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February 11, 2025

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We’re already into the second month of the 2025 legislative session, addressing the many pressing issues facing Washington. During my short time in the Legislature, I’ve learned a lot and had many great opportunities to meet with and hear from you. As this session moves forward, I continue focusing on my priorities and doing whatever I can to help the people of our great state, especially in the 17th District.

In this email, I will update you on my legislation, efforts from the ruling party that would essentially wipe out the parents’ bill of rights initiative passed last year, rent control, and how Republicans are working to fix Washington and find real solutions to the state’s many crises.

My Legislation

So far this session, I have introduced two bills and signed on as a co-sponsor for many other good pieces of legislation. You can track all of these bills by clicking here. Here’s an update on my two bills.

House Bill 1625 would create a grant program to support backcountry search and rescue organizations and volunteers. We need to help the agencies and responders who answer the call to help people in emergency situations, which are becoming more common. The Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division estimates that approximately 1,000 search and rescue missions occur annually in Washington. Natural disasters and other emergencies are going to happen, especially when people head out to explore wilderness areas in Washington. This grant program would create a way to help fund these backcountry search and rescue efforts and prevent the state from taking on more expenses. The House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee has not yet voted on HB 1625. Click here to learn more.

House Bill 1708 would help local governments better track the impacts of homelessness by directing the state to create a dashboard app for cities and counties to use at their discretion. Having a dashboard would be a motivating factor in modifying behavior when we need to try something different. The Department of Commerce already collects and posts some information about housing-related expenditures in a dashboard on its website, but the information is limited.

HB 1708 would provide a new tool for local government websites. The state would pay for the computer application to create the dashboard, and local governments would have the choice to use it or not. The homelessness issue is not getting better. We need to look closer at the current programs so the people can hold government more accountable. This legislation would make it possible for communities to examine homelessness issues more closely on a local level and see where to make changes. HB 1708 is waiting for a public hearing in the House Local Government Committee. Click here to learn more.

Lastly, with the need for so many major transportation projects in the 17th district, I’m also very focused on the bills being considered in the Transportation Committee, not the least of which is the transportation budget. This has been a major focus of mine. To that end, I’m co-sponsoring several bills aimed at improving transportation in Washington, and I’m working on securing funding for important 17th District projects.

As the session progresses, I’ll keep you posted on these bills and other important legislation.

Parental Rights Initiative Under Attack

Two bills limiting parents’ input on what schools are teaching and access to what happens to their kids in school are currently making their way through the Legislature: House Bill 1296, and Senate Bill 5181.

Last year, Washingtonians overwhelmingly approved the Parents’ Bill of Rights (Initiative 2081), a citizen-led measure backed by nearly 450,000 signatures and bipartisan support. This initiative reinforced parents’ right to access information about their children’s education and affirmed their role as primary stakeholders.

However, HB 1296 and SB 5181 both seek to roll back these protections. HB 1296 even includes an emergency clause, preventing citizens from challenging it through a referendum—effectively cutting voters out of the process. I strongly oppose this effort to weaken parental rights. Most parents put their children’s best interests first, and they should have the right to determine what is best for their kids.

Unfortunately, HB 1296 has already advanced out of the House Education Committee, despite strong Republican opposition. We introduced several amendments to protect parental rights—all of which were rejected. One key amendment would have required schools to immediately notify parents or guardians if their child is the victim of misconduct by a school employee, but Democrats voted it down. Click here to view testimony.

HB 1296 is expected to be debated and voted on, on the House floor soon. If you oppose this bill, please contact its sponsor and other Democratic legislators to give your input. SB 5181, which amends Initiative 2081, was voted out of the Senate last week.

Majority Party Pushing Rent Control Again

Under the majority party, our affordable housing crisis is not getting better. The Democrats’ answer is House Bill 1217, which would cap annual rent increases at 7%, with exemptions for public housing, nonprofit housing, new construction, low-income housing, owner-occupied duplexes, and homeowners renting out rooms. HB 1217 is rent control, which sounds good on the surface, but multiple examples from other states that have tried rent control show it doesn’t work. In fact, rent control will make things worse.

• Rent control and rent stabilization harm tenants by causing immediate rent increases. Over time, this effect compounds, eventually leading to higher rents than if the policies were never enacted.
• Rent control reduces the supply of available rental housing, which disproportionately hurts low-income renters and people of color.
• Rent control further slows housing development in Washington, worsening the state’s already severe housing crisis.
• Rent control’s total impact on our housing market will worsen our homelessness crisis.
• Rent control encourages landlords to implement the maximum allowable rent increase annually, even when smaller increases might otherwise suffice.

This is a bad policy that will hurt struggling Washingtonians even more.

House Republicans Working to Fix Washington

As we address the many issues in our great state, my priorities remain the same. I’m focused on a strong economy and reducing the cost of living, making communities safer, empowering all families, and smarter government. House Republicans share these priorities, and we have introduced several bills this session that are real solutions to the state’s many problems.

Years of one-party rule have negatively impacted so many Washington families and businesses. The cost of living has skyrocketed, taxes have increased, crime and homelessness aren’t getting better, our education system isn’t working, and too many people can’t afford to buy or rent a home. We can’t continue doing the same things and expect different results. From child care to energy, and health care to transportation, our state is struggling, and Republicans are offering real solutions. Click here to learn more about Washington’s crises and here to learn how Republicans are working to fix them.

Please Continue to Reach Out

It is a privilege to serve you and be your voice in Olympia. If I can assist you in any way, please contact my office. Your input is vital as I work to represent you. Thank you.

It’s an honor to serve.

Sincerely,

David Stuebe