OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Local lawmakers have been working to pass a variety of bills in the state legislature.

40th District State Senator Liz Lovelett is one of the co-sponsors for SB 5360, which would update guidelines for various environmental crimes. If passed, the bill would reenact penalties for violating the Clean Air Act.

Water pollution and hazardous substance violations would also be amended.

In the House, state representatives Joe Timmons and Alex Ramel are among the co-sponsors of a bill that would expand higher education options for homeless and foster youth.

HB 1540 would update current legislation to allow eligible students to apply to tribal colleges within the state.

Timmons also joined fellow 42nd District Rep. Alicia Rule as a sponsor on HB 1291, which focuses on costs associated with childbirth and maternity care.

And representatives Rule and Ramel are working to pass amendments to laws surrounding medications provided by hospitals and other medical facilities.

That includes details on how much emergency medication can be dispensed to a patient if pharmacy services aren’t immediately available.

All of the bills have held their first readings in their respective chambers.