Dear friends and neighbors, 

Tomorrow is our first town hall of 2024! I am eager to hear your questions on the pressing issues we’re tackling this session, including housing affordability, community safety, a clean environment, supporting our working families, and more. Your input is crucial for us to make good decisions. We rely on your feedback to understand what is working, what is not, and how we can collectively improve the lives of all Washingtonians. Your perspectives are invaluable to us, and we can’t wait to hear from you! 

Please join me, along with my seatmates, Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins and Rep. Jake Fey, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Evergreen State College, located at 1210 6th Ave. Tacoma, WA. Together, we will address questions regarding the 2024 session and discuss our efforts in Olympia to support our community. 

If you can’t make it to the town hall, you can always reach out to me by email at yasmin.trudeau@leg.wa.gov or call my office at (360) 786-7652. 

Legislative update 

We have made it through the house of origin cutoff, meaning that bills had to pass out of their original chambers to have the opportunity to advance to the opposite chamber. Those that did not are done for this year. I am excited to share that several of my bills passed the Senate and are now under consideration in the House. These include: 

  • SB 6009 permanently prohibits the inhumane practice of hog-tying by police by declaring it excessive force. This practice has led to the unnecessary death of beloved community members and ending it will contribute to community healing.  
  • SB 5883 shifts the burden of proof in due process hearings under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from parents to school districts, aiming to promote equity and access for families who want to and deserve to advocate effectively for their children through the special education process.  
  • SB 5884 authorizes courts to order restitution for environmental harm in criminal cases, addressing water pollution, air pollution, and hazardous waste management. It aims to strengthen accountability, deter potential offenders, and protect the environment.  

You can track the status of all my bills here.  

Budget proposals ahead 

This week and next week, we will begin presenting our operating, capital, and transportation budget proposals. I am honored to serve on the team responsible for negotiating and drafting our Senate capital budget proposal. This role allows me the opportunity to contribute to decisions regarding project funding and resource allocation to facilitate safe and efficient infrastructure, and investment strategies for enhancing sustainability and environmental stewardship in our state. I eagerly anticipate sharing more details about our plans with you in the near future, so please stay tuned! 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update, and I really hope to see you at the town hall on Saturday! 

Warm regards, 

Sen. Yasmin Trudeau | 27th LD