Rep. Greg Nance

Maddy summaryHB 1479 creates a state matching grant program to supplement federal funding for American Indian and Alaska Native students. It requires school districts and tribal education compact schools that received federal Indian education grants under Title VI of the Every Student Succeeds Act to submit strategic plans outlining goals for cultural programming, academic achievement, and family engagement. The state grant matches federal funds (with tribal consultation required if combined funding reaches $40,000+) and supports activities like cultural identity education, attendance improvement, and intergenerational knowledge sharing. The program mandates annual reporting to the legislature on grant recipients and outcomes starting June 2026. It directly affects eligible school districts and tribal schools in Washington state.

Maddy summaryHB 1245 requires large electric utilities (with over 25,000 customers) to develop comprehensive 10-year integrated resource plans. These plans must include detailed forecasts of customer demand, assessments of conservation and renewable energy options, transmission capacity needs, and strategies for meeting clean energy goals. The bill specifically mandates evaluating impacts of zero-emission vehicles, incorporating data from transportation electrification plans, and ensuring plans prioritize "lowest reasonable cost" while maintaining grid reliability. It directly affects utilities serving over 25,000 customers, requiring them to update these plans every four years with annual progress reports. The bill amends existing energy planning laws (RCW 19.280.030) but does not create new funding or direct cost obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1567 requires health care administrators at Washington hospitals to obtain a state license starting January 1, 2027. It defines these roles as nonclinical managers or directors who oversee hiring, compliance, operations, or patient care policies for clinical staff, but excludes federal employees like those in the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill mandates passing a state-administered exam on health care laws and ethics, paying fees, and completing annual continuing education to maintain licensure. The Washington Department of Health will manage licensing, set fees, and enforce rules, including disciplinary actions for unprofessional conduct like unsafe fiscal decisions. This applies only to hospital employees in Washington, not to all health care workers.

Maddy summaryHB 1301 requires Washington state facilities to provide free communication services (including voice calls, video, and messaging) to people confined in state custody, eliminating fees for these services. It mandates that facilities maintain existing access to communication devices (like wall phones) and provide free tablets to incarcerated individuals. The bill prohibits facilities from charging fees or generating revenue from these services and explicitly states communication services cannot replace in-person visitation. It also requires transparency by making provider contracts and fee structures publicly available on facility websites and tablets. This law applies to both the Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1323 makes it a crime to intentionally block state highways with three or more people without a permit, particularly when the action creates safety risks like impeding ambulances or causing injury. Organizers face class C felony charges with a minimum 30-day jail sentence and $5,000 fine (non-reducible below $1,000), while participants could face serious misdemeanor penalties. The law specifically targets dangerous blockades that endanger public safety or obstruct emergency response, not peaceful protests. It requires courts to impose minimum penalties for violations, including prior offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 increases penalties for scrap metal businesses that buy stolen copper from telecommunication cables, which can disrupt phone and internet services, including emergency calls. The bill imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 for a first violation, $20,000 for a second, and revokes a business’s license for a third violation. It directly affects scrap metal businesses purchasing copper illegally taken from telecom infrastructure. The law amends Washington’s existing civil penalty structure under RCW 19.290.080 to specifically target this type of theft.

Maddy summaryHB 1866 creates a pilot program allowing Washington state agencies to provide one-time advance funds to eligible nonprofits that have received state grants. Nonprofits must have a recent grant (within six months), a strong performance history, a budget under $5 million, and work in areas like public health, safety, or welfare. Advances are capped at 25% of the grant amount or $100,000 (whichever is lower) and must be repaid from future grant funds. The program expires June 30, 2028, requiring a 2027 report evaluating its effectiveness and recommending future action.

Maddy summaryHB 1179 would allow Washington seniors aged 61+ and disabled veterans with VA disability ratings of 80% or higher to freeze their property tax valuation. Qualifying residents would pay no tax on a portion of their home's value based on income: lower-income households get full relief on all taxes, while others receive partial relief up to $70,000 of home value. The exemption uses "combined disposable income" to determine eligibility and applies the frozen valuation (based on 1995 or qualification year) to reduce taxes. This law would take effect for property taxes collected starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1534 raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products from 18 to 21 in Washington State. It requires retailers to verify customers' ages using specific photo ID with signature (e.g., driver's licenses, tribal ID cards) and imposes stricter penalties for sales to minors. Violations now carry fines starting at $1,500 for first offenses and up to $15,000 for repeated violations, with license suspensions or revocations for repeated breaches. The bill directly affects retailers selling these products, targeting underage access through enhanced enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1450 establishes a new state "transition to kindergarten" program in Washington for 4-year-olds who need additional preparation for kindergarten or live in areas with severe child care access shortages ("extreme child care access deserts"). It directs the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create rules for public schools to operate the program, prioritizing regions with child care deserts and limiting approved sites to ensure equitable access. The program ensures participating children aren't counted toward basic education funding, requires schools to collaborate with local child care providers, and mandates enrollment rules including need-based screening and regional needs assessments. This policy aims to strengthen coordination between public schools and early learning systems while minimizing disruption to existing child care services.