Rep. Adam Bernbaum

Maddy summaryHB 1705 establishes a work group to study and recommend strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining large animal veterinarians in Washington state. This group, convened by Washington State University, includes representatives from state agencies, veterinary organizations, farmer groups, and historically marginalized communities. The work group is tasked with submitting a preliminary report by December 2025 and a final report by June 2026 to legislative committees. The bill aims to address the shortage of large animal veterinarians, which impacts animal welfare, public health, and the food supply.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1309 establishes an integrated pest management research program within the Washington State Department of Agriculture to address the impacts of burrowing shrimp on bottom culture shellfish farming. This program will solicit and fund research into new control methods for burrowing shrimp, with a specific focus on Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. A governing board, composed of representatives from state agencies, shellfish growers, tribes, and other stakeholders, will oversee the research program and review proposals. The bill aims to support research that enhances the resilience and productivity of shellfish farming and the marine ecosystem. It also provides for permitting assistance for shellfish growers to use identified control methods.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1105 exempts certain exclusive bargaining representatives for Department of Corrections (DOC) employees from specific state rules regarding collective bargaining. Specifically, unions representing most DOC employees with interest arbitration rights will no longer be required to participate in coalition bargaining, a process often mandated for smaller unions. Instead, these individual DOC employee unions will directly negotiate one master collective bargaining agreement with the governor or their designee. This change does not apply to exclusive bargaining representatives for marine department employees at the DOC.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1631 designates bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) forests as the official state marine forest of Washington. This designation aims to raise awareness of bull kelp's vital role in the state's marine ecosystems, culture, and economy, and its deep cultural significance for tribal nations.

Maddy summaryHB 1606 directs the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a study on providing state employees with electronic access to peer-reviewed journals. The study will investigate potential funding, organizational structures, and policy mechanisms to facilitate this access. Its purpose is to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness for state agencies that currently face challenges in accessing these academic, scholarly, or scientific publications. The institute must complete and submit the study to relevant legislative committees by June 30, 2026. This section of the act is set to expire on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1553 extends Washington's dairy inspection program funding until June 30, 2031, by amending RCW 15.36.551 to update the program's expiration date. It requires milk processing plants to pay a fee of 54 cents per hundredweight of milk processed (with a $20 monthly minimum exemption for small processors) to fund inspections ensuring compliance with national milk safety standards. The collected fees are deposited into a dedicated dairy inspection account within the agricultural fund, used solely for inspection services. This extension maintains the existing fee structure and program operations without creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 4659 is a symbolic House resolution that reaffirms Washington state's relationship with Canada. It highlights the strong economic ties, including $2.7 billion in daily trade across sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, and notes shared challenges like disaster response (e.g., Nooksack floods, wildfires) and cross-border cooperation in places like Point Roberts. The resolution emphasizes collaboration on climate change, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and mutual respect for Indigenous partnerships. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses support for the longstanding partnership.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution honoring Hollywood screenwriter Tab Murphy for his career contributions. It recognizes his work on films like *Gorillas in the Mist* (1988, with an Oscar nomination), Disney's *Tarzan* and *Brother Bear*, and his recent Emmy-nominated documentary *Kangaroo Valley*. The resolution specifically celebrates his Olympia roots, education in Washington state, and decades-long impact on film storytelling. As a symbolic gesture, it has no policy effects or direct impact on constituents.

Maddy summaryHB 1439 updates Washington's motor vehicle and driver licensing laws to match federal definitions, primarily by standardizing terms like "revoke" (one-year invalidation) and "suspend" (less than one year). It adds significant privacy protections for vehicle owners by restricting how businesses can access owner information, requiring written disclosure agreements, and prohibiting unsolicited contact. The bill also repeals outdated sections and requires agencies to retain disclosure requests for three years. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, businesses seeking owner data, and state agencies managing licensing records, with the law taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 4645 is a Washington State House resolution honoring Harry R. Anderson for becoming the first person to both fly and sail solo to all seven continents. It recognizes his 2025 completion of a 350-day, 38,000-nautical-mile sail voyage on his boat *Phywave* and his aviation milestones, including a North Pole flight and Antarctica landing. The resolution serves as a symbolic tribute to his achievements without creating any new laws or policies.