Rep. Strom Peterson

Maddy summaryHB 1383 establishes a state grant program to provide funding for diaper banks to purchase and distribute essential baby items like diapers and wipes to families in need. The program prioritizes providers serving marginalized low-income communities or communities of color, or those with proven capacity to distribute baby essentials at scale. Grant recipients must apply through the department, which will annually report awarded funds on its website. This bill directly affects families accessing baby supplies and diaper bank providers operating in Washington state.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HB 1862 limits the maximum length of freight, passenger, and work trains operating within the state to 8,500 feet, directly affecting all railroad carriers (including those operating through Washington) that transport freight or passengers. The bill requires trains exceeding this length to obtain specific approval from the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which may allow trains up to 10,000 feet only if equipped with additional safety measures: extra crew members, accessible air brake valves, and emergency communication systems. Violations carry fines starting at $25,000 for the first offense, doubling with each subsequent violation. The law aims to address safety risks from excessively long trains on Washington's varied terrain, particularly regarding emergency response and infrastructure safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1203 prohibits the sale of all flavored tobacco and nicotine products (including fruit, mint, or candy flavors) and entertainment vapor products with gaming features (like Pac-Man) starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects retailers who sell these products and aims to reduce youth vaping, as 88% of youth vapers use flavored products. The bill defines "flavored" broadly to include any non-tobacco taste or cooling sensation, and bans interactive devices that display games or videos. This targets products marketed to youth, such as those with cotton candy flavors or menthol cigarettes, which the bill states contribute to addiction and health disparities in Black and Hispanic communities. The law applies to all tobacco/nicotine products sold in Washington, excluding FDA-approved nicotine therapies and cannabis products.

Maddy summaryHB 1713 establishes a process for automatic voter registration of tribal members in Washington. It requires the Secretary of State to create state-tribal compacts with federally recognized tribes (whose traditional lands include Washington) to automatically register eligible tribal members. Under the bill, tribes would submit resolutions to initiate compacts, and after approval, tribes would send voter data meeting specific criteria (citizenship, address, signature) to the state for automatic registration. This would add tribal members to voter rolls without requiring separate applications, with acknowledgment notices sent within five business days.

Maddy summaryHB 1840 authorizes counties to allow "middle housing" (like duplexes, triplexes, or townhouses) in designated unincorporated urban growth areas, specific rural development zones, and established communities. It requires at least one middle housing unit per single-family lot in urban areas and limits these developments to four units per lot in rural zones. The bill mandates that counties apply the same zoning, permit, and environmental rules to middle housing as to single-family homes, while requiring sewer service for rural middle housing. This policy aims to increase housing density without new infrastructure, directly affecting homeowners and developers in targeted areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 updates Washington's firearm dealer licensing rules to enhance safety. It requires dealers to implement strict security measures, including alarms monitored by law enforcement, locked storage for firearms during non-business hours, and digital surveillance systems covering all sales areas. The bill mandates annual background checks for all employees selling firearms and prohibits temporary sales outside licensed locations except at designated gun shows. It also requires dealers to annually certify compliance with all licensing conditions and face permanent license loss for violations. These provisions directly affect licensed firearm dealers operating in Washington state.

Maddy summaryHB 1138 requires Washington law enforcement officers to stop using deceptive tactics (like falsely claiming evidence exists) during criminal interrogations starting in 2026. It presumes statements obtained through deception are inadmissible in court for misdemeanor or felony cases, unless prosecutors prove the statement was voluntary. The bill mandates free, state-developed training for all officers on evidence-based techniques like the PEACE method, cognitive interviews, and trauma-informed approaches by July 2026. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals being questioned in criminal investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 1036 requires Washington's community colleges, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College to include at least one labor representative on each governing board. This bill amends existing laws to mandate that labor representation be considered when appointing board members, alongside geographical diversity and representation of women, racial, and ethnic minorities. The labor trustee must be appointed by the governor and cannot be an employee of the higher education system. This change directly affects the composition of college governing boards but does not alter policies affecting students or faculty. The bill takes effect October 1, 2030.

Maddy summaryHB 1645 requires Washington auto insurance policies covering car damage (physical damage coverage) to include a mandatory appraisal process for resolving disputes over repair costs. If insurers and policyholders disagree on the value of damage, they must use this process: each selects an appraiser, then an umpire if needed, with clear rules for cost-sharing. Policyholders get reimbursed for appraisal costs if the final valuation exceeds the insurer’s initial offer by $500 or more. This applies to all policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the University of Washington's Washington National Primate Research Center to publicly report annual data about its primate research operations on its website. It mandates disclosure of specific details, including the number of primates used in research or breeding (by species), housing conditions, animal welfare incidents, funding sources, USDA inspection reports, conservation efforts, and accreditation status. The center must publish these reports annually in an accessible online format. This directly affects the University of Washington's primate research center by increasing transparency around its operations and animal welfare practices. The bill does not change research methods or funding but focuses on making existing data publicly available.