Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we wrap up week three of the 2026 Legislative Session, I am working with the House budget team to build a supplemental operating budget that protects essential services that provide food, shelter, and access to health care, despite the challenging budget situation in our state. Federal policy changes impact our food assistance and Medicaid program and the impact on our economy from Trump’s tariffs has already put many core services Washingtonians rely on in jeopardy.
With the federal government no longer a credible, trusted partner, we must act. In Olympia, we are taking proactive measures, working with Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown on new legislation that protects Washingtonians. Let’s be clear: While we cannot keep ICE out of Washington state, we can pass laws that demand accountability and transparency. We will NOT accept violation of your constitutional rights and state sanctioned murder of U.S. residents. Some legislation we are considering includes:
- Requiring a valid court order in schools (SB 5906): This establishes specific limitations that ensures that access is limited to data and nonpublic areas in places like schools, early learning, health care, and election facilities.
- Banning federal agents from using face coverings (HB 2173/SB 5855): There is no accountability or transparency if ICE agents are able to mask who they are when on our streets. This would ban that practice.
- The Immigrant Worker Protection Act (HB 2105/SB 5852): Immigrant officials can verify employment eligibility, but this would require employers to notify their employees when that is happening, and ensures employers only share this data when they have an appropriate warrant or subpoena.
- Making impersonating a peace officer a misdemeanor (HB 2165/SB 5876): We have seen the danger of individuals impersonating law enforcement – this establishes the crime so that we can hold those individuals accountable.
- The ICE Out Act (HB 2641): ICE agents under Trump have had no real training and wouldn’t qualify for a Washington state peace officer. This ensures they are not hired because they simply do not meet the training standards that we set for our law enforcement.
- Regulating Flock Cameras (HB 2332/SB 6002): We have seen how Flock cameras, or Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems, can be misused by federal agents and out-of-state law enforcement, and this bill sets regulations in place to restrict their use and limit the sharing of data. They should be used for legitimate public safety reasons, not immigration enforcement or targeting of marginalized community members.
My focus on housing issues continues this legislative session. Everyone deserves stability and a home to call their own. Some of the most vulnerable community members are shut out of cities and towns across Washington state. We must do better. HB 2266 requires communities to ensure housing is built for those neighbors in need and includes streamlined permitting processes and consistent treatment regardless of the local jurisdiction so that we as a state can deliver state, dignified, and stable housing. This will mean more shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing across Washington.
Thank you for reading and sharing your insight into our work during this session. In these trying times, we must come together and fight for the world we want to live in. I am honored to stand with you.
Code Red: Blood supplies low!
The Washington State Department of Health sent out an alert last week that two regional blood banks in Washington have a severe shortage of blood, particularly Type O blood and platelets. They are asking the public to donate by Valentine’s Day to stabilize the blood supply. If you are able to donate, you can visit the DOH webpage for links to find your local blood bank.
Maintaining Access to Abortion Medications
I have worked hard to help protect abortion access and several years ago, the Legislature passed into law ways that the state can purchase and stockpile abortion medication, in lieu of potential interference at the federal level. In order to ensure we use the stockpile, I am co-sponsoring HB 2182 which allows this medication to be donated to health providers and health care entities. This removes the red tape and barriers that made it difficult to get this medication into the hands of those who need it.
Town Hall on February 21st
Join Senator Jamie Pedersen, Representative Shaun Scott and me at a 43rd District Town Hall on Saturday, February 21, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at Kerry Hall (710 E. Roy Street, Seattle, WA 98102) to learn more about key legislation and budget issues being considered during this 60-day legislative session.
