Rep. Timm Ormsby

Maddy summaryHB 1114 establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, an agreement among participating states. This compact allows respiratory therapists who are actively licensed in one member state to practice in other member states, thereby granting them a "compact privilege." The bill's purpose is to improve public access to respiratory therapy services, streamline the process for therapists to practice across state lines, and support relocating military members and their spouses. It also aims to address workforce shortages and enhance cooperation among states in regulating respiratory therapy.

Maddy summaryEngrossed Substitute House Bill 1688 establishes statewide standards for electric security alarm systems, primarily impacting industrial and commercial property owners with outdoor storage and local governments. For cities and towns that have not adopted their own regulations, the bill mandates that these systems be allowed on outdoor storage properties, provided they meet specific installation requirements. These requirements include limits on electric charge, placement of warning signs, minimum height, and a device for first responder deactivation. The bill also clarifies that these systems are not considered fences unless explicitly regulated as such, and allows local governments to adopt their own regulations with specific procedural requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1606 directs the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a study on providing state employees with electronic access to peer-reviewed journals. The study will investigate potential funding, organizational structures, and policy mechanisms to facilitate this access. Its purpose is to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness for state agencies that currently face challenges in accessing these academic, scholarly, or scientific publications. The institute must complete and submit the study to relevant legislative committees by June 30, 2026. This section of the act is set to expire on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1640 places professional licenses issued under chapters 18.71B and 18.71C RCW under the authority of the state's Uniform Disciplinary Act. This means that licenses overseen by the Washington Medical Commission, as specified in these chapters, will now follow the standardized procedures for professional discipline outlined in the Act. The Uniform Disciplinary Act provides a consistent framework for regulatory bodies to grant, deny, or impose conditions on professional licenses. This bill directly affects professionals holding licenses under these specific chapters and the Washington Medical Commission's regulatory authority over them.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1275 grants the Department of Labor & Industries new authority to ensure workers' compensation payments are made when a self-insured employer's certification is withdrawn. This applies to self-insured groups, counties, cities, and other municipal employers. Under the bill, if an employer's self-insurer status is terminated, the department will step in to pay compensation to affected workers. The decertified employer is then required to reimburse the department for these payments through a schedule determined by the director, who will also adopt rules for implementing these financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1549 modifies the criteria companies must meet to be considered a "responsible bidder" for public works projects in Washington state. It removes an exemption for experienced bidders from the requirement to complete training on public works and prevailing wage laws. Additionally, for projects requiring apprentice utilization, bidders must now submit an apprentice utilization plan to the awarding agency before work begins. The Department of Labor and Industries will create a template for this plan, publish completed plans, and maintain records of individuals who have completed the required training.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1156 allows volunteer firefighters to participate in the state's deferred compensation program. It amends existing law (RCW 41.50.770) to include specific volunteer firefighter participants in the definition of "employee" for the purposes of this program. This change enables these firefighters to defer a portion of their income into a state-sponsored retirement savings plan, offering various investment options.

Maddy summaryHB 1112 removes the requirement that judges pro tempore (temporary judges) in municipal courts must reside in the city where the court operates. It specifically applies to cities with populations exceeding 400,000 people, directly affecting judges appointed to fill temporary court vacancies in those jurisdictions. The bill amends state law to state that judges pro tempore "need not be a resident of the city" while maintaining other qualifications like being a licensed attorney and state elector. This change takes effect July 27, 2025, after the bill was signed by the Governor on April 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1191 eliminates vehicle-style titles for manufactured homes in Washington State, treating them as real property attached to land instead of personal property. Homeowners who voluntarily apply through their county auditor can remove the title, after which the home is conveyed with the land via deed or lease rather than a separate title. The law changes how ownership and security interests (like mortgages) are handled, requiring that untitled manufactured homes be transferred with the land they sit on. This applies only to homes where owners choose to eliminate the title through the county recording process, not to all manufactured homes.

Maddy summaryHB 1075 amends Washington state law to give public housing authorities more tools to finance affordable housing developments. It allows authorities to form partnerships with nonprofits, include wage requirements in contracts, and manage commercial space within housing projects, while requiring that at least 50% of units in new developments serve low-income residents. The bill directly affects public housing authorities and the low-income renters they serve by streamlining their ability to build and maintain affordable housing. The law, effective July 27, 2025, updates existing authority powers under RCW 35.82.070 to support expanded housing supply.