Rep. Kevin Waters

Maddy summaryHB 1526 modifies Washington's snack bar liquor license fee structure. It maintains the $125 annual fee for licenses allowing limited beer/wine sales on-premises (where alcohol isn't the main business), but adds a temporary fee waiver for 12 months starting March 2021. The waiver applies to licenses expiring during that period or newly issued to previously licensed businesses, excluding establishments suspended for violating health/safety rules or COVID-19 emergency orders. This directly affects small businesses operating under snack bar licenses, particularly those impacted by pandemic-related restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2229 updates Washington's engineering registration laws by revising definitions of key terms like "practice of engineering" and "significant structures" to clarify which projects require licensed oversight. It specifies that "significant structures" include hospitals, bridges over 200 feet, buildings over five stories, and other high-risk facilities. The bill also changes the licensing board composition to require five licensed engineers and two licensed land surveyors, each with at least 10 years of active practice. These changes directly affect professional engineers and land surveyors by defining scope of practice and board governance under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally recognizes Representative Virginia "Jenny" Graham for her public service in the Washington State House of Representatives. It highlights her eight-year tenure, her advocacy for public safety, and her work on community safety and veterans' issues. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of her contributions and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally honors John Michael Sattgast for his 35 years of dedicated service as a communications professional for the House Republican Caucus in the Washington State Legislature. It recognizes his work producing over 4,000 radio stories and coordinating media coverage for state representatives, as well as his leadership roles with the National Conference of State Legislatures. The resolution acknowledges his contributions to sharing legislative history and public information, noting his receipt of the 2023 Legislative Staff Achievement Award. This measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new policy or affecting government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally acknowledges the service of Representative Steve Tharinger to his district and the Washington state legislature. It recognizes his long career in public service, including his time as a Clallam County Commissioner, his work on the House Capital Budget Committee, and his advocacy for environmental protection and healthcare. The resolution serves as a commemorative tribute to his contributions and personal qualities rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1759 designates December 12th as "the day of the 12s" in Washington state. This bill adds the designation to a list of recognized days within state law that are not considered legal holidays for any purpose.

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 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 summaryHB 2544 creates a pilot program to streamline water rights adjudication for the upper Columbia River area by prioritizing federal and tribal water rights claims before addressing other claimants. It modifies standard procedures to reduce costs for water users, requiring the Department of Ecology to first consult courts on resource availability and serve federal/tribal entities via personal or mail service with a 100-130 day return deadline. The pilot must conclude by June 1, 2033, and includes provisions for identifying additional claimants and using electronic filing/videoconferencing for efficiency. This process aims to determine if the streamlined approach would benefit statewide water rights adjudications.

Maddy summaryHB 2205 expands Washington's regulated sports wagering industry by allowing tribal casinos to offer sports betting under existing gaming compacts. The bill defines sports wagering to include professional, collegiate, Olympic, and esports events (excluding minor leagues and individual collegiate athletes in-state), while requiring tribal compacts to address licensing, regulation, and problem gambling. It permits internet betting only when customers are physically present at tribal facilities, and clarifies that tribal sports wagering is authorized bookmaking exempt from certain penalties. This directly affects federally recognized tribes in Washington operating under gaming compacts.