The Legislature is back in Olympia this week for the 2024 legislative session. During even-numbered years, our state holds short, 60-day sessions to pass a supplemental budget.
With the certification of Initiative 2113 by the Secretary of State, police pursuit reform is back on the agenda. Last year, Rep. Suzanne Schmidt and I voted for a partial improvement – but that bill did not go nearly far enough. Now we’ll have another chance to fully restore the ability of police to engage in vehicular pursuits.
I am a strong supporter of the citizens’ effort to bring this issue back to the Legislature, this new bill, and our law enforcement professionals who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.
I remain focused on the pressing issues facing our state, including public safety, transportation, and affordability. Lawmakers from our region are also working hard to provide relief to those affected by the Oregon Road fire.
Public hearing on my bill to prevent the state from forcing lessees of aquatic lands to pay for land surveys
After many months of meetings with constituents living on or around Newman Lake, I was able to draft a bill that will help residents enter dock leases with the state. On Wednesday, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee scheduled a public hearing for House Bill 1863, my bill that would prevent the Washington State Department of Natural Resources from compelling current or prospective lessees of state-owned aquatic lands from paying for land surveys.
Aquatic land surveys, particularly in rural areas of eastern Washington, can be challenging and costly for private citizens. These surveys are not usually necessary for a lease and, if needed, should be a state responsibility, not foisted onto lessees.
You can watch the full hearing on TVW here.
My other bills for the 2024 session
House Bill 1865 would empower law enforcement officers to prevent repeat violators of the state’s car insurance laws from driving a vehicle without insurance.
Too many folks in Washington state have been victims of irresponsible, uninsured drivers. This legislation would allow law enforcement officers to improve compliance with our insurance laws by holding repeat offenders accountable. The bill would authorize law enforcement to act when an offender has been given citations for a violation of driving without insurance at least twice in the prior three years, or when an uninsured driver causes an accident involving damage to another person or property.
House Bill 1864 would limit indigent recipients of state-financed DUI interlock devices to one per person.
This is a commonsense measure to limit waste, fraud, and abuse in our state. Taxpayers should not be on the hook for multiple DUI interlock devices for individuals claiming to be indigent.
House Bill 2228 fixes an oversight with House Bill 1110 – the new law to increase middle housing. That law requires cities with a population larger than 75,000 to adopt zoning to allow up to six-plex units in all residential zones. Unfortunately, properties zoned to allow for five or more residential units are considered commercial properties and regulated differently. Commercial properties also can’t be financed with residential loans.
House Bill 2229 would improve transparency, coordination, and collaboration between homelessness prevention organizations and governments by establishing county coordination meetings. Governments would hold at least two meetings – but no more than four –per fiscal year to coordinate homelessness assistance services provided within the county. The meetings may be held virtually or in person and provider organizations would be required to attend at least one meeting each fiscal year to qualify for new contracts.
Fix Washington
House Republicans this year are rolling out a series of bills to address the many lingering problems affecting Washington. We’re calling our plan “Fix Washington.”
We have a series of crises in public safety, education, affordability, transportation, and other issues, and Republicans have solutions to fix each of these problems.
We’ve also created three fact sheets about housing, crime, and education in Washington state. You can view those here:
Stay tuned for more.
Helping those affected by the Oregon Road fire
Rep. Suzanne Schmidt and I are co-sponsoring House Bill 1952 by Rep. Mike Volz that would establish plans for long-term community recovery after emergencies. Specifically, the legislation would require the state to:
- Assist county and tribal governments with long-term community recovery planning;
- Develop and regularly update a manual to facilitate long-term community recovery;
- Issue grants to counties and Indian tribes to assist with establishment and operation of long-term community recovery groups;
- Provide training focused on long-term community recovery in cooperation with local organizations for emergency services or management; and
- Create and regularly update a resource directory of state, federal, and international agencies, volunteer organizations, and service providers that may assist individuals and communities during long-term community recovery.
How you can be involved in the legislative process
Visit the House Republican website where you can find a detailed guide on how to be involved in the legislative process: houserepublicans.wa.gov/get-involved
You can also sign up for “The Week Ahead” – a list of important bill hearings delivered straight to your email inbox and text alerts.
With the short session, your advocacy can make a real difference between which bills pass and which do not.
Legislative resources
- My legislative website | Find my contact information, bio, news releases, email updates, videos, opinion pieces, bills, and other information.
- The Capitol Buzz | A weekday roundup of online news stories.
- The Current | An online legislative publication from the Washington House Republicans.
- TVW | TVW broadcasts floor and committee action live online.
- The Ledger | A legislative news aggregator.
- Legislature’s website | Bill reports, committee agendas, and information about upcoming activities in the Legislature here.
- State agencies | List of all state agencies, boards, and commissions here.
- Participating in the Process | Information about how you can participate in the legislative process.
Thank you!
Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. I am here to serve you and everyone in the 4th Legislative District.
It’s an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,