OLYMPIA—As the last day of session, sine die, rapidly approaches, four bills introduced by Representative Adison Richards (D-Gig Harbor) are still alive and on the path to becoming law.
“The focus for me is to help working families struggling to make ends meet and help make our government more efficient and effective,” Richards said. “We have to do all we can to support our workers, protect jobs, and reign in costs.”
Injured workers and workers compensation (House Bill 1788)— Many blue-collar workers at places like the Bremerton Shipyard who get injured on the job are single parents. Existing law compensates two parent households better, and this bill ensures injured workers receive the same compensation rate regardless of their family structure. HB 1788 passed the Senate by a vote of 36 to 12 and has been delivered to the Governor.
Dairy inspections (House Bill 1553)— The Department of Agriculture relies on collaboration with producers to ensure dairy inspection assessments are performed correctly. HB 1553 extends the dairy inspection program through June, 2031, to make sure that the dairy products we export from dairy operations like those in Port Orchard are safe, and those jobs are protected.
This bill was signed into law by the Governor on April 11 and takes effect on June 30, 2025.
Core priorities (House Bill 2047)— The uncertainty coming from the federal government has led the legislature to focus on its core priorities. This bill eliminates the Employee Ownership Program to concentrate the legislature’s efforts on priorities like education, health care, and safety.
“We need to rein in spending and batten down the hatches to prepare for federal cuts to things like Medicaid, early learning, and higher education, while addressing our own spending,” Richards said.
HB 2047 has been scheduled for an executive session in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on April 25.
Permit reform (House Bill 1902)— Across the state, hundreds of intersections and portions of roadways are prone to car accidents, including on the Key Peninsula, yet the complicated regulatory process stalls long-term solutions. This bill addresses constituent priorities by bringing together stakeholders to develop recommendations to smooth the permitting process for transportation projects.
HB 1902 unanimously passed the Senate by a vote of 49 to 0 and the House 94-1.
“Excessive regulatory burdens, particularly in permitting transportation projects, contribute to delays and cost overruns that we have to address,” Richards said, “especially to build projects faster and more efficiently.”