Rep. Mari Leavitt

Maddy summaryHB 2094 would require all Washington counties to appoint coroners instead of holding elections for the position, affecting every county in the state. The bill amends existing laws to eliminate the requirement for counties to elect coroners, noting that this change would save taxpayer money by removing election costs for an office deemed non-political. Counties currently using appointed coroners (under 40,000 population) or medical examiners (over 250,000 population) would see no change, but counties between those thresholds would shift to appointments. The bill allows counties to continue with elected coroners until their current terms end, with new appointees taking over after that.

Maddy summaryHB 2703 amends Washington state law to expand the types of foods cottage food operations can produce and sell. It updates the definition of "cottage food products" to explicitly allow "other nonpotentially hazardous foods" identified by the Department of Agriculture director through rulemaking, beyond the current list of baked goods, jams, and extracts. The bill also clarifies that products cannot contain ingredients with 0.3% or more THC and specifies that alcohol used for extracts must not be intended as beverages. This directly affects Washington home-based food producers who sell directly to consumers, enabling them to offer a wider range of safe, non-hazardous foods under new department guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 2704 requires that all "less restrictive alternatives" for sexually violent predators - treatment settings less restrictive than total confinement - must be operated directly by Washington's Department of Social and Health Services or by a provider contracted with the department. This applies to individuals convicted of or charged with sexual violence who have a mental abnormality or personality disorder making them likely to commit predatory sexual acts if not confined. The bill explicitly excludes placement in the community protection program (RCW 71A.12.230) from qualifying as a less restrictive alternative. It amends existing statutes to enforce this operational requirement, ensuring such programs meet state oversight standards. This policy change directly affects sexually violent predators under civil commitment proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 2209 amends Washington State's sentencing guidelines to add mandatory additional prison time for certain theft, robbery, and stolen property offenses when a firearm or deadly weapon is used. It requires judges to add 5 years for class A felonies, 3 years for class B felonies, or 18 months for class C felonies involving firearms, with similar but shorter additions for deadly weapons (not firearms). These enhancements must be served consecutively to other sentences and are mandatory, with limited exceptions for specific weapon-related crimes. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4675, adopted on January 28, 2026, is a ceremonial resolution expressing the Washington State House of Representatives' gratitude to the Washington National Guard for their service. It specifically acknowledges the Guard's roles in emergency response (including flood operations and search-and-rescue missions), disaster recovery efforts (like adapting from the Oso landslide), and national defense support (such as aerial refueling capabilities). The resolution directs copies to the Adjutant General, Governor, and other officials but does not create new laws or alter policies. It directly honors National Guard members, their families, and employers without imposing any financial or operational requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2550 expands Washington state's transit support grant program to include students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs at community and technical colleges as free-ride passengers. This directly affects community and technical college students and transit agencies receiving state grants, requiring them to adopt a zero-fare policy for this group to qualify for funding. Transit agencies must document this policy by October 1, 2022, and track trips taken under the program. The bill amends existing law to add these students to the existing free-ride eligibility for youth 18 and under, with agencies aligning implementation with equity principles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires financial institutions to notify charitable organizations within 10 business days when they are named as beneficiaries in life insurance policies, retirement accounts, or other nonprobate transfers. Charities can claim property using a simplified affidavit (requiring basic documents like an IRS letter and death proof) without providing personal details about staff, such as Social Security numbers or home addresses. Institutions are barred from delaying transfers, demanding unnecessary account openings, or requiring simultaneous claims from multiple beneficiaries. The law ensures prompt, secure property transfers to charities while allowing them to sue for penalties if institutions fail to comply.

Maddy summaryHB 2512 prohibits Washington real estate brokers from marketing residential properties exclusively to a limited group of potential buyers or other brokers. Instead, brokers must market properties to the general public and all other brokers simultaneously, unless health or safety concerns of the owner or occupant require an exception. The bill directly affects residential real estate brokers by requiring public marketing access and banning targeted marketing practices. It amends existing laws to enforce this standard and aligns with broader requirements for transparent broker conduct under Washington’s real estate regulations.

Maddy summaryWashington's HB 2129 eliminates county permitting requirements for agritourism activities on agricultural land. It authorizes events like corn mazes, farm festivals, guided tours, and on-site food sales without county approval, while requiring compliance with public health and safety codes. The bill defines "agritourism" broadly to include educational programs, petting zoos, harvest-your-own operations, and recreational farming activities. This directly affects Washington farmers and ranchers who host public-facing agricultural experiences on their land.

Maddy summaryHB 2542 requires Washington-based animal testing facilities, contract testing facilities, and drug manufacturers to use non-animal test methods for drug development when scientifically valid alternatives are available. It prohibits the use of animal test methods in the drug development process (including discovery and preclinical research) if equivalent or better alternatives exist, defined as methods validated by federal bodies that don’t involve animals. The law does not apply if federal regulations mandate animal testing, and violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Washington’s consumer protection law. This directly affects entities conducting drug safety and efficacy testing within the state, aiming to align with federal policy supporting non-animal testing methods.