Rep. Natasha Hill

Maddy summaryHB 2210 authorizes Washington state local governments (counties, cities, towns, school districts, fire districts, and port districts) to adopt ranked choice voting (RCV) or proportional representation for elections. It requires jurisdictions choosing RCV to implement it by December 31, 2032, with specific rules for ballot design, candidate ranking, and election types (e.g., single-winner contests use instant runoff voting). The bill creates legal clarity for these election methods during a six-year period, reducing litigation risk while federal voting rights standards evolve, and allows jurisdictions to continue using approved systems beyond the six years. It does not alter existing voting rights protections under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2481 bans grocery stores from using computer systems to charge different prices based on personal data like shopping habits, location, or inferred characteristics (e.g., income or race). It also requires a four-year temporary pause on all electronic shelf label systems that could collect consumer data from devices to adjust prices. The law directly affects grocery retailers using dynamic pricing technology, exempting small businesses. It aims to ensure prices remain fair and transparent, preventing personalized pricing without clear disclosure. The bill defines key terms like "inferred data" and "electronic shelf label systems" to clarify these prohibitions.

Maddy summaryHB 2499 modernizes election procedures for conservation district supervisors in Washington by extending their terms from three to four years and requiring financial disclosures from both current supervisors and candidates. The bill amends state laws to adjust election timing, term assignments (such as awarding the top vote-getter a four-year term in initial elections), and voting rules, while mandating transparency through financial disclosures. This directly affects conservation districts and their supervisors, updating outdated election processes to increase accountability in local governance.

Maddy summaryHB 2144 requires Washington employers to provide written notice to employees before using electronic monitoring (such as AI tools, cameras, or software) to assist in performance evaluations. Employers must give at least 30 days' notice before starting new monitoring, 60 days for existing monitoring, and notify new hires at the time of the job offer. The notice must explain how monitoring is used (e.g., tracking productivity) and how data is verified. Violations can result in Department of Labor investigations and civil penalties up to $5,000 for willful violations, with enforcement applying to all employers in Washington state.

Maddy summaryHB 1420 requires clothing and textile brands selling in Washington state to manage the end-of-life of their products through a statewide program. It directly affects brands (including manufacturers, importers, and retailers), mandating they join a producer responsibility organization (PRO) to cover costs for collecting, sorting, and recycling apparel - excluding military PPE, medical products, and secondhand sellers. The PROs will operate collection systems like drop-off sites, mail-back programs, and donation boxes, aiming to reduce landfill waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental harm. This replaces current waste management approaches with a system prioritizing repair, reuse, and responsible recycling for all covered clothing items sold in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2583 amends Washington state law to clarify and limit local governments' authority to impose excise taxes on lodging. It sets specific rate caps: the combined lodging tax rate (including all local taxes) cannot exceed 12% for most areas, or 15.2% for large cities in populous counties. The bill grandfathered existing higher tax rates for municipalities that had them before 1997 or 1998, while prohibiting new taxes in counties with pre-existing rates above 4%. It also allows public facilities districts to impose a separate 2% lodging tax, but only for public facilities and with voter approval if not previously collected. This directly affects cities, counties, and public facilities districts seeking to levy or adjust lodging taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 2116 updates Washington state's school enrichment funding by setting new annual limits on property taxes districts can levy for programs like arts, sports, and after-school activities. For taxes collected through 2029, districts may levy up to $2.50 per $1,000 of property value, increasing to $3.00 per $1,000 starting in 2030. The bill also creates a state-local effort assistance program that provides supplemental funding to districts levying below $1.50 per $1,000, matching a portion of their levy up to a per-student cap adjusted for inflation. School districts must now obtain approval for their enrichment spending plans before seeking voter approval for new levies.

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 2489 establishes statewide rules preventing local governments from penalizing people for basic life-sustaining activities (like sleeping or eating in public) when no adequate shelter is available. It requires cities to prove shelter space existed before enforcing public space laws, and invalidates citations or prosecutions that violate this rule. The bill protects individuals experiencing homelessness from punishment for necessary activities while ensuring enforcement actions are limited to immediate safety risks. It does not create a right to shelter, but mandates cities to document shelter availability and coordinate with service providers to address homelessness.

Maddy summaryHB 2463 creates two new grant programs to connect Washington farmers with hunger relief organizations. It establishes a "farm donation grant program" that provides funds to nonprofits to purchase surplus farm products (like produce, dairy, and protein) directly from Washington growers, compensating farmers for harvest and logistical costs. A second "farm-to-food pantry grant program" supports nonprofits in building direct contracts between farmers, tribes, and food hubs to supply food pantries. The bill prioritizes organizations with at least five years of experience and aims to ensure equitable access for minority, veteran, women, and tribal farmers. The law requires grant recipients to report results to the state department and is known as the "Washington Farmers Feeding Families Act."