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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are now in the fourth week of the legislative session, and much of the conversation in Olympia continues to revolve around potential income tax proposals and other major budget issues. Here is an excerpt from a recent news article:
While those debates continue, my focus remains on the issues that matter most to the people back home: public safety, protecting families, respecting constitutional rights, and making sure government lives within its means. Every decision we make here should be guided by how it affects our communities and the people we serve.
For public safety, I recorded a video on the Democrat proposal to take away the right for voters to decide who their local sheriff is. You can watch that video here.
Protecting Parental Rights, Girls’ Sports and the People’s Voice
This session, the Legislature received two major citizen initiatives (IL26-638 and IL26-001) focused on fairness in girls’ sports and restoring parents’ rights in education and health decisions. Together, they represent hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians who organized, signed petitions, and demanded to be heard.
Under Article II, Section 1 of the Washington State Constitution, initiatives “shall take precedence over all other measures in the legislature except appropriation bills and shall be either enacted or rejected without change or amendment by the legislature before the end of such regular session.”
That language is clear. Whether lawmakers agree with an initiative or not, we have a constitutional duty to take it seriously. That starts with holding public hearings and giving citizens a fair and transparent opportunity to speak. However, the majority party has already publicly stated they WILL NOT hold public hearings, effectively shutting down any public debate before the Legislature on these two important initiatives.
When leadership refuses to allow a hearing, it sends the wrong message. It suggests that some voices matter more than others. That is not how representative government should work.
I support both of these initiatives because they reflect common-sense values. Parents deserve to know what their children are learning, when they are receiving medical or mental health services, and when serious issues arise. Families should be respected as partners in their children’s education and well-being.
Fairness in girls’ sports also matters. Young women who work hard deserve equal opportunity and a level playing field.
Over time, important protections were weakened and many families felt ignored. Instead of giving up, they organized, spoke up, and brought these issues directly to the Legislature.
That is how citizen government is supposed to work. I will continue standing with families and defending the people’s right to be heard.
Strengthening Supervision and Protecting Victims
Last week, House Bill 2510, received a public hearing in the Community Safety Committee with strong bipartisan support.
This is my bill to close an important gap by requiring the Department of Corrections to supervise individuals convicted of stalking when they are released back into the community. Stalking causes real fear, trauma, and long-term harm, and it must be taken seriously.
Too often, victims are left feeling unsafe even after a sentence is served. This bill helps ensure proper oversight, clear conditions, and accountability during community custody, reducing the risk of repeat offenses.
One of the most powerful parts of the hearing was hearing directly from victims and advocates who bravely shared their stories. Their testimony reminded us that behind every case file is a real person.
I am grateful to the community members who never gave up in bringing this issue forward and helping build support for this bill.
HB 2510 is scheduled for a committee vote on Feb. 2 at 1:30 PM. I will continue working to strengthen protections for victims and families across our state.
Supporting Families and Rural Traditions
This session, I am proud to cosponsor House Bill 2239 which would help families create small, private burial grounds on their own property.
This bill allows landowners to set aside a limited portion of their land for family burial sites, with clear rules on size, setbacks, health standards, and recordkeeping. It bans commercial use and requires disclosure when property is sold, protecting neighbors and future owners.
This issue became personal for me through my work with longtime North Bend rancher Ewing Stringfellow, who has lived on his land for 57 years and hopes to be buried there. After visiting his amazing ranch during the interim and hearing his emotional testimony, I was proud to stand with him and support this effort.
Farmers, ranchers, and the Washington State Cattlemen’s Association have also voiced strong support, recognizing how deeply land and family history are connected in rural communities. The bill is scheduled for a committee vote in the House Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee on Feb. 3 at 10:30 AM.
Contact my office with your thoughts and concerns
I am honored to serve you and to be your voice in Olympia. I will continue standing up for public safety, family values, and the constitutional rights that make our state strong. As always, I welcome your input and encourage you to stay engaged in the legislative process. Together, we can keep Washington moving in the right direction.
Sincerely,
Brian Burnett
