Rep. Michelle Valdez

Maddy summaryHB 2126 would exempt school districts in Washington state from paying taxes on fuel used in school buses. The bill amends state tax codes to specifically add school buses (operated per education laws) to the list of exempt fuel uses, directly affecting public school districts. This change would reduce operating costs for schools by eliminating a tax on fuel for all school bus operations within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2167 would automatically reduce Washington’s state sales tax rate if the legislature ever passes an income tax or tax on individual earnings. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Revenue to lower the sales tax rate by an amount matching the projected revenue increase from such a new tax. This measure directly affects all Washington residents and businesses that pay sales tax, aiming to offset potential new tax burdens. The bill is conditional - it only triggers if a future income tax is enacted - and does not change current tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 2101 exempts services involving live animals, birds, and insects from Washington's retail sales tax. This directly affects businesses like petting zoos, animal shows, and educational programs that provide live animal demonstrations. The bill amends the state tax code to explicitly exclude these services from the definition of "retail sale" under RCW 82.04.050. As a result, businesses offering such services will no longer be required to charge customers sales tax on these specific activities.

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 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 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 1638, the "Good Faith Pain Act," protects specific licensed healthcare professionals from legal liability when prescribing opioids for chronic pain under defined conditions. It shields podiatrists, dentists, osteopathic physicians, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who act in "good faith" by: (1) consulting with patients about opioid use for chronic pain, (2) confirming the prescription is medically appropriate, and (3) documenting the patient’s written informed consent in medical records. The law explicitly prevents criminal, civil, or disciplinary action against providers meeting these requirements. It applies only to opioid prescriptions for legitimate medical purposes, not to other uses or non-compliant practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1236 increases penalties for littering in Washington State by creating tiered fines: a class 2 civil infraction for ≤1 cubic foot, a misdemeanor for 1-10 cubic yards, and a gross misdemeanor for >10 cubic yards. Offenders must pay restitution equal to 4x cleanup costs for misdemeanors or 2x for gross misdemeanors, with funds distributed to landowners and law enforcement. The bill also establishes a littering solutions task force under the Department of Ecology, requiring input from state agencies, counties, and industry groups (like waste management, retail, and tourism) to develop recommendations by November 2026. The task force must address specific issues like cigarette butts, road cleanup costs, and reducing litter at public sites such as parks and roadways.

Maddy summaryHB 1454 appropriates $7 million from the state general fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to create a grant program for multijurisdictional drug task forces in Washington State. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs will administer the grants, requiring recipients to follow peer review and reporting standards identical to those used for Edward Byrne grant recipients as of January 1, 2023. The program allows the administering association to retain up to 5% of the funds for administrative costs. This funding directly supports local law enforcement task forces tackling drug-related crimes across multiple jurisdictions.