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Kevin Waters

Republican · WA · Washington State Representative, District 17, Position 1

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Kevin Waters is the Washington state representative for District 17, Position 1. He founded Backwoods Brewing and grew it to more than 70 employees, and he has worked as Skamania County's economic development manager and as executive director of the Skamania Economic Development Council. He previously served as a Port of Skamania commissioner from 2010 through 2019.

Campaign Finance Information — Legislative District 17 - State Representative Position 1

Campaign Finance Information · Legislative District 17 - State Representative Position 1 · August 4, 2026

Data last updated July 27, 2026

Raised
$125,298
Spent
$47,547

Top disclosed occupations of direct donors

  • RETIRED$4,800
  • UNKNOWN$4,295
  • Investor$2,400
  • Retired$1,150
Show 1 more
  • BUSINESS OWNER$1,000
Direct contributions by size
  • 5000 plus$10,000
  • 1000 4999$88,353
  • 250 999$24,250
  • 100 249$2,390
  • Under 100$305

Source: Washington PDC · 2026 cycle · my.pdc.wa.gov

Track record

Environment and Public Health

· 3 records

  • Co-authored a published opinion piece with Rep. Peter Abbarno criticizing the state Department of Natural Resources commissioner's unilateral decision to lock up roughly 77,000 acres of state trust lands from timber harvest, calling the move mismanagement that harms rural counties and school construction funding.

    September 6, 2025Against

    Source: kevinwaters.houserepublicans.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored Substitute House Bill 2045, creating an adopt-a-fish-barrier program that lets outside partners fund and complete fish passage barrier corrections; the governor approved it as Chapter 227, Laws of 2024.

    March 25, 2024For

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored House Bill 1772, prohibiting the sale of products combining alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol; the governor approved it as Chapter 217, Laws of 2023.

    May 1, 2023For

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Government Efficiency

· 1 record

  • Prime-sponsored Engrossed House Bill 1609, consolidating administrative functions of state education agencies including the natural resources board and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; the governor approved it as Chapter 94, Laws of 2025.

    April 21, 2025For

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Government Spending Reduction

· 4 records

  • Voted no on the conference committee report for Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, the 2025-27 state operating budget, which the House adopted 52-45.

    April 27, 2025For

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Voted no on final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5814, the 2025 revenue measure extending the retail sales tax to a range of services and raising business taxes; the House passed it 50-47.

    April 23, 2025For

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Voted no on final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2015, which authorized a new local public safety sales tax and state grants for local law enforcement hiring; the House concurred 55-42.

    April 22, 2025For

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Voted no on the conference committee report for Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5187, the 2023-25 state operating budget, which the House adopted 58-40.

    April 23, 2023For

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Public Safety and Crime Control

· 1 record

  • Prime-sponsored House Bill 2260, establishing civil penalties for the unlawful sale or supply of alcohol to minors; the governor approved it as Chapter 71, Laws of 2024.

    March 13, 2024For

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Housing Affordability

· 3 records

  • Voted no on final passage of Engrossed House Bill 1217, the rent stabilization act limiting annual residential rent increases, as recommended by the conference committee; the House adopted the report 54-44.

    April 27, 2025Against

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Voted no on final passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2114, the 2024 measure capping annual residential rent and fee increases statewide; the House passed it 54-43.

    February 13, 2024Against

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Voted yes on final passage of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1110, the middle-housing measure requiring cities to allow duplexes, triplexes and other middle housing types near transit; the House approved it 79-18.

    April 18, 2023For

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Gun Control

· 2 records

  • Voted no on final passage of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1163, which required a state-issued permit to purchase any firearm in Washington; the House concurred in the Senate amendments 57-39.

    April 22, 2025Against

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Voted no on final passage of Substitute House Bill 1240, the bill banning the sale, manufacture and import of assault weapons in Washington; the House concurred 56-42 and the measure became law.

    April 19, 2023Against

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Civil Rights

· 1 record

  • Voted no on final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5599, which allowed licensed youth shelters and host homes to withhold parental notification when a minor sought protected health care services; the House passed it 57-39.

    April 12, 2023Against

    Source: wslwebservices.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Public Infrastructure

· 1 record

  • Prime-sponsored House Bill 1982, expanding the community economic revitalization board's authority to make broadband loans and grants to political subdivisions and federally recognized tribes; the governor approved it as Chapter 86, Laws of 2024.

    March 14, 2024For

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

General

· 7 records

  • Prime-sponsored House Bill 1731, setting rules for unclaimed property held by a museum or historical society; the governor approved it as Chapter 242, Laws of 2025.

    May 12, 2025

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored House Bill 1698, updating state liquor permit and licensing provisions; the governor approved it as Chapter 167, Laws of 2025.

    April 25, 2025

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored Engrossed House Bill 1602, addressing food service options for liquor licensees so breweries and similar businesses can contract for kitchen operations; the governor approved it as Chapter 141, Laws of 2025.

    April 22, 2025

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Named ranking Republican member of the Washington House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee for the 2025 session, while also serving on the Capital Budget; Technology, Economic Development and Veterans; and Rules committees.

    January 10, 2025

    Source: kevinwaters.houserepublicans.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored House Bill 2204, creating a special liquor permit for emergency situations; the governor approved it as Chapter 91, Laws of 2024.

    March 14, 2024

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1731, permitting short-term rental operators to provide complimentary liquor to guests; the governor approved it as Chapter 257, Laws of 2023.

    May 4, 2023

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored House Bill 1730, allowing people 18 years of age or older to work in certain establishments restricted to patrons 21 and older; the governor approved it as Chapter 158, Laws of 2023, vetoing only the emergency clause in section 3.

    April 20, 2023

    Source: lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Integrity and Ethics

· 1 record

  • Paid a $100 penalty under a stipulated settlement of Washington Public Disclosure Commission enforcement case 16-071, which found he violated RCW 42.17A.700 by failing to file the annual Personal Financial Affairs (F-1) report covering 2014 while serving as an elected official.

    July 17, 2015

    Source: pdc.wa.gov · researched July 24, 2026

Elections

Profile last researched July 23, 2026.