WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Dunshee listens to student ideas for reforms

Every year, Snohomish High school students come to Olympia and meet with lawmakers to discuss legislation.

“They spend a lot of time and energy to research their ideas,” said Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish), who met with many of the students. “I’m always impressed by how much they’ve thought about these issues.”

The student don’t simply have suggestions. They come to Olympia with actual pieces of legislation that they’ve researched, then drafted into legislation.

Here’s a sample of the legislation proposed by students this year:

The Recycling in Public Schools Act of 2014 by Marcy Bartelheimer, Jenni Bailey and Taylor Graden. Mandates recycling in all schools in the state of Washington

Parental Rights Act of 2014 by Trysten Melhart, Sabrina Roberge and Jordan Schmidt. Modifies requirements for parental right if their child is put in the foster care system.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Actby Madison Lichter, Bridger Buckley and Mike Sanders. Raises awareness of possible sudden cardiac arrest in student athletes.

Recycling in Public Schools Act of 2014
Snohomish students Jenni Bailey, Taylor Grayden and Marcy Bartelheimer meet with Rep. Hans Dunshee in his office to discuss their legislation, the Recycling in Public Schools Act of 2014.

The bills are written on a variety of topics, ranging anywhere from mandated recycling in public schools to changing the nature of the foster care system. Once they have gathered enough information about their proposal, the students write up a cover sheet providing the major findings of their research, as well as detailing the benefits and financial impacts of the proposed legislation.

“It was a lot of work,” student Jordan Schmidt said about the bill writing. “We were proud of what we accomplished.”

Once their cover sheet is completed, the legislation itself is drafted. The students use the same style of writing that a bill passed through the legislature would use, and follow the same rules as well.

“We’re really lucky,” student Bridger Buckley said. “Most high schoolers don’t get the opportunity to be here.”

Parental Rights Act of 2014
Jordan Schmidt, Sabrina Roberge and Trysten Melhart travelled to Olympia to discuss their bill, the Parental Right Act of 2014.

“Each year, they’ve gotten more and more professional and serious,” Dunshee said. “It’s a testament to the work of these students. I’m proud that my hometown has the only high school in the state to do this, and I’m happy to have the chance to shake the hands of these bright young students and listen to their ideas for making Washington a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
Bridger Buckley, Madison Lichter and Mike Sanders researched and wrote the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.