Address: 117 Legislative Modular Building * PO Box 40408 * Olympia, WA 98504
Olympia Office: (360) 786-7614 * Toll Free Hotline: (800) 562-6000 * E-mail: Matt.Boehnke@leg.wa.gov
Jan. 17, 2025
Legislative Session kicks off
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2025 legislative session began on January 13. This year’s session is 105 days long, allowing the legislature to address several key issues, including a significant projected budget shortfall.
In addition to budget issues, I will focus on providing law enforcement with the necessary tools and policies to be more effective in their jobs. I will also work on establishing a more affordable Washington, including building capacity on our energy grid addressing future electricity needs. I will fight hard to keep taxes off the table and fully support legislation that creates a better future for our children.
As the ranking Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, I am working on new reliable energy sources, such as small modular nuclear reactors, Artificial Intelligence infrastructure and standards, and unmanned aircraft manufactured in foreign countries. This committee will examine the effects of the Climate Commitment Act and consider the effectiveness and increase reporting.
I was also appointed to the Higher Education & Workforce Development, Rules, and Ways & Means committees.
I have already filed 12 bills this year, which will improve our election security, obtain better data on motor vehicle emissions, remove Governor oversight on energy projects, and improve retirement benefits and farm and agriculture practices.
Each day is a new opportunity to work with my colleagues to find common-sense, consensus-based solutions and get things done. But to be most effective, I need your help. Having the people of the Mighty Eighth actively involved in the process is key to ensuring that our community’s concerns are addressed.
Please contact me if you have any views on any issue or questions about this report or would like to discuss anything else related to the legislature. I can be reached via email (Matt.Boehnke@leg.wa.gov), phone (360-786-7614), or SenatorMattBoehnke.com.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in the Legislature. It is a great honor and privilege to serve the people of the Tri-Cities in the state Senate.
Governor has too much authority in siting energy projects
As the new ranking Republican on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee (ENET), I pre-filed a bill in early December that aims to reform the siting of energy projects by ensuring the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) has the final say rather than the governor.
A recent EFSEC process to approve the revised site certification agreement for the Horse Heaven wind farm in the 8th District did not correctly account for local concerns and gave the governor too much authority. To remedy this, I filed SB 5015, which was already referred to ENET.
Senate Bill 5015 draws lessons from recent projects in which the governor sought to influence council decisions. The bill would confirm that the council is better positioned than the governor to make the final decision because it has reviewed the projects and heard from all sides.
Removing the governor from the final approval process would depoliticize it and help make it more efficient and effective. If passed, this bill would apply to any governor and seek to improve a vital state process. It would not be retroactive or specific to any project.
The energy facility site evaluation process culminates in a recommendation to the governor as the final step. The site evaluation process would be improved if the council had the authority to make the final decision without making a recommendation to the governor.
Free Washington from California vehicle emissions rules
Currently, the Washington State Department of Ecology follows California emissions standards. California has a population of 39 million compared to our state’s 7.17 million residents and is roughly twice the size geographically as Washington State. They produce more vehicle emissions than we do and are the second largest producer of vehicle emissions in the nation, trailing only Texas. I believe we should follow federal standards, not California.
I introduced Senate Bill 5091 before the 2025 legislative session, which aims to separate our state from California’s vehicle emission standards. The bill would direct the state Department of Ecology to adopt rules that align with federal standards rather than California’s. Should the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency waiver that allows California’s emissions standards to depart from federal standards be reversed, I expect the proposal will receive attention in Olympia.
Year after year, lawmakers have unsuccessfully tried to get the Department of Ecology to track the state’s GHG emissions better. The public should know and determine whether the programs meant to reduce emissions work.
My bill also requires Ecology to submit yearly reports on Washington’s progress toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The system requires reporting every two years, but Ecology has fallen behind and has only submitted data up through 2019. Data through 2021 will be made available by the end of 2024, which is too long between reports.
Senate Bill 5091 does not change the state’s greenhouse gas targets but would hold the state more accountable for its progress toward those targets. Under the federal Clean Air Act, the federal government sets vehicle emissions standards, but California can differ. States may choose to follow California’s rules. Washington is one of several states that have agreed to be in lockstep with California.
The incoming presidential administration is widely expected to rescind California’s recently granted waiver. Washington law still requires DOE rules to match California’s, but if SB 5091 passes, this will change, and Washington will follow federal rules.
Thank you for attending
In December, I hosted a few events and had the opportunity to visit with voters in the 8th Legislative District and hear their concerns. For those who attended, thank you. Hearing from constituents was an absolute honor, and I enjoyed the face-to-face time.
The first Legislative Latte event was held in early December at The Arc of the Tri-Cities. We had between 50 and 60 people attend. I spoke for a few hours about my priorities this legislative session and was able to answer dozens of questions about local issues. We poured a lot of coffee that morning.
The last Legislative Latte was held in late December. Again, we had between 50 and 60 attendees. The second event was an excellent opportunity for me to answer some of the same questions and concerns addressed at the first event. I heard concerns about our schools, law enforcement challenges, and city and county growth.
Coming away from both events gave me an increased understanding of what is important to voters in our district. I have heard from you and look forward to creating a safer and more affordable Washington, including a better future for our children.
Page program accepting applications
The Washington State Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country. Each year, hundreds of students from across Washington have the opportunity to take part in the legislative process and watch the Legislature and other branches of state government in action
Pages are sponsored by legislators and serve for 1 week during the legislative session, which runs January through April in odd numbered years and January through March in even numbered years. This session, I am able to sponsor eight pages.
Pages spend their week learning about the legislative process while distributing materials throughout the capitol campus, assisting offices, delivering messages, working on the chamber floor, and carrying the flags at the opening of each day’s legislative session. They also also spend time each day in Page School learning about all aspects of state government.
It is an honor to be selected as a page and if you are selected, you can look forward to a fun and educational experience that immerses you in the legislative process.
If you know someone who may be interested, please have them send an email to Virginia Hall at virginia.hall@leg.wa.gov or call the office at 360-786-7614.