Rep. Greg Nance

Maddy summaryHB 1058 creates tax credits for eligible railroads to fund infrastructure improvements. It directly affects small regional railroads (class II/III), public entities like ports/cities, and industrial property owners with rail spurs in Washington. The bill provides a 50% tax credit on qualified expenses for maintenance, new rail development, or modernization projects (e.g., track upgrades, bridges, safety equipment), with annual limits of $500,000 per taxpayer and a total $8 million statewide cap. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other eligible taxpayers.

Maddy summaryHB 1938 establishes a 17-member Washington state flag redesign committee to develop a new state flag design reflecting the state's diversity and identity. The committee, including tribal representatives, cultural leaders, designers, and public members, must select a design by July 2028 for voter approval via referendum. It will gather public input through forums and surveys, review submissions for historical relevance and representation, and submit the chosen design to voters for adoption. The current flag, criticized for its complex George Washington portrait and outdated seal design, would be replaced if voters approve the new design. The committee’s work expires January 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 1137 establishes consistent rules for disciplinary actions and administrative segregation in Washington state correctional facilities. It standardizes procedures for handling inmate misconduct, defines key terms like "contraband" and "physical restraint," and requires individual reentry plans for incarcerated people. The bill directly affects inmates facing disciplinary hearings, correctional staff implementing policies, and facility operations. Key mechanisms include uniform criteria for segregation placement, clearer definitions to prevent arbitrary decisions, and linking privileges (like work programs) to documented "good conduct" and "good performance." This replaces inconsistent local practices with statewide standards under state law.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1758 revises the method for calculating the inflation rate used in state-owned aquatic land leases. The bill changes the economic index referenced from the "all commodity producer price index" to the "Seattle area consumer price index, all urban consumers (CPI-U)." This amendment directly affects the Department of Natural Resources and those who lease state-owned tidelands, shorelands, harbor areas, and beds of navigable waters. The purpose is to update the economic measure used for adjusting these lease rates.

Maddy summaryHB 1348 allows cannabis businesses in Washington to be fully or partially owned by employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), enabling employees to gain ownership stakes. It directly affects cannabis businesses seeking licenses and employees participating in ESOPs by changing who must undergo licensing vetting. The key provision revises licensing rules to require only corporate officers/directors of ESOP-owned businesses to be vetted - employees, ESOP administrators, and trustees are exempt from criminal background checks, residency requirements, and other owner-level screenings. This simplifies the licensing process while maintaining oversight of business control. The bill aims to align cannabis business ownership with other industries that use ESOPs for employee engagement and wealth-building.

Maddy summaryHB 2002 establishes a reward program to encourage the public to report information about firearms used in felony crimes. It provides up to $500 for locating such firearms, or up to $5,000 if the report leads to a conviction, excluding law enforcement officers, individuals with warrants, or government employees acting in their official capacity. The cash rewards will be funded from existing county and municipal criminal justice assistance accounts, which distribute funds based on population, crime rates, and court case volumes. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (who receive the information) and the public (who may submit tips for rewards), while amending funding mechanisms for local criminal justice programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2066 creates a temporary sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping in Washington State, running from 12:00 a.m. on the second Friday of August through 11:59 p.m. on the following Sunday each year. It directly affects families with children in grades K-12 by exempting sales tax on qualifying items: clothing (including footwear, $100 or less per item), school supplies ($50 or less), and personal computers/computer accessories ($1,500 or less for home use). Businesses may opt out if they expect less than 5% of sales to come from these items, but the state will maintain a public list of exempt products. The policy aims to reduce immediate financial strain on families during back-to-school shopping, aligning with similar programs in other states.

Maddy summaryHB 1568 expands financial aid eligibility for Washington college students by raising the income threshold for full Washington College Grant coverage from 50% to 70% of the state median family income (adjusted for family size). It also creates a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but not the College Bound Scholarship, covering non-tuition costs like books, housing, and transportation. The bridge grant applies starting the 2025-26 academic year to students enrolled at least half-time. This bill directly affects low-income undergraduate students attending Washington state colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryHB 1433 would establish a regulated system in Washington for adults 21+ to access psychedelic substances for therapeutic use under licensed professionals. It directs the Department of Health to license facilitators and service centers, and the Liquor & Cannabis Board to oversee manufacturers and testing, requiring sessions in controlled environments with trained guides. The bill emphasizes reducing costs to improve equity, particularly for historically disadvantaged communities, while explicitly stating it does not require insurance coverage or override federal law. This would create a legal framework for safe, supervised use and research, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1736 establishes new procedures for reporting and investigating missing persons in Washington State. It requires law enforcement to file reports with the state patrol's missing persons unit after 30 days or if criminal activity is suspected, collect DNA samples with consent, and access dental records through written authorization. The bill mandates a statewide public website displaying missing persons' names, photos, and descriptions for at least 30 days, with regular updates to national systems. It repeals outdated laws about missing persons reporting (RCW 36.28A.110, 112, and 120) to streamline the process. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, families of missing persons, and the public through improved information sharing.