Rep. Greg Nance

Maddy summaryHB 1345 restricts detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - separate small homes on the same lot as a main house - outside urban growth areas in Washington counties. It requires counties to limit each parcel to one ADU, set size limits (max 1,296 sq ft), mandate water metering and sewage capacity documentation, and require ADUs to be within 150 feet of the main home. Counties must enforce penalties for unpermitted ADUs (including $1,000 fines, removal orders, and 3-year permit bans) and track ADU permits for land-use planning updates. The bill applies only to counties allowing such ADUs outside urban areas, not affecting existing urban or rural ADU rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2405 establishes a pilot program to fund workplace behavioral health initiatives focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and research for workers in high-risk occupations. It directs the Department of Labor & Industries to use funds from the workers' compensation medical aid fund to support projects addressing PTSD prevention, trauma-informed reintegration, and mental health programs in workplaces with repetitive trauma exposure. The program specifically allocates resources for innovative return-to-work initiatives targeting PTSD, requiring projects to address occupational PTSD risks identified through department collaboration. This pilot is part of broader workers' compensation funding priorities and does not change existing medical coverage standards for injured workers.

Maddy summaryHB 1750 creates clear guidelines for addressing voter suppression and vote dilution claims under Washington’s Voting Rights Act. It prohibits local governments (counties, cities, school districts, etc.) from implementing election policies that create material disparate burdens on voters in protected classes (race, color, or language minorities), as defined by federal law. The bill establishes that such policies are illegal unless the government proves they are necessary to serve a compelling interest with no less burdensome alternative, and it removes the requirement to prove discriminatory intent in claims. This amendment replaces outdated provisions and aligns Washington’s standards with federal voting rights protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1710 requires certain local governments (designated as "covered jurisdictions" due to documented voting rights issues) to obtain pre-approval before implementing specific voting changes. These changes include altering election methods, redrawing district boundaries, restricting language access for voters, or modifying early voting sites. Before any such "covered practice" takes effect, the local government must either seek a court declaration or get certification from the Attorney General that the change won’t diminish minority voting access. This applies to jurisdictions with a history of voting discrimination or current disparities in voter registration, participation, or other metrics affecting protected groups. The bill aims to enforce compliance with Washington’s Voting Rights Act of 2018 by adding a pre-clearance step for high-impact voting decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2532 makes it a gross misdemeanor to sell, distribute, or give away nitrous oxide in containers like canisters or tanks (including flavored versions), except for specific exempt uses. The law specifically targets recreational nitrous oxide sales by criminalizing these transactions, with penalties including up to 364 days in jail. Key exemptions include licensed medical, dental, or veterinary use; nitrous oxide used as a food propellant; and industrial or automotive applications. The bill does not ban nitrous oxide itself but regulates its sale in consumer containers for non-exempt purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 2320 regulates firearm manufacturing using 3D printers, CNC mills, or digital code by requiring manufacturers to register these methods with the state. It directly affects individuals or entities producing firearms through digital means, including those creating undetectable or untraceable weapons. The bill amends Washington’s firearm laws to mandate registration of such manufacturing processes and explicitly targets unlicensed producers who might bypass background checks. This policy change aims to address public safety concerns by making digital firearm production subject to state oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 2091 requires public employers covered under chapter 41.80 RCW (specifically Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, and The Evergreen State College) to provide employee information to exclusive bargaining representatives. The bill amends RCW 41.80.075 to expand the list of covered employers to include these four public universities. This means union representatives at these institutions would gain access to employee data previously not required to be shared under the existing law. The change directly affects these universities' labor relations by mandating information sharing with their recognized employee unions.

Maddy summaryHB 1069 amends Washington state law to allow collective bargaining between public employers and employee organizations regarding contributions for certain supplemental retirement benefits. Currently, state law prevents bargaining over retirement plans and benefits administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. This bill clarifies that employers can now negotiate over contributions for additional retirement benefits, including medical plans, as long as these benefits are administered by or on behalf of an employee organization. This change enables discussions over these specific benefit contributions, while still excluding the core state retirement plans from collective bargaining.

Maddy summaryHB 1295 requires Washington public school districts to implement evidence-based reading and writing literacy programs for kindergarten through fourth grade students. These programs must include phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension instruction, and be fully operational by the 2027-28 school year. The bill also mandates revised teacher training standards for educators to deliver these programs, with new certification requirements by 2026 and educator preparation programs updated by 2027. This directly affects elementary schools, teachers, and students, particularly those identified as reading below grade level, with specific attention to improving equity in dyslexia screening and support.

Maddy summaryHB 1634 establishes regional school safety centers in Washington state to help public school districts coordinate behavioral health support for students. The centers will provide training for school staff on suicide prevention, facilitate partnerships between schools and community health providers, offer Medicaid billing assistance, and support school-based threat assessment programs. This bill directly affects all public school districts, their staff (including counselors and psychologists), and students needing behavioral health services by improving access to existing resources through coordinated planning. It amends state law to require these centers to work with tribes and community partners to ensure culturally responsive support. The bill focuses on strengthening existing systems rather than creating new programs.