Representative Adison Richards has sponsored four bills moving through the Washington state legislature. Two have been signed into law, and two are awaiting the governor’s signature. The bills focus on issues such as worker compensation, food safety, budget planning, and regulatory reform.
House Bill 1788, now law, updates compensation rules for injured workers at the Bremerton Shipyard. It ensures single-parent households receive equal treatment compared to two-parent households. House Bill 1553, also signed into law, extends the state’s dairy inspection program through June 2031. The program supports food safety and the dairy industry in areas like Port Orchard. It takes effect on June 30, as per the Washington State House Democrats.
The two bills awaiting the governor’s approval are House Bill 2047 and House Bill 1902. HB 2047 eliminates the Employee Ownership Program in response to possible federal funding cuts. Richards said the change aims to prioritize essential services such as education, health, and public safety.
HB 1902 proposes a faster permitting process for transportation projects. It passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support—49-0 in the Senate and 94-1 in the House. Richards stated that reducing permitting delays can help prevent cost overruns and speed up construction in high-risk areas like the Key Peninsula.
Final decisions on the pending bills are expected soon.
