Rep. Lauren Davis

Maddy summaryHB 2484 creates a state youth development fund account to centralize public and private funding for programs serving youth aged 5-24. The fund will provide grants to nonprofits, tribes, parks departments, and community organizations (not directly to school districts) to support programs like mentorship, career navigation, arts/STEM, and social-emotional learning. Grants must prioritize geographic equity and at-risk youth groups, including those in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or living in poverty. Recipients must annually report program impacts to the superintendent of public instruction.

Maddy summaryHJR 4211 proposes a constitutional amendment to create an interbranch commission that reviews proposed court rules for potential conflicts with the separation of powers between Washington's three government branches. The commission, composed of six attorneys (three from each branch), must review proposed rules within 90 days and determine if they might violate separation of powers principles. If the commission finds potential conflicts, the Supreme Court must refer the rule to five temporary justices for a public hearing and final determination before adoption. This amendment, if approved by voters, would directly affect how the Supreme Court develops and adopts court rules, requiring formal review for constitutional compliance.

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 2147 increases state funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs in Washington State to address inflation-driven budget shortfalls affecting school districts. It establishes a new funding formula based on prototypical schools (600 high school students, 432 middle school students, 400 elementary students) with specific class size standards (e.g., K-3 at 17 students per teacher) and minimum staffing allocations. The bill requires transparency by mandating the Superintendent of Public Instruction to publish per-pupil funding reports online, which school districts must link to their websites. It also includes targeted provisions for career-technical education, lab science class size reduction, and high-poverty schools with over 50% free/reduced lunch eligibility. The legislation amends existing law (RCW 28A.150.260) to adjust funding allocations based on actual student enrollment and school type.

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 1454 appropriates $7 million from the state general fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to create a grant program for multijurisdictional drug task forces in Washington State. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs will administer the grants, requiring recipients to follow peer review and reporting standards identical to those used for Edward Byrne grant recipients as of January 1, 2023. The program allows the administering association to retain up to 5% of the funds for administrative costs. This funding directly supports local law enforcement task forces tackling drug-related crimes across multiple jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1020 creates a structured system to help students aged 16-21 who are not on track to graduate high school reengage with education. It requires school districts to partner with community colleges, educational service districts, or community-based organizations to provide programs offering academic instruction (including free college courses at community colleges), career counseling, and case management. These programs must generate high school credits toward diplomas or equivalency certificates and address barriers to success. The bill defines "eligible students" as those under 21 not accumulating sufficient credits or recommended by social services/juvenile justice systems. It directs the state education office to develop rules with input from colleges and community organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 requires Washington public colleges and universities to offer early course registration to students with dependents starting in the 2025-26 academic year. It directly affects students who are parents or caregivers for children under 18, or individuals with disabilities/elderly relatives dependent on them. Institutions must create processes to prioritize these students for early registration - new students must complete admission, while continuing students must meet current enrollment requirements. The law defines "dependents" as children under 18 or those requiring the student's care due to disability, age, or health needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1383 establishes a state grant program to provide funding for diaper banks to purchase and distribute essential baby items like diapers and wipes to families in need. The program prioritizes providers serving marginalized low-income communities or communities of color, or those with proven capacity to distribute baby essentials at scale. Grant recipients must apply through the department, which will annually report awarded funds on its website. This bill directly affects families accessing baby supplies and diaper bank providers operating in Washington state.