Happy Fantastic Friday!
We have reached the final week of the legislative session, but we are still hard at work in the state Capitol. Here is what we have been up to this week.
First sponsored bills signed into law
This week was a big one with my first two sponsored bills signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee.
House Bill 1485 (pictured above) makes religious faith practice more inclusive for people in state custody. It changes the employee title of “chaplain” to “religious coordinator,” in state agencies, including the Dept. of Corrections, Dept. of Children, Youth and Families and Dept. of Social and Health Service. Read more here.
House Bill 1849 (pictured below) simplifies lease terms for first-class unplatted tidelands and shorelands managed by the Dept. of Natural Resources. Current law limits leasing of first-class unplatted tidelands to 10 years, with the option to renew for terms of five years. The legislation would expand the maximum length of these lands to 55 years. Read more here.
Protecting the salmon and water of the Skagit River
Earlier this session, it was brought to my attention that logging and mining operations by Canadian companies were creating pollution in our shared Skagit River watershed, so I introduced House Joint Memorial 4013. The flow of pollutants in the Skagit River does not stop at our borders. The Skagit River is the only major river in Puget Sound that contains all six types of wild salmon, which are vital to the recovery of our killer whales. |
Missing and murdered indigenous women
Governor Inslee signed a bill this week that continues the Legislature’s work to address the ongoing crisis of Native American people, primarily women and girls, who have been murdered or have gone missing from our reservations without a trace.
I thank bill sponsor Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, for her leadership in addressing this crisis, and I raise my hands to the tribes of Washington for acknowledging how important it is to protect all of our women and girls.
Learn about this historic moment in this week’s video update, or read more here.
Appointment to the Council of State Governments’ National Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
Last week, I had the honor of being appointed by my colleague, Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, to the Council of State Governments’ (CSG) National Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
Comprised of members from all three branches of state-level government, this bipartisan committee’s mission is to conduct relations between states and the federal government. This includes interpreting how federal policy changes may impact states.
It is an honor to serve on this committee, and I look forward to representing the needs of Washington state.
Thank you all for taking to the time to read this week’s Fantastic Friday, and for taking an interest in our progress at the House of Representatives.
Please feel free to reach out to me using the information below, with any questions, inquiries, or concerns you may have.
I am here for you!
All best wishes,
Rep. Debra Lekanoff