Rep. Tom Dent In The News

OLYMPIA — A bill to extend a successful wildfire program sponsored by 13th District Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, was signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson Friday. A second bill sponsored…

Tom Dent's new bill aims to ease regulatory stress for Washington farmers, addressing mental health issues linked to high suicide rates in the agricultural community.

Earlier this week, the state House approved legislation that would take a comprehensive look at how state regulations impact Washington's farmers and ranchers.

OLYMPIA — A bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, that aims to reduce regulatory stress in the state’s agriculture community was voted out of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources…

The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee showed a lively interest in repealing a rule that will lock up 200,000 acres of timber in Western Washington, including Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific…

A 10% sales and use tax is scheduled to be imposed on the sale or lease of non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000 is set to start April 1st. Representative Dent says this…

OLYMPIA — The House Transportation Committee held a public hearing Thursday on House Bill 2347, which would repeal the 10% sales and use tax on non‑commercial aircraft valued above $500,000 before the…

Washington House Republicans are pushing for tax breaks on farm equipment, aiming to ease financial strain for struggling farmers and bolster the state’s vital agricultural community.

State Representative Tom Dent is addressing the mental health crisis in farming with new legislation aimed at easing regulatory burdens on Washington's farmers and ranchers.

OLYMPIA — As the Washington Legislature moves through the early days of its 60‑day session, Rep. Tom Dent, R‑Moses Lake, says the tone at the Capitol has been calmer than last year,…

A bipartisan effort is underway to make permanent a program that allows rural fire districts to call in aircraft early during wildfires. An Eastern Washington lawmaker leading the effort on the newly…

MOSES LAKE — In communities across Washington State, veterans are receiving heartfelt recognition for their service today. This day is not only an opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices of our nation’s servicemen…

Kittitas County officials are throwing their support behind a proposal to designate the Interstate 90 bridge across the Columbia River near Vantage as the “Medal of Honor Bridge.”

Alma Torres Jones started her journey in agriculture traveling state to state with her parents, who were migrant workers. Eventually, her parents started their own farm in the Okanagan Valley, growing apples,…

OLYMPIA — In a controversial decision, Washington State has approved a significant increase in recreational fishing and hunting license fees, which officially took effect yesterday, June 1. “This bill proposes an inflationary…

KENNEWICK – At a signing event in the Tri-Cities last Thursday, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill aimed at making it easier for Washington farmers to buy fuel exempt from fees from…

OLYMPIA — The House passed a bill to help farmers avoid paying cap-and-trade taxes on fuel, rejecting a measure supported by the Washington Farm Bureau that would require fuel stations to give…

OLYMPIA – As Washington State begins its 2025 legislative session today, Rep. Tom Dent, the 13th District's legislative representative, prepares to tackle a myriad of pressing issues while navigating the complexities of…

Washington State Rep. Tom Dent will continue his leadership role on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee when the 2025 Legislative Session starts Monday, Jan. 13. Dent, a 13th District lawmaker,…

MOSES LAKE — Representative Tom Dent said water and water conservation, rural mental health and improving child care options will be among his top areas of focus during the 2025 Washington Legislative…

OTHELLO — In a significant stride for agricultural sustainability in central Washington, the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID) celebrated the commencement of the EL 86.4 system with a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday.

DESERT AIRE – Representatives from the Desert Aire Owners Association, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Grant County PUD, as well as Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and community members from Desert…

QUINCY — The Port of Quincy Rail Infrastructure Expansion Project has recently been awarded $2 million in funding from the Washington State Legislature and $2.5 from the U.S. Congress, according to a…

OLYMPIA — In the final week of the 2024 legislative session, 13th District lawmakers highlighted the passage of the state’s 2024 supplemental capital budget in a Tuesday announcement from the office of…

OLYMPIC — A Senate bill that would ban Washington residents from applying neonicotinoid pesticides is a “feel-good stunt” and likely would hurt pollinators, a commercial beekeeper said Feb. 23.

OLYMPIA- Proposed legislation, House Bill 1752, authorizes the United States Bureau of Reclamation to seek approval to change the number of acres it can irrigate within the Columbia Basin Project to allow…

OLYMPIA — Washington cattle groups resolved their conflict over the beef checkoff, uniting behind a Senate bill to hike the per-head tax on cattle sales, but offering refunds to ranchers who oppose…

OLYMPIA — Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, proposed a new legislation to establish a pilot project aimed at reducing the high number of wildfire incidents in Washington state. The project involves fostering…

OLYMPIA – Washington Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) wants to best protect against wildland fires in Washington state by public-private partnerships. He suggests local farmers and ranchers be allowed to work directly…

Elk have surpassed predators as the biggest wildlife problem in southern Stevens County in northeast Washington, according to some ranchers and farmers. Elk were once a novel and an enjoyable sight, producers…

State Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, whose 13th Legislative District includes parts of Kittitas and Yakima counties, recently received the President’s Award from the Washington Airport Management Association for his work on…

OLYMPIA – A bill sponsored by state Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and supported in the house by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and intended to establish funding for the Moses Lake…

MOSES LAKE – Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said that there is a lot he has to be proud of from this session, but the thing he was most proud of was…

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Legislature approved the 2023-25 capital construction budget on Saturday, the day before session came to a close. The budget includes nearly $170 million for projects in the…

OLYMPIA — Two central Washington lawmakers joined Governor Jay Inslee to see their bills signed into law yesterday.

OLYMPIA – A bill designed to help state child protection workers identify the signs of child malnutrition was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee last week. “It was a good bill,”…

OLYMPIA – Four of Rep. Tom Dent’s, R-Moses Lake, bills have made significant progress in the state legislature over the last week. House Bill 1243, which changes requirements for municipal airport commissioners,…

OLYMPIA – The state House of Representatives voted this week to approve a measure that will restore vehicular pursuits for police under certain circumstances. “This important legislation will make incremental improvements to…

OLYMPIA – Legislation to fund aerial fire suppression assistance for small and rural fire departments passed the state House Wednesday. “Listening to some of the people here at my district, they have…

OLYMPIA – Legislation that would create the Pesticide Advisory Board unanimously passed the state House of Representatives Tuesday.

OLYMPIA - District 13 State Representative Tom Dent (R–Moses Lake) has nine bills for which he is the primary sponsor as well as two dozen others where he is the secondary sponsor…

OLYMPIA - The Big Bend Community College Board of Trustees met with legislators at the capitol Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities. The board met with Representatives Bruce Chandler (R-Granger), Bryan Sandlin (R-Zillah),…

OLYMPIA - Representative Tom Dent (R–Moses Lake) and Senator Judy Warnick (R–Moses Lake) both have multiple bills proceeding through the Washington Legislature during this year’s legislative session, which began Monday. Dent is…

OLYMPIA — State Rep. Tom Dent (R– Moses Lake) will have a new committee leadership role when the 2023 legislative session convenes next month, according to a statement from Dent’s office. He’ll…

MOSES LAKE - Republican State Representative Tom Dent’s night likely went from ‘0 to 60’ in a matter of seconds due to a chaotic crash in front of his home early Thursday.…

The 2022 Washington Legislative session wrapped up Thursday, and according to Representative Tom Dent, lawmakers addressed a lot of bad legislation that could have harmed farmers and ranchers statewide. But, he noted,…

In an effort to help stop wildfires before they become large and unmanageable, Tom Dent has once again proposed legislation allowing for the creation of Rangeland Fire Protection Associations in Washington.

MOSES LAKE — A group of state legislators visited the Port of Moses Lake last week as part of a tour organized by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, to help legislators learn…

Legislation recently passed to protect state lands from toxic and noxious weeds, and takes effect in late July, according to a release from the Washington State House Republicans.

With the 2021 Washington State legislative session coming to an end recently, Rep. Tom Dent (R) said the challenges faced by legislators sometimes overshadowed accomplishments. Despite the challenges, Dent said the wins…

If there is one word that can describe how this past legislative session went for Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, it would be: difficult.

MOSES LAKE - Republican State Representative Tom Dent of Moses Lake and Republican State Representative Dan Griffey of Allyn delivered a letter to congress urging it to find the funding needed to…

MOSES LAKE - The 2021-2023 capital budget proved to be fruitful in some respects; $5 million has been given to an important farming project east of Moses Lake.

The Washington state House passed multiple bills during a virtual legislative debate Thursday, including a bill to improve the state’s forest health and wildfire preparedness efforts.

The bill creates a new funding account for child care and early learning. It also expands eligibility and decreases co-payments for the state's subsidy programs. It also increases rates, training and supports…

The original intent of Senate Bill 5327 was to require the state attorney general to establish a tip line program for the safety or well-being of individuals less than 25 years old.

Washingtonians may be prohibited from openly carrying their firearms or other weapons at certain locations and events if Gov. Jay Inslee signs a bill into law during this year’s state legislative session.

Legislators in the 13th District shared their thoughts on legislation moving through the Senate and House, including a bill that would establish a 7% capital gains tax in Washington state, during a…

On a sunny Tuesday morning at the Grant County International Airport, a group of people turned their eyes to the sky as the converted 747 Global Supertanker dropped 19,200 gallons of water…

Senate Bill 5151 would modify foster care licensing by creating a child-specific license for relatives or a “suitable person” who wants to care for a child under the jurisdiction of the state…

House Bill 1168 would require the state Department of Natural Resources to create a mapping tool to pinpoint the location of small forest landowners who may be in or near areas at…

A broad legislative proposal that would address child care shortages and prices across the state passed its first major hurdles last week. The bill would expand child care access for families and improve…

House Bill 1213 would create the Fair Start for Kids Account.