Rep. Jim Walsh

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 1584 would end automatic mail-in voting for nonabsentee voters (those not absent from their county, such as most registered voters) in Washington, requiring them to vote in person at polling places or voting centers on election day. The bill maintains limited absentee voting for voters who are absent (e.g., military personnel or overseas citizens) but removes mail-in ballots as the default option for all registered voters. It aims to address ballot security concerns and restore public trust in elections, as stated in the legislature’s findings. The bill amends multiple election laws to implement these changes, including updating voting definitions and ensuring accessibility for voters with disabilities at in-person locations.

Maddy summaryHB 1324 redirects revenues from Washington's Climate Commitment Act (CCA) auction system to fund major state transportation projects, including the I-5 Columbia River bridge replacement and the US 395 North Spokane corridor. The bill amends existing law to require that CCA auction proceeds - previously restricted from road projects - be allocated specifically to highway and bridge infrastructure, rather than solely to climate or environmental programs. Key provisions mandate that funds support projects improving freight movement (like the Gateway freight project) and reducing congestion, which the bill states contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This reallocation changes how CCA revenue is spent but does not alter the underlying auction system or funding amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1087 expands Washington's "endangerment with a controlled substance" law to include fentanyl and other high-potency synthetic opioids, in addition to methamphetamine. It directly affects individuals who knowingly expose dependent children or adults to these substances. The bill amends the law to specifically list fentanyl (and its salts/isomers) and other defined high-potency synthetic opioids as covered substances, making such exposure a class B felony. This change explicitly excludes cases where substances are administered under a valid prescription, as outlined in chapter 69.50 RCW.

Maddy summaryHB 1405 reduces requirements for "complete streets" in Washington state transportation projects by exempting smaller projects and routine maintenance from previously mandated pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure. Specifically, it excludes projects under $500,000, chip sealing, repairs, and repaving from needing sidewalks, bike lanes, or accessibility features. The bill also adds an exception allowing the transportation department to skip these requirements if facilities don’t exist for "justifiable reasons," such as safety concerns or unreasonable costs. This change applies to state highway projects starting design after July 1, 2022, while maintaining existing obligations for larger projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1092 modifies Washington state law to clarify when children may be removed from homes due to safety concerns. It expands grounds for removal to include un-prescribed use of strong opioids or other Schedule I/II drugs while caring for a child, and requires courts to prioritize health/safety during removal decisions. The bill mandates a shelter care hearing within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) to determine if a child can safely return home, and requires courts to ensure parents receive notice of their rights and access to legal counsel. It also requires efforts to place children with relatives before long-term shelter care and specifies that parental waiver of hearings must be fully informed.

Maddy summaryHB 1962 prohibits carrying spring blade knives (automatic-opening knives with spring or gravity mechanisms) on K-12 school grounds, school transportation, and school-related facilities. It defines "spring blade knife" as excluding knives requiring manual effort to open, and makes violations a misdemeanor (gross misdemeanor for repeat offenses). The bill also requires 72-hour detention and mental health evaluation for minors (12-21) arrested for carrying such knives on school property, with school staff/security personnel exempt under specific training conditions. Exemptions include school security officers, authorized firearm demonstrations, and competitions.

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 2029 prohibits Washington state governmental entities (including courts, the legislature, and agencies) from granting or recognizing legal personhood to non-human entities. The bill specifically bans this for artificial intelligence, inanimate objects, bodies of water, land, real property, atmospheric gases, astronomical objects, weather, plants, nonhuman animals, and other non-human taxonomic groups. Legal personhood - defined as the rights and obligations of a natural person under state law - is explicitly barred from being extended to these categories. This bill directly affects how state agencies and courts may legally treat non-human entities, preventing them from being granted personhood status. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 1336 allows utility consumers (end-users of electricity, water, or gas) to refuse replacement of their existing analog meters with digital meters or request removal of installed digital meters. It requires utilities to replace digital meters with analog ones at no cost to the consumer within 10-30 days, depending on health concerns, and mandates 90 days' written notice before installation. The bill also requires utilities to maintain records of consumer requests and responses for three years. It applies to all electric, gas, and water utilities in Washington, including both investor-owned and consumer-owned providers.