Rep. Dave Paul

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a standardized "portable orders for life-sustaining treatment" form that Washington residents can use to document their end-of-life care preferences, allowing the form to be recognized across all healthcare settings in the state. It establishes a statewide registry for these forms, requires healthcare providers to review them annually with patients, and provides legal immunity for providers who follow the documented preferences in good faith. The law directly affects residents making advance care decisions and healthcare providers (including doctors, nurses, EMTs, and hospitals) who must follow these orders. Key provisions include an opt-out option for registry submission, rules for verbal confirmation of forms, and protections against liability for providers acting in accordance with the documented preferences.

Maddy summaryHB 1565 extends Washington's dual enrollment scholarship program, which covers costs for high school students participating in Running Start (a program allowing 11th/12th graders to take college courses at community colleges/universities). It directly affects eligible students who qualify for free/reduced lunch, the College Bound Scholarship, or Washington College Grant. The bill expands scholarship coverage to include textbooks, course materials, transportation, and food stipends (if funds remain), beyond previously covered tuition and fees. It appropriates $750,000 annually for 2026-2027 and extends the program until 2032, requiring the Washington Student Achievement Council to develop implementation rules and guidance.

Maddy summaryHB 1144 increases the number of superior court judges in Skagit County from four to five by amending state law. This change directly affects Skagit County's judicial system, aiming to improve court capacity and reduce case backlogs. The bill includes a key provision requiring specific funding for this increase to be included in the 2025 omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2025, or the bill becomes void. If funded, it would allow Skagit County to hire an additional judge to handle its caseload.

Maddy summaryHB 1771 updates Washington’s State Universal Communications Services Program to expand broadband access and maintain essential telecommunications services. It provides funding (up to $5 million annually) for eligible small providers (serving under 20,000 access lines) to upgrade infrastructure in areas below state broadband goals, maintain emergency 911 systems, and ensure battery backup for emergency access during power outages. The bill requires participating providers to commit to offering basic voice and broadband services under regulated rates while prohibiting funds from overbuilding federally funded areas. It expires July 1, 2027, and amends definitions and program rules across multiple state codes.

Maddy summaryHB 1741 requires most Washington health insurance plans (excluding public employee plans) to cover intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy for children diagnosed with PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) or PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome). Plans must cover three initial monthly IVIG treatments plus additional courses as medically necessary, but only after two or more less intensive treatments have been tried without success (e.g., ineffective, intolerable, or failing to improve symptoms). A pediatric subspecialist consultation is mandatory, and patients must be reevaluated every three months. The law applies to health plans renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1437 establishes a new governance structure for Washington's state tourism marketing authority, requiring a board of 13 members (including nine tourism industry experts appointed by the governor) to oversee promotion efforts. It directs a tourism self-assessment advisory group - representing sectors like lodging, attractions, and transportation - to evaluate implementing an industry-funded fee for sustainable tourism marketing, with recommendations due by November 1, 2025. The bill specifically aims to address current funding gaps (currently $4.5 million annually) by exploring a self-supported model that could generate dedicated revenue, though it does not mandate implementation. The authority and advisory group provisions expire June 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1335 adds "military spouse status" to Washington's anti-discrimination law, making it illegal for employers to discriminate against military spouses in hiring, firing, or employment conditions. The bill explicitly includes military spouses as a protected class under existing laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and other factors. It amends Washington’s civil rights statute (RCW 49.60) to guarantee military spouses the right to "obtain and hold employment without discrimination" and provides legal recourse for violations. This change directly affects military spouses in Washington and all employers covered by the state’s anti-discrimination law.

Maddy summaryHB 1661 establishes a pilot project to provide $25,000 grants to eligible Washington residents born into poverty. It directly affects individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP before age one and remain enrolled at application, are Washington residents, and are 18-36 years old. The grants, administered through the State Treasurer's Office, can be used for education, home purchases, or starting a business in Washington, with funds not counting as assets for public assistance eligibility. The pilot will randomly select participants across geographic regions, require financial coaching, and include impact evaluations by the University of Washington. This is a limited-time study to test whether such grants improve economic stability for people facing intergenerational poverty.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 allows rural counties in Washington to authorize detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary homes on the same lot as a primary residence - on any lot size, even where local zoning previously prohibited them. Key requirements include limiting ADUs to 1,296 square feet, ensuring water/sewage systems can handle added demand, prohibiting construction on closed water sources or agricultural land, and requiring exterior design to match the main home. The bill directly affects rural property owners seeking to build affordable housing options and counties managing land use planning. It aims to expand housing choices without counting new residents toward rural growth targets in county plans.

Maddy summaryHB 1310 eliminates the enrollment cap on students eligible for state special education funding in Washington, directly affecting all public school districts and students with disabilities. The bill increases funding multipliers for districts serving students with disabilities in inclusive settings (80%+ time in general education), raising the multiplier from 1.12 to 1.5289 for those students, while lowering it to 1.447 for less inclusive placements. It also requires the state superintendent to monitor racial disproportionality in special education identification and provide technical assistance to districts. These changes aim to ensure equitable state funding without requiring local district contributions and support inclusive educational practices.