This e-newsletter is a quick update on how bills are moving in Olympia with a brief status on my prime-sponsored bills. You will also find information on our upcoming town hall. I hope you can join!

Town Hall Thursday Night

Join your 48th District legislators for a telephone town hall on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30 PM. Senator Kuderer, Rep. Walen, and I will share our legislative priorities and answer questions on the issues important to you.

Sign up to participate here: https://vekeo.com/whdc48/. You can also submit your questions ahead of the event by clicking here. We look forward to seeing you there!

House Bills in the Senate

House Bills that passed the House Floor are now being considered in Senate Committees and, hopefully, voted out of the Senate. I am happy to report that this year, we passed over 300 bills out of the House – a record amount, with nearly two-thirds receiving unanimous support and over seventy six percent receiving strong bipartisan support. This includes bills related to workforce development, climate resiliency, behavioral health resources, public safety, and more.  We hope that many of these policies will make it through the entire process.

However, we know that many bills do not make it across the finish line each year, they often take few sessions to make it through.   There is also a limited amount of time as the Washington State Constitution caps the Legislature to a 105-day session in odd numbered years and 60 days in even-numbered years.

Quick Update on My Bills

House Bill 1155, the My Health, My Data Act, is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Law & Justice Committee tonight and I am hopeful the Senate will make this a priority piece of legislation in their effort to protect healthcare access in Washington. For more information on this first in the nation bill, click here or on the image below!

House Bill 1176, which establishes the WA Climate Corp Network, passed the Senate Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development unanimously last week.

House Bill 1684 provides tribes with additional flexibility in classifying job titles with the Employment Security Department and is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce tomorrow morning.

India Republic Day & Holi Celebrations at the Capitol

In the last couple of months, I have had the privilege of celebrating both India Republic Day and Holi at the State Capitol with legislators and community members. These joyous and welcoming events helped celebrate diversity and spaces of inclusion, as well as the contributions of Indian Americans in Washington State.

Let Me know What Is Important to You

In the run up to the next major legislative cutoff on March 29th, I look forward to more spirited debates in committee and the House Floor. If you come down to Olympia, please schedule a time for us to meet to share your concerns with me. I look forward to hearing from you however you are most comfortable, whether remotely or in person.

If you have comments, questions, or ideas, please contact my office. I hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks for all you do,

State Representative Vandana Slatter

48th Legislative District