Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The days have been long on the Senate floor as we debate and vote our way through stacks of bills. We’re officially at the halfway point of the 2026 session, and things are moving fast.
We’ve already hit several important deadlines, and another big one is coming up on February 17 — House of Origin cutoff. That’s when bills must pass out of the chamber where they started. After that, the focus shifts across the rotunda: Senate bills head to the House, and House bills come our way for review.
8th District Town Hall
 Halfway through session is the perfect time to check in with you. That’s why I hope you’ll join me for an upcoming in-person town hall:
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Columbia Basin College
2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco
Room SWL 121
For me, there’s no substitute for hearing directly from the people I represent. Your input helps guide how I vote, what legislation I prioritize, and how I advocate for the 8th Legislative District in Olympia.
Giving voters a voice: Initiative Listening Session
 Another major development this session involves two voter-backed initiatives — one focused on parental rights in education and the other on protecting girls’ sports.
After the majority party declined to hold formal hearings on these measures, Senate and House Republicans convened public listening sessions to ensure citizens still had an opportunity to be heard. If you’d like to watch a recording of some of the testimony shared during the session, click here.
The parental rights initiative seeks to restore language to state law, ensuring parents have access to school materials, their child’s medical records, and timely notification regarding issues involving their children. The girls’ sports initiative addresses participation in competitive athletics, requiring that girls’ team eligibility be based on biological sex.
Regardless of where you stand on these issues, one thing is clear: Washingtonians deserve the opportunity to be heard. The listening sessions were an opportunity for citizens to share their perspectives publicly, and as these initiatives move forward, the conversation will continue.
Staying connected: Podcast and video updates
 I’m excited to share two new ways I’m keeping the 8th District informed about what’s happening in Olympia.
First, we’ve launched the first episode of The Mighty 8th Podcast. In Episode 1, I focus on two of the most pressing issues facing our district: the proposed LRA placement in a Kennewick neighborhood and the push for an income tax.
The goal is simple — cut through the noise and give you a direct, unfiltered update on what’s happening in Olympia and why it matters here at home.
In addition to the podcast, I’ve also posted this week’s video update from Olympia. In it, I discuss the Senate’s passage of the anti-sheriff bill, SB 5974, and why I believe it shifts authority away from local voters. I also discuss the expected vote on the proposed income tax, highlight the Senate's unanimous passage of my FAFSA reform bill, and preview the update I’ll give on the LRA issue at our February 21 town hall.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch — and as always, I welcome your feedback.
Staying engaged and making your voice heard
As we move through the second half of session, your input matters more than ever. Whether it’s legislation moving through the Senate, the citizen initiatives headed to the ballot, or issues impacting our local community, I encourage you to stay involved.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on pending legislation or the initiatives, you can always submit comments through the legislative website or contact my office directly. Hearing from you helps me represent the 8th District more effectively.
You can also stay informed between updates by following the Senate Republican Caucus on Facebook, X, YouTube. and Instagram.
It is truly an honor to serve the people of the 8th Legislative District.
Senator Matt Boehnke
8th Legislative District
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