News

• “Riders have a voice”: Timmons bill to help transit riders steer policy is signed by the governor | May 13, 2025

  Governor Ferguson signed legislation on Monday to help transit riders by creating meaningful representation and participation in Public Transit Benefit Areas (PTBA). Sponsored by Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham), House Bill… READ MORE

• Governor Ferguson Signs Bill Expanding Student Support Program to Tribal College | April 22, 2025

  OLYMPIA— A bill to expand support services for students experiencing homelessness or who have aged out of foster care was signed into law today by Governor Bob Ferguson. House Bill… READ MORE

• Updates from Olympia, bill to increase WWU funding, and new ways to share your stories | April 21, 2025

  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… READ MORE

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  Timmons bill strengthening local public transportation policy headed to Governors’ desk | April 16, 2025

  OLYMPIA – Today, the Washington State Legislature took a major step toward ensuring representation and meaningful participation in public transportation policy. The State Senate passed House Bill 1418 off the… READ MORE

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  Timmons requests $21 million in state dollars to fix funding disparity for Western Washington University | April 4, 2025

  OLYMPIA – Thursday, Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham) introduced a budget request to fix a historical disparity among Washington’s colleges. For much of the past three decades, the state’s third largest… READ MORE

• Thanks for joining our town hall, and an update on my bills! | March 24, 2025

  Dear Friends and Neighbors, Before I get into the latest on what’s happening in Olympia, I want to quickly thank all of you that joined Sen. Shewmake and Rep. Rule… READ MORE

• You’re Invited: 42nd LD Community Town Hall | March 7, 2025

  OLYMPIA, WA – Community members are invited to join State Representatives Joe Timmons, Alicia Rule, and State Senator Sharon Shewmake for an in-person town hall on Friday, March 15, at… READ MORE

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  Timmons Bill to Enhance Public Transit Governing Bodies Passes House | March 6, 2025

  OLYMPIA – Many Washingtonians rely on public transportation every day to get to school, work, and other essential activities. Wednesday, the Washington State House of Representatives passed House Bill 1418,… READ MORE

• My bills supporting our kids’ education and our region’s public transportation system | February 14, 2025

  Dear Friends and Neighbors, The Legislative session is in full swing now as we are in Week 5. Our committees are hearing hundreds of different bills including several of mine…. READ MORE

• Priorities, Pages, and Participation!  | January 27, 2025

  Friends and neighbors,  The 2025 Legislative Session is off and running! I am looking forward to working with my constituents and colleagues to meet the needs of Whatcom County, our… READ MORE

• Rep. Timmons Elected Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore | December 13, 2024

  Olympia – Wednesday, Rep. Joe Timmons, D-Bellingham, was elected by members of the House Democratic Caucus in the Washington State Legislature to serve in a caucus leadership role as one… READ MORE

• Community Conversations, House of Healing, and Election Year Restrictions. | May 2, 2024

  Friends and neighbors, Before I get into updates, since my last e-newsletter, I wanted to provide some information about my communication with you during this summer and fall. During an… READ MORE

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  Timmons bill that provides a cost-of-living increase to retirees signed into law | March 26, 2024

  OLYMPIA—The last few years with high inflation have been difficult for many people, but especially for seniors living on fixed incomes. Today, with Gov. Jay Inslee signing legislation that provides… READ MORE

• Legislative successes and budget wins for our region. | March 9, 2024

  Friends and neighbors, On Thursday, we wrapped up the 2024 legislative session. We have worked on bills dealing with education, housing, responding to the fentanyl crisis, climate, and others. The… READ MORE

• Shewmake and Timmons send bills to the governor’s desk that will add support for Whatcom County Superior Court  | February 29, 2024

  OLYMPIA—Whatcom County is preparing for an adjudication case in the Nooksack watershed and will need additional resources. That’s why Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, and Rep. Joe Timmons, D-Bellingham, introduced bills… READ MORE

• Bill to create a state public infrastructure assistance program on way to Inslee’s desk | February 29, 2024

  OLYMPIA—Rep. Joe Timmons, D-Bellingham, won’t ever forget the devastating floods that ripped through Whatcom County in the fall of 2021. The damage to infrastructure, as well as the uprooting of… READ MORE

• Shewmake and Timmons bills to add support for Whatcom County Superior Court | February 13, 2024

  OLYMPIA—Water rights adjudication is a legal process to resolve water rights conflicts and create opportunities for water to be used more efficiently. Adjudication also creates opportunities for conservation, essential for… READ MORE

• Legislative Update: An Update on My Bills + Join Me & My Seatmates at a Feb. 17 Town Hall | February 9, 2024

  Dear friends and neighbors, We’re now in week five of this year’s legislative session; and this week, my fellow lawmakers and I are debating bills on the House floor. Floor action… READ MORE

• MEDIA ADVISORY: Shewmake, Rule, & Timmons to Hold Town Hall on February 17 | February 8, 2024

  Please join your lawmakers from the 42nd Legislative District for a town hall meeting from 1-2:30 PM on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Horizon Middle School in Ferndale. This is their… READ MORE

• Senate is the next stop for Timmons bill that provides a cost-of-living increase to retirees | February 6, 2024

  OLYMPIA—The last several years with high inflation have been difficult for many people, but especially for seniors living on fixed incomes.   “I’m concerned about how rising costs impact our retirees,”… READ MORE

• Legislative Update: The Importance of Student Well-Being and a Look at My Top Issues in 2024  | January 27, 2024

  Dear friends and neighbors,   We are now in week 3 of the 2024 Legislative Session, which means by the end of this week, we’re already one-third through this year’s short… READ MORE

• Timmons’ bill to provide a cost-of-living increase to retirees passes out of committee | January 25, 2024

   OLYMPIA—Imagine this. You dedicated your career to public service and have been retired for several years with Plan 1 of the state’s public employees’ retirement system (PERS1) or teachers’ retirement… READ MORE

• Legislative Update: Addressing Disaster Recovery, Supporting Our Seniors & More | January 10, 2024

  Dear friends and neighbors,    The 2024 Legislative Session got underway on Monday, January 8. I am excited to be back in Olympia with my legislative colleagues. This is a “short… READ MORE

• Bipartisan bill introduced to address disaster recovery | January 9, 2024

  OLYMPIA—In November 2021, flooding along the Nooksack River devastated Whatcom County, damaging roads, uprooting families and businesses, and causing the loss of life. The floods were a wake-up call to… READ MORE

• Legislative Update: My Work in District, the 2024 Legislative Session, Meet My LA & More | December 27, 2023

  Dear friends and neighbors, I’ve got my suitcase packed and I’m eager to head back to Olympia to get to work during the 2024 Legislative Session. This next session is… READ MORE