Rep. John Ley

Maddy summaryHB 2669 requires a detailed performance audit of Washington's I-5 bridge replacement project over the Columbia River by December 1, 2027. The audit will examine how project funds were spent (including contractor payments that increased sixfold without added work), financial reporting compliance, traffic and revenue forecasts, and whether the design effectively reduces congestion. It specifically compares the project to other major bridges like Baltimore's Key Bridge and the Brent Spence Bridge. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must provide documentation, and the audit report will be submitted to the legislature by the deadline. The bill expires December 31, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2349 requires Washington state agencies to provide written community notification 3 months before releasing or discharging individuals classified as sexually violent predators. It mandates that agencies share detailed records (including institutional history, mental health evaluations, and criminal history) with local law enforcement, county officials, legislators, and victims (if they request it) prior to release. The bill directly affects counties, law enforcement, and victims by requiring timely disclosure of release dates and relevant background information. Key provisions include standardized notification to sheriffs, county administrators, legislators, and law enforcement via the Washington Crime Information Center, ensuring consistent community awareness. This focuses on procedural transparency rather than altering commitment standards or penalties.

Maddy summaryHJM 4013 is a joint memorial urging Governor Ferguson to opt Washington state into a federal tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 education. It would direct approximately $732 million annually in unused federal funds to Washington students from working-class and middle-class families (household income ≤300% of area median income) through tax credits for donors. The program requires no state funding, imposes no budget obligation, and mandates scholarship organizations to spend at least 90% of funds on student expenses like tutoring and technology while meeting strict federal accountability standards. Failure to opt in would prevent Washington families from accessing these federal resources, which would instead benefit students in states that have joined the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets conditions for releasing individuals classified as sexually violent predators into the community after court-ordered supervision. It requires courts to mandate electronic monitoring with real-time tracking, 500-foot distance restrictions from schools and child care facilities, and individualized supervision plans addressing specific risk factors. The law also requires the Department of Corrections to develop placements adhering to "fair share" principles to prevent disproportionate concentration of such individuals in any single county. These conditions must be documented and reviewed to ensure community safety while facilitating a person's transition to less restrictive settings.

Maddy summaryHB 2627 streamlines the repair and maintenance of Washington's aging highway infrastructure, particularly bridges that are over 80 years old, structurally deficient, or rated in fair or poor condition. It exempts certain bridge repairs from standard regulatory requirements if done within the existing right-of-way or outside it for engineering/environmental needs without adding lanes, and allows the state Department of Transportation and local governments to use expedited contracting for emergency repairs without public bidding. The bill also requires contracts over $700,000 to be reviewed by the Office of Financial Management and mandates prequalification for contractors. This aims to prevent highway closures that disrupt community access to essential services like medical care and food.

Maddy summaryHB 2592 directs that taxes collected on aircraft fuel must be deposited directly into the state's aeronautics account, rather than other designated funds. This bill specifically amends Washington’s tax code (RCW 82.21.030) to redirect proceeds from the aircraft fuel tax - defined under RCW 82.42.010 - to the aeronautics account, as established in RCW 82.42.090. The policy change affects entities purchasing or selling aircraft fuel within Washington, ensuring these tax revenues fund aviation-related programs. It does not alter the tax rate or create new taxes, only specifies where existing aircraft fuel tax revenue is allocated. This is a technical adjustment to existing tax code, not a new funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2603 creates a "transfer on death title" option for vehicle owners in Washington, allowing them to automatically transfer ownership to a designated beneficiary upon their death without probate. Owners can set this up by naming a beneficiary on standard title applications (RCW 46.12.530 or 46.12.555), making the transfer effective at death without requiring the beneficiary's signature, acceptance, or payment during the owner's lifetime. The transfer is revocable anytime before death - owners can sell the vehicle or remove the beneficiary designation via a new title application. This directly affects vehicle owners seeking simplified inheritance for their cars and beneficiaries who would receive the vehicle automatically, while preserving creditors' rights and other transfer methods.

Maddy summaryHB 2596 helps parents regain lost parenting time when a court-ordered schedule was disrupted by a false accusation of child abuse or neglect made by the other parent. It creates a streamlined process: a "denied parent" can file a fee-free motion within 20 days, and if the court confirms the accusation was unfounded (e.g., closed by child welfare or deemed without probable cause), it restores the lost time. The bill also allows for doubling the lost time if the false claim was made maliciously to interfere with parenting, and requires the accusing parent to cover legal fees and penalties for noncompliance. This directly affects parents whose parenting rights were unjustly restricted due to unsubstantiated allegations.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (not a policy bill) introduced on January 19, 2026, by multiple Washington State Representatives. It formally recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, legacy of nonviolent activism, and contributions to civil rights, including his role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. The resolution expresses the House's commitment to upholding Dr. King's ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any specific individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (not a bill with policy changes), adopted on January 16, 2026. It formally recognizes Washington's joint operating agencies (JOAs) for their role in developing clean energy infrastructure, including renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, as well as new projects like small modular reactors. The resolution highlights JOAs' contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring affordable energy access, and supporting economic growth in Washington State. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose requirements - its sole purpose is to acknowledge these agencies' historical and ongoing work.