2025 Legislative Session Highlights
Dear neighbors,
The 2025 session has not officially wrapped and are just days away. In the meanwhile, I am thrilled to spotlight several bills I sponsored or supported that passed major milestones in the legislative process. These bills reflect our shared values of service and strength of our community. Here’s a quick look at some of the outstanding bills, and the progress we accomplished together:
Expanding Access to Affordable Housing
HB 1075 – Gives public housing authorities more flexibility to finance affordable housing projects by removing outdated rent restrictions. This helps bring more housing online faster in high-need areas like ours.
New Law Supports Safer, More Reliable County Ferries
HB 1054 – Gives counties the ability to secure longer-term contracts (up to 10 years) for ferry maintenance and repairs. This change helps counties like Pierce plan, avoid costly delays, and keep essential ferry service running for island communities like Anderson Island.
Support for Families Accessing Special Education
SB 5263 – Lifts the cap for special education thereby increasing essential education services and access to necessary tools for families and youth needing special education services and supporting the staff doing this work in school districts.
Expanding Access to Students Experiencing Homeless Program
HB 1316 – I worked during several past sessions to develop a successful housing support program to retain postsecondary students to completion for foster care and homeless students. I’m proud that an element of my bill to allow access for students at the only Tribal College has passed the legislature and will serve our Native population that fit those categories.
Ensuring Access to Education for Justice Involved Youth
HB 1827 – Ensuring our justice involved youth have access to education is a paramount duty. The delivery of those services makes a significant difference in the youth’s ability to succeed. Administration of these programs must be delivered in a manner to increase educational outcomes of these students and it’s important to create administrative efficiency to ensure that happens.
Protecting Vulnerable People and Pets
This past week many across our State celebrated National Pet Day. In that vein, I’m excited to share the strides we’ve made for animal welfare in our state this year. In 2023, I sponsored HB 1157 to prohibit the use of wild and exotic animals for public entertainment—an effort aimed at ending the exploitation of creatures like elephants, bears, and reptiles in circuses and traveling shows. I’m thrilled the companion has moved forward and sets an important conversation in motion about our responsibilities to these animals. The companion has passed and is with the Governor for signature.
HB 1046 — Offers legal protection for Good Samaritans who break into a vehicle to rescue a child, vulnerable adult, or pet in danger. Doing the right thing shouldn’t come with a penalty. This bill is on the way to the Governor’s Office.
With HB 1046, which provides civil immunity to anyone who acts in good faith to rescue vulnerable people or domestic animals—such as pets left in dangerously hot vehicles, and HB 1201, awaiting signature by the Governor, I’m working to ensure that during disasters or extreme weather events, emergency shelters will accommodate companion animals so families don’t have to choose between their safety and their pets’ well-being.
I am passionate about protecting both people and animals in Washington State, and I remain dedicated to advancing policies that nurture the ethical treatment of all creatures.
Celebrating Excellence: Curtis High School State Champions
On April 16, we welcomed the Curtis High School girls’ volleyball and boys’ water polo teams to the state Capitol to celebrate their outstanding seasons and recognize their dedication, teamwork, and success. Both teams were honored by the Legislature during floor action, following the adoption of resolutions celebrating their matching 2024 state titles. Both resolutions were signed by Governor Ferguson in a ceremony honoring the teams’ accomplishments:
These student-athletes have demonstrated incredible talent, perseverance, and leadership. It was a privilege to honor their accomplishments with formal House resolutions and to recognize the strong support system behind them—from their families and coaches to their school leadership and community.
Special thanks to Curtis High School Principal Tom Adams and University Place School District Superintendent Jeff Chamberlin for their commitment to student success.
Guarding the Guidon
I was incredibly honored to be asked to be presented with the Guidon of the 252nd Cyberspace Operations unit at the Mobilization Ceremony at Camp Murray recently. The Guidon stands tall at the Capitol as a reminder of the unit that has been called up for their six-month mission to protect the homeland. We are proud to remember their service and their families each and every day.
April is the Month of the Military Child 
As a proud military child myself, I know firsthand what it means to grow up navigating deployments, school changes, and new communities. It’s not always easy—but it shapes strong, compassionate, and adaptable young people.
That’s why I’ve worked hard in the Legislature to support military families and ensure their children have access to the education, stability, and resources they deserve. From expanding school supports to creating more opportunities for military-connected youth, to addressing food insecurity in their families, I’ll always be an advocate for those who serve—and those who serve alongside them.
To all our military kids: we see you, we value you, and we’re working every day to make Washington a place where you can thrive.
📅 What’s Next
As we approach Sine Die on April 27, the Legislature is entering the final stretch of the 2025 session. The upcoming week will be focused on finalizing the state’s operating, capital, and transportation budgets, reconciling differences between House and Senate bills, and sending key legislation to the Governor’s desk.
After session ends, I’ll be back in our district reconnecting with constituents, visiting community partners, and continuing the work to turn legislative wins into real-world results for our neighbors.
📩 Have a question or concern? Reach out anytime at Mari.Leavitt@leg.wa.gov
📱 Follow along on [Facebook] for updates from the 28th District!
Thank you again for the honor of representing you!
Warmly,
Rep. Mari Leavitt
28th Legislative District