In the News

Below are links to some news stories about legislation I am working on for the 28th District:

2025:

• The News Tribune, Olympian: Washington’s only Army museum is at risk of closure. Now the ‘battle is on’ to save it
• King 5: Volunteers try to stop Lewis Army Museum from being shut down
• The Washington State Standard: Battle begins to keep an Army museum open in Washington
• EcoNews: Smart fines begin soon — One state starts ISA installation this summer
• Coaches Database: One state approves mandatory speed limiter ― It will cost you $29 per month
• Tri-City Herald: Don’t lock dogs in the car in WA. It’s illegal to rescue locked up dogs — for now
• Axios: Speed-limiting tech coming for high-risk drivers in Washington
• The Mirror: New driving regulations in one state will see use of in-vehicle technology to limit speed
• Coaches Database: Soon for citizens in this state — Speed limit control device will be mandatory
• Lynwood Times: WA still leads nation in retail theft but Organized Task Force here to stay, for now
• The Olympian: New WA law requires speed-restricting tech for reckless drivers ‘to save lives’
• Police1: Wash. to require speed-limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers
• Governing: Washington Requires Speed-Limiting Devices for Reckless Drivers
• Big Country News: Gov. Ferguson signs law requiring speed-limiting device for frequent offenders
• The Spokesman-Review: Ferguson signs bill to require speed-limiting devices for habitual speeders in Washington
• MyNorthwest: Ferguson signs bill to crack down on speeding drivers
• KXLY: Governor signs bill into law requiring speed limiting devices for habitual speeders
• Everett Post: Gov. Ferguson signs law requiring speed-limiting device for frequent offenders
• KOMO: New Washington law mandates speed-limiting devices for reckless drivers
  • Extended interview
• The Washington State Standard: Washington to rein in fast drivers with speed limiters
• Center Square: Gov. Ferguson signs law requiring speed-limiting device for frequent offenders
• KOMO: New Washington law mandates speed-limiting devices for reckless drivers
• Fox 13: WA Gov. Ferguson to sign reckless speeding bill
• The Daily: Washington leaders condemn UW protest, local lawmaker voices support
• The Suburban Times: JBLM Garrison signs agreement to increase readiness, wildlife
• Associated Press: US states push for speed-limiting devices on the cars of dangerous drivers
• SourceOne: WA bill legalizing speed-limiting devices on the cars of dangerous drivers awaits governor’s signature
• Seattle Times: What the WA Legislature approved, and didn’t, that could affect drivers
• NBC News: US states push for speed-limiting devices on the cars of dangerous drivers
• King 5: How 20 bills Gov. Ferguson signed this week change Washington law
• The Chronicle: Washington state becomes twelfth state to restrict circus animal use
• King 5: This new law will protect people who break into cars to save babies or pets in Washington
• KAFE: New law protects good Samaritans who damage vehicles to rescue others
• The Suburban Times: Violet Taylor serves as Page for Rep. Mari Leavitt
• Seattle’s Morning News: Representative Mari Leavitt on the BEAM Act
• FOX 13: WA bill heads to Gov. Ferguson’s desk to crack down on reckless speeding
• KIRO 7: 19-year-old who killed 3 children, 1 adult in high-speed crash sentenced to 210 months
• The Seattle Times: Teen who killed 4 in Renton crash sentenced to prison
• Hoodline: Washington State Enacts Law for Pet-Inclusive Emergency Shelters, Bolstering Animal Welfare and Public Safety
• Suburban Times: Violet Taylor serves as Page for Rep. Mari Leavitt
• Hoodline: Rep. Leavitt’s BEAM Act to Prevent Speeding Tragedies Passes Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
• Suburban Times: Rep. Leavitt’s BEAM Act Passes Senate and House, Advances to Governor’s Office for Signature
• ASPCA: ASPCA Commends Washington Gov. Ferguson for Signing Bill to Keep Pets Safe During Natural Disasters
• Suburban Times: Governor, Legislature, and Representative Mari Leavitt Honor Curtis High School Volleyball and Water Polo Teams at the Capitol
• NBC RightNow: Washington to enhance monitoring of released sexual predators
• Suburban Times: Governor Signs Bipartisan Bills Championed by Rep. Mari Leavitt to Strengthen Public Safety and Expand Access to Health Care
• Pluribus: Speed limiter laws gain momentum in states
• The Seattle Times: WA Sen. Bill Ramos dies suddenly at 69
• Washington Observer: Saving kids and critters from deadly cars
• The Olympian: Bill closing Yakima Valley, Rainier schools moves ahead. ‘People will die,’ lawmaker says
• Families for Safe Streets: Washington State Senate Overwhelmingly Passes New Legislation to Combat Reckless Speeding and Save Lives
• Spokesman-Review: Washington Senate passes bill to require speed limiting devices for habitual speeders
• Seattle Times: McNeil Island bill signed by governor expands AG’s investigative power
• Fox 13: WA Senate passes bill on speed limiting devices for habitual speeders
• Carscoops: Caught Speeding Too Much? This State Might Let Your Car Enforce the Law
• The Urbanist: Op-Ed: Anti-Speeding Technology Could Have Saved My Son
• Seattle Times: At WA homes for sex crime rehabilitation, warnings go ignored
• Tacoma Ledger: UW marks three years of Hazing prevention
• MyNorthwest: Teen pleads guilty to vehicular homicide in 112 mph crash that killed three children and a mother
• KOMO: Anti-hazing advocates report majority of Washington colleges are failing to report hazing
• Suburban Times: Telephone Town Hall This Week, April 2
• NBC RightNow, Fox 28: Washington lawmakers push for speed limiters to curb unsafe driving habits
• Suburban Times: Rep. Leavitt Town Hall recap: top questions and concerns
• Tacoma Weekly: Leavitt bill focuses on violent predators
• The Olympian: Bill capping annual rent increases at 7% clears WA House: ‘We must give people stability’
• Suburban Times: Bill Strengthening Public Safety Measures for Sexually Violent Predators Advances to the Senate
• MyNorthwest: Washington House passes bill that could majorly redefine ‘excessive speeding’
• Seattle Times: WA bill makes it easier to find shelter for pets in a disaster (Opinion)
• EcoNews: Goodbye to speeding in this state’s highways: New mandatory device for cars
• Suburban Times: Rep. Mari Leavitt to Host Community Town Hall on March 15
• Lewiston Tribune: OPINION: WA bill aimed at repeat speeders could save lives
• Sourcing Journal: Washington State Takes on Organized Retail Crime With Harsher Sentencing Bill
• Seattle Times (Editorial Board): High-tech roadblock for repeat speeders could save lives
• King 5: Cracking down on organized retail theft: Lawmaker hopes to lengthen perpetrators’ prison sentences
• The News Tribune: Far too many Washingtonians are dying from excessive speeding. This bill could help | Opinion
• Suburban Times: Leavitt ferry reform bill improves maintenance
• Eco News: Goodbye to speeding in this state’s highways: New mandatory device for cars
• King 5: Grieving father pushes to change state law after deadly crash involving speeding driver
• Pluribus: Legislators eye car tech to slow down habitual speeders
• Suburban Times: Andrea Smith Hudson: Honoring a loving mother by forging change
• KHQ: Legislators hear bill to lengthen sentences for organized retail theft
• Car and Driver: On Speed Limiters in Washington State
• Apple Valley News: Washington legislation could put speed limiting devices on cars of habitual speeders
• RV Travel: Washington state considers extreme measures to slow down speeders
• Hoodline and TechStory: Washington State Targets Surge in Traffic Deaths with Speed-Limiting Tech for Habitual Speeders
• Road and Track: Washington State Bill Would Put Smart Speed-Limiting Devices in Speeders’ Cars
• Tarmac Life: Washington Drivers May Face GPS-Based Speed-Limiting Devices
• Fox: Washington state lawmakers propose requiring speed-limiting devices in cars of drivers with speeding history
• Seattle Times: WA Legislature considers in-car speed limiters to help curb traffic deaths
• KIRO: Speed demons on a leash: Bill would require limiter device for reckless drivers
• Suburban Times: Rep. Leavitt celebrating students and talent of 28th
  
• KIRO: Protest, but play nice: Washington weighs new rules on student aid, campus demos
• Seattle Times: WA bill would limit cellphone use in schools
• TVW Legislative Review: Overview of HB 1136

2024 and older:

• The News Tribune: Kids with disabilities soon will have fun at ‘inclusive playground’ in Pierce County
• KING 5: Sidewalks are finally coming to Bethel School District’s dark, dangerous roads
• Washington State Standard: As campaigning revs up, WA laws aim to detect cyber attacks and protect election workers
• The Suburban Times: Leavitt bill to help the vulnerable during extreme weather signed into law
• The Suburban Times: Governor signs Leavitt bill – the Lucas Petty Act – to protect students from opioids and fentanyl
• Seattle Times: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes
• ABC: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes
• Associated Press: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes
• Columbian: Washington Gov. Inslee signs fentanyl bill sending money to disproportionately affected tribes
• BNN: Washington State Legislature Passes Bills Boosting Support for Veterans and Military Families
• The Suburban Times: Leavitt bills to support military families and veterans headed to the Governor’s desk
• The News Tribune: Opioid prevention, new gun laws among bills passed 
• KHQ: Harassing election workers set to become a felony in Washington
• Tacoma Weekly: Legislature passes bills to support military families, veterans
• The 74: Bill Requiring WA Schools to Carry Overdose Reversal Medication Heads to Inslee
• Washington State Standard: Bill requiring WA schools to carry overdose reversal medication heads to Inslee
• KING5: ‘Lucas Petty Act’ would add opioid, fentanyl awareness to health education courses
• BNN: Rep. Mari Leavitt Champions Public Safety and Anti-Fentanyl Legislation as Session Nears End
• The Suburban Times: Legislative Update: A Focus on Community & Public Safety
• University of Washington: Session News: UW Regents thank lawmakers for continued support of the UW
• Washington Post: Washington lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers
• Lynwood Times: Snohomish County Auditor praises advance of election worker protection bill
• MLT News: State lawmakers show bipartisan support for fight against fentanyl
• KOMO: Washington lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers
• Seattle Times: WA lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers
• Associated Press: Washington lawmakers advance bill making it a felony to threaten election workers
• The Lion: Bill mandating fentanyl education for students passes Washington state House
• The Spectator: New House Bill Seeks to Transform Education on Fentanyl
• KHQ: Bill relaxing zoning requirements for small businesses before Washington Senate
• FOX28: Bill relaxing zoning requirements for small businesses before Washington Senate
• KUOW: Curriculum about fentanyl, other opioids could come to WA junior high classrooms
• KUOW: Week in Review: crime prevention, fentanyl, and kids
• Seattle Times: WA House passes fentanyl education bill
• The News-Tribune: My constituent lost a son to fentanyl. WA can solve this crisis — if we act fast
• KIRO: ‘Worst drug threat I’ve seen’: Washington’s teen fentanyl overdoses double rate of U.S. average
• The News-Tribune: New session, new bills. Here’s some of what WA lawmakers are proposing in 2024
• The Spokesman: Tougher punishment for harassing election workers passes the House twice, now confronts the Senate
• The Chronicle: Other Views: Bill requiring fentanyl education in Washington schools deserves bipartisan support
• Seattle Times: Bill requiring fentanyl education in WA schools deserves bipartisan support
• Washington State Standard: For second time, Washington House backs tougher penalties for threatening election workers
• TVW: Testimony on HB 1241: Opioid and fentanyl prevention education in public schools
• Bellingham Herald: New session, new bills. Here’s some of what WA lawmakers are proposing in 2024
• The Suburban Times: Join Reps. Leavitt and Bronoske for events in December & January
  
• KUOW: Election mail threats across the PNW prompt new look at protections heading into 2024
• The Suburban Times: A Day to Honor Our Veterans
• KING5: Envelope that led to King County Elections office evacuation had traces of fentanyl in it
• KING5: Snohomish County finds suspicious mail similar to items found at 4 other Washington election officers
• US Times Post: Snohomish County finds suspicious mail similar to items found at 4 other Washington election officers
• KING5: Suspicious envelopes stop ballot counts
• The News Tribune: Should WA police be able to pursue stolen vehicles? 16 Pierce County mayors think so
• The Suburban Times: Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony Planned for Nov. 11
  
• Stateline: It’s hazing season on college campuses. State safeguards are uneven
• Spokesman Review: New Washington state laws take effect in July. Here are a few:
• City of Lakewood: Transforming Fort Steilacoom Park
• Tacoma News Tribune: New improvements coming to Lakewood Fort Steilacoom Park’s baseball diamond next month
• KIRO7: Sen. Cantwell visits Seattle to discuss area’s fentanyl crisis
• Olympian: New Washington state laws go into effect Sunday. Here are some of the key ones
• KING5: Family of WSU hazing victim working with UW students on national database to track incidents
• Tacoma Weekly: Korean Community Marks Key Anniversaries
• Tacoma Weekly: Teen Late Night Program Launched For Summer
• The Seattle Times: New law, inspired by WSU student’s death, stiffens penalties for hazing
• Big Country News:Gov. Inslee signs anti-hazing bill named after Sam Martinez into law
• KING5: Washington is 15th state to make hazing a felony under new law
• KING5: Gov. Inslee expected to sign “Sam’s Law” anti-hazing bill
• KREM2: ‘It’s bittersweet,’ Inslee to sign WA’s new hazing law Monday
• The Chronicle: Bill Addressing Overdoses by Banning Private Use of Pill Presses Signed Into Law
• The Chronicle: Robocall Protection Bill Signed Into Law After Passing Washington Legislature
• Spokesman Review: EWU gets broader authority for doctorate degrees
• KIRO7: Gov. Inslee signs bill targeting illegal robocalls in Washington
• My Northwest: New law aims to protect people from phone scams, robocalls
• KOMO: Inslee signs bill aimed to crack down on illegal pill press operations
• Cascadia Daily News: Legislature passes several bills to support higher education
• Olympian: WA governor has signed nearly 100 bills into law so far. Here are some of the key ones
• U.S. Attorney Office: Fentanyl Pill Press Operator Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison
• Yahoo News: Inslee signs “Tyler’s Law” prohibiting pill presses
• KIT Newstalk: Illegal Robocalls Get The Boot From WA State Lawmakers
• KING 5: Gov. Jay Inslee signs bill targeting fentanyl ‘pill press’ use
• FOX Q13: War on Fentanyl: Bill to make ownership of pill presses illegal in Washington heads to Governor’s desk
• News Tribune: Lawmakers have until Wednesday to pass bills from the other chamber. Here’s some of what’s passed
• WA Office of the Attorney General: AG Ferguson, Rep. Leavitt bill providing accountability for illegal robocalls passes legislature
• Geekwire: Washington state lawmakers unanimously approve law to limit robocalls, hold telecoms accountable
• Seattle Times: WA lawmakers crack down on robocalls
• KING5: Washington state lawmakers pass bill strengthening protections against robocalls, phone scams
• KIRO:  Legislation seeks to make robocalls illegal in Washington
• KLXY: WA Senate passes bill to create more penalties for hazing
• Yahoo News: 35th District State Lawmaker Voices Support for Bill Addressing Fake Pills
• Capital Ideas Podcast: Supporting Military Spouses, Mitigating Climate Change Impacts, and Pushing Back Against Fentanyl
• The Center Square: ‘Industrious monsters’: Washington bill targets fentanyl pill production
• Columbia Basin Herald: Bill targets use of pill presses to make counterfeit drugs
• Spokesman Review: ‘Culture of secrecy’: Bill to increase hazing penalty moves closer to final passage
• Big Country News: Wellness phone app now available for Washington state law enforcement
• KING5: Bill to strengthen hazing laws gets support, scrutiny during Senate hearing
• KING5: Hazing was the ‘breaking point’ for WSU freshman who died by suicide, parents say
• KING5: Bill to strengthen hazing laws gets support, scrutiny during Senate hearing
• KNDO NBC: Bill to crack down on robocalls passes in Washington state House
• The Seattle Times: Pass anti-hazing legislation to help save students’ lives
• The Seattle Times: Increase the penalties for hazing and end the culture that took my son’s life
• The Daily Evergreen: Increase in legal penalties for hazing reaches second bid
• The Suburban Times: Legislation on illegal robocalls passes House Consumer Protection & Business Committee
• The Suburban Times: Harrison Preparatory Student Completes House Page Program
• KXLY: Heartbroken parents plea for more severe penalties for hazing
• KING5: House committee debates bill that would increase penalty for hazing
• KIRO7: Parents of student who died in hazing incident testify in hearing for new bill
• KING5: Washington House bill to increase penalty for hazing under debate
• Spokesman Review: Anti-hazing bill ‘Sam’s Law’ appears in the Washington House for the second year