Dear friends, neighbors, and community members,
These first few weeks of the 2026 legislative session have been full of energy, grounded in our shared values of protecting families, building generational wealth, and holding systems accountable so EVERY person in our state can thrive.
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In Black History Month & All Year Round: Advancing Equity and Opportunity
As Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus (LBC), I am proud to lead our efforts to advance policies that protect children and youth, build generational wealth, and ensure accountability and community power across Washington. Our work reflects the voices of the communities we represent and centers solutions led by Black Washingtonians.
This session, the LBC is focused on several key pieces of legislation:
HB 2355: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights This bill establishes clear labor protections for domestic workers (nannies, caregivers, house cleaners, and more) ensuring fair pay, hours, and working conditions. Domestic workers are essential to families and communities, yet they often lack basic labor protections. HB 2355 is about fairness, dignity, and economic stability for those who care for our families.
HB 2389: Juvenile Rehabilitation Reform This bill reforms how we support young people in the juvenile justice system, prioritizing rehabilitation, community-based programs, and individualized care over punitive confinement. It is a critical step toward disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and giving every youth a path to success.
HB 2523: Community Reinvestment Program Codification, Accountability, and Sustainability The CRP invests in communities disproportionately harmed by systemic disinvestment and the war on drugs. Codifying and strengthening this program ensures long-term, transparent, and sustainable funding for workforce development, reentry programs, small business support, and community-led solutions.
Together, these bills reflect the LBC’s core priorities:
- Protecting Black children and youth through non-punitive, culturally sustaining systems.
- Stability, ownership, and generational wealth through housing, healthcare, labor protections, and economic investment.
- Accountability, equity, and community power by creating durable policy, transparent metrics, and power-shifting toward Black-led solutions.
I am honored to chair the LBC and fight alongside my colleagues to make these priorities a reality for our communities.
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🌾 Agriculture & Food Security
As Chair of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, I’m proud to lead bipartisan efforts to strengthen our food system and build food security for all Washingtonians. This includes:
- A Statewide Food Security Strategy to align agencies and improve data‑driven solutions.
- Supporting local farmers and hunger relief partnerships.
- Increasing access to Washington‑grown foods in schools.
We’re fighting for food security for everyone in Washington.
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⭐ Community at the Capitol
I was honored to bring a local celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy to Olympia, inviting Pastor Bowman and others from our district to join us.
Every year, as we begin the session, we also honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His legacy reminds us that progress is made when we listen deeply, act courageously, and work together toward justice and dignity for all. That spirit of service and community-centered leadership continues to guide my work this session.
Click here to watch Pastor Bowman sing the national anthem!
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Thank you for staying engaged. Your insights and stories help shape the work we do in Olympia. My door is always open, and I welcome your thoughts and feedback as the session progresses.
In partnership,
Rep. Kristine Reeves