Legislative Cutoff Update

Dear friends and neighbors, 

After a few long days, and some very late nights, we finally reached cutoff last week! By the time we reached the March 8 deadline, the House debated and voted on almost 330 bills—and the vast majority of them passed with significant bipartisan support. 

That included my HB 1110 to legalize modest middle housing options in our communities! As I talked about in my last e-newsletter, addressing our housing crisis is a top priority for the Legislature this session. Everyone needs a home. It’s the first step toward building equity and economic stability—but the dream of home ownership is out of reach for far too many in our state.

Not only will HB 1110 help us rapidly grow our housing supply to keep up with demand, but prioritizing density around frequent transit stops puts us on a path toward safer, walkable, and more sustainable neighborhoods. Reducing suburban sprawl is good for families and good for our environment. 

We still have a long road ahead to get this bipartisan bill across the finish line this session. You can help by visiting the Legislature’s website and signing in PRO for the legislative record or sharing your personal story of struggling to find a home here in Washington. The bill is scheduled for its first Senate hearing on Friday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m. — tune in to watch it here.

With cutoff behind us, House bills are now working their way through the Senate and Senate bills are moving through the House. My first bill to pass the House this session, HB 1128, passed out of the Senate Human Services committee this week and is headed to Ways & Means! This bill raises the monthly personal needs allowance for some of our most vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbors who are in long-term care through Medicaid. For those on fixed incomes, this modest increase will provide a meaningful difference and improvement in their quality of life. 

I’m also pleased to report that SB 5242 is scheduled for its first House Health Care & Wellness committee hearing on Friday! This was the Senate companion to my bill to prohibit cost-sharing for abortions in Washington. No one’s access to reproductive care should be dependent on their ability to pay.

HB 1181 also had its first Senate hearing earlier this week. This crucial bill will add climate change & resiliency to our state’s land-use planning framework. If we want to protect our communities from the devastating impacts of climate change like wildfires, floods and sea-level rise, we need better planning. I co-sponsored this bill, and its predecessor last session, so that future generations have a chance to enjoy all our beautiful state has to offer—just as we did.

It continues to be an honor to represent the families of the 22nd district at the Capitol. Never hesitate to reach out to me by phone at (360) 786-7992 or by email. I hope to hear from you! 

Best wishes,