed, the board will consult data from the Education Data Center and will report its recommendations to the legislature annually by December 31st.  

There is no cost analysis report available yet; however, more information on the proposed bill can be found here: bit.ly/WASB5931. 

    From left to right, Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake; Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake and Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, have pre-filed a total of five bills. Dent filed two, Warnick filed three and Ybarra has yet to file any. The 90-day legislative session begins on Jan. 12.