Rep. Peter Abbarno introduces new bills to fund firefighter training, streamline special education funding

Rep. Peter Abbarno introduced several new bills ahead of the 2024 legislative session, including measures that would allow fire departments access to new funding for safety training, streamline special education safety net funding, and designate Tenino sandstone as the state rock.

The 20th District lawmaker also continues to advocate for his existing bills that include repealing the long-term care payroll tax and program.

Following one of the worst fire seasons in state history, Abbarno pre-filed House Bill 1986 to help fire departments with limited resources pay for fire safety trainings and assessments. 

This reform complements House Bill 1014, his effort to establish a new grant funding source for rural fire departments whose buildings and equipment are inadequate to meet the fire safety needs of their growing communities.

“The state must invest more in our rural fire departments, which are struggling to modernize and keep up with demand,” said Abbarno, R-Centralia. “House Bill 1986 is a common-sense reform that would help our most needy fire departments fund basic safety trainings.”

Abbarno was contacted by coroners and medical examiners requesting several statutory changes for their profession.

Under current law, any person, firm, corporation, or association lawfully in possession of human remains may lawfully dispose of those remains if the relatives of, or persons interested in, the deceased person fail, neglect, or refuse to direct the disposition of those remains after 90 days.

House Bill 1974 would add counties to the list of entities given that authority and would reduce the wait time from 90 to 30 days.

“This bill would allow county governments to dispose of human remains in those tragic circumstances when no one else is willing or able to,” said Abbarno.

Abbarno also introduced the following bills during the 2023-24 biennium:

  • House Bill 1004, also known as “Zack’s Law,” prevents cold water shock drownings. The bill was signed into law on April 13.
  • House Bill 1005 would extend and double the existing public utility tax (PUT) and business and occupation (B&O) tax credits for employers who hire a veteran, spouse of a veteran, or spouse of an active-duty military member. The majority party allowed the tax credits to expire on July 1, 2023.
  • House Bill 1011 would repeal the unpopular and unsustainable long-term care program and payroll tax. The bill is in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee
  • House Bill 1014 would establish a new grant funding source for rural fire departments whose buildings and equipment are inadequate to meet the fire safety needs of their growing communities. The bill is in the House Capital Budget Committee.
  • House Bill 1259 updates the executive team of the office of the secretary of state by adding signing authority to the chief of staff position. The bill was signed into law on April 20.
  • House Bill 1361 modernizes laws related to state employee documents and procedures. The bill was signed into law on April 20.
  • House Bill 1409 would expand the residential building code in an effort to reduce costs associated with building residential treatment facilities, such as the Chehalis facility proposed by Cascade Community Healthcare The bill is in the House Local Government Committee.
  • House Bill 1729 would create and expand tax incentives for the research, development, production, and sale of hydrogen fuel products in Washington state. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.
  • House Bill 1856 would commission a legislative task force and broad-based study on the establishment of the Washington Office of Transparency Ombuds to serve as a nonpartisan and independent agency tasked with helping Washingtonians access public records. The bill is in the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee.
  • House Bill 1973 would streamline access to special education Safety Net funding.
  • House Bill 1977 would designate Tenino sandstone the state rock.
  • House Bill 2031 would allow post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to be considered an occupational disease for county coroners and medical examiner personnel for workers’ compensation purposes.

“Some of the best legislation comes from the community and these bills become law with their involvement,” said Abbarno. “I encourage everyone to stay informed and active throughout the process.”

Abbarno created a step-by-step instructional video to help constituents find legislation, track its progress, and comment or testify in legislative committees. 

To learn more visit houserepublicans.wa.gov/get-involved

The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to convene on Jan. 8.    

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov