As a first-term senator, I am excited about how much we accomplished for the people of Washington and the Mighty 8th District during the 2024 legislative session.
As the Republican leader on the Human Services Committee, I am steadfast in my efforts on behalf of our developmental disability families, protecting our children, and fighting for victims’ rights.
I also serve on the Business, Financial Services, Gaming and Trade Committee, the Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, and played a crucial role as budget writer on the Ways and Means Committee.
These assignments gave we – and therefore the Tri-Cities – a seat at the table, and the opportunity to work towards bipartisan solutions to the problems faced by citizens in our state.
Out of the 28 bills I introduced in 2024 or carried over from the 2023 session, having six signed into law underscores my commitment to effective governance.
In mid-March, Gov. Inslee signed my following bills. Senate Bill 6296 creates a retail workforce by creating a work group to identify and recommend four colleges to pilot micro-term and short-term credentials.
Senate Bill 6079 makes juvenile detention records available to managed care organizations and behavioral health administrative services organizations for care coordination activities.
Senate Bill 6080 simplifies the funding provisions of the statewide tourism marketing account by removing the requirement that deposits to the account may only occur if the Legislature authorizes them.
Senate Bill 5891 protects the safety and security of students and maintains order within school buses by designating trespassing on a school bus as a criminal offense.
Senate Bill 6068 expands the ability of courts to work with the Department of Corrections to collect and report more data about foster kids’ adoption and reunification rates.
My last bill, Senate Bill 5660, directs the Washington State Health Care Authority to convene a workgroup to create recommendations for effectively implementing mental health advance directives. These directives declare a person’s preferences regarding behavioral health treatment in the event they are incapacitated due to their behavioral health disorder.