Rep. Mia Gregerson

Maddy summaryHB 1560 imposes a 7.5% tax on the portion of annual compensation exceeding 10 times the state's average wage for the five highest-paid hospital employees without direct patient care, plus the hospital's lead administrator if not included. It directly affects nonprofit hospitals in Washington that pay certain executives excessive compensation, as defined by the bill. The tax revenue will fund programs to improve healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations and reproductive care. The tax applies to compensation reported under state health reporting rules, beginning in 2027 for the 2026 tax year.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 increases monthly retirement benefits for specific retirees in Washington's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Plan 1 and Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) Plan 1. Retirees receiving benefits as of certain dates (July 1, 2017-2024) will get a benefit increase equal to 1.5% or 3% of their current monthly benefit, capped at $62.50 or $110.00 depending on their eligibility date. The increases take effect on July 1 of the following year (e.g., benefits received as of July 1, 2023, get a 3% increase effective July 1, 2024). The bill excludes retirees covered under other retirement provisions and takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summaryHB 1581 increases a tax on communication services to fund Washington's 988 behavioral health crisis line. It raises the tax rate to 70 cents per month for radio access lines, VoIP services, and switched access lines starting in 2026, up from current rates of 40 cents (2023-2025). The tax applies to subscribers and providers of these services within Washington, with proceeds deposited into a dedicated crisis response account. The funding supports suicide prevention and crisis care services, aiming to reduce reliance on emergency rooms and law enforcement for mental health emergencies. The bill does not change existing services but adjusts tax rates to sustain and expand the 988 system.

Maddy summaryHB 1567 requires health care administrators at Washington hospitals to obtain a state license starting January 1, 2027. It defines these roles as nonclinical managers or directors who oversee hiring, compliance, operations, or patient care policies for clinical staff, but excludes federal employees like those in the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill mandates passing a state-administered exam on health care laws and ethics, paying fees, and completing annual continuing education to maintain licensure. The Washington Department of Health will manage licensing, set fees, and enforce rules, including disciplinary actions for unprofessional conduct like unsafe fiscal decisions. This applies only to hospital employees in Washington, not to all health care workers.

Maddy summaryHB 1534 raises the minimum age to purchase tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products from 18 to 21 in Washington State. It requires retailers to verify customers' ages using specific photo ID with signature (e.g., driver's licenses, tribal ID cards) and imposes stricter penalties for sales to minors. Violations now carry fines starting at $1,500 for first offenses and up to $15,000 for repeated violations, with license suspensions or revocations for repeated breaches. The bill directly affects retailers selling these products, targeting underage access through enhanced enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1448 establishes statewide rules for local governments adopting ranked choice voting (RCV) in elections. It allows counties, cities, school districts, fire districts, and port districts to use RCV for local offices, requiring ballots to let voters rank candidates in order of preference (with at least five rankings per office) and setting clear counting rules for single-winner (instant runoff) and multi-winner (single transferable vote) contests. The bill mandates that single-winner RCV elections must first hold a traditional primary to narrow candidates to five, while multi-winner contests skip primaries. It also requires local governments to implement RCV within two years of adoption and directs the Secretary of State to create rules for ballot design and vote tabulation by May 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2044 revises how unexcused student absences are addressed by school districts, affecting students and their parents. The bill eliminates the requirement for school districts to file truancy petitions before a child's fifth unexcused absence. Instead, after a fifth unexcused absence, districts are directed to enter into an attendance agreement with the parent or child (if age eight or above), either directly or through a community engagement board. Truancy petitions to juvenile court are now generally required only if an attendance agreement is not reached or not complied with, and typically not before the child's 15th unexcused absence in a school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1635 requires large consumer cooperatives (with 2,500+ global employees) to reserve two board seats for nonsupervisory, nonmanagerial employees. These employees must be selected by majority vote among all such workers, and they cannot vote on wage, benefit, or employment condition decisions affecting their group. The bill amends Washington’s cooperative association laws to implement this board composition requirement, applying only to qualifying large cooperatives. It does not affect smaller cooperatives or change general board election rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1748 requires Washington's Insurance Commissioner to study how insurers use credit history, credit-based insurance scores, and other rate factors when setting personal insurance premiums, particularly focusing on whether these practices disproportionately affect residents based on race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, or national origin. The study will collect data from insurers, analyze current practices and potential alternatives, and assess impacts on consumer costs and insurance availability. The Commissioner must submit a preliminary report by December 2025 and a final report by September 2026 with findings and policy options. This study does not change current insurance practices but aims to inform future legislative decisions about rate-setting factors. The bill expires December 31, 2033.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 creates a state-administered wage replacement program for Washington workers excluded from traditional unemployment insurance, such as gig workers, domestic workers, and others not covered by standard UI. It directly affects eligible residents who meet specific Washington residency requirements (e.g., utility bills, school enrollment, or state ID) and experienced job loss. Key provisions include establishing a dedicated wage replacement account for funding payments, requiring the state to contract a third-party administrator to process applications and disburse funds, and forming an advisory committee with worker, immigrant, and employer representation. The program aims to provide financial support during unemployment for this excluded group, with implementation required by July 2026.