In addition to solutions to our state’s challenges, we are proud of past accomplishments. Read below to find out exactly what we’ve done to improve the quality of life for Washingtonians.

AGRICULTURE

In 2012, we:

• amended water relinquishment laws to exempt water rights holders waiting in line for a water change/transfer by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1381. 
• provided more options for construction projects to meet offsite environmental mitigation requirements and ensured mitigation dollars are used more efficiently by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2238.  
• improved consumer safety by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2456 to provide a timely and accurate response to livestock disease.

In 2011, we:

• made maliciously killing or causing substantial bodily harm to livestock a crime and establishes civil action for damages with House Bill 1243.
• ensured reasonable access to water from the Columbia Basin Project to private property and farmland with House Bill 1391. 
• excluded soil samples from the definition of a water well in order to prevent unnecessary requirements and fees by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1467.  

BUDGET & TAXES

In 2012, we worked with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to send to voters a proposal to lower the constitutional debt limit over time with Senate Joint Resolution 8221. This will reduce the burden debt payments have on the operating budget.

In 2009, we fought against tax increases as part of the budget solution. As a result, the budget passed that year contained no tax increases.

EDUCATION

In 2012, our “fund education first” budget proposal was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee and supported by many education advocacy groups.

In 2011, we:

• allowed for the creation of innovation schools and school zones by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1546.
• allowed for alternative testing for students with cognitive disabilities by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1519.
• directed the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to prepare a fiscal note describing the financial impact of proposed legislation on school districts by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1703.

In 2009, House Republicans vigorously and successfully defended levy equalization from cuts proposed by Democrats as a means of balancing the budget.

Watch this video showing highlights from the debate to save levy equalization that went late into the night.

ENVIRONMENT, LAND USE & PARKS

In 2008, we:

• expanded and extended the use of tracking dogs in cougar hunts by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2438.
• stopped a bill to create a “Yukon to Yellowstone wildlife corridor” that would amount to a massive land grab of private property and state lands.
• provided flood control measures in Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor counties by sponsoring and passing House Bill 3375.

GOVERNMENT REFORM

In 2012, House Republicans helped lead the way to adopt important government reforms, resulting in passage of the following fiscally responsible measures:

• Senate Bill 5940 to provide more choice and equity for all school employees’ health benefits.
• Senate Bill 6378 to provide pension reform for new state employees, estimated to save $1.3 billion over 25 years.
• Senate Bill 6636 to require the Legislature to enact a balanced budget over a four-year period.

HEALTH CARE

In 2009, we:

• required the disclosure of all fees and charges for services by doctors and medical facilities, at the request of the patient, by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1869.
• sponsored and passed House Bill 1899 to encourage retired doctors to volunteer in their communities.

JOBS & ECONOMY

In 2011, we:

• enacted a seven-day grace period for small businesses to correct violations of rules and regulations before fines are imposed by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1150.
• worked closely with our Democrat colleagues to sponsor and pass House Bill 2123 to provide first steps to workers’ compensation reforms, including a limited structured settlement option for older workers, a stay-at-work subsidy program and a rainy-day fund. Savings are projected at $1.12 billion over four years.
• worked closely with our Democrat colleagues to negotiate and pass House Bill 1091 and Senate Bill 5135 to modify the unemployment insurance system to assist employers and temporarily reduce insurance rates. We look forward to additional reforms to improve this system further for job creators in our state.

In 2010, we:

• created a requirement for state agencies to give small businesses a two-day compliance opportunity before penalties can be assessed for violations of rules or regulations by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2603 .

PUBLIC SAFETY

In 2012, we:

• instituted one of 13 BLUE Alert systems in the country to notify the public of suspected cop killers on the run by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1820.
• ensured correctional officers’ uniforms are not made by the very inmates they guard by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2346.

In 2011, we:

• helped protect criminal justice staff from harassment while they are performing their official duties by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1206.
• allowed correctional officers who have been assualted by inmates to be compensated by that inmate by sponsoring and passing House Bill 1334.

In 2010, we:

• sponsored and passed for voter approval House Joint Resolution 4220 to amend the state constitution by giving judges discretion to deny bail to a person facing their third felony, and therefore, life in prison.
• sponsored and passed House Bill 2717 to prevent outings from state mental health facilities, except for special circumstances.
• increased penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders, by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2777.
• updated child exploitation laws to reflect the use of the Internet to view and share explicit photos and depictions of minors by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2533.
• expanded the list of those who must be notified when a person goes missing from a state mental health facility by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2422.

In 2009, we:

• worked closely with our Democrat colleagues to sponsor and pass House Bill 2279 to prevent convicted child abusers from working with children under the age of 13.
• sponsored and passed House Bill 1385 to protect students up to age 21 from sexual predators employed by the school district.
• fought and succeeded to keep strong fines for juveniles convicted of auto theft after Democrats proposed an amendment to reduce the fines.

Watch House Republicans fight to maintain penalties for juveniles who commit auto theft.

In 2008, we:

• ensured sex offenders receive accurate sentences that reflect all previous convictions for the same types of crimes by sponsoring and passing House Bill 2719.
• co-sponsored and passed House Bill 2712 with our Democrat colleagues to fight gang crime by legally defining “gang” and “gang member,” increase sentencing for gang crimes, create a statewide gang database and help with graffiti removal.
• sponsored and passed House Bill 2637 to help victims of identity theft recover from the crime.
• worked with our Democrat colleagues to pass House Bill 2713 to expand a statewide DNA database of sex offenders.
• worked with our Democrat colleagues to pass House Bill 2786 to allow law enforcement to post online Level 1 sex offenders who fail to register.

In 2006, we:

• made a fifth DUI (driving under the influence) in 10 years a felony with House Bill 3317. As a result, Washington saw a 13 percent reduction in DUI fatalities.

TRANSPORTATION

In 2009, we successfully fought against regulating vehicle miles traveled by people across Washington state in House Bill 1490. 

In 2012, we successfully fought against:

• a $1.50/barrel oil tax proposed by the governor that would have increased gas and oil prices.
• Senate Bill 6582 which would have given additional authority for local governments to increase taxes and fees, including a moter vehicle excise tax.