News Releases

OLYMPIA — The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Biden administration regulation Wednesday aimed at controlling "ghost gun" kits, which enable individuals to easily acquire parts to assemble firearms from online sellers.  In response, Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle) issued the following statement:  “I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold regulations that will help keep our communities safer ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to streamline the path for skilled international medical graduates to join Washington’s health care workforce passed the Senate Wednesday.  Senate Bill 5118, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), removes outdated barriers while keeping rigorous medical standards to protect patient safety.  Washington faces a growing doctor shortage, leaving many families struggling to ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation to expand voter registration services through government agencies passed the Senate Wednesday.  Senate Bill 5077, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), directs the governor to designate additional state, local, federal, and tribal agencies to offer automatic voter registration. The expansion aims to increase voter participation, particularly among historically underserved communities.  “This bill ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation to make financial education a graduation requirement for Washington high school students was heard Tuesday in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.  Senate Bill 5080, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), aims to equip students with the tools they need to manage their finances and plan for the future.  “Financial ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to keep Washingtonians safe from gun violence was heard in the Senate Law & Justice Committee Tuesday.   Senate Bill 5098, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), would prohibit weapons in locations where children and families frequently gather, including parks with playgrounds, as well as state and local government buildings and county fairs ...

OLYMPIA — Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle) has been elected to serve as chair of the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections Committee, following a vote among Senate Democrats last week. Valdez succeeds Sen. Sam Hunt (D-Olympia), who will retire in January 2025 after nearly 25 years of service in the Legislature. “I am deeply honored to follow Sen. Hunt, whose tireless ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to provide meaningful help to victims of hate crimes and bias incidents in Washington state was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee today. Senate Bill 5427, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), establishes a support system for victims of hate crimes and bias incidents by creating a hotline administered by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) ...

OLYMPIA – A bill prioritizing the public safety of Washingtonians was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee today. Senate Bill 5444, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), expands upon existing legislation by including additional designated places where possession of weapons is prohibited. Among the newly added locations are public libraries, zoos, aquariums, and transit stations or facilities utilized for ...

OLYMPIA — Two bills aiming to strengthen Washington state's democracy and address concerning ballot rejection rates were signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee.  Sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle), Senate Bill 5890 and Senate Bill 6269 represent a significant step forward in improving voter access and inclusivity in the state’s electoral ...