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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
One of the principles I have carried with me since my first day in the Legislature is that good ideas don’t belong to one party. The people of Washington expect us to solve problems, not score political points, and that means being willing to work with anyone serious about getting results. I am proud to have built working relationships on both sides of the aisle, grounded in mutual respect and trust.
In fact, many Democratic colleagues have approached me on multiple occasions to ask for my support for their legislation. That leads me to believe my bipartisan approach is working. I don’t sign on to every bill, but I do evaluate each bill on its merits, asking a simple question: will this help the people and communities we serve?
My goal has always been to be a bipartisan legislator who listens carefully, works collaboratively, and focuses on passing practical, responsible legislation that makes life better for everyone in Washington.
Update on Legislation I’m Sponsoring
I am sponsoring five bills this session and have signed on as a co-sponsor for numerous other bipartisan bills. Here’s the latest update on my bills.
House Bill 2308 is a commonsense bill that should become law. It would strengthen enforcement of Washington’s auto insurance requirements, promoting fairness and public safety for all. A driver’s failure to provide proof of insurance during a traffic stop would result in a significant fine. The goal is to reduce uninsured driving, protect accident victims, and provide clearer guidance for law enforcement. Click here to learn more. Unfortunately, this has yet to receive a hearing in the House Transportation Committee.
I’m happy to report that House Bill 2224 has received committee approval and now awaits a vote from the entire House. This bill would update state law governing cities’ creation of fire protection districts, giving local governments another optional tool to fund fire and emergency medical services without undermining other essential services. This bill is about giving cities choices, not mandates. As the mayor of a small city, I’ve seen communities being forced to choose between adequately funding fire protection and keeping basic city services running. That’s not a fair position to put local leaders or taxpayers in. Click here to learn more.
Additionally, House Bill 2531 has passed the House Appropriations Committee and is also awaiting a vote from the entire House. This legislation would modernize how the state calculates and adjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates for emergency ambulance transports. Our emergency ambulance providers are a critical part of the health care system, especially in rural and underserved areas. This bill would ensure the funding structure that supports them remains stable, transparent, and aligned with federal rules, so we don’t risk losing federal dollars. Click here to learn more.
I’m also sponsoring House Bill 2622, which would update the factors an arbitrator must consider when resolving labor disputes for Department of Corrections employees over wages, hours, and working conditions. It clarifies and strengthens how compensation comparisons are made by requiring arbitrators to consider similar correctional and government employees in Washington and across the western United States, while also weighing DOC’s ability to pay and retain staff. It would promote fair, transparent, and balanced outcomes in interest arbitration. This bill is awaiting a public hearing in the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee.
House Bill 2627 was inspired by the ongoing issues with the Slough Bridge in the 17th District. This bill would help Washington keep its highways and bridges safe, reliable, and in good repair. It would also streamline environmental review and contracting rules for repairing or replacing aging and structurally deficient bridges, allowing urgent projects to move faster without adding new travel lanes. Additionally, it would allow carbon-emissions-reduction funds to be used for bridge maintenance and replacement, and it would provide a $100 million appropriation for that purpose. Together, these changes would reduce delays, lower long-term repair costs, improve public safety, and help communities avoid disruptive bridge closures while making smarter use of existing transportation dollars. It’s waiting to be heard by the House Transportation Committee.
Washington Farm Bureau Recognition
I would also like to give a big thank you to the Washington Farm Bureau for recently recognizing me as a “Friend of the Farm Bureau” for “an exemplary voting record in the 2025 legislative session.” The 17th District may not be known for farming, but farming is an extremely important industry in many other parts of Washington. I understand how vital farming and farmers are to our state’s economy, so I am always aware of their needs and fully support them and the entire farming industry. Thank you, Washington Farm Bureau!
Virtual Town Hall – Save the Date
Be sure to save the date for our 17th district virtual town hall meeting. Join me, Sen. Paul Harris, and Rep. Kevin Waters via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Click here to register.
Thank You, and Please Stay in Touch
As the session moves forward, I want to hear from you. Your ideas and feedback matter, and they help me better represent our district. Please stay engaged and reach out anytime as we navigate these important issues together. It is an honor to serve you in Olympia.
Sincerely,
David Stuebe
