YAKIMA — The final bill sponsored by longtime 13th District Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, was signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Friday. The legislation increases the Port of Moses Lake’s ability to borrow money to pay for its project to reconnect port property to outside rail lines.  

“That was the last bill of my legislative career,” Warnick said. “I was glad to get that across the finish line.” 

Ferguson recognized Warnick with a special pen used during the signing ceremony in Yakima.  

Senate Bill 6312 will allow the port to increase its indebtedness by 0.25%, which Port Director Dan Roach said would make a big difference. 

“That’s going to allow us to borrow the money we need,” Roach said. 

Port officials have been working on the rail project for a couple of decades, and have federal and state funding for it, as well as right-of-way access. But inflation over the last few years raised the cost until it was more than the port’s available funding.  

“How are we going to fill that gap?” Roach said. “We were trying to get creative.” 

Warnick’s bill was the last piece needed to provide the funding, he said. Port officials were grateful for her help, he said, and a group of commissioners and officials attended the signing ceremony.  

“I was glad to be able to do that. I’ve been working on rail funding for years,” Warnick said. “It won’t change the world, but it will help the Grant County economy.” 

The legislation is drafted so that it only applies to the Port of Moses Lake, she said. Because it was a revenue measure other legislators were skeptical – when presenting it in the House of Representatives, the committee chair hearing the bill asked how many ports would be affected. 

“I said, ‘One,’” Warnick said. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Warnick said the legislation was narrowly focused but would have an impact. 

“The Port of Moses Lake reached out and asked for our help to ensure they could cross the finish line on important local projects, and I am glad we could provide this solution. While this is a technical change, it has a very real impact on the port’s ability to build the infrastructure that keeps our community competitive and our economy moving forward.” 

Warnick announced her retirement from the Senate at the end of the 2026 session. She was elected to the House in 2006 and to the Senate in 2017. 

“I never dreamt I’d be in the Legislature, and I never dreamt I’d be in that long,” she said.