• What We Accomplished This Session for Whatcom County | April 6, 2026

  Dear friends and neighbors,  As we wrap up the 2026 legislative session, I want to share what we accomplished this year and how it’s making a difference here in the 42nd Legislative District.  This session, I… Continue reading: What We Accomplished This Session for Whatcom County

• We’ve got less than two weeks left in the session. Here’s where we’re at. | February 27, 2026

  Friends and neighbors,   First, thank you so much to everyone who joined our town hall in Ferndale last weekend. It’s always important to me, and the rest of the 42nd Legislative District delegation, to hear about… Continue reading: We’ve got less than two weeks left in the session. Here’s where we’re at.

• Rep. Timmons advances bill to correct historical funding disparity at WWU | February 25, 2026

  Public college and universities in Washington provide affordable world-class higher education opportunities for in-state students. However, recent funding cuts from the state and federal government have put those opportunities at… Continue reading: Rep. Timmons advances bill to correct historical funding disparity at WWU

• Our town hall is on Saturday. We want to hear from you! | February 20, 2026

  Please join me and my seatmates, Sen. Sharon Shewmake and Rep. Alicia Rule, for an in-person town hall this weekend. Saturday, February 21 // 11AM // Ferndale High School Gymnasium This is our… Continue reading: Our town hall is on Saturday. We want to hear from you!

• Hansen, Timmons bills would ban nitrous oxide sale in Washington | January 14, 2026

  OLYMPIA – Sen. Drew Hansen and Rep. Joe Timmons filed legislation Wednesday to ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide, a potentially dangerous inhalant. The substance, often used in controlled medical, dental or food service settings are widely… Continue reading: Hansen, Timmons bills would ban nitrous oxide sale in Washington

• Flood Response Update and Recovery Resources for Whatcom County | December 19, 2025

  Friends and neighbors, To everyone who has watched the water rise, packed up belongings, or felt that familiar knot of fear in your chest, I am with you. Whatcom County… Continue reading: Flood Response Update and Recovery Resources for Whatcom County

• Quick session highlights, Recognition for youth mental health work, What I am doing this interim | September 10, 2025

  Dear neighbors, It’s been a few months since the 2025 legislative session wrapped—thank you for the privilege of representing the 42nd District. My first year as Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore… Continue reading: Quick session highlights, Recognition for youth mental health work, What I am doing this interim

• “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… Continue reading: “Riders have a voice”: Timmons bill to help transit riders steer policy is signed by the governor

• 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… Continue reading: Governor Ferguson Signs Bill Expanding Student Support Program to Tribal College

• 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… Continue reading: Updates from Olympia, bill to increase WWU funding, and new ways to share your stories

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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… Continue reading: Timmons bill strengthening local public transportation policy headed to Governors’ desk

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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… Continue reading: Timmons requests $21 million in state dollars to fix funding disparity for Western Washington University

• 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… Continue reading: Thanks for joining our town hall, and an update on my bills!

• 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… Continue reading: You’re Invited: 42nd LD Community Town Hall

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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,… Continue reading: Timmons Bill to Enhance Public Transit Governing Bodies Passes House

• 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…. Continue reading: My bills supporting our kids’ education and our region’s public transportation system

• 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… Continue reading: Priorities, Pages, and Participation! 

• 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… Continue reading: Rep. Timmons Elected Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore

• 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… Continue reading: Community Conversations, House of Healing, and Election Year Restrictions.

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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… Continue reading: Timmons bill that provides a cost-of-living increase to retirees signed into law

• 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… Continue reading: Legislative successes and budget wins for our region.

• 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… Continue reading: Shewmake and Timmons send bills to the governor’s desk that will add support for Whatcom County Superior Court 

• 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… Continue reading: Bill to create a state public infrastructure assistance program on way to Inslee’s desk

• 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… Continue reading: Shewmake and Timmons bills to add support for Whatcom County Superior Court

• 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… Continue reading: Legislative Update: An Update on My Bills + Join Me & My Seatmates at a Feb. 17 Town Hall