BIAW Appeals Veto Lawsuit and is Joined by Bipartisan Coalition of Senators

February 13, 2020

BIAW continues work on our Hydraulic Permit Application (HPA) lawsuit, which stems from the passage and partial veto of HB 1579 that passed and was signed into law last session. One of our key arguments is that the governor does not have the authority to veto subsections or sentences in legislation as the Washington State Constitution specifically requires that he veto sections in their entirety. The legislature filed a similar suit last summer concerning the transportation budget, which is expected to be assigned a trial date soon.

Our case is on appeal in the state supreme court, and late last week we received notice that a bipartisan coalition of Senators has filed an amicus brief in our case, arguing that the constitutional limitation on the governor’s veto authority constitutes a matter of great public importance. You can find a copy of that motion and brief here, from Senators Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens), Steve O’Ban (R-Pierce County), Michael Padden (R-Spokane Valley), and Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim). We are pleased that the Senators have weighed in on this matter, which remains a priority for BIAW.

If you have any questions, please contact General Counsel Jackson Maynard at 360-352-7800 ext. 108.