Rep. Kristine Reeves

Maddy summaryHB 2414 would expand Washington's law enforcement and firefighters' retirement system to include wildland and aviation firefighters employed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The bill explicitly adds DNR as an eligible employer for these firefighters, clarifying that those meeting National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualifications can join the system. This directly affects DNR wildland and aviation firefighters who were previously excluded from the retirement plan. The bill amends existing law (RCW 41.26.030) to define eligibility, without changing benefit calculations or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Washington state law to update definitions related to cannabis products and the cannabis excise tax system. It directly affects cannabis industry participants, including producers, processors, retailers, and distributors, by clarifying terminology for various cannabis forms such as flower, concentrates, edibles, and topicals. The key provision reorganizes and revises existing definitions in the state code to ensure consistent language across different cannabis product categories and regulatory contexts. This legislative change aims to improve clarity in how cannabis products are classified and taxed under current state regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2293 prohibits Washington state law enforcement agencies, including the Washington State Patrol and peace officer training commissions, from participating in or funding training, exchanges, or travel with foreign military forces, intelligence agencies, or security services. The bill directly affects all Washington law enforcement officers and agencies by banning partnerships, programs, or travel for foreign military/intelligence training. Key provisions require agencies to cease any existing arrangements and prevent future funding or facilitation of such international training activities. This policy change aims to restrict state law enforcement collaboration with foreign security entities, with no exemptions specified.

Maddy summaryHB 2312 authorizes Washington state employees to take unpaid "shared leave" when they or a covered family member face immigration enforcement actions like detention, court appearances, or deportation proceedings. It defines "family member" broadly to include household members relying on the employee for care, and requires employers to protect immigration status details when verifying leave. Employees can provide documentation from advocates/attorneys or a written statement without revealing sensitive information, and employers must redact any immigration data in verification. This leave is only available after employees exhaust other leave options, and it applies to state employees covered under existing shared leave policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2321 requires 3D printer manufacturers and sellers in Washington state to equip all new printers with software that automatically blocks print jobs for firearms or illegal firearm parts, effective July 1, 2027. The law mandates that printers use a "firearms blueprint detection algorithm" to identify and reject files containing firearm designs before printing, meeting specific technical standards to prevent bypassing. Manufacturers must attest under penalty of perjury that their printers comply, with penalties including misdemeanors for first offenses and class C felonies for repeat violations or corporate breaches. This directly affects 3D printer companies operating in Washington, aiming to prevent unlawful firearm manufacturing through technical safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 2328 requires all public school districts in Washington to create and maintain standardized school maps as part of their safe school plans. These maps must be updated annually, include site-specific details for emergency response, and be shared with local and state first responders. The bill directly affects school districts, which must now integrate these maps into their safety planning to ensure compatibility with emergency systems and protect sensitive data. This addresses longstanding issues where outdated or inconsistent mapping hindered emergency coordination, as noted in a 2019 legislative study. The policy aims to improve real-time response during emergencies by providing accurate, accessible facility information to first responders.

Maddy summaryHB 2300 requires large Washington employers (with 500+ total workers in the state during a quarter) to reimburse the state for health care costs paid through public programs like Apple Health for their workers. Employers must pay an assessment based on the state's per-person cost for each worker enrolled in medical assistance programs who is under 65 years old. This applies to most employers, but excludes those already providing health coverage to all workers or seasonal businesses meeting specific criteria. The program aims to preserve public health funding by shifting costs to employers whose workers rely on state-funded care, with payments due quarterly starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2371 transfers Washington's Imagination Library program from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill requires the superintendent to select a Washington-based nonprofit organization to manage the program, which provides free monthly books to children from birth through age five. The nonprofit would cover 50% of book costs while local affiliate programs cover the remaining costs, with no new state funds mandated. The program will continue partnering with a national nonprofit foundation for book distribution. This is an administrative transfer, not a policy change creating new benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2231 would require prosecutors to prove that a defendant wore a mask, hood, or similar face-covering clothing to conceal their identity during a felony crime committed on campus, making it a separate factor for enhanced sentencing. If proven, this would trigger additional penalties under existing sentencing guidelines for felony offenses at public or private colleges, universities, or vocational schools. The bill specifically targets crimes where the defendant attempted to hide their face during the offense or immediate escape, adding this as an aggravating circumstance. It does not change the base sentence ranges but mandates that courts or juries must separately determine if this concealment occurred before applying enhanced penalties. This applies only to felonies committed on postsecondary institution premises, not general criminal cases.

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.