Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2025 legislative session is well underway, and I want to update you on an important piece of legislation I’ve sponsored that recently passed out of the House Community Safety Committee, where I serve as Chair. This bill intends to increase trust and transparency between law enforcement in Washington and the communities they serve.
House Bill 1399 will require police chiefs and sheriffs to be subject to the same training and certifications as the men and women that work for them. The bill also requires that sheriffs enforce our state laws as interpreted by Washington’s Supreme Court, and it clarifies that only those who are trained and certified as peace officers can engage in law enforcement actions such as detention and arrest, wielding weapons and using force against people.
I talk about this important bill more in my latest video update below.
Protecting Our Kids from Deadly Poison Sold Online
I want to highlight an important bill making its way through the legislative process. It’s sponsored by my colleague, Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma). HB 1209, now being called Tyler’s Law, will help keep our kids safe from a deadly poison that’s currently readily accessible online called sodium nitrite.
Sodium nitrite is an inorganic, odorless, yellowish-white chemical compound that is fatal if consumed even in small concentrations. Multiple suicides by this substance have been confirmed across the nation.
Sodium nitrite has no household uses, and its main industrial use is to cure meats, yet anyone can purchase it online. Several other states have passed legislation to address this issue and it’s time for Washington to follow suit. I am supporting House Bill 1209 to regulate the sale of sodium nitrite. The bill recently passed off the House Floor and is now headed to the Senate for consideration.
Click here to watch Rep. Mena testify about this bill and immediately after, the heartbreaking story from a mother who lost her teenage son to suicide by sodium nitrite, which he had purchased online. You can also read or watch this report on KING5 TV.
Preparing for the FIFA World Cup!
Washington is one of the states that will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026!
This global event is a golden opportunity to showcase our state. We want to be prepared and have a working knowledge of how this major event could benefit our state’s tourism and international trade sectors. Currently, the Legislature is reviewing proposals to refresh the Washington Tourism Marketing Account (WTMA) and addressing public safety concerns.
Supporting international trade and tourism not only strengthens our economy but also highlights the incredible diversity and talent within Washington. I’m looking forward to showcasing our great state to the whole world next year.
As always, please reach out if you have questions, comments, or ideas, and keep an eye out for another legislative update from me soon!
All best wishes,
Rep. Roger Goodman