Rep. Lisa Parshley

Maddy summaryHB 1777 streamlines the state approval process for apprenticeship programs that already have federal approval, directly affecting program sponsors (including tribal and nontribal organizations) and employers seeking to expand training opportunities. It requires the apprenticeship council to expedite reviews of federally-approved programs by limiting state-specific scrutiny to unique requirements, while reforming competitor objections: objections must be filed within 30 days of provisional approval, and frivolous objections can trigger penalties like attorney fee payments or $10,000 fines. The bill also mandates annual reports comparing Washington’s program approval rates to federal standards and other states, including details on pending applications and denial reasons. These changes aim to reduce current delays - where 4 of 17 2024 applications remained pending after federal approval - without altering apprenticeship content or creating new training slots.

Maddy summaryHB 1838 expands Washington's college grant program to cover students enrolled in certificate programs for high-demand fields, directly affecting Washington residents pursuing these shorter-term credentials. The bill amends eligibility rules to include certificate programs (determined by the state office) alongside traditional college degrees and apprenticeships, while maintaining existing financial need requirements. Key provisions require students to demonstrate financial need, be state residents, and enroll in approved high-demand fields to qualify for the grant. This change aims to increase access to workforce training for in-demand occupations without altering the grant's core funding structure or application process.

Maddy summaryHB 1499 eliminates enforcement of certain court-imposed costs, fees, and interest on legal financial obligations for people convicted of crimes. It automatically nullifies these debts after the effective date, prohibits courts from accepting payments for them, and creates a new process for courts to waive uncollectible portions upon offender request. The bill specifically excludes restitution from these changes but allows clerks to seek judicial orders waiving costs, fees, and accrued interest. This applies to existing debts eliminated by the law, directly affecting individuals with outstanding criminal justice-related financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1569 requires Washington state to include tax exemptions and preferences in the regular biennial budget process, ending their automatic continuation without legislative review. The bill mandates that all tax exemptions without expiration dates must be reviewed, assigned performance measures, and reauthorized every two years or expire, with a maximum 10-year term for new exemptions. It also requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the annual revenue impact of each exemption and include these details in the budget. This affects all taxpayers by ensuring tax preferences are transparently evaluated for their revenue impact, rather than reducing state funds for services like education without oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1694 modifies how Washington cities and counties can use revenues from local real estate transaction taxes (up to 0.25% of sale price). It requires local governments to specify in budgets how these funds finance capital projects like roads, parks, or infrastructure, and mandates that tax revenues must be used solely for those purposes (with limited exceptions for operations until 2023). The bill explicitly allows using funds for homelessness and affordable housing projects through interlocal collaborations, while restricting new spending to 25% of available funds annually (capped at $1 million) for such projects. It also requires documentation of future funding plans for traditional capital projects and temporarily suspends tax authority if local governments fail to comply with reporting rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1685 restructures Washington’s fish and wildlife governance by shifting executive leadership from a commission to a governor-appointed director with senate approval. The director becomes the department’s chief executive, responsible for day-to-day operations, while the commission remains an advisory body for public input and tribal collaboration. The bill requires the director to form an interagency work group (including state agencies and tribal representatives) to improve coordination on wildlife issues and submit a 2026 report to the legislature. It also updates statutes to clarify the department’s role in managing fish/wildlife resources and ensures the commission retains final approval over tribal agreements and the department’s budget. The work group provisions expire August 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2027 increases real estate transfer taxes on property sales above specific thresholds to fund affordable housing programs. The tax applies at 1.1% for sales under $500,000, 1.28% for $500,000-$1.5 million, 2.75% for $1.5-$3 million, and 3% for sales over $3 million. Revenue from these taxes will support state housing programs targeting low- and middle-income households, including seniors, veterans, farmworkers, and others facing housing insecurity. The bill aims to build over 500,000 new affordable homes for residents earning under 50% of area median income by addressing supply shortages.

Maddy summaryHB 1693 exempts WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program staff from standard medical licensing requirements to perform specific blood tests. The bill allows WIC clinic staff to conduct hematological screening tests using heel-stick, toe-stick, or finger-stick methods directly at clinics. This change enables WIC staff to quickly screen for conditions like anemia in infants and mothers without needing separate medical licenses, streamlining access to routine health evaluations. The exemption applies only to these limited, non-invasive tests within the WIC program's scope.

Maddy summaryHB 1458 requires large new construction, additions, and renovations (50,000+ square feet) to reduce embodied carbon emissions from building materials. It offers three compliance paths: reusing 45% of existing structures, demonstrating a 90% reduction in emissions for covered materials, or conducting a whole-building life-cycle assessment. Projects must report data through a public database managed by the Department of Commerce, including material choices and compliance methods. The law applies to all covered projects under the International Building Code and mandates verification by licensed design professionals.

Maddy summaryHJR 4200 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Washington state's personal property tax exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 per head of household for taxable personal property. If approved by voters, this change would directly affect homeowners and residents who own personal property (like vehicles or equipment) subject to state taxation. The amendment would modify Article VII, Section 1 of the state constitution to adjust the exemption amount while maintaining other constitutional tax principles, such as uniformity and public purpose requirements. This measure requires voter approval at the next general election after the secretary of state publishes the amendment notice in local newspapers.