Dear Friends and Neighbors,
A quick reminder that our 45th Legislative District Town Hall is happening TODAY, Saturday, March 15th at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. I hope to see you there!
Read on for the latest update on what’s happening in Olympia.
For the past week, lawmakers have been debating bills all day and night and passing them off the House floor. The deadline to move our bills has now passed, so now we’re turning to consideration of proposed Senate bills referred to our respective committees. This a good time to remind you that you can provide comment and testify on bills that most interest you. Your testimony means a lot to us, and we take it very seriously, so I highly encourage you to do so in whatever manner is easiest for you.
Here are a few bills that passed off the House Floor recently:
House Bill 1596 – Holding Drivers Accountable with Speed-Limiting Devices
Washington is facing a disturbing rise in fatal speeding-related crashes. Between 2019 and 2023, fatal crashes involving a speeding driver increased by nearly 40%. In 2023 alone, excessive speed was a factor in 251 deaths. From 2019 to 2024, the number of tickets issued for driving more than 50 mph over the speed limit skyrocketed by 200%, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
For many families, these numbers are more than statistics—they are painful, permanent losses. Andrea Smith Hudson, for whom the bill is named, was a devoted mother, daughter, and sister who was tragically killed last March while picking up her children and others from their homeschool co-op, when a driver recklessly speeding through town struck their vehicle. Andrea and three of the young children did not survive.
Everyone should be able to go to work or school without fear of being struck by a speeding driver. Sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-University Place), the bill allows people with suspended licenses due to repeated violations where speeding is an element to apply for a restricted license that would allow them to drive only to essential destinations like work or medical appointments—but only if they install an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) device in their vehicle. This technology, also called a speed limiter, uses GPS tracking to prevent vehicles from excessive speed. This bill is a critical step toward curbing reckless, dangerous, and fatal driving behaviors.
House Bill 1757 – Increasing Housing Supply by Converting Existing Commercial Buildings
Washington is in a housing crisis. There are simply not enough housing units to meet the demands of our growing population. The Legislature has been taking steps to increase the housing supply in the market. Sponsored by Rep. Amy Walen, (D-Kirkland), HB 1757 would allow existing commercial properties to be converted into housing in residential zones. Not only will this policy create more walkable and livable areas, but it’s also a way to quickly start meeting the housing demands of our state.
House Bill 1353 – Increasing Housing Supply with ADUs
Another innovative approach to help address the housing crisis is House Bill 1353. Sponsored by Rep. Ramel (D-Bellingham), the bill reduces red tape in the permitting process to build construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). It would create a voluntary self-certification program, allowing registered architects to certify compliance with building codes for detached ADUs, which will reduce costs and ease the burden on local permitting offices.
House Bill 1562 – Baby Changing Stations
If you’ve ever been out and about with an infant, then you know how difficult it is to find a safe, clean space to change a diaper. Sponsored by Rep. Victoria Hunt (D-Issaquah), House Bill 1562 will require public buildings with restrooms to install baby changing stations.
This is a practical measure that will help make our public spaces more accessible and family-friendly, supporting moms, dads, grandparents, or whoever is caring for the youngest people in our communities.
House Bill 1174 – Increasing Access to Court Interpreters
Court proceedings can be confusing and intimidating for many, but are even more so for Washington residents who have limited fluency in English. Sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), House Bill 1174 strengthens court interpreter credentialing, clarifies the process for obtaining an interpreter, and limits when a person with limited English proficiency is responsible for paying the interpreter. Instead, this legislation requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to cover the cost in such cases. This is a small step forward in making our legal system more equitable.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
While we’re busy passing laws make Washington work for working families, we are also taking a moment to celebrate and honor the trailblazing women who have shaped history and continue to break barriers. In Washington, more women than ever before are serving in the House of Representatives, and more than half of the House Democratic Caucus are women. Our caucus is featuring many of my colleagues this month in honor of Women’s History Month. You can see it all online.
Follow the Washington House Democrats on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to learn more about powerful women in Washington state history, and hear from the strong women in our caucus today.
That’s all for now. I look forward to sharing the next legislative update soon.
All best wishes,
Rep. Roger Goodman