Rep. Edwin Obras

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 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 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 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 1129 requires most group health plans in Washington to cover fertility preservation services starting January 2026 and infertility diagnosis/treatment starting January 2027. It mandates coverage for two egg retrieval procedures with unlimited embryo transfers (per medical guidelines), prohibits different cost-sharing for fertility services compared to other pregnancy care, and ensures coverage extends to spouses and nonspouse dependents equally. The bill directly affects health insurers and enrollees seeking fertility care, including LGBTQ+ individuals and racial/ethnic minorities who face coverage disparities. Key provisions include banning restrictions on fertility medications and eliminating separate deductibles or waiting periods for these services.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1203 prohibits the sale of all flavored tobacco and nicotine products (including fruit, mint, or candy flavors) and entertainment vapor products with gaming features (like Pac-Man) starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects retailers who sell these products and aims to reduce youth vaping, as 88% of youth vapers use flavored products. The bill defines "flavored" broadly to include any non-tobacco taste or cooling sensation, and bans interactive devices that display games or videos. This targets products marketed to youth, such as those with cotton candy flavors or menthol cigarettes, which the bill states contribute to addiction and health disparities in Black and Hispanic communities. The law applies to all tobacco/nicotine products sold in Washington, excluding FDA-approved nicotine therapies and cannabis products.