Rep. Beth Doglio

Maddy summaryHB 1960 aims to encourage renewable energy development in Washington by changing the tax structure for large-scale solar and wind energy facilities. The bill exempts personal property used for renewable energy generation and storage in qualified facilities from property taxation. In its place, it establishes a new annual excise tax on these facilities, with rates varying based on the energy type, operational date, and capacity of the generation and storage systems. This new tax directly affects operators of significant solar and wind energy projects and their associated storage systems across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2496 requires Washington's Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to conduct direct government-to-government consultation with federally recognized tribes whenever energy facility projects may affect tribal resources, rights, or cultural sites protected by treaty or law. It mandates early notification of tribes during the review process and requires the council to summarize consultation outcomes in its report to the governor, giving tribes 30 days to review and request corrections. The bill applies to projects like transmission lines, biofuel facilities, and clean energy manufacturing that could impact tribal interests. This policy change strengthens tribal input in energy project reviews without altering project approval standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2105 requires Washington employers to notify workers within 72 hours if federal agencies plan I-9 form or worker record inspections. It mandates posting notices in five common non-English languages at workplaces, sending written notices to workers' last known addresses, and sharing federal inspection results with affected workers. The law directly affects all Washington employers and immigrant workers who may face federal immigration verification checks. Key provisions include multilingual notice requirements, timelines for employer communication, and a template for compliance developed by the Attorney General. This bill creates a formal process for transparency during federal I-9 audits, aiming to protect workers' rights during inspections.

Maddy summaryHB 2215 adjusts compliance thresholds under Washington's Climate Commitment Act for fuel suppliers. It lowers the de minimis exemption from 25,000 to 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually for most fuel suppliers (including gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and propane), requiring them to report emissions if their fuel combustion exceeds this threshold. The bill excludes fuel volumes delivered outside Washington or combusted outside the state, and directs the Department of Ecology to enforce rules uniformly across all regions and fuel types. This change aims to prevent market distortions by ensuring consistent compliance obligations for fuel businesses operating within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1903 establishes a statewide low-income energy assistance program to reduce high energy costs for Washington households. It directly affects low-income residents who struggle with energy burdens, defined as spending a significant portion of income on energy bills. Key provisions include allowing all eligible households to apply directly or through utilities (with self-attestation for income), requiring tiered assistance based on need, and mandating utilities to provide upfront energy bill discounts with reimbursement from the state. The program also requires multilingual outreach, trauma-informed support, and an advisory group including low-income residents to ensure equitable access. The program must begin by July 1, 2026, with funding intended to cover the $270 million+ annual energy burden.

Maddy summaryHB 2266 requires Washington cities and counties to permit permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency shelters, and indoor emergency housing in any zoning district where hotels or residential development is allowed, without imposing stricter rules than those for standard hotels or homes. It standardizes permitting processes, prohibits local governments from restricting these housing types to industrial zones, and mandates that cities/counties meet projected housing needs for emergency shelters. For indoor emergency shelters, the bill requires sponsors to provide written certification of community notification (within 500 feet), one community meeting, a point of contact, and operational policies - without additional requirements. The bill directly affects local governments (by changing zoning rules), housing providers (by streamlining approvals), and people experiencing homelessness (by increasing housing access), aiming to address Washington’s housing crisis through regulatory reform.

Maddy summaryHB 2325 establishes a self-funded tourism assessment program where qualifying tourism businesses pay an annual fee based on gross revenue to support statewide tourism promotion. It directly affects businesses like hotels, restaurants (with $5M+ annual revenue), attractions, and recreation operators that derive significant revenue from tourism. The program requires business sector ratification before assessments begin, with a ratepayer oversight board - appointed by businesses - to manage funds, approve budgets, and report annually. The fee structure, revenue thresholds, and program design must be approved by affected businesses through a referendum process before implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1710 requires certain local governments (designated as "covered jurisdictions" due to documented voting rights issues) to obtain pre-approval before implementing specific voting changes. These changes include altering election methods, redrawing district boundaries, restricting language access for voters, or modifying early voting sites. Before any such "covered practice" takes effect, the local government must either seek a court declaration or get certification from the Attorney General that the change won’t diminish minority voting access. This applies to jurisdictions with a history of voting discrimination or current disparities in voter registration, participation, or other metrics affecting protected groups. The bill aims to enforce compliance with Washington’s Voting Rights Act of 2018 by adding a pre-clearance step for high-impact voting decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1916 updates Washington state law to improve accuracy in voter registration lists. It requires county auditors to cancel registrations of deceased voters using verified death certificates or obituaries (with identity checks), and to reactivate inactive voters who update their address, respond to a confirmation notice, or vote. The bill also sets strict rules for challenging a voter's registration: challengers must provide specific evidence (like certified mail receipts or property records) and file a signed affidavit under penalty of perjury, rather than making unsupported claims. These changes directly affect county auditors managing voter lists and voters whose registrations may be challenged or updated.

Maddy summaryHB 1941 allows licensed cannabis producers in Washington to form agricultural cooperatives, treating cannabis as an agricultural product under cooperative laws. This change directly affects licensed cannabis producers who can now pool resources with other growers through cooperative associations, similar to how farmers operate. The bill amends state law (RCW 24.34.010) to explicitly include cannabis producers in agricultural cooperative provisions, enabling them to collectively process, market, and handle cannabis products. It does not alter existing licensing fees or operational requirements for producers but expands their organizational options under agricultural cooperative rules.