Governor signs three of Rep. Tom Dent’s bills to support agriculture and rural communities
CONTACT: Kurt Hammond, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7794
Governor signs three of Rep. Tom Dent’s bills to support agriculture and rural communities
Three bills sponsored by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, were signed into law today by Gov. Bob Ferguson—each one focused on solving practical problems in agriculture, rural airport improvements, and veterinary care across Washington’s rural communities.
“I come from a background where hard work and common sense matter. As a rancher and professional pilot, I understand the challenges folks in rural areas face every day,” said Dent. “These bills are about listening to the people on the ground and helping them do what they do best—grow our food, strengthen local economies, and keep our state running strong.”
House Bill 1294 extends the work of the Pesticide Application Safety Committee through 2035. The committee brings together agency leaders, farmworkers, university researchers, and health professionals to keep improving pesticide safety across Washington. Their work focuses on better communication, data reporting, and protective practices to safeguard farmworkers, families, and the environment.
“This isn’t just a panel that checks a box,” Dent added. “It’s a group of people who’ve rolled up their sleeves and come together to make sure we’re doing things right when it comes to pesticide use. This bill keeps that effort going and ensures our farmers and farmworkers are protected, and that we’re doing right by the people who put food on our tables.”
House Bill 1650 allows small and regional airports to use existing local real estate excise tax (REET) dollars to fund airport improvement projects. The change helps communities upgrade and maintain critical infrastructure without needing new funding sources.
“Small airports might not make headlines, but they’re a lifeline for rural communities—whether it’s for emergency services, medical flights, or local business,” Dent said, who is also a pilot. “This bill gives those communities more flexibility to invest in the infrastructure they depend on. It’s about keeping rural Washington connected and prepared.”
House Bill 1705 addresses Washington’s growing shortage of large animal veterinarians by creating a temporary work group to study the issue and recommend solutions. The group will focus on ways to recruit, train, and retain veterinarians in rural areas, where access to care for livestock is especially limited.
“You can’t have healthy farms without healthy animals, and you can’t have healthy animals without enough large animal vets,” Dent said. “We’ve got a serious shortage on our hands—and that’s a risk to food safety, public health, and the future of agriculture in this state. This bill gets smart people around the table to fix it before it becomes a crisis.”
These bills passed with strong bipartisan support and reflect Dent’s continued focus on practical, rural-minded solutions. As a pilot, rancher, and longtime advocate for Central Washington, Dent says the goal is always the same: keep communities safe, supported, and self-reliant.
“We don’t need big ideas that miss the mark,” said Dent. “We need commonsense laws that work for the people—and I’m proud to be a part of that.”
House Bill 1294 takes effect on July 1, 2025, due to an emergency clause. House Bills 1650 and 1705 go into effect on July 26, 2025.
The 2025 legislative session will adjourn on April 27.
