Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Voting full time on the House floor has begun! I’m excited to share that my four priority bills made it through cutoff deadlines and are now eligible to be brought to the floor for a vote.
- Close a harmful loophole in Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) by expanding job protections for workers on leave (HB 1213): Currently, only 16% of low wage workers have access to job protection when they go on PFML, while 70% of high wage workers have that protection.
- Implement a Permit to Purchase for firearms (HB 1163): As former staff to Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, ending gun violence in our communities is personal to me. Permit to purchase is a commonsense proposal that will reduce gun violence, curb illegal gun trafficking, and ensure firearms are only in the hands of responsible gun owners.
- Ban noncompete agreements (HB 1155): This Biden-era FTC rule prohibits noncompete agreements, which stifle innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship in Washington state.
- Reduce plastic pollution and increase access to recycling (Recycling Reform Act HB 1150/SB 5284): This bill will increase our recycling rate by 25% by requiring producers of consumer packaging and paper products to finance, coordinate, and improve residential services across the state.
I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop as these bills move forward.
Want to Fly? Changes Coming on May 7
If you plan on flying on a plane after May 7, 2025, you need to know about new federal requirements that will impact whether you can get on the plane or not. REAL ID is a federal law that impacts all Washingtonians.
To fly domestically, your ID, such as your drivers license, must comply with REAL ID standards. In Washington state, we offer the following which comply with REAL ID requirements:
You can also use:
- Your U.S. Passport
- Your U.S. Passport Card
- A valid U.S. Military ID
- A Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- A federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID
- The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766), or
- A Foreign Passport
So, before you book that flight, make sure you have one of the identification options above. Learn more at the state Department of Licensing page about REAL ID or the federal Homeland Security FAQ.
Government At Your Grocery Store – Hope to see you there!
We’re now halfway through the legislative session and I love hearing from you. Please reach out at any time.
Talk soon,
State Representative Liz Berry
36th Legislative District