Rep. Deb Manjarrez

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 4701) is a symbolic measure passed by the Washington State House of Representatives to honor Black History Month in 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of the national observance. It recognizes the historical contributions of Black Americans to Washington state and the nation through decades of cultural, scientific, and civil rights advancements. The resolution encourages year-round celebration of Black history in schools, communities, and institutions, emphasizing that "Black history is American history" and "Black culture is American culture." As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 4679) commends Wapato School District for its Ichishkiin language program, which teaches the Yakama Nation's Indigenous language to students in grades 4-12. It recognizes the district as the first in Washington state to offer the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy in an Indigenous language and highlights the program’s national recognition, including being named "Exemplary Program of the Year" by the National Johnson-O'Malley Association. The resolution honors the school’s collaboration with the Yakama Nation and its role in preserving Indigenous language heritage through public education.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 4692) acknowledges the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII, including 12,000 from Washington State. It recognizes Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists from Washington, and urges reflection on the principle "with liberty and justice for all," without creating new policies or requiring government action.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (HR 4691) adopted by the Washington State House of Representatives on February 16, 2026. It formally commends the contributions of U.S. presidents, specifically highlighting George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's roles in establishing freedom and ending slavery, and recognizes the third Monday in February as Presidents' Day. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it solely expresses the House's symbolic honor for presidential legacies. It directly affects no one but serves as a formal statement of recognition by the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not substantive legislation) passed by the Washington state House of Representatives. It formally congratulates the Seattle Seahawks football team for winning the 2025 NFL regular season, NFC West Division championship, and Super Bowl 60. The resolution specifically recognizes their 14-3 record, defensive dominance, key player achievements (including MVP Kenneth Walker III), and community contributions. It has no legal effect beyond expressing the House's recognition and appreciation to the team organization.

Maddy summaryHB 2412 amends state law to add one additional superior court judge in Yakima County, increasing the total from eight to nine judges. This change directly affects Yakima County's court system by expanding judicial capacity to handle case loads. The bill modifies existing statute (RCW 2.08.063) to update the authorized number of judges for Yakima County. The measure is procedural, adjusting judicial staffing levels without creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2305 clarifies that travel vans - vehicles designed as compact living spaces with a shorter front-to-body distance than trucks - are legally distinct from motor homes for vehicle registration and tax purposes. The bill adds a specific definition of "travel van" to state law and explicitly excludes these vehicles from the motor vehicle excise tax, which currently applies to motor homes but not to campers or travel trailers. This change directly affects owners of travel vans who previously might have been incorrectly classified under motor home tax rules. The policy ensures travel van owners, who typically pay tax on other vehicles, are not subject to additional excise tax based on their van's use. The bill amends Washington’s vehicle registration and tax statutes to formally include travel vans in the existing tax exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 2695 exempts seasonal agricultural workers from Washington's mass layoff notice requirements when they are hired with a written agreement specifying their employment ends after a particular harvest or seasonal activity. This applies only if the employer disclosed the estimated end date at hiring and the workers understood their job was temporary. The bill modifies existing law to clarify that employers don't need to provide 60-day advance notice for seasonal farm workers in these circumstances. It does not affect year-round farm employees or other types of layoffs. This change directly impacts agricultural employers and seasonal farmworkers in Washington.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4675, adopted on January 28, 2026, is a ceremonial resolution expressing the Washington State House of Representatives' gratitude to the Washington National Guard for their service. It specifically acknowledges the Guard's roles in emergency response (including flood operations and search-and-rescue missions), disaster recovery efforts (like adapting from the Oso landslide), and national defense support (such as aerial refueling capabilities). The resolution directs copies to the Adjutant General, Governor, and other officials but does not create new laws or alter policies. It directly honors National Guard members, their families, and employers without imposing any financial or operational requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2387 clarifies that elected sheriffs not certified as peace officers under Washington law cannot personally perform law enforcement actions reserved for certified officers, though they retain authority for actions authorized by law. The bill automatically triggers recall proceedings if a sheriff’s certification is revoked for misconduct occurring after their term began - specifically, mandatory decertification (under RCW 43.101.105(2)) eliminates the need to collect voter signatures for a recall election. It amends laws to require the Criminal Justice Training Commission to initiate recalls upon certification revocation and specifies that no signatures are needed for such cases. This applies only to sheriffs who lack peace officer certification, directly affecting their accountability process for post-term misconduct.