Rep. Janice Zahn

05/04/2026

Keep an eye out in your mailbox for my recent postcard mailer with a brief review of the 2026 Legislative Session!

If you don't receive it or would rather read it online, it's published on my legislative website here:https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/tmp/sites/94/2026/04/Zahn-Mailer-2026.pdf

05/04/2026

During an election year, there are certain restrictions on my communications to prevent the use of state resources for election purposes. One of these restrictions is a freeze on this page, meaning the page will not be updated beginning May 4, 2026, until after the general election in November. Per the Legislative Ethics Board, this page is unable to accept comments during this same time period. If you have questions or comments about legislative issues, please feel free to continue to contact me using the link below. Thank you!

https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/zahn/contact/

05/03/2026

Sound Transit's full 2 Line is open for business!

As of late March, the 2 Line, or what was formerly known as the Eastside Extension, can take you all the way from Seattle's Chinatown International District across Lake Washington, through Mercer Island and Bellevue, ending in Redmond. The increased access to public transit is already transforming how we, in the 41st LD, can connect to one another and the greater westside community. Not only that, but this route also promotes economic vibrancy AND helps the state advance our climate goals by giving more commuters the option to choose public transit!

05/03/2026

Last month, I attended annual Investments Celebration held by the ARCH: A Regional Coalition for Housing. The event brought together regional leaders, development partners, and community members to recognize major investments in building and preserving affordable housing throughout East King County.

That day, we celebrated successful funding, including state dollars, for the creation of 788 new affordable housing units across Bellevue, Bothell, Kirkland, Issaquah, and Redmond!

05/03/2026

I've been holding regular Chats with Janice in district to connect and have conversations on the issues that matter most to you!

I want to thank a recent attendee, Mudra, for joining me in Sammamish and giving me an update on your efforts with LakeSafe, a youth-led initiative improving open-water safety! Water safety is critical to the 41st District, especially as we head into the summer months, as we're home to both Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington.

05/03/2026

May is Jewish American Heritage Month!

This month, we honor the diverse, vibrant, and enduring contributions of Jewish Americans. From science to arts, civil rights to community building, their impact is woven into Washington's story. And let us recommit to fighting against antisemitism, xenophobia, and hate in all its forms each day of every month.

05/03/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

This session, the Legislature passed multiple new laws to help improve access to behavioral health supports across Washington, including coordinating a statewide strategy for youth behavioral health (HB 2429), creating a behavioral health framework to better support K-12 students (HB 1634), and efforts to strengthen the behavioral health workforce (HB 2363).

When people have access to the services and care they need, our communities thrive!

05/03/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

I'm proud to serve with a cohort of AANHPI legislators working to make our state more equitable and welcoming to all people. This month, let's recommit to honoring the experiences of the AANHPI community and working to build racial and economic justice for ALL here in Washinton.

05/02/2026

This week’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to weaken the federal Voting Rights Act is deeply concerning and damaging to our democracy. The Voting Rights Act was hard fought and won through the leadership and sacrifice of Black Americans and communities of color, and it has long served as a cornerstone of fair and competitive elections in our country.

While the full impacts are still unfolding, one thing is clear, it introduces real uncertainty for voting rights protections here in Washington state, especially for communities that have historically faced barriers to the ballot.

We anticipated moments like this.

Full statement: https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/mocc/2026/04/30/protecting-the-freedom-to-vote-washingtons-response-to-a-weakened-voting-rights-act/

05/01/2026

I'm currently on a week-long trip across southern Alaska with colleagues from the Transportation Committee, as well as other Washington policymakers, Seattle and Tacoma port commissioners and maritime leaders.

Check out the post from the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) transportation team's post to learn more about the work we are doing to exchange best practices and explore shared opportunities to strengthen the economic ties that bind us together!

Washington ➡️ Alaska PNWER’s transportation team is hosting a delegation of Washington policymakers, Seattle and Tacoma port commissioners and maritime leaders for a week-long trip across southern Alaska. Washington and Alaska share deeply integrated maritime economies, from the shipment of es...

05/01/2026

As a new member of the House Finance Committee and a returning member of the Transportation Committee, I learned so much this session! It was such a pleasure to work with and observe the work of my colleagues, and I was pleased to be able to show up to support a few during their own bill singing ceremonies.

Rep. Darya Farivar advocated for affordability and fairness with her grocery store covenant bill, HB 2294!

The importance of our transportation system, for Washington families and businesses, cannot be understated, which is why I’m so honored to work on that committee with Chair Representative Jake Fey, including on SB 6309 and HB 2711, bills to address permitting for high capacity transit projects and funding for the transportation budget.