Senator Mike Padden

Padden’s boating-safety bill ends voyage with governor’s signature As more than 20 people looked on, many of them outfitted with life preservers for the occasion, the governor this afternoon endorsed Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to align Washington’s boating law with its motor-vehicle law when it comes to driving under the influence. “Boating is understandably a highly popular form... Read More...

Padden pleased with committee’s unanimous support for DUI bill This morning the Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously backed a bill that would make sweeping changes in state law concerning the crime of driving under the influence. Sen. Mike Padden, committee chairman, is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5912. He said the measure has evolved significantly since the... Read More...

Padden backs measure aimed at protecting religious freedom Sen. Mike Padden, a sponsor of the Religious Freedom Protection Act, said he’s supporting the measure because it would extend the state’s anti-discrimination laws in a way that should protect practitioners of any religion from discrimination. “State government has no business forcing someone to violate his or her deeply-held religious... Read More...

Padden bill on autopsy findings receives final legislative approval The Legislature has wrapped up its work on Senate Bill 5256, Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to make it clear that coroners and medical examiners may speak openly when talking about a death that occurs in connection with a law-enforcement action or inside a correctional facility. “For whatever reason – maybe... Read More...

Padden optimistic about DUI bills but knows time to act is short Rather than count votes, as he typically might when trying to move a bill through the lawmaking process, Sen. Mike Padden is counting days – as in how much time is left for the passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing the number of repeat DUI offenders. “The calendar is... Read More...

Padden bills about boating safety, autopsies win House support Wednesday was the final day for the Senate and House of Representatives to act on each other’s legislation, and it brought approval from the House for two more of Sen. Mike Padden’s bills. Senate Bill 5437 would align Washington boating law with the state’s motor-vehicle law when it comes to... Read More...

Padden’s anti-trafficking legislation on its way to becoming law Sen. Mike Padden’s comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation is headed for a place in Washington state law. This afternoon the House of Representatives gave its unanimous support to Senate Bill 5669, as the Senate had done last month, which completes the Legislature’s work on the measure. “This is one of the most... Read More...

Padden opts against supporting Senate budget While the operating budget adopted by the Senate this evening has much to recommend it, Sen. Mike Padden said, it also makes some allocations that the Spokane Valley Republican ultimately could not support. “I appreciate many things about this budget – especially the fact that it wouldn’t raise taxes and... Read More...