Dear friends and family,
With the start of the second week of the 2024 legislative session, we are running full speed ahead. I have introduced nearly a dozen bills that address a wide range of issues including public safety, veterans assistance, environmental protection, agriculture, technology, and education. In just two weeks, we have held (or soon to hold) public hearings for five bills and committee voting—known as executive session—for three of those bills.
We are working as hard as possible—day in, day out—always fighting to help our low-income and working families, support our veterans and military families, protect and preserve our environment, provide our students more opportunities, and ensure our rural counties and cities with the resources they need to keep our communities strong.
Our Bills are Moving!
HB 1924: Promoting the integration of fusion technology within state energy policies
House Bill 1924 received a public hearing on the 8th and will be voted on in the Environment & Energy committee today. By requiring the state to pursue technology like fusion energy, we can create a clean environmental future that creates good-paying jobs, lowers energy bills, and supports a path toward energy independence.
HB 1925: Expanding the veterans service officer program to increase veteran support statewide
House Bill 1925 received a public hearing on the 10th and was passed unanimously out of the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans committee today. This bill builds upon our Island County efforts by expanding the veteran service officer (VSO) program to every county. VSOs are critical towards helping veterans receive benefits (housing, food assistance, and medical), and we’re fighting to ensure that every veteran receive the benefits they deserve.
HB 2023: Improving meaningful access to elections by increasing language assistance
House Bill 2023 received a public hearing on the 10th and will be voted on in the State Government & Tribal Relations committee on the 19th. Our democracy is stronger with all of us participating, and this bill ensures that every citizen can fully take part in our elections with language translated voting material.
HB 2236: Expanding and strengthening career and technical education core plus programs
House Bill 2236 will receive a public hearing on the 16th and will be voted on in the Education committee next week. Core Plus Allied Health Care will be a new high school program to develop a new generation of professionals in healthcare fields including long-term care. The Core Plus program uses hands-on curriculum for professional development and career learning.
HB 1951: Promoting ethical artificial intelligence by protecting against algorithmic discrimination
House Bill 1951 will receive a public hearing on the 19th in the Consumer Protection & Business committee. AI is the most powerful technology humans have ever had access to, and it will fundamentally change our world. It’s time to build a regulatory framework that adheres to ethical principles. This is an important step as we build a technological future that’s safe and secure for everyone.
Crosscut published an article – “Washington Legislature aims to regulate AI — but treads cautiously” – that highlights our artificial intelligence bill. Check it out here.
If you want to be part of this effort to ensure ethical AI, I urge you to sign in to testify (in-person or virtually). You can follow the instructions at this link to register no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, January 19th.
Honored to Serve You
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue my life-long dedication to public service. As a veteran having attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School, trained at a naval nuclear reactor plant, and served in the Middle East and Southeast Asia as a public affairs officer, I am honored to serve you here in the Washington State Legislature.
Always at Your Service,
State Representative Clyde Shavers
10th Legislative District