Friends and neighbors,
We’ve hit the second deadline of the 2025 legislative session – house of origin fiscal cutoff. This means that legislation must have advanced out of both policy and fiscal committees to be viable. Fortunately, I have five important bills that are still alive.
Improving our youth corrections system
We’re addressing a problem in our youth corrections system. Currently, any minor fight between two or more juvenile offenders can result in a charge of a “Prison Riot” offense. A conviction of this charge can lead to many extra years of imprisonment as an adult, even for minor tussles. This only serves to increase recidivism. House Bill 1815 removes this charge specifically for facilities operated by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. This bill awaits a vote on the House floor after passing out of the Early Learning and Human Services Committee with nearly unanimous support.
Making justice more accessible for everyone
I also have a bill that is still making Its way through the process that will help make justice more accessible to everyone. House Bill 1174 strengthens court interpreter credentialing, clarifies the process for obtaining an interpreter, and limits when a person with limited English proficiency is responsible for paying the interpreter. Instead, this legislation requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to cover the cost in such cases.
The legal system can’t be just without the ability to understand the proceedings. Your income should not prevent you from accessing justice.
Creating a fair housing market and addressing homelessness
As chair of the Housing Committee, I know that we are pursuing a wide range of policies, like rent stabilization, that will help us make the housing market fairer to working families. I have two such bills.
House Bill 1195 ensures local governments comply with state law around the siting of permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and emergency housing and shelters. While we work to solve the underlying problems that are causing the housing and homelessness crisis, we can’t continue to throw obstacles in the path of the very housing facilities that help us shelter those who are experiencing homelessness.
House Bill 1552 will help us better understand the challenges in the housing market. This legislation increases the real estate broker and managing broker license from $10 to $20. The revenue from this fee increase will help fund the Washington Center for Real Estate Research.
Both of these bills await a vote on the House floor.
Strengthening the state’s drug take back program
Over the course of my legislative tenure, I have constantly worked to expand and improve the state’s drug take-back program. This important program helps keep prescription drugs out of the toilet, the trash, and out of the hands of kids and people experiencing substance use disorder.
This year I introduced House Bill 1422, which makes the program more efficient so it can reach more people. This bill also provides stronger enforcement tools to the Department of Health and strengthens reporting procedures. It also awaits a vote on the house floor.
We have a lot of work to do this session, including addressing our significant budget challenges. I will keep working to fight for a solution to the housing and homelessness crisis, and funding that reflects the needs of the communities of our district.
Thank you,
Rep. Strom Peterson