Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I am delighted to share updates on my work during the 2024 session, which was marked by a spirit of bipartisanship and a concerted effort to address significant challenges facing our communities. Representing the 46th District, I have been steadfast in advocating for issues such as bolstering funding for education and behavioral healthcare, increasing access to affordable housing, and prioritizing the well-being of all members of our community.
For a full update on the work of the 2024 legislative session, please join Senator Valdez, Rep. Pollet, and I at North Seattle College on May 1st from 6:30-8:30 PM. I hope to see you there!
Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee
As the Vice Chair of the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, my focus remained on legislation to address the behavioral health crisis, empower survivors of abuse and violence, and support Tribal and state healthcare systems. Notable legislative victories I’d like to share include:
- House Bill 1618: One of my bills, this will empower survivors of sexual abuse.
- House Bill 1455: Outlawed child marriage.
- House Bill 1958: Held individuals accountable for non-consensual removal of sexually protective devices.
- House Bill 1652: Ensured child support payments reach low-income families without deductions.
- House Bill 1877: Supports Tribal communities by recognizing the need for culturally sensitive behavioral healthcare and crisis response.
Your Feedback Guides My Work
Your invaluable feedback during town halls has been instrumental in shaping my legislative agenda. Responding to your concerns, I passed several bills, including:
- House Bill 1541: Requires task forces to include individuals with direct lived experience on issues affecting underrepresented communities.
- House Bill 2072: Increases penalties for businesses engaging in antitrust practices from $900,000 to triple the unlawful gains or loss avoided.
- House Bill 2099: The direct result of feedback at a town hall, this will provide identification cards for those exiting state care or custody.
An allocation of $20 million in the supplemental operating budget for diversion programs supporting behavioral health initiatives.
After hearing from resident doggos in our district at my last coffee chat, I also introduced HB 2403 mandating fire alarms or fire sprinklers be installed at all kennels. As we saw when a dog boarding facility in Lake City caught on fire, caged pets depend on us for their safety. We owe them swift intervention and proactive measures. I look forward to passing this legislation next year!
Improving School Funding
Despite challenges, we made significant strides in addressing school funding deficits. Notable efforts include:
- House Bill 2180: Over $400 million in increased funding for school districts for special education.
- Senate Bill 5882: Increases allocations for paraeducators, office support staff, and non-instructional aides.
- An allocation of $5 million for urgently needed roof repairs at Seattle schools.
Housing
Efforts to address the housing affordability crisis saw the introduction of House Bill 2114, a statewide rent stabilization bill, and legislation to increase housing near transit. I was proud to support both bills and hope to continue working on them next year.
There were many housing bills introduced last session. Though these bills did not pass, I remain committed to finding solutions to housing affordability challenges. On a positive note, the legislature did make some meaningful headway on improving the supply of housing:
- Senate Bill 5792: Streamlining the construction of small condominium buildings.
- House Bill 2071: Exploring potential changes to building codes to facilitate the development of smaller housing units.
- House Bill 1998: Requiring cities to permit “co-living” or “micro-housing” arrangements.
- Senate Bill 6175: Allowing cities to defer sales and use taxes for repurposing commercial buildings into affordable housing units.
Gun Violence Prevention
Building on last year’s efforts including an assault weapons ban, I was proud to help pass the following legislation aimed at improving gun safety and reducing gun violence:
- Senate Bill 5444: Prohibiting firearms in places like zoos, aquariums, libraries, and transit stations.
- House Bill 1903: Requiring gun owners to report stolen guns to law enforcement within 24 hours.
- House Bill 2118: Requiring gun dealers to ensure the security of their inventory and carry liability insurance.
- House Bill 2021: Authorizing the Washington State Patrol to destroy seized firearms.
Hate Crimes
In response to rising hate crimes, Senate Bill 5427 was introduced to establish a support system for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents. The bill, now law, takes effect January 1, 2025, and includes provisions for a hotline to report incidents and receive crisis intervention.
Protecting Our Democracy
Efforts to strengthen voter access and protect election integrity resulted in the passage of Senate Bill 5890, which addresses ballot rejections by requiring prompt communication with voters to correct any issues. Additionally, House Bill 1241 protects election workers by making it a felony to threaten them. I was proud to work with Representative Gregerson on even year election legislation through House Bill 1882 and House Bill 1932. Next year, I plan to bring back my bill, House Bill 2192 to increase voter education for high school students.
Environment & Energy
Building on the critical investments made by the Climate Commitment Act last year, this year we focused on continuing to decarbonize our economy and bolster environmental resilience. Key efforts include advancing zero-emission school buses (HB 1368), promoting utility electrification (HB 1589), optimizing organic material management (HB 2301), linking Washington’s carbon market with California and Quebec (HB 2201/SB 6058), fostering geothermal energy development (HB 2129/SB 6039), and enhancing restitution for environmental crimes (SB 5884). By mitigating climate change impacts, improving public health, and promoting sustainability, Washington can remain a leader in clean energy innovation and environmental stewardship.
Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning
My commitment to children, youth, and families extends beyond policy to reflect our core values and shape the kind of society we envision for present and future generations. This year, the legislature prioritized providing our youngest residents with optimal beginnings, ensuring infants and toddlers receive essential early support (HB 1916), streamlining access to early childhood education and care by dismantling administrative barriers (HB 1945), and aiding families facing short-term financial challenges through increased grant amounts for Diversion Cash Assistance (HB 2415). In addressing behavioral health, our efforts focus on facilitating easier access to services for children and young adults (HB 2256), ensuring minors receive timely care during mental health crises (SB 5853), and relieving juveniles of unenforceable legal financial obligations (SB 5974). Additionally, we extend foster care services for youth aged 18 to 21, aiding in smoother transitions to adulthood (SB 5908).
Long Term Care
Helping families take care of loves ones who are ill or living with disabilities was a large priority this year as well. We passed legislation to expand access to paid sick leave for non-traditional caregiver relationships (SB 5793), implemented the Family Connections program (HB 1204), and covered the caregiver gap in the unemployment insurance program (HB 1106). This year’s budgets also include $77 million to ensure access to long-term care and developmental disabilities programs through increased caregiver and provider rates and reimbursements.
Investing In the 46th District
The Capital Construction Budget improves infrastructure and public facilities across the state. This year’s budget prioritizes critical areas like schools, mental health services, and affordable housing including the following projects in our community:
- $7 million for CoLead Northgate to provide transitional housing and wrap around services for unmet behavioral health needs and income instability.
- $2.4 million to construct and modernize early childhood education and assistance facilities at the Northgate Jose Marti Early Learning Center which is operated by El Centro de la Raza.
- $1.3 million for an open learning center at Northaven.
- $2 million to for utility plant planning at the University of Washington’s Medical Center NW Campus.
- $527,000 for improved access to construction trades skills at Ingraham High School.
- $200,000 allocated to drive an inclusive community engagement process and needs assessment for the new Lake City Community Center.
Transportation Investments: Safety improvements to North Aurora Avenue and investments in road preservation, traffic safety, and fish barrier removal were included in the budget, totaling $14.6 billion, with allocations of $100 million for road preservation, $30.8 million for traffic safety measures, and $150 million for fish barrier removal.
The Work Ahead
From May 6th until the certification of the 2024 election, my website and Facebook pages will be subject to an election year activity “freeze” prohibiting the posting of any new content or outreach using state resources (including email updates like this one). I want to be clear that I am still here to serve you during this period. My office remains available to discuss legislation, connect you with state agencies and servcies, and schedule a meeting with me. To learn more about election year restrictions, click here or on the video below.
Looking to the future, my legislative agenda remains focused on addressing systemic issues, promoting local democracy, reducing gun trafficking, and investing in our community. As the youngest elected legislator in the 46th district and the daughter of Iranian immigrants, I am deeply honored to serve and advocate for our diverse community.
Thank you for all you do,
Darya Farivar
WA State Representative
46th Legislative District
Pronouns: she/her, they/them