Rep. Brian Burnett

Maddy summaryHB 1454 appropriates $7 million from the state general fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to create a grant program for multijurisdictional drug task forces in Washington State. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs will administer the grants, requiring recipients to follow peer review and reporting standards identical to those used for Edward Byrne grant recipients as of January 1, 2023. The program allows the administering association to retain up to 5% of the funds for administrative costs. This funding directly supports local law enforcement task forces tackling drug-related crimes across multiple jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1637 requires Washington public schools to implement nonfirearm safety measures, directly affecting all public schools and school districts in the state. Key provisions include creating a public school safety dashboard to track and rate incidents by severity (e.g., bullying, violence), establishing security grants for physical improvements like keycard access and panic buttons, and mandating a full-time school resource officer at every public school. The bill also requires an evaluation of prior school safety reforms enacted in 2019. These changes aim to improve transparency, fund physical security upgrades, and ensure consistent safety staffing to address reported safety concerns among students and staff.

Maddy summaryHB 1586 modifies Washington's joint administrative rules review committee structure and expands how agency rules can be reviewed. It requires the committee to hold quarterly meetings and specifies its composition (four senators, four representatives, max two per party). The bill creates two new review pathways: (1) allowing petitions for review of emergency rules or rules lacking adequate public input (e.g., insufficient testimony time or short hearing notice), and (2) enabling legislators to request review of any rule filed under state rulemaking rules or emergency rules adopted in the past five years. These changes directly affect state agencies creating rules and the legislative committee responsible for oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1802 makes it a crime to intentionally obstruct law enforcement officers or other first responders (like firefighters, EMTs, or emergency dispatchers) while they are performing their duties. The bill specifically prohibits: (1) hindering or delaying officers/responders in their work, or (2) approaching within 25 feet after being verbally warned not to, if the person intends to interfere, threaten, or harass them. It defines "first responder" broadly to include emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and others, and clarifies that people intervening to help an officer in immediate danger are exempt. Violating this law is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail or a fine.

Maddy summaryHB 1797 requires Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to cooperate with all law enforcement officers during criminal investigations, including responding to requests to search facilities like child care centers. The bill mandates this cooperation as defined under state law, specifically covering investigations into criminal activity. It directly affects DCYF staff and law enforcement agencies by establishing a clear obligation to assist during searches of institutions regulated under RCW 13.40.020. This is a procedural policy change focused on interagency coordination, not new funding or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1744 makes it a crime to steal, alter, or fraudulently use gift cards by explicitly defining them as "access devices" under Washington's theft and fraud laws. It expands criminal penalties for obtaining gift cards through deception, such as altering barcodes or stealing unused cards from retail locations. The bill directly affects individuals who commit gift card theft or fraud, including those who take unused cards from stores or manipulate them to access funds. Key provisions clarify that "obtaining control" of a gift card through deception - like falsely claiming ownership - constitutes a violation. This law strengthens existing theft statutes to specifically address gift card-related criminal activity.

Maddy summaryHB 1869 prohibits Washington state funds from covering capital costs - such as construction, transit vehicle purchases, or major equipment - for transit agencies created under the laws of neighboring states (e.g., Oregon or Idaho). It directly affects regional transit agencies operating across state lines, restricting state funding for capital projects but not ongoing operational expenses. The law, effective July 1, 2025, ensures Washington taxpayers’ money cannot subsidize infrastructure built by out-of-state transit entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1911 creates a new special license plate option titled "Washington state honey bees and pollinators" (plate #36) for Washington vehicle owners. This plate, costing $40 for initial registration and $30 annually, would join existing special plates like "Washington apples" and "Seattle Mariners" in the state's license plate program. The bill amends state code to add this plate type and specifies that fees support pollinator research and education efforts. It does not create new funding or policy changes beyond the plate designation and associated fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1969 establishes a law enforcement aviation support grant program to provide financial assistance to local law enforcement rotary wing aviation support units. The Department will implement this program, identifying eligible units that offer aviation support to any jurisdiction in the state without charging them. Fifty percent of appropriated funds will be equally distributed to these recognized units for maintenance and operational costs, including pilot, crew, and aircraft expenses. Remaining funds will reimburse these units for search and rescue mission costs, with any final leftover amounts going to the Washington State Patrol's aviation section. These funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing local funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1074 amends Washington State law to exclude individuals convicted of hit-and-run offenses resulting in death (under RCW 46.52.020(4)(a)) from eligibility for first-time offender waivers. This change directly affects people convicted of such hit-and-run cases, preventing them from accessing the alternative sentencing program available to other first-time felony offenders. The bill adds this specific offense to the list of disqualifying crimes in RCW 9.94A.650, ensuring these offenders must face standard sentencing without the waiver option.