Skip to main content
Evergreen Ledger
← Back to bills

SR 8646

In Committee

Senate

Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney

Honoring Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney.

  1. Introduced (completed)
  2. 2
    Committee (current stage)
  3. 3
    Floor Vote (not started)
  4. 4
    Opposite Chamber (not started)
  5. 5
    Governor (not started)
  6. 6
    Signed (not started)

This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.

How does a bill become law?
  1. Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
  2. Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
  3. Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
  4. Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
  5. Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
  6. Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
Last Action: April 10, 2025
Status: S Adopted
View Bill Text (HTML) (opens in new tab)View Bill Text (PDF) (opens in new tab)

AI Analysis

This analysis was generated by AI and may contain errors. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official bill text for authoritative information.

This resolution honors Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, a longtime Washington public servant and advocate for farmworkers, education, and equity, for her decades of leadership in creating programs that support low-income families, students, and underserved communities across the state. It celebrates her work founding key organizations, serving in state government, and advancing policies that expanded access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.

  • Honors Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney for her lifelong work advancing social justice, education, health care, and economic development in Washington State.
  • Recognizes her role in co-founding The Latino Association (now Inspire) and her leadership in securing federal funding for child care centers in Eastern Washington.
  • Acknowledges her work establishing the Educational Institute for Rural Families in Pasco and the Yakima Valley Farmworkers Health Centers.
  • Highlights her service in state government, including as Assistant Commissioner at the Employment Security Department and as President of the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  • Commends her 16 years in the Washington House of Representatives, where she chaired the Community Development and Housing Committee and sponsored key education and workforce equity legislation, including the REAL Hope Act (Dream Act) and the Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Program.

Who is affected

  • Latino and farmworker communities — The resolution honors her legacy and contributions, which directly benefit Latino and farmworker communities, low-income families, and students from underrepresented backgrounds who have benefited from programs she helped create or expand.
  • Students and low-income families — Students and low-income families benefit from programs she championed, such as in-state tuition for undocumented students and Opportunity Grants, which continue to provide access to higher education.
  • Public servants and community leaders — Public servants, community leaders, and advocates across Washington are encouraged to reflect on and be inspired by her model of leadership and commitment to equity.
  • Rural and underserved communities — Rural and underserved communities across Eastern Washington benefit from health and education programs she helped establish, such as the Yakima Valley Farmworkers Health Centers and the Educational Institute for Rural Families.
Effective: April 10, 2025
Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 20, 2026, 3:03 AM

Who Is Most Affected

  • Latino and farmworker communitiesPositive Impact

    This resolution directly honors and celebrates the legacy of Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, whose work created or expanded critical services for these communities—including health centers, child care, in-state tuition, and workforce training. While the resolution itself is symbolic, it affirms the value of programs that continue to benefit them.

  • Students and low-income familiesPositive Impact

    Students and low-income families benefit from enduring programs she helped establish, such as the REAL Hope Act (Dream Act) and Opportunity Grants. The resolution reinforces the legitimacy and visibility of those programs, potentially encouraging continued support and use.

  • Public servants and community leadersPositive Impact

    Public servants and community leaders gain symbolic recognition of a model of grassroots, equity-centered leadership. While the resolution has no legal force, it may inspire public service careers and reinforce norms of inclusive governance.

  • Rural and underserved communitiesPositive Impact

    Rural and underserved communities benefit from continued access to health and education infrastructure she helped create (e.g., Yakima Valley Farmworkers Health Centers). The resolution elevates awareness of those institutions and their origins, which may bolster political support for sustaining them.

Sponsors

  • Senator Valdez(Democrat)District 46Primary
  • Senator Saldaña(Democrat)District 37Secondary
  • Senator Ramos(Democrat)District 5Secondary
  • Senator Cortes(Democrat)District 18Secondary
  • Senator Alvarado(Democrat)District 34Secondary
  • Senator Hasegawa(Democrat)District 11Secondary
  • Senator Kauffman(Democrat)District 47Secondary
  • Senator Pedersen(Democrat)District 43Secondary
  • Senator Lovick(Democrat)District 44Secondary
  • Senator Conway(Democrat)District 29Secondary
  • Senator Hansen(Democrat)District 23Secondary
  • Senator Orwall(Democrat)District 33Secondary