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Local state legislators on both sides of the aisle are championing bills that would offer relief to Whatcom County residents who suffered losses in the recent Nooksack River floods.

Rep. Alicia Rule, a Democrat, and Republican Sen. Simon Sefzik are sponsoring legislation intended to get more money more quickly to farmers, business owners and communities affected by the November 2021 floods. A recent county estimate put the total property damage from the floods at around $100 million. Sumas Mayor Bruce Bosch has said 80% of the homes in that city were damaged by floodwaters.

Twin bills in the House and Senate, sponsored by Rule and Sefzik, would establish a $600,000 fund for affected farmers. The money could be used for repairs, replacing crops or livestock, or other business expenses.  of the bill passed through the Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.  got unanimous approval Thursday in that chamber's Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee. 

 is intended to get disaster relief funds into the hands of small-business owners quickly.