Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

We are rapidly approaching Sine Die, the last day of the session, on April 27. That means we are spending most of our time debating bills and passing legislation.

Several of my bills have passed the legislature and are making their way to the Governor’s desk including House Bill 1432 which will make mental health care more accessible to millions of Washington residents.

In this update, I wanted to share the latest on some priority legislation, and how you can stay engaged with my office once the session ends.  

A commitment to our kids 

Recently, the House failed to pass SB 5296 — a bill that could have helped reimagine how we support and rehabilitate youth in our juvenile justice system. And I need to be honest: that failure hurts.

It hurts because I’ve been inside Green Hill. I’ve talked to the youth. I’ve seen the conditions. I’ve listened to the staff. And I’ve felt the weight of a system that isolates and punishes, instead of investing in healing and transformation. 

Too many of our young people — especially Black, Brown, and Native youth — are locked up far from their families, their communities, and the resources that could change the trajectory of their lives. This bill was a chance to do better, and we didn’t take it.

But this is not the end. I am committed to continuing this work during the interim. We will build a stronger framework for justice — one that centers racial equity, compassion, and rehabilitation. These kids deserve the same chance someone once gave me: to be seen not just for their mistakes, but for their potential. And I will never stop fighting to make that a reality. 

I am proud that I am not alone in this work. I, and several of my colleagues, signed this letter affirming our commitment to this policy and are dedicated to working together to move it forward.  

Bremerton pride! 

Hope and I were ecstatic to have the Bremerton High School Boys Varsity Basketball team on the House floor 

with us recently. The House recognized the team and their coaching staff with an official resolution for winning the 2025 2A State Championship — the first state title for a Bremerton team in 50 years!  

These young men didn’t just win — they dominated all season and left it all on the court in a truly unforgettable championship game. I couldn’t let this session end without making sure their hard work, heart, and history-making season were celebrated.

With a roster full of underclassmen and an outstanding coaching staff, the future is bright for the Knights. We are all so proud of you! Go Bremerton and GO KNIGHTS! 

My plans for the interim 

As we approach the end of the session, this means I will soon have updates and summaries on the bills that passed and where our budgets ended up, including investments made in 23rd district. Be on the lookout for that information coming soon.  

After transitioning out of session, I will keep an eye on the bills I passed this year and start working on bills for next year. This means meeting with stakeholders and hammering out the details so the legislation gets to a place where it can pass.

You can still reach out to my office during the interim. Connecting with you is always important and helps inform my legislative priorities. I value hearing your ideas, thoughts, concerns, or questions. If you reach out, my office can and will get back to you. 

Thank you for your support and feedback during the session. I look forward to connecting with you throughout the summer and fall.  

Sincerely, 

Rep. Tarra Simmons