Rep. Mari Leavitt

Maddy summaryHB 2257 is a technical correction bill that updates Washington State's tax code to improve clarity and administrative efficiency for the Department of Revenue. It amends multiple tax statutes (including definitions for "tobacco product," "vapor product," and "retail sale") to resolve ambiguities and streamline tax administration without changing tax rates or creating new revenue impacts. The bill directly affects businesses and individuals interacting with Washington's tax system, particularly those handling retail sales, tobacco products, or cannabis-related transactions. It focuses on fixing outdated language and ensuring consistent application of existing tax laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2567 updates Washington's college grant program to adjust funding for students attending private four-year non-profit institutions. Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, the maximum grant amount for these students will be set at 50% of the average award given to students at public four-year institutions, replacing the previous fixed amount of $9,739 (adjusted annually for tuition growth). This change directly affects students enrolled at eligible private non-profit universities in Washington state who qualify for financial aid. The bill amends existing grant formulas to align private institution funding more closely with public institution awards, effective after the 2025-26 academic year.

Maddy summaryHB 2310 changes sentencing for certain fourth-degree assaults by elevating them to a class C felony when the assault is found to be sexually motivated and the perpetrator has two or more prior convictions for sex offenses within the past decade. It directly affects individuals who commit sexually motivated fourth-degree assaults and have prior adult convictions for offenses like rape, child molestation, or assault with sexual motivation. The bill adds a new provision requiring a "finding of sexual motivation" under existing law (RCW 9.94A.835) to trigger the felony classification, replacing prior domestic violence-based triggers for similar cases. This targets repeat offenders with a history of sex-related crimes, making the sentencing more severe for new sexually motivated assaults in these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 2526 redefines "patronizing a person for prostitution" as a crime targeting individuals who pay for sexual activity, with penalties escalating based on prior offenses (gross misdemeanor for first offense, class C felony for two or more prior convictions after April 1, 2026). It imposes mandatory fees on convicted individuals or those entering reduced charges/diversion agreements: $3,000 for first offenses, $5,000 for one prior offense, and $10,000 for two or more prior offenses. Ninety-eight percent of these fees must fund community-based survivor-led services like mental health counseling, housing, and job training, while 2% goes to the Department of Commerce for reporting. The bill also requires courts to establish payment plans for those unable to pay in full and prohibits fee waivers without documented inability to pay.

Maddy summaryHB 2240 requires self-storage facilities in Washington to provide written rental agreements that clearly explain renters' rights regarding liens and property disposal. It sets a 14-day grace period for unpaid rent before liens can be placed on stored items and mandates 25 days' notice before termination, with a 5-day window for renters to remove belongings after notice. The bill also allows electronic agreement delivery, requires owners to send agreements via email and mail if an address is provided, and specifies that renters must provide an alternative contact address for notices. These changes directly affect renters and self-storage facility operators by clarifying notice requirements and lien procedures under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2545 requires Washington's Department of Health to establish rules by July 2027 allowing ambulatory surgical facilities (outpatient centers) to perform elective heart procedures called percutaneous coronary interventions. The bill directly affects patients seeking these procedures outside hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities that may expand services. It mandates an independent review of factors like patient safety, access, and costs before creating these rules, while ensuring University of Washington's cardiac training volumes are maintained. The law aims to expand access to heart care in outpatient settings without disrupting existing hospital cardiac services.

Maddy summaryHB 2200 requires Washington's legislature to standardize and publicly share safety data for residential settings serving individuals with developmental disabilities. It directs a review of safety metrics (like 911 calls, ER visits, and placement terminations) from 2022-2025 across state-operated facilities, state living alternatives, and private contracted settings (including group homes). The bill mandates a public dashboard by June 2027, showing comparative data on emergency service use and placement stability to help families and taxpayers evaluate options. This affects the Department of Social and Health Services (which must create the dashboard), residential providers (which must supply data), and families seeking transparent safety information. The dashboard will update annually with new data starting from 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2198 integrates Executive Order 25-03 into state law to streamline permitting and licensing processes. It requires state agencies (like the Department of Licensing and Department of Health) to track and publicly report key metrics - including application completion times, decision timelines, pending applications, and backlog counts - annually. This law directly affects businesses and individuals applying for state-issued permits, licenses, or certifications (e.g., occupational licenses, environmental approvals) by making processing times more transparent. The goal is to help applicants plan better, reduce delays, and enable agencies to improve efficiency through data-driven decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2220 clarifies and strengthens oversight of Washington's Criminal Justice Training Commission by updating definitions and commission duties. It defines key terms like "certified," "convicted," and "finding" to standardize disciplinary processes for law enforcement and corrections personnel. The bill requires the Commission to conduct training, handle complaints, grant/deny certification, and establish standards for all criminal justice personnel, including tribal officers. These changes aim to improve accountability, public trust, and consistent application of rules across agencies. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers, corrections staff, and tribal police officers who must meet Commission certification standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2146 defines and strengthens criminal penalties for sexual exploitation of minors in Washington State. It makes it a crime for anyone to force a minor into sexually explicit conduct for photos or live performances (section 1a), aid or invite minors into such situations (1b), or for parents/guardians to permit it (1c). The bill upgrades this offense to a class B felony under state law, increasing penalties. It directly affects minors who may be exploited, perpetrators of such acts, and caregivers who fail to protect minors. The law focuses on specific, concrete prohibitions rather than broader policy changes.