Rep. Beth Doglio

Maddy summaryHB 1949 exempts certain scholarly communications from Washington's public records law to protect academic confidentiality. It directly affects faculty, researchers, and students at public universities by shielding: (1) peer review materials for manuscripts or research proposals, (2) human subject identities when confidentiality was promised in consent forms, and (3) unpublished research data, code, or draft manuscripts until they are published, patented, or publicly shared. The bill ensures these materials remain confidential during the academic review and development process, aligning with existing federal research standards. This change applies only to records where confidentiality was explicitly promised or required by academic practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1231 proposes that Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction provide information and technical assistance to public school districts (including charter and tribal schools) exploring later start times, such as summaries of student health research and implementation strategies. It also establishes a grant program starting in 2026-27 to fund both the exploration and implementation of later start times, with districts receiving exploration grants eligible for implementation grants later. The bill requires the Superintendent to submit annual reports to the legislature starting in 2028, detailing the program's progress and including summaries of similar efforts in other states. The bill does not mandate later start times but supports districts through resources and funding, contingent on legislative appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 1512 establishes a grant program to help low-income drivers address nonmoving traffic violations (like registration or insurance issues) through nonpunitive solutions such as repair vouchers, helmet programs, or community education, rather than fines. It directly affects low-income road users - defined as those on public assistance, WIC, Medicaid, or earning 125% of the federal poverty level - by providing alternatives to financial penalties. The bill also requires police to report detailed stop data (including race, age, and reason for stops) starting in 2026 and clarifies that stops for nonmoving violations can only be secondary to primary offenses like speeding or impaired driving. These provisions aim to reduce racial disparities in traffic enforcement while improving road safety compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 1853 requires Washington school districts to designate all public outdoor recreational spaces (like playgrounds and fields) as "green community schoolyards" available for community use outside school hours. It mandates the state superintendent to create a model shared-use agreement policy covering scheduling, costs, liability, equity, and fee structures to facilitate community access. School districts adopting this model policy become eligible for adjusted state funding under the school construction program. The bill directly affects school districts, community groups, and residents - especially those in underserved areas - by expanding access to outdoor recreation spaces without new land acquisition. It aims to improve physical activity access, community cohesion, and climate resilience through existing school properties.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1551 extends Washington's cannabis social equity program, which aims to help certain applicants obtain cannabis licenses, until July 1, 2034. The bill requires the Liquor and Cannabis Board to evaluate the program, including public feedback, and submit a report with findings and policy options to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2025. To facilitate this review, new license application windows through the program will be paused until June 30, 2026. Additionally, the waiver of annual licensing fees for social equity licenses is extended through the program's new end date.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Washington's unemployment insurance rules for part-time workers, effective August 3, 2025. It revises the definition of "suitable work" for part-time workers (those who earned wages in at least 40 base-year weeks with an average of under 35 weekly hours) to require them to seek work matching their historical average hours, rather than the previous 17-hour limit. It also adds protections: workers needing to care for family members or address domestic violence/stalking may not lose benefits for seeking at least 20-hour workweeks instead of full-time. The policy directly affects part-time workers who qualify under these new base-year criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1826 requires mobility equipment manufacturers to provide independent repair providers and device owners with necessary parts, documentation, software, and tools at fair prices. It directly affects Washington residents who use mobility devices like power wheelchairs, scooters, and manual wheelchairs with power assists, addressing current repair delays averaging 4-7 weeks. The bill mandates that manufacturers make these resources available without unreasonable restrictions or costs, ensuring more repair options beyond manufacturer-authorized services. This aims to reduce delays that impact users' safety, employment, education, and daily living.

Maddy summaryHB 1150 requires producers of consumer packaging and paper products to fund and manage recycling programs, shifting responsibility from taxpayers to manufacturers. It aims to improve recycling access - especially for rural residents and multi-family housing - by mandating producer-funded curbside collection systems and setting statewide collection and composting targets. The bill defines "covered materials" (like plastic, paper, metal packaging) and exempts certain items (e.g., infant formula packaging), while creating an advisory council to oversee implementation. Producers must meet specific collection rate goals, with smaller businesses qualifying for de minimis exemptions based on revenue thresholds. The law preserves local government authority over waste management but requires producers to integrate into existing recycling infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 grants incarcerated individuals in Washington state prisons, residential habilitation centers, and state hospitals the right to civic engagement. It requires state agencies to facilitate activities like forming political advocacy groups, using facility spaces for meetings, participating in virtual forums with community groups, and accessing educational resources - without fear of punishment. The bill establishes a Civic Engagement Coordinator within the Office of Equity to handle complaints and ensure agencies uphold these rights. This policy directly affects justice-involved individuals by expanding their ability to participate in civic processes during their time in state custody.

Maddy summaryHB 1220 creates an exception to assault charges for individuals in behavioral health crisis who assault healthcare providers while receiving treatment. It specifically exempts such assaults from third-degree assault charges when the victim is a nurse, physician, or health care provider performing duties during behavioral health treatment under chapters 71.05, 71.34, or 10.77 of the Revised Code of Washington. This applies only when the person is detained, pending evaluation, or receiving voluntary in-patient behavioral health treatment. The bill modifies existing assault law to prevent criminal prosecution in these specific crisis treatment scenarios.