Rep. Adam Bernbaum

Maddy summaryThis bill formally acknowledges the service of Representative Steve Tharinger to his district and the Washington state legislature. It recognizes his long career in public service, including his time as a Clallam County Commissioner, his work on the House Capital Budget Committee, and his advocacy for environmental protection and healthcare. The resolution serves as a commemorative tribute to his contributions and personal qualities rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2253 updates Washington's licensing rules for childcare and foster care providers. It creates two new license types: a temporary "probationary license" for providers with compliance issues who have a correction plan (up to 12 months total), and a "child-specific license" allowing relatives or foster parents to care for specific children in state or tribal custody without full facility licensing. The bill also requires foster homes to receive blood-borne pathogen training and mandates that providers be informed if a child has such a condition. These changes directly affect childcare centers, foster families, and tribal care providers, replacing outdated licensing procedures with clearer standards for safety and oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 2109 requires vehicles transporting loose materials (like dirt, sand, or gravel) on Washington public highways to securely cover loads or maintain six inches of space above the load to prevent spillage. It mandates immediate cleanup of spilled materials, glass, or debris that could endanger other drivers, and requires vehicles with mud or debris to be cleaned before traveling. Violations range from infractions for minor failures to gross misdemeanors if negligence causes bodily harm. The law applies directly to commercial drivers and anyone transporting such materials, with penalties defined by the severity of the hazard created. It exempts public maintenance vehicles from sand-spreading for traction or highway cleaning.

Maddy summaryHB 2172 proposes changes to how Washington State manages highway jurisdiction transfers. It requires a new review process by a transportation commission for requests to transfer state highways over two miles long or including bridges to county or city control. The commission must evaluate these requests using existing criteria focused on road connectivity, traffic volume, and regional importance before making recommendations. This bill directly affects counties, cities, and the state transportation commission by altering the procedure for road management decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2111 amends Washington state law to ensure the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account receives its proportionate share of investment earnings from the state treasury. The bill adds this specific account to a list of state funds that automatically receive earnings based on their average daily balance in the treasury. This change affects only the financial management of the I-5 bridge project's dedicated account, ensuring it benefits from the same investment returns as other similar state accounts. The bill does not create new funding or alter project scope - it simply corrects the accounting mechanism to include this account in existing earnings distribution rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2133 makes permanent a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers that was originally established temporarily in 2017. The bill modifies state law to ensure these centers no longer lose their tax exemption after the temporary period ends, directly affecting qualifying senior centers that provide community services. This change removes the temporary nature of the exemption created under Chapter 301, Laws of 2017, ensuring ongoing tax relief for these facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1175 requires cities in Washington to permit neighborhood stores (like mini-markets selling food, drinks, or household items) and neighborhood cafés (with at least 500 square feet) in residential zones, provided cafés serve food if they offer alcohol. Cities may still regulate parking (if feasible), operating hours (cafés must operate at least 12 consecutive hours), and maximum building size. The bill applies to all cities and code cities, mandating implementation by 2027 for cities updating comprehensive plans or within two years for others. It directly affects small business owners seeking to operate in residential areas and local governments managing zoning rules.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HJM 4004 is a joint memorial requesting Congress to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It asks for expanded authority allowing state and tribal managers to use adaptive management tools - including lethal removal of sea lions - to protect endangered salmon stocks across all Washington marine waters and Puget Sound, beyond the current limited Columbia River authorization. The memorial cites a 2022 study showing pinniped populations contribute to salmon declines and a 2018 law that successfully reduced sea lion predation on the Columbia River. This request seeks to extend similar flexibility statewide for salmon recovery efforts. (Procedural memorial; not a bill with binding effect.)

Maddy summaryHB 2303 prohibits employers in Washington state from requiring, requesting, or coercing employees to have microchips implanted. It directly affects all employers (including state agencies) and employees, excluding medical devices used for health monitoring. The bill creates a legal remedy allowing affected employees to sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions if violated. It defines "microchip" as subcutaneous devices storing personal data, but clarifies medical implants for health treatment are exempt.

Maddy summaryHB 2294 bans private agreements that prevent grocery stores or pharmacies from operating on property where they would otherwise be allowed under local zoning laws. This directly affects property owners, developers, and retailers subject to restrictive covenants or leases that limit food and medicine access. The law prohibits rules restricting store types, sizes, or locations - except for pre-existing agreements or store relocations meeting specific criteria like proximity and timing. Enforcement is handled by the state attorney general and local governments through existing consumer protection laws.