Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, elected to the House in 2010, was appointed by her colleagues as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Jinkins noted, “The jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee is very broad, and I look forward to hearing from the public on topics as varied as gun responsibility, landlord/tenant issues, civil rights and family law.”
Jinkins, who received her law degree from Seattle University, has a long history in state government. She began her career in the Attorney General’s office litigating child abuse and neglect cases. She then shifted towards public health, eventually serving as an assistant secretary of health at the state Department of Health.
Since arriving in the Legislature in 2011 Jinkins has been a leader in transforming health care, helping working families and reforming Washington’s revenue structure. Along with other attorneys serving in the House, Jinkins was a central figure in the case challenging portions of I-1053 that required a 2/3 majority vote of the legislature to close tax loopholes or increase taxes. Washington’s Supreme Court eventually found this requirement unconstitutional.
“I am excited and honored to step into this new role,” Jinkins said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and building strong relationships across the aisle and rotunda.”
The Judiciary Committee handles the largest bill volume of any policy committee. As Chair, Jinkins will oversee critical issues such as landlord tenant law, family law and the Consumer Protection Act, among many others.