Maddy summaryHB 2277 requires insurers in Washington to disclose wildfire risk scores and related details to homeowners. Specifically, insurers must provide property owners with their current wildfire risk score, the score range, who created it, when it was generated, and key factors that increased the score - along with actionable steps to improve it - within 15 days of coverage decisions or renewals. The bill also mandates insurers to file wildfire risk models with the insurance commissioner, explain how these models impact premiums, and incorporate property-specific or community wildfire mitigation efforts (like defensible space or forest treatments) into their scoring systems. Homeowners can appeal inaccurate scores, and insurers must respond to appeals within 30 days. This bill directly affects residential property owners in wildfire-prone areas and insurers selling property insurance in Washington.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2341 changes Washington state's school calendar to align with National Voter Registration Day, requiring public high schools to hold voter registration events during history or social studies classes for students aged 16 and older on the third Tuesday in September (or the following Tuesday if it conflicts with a major religious holiday). The bill mandates that schools provide both online and paper voter registration forms during these events, with county election offices encouraged to assist. It sets a goal of 50,000 new youth voter registrations annually and requires the state superintendent to report yearly progress to the legislature. This replaces the existing "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day" observance on January 16th, shifting the focus to voter registration for students who may have missed earlier opportunities.
Maddy summaryHB 2392 requires building and construction contractors working at specific hazardous facilities - including pulp mills, power plants, and nuclear facilities - to use a "skilled and trained workforce" for all on-site construction work in apprenticeable trades. This means contractors must ensure their on-site workers are either registered apprentices or skilled journeypersons (with at least 30% of journeypersons being apprenticeship graduates by 2027, rising to 60% by 2028) and have completed 20 hours of approved safety training within the prior three years. The law applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2027, with limited exemptions for owner-employees, temporary workforce shortages, and emergencies. It directly affects contractors performing work at covered facilities, aiming to standardize workforce qualifications and safety training for high-risk environments.
Maddy summaryHB 2164 simplifies access to DNA testing for people convicted of felonies in Washington state who seek to prove innocence. It requires courts to approve such requests unless the state proves with "clear and convincing evidence" the DNA could not demonstrate innocence. The bill removes prior barriers that forced convicted people to prove DNA testing met scientific standards at trial or was unavailable at the time. This affects courts, prosecutors, and crime labs by streamlining postconviction DNA testing while preserving evidence as required by law.
Maddy summaryHB 1017 designates November 22nd as "Kimchi Day" in Washington State, recognizing the cultural significance of kimchi and aligning with similar observances in South Korea and other U.S. states. The bill amends state law to add "The twenty-second day of November, recognized as kimchi day" to a list of non-holiday cultural observances. It does not create a legal holiday or affect work schedules, as these recognized days are explicitly stated to not qualify as paid or unpaid legal holidays under state law. The measure aims to celebrate kimchi’s heritage, citing its UNESCO-recognized preparation process ("kimjang") and health benefits, but has no direct policy impact on residents or businesses.
Maddy summaryHB 1434 amends Washington State law to officially recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state legal holidays, adding them to the existing list of recognized days. These Islamic holidays, which shift annually based on the lunar calendar, will now be included in the state's holiday schedule alongside established dates like New Year's Day and Thanksgiving. The bill affects state employees, who will be entitled to paid time off for these holidays under existing provisions for state legal holidays, as outlined in RCW 1.16.050. This change makes Washington the first U.S. state to formally recognize both Eid holidays as official state observances.
Maddy summaryHouse Joint Memorial 4003 is a non-binding resolution from the Washington State Legislature urging the U.S. government to join international efforts in developing a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. It calls for ending new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phasing out existing production in line with climate science, and prioritizing worker and community support during the transition. The memorial aligns with Washington’s existing climate laws, including the Climate Commitment Act and the HEAL Act, which aim to reduce emissions and address environmental health disparities. It directly addresses the U.S. President, Congress, and the United Nations to advance global climate action.
Maddy summaryHB 1927 creates a temporary pilot program (running until 2028) allowing tenants to voluntarily request that their on-time rent payments be reported to credit bureaus. Landlords must agree in writing to participate, and tenants must provide written consent to have their credit scores tracked before and after reporting. The program initially targets up to 100 tenants, prioritizing underserved communities, and only reports rent payments (not fees or other charges). Participation is entirely voluntary for both tenants and landlords, with no cost to tenants and potential reimbursement for landlords' administrative expenses.
Maddy summaryHB 1416 increases taxes on tobacco and vapor products in Washington State. It adds a $0.015 tax per cigarette and establishes new per-milliliter tax rates for vapor products: $0.30 per ml for most products and $0.10 per ml for containers over 5 ml. The bill requires distributors to collect these taxes at the point of sale or distribution and directs 50% of the revenue to cancer research and 50% to public health services. These changes apply to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers of tobacco and vapor products, with the tax taking effect October 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1326 requires health insurance plans in Washington State to cover obesity treatment starting January 1, 2026. It mandates coverage for three specific treatments: intensive behavioral therapy (including telemedicine), metabolic/bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved obesity medications. The law prohibits insurers from applying stricter coverage rules for obesity than for other medical conditions, ensuring equal treatment for deductibles, copays, and annual limits. This applies to all health plans issued or renewed in Washington, directly affecting millions of Washingtonians with obesity who rely on insurance for these treatments.