Friends and neighbors,
The 2022 legislative session kicked off last week and because it’s a short 60-day session, we’re already working fast to pass legislation that will help all our neighbors. Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases because of the Omicron variant, we are operating on a mostly remote basis for the time being to ensure legislators and staff are safe. That doesn’t mean you all are shut out of the conversation, though. Keep reading this newsletter to learn about how you can be part of the process and make your voice heard this year!
Participate in committee hearings
Sen. Hasegawa testifies in committee during the 2020 session
During this hybrid session, committees are being held remotely via Zoom. This means that you can join in and make your voice heard from anywhere in the state rather than having to come all the way down to Olympia to testify for two minutes.
When we implemented this process for every committee last session, public participation in the process increased by 300%! You can learn more about how to testify by clicking the photo above or heading to the Legislature’s website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate
Sign up for intro sheets
Just like in prior sessions, I welcome your input and feedback on bills that are introduced by other legislators. These bills are all listed on the Senate’s daily Introduction Sheets reports, which I send out to a subscribed email list every day as soon as it is delivered to my office.
Due to the high volume of bills introduced each day, I would very much appreciate your taking a quick glance at the Intro Sheets reports to see if there are bills that you think are worthy of my co-sponsorship, have potential if amended, or are so bad that we need to make every effort to kill them.
You can sign up to be included in this process by emailing me at Bob.Hasegawa@leg.wa.gov with the subject line “Introduction Sheet sign-up.”
Check out my legislative update videos
While we are in session, I try to keep you all updated on the legislative goings-on in Olympia. That includes regular video updates every other week! Head to my website to watch videos from prior sessions and catch my latest updates.
The latest video update includes a brief tour of my new office, an overview of my committee membership, and more. Watch it here, or click the photo above!
Stay in touch
As always, your feedback is a crucial part of the lawmaking process. You can always reach out to me at Bob.Hasegawa@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-7616 with feedback, and be sure to follow my official social media accounts on both Twitter and Facebook. I look forward to hearing all of your thoughtful ideas throughout the legislative session!
In solidarity,
Bob
