Rep. Timm Ormsby

Maddy summaryHB 1239 modifies Washington state's earned release time policies to improve reentry outcomes for incarcerated individuals. It allows inmates to earn time off sentences through good behavior and participation in rehabilitative programs, with limits (up to 50% for eligible offenders) based on offense type and risk assessment. The bill requires participation in reentry programming to qualify for maximum earned time and creates an option for transfer to community supervision instead of earning additional time. These changes directly affect incarcerated people in Washington correctional facilities and aim to reduce repeat offenses by aligning sentence reductions with reentry readiness.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 allows Washington counties, cities, and towns to impose a local 4% tax on short-term rental lodging (like Airbnb stays) to fund affordable housing programs. The tax revenue must go to a dedicated state account and can be used for acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing affordable housing, rental assistance, or related support services like job training. Local governments must report annually on how funds are spent and cannot implement the tax before April 2027. This bill directly affects short-term rental operators (who pay the tax) and local governments (which can choose to adopt the tax and manage housing funds).

Maddy summaryHB 2394 updates Washington's insurance fraud laws to better address modern schemes. It clarifies definitions of "insurer" to include health care service contractors and health maintenance organizations, and explicitly lists fraud types like submitting false medical bills, embezzling premiums, or misrepresenting insurance claims. The bill upgrades insurance fraud to a class B felony and requires restitution for insurers and victims. This directly affects insurers, consumers, and individuals committing fraud involving insurance claims or payments.

Maddy summaryHB 2161 expands the Washington Attorney General's authority to issue written civil investigative demands for documents, testimony, or answers to questions during investigations into potential violations of specific state and federal laws. It directly affects individuals and entities that may possess relevant records or information related to these investigations. The bill establishes clear procedures for these demands, requiring specific details about the investigation, reasonable descriptions of requested materials, and defined timelines, while prohibiting demands that would be unreasonable or require privileged information. It also includes strict confidentiality rules about disclosing the demand itself and limits how produced materials can be shared or used, ensuring the process aligns with standard civil court procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1932 creates a new "cannabis consumption event organizer license" allowing businesses to host limited, regulated events where adults 21+ can legally consume cannabis products on-site. The bill permits licensed organizers to sell single-use and ready-to-consume cannabis products at events held indoors (with ventilation requirements for smoking/vaping) or outdoors, with strict limits of one event per month (max 3 days) and no alcohol or tobacco sales. It directly affects cannabis businesses seeking to operate consumption events and adult consumers who lack legal options for public consumption outside their homes. The policy requires organizers to hold specific licenses, comply with board rules, and ensure consumption occurs out of public view, following Washington’s existing cannabis regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryHB 2715 allows Washington port districts and port development authorities to use public funds to purchase zero- or near-zero emission cargo handling equipment and supporting infrastructure for their own use or for tenants/lessees. It specifically prohibits using these funds for fully automated marine container handling equipment (defined as remotely operated systems with minimal human control). The bill applies directly to port districts, their authorities, and their tenants, aiming to promote cleaner port operations while restricting fully automated systems. The policy change expires on December 31, 2031.

Maddy summaryHB 2613 establishes strict safety rules for pharmacies compounding medications in Washington, directly affecting pharmacies and compounding facilities that create custom medications (like weight loss drugs). The bill requires compounders to verify all ingredients come from FDA-registered facilities with recent inspections, obtain detailed certificates of analysis, conduct quality testing, and maintain records for two years. Violations result in fines of $1,000 per dose sold and potential loss of pharmacy licenses. The law aims to prevent unsafe ingredients - such as those from unverified foreign sources - from entering the supply chain, aligning with federal standards while adding state-level oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 2357 establishes a formal Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the state's Military Department, integrating existing volunteer members of the Washington Wing of the federally chartered Civil Air Patrol. This division, led by the Washington Wing's commanding officer, will operate under state authority and can be activated by the governor for state service. It authorizes the division to formally cooperate with state agencies, tribes, and local governments on specific missions like disaster relief, search and rescue, and cadet training, with reimbursement for expenses. The bill clarifies it does not alter the federal Civil Air Patrol's operations or existing relationships with the U.S. government.

Maddy summaryHB 2708 removes a tax exemption for data center equipment replacement in Washington State, directly affecting data center operators currently using this exemption. The bill eliminates the tax break for purchasing new server equipment and power infrastructure, with existing exemptions set to expire by July 2048. It also requires qualifying data centers to meet new employment thresholds - adding 35 family wage jobs or 3 per 20,000 sq ft of new server space - to maintain their exemption. New exemption certificates for refurbished data centers can no longer be issued after July 2026, and all new applications for this exemption are prohibited after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2709 adds "Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas" to Washington State's list of recognized observances, specifically naming the new moon day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik (which shifts annually) as a day to be acknowledged. The bill does not create a paid holiday or alter existing leave policies; it simply adds this date to Section 7(w) of RCW 1.16.050, which lists non-holiday observances like Juneteenth or Korean American Day. This recognition applies to state employees and institutions but does not provide paid time off or change the calendar of legal holidays. The bill focuses solely on ceremonial acknowledgment, consistent with other non-holiday observances already listed in the statute.