Rep. Natasha Hill

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1271 amends the criteria for deploying state fire service resources during emergencies in Washington. It expands the definition of "mobilization" to allow for the early deployment of resources when an emergency is *predicted* to exceed local capabilities, rather than only after local resources have already been overwhelmed. This change enables a more proactive response from fire departments, fire districts, and regional fire protection service authorities to potential large-scale incidents. The bill also clarifies that these mobilized resources cannot be used to assist law enforcement during civil protests or demonstrations, but can still provide medical aid and firefighting services.

Maddy summaryHB 1149 updates and clarifies Washington State's animal cruelty laws, specifically within RCW 16.52, to enhance the prevention of cruelty to animals. The bill redefines key terms such as "abandons," "necessary food," "necessary medical attention," "necessary sanitation," "necessary shelter," "necessary space," and "necessary water." These changes establish more explicit standards for the adequate care of nonhuman mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. It also introduces a comprehensive definition of "minimum care," providing clearer guidelines for animal owners, animal care and control agencies, and law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 1130 establishes a prioritization system for individuals with developmental disabilities seeking home and community-based services waivers in Washington State. It directs the Developmental Disabilities Administration to prioritize specific populations, such as those over age 45, individuals discharging from institutional settings, or those without a safe hospital discharge plan. The bill also mandates the administration to align its rules with this prioritization and to routinely collect and publicly report data on waiver enrollment, waitlists, and unfulfilled service requests. This aims to ensure that individuals identified as most in need receive timely access to critical support services.

Maddy summaryHB 1395 streamlines the background check process for home care workers, long-term care providers, and others working with vulnerable adults and children in Washington state. It prevents the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) from automatically disqualifying individuals for certain past criminal convictions, such as specific theft or assault charges, once a specified number of years have passed. However, DSHS or authorized entities can still consider these convictions during a "character, competence, and suitability review," and clients must be informed of an approved provider's background check results before services begin. The bill also allows some providers to work for up to 30 days while their review is pending, with client notification, and limits when new suitability reviews are required for previously cleared non-disqualifying issues.

Maddy summaryHB 1329 amends the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) concerning how certain wholesale power purchases are classified. The bill modifies the definition of a "coal-fired resource" by expanding the duration for specific limited-term wholesale electricity purchases that are exempt from this classification. Under the new provisions, electric utilities can make wholesale power purchases for up to three months, or up to six months for system sales used for seasonal resource adequacy, without these being counted as coal-fired resources under CETA. This aims to provide utilities with more flexibility in acquiring short-term power, provided these exemptions are not used to avoid CETA's overall restrictions on coal-fired energy.

Maddy summaryHB 1422 modifies Washington State's drug take-back program, affecting drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and program operators. The bill expands reporting requirements for program operators, mandating detailed annual reports including expenditures, budgets, and explanations if collection goals are not met. It strengthens the Department of Health's enforcement capabilities by detailing penalties for non-participating manufacturers and non-compliant program operators, including civil fines up to $2,000 per day. Additionally, the bill revises how the Department of Health sets fees, allowing them to fully cover administrative, oversight, and enforcement costs for the program.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1186 expands the situations in which hospitals and health care entities can dispense medications directly to patients. It allows practitioners in hospital emergency departments to prescribe and distribute limited amounts of prepackaged emergency medications to patients being discharged. This is permitted when community or outpatient pharmacy services are unavailable or inaccessible, or for specific treatments like human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis. Hospitals must establish clear policies, including a list of approved medications, staff training, patient counseling, and generally limit supplies to a 48-hour maximum, with some exceptions. The bill also adjusts similar medication dispensing limits for other health care entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1173 clarifies the wage payment requirements for "skilled journeypersons" working in facilities subject to specific workforce regulations. The bill mandates that these journeypersons must be paid at a rate at least commensurate with typical wages for their occupation in the local geographic area. This includes a minimum hourly rate set at the seventy-fifth percentile of occupational employment statistics for the relevant occupation and area. Additionally, workers in apprenticeable occupations who do not meet the definitions of registered apprentice or skilled journeyperson are to be considered skilled journeypersons for the purpose of their wage entitlement. The act will become effective on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1516 directs the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on insurance coverage options for permanently affordable homeownership units. The study's purpose is to explore ways to reduce costs related to condominium construction defect liability for homes sponsored by nonprofit organizations or government entities. It requires consultation with various stakeholders, including insurers, sponsoring organizations, and the construction industry. The Insurance Commissioner will submit a report to the legislature by December 31, 2026, including an analysis of risk pools and recommendations for new insurance mechanisms to lower these costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1217 aims to improve housing stability for tenants in Washington state, applying to those under the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act. It limits combined rent and fee increases to no more than seven percent within any 12-month period after the initial year of a tenancy, though some exemptions may apply. The bill also requires landlords to provide notice for increases, places limits on various fees and deposits, and allows tenants to terminate their lease if an increase is unlawful. Additionally, it establishes a landlord resource center and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce its provisions, providing specific remedies for tenants in cases of violation.