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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
*** Please note the town halls are on Feb. 22*** dates and locations at the bottom
We are now in the fourth week of a busy legislative session. I continue to fight for you and discuss the many pressing issues before us this session including jobs, transportation, education, taxes and budgets, health care, public safety, and many other matters.
Feb. 7 marks an important day for the House of Representatives. This is the last day for committees to hear bills from their house of origin and the first significant deadline during session. Legislation originating in the House of Representatives must be voted out of House committees by Friday (and vice versa for the Senate), or the legislation is most likely “dead.” Only fiscal and transportation committees are exempt from this deadline. To see more about how a bill becomes law, click here.
2014 legislation moves out of committee
I have sponsored and co-sponsored some important measures that are successfully moving through session. You can see a full list of the legislation I have sponsored and co-sponsored here. Below are a few bills worth highlighting: 
- House Bill 2549 – This Tuesday, Feb. 4, I testified, along with Rep. Freeman, on this important bill which would require sentencing enhancement for attempting to elude a police vehicle. I have met with Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, city staff and the King County Prosecutor – who also testified during the hearing. This issue has particularly affected the city of Federal Way in recent weeks.
- House Bill 2359 – Exempts some collectible vehicles, which are rarely driven, from emission test requirements. I am the prime sponsor on this bill and it passed unanimously out of the House Environment Committee.
- House Bill 2360 – Would provide employers who are in a dispute with the Department of Labor and Industries with better access to the appeals process. Only 13 cases were appealed in 2013 out of 658 because of onerous requirements. You can hear my testimony on this measure here (or click the image to the right).
- House Bill 2170 – Authorizes water-sewer districts to issue their own warrants for payments. I co-sponsored this legislation and I believe will help our local water-sewer districts operate more efficiently and hopefully help keep rates from rising. The bill was voted out of the House Local Government Committee Jan. 16 and I am hopeful it will be brought to the House floor for a vote soon.
Activities and visitors
Since session began, I have been busy with committee meetings, floor debates and other legislative actions. January was full of meetings with many constituents and groups. This month included meeting with a class from Brigadoon Elementary and celebrating the 12th Man with Mayor Ferrell.
Jan. 27 I met with metro transit employees and heard about the issues most important to them. The same day I welcomed more than 50 Puget Sound supported living staff members and disabled constituents to Olympia and discussed services to the most vulnerable.
The following day, I participated in a phone conference as a member of the Sex Trafficking Executive Committee.
Jan. 29 I spoke with five students from the Legislative Youth Advisory Council. One young lady had a great story to tell; she is a three-time cancer survivor! You can read her story here.
The following day, I was pleased to meet with the Des Moines city manager, councilmembers from Milton and Auburn, and the mayors of Algona, Pacific, Auburn and Milton.
This week, I participated in a sexual assault resource center reception at the Governor's mansion and then spoke at an event for the Washington Diversity and Veteran's Foundation in Tacoma. I serve on the foundation's board.
Contact me and check the mail for your newsletter
While I am serving at the Capitol, you can contact me in several different ways and keep informed of the work I am doing. My phone number, office location and e-mail address are all listed on my website at www.representativelindakochmar.com. Additionally, you can forward this e-mail to anyone you think may be interested and they can sign up for this correspondence at my website.
Additionally, you may receive a legislative update and survey from me in the mail. Please take a minute to complete the survey and send me your thoughts on the issues that are important to you. While I am in Olympia the needs of our communities remain my top priority and your feedback helps me to represent you best.
Open, accessible government is important to me, which is why I am holding three town hall meetings this month. I hope you can stop by one of these important community forums. Please see the details below:
*** Please note the town halls are on Feb. 22***
- 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Federal Way City Hall Council Chambers
33325 8th Avenue South - 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Milton City Hall Council Chambers
1000 Laurel Street - 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Algona City Hall Council Chambers
402 Ward Street #C
Thank you for the opportunity to be your voice in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Linda Kochmar
