Reps. Hunter Abell and Andrew Engell talk about the 2026 legislative session with Jeff Conwell from KOZI Radio.

January 23, 2026

Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, and Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Colville, join Jeff Conwell from KOZI Radio to discuss the 2026 legislative session. They talk about the state’s budget shortfall and remind listeners that Democrats passed the largest tax-increase package in state history just last year. They warn against further tax increases, saying “Whenever Olympia is in session, the taxpayers’ pocketbooks are in danger.”

Abell also proudly recalls how his daughter was chosen to sing the national anthem during the opening day ceremonies. He talks about his proposal to create a Global War on Terror Memorial on the state Capitol Campus and his bill to help employees of the port of Pend Oreille. A recent ruling from the state says they should be paying into the state’s retirement system despite having already paid into the federal retirement system for decades. This is something neither the port nor the employees can afford. Abell said it was a small, but important government accountability bill that will have an important impact on port employees.

Engell discusses his bill to restrict non-emergency “Charity Care” to Washington citizens. He says his bill would help border counties who are seeing a rise in health care tourism where citizens from other states and countries know they can get certain procedures done in our state for free or at lower cost. He says Washingtonians cannot afford to pay for the health care of non-resident patients. He also talks about a constituent-requested proposal to place a warranty on state-issued license plates, requiring the state to replace them for free if they wear out and become unreadable before their expected lifespan.