It’s easy to presume that all legislative bodies are rife with partisanship. The recent headlines we see focus on high-profile conflicts, leaving the impression that cooperation and collegiality is in short supply. However, the reality is far different in the case of the Washington State Legislature. In fact, most bills that pass through the State Legislature are bipartisan measures aimed at good governance and receive broad support across party lines.
Rep. Adam Bernbaum (24th LD)
HB 1389 may not be a headline-grabbing bill, but it provides an important extension of wise policymaking. The measure extends by four years an existing requirement for timber purchasers to report sales prices to the Department of Revenue. This data is essential for calculating accurate stumpage tax rates, ensuring that the tax system reflects real-world conditions. Without this information, the rates could be misaligned and make it challenging for working forests to continue operations.
But beyond its technical purpose, HB 1389 exemplifies the kind of understated bipartisan cooperation that too often goes unrecognized. Sponsored this session by Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Angeles) and Rep. Ed Orcutt (R-Kalama), HB 1389 is a model of pragmatic policymaking. Both lawmakers represent districts with strong, prominent forestry sectors and understand the importance of maintaining a fair and transparent tax system for an industry that plays a vital role in Washington’s economy.
Rep. Ed Orcutt (20th LD)
Their collaborative approach underscores the important reality: good policies emerge when legislators focus on practical solutions rather than partisan divisions. At a time when politics can seem more polarized than ever, Reps. Bernbaum and Orcutt’s leadership offers a refreshing reminder that most lawmakers genuinely wish to make their constituents’ lives better.
Before the House vote, Rep. April Berg (D-Mill Creek) spoke about the late John Ehrenreich, former Director of Forest Tax and Economics for the Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA), who passed away unexpectedly in November 2024. Ehrenreich was a staunch advocate for bipartisan cooperation on forestry tax issues, and HB 1389 continues a tradition he helped foster.
Calling him “an absolute legend in the taxation space around lumber, timber, and other economic things,” Rep. Berg urged her colleagues to honor Ehrenreich’s legacy by supporting the bill.
Said Rep. Berg: “It represents John’s commitment to bipartisanship. This bill is run every four years by a freshman from each caucus. John was just passionate about seeing bipartisanship on something as simple – yet complicated – as stumpage valuation and tax policy. So, I would like to say on behalf of so many of the legislators who have had the privilege to work with him on this particular piece of legislation, myself included, please vote yes in the name of John Ehrenreich.”
Rep. April Berg (44th LD)
HB 1389 passed the state House of Representatives unanimously on March 10th and was introduced in the state Senate Ways & Means committee March 12th.