Maddy summaryHB 2259 requires initiative and referendum proponents to gather at least 1,000 valid signatures from Washington voters *before* filing a measure with the secretary of state, aiming to prevent duplicate filings and ensure minimum public support. It also bans paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected - a practice linked to documented fraud in past measures like 2008’s Initiative 985 and 2012’s Initiative 1185. The bill mandates these changes to protect ballot integrity, citing evidence that per-signature compensation incentivizes forged or duplicate signatures. These provisions apply directly to ballot measure sponsors, circulators, and state offices processing petitions, aligning with similar laws in Oregon and Montana.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment would establish a non-partisan commission to redraw Washington's congressional and state legislative districts following each federal census. The commission would consist of five members: four appointed by legislative leaders (with a non-voting chair), all required to be non-partisan and not current elected officials. It mandates districts be population-equal with geographic fairness, prohibits partisan gerrymandering, and requires completion by November 15 after the census - otherwise the Supreme Court would create a plan by April 30. The change directly affects how voting districts are drawn for all state and federal elections in Washington.
Maddy summaryHB 2409 extends collective bargaining rights to agricultural employees in Washington State, including farmworkers and those in food processing, packing, and distribution. It places these workers under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), allowing them to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions through elected representatives. The bill defines key terms (like "agricultural employee" and "bargaining representative") and requires PERC to handle disputes while addressing barriers like language differences and seasonal work patterns. This policy change directly affects agricultural employers and workers, shifting their labor relations under state law rather than federal oversight.
Maddy summaryHB 2332 regulates how Washington state and local agencies use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems to protect driver privacy. It requires all agencies using ALPRs to register systems with the Attorney General, limits their use to specific purposes (like checking stolen vehicles or missing persons), and prohibits collecting data near healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. The bill mandates detailed audit trails tracking every system access and explicitly bans using ALPRs for immigration enforcement or stopping vehicles based solely on a system match. Agencies must develop policies for ALPR use and obtain independent reasonable suspicion before stopping a vehicle, ensuring privacy rights under state and federal law.
Maddy summaryHB 2373 requires Washington electric utilities serving 25,000+ customers to offer a monthly bill discount program for low-income households by January 1, 2028, with smaller utilities required to provide at least one such program. The bill mandates income-tiered discounts (minimum five tiers) based on third-party assessments, prioritizing households with higher energy burdens, and requires accessible enrollment options via phone, in-person, and online. Utilities must also provide multilingual materials, streamline eligibility, and report participation data to the state department biennially. This directly affects low-income households and all electric utilities in Washington, aiming to reduce energy burden through structured, ongoing financial assistance.
Maddy summaryHB 2102 eliminates certain unenforceable legal financial obligations (LFOs) for offenders in Washington State, including costs, fees, and accrued interest on restitution or other debts. It automatically voids these debts after the bill’s effective date, prohibits courts from accepting payments for them, and allows judges to waive uncollectible portions of LFOs upon offender request. The bill also stops interest accrual on criminal fines and fees as of June 7, 2018, and updates collection procedures for existing debts. This directly affects individuals with outstanding criminal or civil LFOs, particularly those deemed uncollectible. The law clarifies that courts may not enforce or collect these specific debts while preserving mechanisms for individual court-based relief.
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 2265 requires landlords in Washington state to allow tenants to install portable air conditioners or evaporative coolers (like window units or floor models) without restriction, unless specific safety or structural concerns apply. Landlords may only prohibit such devices if installation violates building codes, damages property, exceeds electrical capacity, or conflicts with window egress requirements - prioritizing tenants with disabilities requiring cooling. The bill mandates landlords provide written lease notices detailing tenant rights and restrictions, and shields landlords from liability for tenant-installed device issues. This directly affects all residential tenants in Washington, particularly those in buildings without permanent AC during extreme heat events.
Maddy summaryWashington State's HJM 4010 is a formal request to the U.S. government to investigate the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a University of Washington psychology graduate and Seattle resident. The memorial, addressed to President Trump, the Secretary of State, and the Department of Justice, asks for a "transparent, thorough, and independent investigation" into her death by an Israeli military sniper in the West Bank on September 6, 2024. It specifically cites her peaceful activism, including organizing protests for Palestinian rights and supporting displaced communities, and draws parallels to the unresolved death of another Washingtonian, Rachel Corrie. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it does not create new law but formally urges federal action. The request is directed at U.S. executive and legislative branches to pursue accountability for Eygi's death.
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.