Senator Mike Padden

Senate panel passes ban on sex-selection abortions OLYMPIA – A bill banning abortions for sex-selection purposes cleared the Senate Law and Justice Committee Wednesday night and awaits action in the Senate Rules Committee. Calling the practice a true “war on women,” Law and Justice Chair Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said the bill offers a needed protection for... Read More...

Senate majority announces plans for Corrections investigation OLYMPIA – Majority members of the Senate Law and Justice Committee Thursday announced plans for the panel’s investigation of the Department of Corrections, including appointment of an attorney and an effort to seek insight from current and former agency employees. To oversee the independent legislative investigation the Senate is hiring... Read More...

Rules Committee will consider subpoenas in DOC case OLYMPIA – The Senate Rules Committee Jan. 19 will consider a request from the Senate Law and Justice Committee for a pair of subpoenas in its investigation of the state Department of Corrections. The meeting is set for 5:45 p.m. in the Senate Rules Room, 220A Legislative Building. The Law... Read More...

Senate Law and Justice Committee to seek subpoena in Department of Corrections case OLYMPIA – The Senate Law and Justice Committee will seek subpoena power to conduct its own inquiry into a management failure at the Department of Corrections that turned loose thousands of prisoners before their scheduled release dates and likely caused the deaths of at least two people. Senate Law and... Read More...

Hearing will air concerns about Department of Corrections, early release of prisoners A hearing on the opening day of the 2016 legislative session will put the spotlight on a management failure at the state Department of Corrections that caused thousands of prisoners to be released ahead of schedule. The Senate Law and Justice Committee hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11... Read More...