Dear friends and neighbors,

Today marks the beginning of the 2024 legislative session, and we’re ready to get things going and keep working for our communities in the 37th. I’m excited about the work ahead, and I encourage you to stay involved to make sure your needs and the needs of our communities are heard during this session.

My Priorities

In 2024, my commitment remains to bolster our workforce, fight for environmental justice, support immigrants in our state, and uplift marginalized and forgotten communities. Currently, I am actively engaged in crafting impactful legislation, including:

  • Establishing a professional licensing program for spoken language interpreters and translators to safeguard consumers while addressing the diverse linguistic needs of all Washingtonians.
  • Clarifying and refining the collective bargaining unit for interpreters providing crucial language access services to state agencies.
  • Addressing the need for comprehensive data collection on the H-2A worker program and hand harvesters. This will help us understand and improve conditions for these essential workers, ensuring fair treatment and equitable practices.

This legislative work is part of my ongoing effort to create a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable environment for all residents of Washington.

Stay tuned for a more in-depth overview of all my upcoming legislation in future updates!

Budget Request Process

Every other year, we’re responsible for approving three different budgets—capital, operating, and transportation—to finance the state for the following two years. During even-numbered years, such as this one, we pass supplemental budgets, allowing us to make minor adjustments that adapt to unexpected changes or financial needs.

The capital budget supports local and community infrastructure projects, while the operating budget focuses on state agencies and crucial programs and services. Funding requests can be submitted for both budgets. As this session lasts for 60 days, deadlines are fast approaching—January 26 for the capital budget and February 2 for the operating budget. If you need the budget request form, please reach out to our office as soon as possible.

How to Participate

Here are several useful resources to guide you through the legislative process, from start to finish. These tools will help you provide real-time testimony on a bill, submit written feedback, stay informed, and monitor the policies under consideration in Olympia. Additionally, you can sign up for committee notifications about a specific bill, ensuring you are informed as it progresses through the legislative stages.

Senate Page Program

Want to learn more about your state government? Apply to be a page!

Pages are students aged 14 through 16 who serve for one week during the legislative session. During that week, they spend time in Page School learning about the legislative process while also distributing materials throughout the Capitol campus, assisting legislators, working on the Senate floor, and presenting the colors at the opening of each day’s legislative session. Pages receive pay during their week in Olympia. Scholarships are also available for pages from families with financial need, and housing is available with host families in Olympia.

How to Reach Me

Your input and concerns mean a lot, so please get in touch. You can send me an email at rebecca.saldana@leg.wa.gov, give my office a call at 360.786.7688, or stay updated on my activities in Olympia by visiting my website. You can also find regular updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For immediate assistance, the Legislative Hotline is available at 1.800.562.6000.

Sincerely,

State Senator Rebecca Saldaña | 37th LD