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Dear Neighbor,
The past few weeks in Olympia have been grueling, with long days and even longer nights on the House floor as we debated key legislation. Some positive bills moved forward, others with damaging consequences passed despite strong opposition, and thankfully, several harmful proposals failed to advance.
I want to keep you informed about the latest developments at the Capitol, provide updates on my bills, and invite you to an important virtual town hall with your 20th District legislators on March 25 at 6:30 p.m. This is your opportunity to hear directly from us and ask questions about the issues impacting our district.
Legislative Recap: Week 8 and 9 video updates
Because of intense floor action, I was unable to send my regular email update last week. However, I’ve prepared two video recaps covering the key debates and legislation from Weeks 8 and 9 so you can stay informed about what’s happening in Olympia.
Week 8 Recap: The push for more regulations and less accountability
During this period, House Democrats passed two concerning bills that will have serious consequences for Washington families.
House Bill 1163 imposes excessive firearm permit requirements, burdensome training mandates, intrusive reporting, and additional record-keeping that will disproportionately impact law-abiding gun owners.
House Bill 1113 reduces penalties for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes, sending the wrong message when communities are already struggling with rising crime.
Watch my Week 8 Recap for more details.
Week 9 Recap: Blocking bad bills and defending parental rights
Last week, we saw several harmful bills fail to advance past the House of Origin cutoff, a win for public safety and individual rights.
House Bill 1178 would have weakened sentencing for gang-related crimes and drug offenses in school zones. We need stronger safety policies, not leniency for dangerous criminals.
House Bill 1607 would have created a costly and unnecessary bottle deposit program, essentially functioning as a hidden tax on families with minimal impact on actual recycling efforts.
House Bill 1399 sought to strip voters of the ability to elect their county sheriff, shifting control away from local communities and into the hands of political appointees.
I also provided an important update on House Bill 1296, which significantly weakens the Parents’ Bill of Rights that was passed by voters in 2024.
Live on March 25: 20th District Virtual Town Hall – Don’t Miss It!
I hope you’ll join Sen. John Braun, Rep. Ed Orcutt, and me for a live virtual town hall to discuss key legislative issues and answer your questions.
📅 When: Monday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.
💻 Where: Online – Register Now
This is your opportunity to engage directly with your elected officials. Scan the QR code or click the flyer below to register!
Bills I’m advancing to improve Washington
Washington faces real challenges—from rising costs to failing infrastructure—and I’m proud to report that several of my bipartisan bills have passed the House and are moving forward to provide real solutions.
House Bill 1064 focuses on investing in our communities by improving coordination between state agencies and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently for infrastructure projects.
House Bills 1003 and 1039 work to strengthen local government operations by improving legal notification processes and extending essential services to tribal lands.
House Bill 1990 addresses utility cost spikes, allowing disaster recovery expenses to be spread out over time so families aren’t suddenly hit with skyrocketing bills.
Watch my floor speech on HB 1990 here.
Read my press release on HB 1990 here.
These measures will help make Washington more affordable, improve efficiency in government, and invest in critical infrastructure—all without raising taxes.
Serious concerns: Bills that will hurt Washington families
Unfortunately, some damaging bills passed despite strong opposition.
House Bill 1296 significantly undermines the Parents’ Bill of Rights (I-2081) by stripping away parental notification requirements and limiting parents’ access to their child’s educational and medical records. It removes transparency on school curriculum and health-related decisions made for students, prioritizing state control over parental involvement.
Watch my floor speech opposing HB 1296 here.
House Bill 1531 expands public health officials’ authority over vaccination policies while failing to include necessary transparency and protections for parental rights. My amendments to ensure full disclosure of clinical data and informed medical choice were rejected, leaving families with fewer options.
Watch my floor speech HB 1531 here.
I also spoke out against two other dangerous bills:
House Bill 1163 places unnecessary financial barriers on law-abiding gun owners, disproportionately impacting rural and low-income communities.
During the debate on HB 1163, I emphasized that Washington has one of the highest crime rates in the nation and one of the lowest numbers of law enforcement officers per capita. We cannot continue restricting self-defense rights while failing to address crime and public safety.
Watch my floor speech on HB 1163 here.
House Bill 1815, which fails to hold violent juvenile offenders accountable, removing consequences for dangerous behavior inside state-run facilities.
Watch my floor speech on HB 1815 here.
Thank you for staying engaged!
It’s an honor to represent the 20th District and fight for safer communities, lower costs, and accountable government. As we move deeper into the legislative session, I’ll continue standing up for our shared values and keeping you informed every step of the way.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I appreciate your feedback and hope to see you at the virtual town hall on March 25!
Sincerely,
Peter Abbarno
