Rep. Travis Couture

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4675, adopted on January 28, 2026, is a ceremonial resolution expressing the Washington State House of Representatives' gratitude to the Washington National Guard for their service. It specifically acknowledges the Guard's roles in emergency response (including flood operations and search-and-rescue missions), disaster recovery efforts (like adapting from the Oso landslide), and national defense support (such as aerial refueling capabilities). The resolution directs copies to the Adjutant General, Governor, and other officials but does not create new laws or alter policies. It directly honors National Guard members, their families, and employers without imposing any financial or operational requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2565 requires the University of Washington to move its investment portfolios for gifts, grants, bequests, and other donations into the state's investment board instead of using its separate investment management company. The bill cites that the state board charges lower fees (0.51% vs. UW's 0.90%) and achieves higher returns (8.9% vs. UW's 6.8%) based on 2024 data. It amends state law to allow UW to place these specific assets with the state investment board under existing rules. The bill directly affects how UW manages its restricted investment funds, eliminating a separate UW investment entity. This change aims to reduce costs and align UW's investment management with the state's proven, lower-cost system.

Maddy summaryHB 2672 requires private organizations (like nonprofits under IRS 501(c)) receiving state-funded grants to disclose specific information on a standardized form. This includes details about high-paid employees ($100,000+), staff with past public office, board members and their compensation, political contributions from the last four election cycles, and how grant funds will be spent. State agencies must collect these disclosures during grant applications or renewals, send all completed forms to the Office of Financial Management, and ensure compliance. Noncompliance results in losing the grant and repaying all funds, while the Office will maintain a public database of all disclosures. The bill directly affects grant-seeking private entities and state agencies administering such funding.

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 summaryHB 2647 requires homeless housing grant recipients in Washington to submit annual plans by December 1 each year, detailing projected numbers of people helped and estimated spending per person. It mandates annual audits by the state auditor to verify funds are used for authorized purposes, track administrative costs versus service spending, and confirm grantees meet their goals. Grantees must provide detailed financial records and outcome data (including how long individuals remain housed) by June 1 each year, with non-compliance risking loss of future funding. The bill directly affects homeless housing organizations receiving state grants and aims to improve transparency and accountability in how public funds are spent.

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 2628 requires the state budget outlook work group to update Washington's official budget outlook quarterly to reflect the most recent revenue forecasts, in addition to annual updates in January (based on the governor's proposed budget) and November (to account for fiscal year adjustments). The bill mandates that these updates include detailed projections of state revenues and expenditures, key budget drivers, and clear explanations of the assumptions used. It directly affects the budget work group and all state agencies responsible for providing budget data. This ensures the legislature and governor have current, accurate budget information for decision-making.

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.