A legislative update from Senator Keith Goehner
information released
Dear neighbors and friends,
Wednesday marked one of the most important cutoffs for bills to move forward for the remainder of the session. Any bill that did not pass out of their house of origin is now dead in the water. I had a number of bills pass the senate, four of which have moved to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Senate Bill 5317 would streamline the planning of energy projects, Engrossed Senate Bill 5467 would allows water-sewer districts more flexibility when selling surplus property, Senate Bill 5471 would expands local housing options in unincorporated growth areas, and Senate Bill 5558 would give 10 counties more time to revise their comprehensive plans.
Senate Bill 5558 is scheduled for a public hearing on March 19 at 8 a.m. If you’d like to testify, sign up here.
My real concerns are the bills moving forward in both chambers.
Senate Bill 5123 expands protections for certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools. I strongly support equal opportunity and protection in schools, but we already have stringent standards, and this bill goes beyond that by adding additional protected classes. This creates real issues for the schools and more potential liability.
The House Committee on Education will have a public hearing on SB 5123 on Monday at 1:30 p.m. If you’d like to testify, sign up here.
I am also concerned with Senate Bill 5296 which would modify juvenile incarceration sentencing by requiring courts to provide more community-based alternatives to jail sentencing for certain juvenile offenses. Local governments and prosecutors testified against this approach in committee, siting community safety and cost. While this bill aims to address overcrowding in our juvenile justice facilities, it doesn’t address the real issue. We’re not providing adequate facilities and letting incarcerated juveniles out early is not the answer.
The House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services will have a public hearing on SB 5296 on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. If you’d like to testify, sign up here.
One of the most detrimental bills is House Bill 1217, which would limit rent increases to 7% within a 12-month period and prohibit rent hikes during the first year of tenancy for most renters. The bill also limits move-in fees, security deposits, and late fees, and authorizes tenants or the attorney general to take legal action to enforce compliance. This bill is a blanket solution to a problem that is limited to a few bad actors. While this bill may help limit rents in the short term, rent control has shown to deter investment and development in new housing.
Property owners continue to see increases in insurance, taxes and maintenance and upkeep costs. They cannot reasonably predict many of these increases. Without a means to pass along at least some of those costs we will continue to see a decrease in rentals. We need more housing, and this bill will ultimately work against that goal.
The Senate Committee on Housing will have a public hearing on HB 1217 on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. If you’d like to testify, sign up here.
Lastly, there are two bills that have advanced in both chambers that would strike major parts of the recently passed Parents’ Bill of Rights. Senate Bill 5181 and House Bill 1296 undermine the trust that was rebuilt after the pandemic with the passing of Initiative 2081. I feel strongly that parents should be leading the decision making of their child’s future, not the schools. These bills override parental authority and are contrary to new federal regulations, which means passing them may jeopardize federal funding. These bills both passed their respective chambers and will be considered further.
Today marks the 61st day of the 105-day legislative session. The senate will now focus on legislation passed out of the House and the operating budget, which currently is projecting a $5.6 billion shortfall. I’ll make sure to keep you up to date as we progress.
Thank you for the honor to serve you and enjoy my latest newsletter.
Sincerely
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Keith Goehner, R-Dryden
Washington State Senate
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Liam Hill sponsored as a Senate page
Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden and grandson Liam Hill/Credit: Washington State Senate
My grandson, Liam Hill, a freshman at Cashmere High School, recently spent a week working as a page for me for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia.
He was one of 19 students who served as Senate pages for the eighth week of the 2025 legislative session.
It was a pleasure having Liam as a page for this week of the session. He is very interested in the political process, and this gave him a great opportunity to observe the Legislature in action.
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My Senate Republican colleagues and I unveiled a fiscally responsible solution to the state’s budget shortfall: the “$ave Washington” budget proposal that funds the priorities shared by Washingtonians without relying on spending cuts or tax increases.
This is an honest, reasonable approach that proves no one needs to choose between making life in Washington less affordable or slashing essential services. Olympia already has enough taxpayer dollars to maintain the services our residents care about most. This confirms it.
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Senate unanimously passed bill granting counties more time to update growth plans
The state Senate has passed legislation I sponsored that would give 10 counties, including Chelan and Douglas counties, an additional six months to review and revise their comprehensive plans.
The extension proposed under Senate Bill 5558 would also apply to cities in those counties.
This is consistent with extensions granted to other counties in recent years, including King and Snohomish, which are partly in our legislative district along with most of Chelan.
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Senate passes bill to help with planning of energy projects
The state Senate has unanimously passed legislation of mine that is intended to streamline the planning of energy projects. My would ensure that when a city or county collaborates with the state’s Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) for technical assistance, application reviews, or facility inspections, it is automatically considered compliant with all relevant state and local laws.
This would simplify the regulatory process and clarify the legal standing of local governments engaging with EFSEC. It is a step forward in giving local government more control, tools and opportunities when planning energy projects.
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Senate passes bill to reduce red tape for water-sewer districts
The state Senate passed legislation of mine that would make it more cost-effective for water-sewer districts to offload surplus property.
This legislation would double the current $2,500 threshold for the notice-of-intention requirement water-sewer districts must meet for the sale of personal property.
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SRC On-Air | KOZI and KONA
I had the opportunity to broadcast twice last week from the KOZI and KONA studios.
In my KOZI broadcast, I discuss concerns about a bill allowing striking workers to get unemployment and early release for juvenile offenders. I support delaying electric ferries, fixing roads, and the Senate Republican budget
In my KONA broadcast, I discuss Gov. Ferguson’s shift away from costly electric ferries, calling for diesel alternatives, and where warns of declining gas taxes, the need for new funding sources, and ensuring transit pays for roads.
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106th Apple Blossom Royalty visits Olympia
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The 106th Apple Blossom Royalty, pictured from left to right, Blossom Princess Daeja Carlson, Blossom Princess Yasmin Perez, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, and Blossom Queen, Ella Johnson.
The 2025 Apple Blossom Royalty visited the Capital campus in Olympia on March 13. They met with12th District lawmakers Sen. Goehner, Rep. Steele, and Rep. Burnett, and visited the Secretary of State’s office, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Washington State Treasurer’s office and the Senate floor/Credit: Washington State Senate.
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12th District lawmakers to host virtual town hall meeting | March 20, 2025
Rep. Mike Steele, Rep. Brian Burnett and I invite residents of Central Washington’s 12th Legislative District to join them for a one-hour Virtual Town Hall meeting on Thursday, March 20, starting at 6:30 p.m. Those who wish to participate must register in advance for the meeting.
The virtual town hall meeting allows constituents to interact with their 12th district lawmakers from their computers, tablets, or smartphones. The event will be conducted using the Zoom platform.
Please join us for a 12th District Virtual Town Hall to share your thoughts and ask questions.
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When: Thursday, March 20, 2025 ⏰ Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Register: https://tinyurl.com/ymu948sp Or scan the QR code Your input is invaluable, and we’re excited to connect with you. |
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