Dear friends and neighbors,
As the month of March is underway, I remain committed to representing all communities in our district and making progress on the issues impacting your household the most. Your perspectives are invaluable, and I would greatly appreciate hearing where legislative support would be most beneficial. To that end, please consider joining me for an upcoming town hall with my colleagues, Senator Slatter and Representative Walen!
📍 Where: Together Center, 16305 NE 87th St., Suite 110, Redmond, WA 98052
📅 When: March 23, 2025, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
🔑 Accessibility & Translation Accommodations: If you require any accommodations for accessibility or translation services to participate, please contact us at least 72 hours in advance so we can ensure your needs are met.
I’m looking forward to seeing you in two weeks! In the meantime, below is an update on my work over the past few weeks of the legislative session.
Supporting Immigrant & Refugee Communities
Last week, I had the honor of standing with our immigrant and refugee communities, advocating for better language access, workforce development, and long-term support. From funding interpreter services to reforming outdated refugee policies, we have critical work ahead to ensure housing, education, and healthcare solutions reflect the lived experiences of those building new lives in Washington. This work is particularly significant to the 48th Legislative District, as we have a population that is over 43% immigrants.
With Ramadan having begun last Friday, I am further honored to join our Muslim neighbors in fasting for the next month, especially as the only Muslim lawmaker in the House of Representatives and sponsor of House Bill 1434, recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. This sacred month emphasizes charity, communal support, and recognizing the needs of underserved communities—values that also resonate deeply with the spirit of Holi, which we celebrated at the Capitol earlier this week. Holi, known as the festival of colors, symbolizes renewal, unity, and the triumph of good over evil.
As we observe these important traditions, we are reminded of the strength found in diversity and the shared commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate society. True diversity means meaningful action. It means putting people first. I am committed to making Washington a more inclusive and equitable place for all.
An Update on My Bills
March brings critical legislative deadlines, with bills needing to pass through their House of Origin (the chamber where they were introduced in) by March 12th to remain under consideration. Below are the bills I’m working on that are still “in play” as of this email. Some are companion bills, meaning similar or identical versions were introduced in both the House and the Senate to boost the likelihood of one bill advancing through the legislative process and reaching the Governor:
HB 1484 increases consequences for offenders who commit rape and cause pregnancy.
HB 1604 updates Washington’s strip search policies to align with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, ensuring jails protect the dignity and safety of all individuals.
HB 1811 enhances crisis response services, provides peer support programs, and strengthens protections for co-responders.
HB 1485 empowers students to determine and fund essential campus services through S&A fees without imposing additional costs.
HB 1486 provides student representation on the State Board of Community & Technical Colleges, amplifying the voices of Washington’s students in decision-making.
SB 5637, a companion to HB 1963, adds civics and media literacy content to the mandatory high school civics course, ensuring students are better informed about government and can critically engage with information.
SB 5589 is a companion to HB 1748 and directs the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to study the impact of credit history and other factors on insurance rates.
HB 1859 expands opportunities for affordable housing development on properties owned by religious organizations.
SB 5682 is a companion to HB 1883 and continues the Washington Customized Employment Training Program B&O credit, providing businesses with customized training through a revolving loan fund while offering tax incentives.
HB 1434 seeks to recognize the holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, encouraging students and workers to observe these important days without having to choose between their faith and responsibilities.
HB 1875 allows workers to use earned paid sick and safe leave for immigration-related legal proceedings, offering protections against retaliation and improving access to the legal system.
As the legislature approaches additional cutoffs, I look forward to providing you with an update on the status of these bills, and which ones are likely to make it through the Senate, and head to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Video Update
In my latest video update, I discuss two important bills I have been working on: HB 1956, which addresses the shortage of public defenders by training paralegals and expanding the workforce, and HB 1963, which focuses on integrating media literacy and civic engagement into school curriculums to better equip students for the future.
Stay Engaged
As we continue to make our way through the 105-day legislative session, I want you to know my office is here to serve all communities in our district. Please continue to share your thoughts by emailing me, calling or emailing my new legislative assistant – Gavin, and following me on Facebook.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community!
In Service,
Representative Osman Salahuddin
48th Legislative District