Rep. Dan Griffey

Maddy summaryHB 1869 prohibits Washington state funds from covering capital costs - such as construction, transit vehicle purchases, or major equipment - for transit agencies created under the laws of neighboring states (e.g., Oregon or Idaho). It directly affects regional transit agencies operating across state lines, restricting state funding for capital projects but not ongoing operational expenses. The law, effective July 1, 2025, ensures Washington taxpayers’ money cannot subsidize infrastructure built by out-of-state transit entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1969 establishes a law enforcement aviation support grant program to provide financial assistance to local law enforcement rotary wing aviation support units. The Department will implement this program, identifying eligible units that offer aviation support to any jurisdiction in the state without charging them. Fifty percent of appropriated funds will be equally distributed to these recognized units for maintenance and operational costs, including pilot, crew, and aircraft expenses. Remaining funds will reimburse these units for search and rescue mission costs, with any final leftover amounts going to the Washington State Patrol's aviation section. These funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing local funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1307 would remove Washington state sales and use tax on diapers and essential child care products starting January 1, 2026. The bill specifically exempts items like car seats, baby clothing (size 5T and smaller), incontinence products for infants and adults, baby monitors, strollers, and other products designed for children under five. It defines "essential child care products" to include items commonly recognized as necessary for infant and toddler care, as well as products for adults needing incontinence supplies. This tax exemption directly affects families with young children and caregivers of vulnerable adults who face high costs for these essentials. The policy aims to reduce financial strain without altering existing tax rates for other goods.

Maddy summaryHB 1864 requires health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, to cover ground ambulance transport to non-emergency facilities like urgent care clinics, mental health centers, or substance use disorder programs. It amends existing laws to mandate this coverage for behavioral health emergencies (effective January 1, 2025) and establishes reimbursement rules for medical assistance programs. The bill directly affects health insurers, ambulance services, and patients seeking non-emergency care. It creates a policy change ensuring coverage for transport to these facilities without requiring prior authorization for emergency situations.

Maddy summaryHB 1354 amends Washington state law to explicitly include temporary legislative session employees under the public employees' benefits board insurance programs. It clarifies that "employee" definitions now cover these temporary staff members (e.g., aides or support personnel hired specifically for legislative sessions), ensuring they receive the same health insurance benefits as other state employees. The bill makes this change through targeted amendments to existing statutes (RCW 41.05.011 and 41.05.065), without creating new benefits or altering coverage terms. This is a procedural clarification affecting only temporary legislative staff, not elected officials or permanent employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Washington State Senate to confirm the governor's appointments to vacant Supreme Court seats. Currently, the governor appoints justices to fill vacancies without Senate approval; this change would add a confirmation step for all such appointments. The amendment would modify Article IV, Section 3 of the state constitution to state that appointments "shall be subject to confirmation by the senate as provided by statute." It directly affects the governor (who makes appointments), the Senate (which must confirm), and the process for filling Supreme Court vacancies. The change would take effect if approved by voters at the next general election.

Maddy summaryHB 1786 amends Washington state law to allow local governments to use tax increment financing (TIF) revenues for public safety facilities. Specifically, it adds "public safety facilities" (defined as police, fire, emergency medical, or similar services infrastructure) to the list of eligible public improvements under TIF programs. This change directly affects cities, counties, and other local governments using TIF to fund infrastructure projects, enabling them to allocate TIF revenues toward facilities like fire stations or police buildings. The bill modifies existing definitions in RCW 39.89.020 (section 8(a)(ix)) to include these facilities as allowable uses, without altering TIF revenue collection or distribution mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 creates a legal presumption that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an occupational disease for correctional facility workers in Washington state, directly affecting staff employed at prisons, jails, or community corrections facilities. The bill establishes that after 90 consecutive days of full-time, compensated employment, PTSD claims for these workers are presumed work-related unless the employer provides evidence to the contrary. It also requires employers to cover reasonable appeal costs (including attorney fees) if workers win their claims in court or before the Industrial Insurance Appeals Board. This applies to claims filed within three months per year of employment, up to a maximum of 60 months after leaving the job. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1058 creates tax credits for eligible railroads to fund infrastructure improvements. It directly affects small regional railroads (class II/III), public entities like ports/cities, and industrial property owners with rail spurs in Washington. The bill provides a 50% tax credit on qualified expenses for maintenance, new rail development, or modernization projects (e.g., track upgrades, bridges, safety equipment), with annual limits of $500,000 per taxpayer and a total $8 million statewide cap. Credits can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred to other eligible taxpayers.

Maddy summaryHB 1928 requires the Washington State Senate to confirm the governor's appointments to vacancies on the Supreme Court. The Senate must vote on confirmations before a legislative session ends if appointed during session, or at the next session if appointed outside sessions, needing a two-thirds majority. Rejected appointees cannot be reappointed for two years, and confirmed appointees serve until the next general election. The bill takes effect only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in the 2026 election.