Rep. Travis Couture

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a federal law ensuring students with disabilities receive appropriate public education. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves to honor the law's impact and encourage public recognition of its contributions. The resolution acknowledges the role of families, educators, and advocates in supporting students with disabilities across Washington state. It expresses the legislature's commitment to maintaining equitable educational practices and inclusive opportunities for all learners.

Maddy summaryHB 2746 reduces Washington State's 2028 property tax levy by $2.1 billion, specifically by lowering the "part I highest lawful levy" amount used in tax calculations for that year. This adjustment directly affects all Washington property owners through the state's property tax system, as it modifies how tax rates are applied to assessed property values. The bill amends existing tax law (RCW 84.52.065) to implement this specific reduction for 2028, while maintaining the $3.60 per $1,000 assessed value cap for future years. It does not change current tax rates or provide immediate relief, only setting a defined reduction for the 2028 tax collection period.

Maddy summaryHB 2743 reduces Washington state property taxes by $2.1 billion for 2027, applying to all property owners statewide. The bill amends tax code to cap the combined state property tax rate at $3.60 per $1,000 of assessed value and mandates this specific $2.1 billion reduction in the 2027 tax levy. It does not change tax rates for prior years but sets a permanent cap on future combined tax levies. This is a direct adjustment to the state's property tax collection amount, not a rate change for individual properties. The bill affects all taxable property within Washington, as the tax is statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 2742 creates an annual sales and use tax holiday in Washington for qualifying items priced at $500 or less per item. It exempts these items from both sales tax (under RCW 82.08) and use tax (under RCW 82.12) during a four-day period each year, specifically from 12:00 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving through 11:59 p.m. on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The tax holiday directly affects all Washington residents purchasing qualifying items during this window, providing temporary financial relief on everyday goods like clothing, school supplies, or electronics. The Department of Revenue must establish administrative rules and provide taxpayer guidance to implement the holiday, consistent with existing tax agreements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 4692) acknowledges the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII, including 12,000 from Washington State. It recognizes Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists from Washington, and urges reflection on the principle "with liberty and justice for all," without creating new policies or requiring government action.

Maddy summaryHJM 4012 is a Washington State House Joint Memorial urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), which would amend federal law to extend "full concurrent receipt" benefits to combat-injured veterans regardless of their years of service. Currently, veterans with less than 20 years of service who are medically retired due to combat injuries receive less federal disability compensation than those with 20+ years, creating inequity. The memorial requests Congress schedule a vote on H.R. 2102 to resolve this disparity and fulfill the nation's obligation to all combat-injured veterans. This is a procedural request to the federal government, not a state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2125 allows Washington's public retirement systems (including those for teachers, police, judges, and state employees) to use interest earnings from their trust funds to cover specific costs. The bill authorizes paying legal expenses (like court costs and expert fees), medical expenses (for member exams), and administrative costs (such as audits and cybersecurity) directly tied to protecting the trust funds from losses. It also permits using trust fund earnings to investigate fraud and recover overpayments, with all recovered funds returned to the relevant retirement system. The bill does not change how retirement benefits are calculated but modifies how certain operational costs are funded. This amendment to RCW 41.50.255 aims to streamline expense management for the state's retirement systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2188 requires Washington's Department of Labor and Industries to publicly disclose details when it limits workers' compensation insurance rate increases below actuarial recommendations. It directly affects employers in specific risk classes (like manufacturing or construction) whose rates are artificially capped, as well as the public and lawmakers. The bill mandates publishing three key details: the limited rate classes, the actuarial rate without limits, and how other classes absorb the cost difference. This aims to clarify hidden cost shifts and rebuild transparency in the state's workers' compensation program, which has used contingency reserves to suppress rate hikes for three years.

Maddy summaryHB 2737 sets maximum annual license and biotoxin testing fees for commercial shellfish operations in Washington State. It directly affects harvesters, shellstock shippers (by acre size), and shucker-packers (based on facility size), capping their fees at specific levels - such as $416 for harvesters, $752 for large shippers, and up to $1,912 for large shucker-packers. The bill establishes these fee limits in new sections of the shellfish regulations, ensuring they reflect operational scale without exceeding set thresholds. These changes apply to businesses regulated under Washington’s shellfish program, including those handling species like oysters, clams, and mussels.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (HR 4691) adopted by the Washington State House of Representatives on February 16, 2026. It formally commends the contributions of U.S. presidents, specifically highlighting George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's roles in establishing freedom and ending slavery, and recognizes the third Monday in February as Presidents' Day. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it solely expresses the House's symbolic honor for presidential legacies. It directly affects no one but serves as a formal statement of recognition by the state legislature.