Dear friends and neighbors,
March 8th marked the House of Origin Cutoff in Olympia, which means we’ve crossed the deadline for most bills to pass either the House or the Senate. The House has passed over 300 bills off the House floor, with nearly two-thirds receiving unanimous support and over seventy six percent receiving strong bipartisan support.
In this issue, I’ll provide an update on bills that I’ve sponsored that passed cutoff and highlight some other important legislation for our community that has also passed the House.
Legislative Update
I’m excited to share that I’ve gotten the following bills out of the House:
House Bill 1390 will require state campus district energy systems to develop a decarbonization plan. It also will provide privately owned district energy systems a chance to opt-in if they improve the efficiency of their energy generation and distribution. These upgrades would provide job opportunities in the energy sector and apply to the state capitol campus, universities, and correctional facilities.
House Bill 1391 creates a simplified process for homeowners, renters and small businesses to access cost effective ways to improve a buildings energy efficiency by creating a Statewide Building Energy Upgrade Navigator Program. Heat pumps, distributed renewable energy, smart grid appliances and good old insulation are all ready to be deployed at scale. In the coming year, we anticipate huge federal investment in the form of grants and tax credits. We know how to meet out climate goals for our buildings. Now, it’s a matter of making it as easy as possible to do.
House Bill 1052 – This is another piece of the puzzle in San Juan County’s work to address the housing crisis. Washington currently allows qualifying non-profit housing providers to benefit from a property tax exemption. That qualification depends on providers being part of a limited list of funding sources. That list has 5 qualifying sources on it – this bill will add a 6th that specifically focuses on San Juan County’s unique affordable housing REET.
Legislation to Keep An Eye On
We’ve advanced an inspirational package of legislation addressing housing, gun violence, and turning the tide on the climate crisis. Some highlights include:
House Bill 1110 – Expanding our state’s middle housing supply by allowing more diverse housing options in residential neighborhoods. We are working toward a shared vision that addresses our housing crisis by expanding our housing supply, stabilizing costs for families, and providing support for affordable housing & first-time homebuyers.
House Bill 1329 – Preventing utilities or landlords from shutting off utilities during extreme heat events is common sense. As climate change increases the frequency of these events, we should not be taking away a vital lifeline just because someone missed paying a utility bill.
House Bill 1240 – After the tragic shooting of elementary aged children in Uvalde, I stood on the steps in front of Bellingham City Hall and told hundreds of people that it was time to pass an assault weapon ban in Washington. This week the House passed it, and I’m proud to have co-sponsored this bill every year it’s been introduced. For more thoughts on this meaningful piece of legislation, click here or on the image below.
House Bill 1143 – Background checks, a 10-day waiting period, and safety training every 5 years are data-informed policies that reduce gun violence. As our community grapples with an unprecedented gun violence epidemic, this bill will help save lives.
House Bill 1057 – Washington is fortunate to have some of the best teachers and public service employees in the country. This bill would provide a one-time, 3% increase to retirement benefits of PERS/TERS beneficiaries, of up to $110 per month.
Townhall Next Saturday!
Next Saturday, March 18th from 11 am – 12 pm, Sen. Liz Lovelett, Rep. Debra Lekanoff, and I will share our legislative priorities and answer your questions on the issues important to you. If you’re unable to join us, please submit questions ahead of time by scanning the QR code or clicking here. We hope to see you there!
It’s an honor to represent the 40th Legislative District. I look forward to hearing your continued advocacy, feedback, and engagement throughout the 2023 Legislative Session.
In service,
Rep. Alex Ramel
State Representative