Greetings, friends and neighbors!  

Last week marked a year since our state first shut down due to COVID-19. The past year has been challenging in more ways than one, addressing racial equity, economic recovery, and police accountability. My colleagues and I accomplished amazing work on the House Floor, passing bills that put people first, transform our economy, and heal our planet. From community equity to clean fuels to police accountability, we cover a lot of groundwork, and there is still a lot of legislation we would like to pass this session.   

We want to thank you and other community members for your testimonies in public hearings, and of course, your tireless work in your community.

Washington State COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Find your Nearest COVID-19 Vaccine Location  
Phase Finder (Additional Languages)  

House Bills that Passed the House

Addressing Racial Justice and Equity

HB 1016 - Making Juneteenth a legal holiday, sponsored by Rep. Morgan  
HB 1054 – Establishing requirements for tactics and equipment used by peace officers, sponsored by Rep. Johnson -  
HB 1088 – Concerning potential impeachment disclosures, sponsored by Rep. Lovick 
HB 1267 – Independent Investigations, sponsored by Rep. Entenman 
HB 1310 – Concerning permissible uses of force by law enforcement and correctional officers, sponsored by Rep. Johnson

Senate Bills that Passed the Senate

Addressing Racial Justice and Equity

SB 5259 – Concerning law enforcement data collection, sponsored by Sen. Nobles 
SB 5183 – Concerning victims of non-fatal strangulation, sponsored by Sen. Nobles 
SB 5321 – Expanding access to the college-bound scholarship, sponsored by Sen. Nobles

Addressing Economic Recovery

HB 1236 – Just Cause eviction, sponsored by Rep. Macri and co-sponsored by Rep. Taylor  
HB 1274 – Migration state data and apps to the commercial cloud, sponsored by Rep. Hackney 
HB 1297 – Concerning working families tax exemption, sponsored by Rep. Thai   
HB 1166 – Expanding access to the homeless and foster care college students pilot program, sponsored by Rep. Leavitt 
HB 1342 – Eliminating lunch copays for students who qualify for reduced-price lunches, sponsored by Rep. Berg

Addressing Police Accountability

HB 1089 – Authorizes the State Auditor to audit use of force investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with I-940 rules, sponsored by Rep. Ramos 
HB 1140 – Requires law enforcement to provide juveniles with access to an attorney before any waiver of the juvenile’s constitutional rights, sponsored by Rep. Johnson  
HB 1223 – Enacting the uniform electronic recordation of custodial interrogations act, sponsored by Rep. Peterson  

The tragic events that happened in Atlanta are heartbreaking. Racism is still alive in this country. Therefore, we need to address it, not shy away and pretend it does not exist. We must keep the conversation going to stop these actions from happening again. 

My colleagues and I are committed to working with community leaders in our legislative districts to fight racism and make Washington a more equitable and inclusive space for everyone. 

Thank you, Representative My-Linh Thai, for these words as we stand in solidarity with our Asian American neighbors. 

BMC Budget Provisos

Medicare Benefit for retirees up to $183, amended by Rep. Taylor 
Workforce Education Investment Account, amended by Rep. Johnson 
African American Studies Curriculum Development, amended by Rep. Johnson  
BIPOC Trades-related workforce development, amended by Rep. Harris-Talley (For BIPOC Trades Related Workforce Development Organized cross-community) 
Unemployment Insurance Program Fund, amended by Rep. Harris-Talley (For Immigrant & Refugee Neighbors)  
WA MESA, amended by Rep. Berg (Provides enrichment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to underrepresented students) 
Early ECEAP, amended by Rep. Berg (Expands the early childhood education and assistance program (ECEAP) pilot project currently funded under the federal preschool development grant) 
Homeownership Disparity workgroup, amended by Sen. Nobles and Rep. Johnson (Reduces homeownership disparities amongst folks in marginalized communities) 
Behavioral Health Respite Waiver, amended by Sen. Nobles (Directs the Health Care Authority to explore Medicaid waiver options for respite care for youth with behavioral health challenges, without adversely impacting the DDA and DCYF respite waivers) 
Parks RX Task Force, amended by Sen. Nobles (Designs three regional pilot projects where the use of public parks spaces, trails, and facilities used as a wellness and preventative health measure that can lower health system usage and insurance costs) 

Resources

Washington State Commission on African American Affairs Resources to Fight Discrimination 

Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Be well,