What we accomplished this session 

Dear neighbors,  

This session, we set out to protect the rights of all Washingtonians from federal overreach, help people afford their basic needs, and pass a sustainable and balanced budget.  We delivered on all three; below is what the Legislature passed: 

Protecting Washingtonians from federal overreach 

• SB 5855 prohibits local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while interacting with the public.  State and local law enforcement officers are already expected to be clearly identifiable; federal law enforcement officers operating in our state will be held to the same standard. Learn more. 

• HB 2105 requires employers to notify workers about federal I-9 form audits, protects against retaliation, limits federal access to employment records, and establishes enforcement mechanisms and penalties to ensure that workers’ rights are respected.  

• SB 6002 establishes reasonable regulations on automated license plate readers, such as Flock cameras, to prevent their use by immigration enforcement.  Smart technology can help law enforcement solve crimes and recover missing people, but we must have guardrails to protect our civil rights.  Learn more. 

• HB 2242, now signed into law, preserves continued access to affordable preventive health care services in Washington, including vaccines.  The legislation updates state law so coverage of vaccines is tied to recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health instead of federal guidance.  Learn more. 

• SB 5892 protects sensitive voter information by designating certain information, such as full birthdate, social security number and driver’s license number, as confidential.  An election officer or designee who discloses confidential voter information will be guilty of a class C felony.  

• HB 2165 prohibits individuals who are not law enforcement officers from making, providing, or possessing badges or other law enforcement insignias. 

• SB 5974 ensures law enforcement leaders are held to the same standards of professionalism and accountability that we ask of every other officer in the state. It will now be clear that a sheriff’s duty, first and foremost, is to uphold the Constitution and the laws of Washington state, including the Keep Washington Working Act, which is critical for the safety of our immigrant community as well as ensuring weapons are removed from domestic violence abusers. 

• SB 6081 prevents the Department of Licensing and the Department of Health from disclosing records about sex designation changes. This will help protect trans individuals who are stalked, harassed, or forced to change how they live because their personal information is made public. 

Democrats in Olympia have been pushing back against Trump since we took back the majority in 2018 and that work will continue.  Here are some examples.  

Affordability 

• SB 6346 taxes households earning in excess of $1 million per year while investing in public schools, health care, and other state services we all rely on.  Once in effect, it will also: 

• • Eliminate sales tax on personal care products, all diapers, and many over-the-counter drugs. 

• • Exempt about 70% of all Washington businesses from the Business & Occupation tax. 

• • Set aside 5% of annual tax proceeds for the Fair Start for Kids Act, which increases access to early learning programs and provides resources to support child care and early learning providers. 

• • Provide school breakfast and lunch to all public school students. 

• • Expand eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit to 460,000 additional households, including young adults and seniors, helping lower-income families.  

• HB 1903 establishes a statewide program to provide ongoing energy bill assistance to eligible low-income households.  The program will work in partnership with gas and electric utilities to ensure assistance is reflected directly on customers’ monthly bills.  

• SB 6162 expands the senior citizen property tax relief program to help an additional 30,000 Washingtonians stay in their homes and creates a standard $7,500 deduction for those who qualify. 

Housing 

• SB 6026 changes zoning laws to open up more land to build housing, such as apartments and condos. 

• HB 2418 cuts red tape to streamline and speed up permitting for local housing development. 

• HB 1859 supports religious organizations that want to build affordable housing for low- and very low-income families on their land by allowing mixed-income projects to qualify for a density bonus while maintaining long-term affordability requirements. 

• HB 1974 allows cities and counties to establish land banks that can acquire and hold land until housing projects are ready to move forward.  

Health care 

• SB 5981 protects our health care safety net providers. 

• SB 6182 sets up a permanent funding source for abortion clinics like Planned Parenthood.  

• HB 2548 helps ensure we have a better understanding of who is investing in health care in our state and strengthen oversight of these transactions.  The increase in private equity investment in health care is deeply concerning; states like Massachusetts are dealing with the fallout from hospital takeovers that left communities with diminished care. 

A sustainable budget 

Adjustments made in our supplemental operating budget account for rising costs and increased demand for programs like Apple Health and the Washington College Grant, ongoing federal uncertainty, and federal cuts to health care and food assistance.  We made thoughtful targeted reductions — focusing on administrative efficiencies, delays in certain spending, and minimizing harm where we could.  Unfortunately, people will have access to fewer services and support but given actions by the federal government, our budget attempts to preserve the essentials: 

• Sustaining health care access, including support for community hospitals, behavioral health services, and Apple Health.  

• Protecting services for seniors and people with disabilities, including long-term care and supports that help people remain in their homes and communities.  

• Maintaining investments in education, supporting K–12 schools and higher education opportunities for students.  

• Strengthening the behavioral health system, including services that help people access treatment and recovery support.  

• Supporting food assistance and other essential safety-net programs that help families meet basic needs. 

I am grateful to my team (left to right: Sophia, Angela, Daisy, and Eric) for their incredible work this session! Whether you emailed feedback on a bill, called for help navigating state government, visited the Capitol, or any of the other ways you interact with my office, you likely encountered the talented and dedicated 45th District team. 

As always, please continue reaching out to my office with questions or feedback. 

Sincerely,  

Manka Dhingra
Senator, 45th Legislative District
Deputy Majority Leader