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Dear Neighbor,
The 2025 legislative session is officially underway! Over the next 105 days, my colleagues and I will dive into committee hearings, debates, and votes on important legislation, including the state’s operating, capital, and transportation budgets.
As your representative, I am focused on policies that move Washington in the right direction. House Republicans are committed to Fix Washington by addressing public safety, affordable housing, access to child care, and the rising cost of living. You can learn more about our legislative priorities here.
What matters most to you this legislative session? I want to hear your thoughts and gather your feedback on the issues you believe should be a priority. Please take a moment to share your perspective by completing this brief survey—your input is invaluable.
Newly elected Governor Bob Ferguson delivered his inaugural State of the State address this week. While I appreciated hearing him recognize some pressing challenges Washington faces, such as public safety, housing, and budget concerns, the real test will be whether his actions match his words. I hope we can work together in a bipartisan way to achieve meaningful solutions for our communities.
Following the governor’s address, newly elected State Representative Gloria Mendoza of Grandview provided the Republican perspective.
“Here in the Legislature, Washington State Republicans are offering a bold agenda to take our state from last to first in all areas of government.
“We want to improve life for all Washingtonians. We want safer neighborhoods, cleaner air, better schools, more affordable housing, and shorter commutes.
“In addition to making our communities safer, Republicans also want to make Washington more affordable for working families. We want to eliminate taxes on diapers and other essentials for babies and moms. We want to eliminate taxes on food. Finally, we want to make our schools the best in the nation.
“Yes, national issues matter. But your governor and state legislators were elected to fix problems in this Washington, not the other one.”
You can watch her full speech here.
Primary sponsored legislation
This session, I’ve already introduced several bills to address critical issues. These include:
- House Bill 1001: Supporting fire protection services through capital projects.
- House Bill 1002: Recognizing posttraumatic stress disorder as an occupational disease for county coroners and medical examiner personnel. The House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee heard this bill on Jan. 17. Watch the hearing here.
- House Bill 1003: Improving notice service procedures in cases of unlawful detainer. The House Committee on Housing heard my bill on Jan. 14, and it moved out of committee following executive action on Jan. 16. It now awaits action by the full House. Watch the committee hearing here. The committee also took executive action on Jan. 16, moving the bill out of committee and now awaiting action by the House chamber.
- House Bill 1016: Offering employer tax incentives to support veterans and military families.
- House Bill 1025: Reopening exemptions from the long-term services and support trust program—known as WA Care or the long-term care payroll tax.
- House Bill 1026: Allowing spouses to share benefits under WA Cares.
- House Bill 1055: Enhancing public records access and transparency through a legislative study. The House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee heard this bill on Jan. 15. Watch the hearing here.
- House Bill 1064: Eliminating the expiration of the interagency, multijurisdictional system improvement team.
These bills reflect my commitment to improving public safety, supporting workers and families, addressing housing challenges, and increasing government transparency. I’ll keep you updated as they move through the legislative process.
Stay engaged and make a difference
Your participation in the legislative process is crucial to our work in Olympia. I encourage you to have your voice heard by testifying on bills during committee hearings, sharing your thoughts with me and other lawmakers, or simply staying informed.
To help get you started, visit this website for resources on how to engage in state government. I also created this video to explain the legislative process and how you can get involved. You can also click on the photo below to watch the video.
As your representative, I am a strong advocate for citizen involvement in government. By working together, we can address the challenges we face and build a brighter future for Washington!
Exciting opportunities for students
The Washington State Legislature Page Program is now accepting applications for the 2025 session. This program provides students with a hands-on experience at the Capitol, offering a unique chance to learn about government, develop leadership skills, and see how laws are made.
If you know a student aged 14-16 who might be interested, I encourage them to apply. You can find more details and submit applications here.
You can get a sneak peek into the daily activities of legislative pages and hear what past pages have said about the program here. You can also click on the photo below to watch the video.
Leadership and committee assignments
I am honored to serve as the House Republican Caucus Chair, a role that allows me to lead strategic discussions and help advance solutions that matter most to you.
Additionally, I’ve been appointed as the assistant ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee, focusing on critical infrastructure investments that directly impact our schools, housing, and communities. I will also serve on the House Environment and Energy, Consumer Protection and Business, and Rules committees, tackling everything from clean energy policies to consumer rights.
Visit the Capitol!
I would love to see you in Olympia! Whether with your family, a service group, a school trip, or colleagues, visiting the Capitol is a fantastic way to connect with your government. To help plan your visit, check out this guide.
Please stay engaged, share your thoughts, and help us make a difference for our communities and state.
Stay connected
Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions, concerns, or ideas regarding your state government or any topics in this email. My contact information is at the bottom of this email.
Here are some other helpful links you might also find useful.
- Visit my website | Representative Peter Abbarno
- Visit the Washington State House Republicans website
- Follow Washington State House Republicans on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Reddit.
Thank you for the honor of allowing me to be your voice in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Peter Abbarno
