Rep. Mari Leavitt

Maddy summaryHB 1058 creates tax credits for eligible railroads to fund infrastructure improvements. It directly affects small regional railroads (class II/III), public entities like ports/cities, and industrial property owners with rail spurs in Washington. The bill provides a 50% tax credit on qualified expenses for maintenance, new rail development, or modernization projects (e.g., track upgrades, bridges, safety equipment), with annual limits of $500,000 per taxpayer and a total $8 million statewide cap. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other eligible taxpayers.

Maddy summaryHB 1424 creates an independent Jail Oversight Board within the governor's office to improve transparency and safety in Washington's city, county, and regional jails. The board, appointed by the governor, will include seven members representing diverse perspectives such as jail administrators, health care providers, and individuals with lived experience of incarceration. Its role is to ensure safe and humane conditions for jail staff and people held in custody while promoting a more rehabilitative approach to jail operations. This new oversight structure replaces the previous system eliminated in 1987 and aligns with practices in 29 other states.

Maddy summaryHB 1118 changes Washington's process for restoring firearm rights to individuals previously banned from owning guns. It allows people with certain past convictions (like nonviolent misdemeanors or specific felonies) to petition a court for restored rights after meeting strict requirements, including 3-5 years of clean records and completing all court-ordered obligations. The bill adds procedural steps, such as requiring courts to verify eligibility with law enforcement, notifying victims of the petition, and using standardized court forms starting in 2024. It does not apply to those convicted of violent felonies, sex offenses, or crimes with 20+ year sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 1243 modifies Washington State's rules for collecting overpayments from older adults and adults with disabilities who receive benefits through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). It extends the time DSHS can collect unintentional overpayments from 6 to 10 years (unless court action is taken) and creates a new rule allowing DSHS to waive all collection efforts for specific programs starting July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects clients in the aged, blind, or disabled assistance program (RCW 74.62.030) and those receiving services under chapters 74.39, 74.39A, and 71A.12. Key provisions include allowing DSHS to waive collections when equitable estoppel applies and requiring the department to adopt rules for these waivers.

Maddy summaryHB 2002 establishes a reward program to encourage the public to report information about firearms used in felony crimes. It provides up to $500 for locating such firearms, or up to $5,000 if the report leads to a conviction, excluding law enforcement officers, individuals with warrants, or government employees acting in their official capacity. The cash rewards will be funded from existing county and municipal criminal justice assistance accounts, which distribute funds based on population, crime rates, and court case volumes. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (who receive the information) and the public (who may submit tips for rewards), while amending funding mechanisms for local criminal justice programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1568 expands financial aid eligibility for Washington college students by raising the income threshold for full Washington College Grant coverage from 50% to 70% of the state median family income (adjusted for family size). It also creates a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but not the College Bound Scholarship, covering non-tuition costs like books, housing, and transportation. The bridge grant applies starting the 2025-26 academic year to students enrolled at least half-time. This bill directly affects low-income undergraduate students attending Washington state colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryHB 1158 requires Washington's Department of Social and Health Services to contract directly with service providers for community inclusion services supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. It establishes new standards: services must occur in integrated community settings, allow group interactions (not just one-on-one care), limit billing for administrative tasks to 15 minutes per client weekly, and ensure service hours remain stable even if bundled with other services. The bill specifically defines "community inclusion services" to include skill development, community engagement, and relationship-building opportunities in typical community environments. These changes directly affect people with developmental disabilities receiving state-funded community services and the providers delivering them.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 establishes a structured process for Washington State’s health technology assessment program, directly affecting state health programs (like Medicaid) that decide which medical technologies qualify for coverage. The bill requires the state to systematically review health technologies prioritized based on Medicare coverage, expert guidelines, safety concerns, high costs, or significant usage variations, with up to eight reviews annually. Key provisions mandate evidence-based assessments of safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness - considering patient input and unique impacts on populations (e.g., age, disability) - and require decisions within 180 days of submission. The program must align with federal Medicare decisions unless new evidence supports a different conclusion, ensuring transparency through public comment and written explanations for denied requests.

Maddy summaryHB 1298 requires public four-year universities in Washington to provide and pay for insurance coverage for student athletes (both current and former athletes eligible for post-eligibility health care under athletic association rules). This insurance specifically covers athletics-related injuries and illnesses, including emergency evacuation and repatriation costs. The bill mandates that institutions, not students, bear the full cost of this coverage. It directly affects student athletes at public universities participating in intercollegiate sports and their post-eligibility health care access.

Maddy summaryHB 1775 bans the production and manufacturing of fur products made from farmed fur in Washington unless the fur is sourced from farms certified under a program meeting animal welfare and environmental standards. It directly affects fur product manufacturers, sellers, and fur farmers, while exempting religious or tribal cultural use, fishing gear, and products made from used fur. The law requires certification for fur sourcing but allows existing fur farmers to apply for transition grants to shift to other agricultural activities by 2028. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, with penalties for violations including misdemeanor charges.