Committees & Service

Maralyn's Committees

Trade Policy - Chair
The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy monitors the impact of trade agreements on Washington state and provides legislators and citizens with an official venue to voice their opinions and concerns about the potential impacts of these agreements to state and federal officials.

The committee maintains active communication with the state trade representative's office, the United States Trade Representative's office, Washington's congressional delegation, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and any other bodies on ongoing developments in international trade. The committee is authorized to examine any aspects of international trade, international economic integration, and trade agreements that the members deem appropriate.

Environmental Health - Vice-Chair
The House Environmental Health Committee considers issues relating to environmental risks potentially affecting human health. Such issues include environmental toxics (PBDE, lead, mercury, arsenic), mold, air pollutants, hazardous waste, contaminated sediments, and food and drinking water safety. The committee also examines whether disparities exist in the treatment of people and communities in the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, and the siting of facilities affecting the environment.

Capital Budget
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. In addition, the committee considers state money that is either given or lent to local governments or nonprofit organizations for infrastructure, housing, and cultural and heritage facilities. The committee also considers legislation that authorizes state debt and legislation that affects state buildings and land.

Community & Economic Development & Trade
The House Community and Economic Development and Trade Committee considers issues relating to local and state economic development, small business, business assistance and financing, tourism, and other related concerns. Community development issues include revitalizing and building self-sufficiency for low-income communities and preserving communities with distinct cultural identities. The committee also considers issues relating to domestic and international trade.

Ecology & Parks
The House Ecology and Parks Committee considers issues relating to climate change, recycling and solid waste management, aquatic lands, parks and recreation, the State Environmental Policy Act, and pollution prevention issues associated with subjects such as oil spills and cruise ships. The committee also oversees the Puget Sound Partnership’s activities in Puget Sound and Hood Canal.

(View all House committees, in a new window)

Additional Public Service

Pacific NorthWest Economic Region
Maralyn is proud to represent Washington at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Delegate Council (PNWER), an honor she shares with Gov. Chris Gregoire, Sens. Paull Shin (D-Edmonds) and Cheryl Pflug (R-Maple Valley) and Rep. Glenn Anderson (R-Fall City).

PNWER, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Western Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and the Yukon Territory), was created in 1991 to promote economic development and shared interests in the Great Northwest. The PNWER region includes more than 20 million people and more than $700 billion in gross regional product. If PNWER were a nation, it would rank 11th among the world's leading industrial economies.

The Delegate Council where Maralyn serves includes the governors or premiers and four legislators from each jurisdiction. It is responsible for coordinating regional agendas. To learn more about how PNWER serves people and businesses in the region please visit the official PNWER web site

Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
Maralyn's appointment to the Board of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County earlier this year gives her a strong voice in key economic development, labor and training issues affecting King County and the 32nd District.

The Workforce Development Council (WDC) is a private, nonprofit organization that oversees employment-related programs for youth, the adult workforce and employers in King County. The goal is to promote a strong economy and self-sufficiency for every resident.

The WDC board is comprised of economic development leaders from the private sector, labor groups, youth and adult education, and state and local government agencies.

In addition to other duties, the WDC leads the WorkSource system in King County, which links its own employment and training efforts with those of the private sector, community organizations, colleges, labor groups and government. Shoreline Community College is a WorkSource Connection Site and provides access to WorkSource services. To learn more, please visit the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County web site

Labor Center Advisory Committee at Evergreen
The Labor Education and Research Center at Evergreen State College is Washington's only statewide higher-education outreach program that provides direct educational and research services to labor unions and worker-centered organizations.

The Labor Center's mission is to collaborate with unions and worker-centered organizations to nurture programs that will help them develop leadership skills and success. The Center is committed to a vision "a labor movement grounded in human rights, open to all working people, and dedicated to developing strong and democratic worker organizations effective at the local, national, and international levels."