Rep. Dave Paul

Maddy summaryHB 2112 requires commercial websites and social media platforms that publish or distribute online content where over one-third qualifies as "sexual material harmful to minors" to verify users are 18 or older before access. This applies to entities like adult content platforms, using methods such as government ID checks or digital identification, while prohibiting retention of personal data. The bill mandates clear health notices about youth risks on content pages and exempts news organizations, internet service providers, and constitutionally protected activities. Violations could trigger daily penalties up to $10,000 per day, plus up to $250,000 if minors access restricted content.

Maddy summaryHB 2407 establishes the "Strengthen Washington Homes Program," a grant initiative to help homeowners, contractors, and nonprofits retrofit homes to meet wildfire preparedness standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). The program provides financial grants for wildfire risk mitigation, requiring properties to achieve IBHS certification (like "Wildfire Prepared Home" status) and secure necessary permits before receiving funding. It also prohibits insurers from denying coverage based solely on wildfire risk if a property holds IBHS certification. The bill creates a dedicated program account for funding, funded by state appropriations and eligible grants, with implementation overseen by the Insurance Commissioner.

Maddy summaryHB 2147 increases state funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs in Washington State to address inflation-driven budget shortfalls affecting school districts. It establishes a new funding formula based on prototypical schools (600 high school students, 432 middle school students, 400 elementary students) with specific class size standards (e.g., K-3 at 17 students per teacher) and minimum staffing allocations. The bill requires transparency by mandating the Superintendent of Public Instruction to publish per-pupil funding reports online, which school districts must link to their websites. It also includes targeted provisions for career-technical education, lab science class size reduction, and high-poverty schools with over 50% free/reduced lunch eligibility. The legislation amends existing law (RCW 28A.150.260) to adjust funding allocations based on actual student enrollment and school type.

Maddy summaryHB 1493 changes the age at which individuals receiving developmental disabilities services in Washington state can access employment programs, lowering the starting age from 21 to 19. It requires the state agency to provide employment services beginning at age 19 and mandates that clients enrolled in employment programs for nine months may transition to community inclusion programs (and return to employment programs at any time) without prior department approval. The bill also requires the agency to clearly inform clients and their legal representatives about all service options, including the types of activities and service durations available under each program. Additionally, it directs the agency to develop rules for exceptions to the nine-month requirement and to expand community inclusion programs to support greater community integration. This bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1383 establishes a state grant program to provide funding for diaper banks to purchase and distribute essential baby items like diapers and wipes to families in need. The program prioritizes providers serving marginalized low-income communities or communities of color, or those with proven capacity to distribute baby essentials at scale. Grant recipients must apply through the department, which will annually report awarded funds on its website. This bill directly affects families accessing baby supplies and diaper bank providers operating in Washington state.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HB 1862 limits the maximum length of freight, passenger, and work trains operating within the state to 8,500 feet, directly affecting all railroad carriers (including those operating through Washington) that transport freight or passengers. The bill requires trains exceeding this length to obtain specific approval from the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which may allow trains up to 10,000 feet only if equipped with additional safety measures: extra crew members, accessible air brake valves, and emergency communication systems. Violations carry fines starting at $25,000 for the first offense, doubling with each subsequent violation. The law aims to address safety risks from excessively long trains on Washington's varied terrain, particularly regarding emergency response and infrastructure safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1627 requires health insurance plans in Washington State (effective January 1, 2026) to allow enrollees to access annual or multiyear covered services up to one month early, while maintaining the same cost-sharing as if the service occurred after the full interval. It directly affects health plan enrollees and health carriers offering medical, dental, or vision plans. Key provisions mandate that for services typically required annually, enrollees may obtain them at least one month before the 12-month mark, and for biennial or longer services, one month before the scheduled frequency, with identical cost-sharing applied. This changes coverage timing without altering service eligibility or cost structures.

Maddy summaryHB 1338 revises Washington state's formula for distributing basic education funding to school districts. It establishes specific per-pupil funding levels based on "prototypical" school models (e.g., 600 students for high schools, 432 for middle schools, 400 for elementary schools), setting minimum class size requirements (like 17 students per teacher in K-3) and staff ratios for roles including teachers, librarians, paraeducators, and support staff. The bill mandates transparency by requiring the superintendent to publish per-pupil funding data online and school districts to link to it on their websites. This directly affects all public school districts in Washington, determining how state funds are allocated for core instructional programs and operational costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1737 ensures federally approved apprenticeship programs operated by federally recognized tribal governments in Washington state have the same rights and responsibilities as state-approved programs. It amends state law to define "registered apprentice" and "skilled journeyperson" to include tribal programs that meet federal approval standards. The bill requires contractors working at high-hazard facilities like petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants to use a "skilled and trained workforce" made up of registered apprentices or skilled journeypersons from approved programs, including tribal ones. This directly affects tribal governments operating apprenticeship programs and contractors in critical industries, ensuring equitable access to these workforce standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1292 establishes an ongoing annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees in Plan 1 of Washington's Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), starting July 2026. The bill uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to calculate annual increases, capping the first adjustment at 3% and limiting yearly changes to no more than a 3% difference from the prior year. It consolidates the costs of past COLA increases over a 15-year period while requiring new benefit improvements to be paid over a 10-year amortization. The bill directly affects current and future retirees in both systems who qualify under Plan 1, excluding those covered by specific exception provisions.