Rep. Beth Doglio

Maddy summaryHB 2371 transfers Washington's Imagination Library program from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill requires the superintendent to select a Washington-based nonprofit organization to manage the program, which provides free monthly books to children from birth through age five. The nonprofit would cover 50% of book costs while local affiliate programs cover the remaining costs, with no new state funds mandated. The program will continue partnering with a national nonprofit foundation for book distribution. This is an administrative transfer, not a policy change creating new benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2341 changes Washington state's school calendar to align with National Voter Registration Day, requiring public high schools to hold voter registration events during history or social studies classes for students aged 16 and older on the third Tuesday in September (or the following Tuesday if it conflicts with a major religious holiday). The bill mandates that schools provide both online and paper voter registration forms during these events, with county election offices encouraged to assist. It sets a goal of 50,000 new youth voter registrations annually and requires the state superintendent to report yearly progress to the legislature. This replaces the existing "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day" observance on January 16th, shifting the focus to voter registration for students who may have missed earlier opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 2258 allows Washington cities and counties to impose a monthly household fee of up to $2.50 per dwelling unit to fund animal control and shelter systems. It directly affects local governments (which can adopt the tax via ordinance) and residents (who pay the fee), while requiring voter approval for new taxes or rate changes. The bill specifies that revenue must cover operation, maintenance, and capital needs of animal control systems owned or contracted by local entities, with annual rate increases capped at 2% or the inflation rate. It includes detailed procedures for voter referendums and defines key terms like "dwelling unit" and "parcel." The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2391 amends Washington's public records law to restrict how agencies disclose lists of individuals. It prohibits state and local agencies from providing personal contact lists for commercial, solicitation, or fundraising purposes, unless the request is from a recognized professional association or educational organization for licensed professionals (e.g., medical or legal licensees) who pay a reasonable fee. The bill requires agencies to refuse such requests by default, with exceptions only for professional licensing data and after verifying an organization's recognition status. This directly affects anyone seeking personal contact information from government records, ensuring greater privacy protections for individuals' data.

Maddy summaryHB 2097 would allow Washington counties to impose a business and occupation tax to fund local services like public safety and waste management, directly affecting businesses operating within county jurisdictions. Counties must adopt a standardized model ordinance developed with business stakeholder input, including a minimum $20,000 annual gross income threshold for small businesses and provisions to prevent double taxation with city taxes. Before implementing or raising the tax, counties must hold a voter referendum requiring signatures from at least 15% of registered voters. The law specifies that existing tax classifications under state law remain exempt and mandates uniform reporting and penalty rules for all counties using this tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2147 increases state funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs in Washington State to address inflation-driven budget shortfalls affecting school districts. It establishes a new funding formula based on prototypical schools (600 high school students, 432 middle school students, 400 elementary students) with specific class size standards (e.g., K-3 at 17 students per teacher) and minimum staffing allocations. The bill requires transparency by mandating the Superintendent of Public Instruction to publish per-pupil funding reports online, which school districts must link to their websites. It also includes targeted provisions for career-technical education, lab science class size reduction, and high-poverty schools with over 50% free/reduced lunch eligibility. The legislation amends existing law (RCW 28A.150.260) to adjust funding allocations based on actual student enrollment and school type.

Maddy summaryHB 2164 simplifies access to DNA testing for people convicted of felonies in Washington state who seek to prove innocence. It requires courts to approve such requests unless the state proves with "clear and convincing evidence" the DNA could not demonstrate innocence. The bill removes prior barriers that forced convicted people to prove DNA testing met scientific standards at trial or was unavailable at the time. This affects courts, prosecutors, and crime labs by streamlining postconviction DNA testing while preserving evidence as required by law.

Maddy summaryHB 2195 requires noncharter code cities in Washington with 30,000 or more residents to implement initiative and referendum processes within one year of reaching that population threshold. Cities with fewer than 30,000 residents may choose to adopt these processes through specific municipal procedures. The bill standardizes petition requirements to 25% of votes cast in the last citywide election (or city council election if no citywide race exists) and clarifies that certain emergency ordinances may bypass the standard 30-day waiting period before taking effect. These changes apply to all noncharter cities and amend multiple statutes governing local ballot measures.

Maddy summaryHB 2216 strengthens protections for emergency responders by amending Washington’s obstruction law (RCW 9A.76.020) to define "emergency responder" broadly to include firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel responding to active incidents. It makes willfully interfering with these responders a gross misdemeanor, covering situations where responders are in uniform, announce their role, or are reasonably identifiable as such. The bill also includes new provisions requiring cities and counties to revise policies to prevent using local resources for immigration enforcement, ensuring services remain available regardless of immigration status. These changes directly affect emergency personnel, public safety responders, and local government agencies operating in Washington.

Maddy summaryHB 2169 strengthens financial independence for Washington youth aged 18-21 in the care of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). It prohibits DCYF from using personal benefits (like Social Security) paid to these youth to reimburse care costs starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires DCYF to help eligible youth apply for Social Security benefits, assist in setting up managed financial accounts (such as ABLE accounts), and provide support for managing funds. If needed, DCYF must help identify an authorized representative to manage benefits, though it clarifies the department owes no fiduciary duty to youth or third parties managing these accounts.