News Releases

OLYMPIA – Legislation to prohibit health care providers and medical students from performing pelvic exams on women without informed consent was approved unanimously today by the House of Representatives. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood), said Senate Bill 5282 is a great example of people directly engaging with their elected officials through social media about ideas for legislation. “I was contacted in the fall of 2018 by someone on Twitter who said there was a practice, widespread across the ...

OLYMPIA – Siblings Aaron Lee and Chloe Lee served as pages in the Washington State Senate during the week of Feb. 17. Pages are typically sponsored by the senator from their legislative district. Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood) sponsored the siblings’ week in the Legislature. The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. The interactive learning experience includes classes focused on topics like budget writing and how a bill becomes a law, which culminates in ...

OLYMPIA – A bill sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood) that would create a new state financial aid program for undocumented students was approved by the state Senate today by a vote of 34-14. “We know that our undocumented students want to pursue the same opportunities and we want to help the state meet the degree attainment goals we’ve set for ourselves,” said Liias in public testimony in support of SB 6561. “But there are critical barriers to them in the ...

OLYMPIA – A bill that aims to increase voter participation among young adults was approved Thursday by the Senate on a vote of 28-19. “We have to do more to bring down barriers for young people to participate in our elections,” said state Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood). “The data is clear -- if young people participate when they are 18, 19, 20, in those first formative elections, their lifetime voter participation is much higher. We want to teach young people ...

OLYMPIA – A bill that would require restaurants in Washington to offer healthier drink options for any children’s meal on the menu that includes a beverage was approved by the Senate on Thursday. “With this bill, we’re asking all of our restaurants in Washington to feature menus that are healthy, and promote healthy beverages for healthy kids,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood. “It’s a good step forward to improving health in our communities and encouraging families to ...

OLYMPIA – Lawmakers on the Senate Transportation committee approved SB 6606 today, a measure introduced by state Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood) that seeks to keep light rail construction in the Puget Sound area on track while also implementing a fairer vehicle valuation system for car tab fees. “When I talk to my constituents, they don't want to be stuck in traffic.” said Liias. “They want light rail to come to us but they also want their cars to be valued ...

OLYMPIA – Continuing his efforts to make the college dream a reality for more students across the state, State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood) is sponsoring several bills during the 2020 legislative session designed to remove barriers and expand access to college. “Obtaining a post-secondary education has become increasingly important for getting a high-paying, in-demand job in this 21^st century global economy,” Liias said. “We need to look at more ways to help Washington students get into and pay for college.” Washington “Next Step” Pilot Program Senate Bill 6542 would open ...

The Senate Health and Long Term Care committee held a public hearing today on a bill from State Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, that would require restaurants to offer healthier drink options for any children’s meal on the menu that includes a beverage.