Maddy summaryHB 1781 updates Washington's campaign finance enforcement rules by clarifying procedures for the Public Disclosure Commission when handling complaints. It requires the commission to use a scoring system (without considering political affiliation) to determine penalty waivers for first-time violations and impose escalating penalties for repeat offenses, with a $10,000 maximum penalty per violation. The bill mandates that investigations lead to a hearing within 90 days, allows the commission to refer complex cases to the attorney general for larger penalties, and establishes a process for resolving minor technical corrections. This directly affects the commission's enforcement actions and political committees, candidates, and organizations subject to campaign finance disclosure laws.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1832 aims to improve student performance in Washington state by focusing on evidence-based literacy and math instruction, primarily affecting public schools, students in grades K-4, and educators. It mandates schools to implement science-based reading programs by 2027-28 (emphasizing phonics, fluency, and comprehension), prohibits guessing-word methods, and requires hiring reading coaches in elementary schools. The bill allocates $250 per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to school districts for targeted support, calculated based on the percentage of students not meeting grade-level standards in math and English language arts. Additionally, it updates teacher training standards to align with the science of reading and requires the superintendent to monitor school compliance with new literacy requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 1779 would allow Washington agricultural employers to select 26 weeks per year during which workers can be employed up to 50 hours weekly without triggering overtime pay. This creates a temporary seasonal exemption from the standard 40-hour overtime rule for all agricultural workers, specifically addressing concerns raised after Washington's 2021 repeal of overtime exemptions. The bill aims to help farms manage time-sensitive labor demands during peak harvest seasons. It directly affects agricultural employers and workers across Washington, which relies heavily on farming as its second-largest industry.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2080 aims to prevent the Washington state legislature from enacting taxes that specifically target a single individual, business, or entity. The bill prohibits the assessment of any new excise tax if it is intended to, or has the effect of, applying only to one specific individual, business, or a group of individuals affiliated with a singular business. This measure would ensure that state tax policy provides for common welfare rather than being used to target particular entities. It affects the state's ability to levy highly specific taxes and protects individual businesses from such targeted taxation.
Maddy summaryHB 2026, the "Fairness in Education Funding Act," aims to create equitable school funding by replacing local levies (which disproportionately benefit wealthier districts) with uniform state-funded allocations. The bill sets new minimum state salary levels for school staff that will apply equally to all public school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools starting in the 2026-27 school year. Specifically, it establishes baseline salaries of $100,033 (adjusted for inflation) for certificated instructional staff, $179,857 for certificated administrative staff, and $71,082 for classified staff. Regional adjustments to these salaries will phase out after the 2025-26 school year, ensuring all districts receive identical state funding for staff compensation regardless of location or local wealth.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington's higher education office to track and publicly share the exact state financial aid amounts awarded to each student using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, starting with the 2025-26 academic year. By December 1, 2026, the office must annually report to the legislature on total applicants, recipients, and total aid disbursed per higher education institution. This data will be published online to increase transparency about how state financial aid is distributed. The bill directly affects students receiving state aid through the Washington Application and all public colleges/universities in Washington.
Maddy summaryHB 1435 creates a state grant program to help local and tribal law enforcement agencies hire more officers. It provides up to 75% of entry-level salaries and benefits (capped at $125,000 per officer position) for 36 months, requiring a 25% local cash match. Grants cannot cover non-salary costs or fund officers recently hired by the same agency. The program requires agencies to apply through a formal process, report on hiring impacts, and includes a $100 million appropriation for fiscal year 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 1918 creates nine judicial districts for Washington State Supreme Court justices, requiring each justice to reside in their designated district during their term. The bill defines specific geographic areas (e.g., District 1 = King County, District 7 = Eastern Washington counties like Spokane) and mandates that at least three districts cover eastern Washington to address historical underrepresentation. Justices elected under this system will serve six-year terms with staggered starting dates, and vacancies will be filled by gubernatorial appointments from the affected district until the next election. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, contingent on voter approval of a constitutional amendment for this district-based system.
Maddy summaryHB 1908 permanently maintains four state-operated residential facilities for developmentally disabled individuals - Lakeland Village (Spokane), Rainier School (Pierce), Yakima Valley School (Yakima), and Fircrest School (King) - by removing a provision that would have allowed Yakima Valley School to close under certain conditions. The bill repeals the closure trigger for Yakima Valley School and amends state law to ensure these facilities remain open to accept new residents, directly addressing a shortage of affordable care options. It specifically targets underutilized, well-regarded facilities to provide immediate relief to families with no other viable, cost-effective care alternatives. The bill does not create new facilities but expands capacity at existing, operational centers.
Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 4208 proposes a constitutional amendment to divide Washington state into two autonomous regions: the Puget Sound region and the Columbia region, subject to voter approval. The Puget Sound region would consist of 13 western counties, while the Columbia region would encompass 26 eastern counties. Each region would be empowered to draft its own constitution, establish a regional legislature with a senate and house, and elect a regional governor. Additionally, the bill stipulates that each region would own the assets within its boundaries and assume a proportion of the state's liabilities based on its population.