Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, an attorney and Public Health expert, was reappointed yesterday by her colleagues to Chair the House Judiciary Committee.
Last session was Rep. Jinkins first year chairing the House Judiciary Committee. She led the committee through some very difficult, complicated issues; including Initiatives 591 and 594, the pro and con universal firearm background check initiatives, as well as animal cruelty laws and legal financial obligations.
Rep. Jinkins, who just returned from the inaugural meeting of American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention, noted, “I am honored and excited to continue leading this committee. We’ve had a strong history of working in a bipartisan manner and I’m excited to continue working together on mental health, landlord-tenant and gun violence issues.”
The Judiciary Committee handles the largest bill volume of any policy committee. As Chair, Jinkins will oversee critical issues such as civil commitment, firearms, landlord tenant law, family law and the Consumer Protection Act, among many others.
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. She currently works for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
In addition to chairing the Judiciary Committee Rep. Jinkins will serve on the Healthcare & Wellness and Appropriations Committees.