News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 21, 2022 Washington state’s sales-and-use tax rate would be cut by 1% across the board and diapers would become entirely exempt from sales-and-use tax, if two bills proposed by Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent) are signed into law. SB 5932 would reduce the state sales-and-use tax rate from 6.5% to 5.5%. SB 5915 would exempt diapers from the ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 18, 2022 Four Democratic legislators from the Washington state House and Senate have proposed twin joint resolutions – HJR 4209 and SJR 8210 – that would amend the Washington State Constitution by adding a Green Amendment to recognize every Washingtonians’ right to a clean and healthy environment. The prime sponsor in the House is Rep. Debra ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 18, 2022 A bill sponsored by Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent) would create an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program in which producers fund and operate an efficient, sustainable system for recycling packaging and paper products. SB 5697, also known as the RENEW Act, would require that producers achieve recycling and reuse targets and use recycled content in ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2022 The Toxics-Free Cosmetics Act, heard today by the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, would protect consumers of cosmetic products from dozens of harmful chemicals by banning the use and distribution of those chemicals in Washington state. “Every single one of us knows someone – or is someone – who uses cosmetics,” said Sen. Mona Das ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to reduce pollution by prohibiting retailers in Washington state from handing out single-use plastic bags goes into effect today after a year-long delay brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent) sponsored Senate Bill 5323, which was supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including retailers and environmentalists. “Our state’s commitment to the environment was ...

OLYMPIA – Today Gov. Jay Inslee signed SB 5022 into law at the Seattle Aquarium, one of only a few bills being signed at in-person events this year. Sponsored by Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent), it is the first law in the nation to ban expanded polystyrene food ware, recreational coolers and packing peanuts. It will also require increased recycled ...

OLYMPIA – A bill signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee extends the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) to expand affordable housing building incentives. “Now more than ever, we need to advance solutions to our housing crisis and get – or keep – a roof over our neighbors’ heads,” said Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent), the sponsor of the bill. “This bill was ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 15, 2021 Das sponsors resolution to honor Indian Farm Workers OLYMPIA — Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent) introduced a resolution to acknowledge and honor the Indian Farm Worker movement, as well as the Sikh, Indian, and Indian-Americans advocating for justice and economic rights both at home and abroad. “Our neighbors all across the state of Washington have ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 8, 2021 Legislature passes strongest recycling policy in nation Legislation passed late Wednesday by the House would require increased recycled content in plastic beverage containers, trash bags and bottles for household and personal care products; ban expanded polystyrene food ware, recreational coolers and packing peanuts; and require that utensils, straws, cup lids and condiments only be ...