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    Dear Friends and Neighbors,

    Deadlines: Friday, Feb. 21, was the first major deadline of the 2025 session. Policy bills that did not pass out of their respective committees in the chamber where they were introduced are likely dead. The next deadline is this Friday, Feb. 28, the cutoff for fiscal bills (money-related legislation). While many bills will die, some worrisome bills may advance. Read on to learn more.

    Today’s newsletter is a 4-minute read time – 760 words.

    Rep. Michelle Caldier meets with Gig Harbor Peninsula School District students at the state Capitol.

    Top story: Worrisome bills

    What people tell me they care about: For several weeks, constituents contacting my office have shared concerns about several specific bills, most of which are still alive:

    • Property tax increases—House Bill 1334 could triple property tax rates. It would lift the 1% annual property tax increase limit voters set through Initiative 747 in 2001 and allow yearly tax increases of up to 3%. This would make housing in Washington more unaffordable.
    • Early release from prison — House Bill 1125 would allow convicted felons to petition for sentence reductions. The bill would give judges broad discretion to reduce sentences for offenders who claim rehabilitation, potentially allowing those convicted of crimes to be released far earlier than initially intended.
    • Parental rights — House Bill 1296 would wipe out parental rights protections supported by 450,000 Washingtonians through Initiative 2081 and passed last year by the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill would shut parents out of information, such as curriculum access, school records, and medical or counseling details. One of its most ardent supporters, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, recently told reporters, “Young women have, if they’re old enough to get pregnant, they’re old enough to make their own decisions about what happens with their bodies. And parents do not have the right to change that, or make a different decision, or be notified in advance.” The Senate passed its version of the measure, Senate Bill 5181, and it is awaiting a hearing in the House Education Committee.
    • Road usage charge — House Bill 1921 would implement a 2.6-cent-per-mile road usage charge for highway maintenance and preservation. This would be on top of the current state gas tax, essentially creating a double tax on drivers. An additional assessment (10% of the road usage charge) would be allocated to rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit projects. Nearly 20,000 people signed in against the bill during a public hearing on Feb. 13.
    • Gun bills — A lengthy list of gun bills has been proposed, but two could likely advance: House Bill 1132 would limit the number of guns and ammunition you could purchase, and House Bill 1152 would require government-approved locking devices for guns in your home and automobile.
    • Rent control — House Bill 1217 and Senate Bill 5222 include a 7% cap on yearly rent increases for existing tenants. There’s concern this bill could incentivize landlords to increase rents each year to the maximum limit and reduce available rentals, further driving up costs and making it harder for people to find rental housing.

    I welcome your input on these and other bills under consideration in the Legislature.

    Rep. Michelle Caldier recently testified at a House Early Learning and Human Services Committee public hearing on legislation to expand childcare services.

    In the news

    Join me on Saturday, March 15, for our 26th District town hall meetings

    I want to hear from you! Get the latest information about the 2025 legislative session. Bring your questions and comments. Choose from three locations.

    • 9:30 a.m. – Vaughn: Key Peninsula Civic Center – Whitmore Room, 17010 South Vaughn Rd. Northwest
    • Noon – Port Orchard: Kitsap County Administration Building – Commissioner’s Chambers: 619 Division St.
    • 6 p.m. – Gig Harbor: Swift Water Elementary School – Community Room, 10811 Harbor Hill Dr.

    Please write, call, or email my office with your questions, comments, or suggestions about the content of this email update, any legislation, or challenges about state government. I’m here to help.

    Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve and represent you and the great 26th Legislative District!

    Sincerely,


    Michelle Valdez

    State Representative Michelle Valdez, 26th Legislative District
    RepresentativeMichelleValdez.com
    427B Legislative Building | P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
    michelle.valdez@leg.wa.gov
    (360) 786-7802 | Toll-free: (800) 562-6000