The 2024 legislative session has officially come to an end! Over the past 60 days, we’ve navigated challenges, celebrated triumphs, and collectively worked toward advancing the well-being of our communities. Your support and input have been crucial to our success. I couldn’t have done this work without you, and for that, I am immensely grateful. Now that we’ve concluded this short session, I am eager to share with you some of the results we have achieved together.  

Bills Passed 

I am excited to report that six of the bills I introduced this session successfully passed the Senate and House and are awaiting the governor’s signature to become law. Among these, I would like to highlight two particularly notable bills I am proud of: 

  • Senate Bill 5444 marks a significant step forward in prioritizing the safety of Washingtonians. It expands upon existing legislation by including additional designated places where carrying weapons is strictly prohibited. Among the newly added locations are public libraries, zoos, aquariums, and transit stations. With these designated areas off-limits to weapons, we’re proactively reducing risks and fostering environments where families can enjoy their time without fear. 
  • Senate Bill 5427 provides meaningful help to victims of hate crimes and bias incidents in Washington state by creating a hotline administered by the Attorney General’s office (AGO). Hate crimes in the U.S. are on the rise, and our state is no exception. Alarming data shows hate crimes in Washington state have reached the highest level in more than two decades. This hotline will accept incident reports and provide appropriate crisis intervention and resources that are victim-centered, culturally competent, and trauma-informed. These services will be accessible to all Washingtonians, regardless of the language they speak. This is more than just collecting reports; it’s about standing up for our neighbors, offering them meaningful support, and ensuring every person feels safe and supported in our communities. 

Additionally, I want to highlight other commendable bills that have successfully passed the Legislature — each positively impacting our communities in the 46th LD and the well-being of Washingtonians as a whole: 

  • House Bill 1903 requires prompt reporting of lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within 24 hours, aiming to reduce illegal firearm circulation and prevent tragedies like mass shootings. 
  • House Bill 2118 strengthens regulations on firearms dealers to enhance firearm safety — including age requirements for employees, secure storage, and liability insurance — to prevent illegal gun trafficking. 
  • House Bill 2180 increases special education funding cap to 16%, providing crucial support to 156 school districts and maintaining paraeducators, vital for supporting students with disabilities. 
  • Senate Bill 5213 sets rules for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to ensure fair practices, including fair reimbursement rates for pharmacies and prohibiting exclusions based on arbitrary criteria. 
  • Senate Bill 5884 allows courts to order restitution for environmental harm in criminal cases, aiming to deter offenders and protect ecosystems and public health from pollution and hazardous waste. 

These are just a handful of bills that made it to the finish line this session. Stay tuned for future updates on other important legislation that will make Washington a better place to live.  

Important Investments 

This session, we also worked hard to secure funding for important projects across our state. I’m excited to share with you the following investments that will help our communities in the 46th: 

  • Northaven green space restoration — Northaven Senior Living, situated near the Northgate Light Rail Station, offers low-income and affordable housing options for independent or assisted living. This project aims to rejuvenate disrupted areas with outdoor play spaces for childcare, cross-block walkways for easy access to amenities, and areas for intergenerational activities such as gardening and volunteering. The project encourages community engagement and provides spaces for music, picnics, and neighborhood gatherings. 
  • Northgate Jose Marti Early Learning Center — A new expansion of the José Martí Child Development Center (JMCDC) is planned near the north lot of the Northgate Transit Center. This community-centered initiative caters to children aged 15 months to 5 years old, offering a bilingual, bicultural curriculum that underscores cultural diversity, social justice, and family engagement. The program aims to foster children’s self-awareness, cultural pride, and self-esteem while providing age-appropriate developmental activities across cognitive, social/emotional, physical, and language domains, thereby preparing them adequately for kindergarten. 
  • CoLEAD Northgate — Purchase of a building in Seattle for the CoLEAD temporary lodging program, aiding chronically homeless individuals with complex behavioral health issues. CoLEAD, created during the COVID emergency, offers temporary lodging and intensive case management to address the root cause of a majority of illegal activity amongst its audience: unmet behavioral health needs and/or income instability. The proposed Northgate facility will accommodate up to 60 individuals at a time, offering intensive case management, medical and behavioral health care access, legal services, and tailored support. 
  • North Aurora safety improvements — Focused on enhancing safety along the corridor, this initiative involves the design and construction of priority improvements. We’re investing $4 million for the installation of new sidewalks, medians/access management, lighting upgrades, signalized crossings, and changes to roadway channelization. 

Team Valdez  

While legislators often receive public recognition when bills pass, it’s important to acknowledge that our accomplishments are truly a team effort made possible by the support, dedication, and hard work of our staff. I am incredibly thankful and fortunate to have had such an exceptional team this session. They helped answer your calls, reply to your emails, schedule meetings with you and much more. I want to express a heartfelt thank you to my team who made it all possible! 

Stay in touch 

Thank you for your unwavering support throughout this session. Although we made significant progress, our work is far from over. There is still more to do to better serve our communities. I am committed to continue advocating for the needs of our district and striving to make substantial progress toward a brighter future for all. Your continued support is crucial in this ongoing effort. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov or by calling my office at (360) 786-7690. You can also stay informed about my activities by visiting my website or following me on Facebook, Twitter or my brand-new Instagram account for regular updates. It is an honor to represent you. 

Until next time,  

Sen. Javier Valdez