Dear friends and neighbors, 

Before we get into this edition’s focus on environmental progress, I want to address something very  important.

We’re once again seeing dangerous anti-immigrant rhetoric in the national spotlight — with continued calls for mass deportations and policies rooted in fear. I want to be clear: Washington state will not turn its back on our immigrant communities. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights, safety and dignity of all people, no matter where they come from. 

This work is deeply personal to me. As the proud son and grandson of farmworkers and laborers, and a lifelong advocate for civil rights, I know what’s at stake. That’s why I’ve worked alongside my colleagues to advance legislation that pushes back against hate and upholds our shared values. 

  • We’ve expanded civil service eligibility for immigrants (2018 and 2024), and this year we passed HB 1131 to create a path for sentence review that can help prevent unjust deportations. 
  • We also passed SB 5104 (2025) to ban workplace coercion based on immigration status. 
  • Over multiple sessions, we’ve strengthened protections against hate crimes and expanded access to education and legal resources for DREAMers, undocumented students and vulnerable youth through the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status program. 

In a time when fear is being weaponized, I remain committed to building a Washington where everyone feels safe, seen and supported — and where every person has the opportunity to thrive. 

Safeguarding Our Environment and Communities 

In previous newsletters, I’ve shared updates on our work this session around housing, education and community investments. This edition highlights another major priority: protecting our environment and the health of our communities. 

Washington continues to feel the real and urgent impacts of climate change — from wildfire smoke filling our skies to increasingly extreme heat waves. This session, we took meaningful action to reduce pollution, support clean energy innovation and protect the places and people we love. 

Here are some of the key bills we passed this year: 

  • SB 5284 – The Recycling Reform Act
    Overhauls Washington’s recycling system by holding producers accountable for packaging waste. It creates a coordinated, statewide program to reduce unnecessary packaging and improve recycling outcomes. 
  • HB 1409 – Strengthening Clean Fuels
    Updates our state’s Clean Fuels Program to require greater pollution reductions and reinvest in clean transportation — reducing emissions while improving access to sustainable transit. 
  • SB 5036 – Improving the Climate Commitment Act
    Enhances transparency and accountability in Washington’s cap-and-invest program through stronger data collection and annual emissions reports based on the latest science. 
  • HB 1018 – Investing in Clean Energy Innovation
    Positions Washington as a national hub for fusion energy research — laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs in carbon-free energy. 
  • HB 1462 – Phasing Out Harmful Pollutants
    Launches a new program to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide, and transition to safer alternatives. 
  • SB 5450 – Sewage Spill Transparency
    Creates a publicly accessible website to report sewage spills in real time, ensuring communities are informed and agencies are held accountable. 
  • HB 1514 – Supporting Thermal Energy Development
    Streamlines regulations to expand the use of clean, efficient thermal energy systems for heating and cooling buildings across the state. 

There’s more work to do, but we’re making real progress. Addressing climate change means protecting public health, advancing environmental justice and creating good-paying jobs in the clean energy economy — all while ensuring no community is left behind. 

Aurora Avenue Safety Walk 

Last month, I joined the Aurora Reimagined Coalition and neighbors from across the 46th and 43rd Districts for a community walk along Aurora Avenue North. Together, we toured recent safety improvements and discussed what more is needed to make Aurora safer, more equitable and more livable for everyone — including right here in the 46th. 

Aurora is a vital connector for our neighborhoods — and for far too long, it’s been neglected. That’s why I was proud to help secure $5 million in this year’s state transportation budget to fund continued safety upgrades along the corridor. 

A huge thank-you to the community members, advocates and partners who continue pushing for people-first design and stronger investments in housing, transit and pedestrian safety. 

Stay In Touch 

As always, I’m here to listen and learn. Your feedback helps shape the policies we fight for in Olympia. 

You can contact me via email at javier.valdez@leg.wa.gov or by phone at (360) 786-7690. You can also stay informed about my work by visiting my website or following me on Facebook, X and Instagram for regular updates. 

Thank you again for your trust. It is an honor to represent you. 

Sincerely, 

 

 

Javier Valdez
46th Legislative District