Rep. Beth Doglio

Maddy summaryHB 1480 would allow any Washington county to impose a 0.5% tax on real estate sales to fund affordable housing, but only with voter approval. The tax revenue must be used exclusively for developing housing for very low, low, and moderate-income residents, including construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance. Counties must create a spending plan with public input before seeking voter approval, and the tax would be collected from both buyers and sellers (with at least half of the burden on the buyer). The tax would take effect 30 days after voter approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1043 extends the state's commute trip reduction tax credit program for employers and property managers until 2035. This program allows eligible entities to claim a tax credit for providing financial incentives to employees who use alternative commuting methods like ride-sharing, public transportation, car-sharing, or non-motorized transport. The bill changes the credit calculation so that the full amount paid to or on behalf of an employee, up to $60 per employee annually, can be credited (previously 50%). It also reduces the maximum credit a single entity can claim per fiscal year from $100,000 to $50,000.

Maddy summaryHB 1518 establishes a legal presumption that major vehicle operators (weighing 200+ lbs or exceeding 28 mph) are negligent in collisions involving pedestrians, bicycles, or minor vehicles. This applies in civil lawsuits, shifting the burden to the operator to prove they were not at fault. If the operator is found negligent, plaintiffs can recover actual damages plus $1,500 in statutory damages, plus attorney fees if the negligence presumption was disputed. The bill also presumes vehicle owners are responsible if the operator is unknown, and includes specific definitions for terms like "major motor vehicle" and "pedestrian."

Maddy summaryHB 1661 establishes a pilot project to provide $25,000 grants to eligible Washington residents born into poverty. It directly affects individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP before age one and remain enrolled at application, are Washington residents, and are 18-36 years old. The grants, administered through the State Treasurer's Office, can be used for education, home purchases, or starting a business in Washington, with funds not counting as assets for public assistance eligibility. The pilot will randomly select participants across geographic regions, require financial coaching, and include impact evaluations by the University of Washington. This is a limited-time study to test whether such grants improve economic stability for people facing intergenerational poverty.

Maddy summaryHB 1310 eliminates the enrollment cap on students eligible for state special education funding in Washington, directly affecting all public school districts and students with disabilities. The bill increases funding multipliers for districts serving students with disabilities in inclusive settings (80%+ time in general education), raising the multiplier from 1.12 to 1.5289 for those students, while lowering it to 1.447 for less inclusive placements. It also requires the state superintendent to monitor racial disproportionality in special education identification and provide technical assistance to districts. These changes aim to ensure equitable state funding without requiring local district contributions and support inclusive educational practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1195 prevents local governments in Washington from denying permits for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or shelters in residential or commercial zones within urban growth areas. It requires cities and counties to review such permit applications through an administrative process only, not public hearings, and establishes a waiver process if local rules block projects. The bill creates a dispute resolution system where the state department can review conflicts and order corrective action, including withholding state funds from noncompliant localities. The law does not apply to projects in critical areas, natural hazard zones, or agricultural/forestry lands.

Maddy summaryHB 1900 strengthens protections for vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled individuals) against suspected financial exploitation by requiring financial institutions to temporarily block suspicious transactions. If an institution reasonably suspects fraud - such as unusual account activity or a beneficiary dispute - it must notify state departments, internally flag the account, and may refuse disbursement for up to 5-10 business days. The bill also grants legal immunity to institutions acting in good faith and mandates clear notification to account holders and authorities. This directly affects vulnerable adults, financial institutions, and state agencies like the Department of Financial Institutions. The law amends existing Washington statutes to create these specific safeguards without altering broader consumer protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1504 requires individuals in Washington to demonstrate financial responsibility before purchasing or possessing a firearm, directly affecting most gun owners. It mandates one of three options per firearm: a $25,000 liability insurance policy or bond, self-insurance certification (for owners of 25+ firearms), or a $25,000 certificate of deposit. Proof of compliance must be provided to dealers or law enforcement via an identification card (paper or electronic), with failure to show it constituting a class 1 civil infraction. The bill exempts antique firearms, active law enforcement officers, and military personnel on duty.

Maddy summaryHB 1632 prevents medical debt from being reported to credit bureaus without specific contract terms, directly affecting consumers with medical bills, healthcare providers, and collection agencies. The bill requires all new medical debt contracts to include a clear statement prohibiting credit reporting, and any contract lacking this term becomes unenforceable. If a provider or collector reports medical debt to credit bureaus despite this requirement, the debt is void and cannot be collected. This policy change aims to stop medical debt from unfairly damaging credit scores by removing a key barrier to financial stability for affected consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 1579 requires Washington school districts to report detailed transportation data for specific student groups, including those with special education needs, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or attending skill centers. It mandates the state superintendent to develop a new funding model by 2028 that addresses unique challenges in rural and urban districts, and establishes a $400 flat rate per homeless student for transportation costs. The bill directly affects school districts and the students in these four priority groups by changing how transportation funding is calculated and reported. Districts must submit quarterly reports on mileage, ridership, and costs, with funds for homeless students limited to their specific transportation needs.