Senator Mike Padden

Senate passes Padden bill to improve prosecution of child human-trafficking cases OLYMPIA – The state Senate Monday passed a bill allowing children’s statements outside of court proceedings to be utilized in prosecution of human-trafficking cases, a measure its sponsor says will help spare victims additional trauma. Senate Bill 5885, introduced by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, extends the state’s exceptions to... Read More...

Senate passes Padden bill banning organ-transplant discrimination against the disabled OLYMPIA – A bill prohibiting discrimination against the developmentally disabled for organ transplants cleared the state Senate Friday on a unanimous vote. Senate Bill 5405, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, now moves to the House for further consideration. “We need to recognize all lives have value,” Padden said.... Read More...

Senate passes school-safety bill, notifying schools in emergencies OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate Tuesday night passed a bill enhancing school-safety programs by requiring law enforcement authorities to notify all nearby schools in cases where violence is threatened. Senate Bill 5514 requires notification to all schools, public and private, when the possibility of violence makes evacuations or lockdowns a... Read More...

Another sentencing scandal at Corrections prompts frustration, public records request OLYMPIA – Another major sentencing error at the state Department of Corrections is prompting frustration from Senate Republicans who urged sweeping reforms for the agency in the wake of the last one. Sens. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, and Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, said they were stunned to learn of a... Read More...

Sen. Padden on KQNT: DUI legislation advances In this interview with KQNT radio Feb. 14, Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, discusses his DUI “look-back” legislation, which would allow courts to consider convictions within the last 25 years in determining sentences. Current state law permits only a 10-year look-back. Read More...