Standing Up for Our Community | A legislative update from Alex Ramel

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL |||

In this year’s short legislative session, we have passed our first major deadline this week: House of Origin Cutoff. By February 4^th, bills not tied to the state budget must be voted out of committee to stay alive. After this date, the number of bills moving forward narrows significantly, giving communities a clearer picture of legislative priorities for the remainder of the session.

To better prioritize which bills receive my support, I asked you to share your priorities through a survey ahead of session. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond. Your feedback helps guide my work every day.

Here’s what you told me matters most:

• Affordable & Accessible Housing (14%)
• Healthcare/Health Insurance (11%)
• Cost of Living (9%)
• Tax Reform (9%)
• Responding to Federal Actions (7%)

As we continue through the legislative session, I look forward to highlighting meaningful legislation in each of these categories. For this newsletter, given the increased actions of federal immigration enforcement nationwide and in our state, I believe it is urgent to highlight actions my colleagues and I are taking to protect our most vulnerable neighbors. You can also watch this recent video. As a father, recent actions by ICE in Shoreline were particularly alarming to me. Click here or on the image below.

SB 5906 – Secure and Accountable Federal Enforcement Act: This legislation clarifies when and where federal immigration enforcement can occur by requiring a judicial warrant before ICE may enter nonpublic spaces such as classrooms, hospitals, child-care facilities, and college campuses. The bill does not prohibit federal enforcement but ensures Washingtonians can access education, health care, and civic institutions without fear, reinforcing long-standing Fourth Amendment protections.

HB 2105 – Immigrant Worker Protection Act: Sponsored by Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, this bill strengthens protections for immigrant workers by requiring employers to provide notice when federal employment eligibility (I-9) audits occur, limiting the voluntary sharing of worker records without proper legal process, and prohibiting retaliation against workers who assert their rights. The legislation does not interfere with federal audits, and it promotes transparency, fairness, and workplace stability.

HB 2165 – Impersonating a Peace Officer: This bill makes impersonating a law enforcement officer a misdemeanor, responding to growing concerns about individuals posing as officers and creating fear and confusion in communities. It enhances public safety by ensuring residents can trust that someone claiming law enforcement authority is legitimate.

HB 2464 – Oversight of Private Detention Facilities: HB 2464 establishes reporting requirements and clearer law enforcement responses related to incidents at private detention facilities, improving transparency and accountability amid documented concerns about medical neglect and human rights abuses.

Together, these bills reaffirm Washington’s commitment to being a state where people can work, learn, seek care, and raise families without fear while upholding public safety, civil rights, and the rule of law.

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your state representative.