Rep. Dan Bronoske

Maddy summaryHB 2237 requires the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) to set deputy state fire marshal salaries competitive with local fire departments, using a specific salary survey. It mandates the Office of Financial Management to compare compensation (including base pay, premiums, education, and longevity pay) against seven major local agencies like Seattle and Spokane fire departments, updating this comparison every four years starting September 2026. The bill also directs the State Fire Service Policy Board to examine whether the SFMO should operate independently from the state patrol, reporting by December 2026. This aims to address staffing shortages caused by lower SFMO pay compared to local departments.

Maddy summaryHB 2561 amends Washington's retirement law to include standby pay as part of the "basic salary" used to calculate retirement benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters enrolled in Plan 2. Specifically, it requires that compensation received while in "standby status" (paid time when not working but required to be available for immediate duty) be counted toward retirement benefits, alongside regular wages. This change directly affects current and future Plan 2 members in these professions, ensuring their retirement income reflects all earned compensation during standby periods. The bill explicitly excludes vacation pay, sick leave, and severance from this calculation. It does not alter existing retirement benefit formulas but clarifies which compensation types are included in the base salary calculation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (not a policy bill) introduced on January 19, 2026, by multiple Washington State Representatives. It formally recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, legacy of nonviolent activism, and contributions to civil rights, including his role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. The resolution expresses the House's commitment to upholding Dr. King's ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any specific individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryHB 2137 expands the definition of "uniformed personnel" under Washington state law to include correctional officers working in specific facilities (jails in counties over 70,000 population, correctional facilities under RCW 70.48.095, or detention facilities in counties over 1.5 million population). This change directly affects correctional officers in those facilities by granting them eligibility for interest arbitration - a process where unions and employers negotiate terms like wages and working conditions. The bill amends RCW 41.56.030 to add correctional employees to the existing list of personnel covered under "uniformed personnel," which previously included law enforcement officers, firefighters, and security forces. This is a technical policy change to align correctional officer bargaining rights with other public safety roles.

Maddy summaryHB 1976 requires retail pet stores selling animals (including exotic pets) or aquatic plants to provide customers with an informational pamphlet from the Washington Invasive Species Council. The pamphlet must cover invasive species threats to native ecosystems, consequences of releasing pets into the wild, rehoming options, proper disposal methods for aquatic plants, and relevant state laws prohibiting invasive species. This bill directly affects retail pet stores regulated under USDA oversight that sell pets or aquatic plants. The law aims to increase public awareness about preventing ecological harm caused by releasing non-native species into natural environments.

Maddy summaryHB 2423 requires Washington financial institutions to process retirement account distribution requests within 15 business days of receipt. If they fail to meet this deadline, institutions must pay consumers daily market-rate interest on the delayed funds starting on day 16, plus a $500 statutory damage per violation. The bill applies to Washington consumers with qualified retirement accounts (like 401(k)s or IRAs) and covers institutions like banks and brokerages, excluding federal retirement plans governed by ERISA. It establishes clear timelines, compensation for delays, and allows consumers to sue for unpaid interest or damages through civil court.

Maddy summaryHB 2090 directs Washington’s Department of Commerce to develop a strategic framework for integrating advanced nuclear energy into the state’s clean energy goals. The plan, due by December 2026, would assess how nuclear power could help meet Washington’s targets for 100% clean electricity by 2045, including evaluating siting, permitting, financing, and workforce needs - particularly at former coal sites or the Hanford area. It would examine opportunities for state collaboration with other regions and recommend policies like expediting permits or financial incentives to support nuclear development. The bill does not fund nuclear projects but requires the state to explore nuclear as a potential pathway to replace current fossil fuel generation and achieve decarbonization goals more efficiently.

Maddy summaryHB 2276 requires Washington's Department of Health to annually calculate home care agency labor rates (every odd-numbered year) based on negotiated wages, benefits, and employer costs for direct care workers. The bill mandates that these rates fund specific worker compensation items like wages, vacation/sick pay, health benefits, training, and travel time costs - prohibiting duplicate accounting or misuse of funds. Home care agencies must verify proper use through third-party audits or union attestations, with the department establishing transparent processes for exemptions during extraordinary circumstances. This directly affects home care agencies and the direct care workers they employ, ensuring state-funded rates align with actual labor costs and worker protections under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2213 requires Washington scrap metal businesses to document every metal sale with detailed records, including seller ID, vehicle details, photos of the metal, and a signed declaration confirming the metal isn’t stolen. Businesses must digitally report transactions over $50 to a state database and limit cash payments to $30 per transaction, with the remainder paid via non-transferable check or electronic method. The law aims to deter metal theft by making it harder to anonymously sell stolen metal, directly affecting all scrap metal businesses operating in the state. Key provisions include mandatory photo documentation of metal and 10-day retention of high-value items.

Maddy summaryHB 1642 allows specific retirement system members who were never given a choice between two plan options to transfer to plan 2. It applies to teachers who joined Teachers' Retirement System plans 2/3 between 1996-2007, school employees who joined School Employees' Retirement System plans 2/3 between 2000-2007, and public employees starting after 2025 (effective January 2026). Members must make an irrevocable January transfer choice for future service, but retirees cannot transfer. The legislature reserves the right to modify this provision.