It is an honor serving as one of your two state representatives in the 42nd Legislative District, and I am proud of the work accomplished during my first session in office, the 2023 legislative session. I worked hard with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation and make investments in our community, and I look forward to building upon these efforts during the year ahead.
I am thrilled that my bill to provide relief for seniors (House Bill 1431) passed the legislature and was signed into law by the governor. This legislation gives residents of senior living communities more peace of mind and the ability to age with dignity and comfort by providing a sales tax exemption on prepared meals.
Four more bills that I prime-sponsored became law in 2023, including two bills pertaining to education: House Bill 1536 eliminated the withholding of high school diplomas to students who meet all requirements to graduate but owe less than $1,000 in debt, and House Bill 1823 expanded access to higher education by establishing a low-interest student loan program for students pursuing advanced degrees in fields that address workforce shortages. Other legislation includes my bill to create a state emergency medical reserve corps (House Bill 1452) to respond to public health and natural disasters, and House Bill 1792 to provide more transparency and clarity for filing claims as part of the water rights adjudication process in Whatcom County.
Last session, I also worked with my seatmates, representative Alicia Rule and senator Sharon Shewmake, to secure funding for many important projects here in Whatcom County.
This includes $2.2 million for the Bell Road and Peace Portal Road grade separation project in Blaine, $1.2 million for the Whatcom Alternative Response program, $9 million for a new 23-hour crisis relief center in Bellingham, and historic statewide investments in special education and affordable housing.
I look forward to continuing this work during 2024, and to represent you to the best of my ability in the legislature.
(Joe Timmons is one of two state representatives for the 42nd Legislative District.)
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