Press Releases

Ferguson Signs Rule Bill to Reduce Delays in Mental Health Crisis Treatment | April 21, 2025

OLYMPIA – Governor Ferguson has signed House Bill 1287 into law, a key step toward faster, more coordinated responses to mental health crises in Washington. Sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule… READ MORE

You’re Invited: 42nd LD Community Town Hall | March 6, 2025

OLYMPIA, WA – Community members are invited to join State Representatives Joe Timmons, Alicia Rule, and State Senator Sharon Shewmake for an in-person town hall on Saturday, March 15, at… READ MORE

Expanding Access to Affordable Maternity Care for Families | March 3, 2025

OLYMPIA – According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of childbirth is between $14,000 and $26,000. Today, the House of Representatives took a major step toward making maternity… READ MORE

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Protect Anesthesia Coverage | February 3, 2025

OLYMPIA – Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) and Rep. Michelle Caldier (R-Gig Harbor) have introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit insurance companies from capping reimbursement for anesthesiology costs. House Bill 1812 ensures… READ MORE

Election year restrictions and contacting my office. | May 2, 2024

Friends and neighbors, This will be my last email update until this fall. During election years, state ethics law requires certain restrictions on a legislator’s communications. This prevents the use… READ MORE

Rule sends bill to the governor’s desk | March 5, 2024

OLYMPIA—Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine, remembers the enormous toll Whatcom County communities faced in the aftermath of the fall 2021 floods in the Nooksack River Valley. While people in the affected… READ MORE

Rule bill about mutual aid concerning emergency services passes House unanimously | February 10, 2024

OLYMPIA—Devastating floods ravaged Whatcom County in the fall of 2021. The damage to roads, as well as the uprooting of families and businesses and the loss of life took an… READ MORE

Rule bill to keep our kids safe passes the House with strong bipartisan support | February 10, 2024

OLYMPIA— Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) has been protecting our most vulnerable since she’s been in the legislature—and that’s why Rule introduced House Bill 2224, which is about keeping our kids… READ MORE

MEDIA ADVISORY: Shewmake, Rule, & Timmons to Hold Town Hall on February 17 | February 8, 2024

Please join your lawmakers from the 42nd Legislative District for a town hall meeting from 1-2:30 PM on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Horizon Middle School in Ferndale. This is their… READ MORE

Legislative Update: Protecting Reproductive Rights, Protecting Public Education & Protecting Our Communities | January 16, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, This is week two of the 2024 Legislative Session and things are moving swiftly. Today, however, I want to focus on three core areas of my… READ MORE

Legislative Update: The 2024 Legislative Session Starts Next Week! | January 3, 2024

Dear friends and neighbors, I’m heading back to Olympia already, as Monday, Jan. 8, marks the start of the 2024 Legislative Session. This is a short session year lasting just… READ MORE

Rule’s bill extends a tax break to farmers and food processors / Proyecto de Rule extiende incentivo fiscal para agricultores y procesadores de alimentos | April 19, 2023

Ver más abajo para la versión en español OLYMPIA— Helping farmers and food producers is the theme of a bill sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) that is now headed… READ MORE

Rule bill to help kids in crisis now on the way to Inslee’s desk | April 13, 2023

OLYMPIA— Helping kids in crisis is the theme of a bill sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) that is now headed to the Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for his signature…. READ MORE

Bill extends a tax break to Washington’s dairy, fruit , vegetable and seafood processors | March 17, 2023

OLYMPIA—Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) is the granddaughter of a dairy farmer who lived in Sumas. Her father also delivered hay to farmers in Whatcom County. She knows the way of… READ MORE

Rule Passes Two Bills on to the Senate | March 8, 2023

OLYMPIA—Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) was elected to the Legislature in 2020 with a clear mission to represent the most vulnerable among us: our children, youth, and struggling young adults. In… READ MORE

Statement on HB 1363 | March 7, 2023

Earlier this Legislative Session, I alerted you of my intent to introduce a bill to change our state’s vehicular pursuits policy to address rising crime. I heard your concerns, and… READ MORE

MEDIA ADVISORY: Shewmake, Rule, & Timmons to Hold Town Hall on March 18 | March 6, 2023

Please join your lawmakers from the 42nd Legislative District for a town hall meeting at Ferndale High School on Saturday, March 18 from 1-2 p.m. This is their chance to… READ MORE

Legislative Update: News on My Bills to Support Our Youth, the Economy & More | February 21, 2023

Dear friends and neighbors, In Olympia, we are getting closer and closer to floor action in the House. Debates on bills on the House floor start on Monday, Feb. 27,… READ MORE

Rule is NCEL’s Washington State Lead | February 17, 2023

OLYMPIA—The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) has selected Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) as the 2023-2024 Washington State Lead. This position exemplifies a strong dedication to environmental policy in Washington… READ MORE

Rule Supports Bill for Youth Development Grants | February 13, 2023

OLYMPIA—Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) introduced HB 1386, a youth development bill, earlier this session. It passed out of committee last week and has been referred to the Appropriations Committee. The… READ MORE

Rehabilitation Should Always Be a Goal, But So is Saving Lives and Keeping Communities Safe | February 3, 2023

OLYMPIA – Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) has released the following statement on her sponsorship of HB 1613, an alternate proposal to address the Blake decision: “I have been a social… READ MORE

Rule Introduces Bill to Amend Vehicle Pursuit Policy | January 17, 2023

OLYMPIA—In 2021, the Washington Legislature passed a bill regulating police tactics and equipment. One of the provisions of the bill limited vehicle pursuits to instances where there is probable cause… READ MORE

Rule bills to support students signed by Governor | March 23, 2022

OLYMPIA – Today, Gov. Jay Inslee signed two bills by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) to help students succeed by getting more kids learning outside and supporting their physical and emotional… READ MORE

Capital budget invests in Whatcom County with funding for flood response, smelter and local projects | March 8, 2022

OLYMPIA – Today, the final capital budget proposal was voted off the House floor. This state construction budget makes major investments statewide and includes millions of dollars in investments for… READ MORE

One-time sales tax holiday bill by Paul and Rule passes House  | March 4, 2022

OLYMPIA— The state House of Representatives has passed a one-time holiday from sales tax for Washington shoppers. September is an especially difficult month for working families because of back-to-school costs…. READ MORE

Rule bill to expand outdoor education clears House | February 12, 2022

OLYMPIA – Today, legislation by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) to expand outdoor school programs passed the Washington state House of Representatives 92-6. HB 2078 directs the Office of the Superintendent… READ MORE

Rule bill to support youth mental and physical health clears House | February 10, 2022

Olympia – Today, the Washington state House of Representatives passed HB 1664 from Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine), to bring more counselors, nurses and social workers to schools. This bill was… READ MORE

Rule bill to support farmers after natural disasters passes House | February 9, 2022

OLYMPIA – The Washington House of Representatives advanced legislation by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) today to assist farmers and ranchers recovering from natural disasters. HB 2051 requires the Washington state… READ MORE

House passes Rule bill to help small businesses recover from natural disasters | February 2, 2022

Olympia – Today, the Washington House of Representatives passed HB 1957 by Rep. Alicia Rule (D—Blaine), which will create a program to quickly assist small businesses after a natural disaster…. READ MORE

House Passes Bills to Clarify Police Reform Laws | January 28, 2022

OLYMPIA – The Washington State House of Representatives passed a pair of bills Friday afternoon to clarify portions of the police reform package passed by the Legislature last year. HB… READ MORE

Paul and Rule introduce one-time sales tax holiday to ‘shop local and save’ | January 14, 2022

OLYMPIA—Whether your kids need back-to-school clothes or you need a new dishwasher, a proposed law would exempt such purchases from sales taxes for three days in September. “This is about helping our friends, neighbors, and… READ MORE

House Democrats Introduce Bills to Provide Clarity to Police Accountability Laws | January 10, 2022

OLYMPIA – House Democrats introduced a pair of bills last week to clarify portions of the historic police accountability package passed by the Legislature last year. Legislators passed a package… READ MORE

Rep. Rule Bill to Support Small Businesses Passes State House | February 12, 2021

OLYMPIA – In a unanimous vote today, the state House passed legislation from Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) to support small businesses by expanding the Main Street Program. Rule is a… READ MORE

MEDIA ADVISORY: Rule and Shewmake to Host Telephone Town Hall | February 5, 2021

WHO: Reps. Alicia Rule and Sharon Shewmake. They will also be joined by public health officials from the Whatcom County Health Department, Director Erika Lautenbach and Communicable Disease and Epidemiology… READ MORE

Rule urges state DOH to provide vaccine distribution information | January 15, 2021

OLYMPIA – Today, state Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) urged the state Department of Health to provide more information about when, how and where Whatcom County residents can access the COVID-19… READ MORE