2023 Session Update

May, 2nd 2023

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Well, folks, I’m back! And my first session as a legislator has come and gone.

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There were lots of late nights and early mornings. We got a lot done and made progress on tons of hard issues. I’ve had some time to reflect and I wanted to share some highlights:

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• Serving as Vice Chair to the spectacular Chair Hansen on the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.

• Defending the Shield Law, HB 1469, on the floor which will protect reproductive healthcare, patients, and workers in WA. And of course, being invited to speak at the Pro-Choice WA rally on the steps of the Capitol.

• Sharing my lived experience as a survivor of a lockdown due to a mass shooting to help pass HB 1240 off the floor and ban the future sale of assault weapons in Washington.

• Introducing the first Nowruz resolution in the House and hosting a joint celebration with Sen. Trudeau on campus to continue former Lt. Gov. Habib’s tradition to welcome spring and community members.

• Passing HB 1541, the Nothing About Us Without Us Act off the House Floor after introducing the legislation with my seatmate Rep. Pollet in each of the three years prior.

• Hosting guests! Sponsoring my friend Rahul Sharma to be my Legislative Page for a week and hosting the Koo Family for Children’s Day.

• Making the front page of the Seattle Times for HB 1618 which would retroactively eliminate the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse seeking civil claims.

• Making amazing friends that will last a lifetime including:

  • hiring my friend Andrzej Montaño to be my LA!

  • Connecting with my fellow freshman legislators

  • Spending quality time with lobbyist friends

• Getting HB 1345 signed by the governor and eliminating the cost of extended family visitation for all eligible incarcerated individuals.

• Providing the nomination speech for my friend and mentor Rep. Orwall on opening day moments after being sworn into office.

• Being a lead negotiator for SB 5440 as a first-year legislator after working on the issue area for five years looking in.

• Hosting my first town hall with my fantastic seatmates via Zoom- look out for our post-session wrap-up in June!

• Getting nominated by our Speaker and accepted into the State Legislative Leaders Foundation for the 2023 Emerging Legislative Leaders Program this summer!

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And so many more!! If you haven’t already, consider following my official page so you can get updates as we move through the next session. I look forward to catching up in the interim!