Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen

Maddy summaryHB 1961 directs revenue from fees, charges, or taxes based on miles driven on Washington highways to be deposited into a dedicated state highway fund. This applies to vehicle owners paying mileage-based fees and ensures the funds are used exclusively for highway purposes permitted under Washington's Constitution (Article II, section 40). The bill creates a special fund in the state treasury, requiring all such mileage-based revenue to be spent only on highway maintenance, construction, or related projects. It amends two sections of state law (RCW 46.08 and 46.17) to establish this funding mechanism. The bill is currently in the Transportation Committee after its first reading.

Maddy summaryHB 1637 requires Washington public schools to implement nonfirearm safety measures, directly affecting all public schools and school districts in the state. Key provisions include creating a public school safety dashboard to track and rate incidents by severity (e.g., bullying, violence), establishing security grants for physical improvements like keycard access and panic buttons, and mandating a full-time school resource officer at every public school. The bill also requires an evaluation of prior school safety reforms enacted in 2019. These changes aim to improve transparency, fund physical security upgrades, and ensure consistent safety staffing to address reported safety concerns among students and staff.

Maddy summaryHB 2076 creates the Washington Department of Government Efficiency (WADOGE) to review state agency operations and identify inefficient or unnecessary policies, rules, and expenditures. Each state agency must form a team by March 2026 to assess its rules and statutes, reporting obsolete or unnecessary items to WADOGE for analysis. WADOGE will then compile recommendations and submit a final report to the legislature by January 2028, aiming to improve government efficiency and ensure agencies operate within their statutory authority. This bill directly affects all state agencies through mandatory reviews and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1057 creates a state fund to help Washington communities secure federal economic development grants by providing matching dollars. It directly affects local governments, rural areas, tribes, nonprofits, and businesses seeking federal funds for projects like broadband, housing, infrastructure, and workforce training. Key mechanisms include establishing scoring criteria prioritizing rural counties and job creation, setting grant tiers (up to 100% matching for most entities), and requiring the state to provide a template letter supporting federal applications. The bill mandates annual reporting on fund usage and expands online resources to track available federal opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 1681 allows HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians in Washington to install, repair, replace, or maintain the specific electrical circuits connecting outdoor and indoor units of ductless mini-split HVAC systems in residential and certain multifamily homes. It permits work on single-phase circuits under 250 volts/20 amps, including wiring for condensate pumps and related components, provided the equipment is certified and follows manufacturer specifications. The bill directly affects these specialty electricians (expanding their scope) and benefits homeowners and builders by increasing available labor, reducing costs, and addressing a statewide shortage of certified electricians. Key requirements include adherence to manufacturer wiring instructions and department-designated construction types, without altering the Department of Labor & Industries' oversight authority.

Maddy summaryHB 1051 allows parents or guardians to audio-record their child's individualized education program (IEP) team meetings without needing consent from other meeting attendees. This directly affects families with students in special education programs, granting them a specific right to record these meetings under state law. The bill amends Washington’s general recording law (RCW 9.73.030) to explicitly exempt parent-recorded IEP meetings from the requirement of obtaining all-party consent. Other recording scenarios, such as school staff or third parties recording meetings, would still require all-party consent as per existing law. The bill is currently pending in the House Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1783 allows Washington law enforcement officers to receive small gifts of appreciation (up to $25 in value) for speaking in specific college and technical school courses outside their official duties. The bill directly affects certified law enforcement officers and institutions offering criminal justice, police science, or forensic-related programs, aiming to strengthen community relationships and inspire future recruits. Key provisions permit officers to share real-world expertise in courses like police science or forensic technology, with gifts only allowed when presentations occur outside work hours and comply with state ethics rules. The bill responds to a 2024 workforce assessment highlighting challenges in connecting law enforcement with educational programs. It creates a limited exception to general rules prohibiting state employees from accepting gifts, focusing on educational engagement rather than compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 1790 increases retirement benefits for Washington state employees in multiple retirement systems (including those for public employees, teachers, and law enforcement). It adds an extra 0.5% of an employee's average final salary per year for service beyond 30 years, effective for future service. This applies specifically to employees who reach 30+ years of service after the bill takes effect. The change modifies existing retirement formulas in statutes covering various state retirement plans (RCW 41.32.760, 41.32.840, 41.35.400, 41.35.620, 41.40.620, and 41.40.790).

Maddy summaryHB 1255 requires counties and cities to adopt local ordinances banning camping on public property within 500 feet of schools, parks, courthouses, and other specified areas (like zones with recent violent incidents or water contamination risks) by May 2027. Jurisdictions that adopt these ordinances become eligible for state funding to support encampment removal efforts, while non-compliant areas face annual funding reductions. The bill defines "camp" broadly to include tents, shelters, and related equipment, excluding designated recreational camping areas. Compliance requires annual reports and certifications to the Department of Commerce, with funding tied directly to adherence to the ordinance requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1397 requires Washington counties to levy a local property tax of 2.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value (deducted from the county's state tax obligation) to fund community services for veterans and individuals with developmental disabilities or mental health needs. It also authorizes counties to levy an additional 1.8 to 27 cents per $1,000 for a dedicated veterans' assistance fund, which similarly reduces the county's state tax burden. These levies directly support existing state programs under RCW 71.24 (disability/mental health services) and RCW 73.08 (veterans' programs). The bill ensures counties do not pay extra costs for these levies, as they offset state tax collections, and specifies how levy amounts adjust based on county property tax changes.