The OWLAC provides bi-state legislative oversight for the planning and construction of a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River

The speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives has appointed Rep. John Ley to serve on three work session committees during the interim, including the Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee (OWLAC).

The OWLAC is a joint standing committee made up of members from both the Washington State Legislature and the Oregon Legislature, and typically conducts work sessions outside of the legislative session. The OWLAC provides bi-state legislative oversight for the planning and construction of a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River.

“I am delighted and honored to be appointed to the Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee,” said Ley, R-Vancouver. “The $7.5 billion I-5 Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project is the largest public works project in the history of Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area.

“18th District citizens are extremely concerned about multiple facets of the current proposal. These include the lack of additional through lanes to reduce traffic congestion; the cost of proposed tolls to fund the project, and the inclusion of light rail. I look forward to bringing their concerns to the other members of the committee. My hope is that any final project will reduce traffic congestion, improve freight mobility, and save people time.”

The other members of the committee include senators Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, and Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, and representatives Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, and Jake Fey, D-Tacoma.

Ley continued: “Citizens also have significant concerns about the cost of the overall project. We were told a year and a half ago that the final price tag was going up, yet the legislature was not provided a cost update in our most recent session. Given the fact that the cost of the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project has increased roughly four times from its original cost projection, I am fearful that the IBR could end up costing well over $10 billion, essentially breaking the bank of both state’s transportation budgets.

“My goal as a member of this committee is to see that we deliver affordable projects that actually serve the people and their transportation needs,” concluded Ley.

In addition to being added to the OWLAC, Ley, who represents the 18th District, was also appointed to the Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee (WILAC) and the Legislative Oral History Committee (LOHC).

The WILAC advises the Legislature and education and workforce sectors on creating opportunities for students to explore career-related opportunities through applied learning, engage with industry mentors, and plan for career and college success. The committee also assists in the development of work-integrated learning programs and instructional strategies.

The LOHC advises the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives on the administration of the oral history program and on the implementation of individual interview projects, including the selection of oral history interview candidates and subjects.

“I’m excited to be a part of all three of these committees and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide the best results for Washington,” said Ley.

The 2025 legislative session ended on April 27.

Information provided by the Washington State House Republicans, houserepublicans.wa.gov