Year in Review: Washington House of Representatives

I’ll be heading back to Olympia to work on your behalf. In 2024, the legislative session is short – just 60 days – getting underway on January 8 and ending on March 7. In 2023, my main accomplishments were centered around behavioral health, public safety, housing and providing a tax break to food producers and consumers.

Before the start of the 2023 session, I made a promise to you that I would work hard on issues encompassing law enforcement and mental health. The two really do work well in tandem, and the two bills that passed both chambers and became law this year include House Bill 1679 (a helping kids in crisis bill) and Senate Bill 5352 (which amended our state’s police pursuits laws). Both bills reflect my commitment to you.

I was also the prime sponsor of House Bill 1573, which extends a tax break until 2035 to the hardworking people of our state who grow fruit and vegetables and provide us with dairy products, seafood and wine. Not only do these food producers enjoy a tax break, but so do you every time you’re in the checkout lane with your groceries. This legislation enables our food producers to stay competitive across state lines and in an ever more competitive global marketplace.

Last session, I also worked hard to secure funding for a new 23-hour urgent care center for behavioral health ($9 million), a new 911 dispatch center ($1 million), emergency transportation for behavioral health emergencies ($800,000), the Ferndale Resource Center ($3 million), and a medical drug detox at the Wellness Center on Lummi Nation ($8.1 million).

I also fought hard to secure two new master of social work programs ($4 million) at Western Washington University and Washington State University to see more professionally trained social workers. Most importantly, I also secured $42.5 million for my popular outdoor education bill from the 2022 legislative session, House Bill 2014, that received almost unanimous bipartisan support.

(Alicia Rule is one of two state representatives for the 42nd Legislative District.)