Author Archives: annrivers

Senate approves Rivers’ bill to better protect victims of sexual abuse

The Senate unanimously approved a measure today that would offer an extra layer of protection to victims of sexual abuse.

Sen. Ann Rivers introduced Senate Bill 6069 after talking with an 18th District resident, who described the fear she felt when she was contacted by her abuser, who happened to be her father, without any knowledge of his early release from prison.

“We need to do whatever we can to protect victims of sexual abuse and their families,” said Rivers, R-La Center. “And if something as simple as notification of an offender’s status and whereabouts helps a victim feel a little bit safer, then it’s a no-brainer ‘yes’ vote for me.”

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Rivers hosts student from district who spurred new legislation proposal

Rivers and ElleIt isn’t every day that a sixth-grader gets the opportunity to help her idea take a step toward becoming law. For Elle Winn, that chance came today.

During today’s Senate Law and Justice Committee meeting Sen. Ann Rivers had the unique privilege of introducing Elle as the inspiration for Rivers’ proposal to hire military veterans to keep schools safe.

In 2013 the Brush Prairie student had sent a handwritten letter to Rivers, her senator, explaining why schools should hire veterans to protect students and staff.

“Elle, even at such a young age, has the rare gift of being able to outline both a problem and a solution,” said Rivers, R-La Center. “Her idea would not only benefit schools across the state, but it would also give a hiring preference to veterans.”

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Rivers’ medical-marijuana bill clears Senate budget committee

The medical-marijuana market in Washington is a step closer to being in line with federal standards after the Senate Ways and Means Committee approved Sen. Ann Rivers’ measure Thursday.

Voters authorized the medical use of cannabis in 1998 with few sideboards; however, the approval of Initiative 502 in 2013 muddied the waters, according to Rivers, noting the U.S. Justice Department issued not one but eight standards to protect against the potential risks of an unregulated Schedule I controlled substance such as marijuana.

“The bill originated out of a concern for patient safety,” said Rivers, R-La Center. “I wanted to get the conversation started last year, but now it’s time to reconcile the two initiatives for medical and recreational cannabis use – especially before the recreational-marijuana retail stores open up, which could be as early as June in Clark County.

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Rivers, Pike reschedule Camas town hall meeting to Nov. 23

Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, and Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, have rescheduled their 18th District town hall meeting in Camas to Saturday, Nov. 23. The citizens’ meeting had previously been scheduled for Nov. 9, but the two lawmakers had to cancel after Gov. Jay Inslee called the Legislature into special session to approve tax incentives in an effort to secure construction of Boeing’s 777X jet in Washington. Continue reading →

Special session prompts cancellation of Rivers-Pike town hall meeting in Camas; lawmakers plan to reschedule

Due to the Legislature going into a special session Thursday (tomorrow), Sen. Ann Rivers and Rep. Liz Pike are cancelling a town hall meeting, which was scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Camas Public Library.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday he is calling lawmakers back to Olympia to pass legislation that would benefit the state’s aerospace industry. Lawmakers were unaware of the governor’s plans until he made the announcement. Continue reading →

Sen. Rivers, Rep. Pike to hold town hall meeting Nov. 9 in Camas

Sen. Ann Rivers and Rep. Liz Pike are inviting citizens to attend a town hall meeting Saturday afternoon, Nov. 9, in Camas to discuss legislative-related issues of interest and concern to the 18th District.

“Representative Pike and I have always felt it’s important to know what’s in the hearts and minds of our constituents. This town hall meeting will help to prepare us to be more effective in the upcoming session,” said Rivers, R-La Center. Continue reading →