Rep. Tarra Simmons

Maddy summaryHB 2107 requires Washington construction site inspectors to provide employers or owners with written notice within 10 working days when they identify an immediate safety hazard during inspections that could cause worker injury. This applies specifically to residential building and general construction projects under the North American Industry Classification System. The law, effective until June 30, 2026, mandates this notice but does not change inspectors' existing authority or the employer's obligation to correct hazards. It also requires the Department of Labor to report by December 1, 2026, on instances where timely notice wasn't given and the reasons for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2492 requires state-registered plumbing apprenticeships in Washington to include four hours of approved behavioral health and wellness training as part of their continuing education requirements. This applies directly to apprentices in the plumbing construction trade who need to maintain their certification. The training must cover topics like destigmatizing mental health, recognizing distress, suicide prevention, substance use awareness, and connecting to resources. It modifies existing certification rules (RCW 18.106.070) to allow these hours to count toward the required 24 hours of annual continuing education. The bill does not create new licensing standards but integrates mental health support into existing apprenticeship training.

Maddy summaryHB 2242 clarifies and preserves access to preventive health services covered by most Washington health insurance plans. It requires plans issued after April 1, 2026, to cover evidence-based services like vaccinations, cancer screenings, and other preventive care without cost-sharing, based on current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) ratings and CDC recommendations. The bill updates coverage requirements to align with federal guidelines as of June 30, 2025, and allows the state Department of Health to issue immunization guidance without standard rulemaking. This directly affects Washington residents using health insurance and insurers offering new or updated plans, ensuring consistent access to preventive care without adding new requirements for patient consent or immunization mandates.

Maddy summaryHB 2113 updates Washington State's supervision rules for diagnostic radiologic technologists, therapeutic radiologic technologists, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists. It allows these professionals to perform certain injections (like IV contrast) under virtual supervision via real-time video (excluding audio-only) or direct supervision by physicians, advanced nurses, or physician assistants. The bill also requires trained clinical staff to be present during IV contrast administration to handle potential adverse reactions. These changes specifically affect technologists working under physician oversight in medical settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of specific nursing titles in Washington State to only licensed professionals. It prohibits anyone without a valid license from using titles like "registered nurse" (R.N.), "nurse practitioner" (N.P.), or "licensed practical nurse" (L.P.N.), including nonhuman entities like businesses. Christian Science nurses listed in their official journal may still use "Christian Science nurse" if they don’t claim other nursing credentials. The law expires June 30, 2027, after taking effect on the same date.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives Washington state agencies and local governments authority to remove abandoned or hazardous vessels (like those sunk, obstructing waterways, or endangering property) after a 7-day notice period. It directly affects vessel owners who leave boats unattended and local entities managing aquatic lands. Key provisions require authorities to prioritize environmentally sound disposal, sell vessels at auction if possible, and use sale proceeds first to cover removal costs, environmental damages, and administrative fees before addressing liens. The law also establishes clear procedures for owners to contest removal decisions or costs through hearings.

Maddy summaryHB 1541 modifies the composition of the Washington State Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, which advises the Governor and the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It changes the representation from state veterans' homes from one to two members and revises the criteria for ten other members. The bill expands representation to include veterans from federally recognized Indian tribes, current or former National Guard members, justice-involved or formerly incarcerated veterans, and veterans with specific lived experiences such as housing barriers or substance use disorder. It also clarifies nomination processes and ensures that no organization has more than one official representative on the committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1687 clarifies definitions and expands support mechanisms for social housing public development authorities in Washington State. It defines "social housing" as publicly owned rental housing available to all income levels (low, moderate, and high-income households) with cross-subsidized rents, and establishes specific income thresholds based on HUD data. The bill enables state and local governments to provide property, infrastructure, or funding to these authorities without standard bidding requirements, while requiring five days of public notice for such transactions. It directly affects social housing authorities, state/local governments, and residents of subsidized housing projects across Washington. The legislation focuses on structural changes to housing authority operations, not on new funding or outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally recognizes September 30, 2026, as Every Child Matters Day in the Washington State House of Representatives to honor victims and survivors of Indian boarding schools. It acknowledges the historical removal of Indigenous children from their families and communities, which aimed to assimilate them and resulted in cultural destruction and unmarked graves. The resolution also commends efforts to identify and preserve resources documenting the existence of these schools and the experiences of the children who attended them.

Maddy summaryHR 4693 is a ceremonial House resolution honoring Natalie Naomi Phelps, a Washington educator and cancer awareness advocate who died in 2025. The resolution commemorates her life, career teaching internationally and locally, her advocacy for early cancer detection after her own stage IV colorectal cancer diagnosis, and her work with cancer organizations. It does not create new laws or affect policy; it simply expresses the House's respect for her legacy and extends condolences to her family. The resolution was introduced and adopted on February 27, 2026.