Rep. Dan Griffey

Maddy summaryHB 2387 clarifies that elected sheriffs not certified as peace officers under Washington law cannot personally perform law enforcement actions reserved for certified officers, though they retain authority for actions authorized by law. The bill automatically triggers recall proceedings if a sheriff’s certification is revoked for misconduct occurring after their term began - specifically, mandatory decertification (under RCW 43.101.105(2)) eliminates the need to collect voter signatures for a recall election. It amends laws to require the Criminal Justice Training Commission to initiate recalls upon certification revocation and specifies that no signatures are needed for such cases. This applies only to sheriffs who lack peace officer certification, directly affecting their accountability process for post-term misconduct.

Maddy summaryHB 2659 freezes existing commercial shellfish fees in Washington State through June 30, 2027. It prohibits the state department from raising fees above 2025 levels for six specific licenses (harvest, shipper, shucker-packer plants) and testing services (biotoxin, paralytic shellfish poisoning monitoring). The bill directly affects commercial shellfish harvesters, shippers, and processing businesses by preventing new fees or increases during this period. This policy change provides fee stability for these industry operators without altering current regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2349 requires Washington state agencies to provide written community notification 3 months before releasing or discharging individuals classified as sexually violent predators. It mandates that agencies share detailed records (including institutional history, mental health evaluations, and criminal history) with local law enforcement, county officials, legislators, and victims (if they request it) prior to release. The bill directly affects counties, law enforcement, and victims by requiring timely disclosure of release dates and relevant background information. Key provisions include standardized notification to sheriffs, county administrators, legislators, and law enforcement via the Washington Crime Information Center, ensuring consistent community awareness. This focuses on procedural transparency rather than altering commitment standards or penalties.

Maddy summaryHJM 4013 is a joint memorial urging Governor Ferguson to opt Washington state into a federal tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 education. It would direct approximately $732 million annually in unused federal funds to Washington students from working-class and middle-class families (household income ≤300% of area median income) through tax credits for donors. The program requires no state funding, imposes no budget obligation, and mandates scholarship organizations to spend at least 90% of funds on student expenses like tutoring and technology while meeting strict federal accountability standards. Failure to opt in would prevent Washington families from accessing these federal resources, which would instead benefit students in states that have joined the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets conditions for releasing individuals classified as sexually violent predators into the community after court-ordered supervision. It requires courts to mandate electronic monitoring with real-time tracking, 500-foot distance restrictions from schools and child care facilities, and individualized supervision plans addressing specific risk factors. The law also requires the Department of Corrections to develop placements adhering to "fair share" principles to prevent disproportionate concentration of such individuals in any single county. These conditions must be documented and reviewed to ensure community safety while facilitating a person's transition to less restrictive settings.

Maddy summaryHB 2609 exempts vapor products from Washington State's tobacco products tax by amending the definition of "tobacco products" in tax law (RCW 82.26.010) to explicitly exclude vapor products as defined in RCW 70.345.010. This change directly affects vapor product sellers and consumers, removing an existing tax burden on these products. The bill modifies the tax code's definition to clarify that vapor products are not considered taxable tobacco products, aligning with existing state regulations for vapor products. No new tax rates or fees are created; the policy change solely removes vapor products from the current tobacco tax framework.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (not a policy bill) introduced on January 19, 2026, by multiple Washington State Representatives. It formally recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, legacy of nonviolent activism, and contributions to civil rights, including his role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. The resolution expresses the House's commitment to upholding Dr. King's ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any specific individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (not a bill with policy changes), adopted on January 16, 2026. It formally recognizes Washington's joint operating agencies (JOAs) for their role in developing clean energy infrastructure, including renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, as well as new projects like small modular reactors. The resolution highlights JOAs' contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring affordable energy access, and supporting economic growth in Washington State. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose requirements - its sole purpose is to acknowledge these agencies' historical and ongoing work.

Maddy summaryHB 2448 establishes a new annual spending cap for Washington's state general fund, limiting growth to inflation and population changes starting in 2027. The cap automatically adjusts each November based on actual spending and economic forecasts, requiring the state treasurer to prevent overspending. It allows temporary 24-month exceptions only for declared natural disasters, not for routine budgeting. The bill does not change tax rates but aims to control budget growth through this spending limit.

Maddy summaryHB 2450 creates a Washington state food assistance program to replace federal SNAP benefits for specific vulnerable groups disqualified due to federal work requirements. It directly affects seniors (55+), foster youth (age 24 or younger who were in foster care at 18), veterans, homeless individuals, and families with children under 18. The bill allows the state to mirror federal SNAP rules but exempts these groups from work requirements, limits state benefits to the remaining federal work requirement period, and permits using the federal coupon system or state vouchers. This policy change ensures continued food assistance for those losing federal eligibility due to federal policy changes.