Maddy summaryHB 1150 requires producers of consumer packaging and paper products to fund and manage recycling programs, shifting responsibility from taxpayers to manufacturers. It aims to improve recycling access - especially for rural residents and multi-family housing - by mandating producer-funded curbside collection systems and setting statewide collection and composting targets. The bill defines "covered materials" (like plastic, paper, metal packaging) and exempts certain items (e.g., infant formula packaging), while creating an advisory council to oversee implementation. Producers must meet specific collection rate goals, with smaller businesses qualifying for de minimis exemptions based on revenue thresholds. The law preserves local government authority over waste management but requires producers to integrate into existing recycling infrastructure.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1147 grants incarcerated individuals in Washington state prisons, residential habilitation centers, and state hospitals the right to civic engagement. It requires state agencies to facilitate activities like forming political advocacy groups, using facility spaces for meetings, participating in virtual forums with community groups, and accessing educational resources - without fear of punishment. The bill establishes a Civic Engagement Coordinator within the Office of Equity to handle complaints and ensure agencies uphold these rights. This policy directly affects justice-involved individuals by expanding their ability to participate in civic processes during their time in state custody.
Maddy summaryHB 1404 expands access to free school meals in Washington state by removing income-based eligibility requirements. It mandates that all public school students who request a meal receive it at no cost, regardless of family income, to address food insecurity and support academic success. The bill amends several education funding statutes (including RCW 28A.235.135 and 28A.235.160) to align meal access with this new policy. It directly affects every public school student in Washington, ensuring no child experiences hunger during the school day. The policy change replaces previous tiered eligibility systems with universal free meals for all requesting students.
Maddy summaryHB 1196 limits the revocation of voting rights to individuals convicted in Washington state courts of a crime punishable by death (an "infamous crime" under the bill). It automatically restores voting rights when such individuals are no longer incarcerated under the Department of Corrections, without requiring separate action. The bill amends voter registration forms, challenge procedures, and automatic restoration rules to align with this narrower standard, removing revocation for other felonies. This directly affects Washington residents convicted of specific death-penalty crimes who were previously barred from voting during incarceration. The bill does not change voting rights for non-death-penalty convictions or out-of-state/federal offenses.
Maddy summaryHB 1143 adjusts Washington College Grant (WCG) award amounts for students attending different types of higher education institutions. It sets specific annual dollar limits (e.g., $9,739 for 4-year private non-profits, $3,694 for 2-year private non-profits) that increase each year beginning in 2025-26 by no more than Washington's median wage growth rate. The bill differentiates funding based on institution type (public, private non-profit, for-profit) and whether the institution signs an affidavit agreeing to certain terms. Students at institutions that sign the affidavit receive the higher specified amounts, while others receive amounts based on the prior academic year's tuition.
Maddy summaryHB 1557 establishes Washington's Guaranteed Admissions Program, which guarantees admission to public four-year colleges for eligible high school seniors meeting specific criteria. It requires participating colleges (including tribal institutions and state universities) to simplify application processes starting in 2026-27, and mandates high schools to share student data with colleges to identify qualified applicants. The bill also requires all high schools to provide annual notifications to students in grades 9-12 about this program, the Washington College Grant, dual credit options, and other college pathways. Institutions may opt out of the program by reporting their reasons to the legislature, but must still pursue alternative access initiatives.
Maddy summaryHB 1070 creates a legal presumption that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an occupational disease for correctional facility workers in Washington state, directly affecting staff employed at prisons, jails, or community corrections facilities. The bill establishes that after 90 consecutive days of full-time, compensated employment, PTSD claims for these workers are presumed work-related unless the employer provides evidence to the contrary. It also requires employers to cover reasonable appeal costs (including attorney fees) if workers win their claims in court or before the Industrial Insurance Appeals Board. This applies to claims filed within three months per year of employment, up to a maximum of 60 months after leaving the job. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 1146 requires Washington County auditors, jails, and state hospitals to create joint voting plans by 2026 to improve voting access for people incarcerated in jails or hospitalized at state facilities. The bill mandates specific support, including voter registration assistance, access to ballots eight days before elections, nonpartisan candidate information, and accommodations for people with disabilities. Jails and hospitals must designate voting coordinators, provide materials for registration and ballot completion, and document voting-related requests. Violations can be enforced by the Attorney General, with courts awarding $25,000 penalties for intentional breaches starting in 2030.
Maddy summaryHB 1785 imposes a surcharge on Washington-based publicly traded companies with CEO pay at least 50 times the median employee wage. The surcharge is 10% for ratios of 50-149:1 and 25% for ratios of 150:1 or higher, applied to state corporate taxes starting January 1, 2026. Companies must disclose their executive pay ratio to the SEC (per Dodd-Frank Act); failure to report triggers the 25% rate. All revenue from the surcharge funds the state general fund.
Maddy summaryHB 1113, known as the public SAFE-T Act, creates a pathway for individuals charged with certain simple or gross misdemeanors in Washington state to have their charges dismissed. Under this bill, a court may agree to dismiss a misdemeanor charge if the defendant waives their right to a speedy trial and substantially complies with court-ordered conditions and programs for up to 12 months. Full restitution is a required condition for dismissal, although inability to pay due to indigence is not a barrier if progress is made. However, the bill explicitly excludes a wide range of specific offenses, such as domestic violence, DUI-related charges, and certain assault or firearm offenses, from this dismissal process.