LEGISLATURE 2025-26: Looking ahead to a productive legislative session (CLYDE SHAVERS)
State Representative Clyde Shavers (D-Oak Harbor) posted this on his legislative website on Mon., Jan. 6, 2025, and mailed it to constituents on Thu., Jan. 9, 2025.
Dear Friends and Family,
Over the past year, our team and I have been hard at work drafting and filing bills that reflect our values and priorities. These legislative efforts are not just about solving problems today; they reflect the voices of our community and the promise of a better tomorrow. These bills aim to protect our environment, support our veterans, ensure affordable housing, expand educational opportunities, improve access to quality healthcare, ensure technology is used to help us, and lower the cost of living.
Below are some of our filed bills that draw on the voices of our 10th legislative district:
- Protecting Our Environment.
- Advancing Clean Energy with Fusion (HB 1018). This bill adds fusion energy to facilities that may obtain site certification, positioning Washington as a leader in clean energy innovation.
- Tax Incentives for Farmers (HB 1019). This legislation provides tax incentives for farmers in conservation programs, promoting economic stability and environmentally friendly practices in our agricultural communities.
- Supporting Our Veterans.
- Expanding Veterans Service Officer Program (HB 1102). This legislation aims to increase veteran support statewide by expanding the Veterans Service Officer Program, ensuring veterans have access to the benefits and services they deserve.
- Veteran Employment Tax Credits (HB 1016). As the number two cosponsor, I recognize that this bipartisan legislation provides employers with tax credits for hiring veterans. This helps promote veteran employment and economic stability.
- Honoring Service Members (HB 1050). This legislation creates special license plates for the United States Naval Academy, honoring the service and commitment of its graduates.
- Ensuring Affordable Housing.
- 3D-Printed Buildings (HB 1029). This bill promotes 3D-printed building construction, encouraging innovation and affordability in the construction industry.
- Expanding Educational Opportunities / Supporting Our Students.
- Increasing Accessibility of Academic Reengagement (HB 1020). This bill seeks to provide eligible students with greater access to academic re-engagement opportunities, offering pathways to success in various industries.
- Promoting Educational Stability for Military Families (HB 1021). This legislation focuses on ensuring educational stability for children of military families.
- Maritime Curriculum (HB 1167). This bill introduces a maritime industry (and ferry workforce) component into our high school career learning programs by requiring the WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to collaborate on curriculum.
- Education for Reentry (HB 1166). This legislation aims to create postsecondary educational pathways for incarcerated students, promoting rehabilitation and successful reentry into society.
- Better Health Care Access and Quality.
- Sexual Assault Nurses (HB 1049). This bill supports Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs), who provide crucial care for victims and assist in prosecution efforts.
- Work In Progress. This legislation addresses the mental & behavioral support needs of our students by finding ways to allow associate-level students to serve in our schools.
- Ensuring Ethical Use of Technology.
- Combatting Against Scammers (HB 1103). This measure serves to combat scammers who target vulnerable communities by expanding protections against unwanted telephone calls and text messages.
- Artificial Intelligence (HB 1168 & HB 1170). These two bills focus on (1) ensuring transparency by requiring how websites use artificial intelligence, and (2) requiring disclosure if content, i.e. image or video, is created using artificial intelligence.
- Lowering the Cost of Living
- Expanding the Property Tax Exemption Program (HB 1165). Using our past work in lowering property taxes for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, this bill further expands the eligibility threshold so that more people can benefit from the property tax exemption program.
Finally, I’m honored to invite you to the Capitol for the first day of the legislative session on January 13th, where legislators will be convening and taking the oath of office. If you’re interested in attending, please reach out to me directly (clyde.shavers@leg.wa.gov). Space may be limited based on the number of responses, but I will do my best to accommodate everyone who wishes to join.
It is an honor to serve as your state representative, and I remain deeply committed to fighting for you. When you speak to me about issues that matter most, whether it’s the rising cost of living, education for your children, care for veterans, or access to healthcare, I take those concerns to heart. They guide every decision I make and every piece of legislation I pursue.
Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve you.
Always at Your Service,
Rep. Clyde Shavers
