Rep. Javier Valdez: Friday is the first cutoff for bills in the legislature

From Rep. Javier Valdez, D-46

We’re just a few days away from the first cutoff of the 2019 legislative session. The Legislature has these cutoff dates so that we can work efficiently by moving bills along and adjourning on time. All policy bills must be approved by their assigned committee by Friday to continue through the legislative process. Otherwise these bills are considered “dead” for this session, but can be revived next session.

I have several bills working their way through the process this year, including:

• HB 1739 would ban untraceable and undetectable firearms, like those that can be made in a 3D printer. This bill has already been approved by the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee and could get a full House vote any day now.
• HB 1068 would place a ban on high capacity magazines for firearms. You can read more about my gun-safety legislation here.
• HB 1310 makes several reforms to our state’s presidential primary, including moving the presidential primary election to March. At this point, it looks like the Senate companion bill to my bill, SB 5273, will be the bill moving through the process.
• HB 1422 would create additional protections for vulnerable adults.
• HB 1732 would strengthen Washington’s hate crimes laws. It would also create a workgroup that would study ways to prevent hate crimes, enhance hate crime law enforcement, and increase support for hate crime victims.

The 46th Legislative District includes Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and northeast Seattle.