Rep. Beth Doglio

Maddy summaryHB 2194 would allow Washington counties and cities to impose a 0.1% sales tax (one-tenth of one percent) with voter approval to fund local cultural access programs, such as museums, arts initiatives, and community cultural events. Counties could implement this tax first (for up to seven years), and cities within counties could do so if counties haven’t acted by December 2024. All funds collected must be used exclusively for cultural programs under state law, and the state would collect the tax at no cost to local governments. The bill does not change existing tax rates or create new programs but provides a funding mechanism for existing cultural access efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 1239 modifies Washington state's earned release time policies to improve reentry outcomes for incarcerated individuals. It allows inmates to earn time off sentences through good behavior and participation in rehabilitative programs, with limits (up to 50% for eligible offenders) based on offense type and risk assessment. The bill requires participation in reentry programming to qualify for maximum earned time and creates an option for transfer to community supervision instead of earning additional time. These changes directly affect incarcerated people in Washington correctional facilities and aim to reduce repeat offenses by aligning sentence reductions with reentry readiness.

Maddy summaryHB 2530 changes the deadline for local governments to form a new public facilities district specifically for regional aquatics and sports facilities. It affects cities, towns, or counties that want to create joint districts under existing rules (subsections 35.57.010(1)(f) and (e)). The bill amends state law to replace the current deadline of July 1, 2026, with a new date (not specified in the provided text), ensuring districts can be established before this revised date. This change directly impacts communities planning to develop shared recreational infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1622 allows public sector employees in Washington state to collectively bargain with their employers over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The bill amends existing state law to remove the "use of technology" from a list of management rights that are typically not subject to negotiation for employees in higher education and other state agencies. It defines artificial intelligence as machine learning and related technologies that enable computer systems to perform tasks like computer vision or natural language processing. This change empowers unions and public employers to negotiate agreements on the implementation and utilization of AI technologies.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Washington State's rules for when incarcerated individuals can leave prison for medical reasons. It allows the Department of Corrections to authorize extraordinary medical placement for inmates who have permanent or degenerative conditions, are expected to die within six months, or have serious medical needs that cannot be met in prison, provided they are assessed as low risk and the move would save state money. The bill excludes death row inmates, those sentenced to life without parole, and persistent offenders from this program. It also requires electronic monitoring for those granted medical placement unless it would harm their health or interfere with medical equipment.

Maddy summaryHB 2212 requires new commercial and industrial washing machines sold in Washington to include microfiber filters that capture tiny plastic fibers (under 5mm) starting July 1, 2028, with existing machines needing filters by July 1, 2034. It mandates clear labeling on machines and regular filter maintenance to prevent microplastics - released in high numbers per laundry load - from entering waterways. The bill also allows for future residential machine requirements if other states adopt similar rules and costs stay below $70 per unit. Violations face civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense, enforced by the Department of Ecology. This targets a major pollution source linked to health and marine ecosystem risks.

Maddy summaryHB 2491 exempts certain personal information collected by Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) from public record disclosure requirements. It directly affects WaTech, the state’s centralized IT agency, and all state agencies using its services, by creating a confidentiality shield for identifying personal data they handle. The bill amends state law to define "agency" as WaTech and establishes that personal information submitted to it for IT services is exempt from public inspection under RCW 42.56.010, ensuring such data remains confidential. This change aims to protect individual privacy while WaTech delivers IT services to state agencies, without altering how agencies must collect or correct data.

Maddy summaryHB 2372 updates Washington state's workers' compensation benefits for permanently disabled workers with injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2026. It establishes new monthly benefit percentages based on marital status and number of dependent children, ranging from 60% of wages for unmarried workers with no children up to 75% for those with six or more children. The bill also sets minimum benefit protections (including $10 per child up to five or six children) and caps benefits at 105-120% of the state's average wage. These changes apply only to claims filed after the effective date, while pre-2026 claims remain governed by existing rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2324 creates a mandatory tuition and fee waiver for children of veterans who died or became totally disabled in active federal military service, as well as for their surviving spouses or domestic partners. To qualify, recipients must be Washington domiciliaries aged 17-26 (for children) or Washington residents (for survivors), with survivors having up to 10 years to use benefits. The waiver covers all tuition and fees (including a $500 annual stipend for textbooks), but is limited to 250 quarter credits per recipient and requires satisfactory academic progress. This policy directly affects dependents of veterans meeting specific service criteria, such as combat deployment or service-connected disability, as defined by federal standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1571 removes specific time limits and exposure conditions for presuming heart problems as occupational diseases among firefighters and law enforcement officers. It amends Washington’s law (RCW 51.32.185) to eliminate requirements that heart issues must occur within 72 hours of smoke exposure or 24 hours of strenuous exertion during work. This change directly affects firefighters and law enforcement officers who develop heart conditions, simplifying their path to claim benefits under workers’ compensation. The bill updates the statutory presumption to apply without these prior qualifiers, aligning with broader occupational disease protections for these professions.