Legislative Update from Representative Mike Steele
information released
Dear Friends and Neighbors: Deadlines keep the Legislature moving, and the days leading up to them can be a whirlwind. One of the most significant milestones—House of Origin cutoff on March 12—is now behind us. In the rush to meet the deadline, the House passed dozens of bills—some with broad support and others sparking more debate. While certain proposals did not move forward, others advanced to the Senate, where they will undergo further discussion and scrutiny.
That’s why our upcoming 12th District Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. couldn’t come at a better time. With the dust settling from the cutoff, this is the perfect opportunity to hear the latest updates, ask questions, and, most importantly, make your voice heard. If you haven’t done so already, you can register here.
Apple Blossom Royalty in Olympia!
Before jumping into legislative updates, I want to take a moment to recognize an important local tradition. Congratulations to the 2025 Apple Blossom Royalty! The Apple Blossom Festival has long been a cherished source of pride in our community, and I was honored to welcome this year’s royalty to Olympia.
This year’s Apple Blossom Queen, Ella Johnson, is a senior at The River Academy and the daughter of Kyle and Andie Johnson. Joining her are Apple Blossom Princesses Daeja Carlson, a Running Start student at Wenatchee Valley College, and Yasmine Perez, a senior at Eastmont High School who is also enrolled in Running Start. These young women represent the best of our community, and I wish them a fantastic festival season!
Big Win: My bill moves forward!
The days leading up to March 12 were packed with long debates, late nights, and more coffee than I’d like to admit. But through all the back-and-forth, some good legislation made it through—including one I’m especially excited about.
House Bill 1156 was approved by the House and is now off to the Senate for its next test. If passed, my bill would allow volunteer firefighters to participate in the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program, helping with recruitment and retention. It ensures volunteer firefighters are recognized as employees under the program, making them eligible to set aside earnings for retirement under federal savings guidelines. They’ll also have the flexibility to choose their investment options, with plans managed by the state. This is a much-needed step toward supporting those who step up to protect our communities.
Other good bills that made the cut
Several other strong bills advanced through the House, including:
- House Bill 1108: Seeks to tackle the housing crisis head-on by uniting industry experts and community voices in a task force to pinpoint why homes and rentals are so expensive.
- House Bill 1191: This bill would make manufactured homes in resident-owned communities eligible for better financing, reduce costs, and make homeownership more affordable.
- House Bill 1121: This bill would remove barriers for 16-and 17-year-olds in career and technical education programs, allowing them to work the same flexible hours during the school year as Running Start students, boosting workforce development and skills in the trades.
- House Bill 1912: This would assist farmers and ranchers by providing streamlined access to the exemption for fuel used for agricultural purposes under the Climate Commitment Act, ensuring unnecessary complexities and compliance costs no longer burden them.
- House Bill 1261: Seeks protections for family farmers who embrace agritourism, ensuring they do not lose significant tax benefits, preserving their financial viability, and safeguarding farmland for future generations.
- House Bill 1414: Would direct the CTE task force to identify employment barriers for 16- and 17-year-old students while proposing better job training, certification, and hiring rules.
- House Bill 1648: Seeks to address Washington’s child care crisis by extending qualification timelines for providers, recognizing experience-based competency, and removing unnecessary barriers that push skilled professionals out of the workforce.
- House Bill 1106: Would reduce property taxes for disabled veterans by lowering the service-connected disability rating threshold from 80% to 40% over two years, supporting aging heroes on fixed incomes.
Bills that raise concerns
While many strong bills advanced, some concerning legislation also made it through the House. House Bill 1296 is one of the most troubling. More than 450,000 Washingtonians—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—supported Initiative 2081 to keep parents involved in their children’s education. This bill weakens key provisions of that initiative, rolling back essential protections. Lawmakers had the chance to improve it with several reasonable amendments, but most were rejected.
Bills to keep an eye on:
- House Bill 1320 – Would increase business taxes with a permanent 10% hike in B&O tax rates and a 20% surcharge on service-based businesses for two years, making it harder to compete and forcing businesses to cut jobs or raise prices.
- House Bill 1409 – This bill seeks to expand the Clean Fuels Program, increasing fuel costs and penalizing companies for factors outside their control, hitting small businesses and low-income families the hardest.
- House Bill 1480 – This proposal would permit counties to impose a new real estate excise tax (REET), further driving up housing costs. Although presented as a measure to fund affordable housing, it lacks safeguards to ensure the money is spent effectively. As a fiscal bill, it can be brought forward at any time.
- House Bill 1334 – This proposal would increase the property tax growth limit from 1% to 3%, tying it to population growth and inflation. This would burden homeowners and small businesses with higher taxes, limit the local government’s ability to manage tax rates responsibly and undermine economic stability. As a fiscal bill, it can be brought forward at any time.
These bills need more scrutiny. Raising taxes, weakening parental rights, and increasing housing costs do not make life easier for hardworking Washingtonians.
What’s Next in the Legislature?
Now that the House of Origin cutoff is behind us, lawmakers are shifting focus to bills passed by the opposite chamber. With so much happening, it can be challenging to keep up, but The Week Ahead makes it simple. This weekly update provides a rundown of key bills scheduled for public hearings and committee work sessions, along with easy ways to engage—whether that means testifying in person or remotely, submitting your position, or adding written testimony.
For the next several weeks, the budget will take center stage. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council will release its latest revenue forecast next week, bringing the $10 billion budget shortfall into sharp focus. The big questions remain: how did we get here, and what are the best solutions? For a closer look at the challenges and practical reforms that could help, visit this budget website for more information.
Stay engaged!
As we move into this next phase of the session, your input is more important than ever. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, stay engaged, and help shape the future of our state.
Thank you for the honor of representing you in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Mike Steele
12th Legislative District
RepresentativeMikeSteele.com
425A Legislative Building | P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
mike.steele@leg.wa.gov
360-786-7832 | Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
