Rep. Tarra Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 1713 establishes a process for automatic voter registration of tribal members in Washington. It requires the Secretary of State to create state-tribal compacts with federally recognized tribes (whose traditional lands include Washington) to automatically register eligible tribal members. Under the bill, tribes would submit resolutions to initiate compacts, and after approval, tribes would send voter data meeting specific criteria (citizenship, address, signature) to the state for automatic registration. This would add tribal members to voter rolls without requiring separate applications, with acknowledgment notices sent within five business days.

Maddy summaryHB 1257 extends special education services for students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which they turn 22, instead of ending at age 21. This change directly affects students with disabilities aged 16-22 who require transition planning to move from school to postsecondary life. The bill amends state education statutes to align with a federal court ruling finding Washington’s prior policy violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It also requires state agencies to update transition planning by October 2026, ensuring services supplement rather than replace other support programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1528 requires Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction to create a free, statewide online system for managing individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities. The system must provide a uniform platform for schools, ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws, and include features like secure access, privacy protections, translation services, and tools to align IEP goals with grade-level standards. It mandates that the system support family engagement with progress data, incorporate evidence-based practices, and meet accessibility standards. The bill also requires statewide training for educators, administrators, and families to implement the system effectively.

Maddy summaryHB 1991 exempts email addresses of individuals who subscribe to regular communications (like newsletters) from certain state agencies from public records disclosure under Washington's public records law. It directly affects people who sign up for agency updates, protecting their email addresses from being publicly accessible. The bill amends existing law (RCW 42.56.230) to add this specific exemption, ensuring these email addresses are not subject to public inspection requests. This is a procedural change focused on privacy protection for subscribers.

Maddy summaryHB 1658 redirects $1 of a $5 surcharge on recorded documents in Washington counties to fund history and heritage museums and historic preservation programs. It requires counties to establish a historic preservation fund using this revenue, which supports nonprofit museums (501(c)(3) organizations) and county preservation activities under state law. Fifty percent of the remaining surcharge revenue goes to a state-level "centennial document preservation" account for county historical document preservation, while the other half stays with counties for similar purposes. The bill directly affects county governments, local museums, and historic preservation programs by creating dedicated funding streams from existing document recording fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 clarifies who is covered by Washington's minimum wage law by updating definitions in the Washington Minimum Wage Act. It adds specific exclusions, such as farm interns with special certificates and minor league baseball players under collective bargaining agreements, while refining definitions for terms like "family member" and "retail establishment." These changes directly affect employers and workers in defined categories, ensuring the law applies only to eligible employees. The bill does not change the current minimum wage rate but refines coverage to align with evolving workplace structures.

Maddy summaryHB 1136 establishes a program placing financial aid specialists in Washington high schools to help students complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and Washington state financial aid forms. The specialists will target schools in educational service districts with the lowest FAFSA completion rates, especially those serving high percentages of low-income students (eligible for free/reduced lunch). Using data from the Student Achievement Council, they will provide direct support to students and families, including outreach at school events and through peer networks. The program requires annual reports tracking application completion rates and enrollment impacts, aiming to reduce barriers like perceived costs that prevent students from pursuing postsecondary education.

Maddy summaryHB 1292 establishes an ongoing annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees in Plan 1 of Washington's Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), starting July 2026. The bill uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to calculate annual increases, capping the first adjustment at 3% and limiting yearly changes to no more than a 3% difference from the prior year. It consolidates the costs of past COLA increases over a 15-year period while requiring new benefit improvements to be paid over a 10-year amortization. The bill directly affects current and future retirees in both systems who qualify under Plan 1, excluding those covered by specific exception provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 updates Washington's firearm dealer licensing rules to enhance safety. It requires dealers to implement strict security measures, including alarms monitored by law enforcement, locked storage for firearms during non-business hours, and digital surveillance systems covering all sales areas. The bill mandates annual background checks for all employees selling firearms and prohibits temporary sales outside licensed locations except at designated gun shows. It also requires dealers to annually certify compliance with all licensing conditions and face permanent license loss for violations. These provisions directly affect licensed firearm dealers operating in Washington state.

Maddy summaryHB 1138 requires Washington law enforcement officers to stop using deceptive tactics (like falsely claiming evidence exists) during criminal interrogations starting in 2026. It presumes statements obtained through deception are inadmissible in court for misdemeanor or felony cases, unless prosecutors prove the statement was voluntary. The bill mandates free, state-developed training for all officers on evidence-based techniques like the PEACE method, cognitive interviews, and trauma-informed approaches by July 2026. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and individuals being questioned in criminal investigations.