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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we move forward in the 2025 legislative session, I want to take a moment to update you on the work I’m doing on your behalf. It has been a busy and productive start, and I’m focused on policies that strengthen families, promote economic growth, and remove unnecessary barriers to opportunity.

A core part of my work this session has been advancing and supporting bills that directly impact working families, individuals with special needs, property owners, and local governments. Whether making child care more affordable, streamlining land use laws for responsible development, or supporting parents raising children with special needs and disabilities, I’m committed to finding solutions that improve lives across our district and state.

Modernizing land use laws

One of my key priorities this session is House Bill 1818, which I introduced to modernize Washington’s subdivision and platting laws. These laws dictate how land is divided and developed, impacting everything from housing availability to business growth. Right now, property owners and developers face complex, inconsistent regulations that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, leading to costly delays and confusion.

My bill streamlines these processes by creating a transparent, uniform system for local governments. It ensures responsible development while cutting unnecessary red tape, making building housing, commercial spaces, and job-creating projects easier without compromising planning and environmental safeguards.

HB 1818 has been referred to the House Local Government Committee and will receive a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m. If you would like to share your opinion or testify, please click here.

I will continue working on its bipartisan support as it progresses through the legislative process.

Standing up for families of children with special needs

As a father of two children with special needs, I know firsthand the challenges families face when trying to access care, education, and job opportunities. That’s why I’m proud to co-sponsor two bills that will make a real difference in the lives of families across our state.

  • House Bill 1200 (Paying parents as caregivers) allows parents of children with developmental disabilities to be compensated for providing in-home care. Many families struggle to find trained caregivers, and the current system leaves too many parents with no choice but to quit their jobs to care for their children. By compensating parents for extraordinary care needs, we can provide stability for families and better outcomes for children while saving taxpayer dollars by preventing costlier institutional care.
  • House Bill 1493 (Expanding job opportunities for special needs youth) lowers the age for individuals with developmental disabilities to receive employment services from 21 to 19. Transitioning into the workforce earlier gives these young adults a better state, helps them develop independence, and provides meaningful employment opportunities. It’s a small but impactful change that supports self-sufficiency and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Both of these bills are personal to me—not just as a legislator but as a father. No family should have to struggle alone, and I will continue fighting to ensure that parents have the support they need to provide the best possible future for their children.

Helping working families with child care

Child care affordability is one of the most significant barriers keeping parents—especially mothers—out of the workforce. That’s why I introduced House Bill 1564, which creates tax incentives for businesses to provide child care assistance to employers.

The bill offers a 100% tax credit to employers who invest in child care solutions, covering costs such as direct contributions to employees’ child care expenses or in-house child care facilities. Making child care more accessible benefits everyone—parents can stay in their jobs, businesses retain skilled workers, and our economy grows stronger.

HB 1564 was heard this week in the House Finance Committee. I will keep you posted as it continues to move through the legislative process.

Rep. Penner testifies before the House Finance – 2/6/2025.

What’s next?

As an assistant ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, I’m closely involved in reviewing legislation that impacts the state budget. While the majority party typically controls the final budget negotiations, the committee is hard at work considering bills with fiscal implications. Meanwhile, Republicans are crafting their own balanced budget framework that demonstrates fiscal responsibility and ensures the state can operate efficiently even in a deficit without raising taxes.

Staying involved

The session is moving quickly, and I’ll continue advocating for policies that support families, streamline government, and expand opportunities for all Washingtonians.

The legislative process works best when you are involved. Your input and feedback shape the decisions made in Olympia, and I encourage you to stay engaged throughout session. Here are some resources to help:

Please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about your state government or the topics covered in this update. My contact information is at the bottom of this email.

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Olympia.

Sincerely,


Joshua Penner

State Representative Joshua Penner, 31st Legislative District
RepresentativeJoshuaPenner
469 John L. O'Brien Building | P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
joshua.penner@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7866 | Toll-free: (800) 562-6000