Hello friends,
The 2026 legislative session is officially underway in Olympia, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent our community and keep you updated as the work moves quickly in these first few weeks.
As Chair of the House Transportation Committee, I’m focused on practical solutions that keep people moving, strengthen our economy, and support families across our region — while also advancing legislation that helps students stay connected and supported.
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Flooding and community preparedness
Recent storms and flooding across Pierce County and Western Washington have highlighted the importance of preparedness, coordination, and clear communication during emergencies.
I’ve been sharing safety resources and information on how to report damage so local leaders can better understand community needs and plan recovery efforts effectively.
Pierce County resources:
- Report storm or flood damage: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/reportdamage
- Emergency preparedness and recovery updates: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/ready
- Sign up for emergency alerts (PCALERT): https://www.piercecountywa.gov/pcalert
Please stay informed, follow guidance from emergency officials, and report damage when it is safe to do so.
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Update from the district: Federal Way Link
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Over the past few months, I’ve been sharing updates on transportation and infrastructure projects that are strengthening our region. One major milestone was the opening of the Federal Way Link light rail extension (for me, light rail is only 8 minutes from my home), which connects more South King County residents to reliable, high-capacity transit and brings us closer to a fully connected Seattle-to-Tacoma corridor.
Read more about the benefits of the project in the Tacoma Ledger.
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My priorities this session
Transportation affects everything — commuting, freight, transit access, and the long-term health of our economy. That’s why a major focus early in session is making sure Washington’s transportation budget reflects real needs across the state.
A couple bills I’m working on:
These bills help guide how we maintain and improve the transportation system people rely on every day.
Supporting students who need stability the most
When students are experiencing homelessness or in foster care, staying connected to school can be one of the most important sources of stability — and transportation is often the barrier.
Bill I’m introducing:
- HB 2287 — Pupil transportation safety net This would help school districts cover unexpected transportation costs so students can stay in their school community during challenging circumstances.
Strengthening state support for young people experiencing homelessness
Policy is strongest when it includes the voices of people closest to the issue — especially young people with lived experience.
Bill I’m introducing:
- HB 2185 — Homeless youth committee This bill strengthens and updates the work of the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee so it can continue helping shape better solutions for youth and young adults across Washington.
Improving commercial truck safety and education
Freight mobility and roadway safety go hand-in-hand — and we need smart coordination to support professional drivers and protect everyone who shares the road.
Bill I introduced:
- HB 2410 — Commercial truck safety and education council This bill would create a council focused on improving truck safety and training, supporting best practices, and strengthening statewide coordination.
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How cutoff deadlines work (and why early weeks move fast)
To keep the legislative session on track, Washington uses cutoff deadlines that determine how far a bill must advance to remain under consideration:
- Policy Committee Cutoff: A bill must pass its first committee
- Fiscal Committee Cutoff: Bills with a cost must pass a budget committee
- House of Origin Cutoff: A bill must pass the chamber where it started
- Opposite Chamber Cutoffs: Bills repeat the committee and floor process in the other chamber
- Sine Die (March 12): The Legislature adjourns, and any unfinished bills are over for the session
Note: Budget and revenue bills follow different rules.
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Stay engaged
Stay involved + helpful links
- Track bills and hearings: https://leg.wa.gov
- Submit testimony or sign in remotely: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi
- Watch hearings live or on TVW: https://tvw.org
- Contact my office: https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/fey/contact/
Thank you for staying engaged. I’ll keep sharing updates throughout session — and I always want to hear from you.
Sincerely,