OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state legislators passed 267 new state laws in the most recent legislative session.

~ Healthcare: expanded practices for nurses

HB 2340 adds a new limit to the public information about nursing assistants disclosed by the Board of Nursing. If a nursing assistant dealing with substance abuse issues was disciplined by the Board of Nursing but undergoes counseling, the board is not permitted to disclose its disciplinary action on its public website.

While HB 2339 took effect June 11, the law includes a clause that practicing nurse anesthetists who did not receive their prescribing authority before July 1 can still administer certain drugs to patients, adding a legal exception that protects nurses from being suddenly cut off from doing their jobs.

Tax Money Spent: On Childcare, Public Health Beginning in 2027, HB 2442 authorizes counties and cities to adopt a 0.01% local sales tax to fund services for children and families, including perinatal support, after-school programs, workforce development and transportation for facilities receiving services.

Housing House Bill 2442, which takes effect Wednesday, gives cities and counties greater fiscal flexibility in how they use local tax revenues to support housing, childcare and public health and other needs.

For instance, “Communities can now use affordable housing sales tax revenue for rental assistance, rehab work on existing units and ongoing operations and maintenance,” Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health said on its website.

~ Speed Zone Camera Fees

While not a state law, drivers in Washington should be aware that first-time tickets for speeding in road work zones will be going up in price.

Fines for first-time traffic infraction offenders who speed through road work areas will go up to $125 starting July 1, as part of WSDOT’s Work Zone Speed Camera Program. Any and all subsequent speeding incidents will result in a $248 fine.

According to WSDOT, the cameras have been used over 900 times at about 50 job sites since the program began April 16, 2025, and about 85,000 work zone speed camera infractions have been issued statewide. 77,000 of those were first-time infractions.

~ Stabilized ambulance fees

Ambulance companies will see less fluctuation in the fees they pay to the state’s treasury, creating a more accurate way of tracking funds in the pool.

In Washington, ambulance companies pay fees into a state treasury called the Ambulance Transport Fund. The fund was established to account for the gap between the cost of providing emergency medical care and state Medicaid reimbursement rates. Now, when those ambulance providers treat a patient, federal Medicaid dollars can be activated to cover the cost of providers’ services, in addition to the money the companies paid into the state fund.

Starting July 1, HB 2531 will freeze the fee rate that ambulance companies pay to the state Ambulance Transport Fund treasury to the rate they paid in July 2025, and will make sure that any funds they are paid back through Medicaid reflect what’s actually available in the fund.

~ PTSD counseling

A new pilot program will provide post-traumatic stress disorder counseling for employees filing worker’s compensation cases. The Department of Labor and Industries program created by SHB 2405 will provide a determined number of counseling sessions before and after claims are closed. 

Source: king5.com, olympian.com, Molly Hetherwick,

** USDA and Foodborne illness when ordering takeout or home delivery foods … usda.gov

** Clover Hill Dairy ~ June, Company expands cheese recall; Listeria outbreak traced to products
By News Desk foodsafetynews.com, the FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta, manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy LLC of Mechanicsville, MD. A distributor of Clover Hill Dairy requeson cheese has also initiated a recall. On June 5, Nelson & Isa Lacteos LLC of Bay Shore, NY, initiated a recall of 1-pound packages of requeson cheese sold in clear plastic clamshell containers to retail locations in New York from May 15 to May 28. The recalled cheese was likely repacked at the retail store locations, and labeling or coding of recalled cheese may vary based on location of purchase. A list of New York retail stores and locations that FDA has reason to believe received requeson cheese that was included in the recall by Nelson & Isa Lacteos LLC can be found in the recall announcement.

Clover Hill cheese was distributed from May 4 through May 30 in the following states: North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. through bulk distributors, retail stores and directly to consumers.

Nelson & Isa Lacteos requeson products were sold at retail locations in New York from May 15 to May 28.

** Kao USA Voluntarily Recalls Some Lots of Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo-The recall is limited to specific lots of the Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo in8.5 oz and 33.8 oz sizes. Further investigation to confirm the scope of the issue is still ongoing.

Identifying the Affected Products:

• Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo (in 8.5 oz and 33.8 oz sizes), manufactured between February 21, 2026 and February 26, 2026, could be impacted.
• The affected lot codes for the 8.5 oz size (UPC 840035231242) can be found onthe bottom of the bottle printed in black and begin with the prefix “YR”: o YR010556
• The affected lot codes for the 33.8 oz size (UPC 840035231273) can be found onthe bottom of the bottle printed in black and begin with the prefix “YR”: o YR010566 o YR010576

To report any adverse events experienced with the use of this product, arrange for a replacement or for any questions, please contact the Kao Professional Hair Technical Hotline at 800-333-2442 or email oribecomplaints@kao.com.

** Voluntary Recall of Two Lots of PEDIGREE® Can High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food Due to Potential Fraudulent Distribution of Product Which May Contain Foreign Material -How to Identify Impacted Products
This recall applies ONLY to the two lot codes of product below:

• Product: PEDIGREE® Can High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor 13.2oz for dogs
• Lot codes: 613C3KKCFC & 613C1KKCFC
• Safety Risk: Pieces of hard and sharp metal with plastic may be present and could cause harm if consumed.

If you believe you have purchased this product, do not feed it to animals, and contact PEDIGREE for a replacement product.

No other PEDIGREE or Mars Petcare US, Inc. products are affected or being recalled.Contact PEDIGREE Consumer Care to initiate a replacement or with any questions at 1-800-525-5273, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Central Standard Time (CDT), and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM (CDT). You can also visit: https://www.pedigree.com/updateExternal Link Disclaimer.

** Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Initiates Recall of Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries Due to Potential E. coli O145 Contamination -Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile is recalling frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries 10 oz. Because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28 (E. coli O145).

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can cause illness characterized by severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and vomiting. While most healthy individuals recover within a week, some infections may result in a serious complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), particularly in young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The recalled product was shipped to Publix retail stores throughout 8 states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Consumers should check their freezers for the affected product.

The affected product lot is:

• Product: Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries
• Package Size: 10 oz
• Lot Code: 60401
• Best By Date: February 9, 2028

No other lot codes or Best By dates are affected by this recall.

There have been reports of 12 confirmed cases of consumers experiencing stomach illness between May 11, 2026 and June 5, 2026 linked with E. coli O145:H28 infections –

Consumers or customers with questions regarding this recall may contact:

Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612

After receiving reports of consumers experiencing digestive illnesses and having consumed GreenWise frozen blueberries as part of their diet, Frutas y Hortalizas S.A. has decided to initiate the recall.

**FDA issues emergency use generic OTC drug treatment for New World ScrewWorm for dogs and cats https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-emergency-use-authorization-generic-over-counter-drug-treat-new-world-screwworm-dogs-and

** USDA Launches Great American Cotton Plan

Secretary Brooke L. Rollins today announced the Great American Cotton Plan, a comprehensive USDA initiative to strengthen the cotton farm economy.

** Five Star brand oysters recalled in Canada because of Salmonella

Certain Five Star Shellfish Inc. brand oysters are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Salmonella. The recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results.  There have

By News Desk 

** TNVitamins expands recall of moringa powder products

Total Nutrition Inc. of Deer Park, NY, has expanded a recall to now include TNVitamins 100% Organic Moringa 1,200 mg Capsules and 100% Organic Moringa Powder following a supplier-

By News Desk 

** Concerns voiced after Listeria found in chicken supplied to hospitals; withdrawal initiated

Health officials in the United Kingdom have opened an investigation after Listeria was found in chicken supplied to hospitals. Chicken products imported by Foodbridge EU and Foodbridge UK from Brazil

By Joe Whitworth 

New Washington Laws and Changes Starting July 1, 2026 ~and More

Several Washington state laws and policy changes take effect July 1, 2026, affecting taxes, licenses, workplace rules, and more.

~ The bill, which went into effect June 11, also allows tribes to identify important structures or tribal resources that could be affected by construction.

House Bill 2496 improves communication with Native American tribes when it comes to new energy facilities on sacred lands. Within 90 days of receiving an energy project application, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council must consult with tribes to address concerns and find ways to mitigate them.

I don’t like how vague this bill is … it implies the build will happen, but they will try to consult to mitigate …but no energy facility should be approved or built on Native land unless they stand to gain improvements on all levels of this thing, imo – Nativegrl77

~ Does my landlord have to tell me about flooding?

In Washington state, landlords are required to disclose to a number of issues to potential renters, including mold and lead-based paint. Senate Bill 6237 updates the list of disclosures to include flood risks. Landlords must tell would-be tenants if a rental property is located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding. However, the bill does not require the landlord to fix issues resulting in flood damage or provide flood insurance. Tenants are responsible for any personal property lost in the case of flooding.

~ Are schools allowed to physically restrain students?

A new state law that took effect June 11 aims to improve student safety in public schools. House Bill 1795 prevents staff members from using any restraints on students that restrict breathing or blood flow to the brain. Schools also can’t build or reconfigure rooms for the purpose of isolating students. In addition, HB 1795 implements a trauma-informed developmental program to educate staffers on alternatives to restraint or isolation. Read more at: https://www.theolympian.com/news/state/washington/article316268787.html#storylink=cpy

~ Under the new law, only licensed human professionals can use titles such as “nurse,” “registered nurse” or “RN,” and provide nursing services, the Washington State Nurses Association said. “With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, it’s important for Washingtonians to know that AI cannot act as a licensed nurse or claim to be one,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said at a March bill signing ceremony.

1. Millionaire’s Tax (partial implementation)
While the “millionaire’s tax” was passed in January 2026, a key revenue measure — a 0.5% Business and Occupation (B&O) tax on annual business income over $250 million — will officially start on July 1. The law also updates sales tax definitions and exempts certain services for schools and libraries. SB

2. Data Center Tax Exemptions Expire
Existing sales and use tax exemptions for refurbishing older data centers will end. New data centers can still apply for exemptions, but existing ones cannot get tax breaks on replacement server equipment 

~ Tax Money Spent: On Childcare, Public Health, Housing House Bill 2442, which takes effect Wednesday, gives cities and counties greater fiscal flexibility in how they use local tax revenues to support housing, childcare and public health and other needs.

For instance, “Communities can now use affordable housing sales tax revenue for rental assistance, rehab work on existing units and ongoing operations and maintenance,” Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health said on its website.

Beginning in 2027, HB 2442 authorizes counties and cities to adopt a 0.01% local sales tax to fund services for children and families, including perinatal support, after-school programs, workforce development and transportation for facilities receiving services.

3. Mortgage Interest B&O Tax Exemption Changes
A new rule replaces the current state limit (operating in 10 or fewer states) with a financial threshold — lenders with less than $10 billion in annual mortgage originations will lose the exemption. Revenue will go to wildfire preparation and firefighting 

~ Penalties for impersonating a Police Officer? Impersonating a law enforcement officer now comes with stiffer penalties in Washington state. State law already prohibited people from impersonating an officer by wearing clothes, displaying a badge or using a vehicle bearing the insignia of a law enforcement agency such as U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, McClatchy Media previously reported. House Bill 2165, which took effect June 11, makes falsely claiming to be a cop a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in county jail. “Criminals posing as ICE officers (are) carrying out robberies, kidnappings and sexual assaults in several states,” state Sen. Adrian Cortes, D-Battle Ground, said in a March 19 statement. “This is unacceptable and erodes the public’s trust in law enforcement.”

~ New law changes rules for college sports betting Rules are changing for sports betting in Washington state.

Under Senate Bill 6137, which went into effect June 11, gamblers can now place wagers on in-state collegiate teams at tribal casinos. That includes betting on University of Washington, Washington State University and Gonzaga games. However, the bill bans on betting on the performance of individual student athletes. “Prior to this bill, there had been a lot of illegal gambling in terms of betting on in-state college sports, and we wanted to bring that into … a well-regulated arena,” Cortes, the bill’s co-author, told UW’s The Daily in May.Read more at:

4. Work Zone Speed Camera Fines Increase
First-time speeding tickets in road work zones will rise to $125; repeat offenses will be $248 

5. Hunting & Fishing License Fee Hikes
Senate Bill 5583 raises fees 38%:

• Big game deer license: $39 → $53.82
• Freshwater + saltwater combo: $45.50 → $62.79
• Annual Discover Pass to state lands: $30 → $45 (effective Oct. 1) 

6. Public Employee Retirement Benefits
A one-time 3% cost-of-living increase for certain public retirees will apply starting July 1 . The increase is capped at $110 a month.

7. Local Government Revenue Use
Local governments can now use existing revenue streams for criminal justice and affordable housing 

8. Healthcare Licensing & Fees
Changes to healthcare title and fee structures will take effect, along with adjustments to temporary staffing at hospital-based clinics

9. Immigrant Worker Protections
New rules prohibit employers from using workers’ immigration status to coerce wage or labor law violations 

10. Gas Tax Increase
A 6¢ per gallon hike in Washington’s gas tax begins July 1, with annual inflation adjustments

Sources: AOL, washingtonstatestandard.com, KREM.com, theolympian.com

I went through old posts and found hints of an increase in data centers, at least in the early 2000s. This company tried to tell a story of why we need them and created a mural project; they also bought a 1960s power plant. In

In 2010, Greenpeace posted a warning and petition re:

The Internet is how we connect, learn new things, and share what we love. But right now, much of our Internet is also dirty, no matter how we use it.

Data centers are where Internet companies store our photos, messages, and music, and many are powered by coal and dirty energy sources that pollute our environment and harm our climate.

What’s worse — the Internet’s demand for energy is only growing bigger. If the Internet were a country, its electricity use would already rank sixth in the world.

I have to say that this is embarrassing to know that the warnings were there, just not given a decent amount of airtime or a good platform to inform the public, now, here we are in 2026, some parts of our country is suffering from droughts, others have had their land squandered by DataCenters, which we all now know use an enormous amount of Energy … and Water!

“I see. . .an America where a mighty network of highways spreads across our country.”
—Dwight D. Eisenhower