Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen

Maddy summaryHB 2189 lowers the age requirement for voluntary workers' compensation settlements from 50 to 40 years old for workers with self-insured employers, directly affecting those under 50 who currently cannot use this option. The bill maintains the existing 50-year threshold for state fund claims but aligns self-insured settlement eligibility with 44 other states that allow settlements for workers over 18. Key mechanisms include keeping the 180-day waiting period before settlement, requiring board approval, and mandating a review by an industrial appeals judge if a worker is unrepresented by an attorney. The bill preserves the same settlement structure - covering all benefits except medical care - with options for lump-sum or structured payments based on state wage averages.

Maddy summaryHB 2166 amends Washington State law to grant state employees two unpaid religious holidays per year for observance of faith-based practices. It specifically adds a provision allowing employees to select two days annually for religious observance (e.g., Hanukkah, Eid al-Fitr, Passover) after consulting with employers, unless the absence would cause undue hardship. The bill does not create new paid holidays but expands existing unpaid holiday options for state workers, including those in schools and public institutions. It reaffirms existing state legal holidays while listing additional recognized days (like Hanukkah and Eid) that are not legally designated as paid holidays.

Maddy summaryHB 2187 creates a tax credit for Washington employers who provide child care assistance to their employees. It allows businesses to claim a 50% credit against their business and occupation tax for costs paid to registered child care providers, with key limits: a $50,000 annual cap per business and a $5 million statewide annual cap. The credit initially targets small businesses (under 100 full-time employees) and those joining child care consortiums (grouped businesses pooling resources) through 2028, then expands to all qualifying employers starting in 2029. The program expires on January 1, 2033, and requires electronic filing without separate applications.

Maddy summaryHB 2130 repeals specific tax provisions from Senate Bill 5814 (2025 session) that imposed new taxes. It removes sections of Chapter 422, Laws of 2025 (including codified sections 101, 201, 301 and uncodified sections 1, 401-404) that affected taxpayers. The repeal takes effect April 1, 2026, and is declared an emergency to preserve public finances. This bill directly reverses the tax changes enacted by ESSB 5814.

Maddy summaryHB 2149 declares an emergency due to the April 2025 closure of the Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. It directs the transportation department to restore access "as soon as possible" and grants the secretary emergency authority to waive specific rules - including liability agreements, inspection fees, utility regulations, and tax deadlines - to speed up rebuilding. This waiver power applies only to actions necessary for the bridge replacement and cannot override federal requirements or First Amendment rights. The bill directly affects travelers, local governments, and state agencies managing Route 165 infrastructure, with no mention of broader funding or unrelated provisions like the climate account amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 1000 expands the definition of a "major violation" under Washington's drug sentencing law (VUCSA) by adding specific scenarios that would trigger harsher penalties. It directly affects individuals convicted of drug offenses who meet new criteria, such as conducting three or more separate drug transactions, distributing large quantities beyond personal use, manufacturing drugs, or knowingly distributing fentanyl causing harm. Key provisions include listing factors like high position in drug distribution, sophisticated operations, or using professional roles (e.g., pharmacist) to facilitate drug trafficking. This bill changes sentencing guidelines - not criminal law - by clarifying when drug offenses qualify as "major" for enhanced penalties. It does not alter what constitutes illegal drug activity but affects sentencing outcomes for qualifying cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1363 modifies Washington state licensing requirements for child care and early learning providers. It establishes specific staff-to-child ratios (21 children to 1 staff member for preschoolers, 31 to 1 for school-age children) and sets a minimum 34 square feet of indoor space per child. The bill also clarifies that private schools operating early learning programs without state subsidies are exempt from certain state-mandated educational requirements, though they must still meet basic health and safety standards. Additionally, it creates professional development support for providers to meet new training standards, including scholarships and specialized trainings on topics like inclusion and infant care. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, family providers, and early learning programs operating under state licensing.

Maddy summaryHB 1041 prevents state and local agencies from restricting the sale or use of tires that meet federal safety standards, specifically banning rules based on energy efficiency or rolling resistance ratings. It requires all state agencies to stop regulating tires under existing laws (like those related to greenhouse gas reduction) and amends prior statutes to explicitly prohibit such restrictions, even if California regulations include them. The bill directly affects consumers purchasing tires and tire manufacturers, ensuring they can choose tires meeting federal safety standards without additional state/local barriers. It aligns with federal authority over tire standards under 49 U.S.C. § 30111, emphasizing that only federal standards apply. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 1164 requires Washington cities and counties to expand urban growth area (UGA) boundaries to include land adjacent to existing residential areas with access to urban services, enabling more residential development. Specifically, it mandates adding parcels sharing boundaries with residential land or located across roads from such areas, while allowing cities to maintain existing density and service connections. The bill excludes protected natural areas (like critical aquifers), agricultural lands, and designated resource zones from expansion. This policy aims to increase housing supply near existing infrastructure without raising local government costs, directly affecting land-use planning in participating municipalities.

Maddy summaryHB 1383 establishes a state grant program to provide funding for diaper banks to purchase and distribute essential baby items like diapers and wipes to families in need. The program prioritizes providers serving marginalized low-income communities or communities of color, or those with proven capacity to distribute baby essentials at scale. Grant recipients must apply through the department, which will annually report awarded funds on its website. This bill directly affects families accessing baby supplies and diaper bank providers operating in Washington state.