Dear Friends and Neighbors,
“Cutoffs” are internal deadlines that the Legislature sets for itself to focus our work and keep the legislative process moving forward. Last week was policy cutoff week. Any bill that was not heard and passed by a policy committee by last Friday is now dead. Because all bills that require money to be spent or revenue to be raised (most!) have to also be heard and passed by a fiscal committee, this week features marathon committee hearings in the four fiscal committees: Appropriations, Finance, Transportation, and Capital Budget. As a new member of the Appropriations Committee, there have been quite a few late nights! This Friday will be the fiscal cutoff, after which we will pivot to full time floor action where we will debate and vote on legislation as the full House.
Transform Justice Day of Action for the Systems-Impacted Community
On Monday, I spoke to my fellow members of the systems-impacted community who were in Olympia for the Transform Justice Day of Action. They visited Olympia to share with my fellow lawmakers how the carceral system we have today does not promote healing or rehabilitation. It is days like this that ground me and remind me of why the work we do here is so important. It can be hard to be one of the only systems-impacted people in Olympia, but coming together with community reminds me of the enormous potential we all have. Together we can transform our system to one that truly works to heal people instead of one that keeps people in a vicious cycle of poverty, debt, and crime.
Streamlining Relief for People Affected by the Blake Decision
In February of 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court handed down its ruling in State v. Blake, which found that the state’s law on the simple possession of narcotics was unconstitutional because it allowed for convictions of people who had unknowingly possessed narcotics. Not only did this prompt the Legislature to reconsider the way that our state handles substance use disorder, but it also voided every conviction for simple possession back to the law’s original enactment in 1971. This meant that people currently in prison with a simple possession conviction needed to either be released or resentenced, and that an estimated 260,000 people were eligible to have their conviction vacated and their legal financial obligations (LFOs) returned to them.
Unfortunately, Washington does not have an automatic process for vacating convictions or returning LFOs. Not only does this delay justice to thousands of people suffering from the collateral consequences of an unconstitutional conviction, but it places a massive burden on our already overburdened court system. Currently, each county court is dealing with the process of vacating convictions and refunding LFOs in a different manner. This creates a confusing system that costs the state and counties money and creates real barriers to people getting the relief they are entitled under the Blake decision. This also creates justice by geography, whereby people in jurisdictions with more resources get better outcomes than those in smaller or more rural counties.
Over the last two years, I have worked with all of the stakeholders involved, judges, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), the Washington Prosecuting Attorney’s Association (WAPA), the Office of Public Defense (OPD), the Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA), and impacted communities, to create a system to streamline the process of vacating Blake convictions and refunding LFOs. After hundreds of hours of work bringing together different parts of the criminal legal system, I am sponsoring HB 1492, which creates a system that will standardize and streamline processes and save the state millions of dollars. It is our obligation as a state to vacate these convictions and return these LFOs. By creating a standardized process we create better outcomes for people who had a Blake conviction, allowing them to more easily apply for jobs and obtain housing, and we cut down on the amount of administrative work required to fulfill our obligations. This is a both a good government bill and a bill to improve equity. It is truly a win-win. So far it has passed both the House Civil Rights & Judiciary and Appropriations committees. Next it will be heard by the full House.
Video Update: Improving Patient Access to Healthcare
Check out my very first video update. In this video I talk about my time working as a nurse and how I have applied that lived experience to my current role on the Health Care & Wellness Committee. I also describe HB 1357, my bill to improve patient access to healthcare by streamlining the prior authorization process.
Save the Date: Town Hall
Join us on Saturday, March 11th for one of two in person Town Halls with your 23rd District delegation.
What: 23rd Legislative District In Person Town Halls
When: Saturday, March 11th from 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM (Olympic College) and 1:30 PM-3:00 PM (Bainbridge City Hall)
Where: Olympic College, Building 10 Bremer Student Center, 1600 Chester Ave. Bremerton, WA 98337
Bainbridge City Hall, Council Chambers, 280 Madison Ave. N Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Thank you for reading my legislative newsletter. I will continue updating you periodically throughout the legislative session.
Sincerely,
Rep. Tarra Simmons