Dear neighbors,
The 60-day legislative session has begun. I and fellow legislators are convening in a hybrid fashion from our homes and from Olympia to get our work done safely, thoroughly and with a focus on supporting our communities. Even with social distancing measures in place, I have virtually met with many of you on the legislative issues that are reflective of your priorities.
Your feedback on policy and investments into our communities is vital for making sure your voice is represented. To keep these discussions ongoing, I want to invite you together with Representative Mari Leavitt to save the date for our upcoming town hall on February 17, 2022 where we want to hear from you.
Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore
I believe that making progress starts with listening to each other with respect. So it is a tremendous honor to be elected by my fellow lawmakers as Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore and to hold the gavel as we debate the issues of the day.
In this role, I facilitate a cordial discussion among colleagues about pressing issues for the community. More than 90 percent of the bills we vote on in the House pass with strong bipartisan support.
Legislative action
Here are some of the key bills that I wrote and introduced this session:
- Paying off debt service for the Tacoma Narrow Bridge, with the goal of cancelling tolls. (House Bill 1602)
- Allows retiring teachers and other public employees to choose when timing is best for them to enroll in retiree healthcare. Currently, they are required to opt-in immediately after separating from state service, even though they might earn healthcare from a current employer. (House Bill 1911)
- Clarifying police are authorized to use less-than-lethal munitions such as bean-bags and foam projectiles. This will allow law enforcement to have necessary tools to do their job and make interactions between them and the public safer and will ultimately save lives. (House Bill 1719)
- Allows an injured worker to have the option to record their own worker’s compensation, independent medical examination (IME). This ensures fairness for both the worker and the compensation system and will help get injured workers through disputed claims more quickly so they can recover and return to work healthy. (House Bill 1763)
- Allows for Labor & Industries to find ways to reduce the number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive-motion injuries and use ergonomics in promoting healthier workplaces. (House Bill 1837)
Participating in your democracy
There are new ways that you can get informed and involved during the 2022 session of the Legislature.
- Learn—The whole legislative process, from start to finish, is explained at leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Overview.aspx
- Watch—Go to TVW.org for broadcasts of debates, votes, committee meetings, and other events in the House and Senate. There’s also an extensive archive of past events, if you couldn’t watch it live.
- Research—To look up legislation by lawmaker or topic, visit app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/
- Testify—The 2021 Legislative Session proved that remote testimony is a great way for everyone to have a chance to share their voice. The remote committee testimony system will continue to be in use for all testimony for all bills.
A more comprehensive guide is available from the non-partisan legislative website available here.
Stay in touch
Keeping you informed—and hearing directly from you—is incredibly important to me.
If you have comments, questions, or ideas, please contact my office. I hope to hear from you soon!
