FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Rep.-Elect Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, has been appointed as assistant ranking member of the House Capital Budget Committee. Abbarno, elected to the 20th District in November, was also named to the House Environment and Energy Committee and the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee. The appointments were made Friday in Olympia by the Washington State House Republican Caucus.
“These committees provide a real opportunity to make immediate impacts on policies and projects in the 20th District,” said Abbarno. “Our community has seen amazing benefits from the Capital Budget, like school STEM buildings, flood mitigation, and job-creating infrastructure. I am looking forward to helping create more opportunities for working families and businesses.”
The House Capital Budget Committee considers the state capital budget, which approves money for the construction and repair of public buildings, and for other long-term investments, such as land acquisitions and transfers.
The House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee considers a wide variety of legal issues, including constitutional law and anti-discrimination measures, commercial law, torts, probate, guardianships, civil commitment, forensic mental health, firearms, eminent domain, landlord/tenant law, and Consumer Protection Act remedies and processes.
“I believe my experience as a practicing attorney will be vital on the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee,” said Abbarno, a practicing attorney with a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law. “From a practical sense, I’ve worked through legal issues from the state House to the courthouse.”
The House Environment and Energy Committee considers issues relating to the State Environmental Policy Act, the Growth Management Act, the Shoreline Management Act, air quality, aquatic lands, oil spill prevention, recycling and solid waste, hazardous waste, toxics, and climate change.
“From Woodland to Rochester, the 20th District has great opportunities to create jobs, preserve our pristine backyard, and support our rich history and tradition of a natural resource-based economy,” added Abbarno.
Abbarno will be sworn into office when the 2021 legislative session begins Jan. 11.