Dear friends and neighbors,
📢 We made it to cutoff! The first one anyway. For those who are new to the legislative process, cutoff is an important and sometimes sad milestone of session, and there are four of them. Today is the house of origin policy cutoff, or the final day for bills to pass out of committee that are not necessary for implementing the state’s biennial budget.
The reason you might see a lawmaker wiping away a tear or two is because not every bill that gets introduced passes committee – otherwise we’d be in Olympia all year! That’s when we say a bill “died in committee”. It doesn’t mean the hard work lawmakers and stakeholders put into that bill goes to waste, it just means that the sponsor will have to wait until the next legislative session for a chance to pass the bill out of the House.
Dead or alive: the bills that made it past cutoff
Here’s a roundup of bills I introduced that passed out of committee and can be scheduled for debate on the floor of the House this session:
- HB 1129 – Expands insurance coverage for fertility-related services including IVF to give more Washingtonians the chance to start or grow their family.
- HB 1296 – Affirms public school student’s right to a safe learning environment and expands parent’s rights in alignment with the 2024 initiative.
- HB 1357 – Provides more funding per student for special education in public schools, and establishes a grant for an inclusionary practices pilot program.
- HB 1607 – Establishes a bottle deposit return program to encourage recycling and institute a closed-loop system that reduces waste and manufacturing costs.
- HB 1669 – Expands health insurance coverage for prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces to increase mobility options for disabled individuals.
- HB 1697 – Makes updates to the newborn screening panel and the process for adding new disorders to the panel to provide comprehensive diagnostic infant care.
Day of Remembrance
On Wednesday we honored the more than 120,000 Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II. Along the shared pathway of our American history we’ve made missteps – and we’ve also made corrections. When we take time to remember those missteps it is not to declare our nation has failed, it is to learn how we can be better going forward. Reflection is a great gift that can be used to light the path in front of us if we choose to use it.
The budget, briefly
This year, budget writers in Olympia are grappling with a $12 billion shortfall in the state budget. Speaker Jinkins’ self-described “wonky take” on this issue highlights the unpredictability of revenue growth when balancing the budget over four years, as well as how Washington’s regressive tax structure places the heaviest burden on working families and low-income households. Listen to the scoop with Speaker Jinkins here.
About a bill: Prosthetic limb coverage
The health benefits that come from living an active lifestyle are widely confirmed, yet for someone who has suffered the loss of a limb, mobility can be difficult without the right prosthetic or orthotic device. Loss of mobility can also have devastating mental health impacts, exacerbating loneliness and depression. HB 1669 expands insurance coverage for prosthetic limbs and orthotic devices so that people who have become disabled or had a limb amputated can live life to the fullest and stay active in their community.
Traveling this year? The REAL ID deadline is May 7, 2025
If you’re flying in 2025, pay attention to new federal requirements. Why? Because if you don’t, they won’t let you on the plane.
REAL ID is a federal law, though Washington state has worked hard to help people get the ID they need to comply and fly.
Of course, you still need a passport to fly overseas. That hasn’t changed. What’s new is the requirements for flying domestically. The days of showing your driver’s license and getting through security are over.
Here’s what you can use:
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Passport Card
- U.S. Military ID
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Foreign Passport
Before your buy a plane ticket, please make sure your passport is current—or that you have another form of acceptable identification.
For more information, visit the state Department of Licensing page about REAL ID or the federal Homeland Security FAQ.
Flashback Friday
There was a lot going on this week, from celebrating President’s day on Monday to hanging out with some of our littlest legislative friends on the floor for Children’s Day, there was never a dull moment. Last week we had supporters of HB 1669 (including some 49th LD constituents!) join us to testify in support of the bill and take a tour of the Capitol.
Speaking at a rally for hundreds of Washingtonians who came to demand legislators protect rights for our LGTBQIA+ neighbors, reproductive health access, gender affirming care, and to make sure this Washington does not go back like Washington D.C.
Loved hanging out with these kiddos on Children’s Day! Otis is my favorite little friend who joined me for on the floor for a celebration of Washington’s future leaders.
So many great questions from the advocates who came to testify on HB 1699. This is one of the reasons I love this job! I had the honor of talking about how our government works, how anyone can advocate for change, and all the ways progress can be made.
Another big thank you to HB 1699 advocates (including some 49th LD constituents!) for giving your time in public service and participating in the legislative process.
Did you know it’s easy to testify in favor or against a bill? Just go to www.leg.wa.gov, search for a bill, and follow the links. You can testify remotely or in person; either way, it’s a great way to exercise your political muscle and make your voice heard!
Until next time,
