Rep. Travis Couture

Maddy summaryHB 2162 creates a program to help new lawyers working as prosecutors or public defenders pay student loans by offering annual grants of up to $10,000 per year. It funds these grants through a tax credit for law firms that contribute to a dedicated account, allowing firms to claim a business and occupation tax credit equal to their contribution (up to $20,000 annually). The law requires the program to begin by 2027, with grants awarded based on available funds, and mandates annual reports on participation and spending. This bill directly affects public defense/prosecution lawyers and participating law firms, aiming to improve recruitment and retention in these roles through financial incentives. The program expires December 31, 2038.

Maddy summaryHB 2136 increases monthly retirement benefits for certain teachers' retirees under Washington's Plan 1 system. It provides a 1.5% benefit increase (capped at $62.50) for retirees receiving benefits as of July 1, 2017, effective July 2018, and three 3% increases (capped at $110) for retirees as of July 1, 2021-2025, effective July 2022-2026. The bill calculates each increase as a percentage of the retiree's current monthly benefit, but the total increase cannot exceed the specified cap. It excludes retirees covered by specific other retirement provisions under RCW 41.32.489 or 41.32.540.

Maddy summaryHB 2153 prohibits homebuyers from receiving more than one state-funded down payment assistance loan or grant from Washington's housing programs. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who might apply for multiple assistance programs, ensuring they can only accept one offer. The bill amends state law to state that applicants applying for multiple programs (or multiple offers from one program) are eligible for only a single loan or grant. This change aims to fairly distribute limited public funds to more qualified homebuyers instead of concentrating benefits on a single buyer.

Maddy summaryHB 2150 requires Washington's Department of Ecology to publish a complete greenhouse gas emissions inventory by January 1, 2027, and update it quarterly thereafter. If the department misses these deadlines, certain climate policies that impose costs on consumers or businesses (like utility or fuel regulations) will no longer be enforced. The bill directly affects households and businesses bearing higher energy costs from existing climate programs. It aims to ensure state climate policies are data-driven and accountable by linking their enforcement to timely emissions reporting. This change focuses on transparency, requiring measurable proof that policy costs actually reduce emissions.

Maddy summaryHB 2138 requires Washington public schools to implement evidence-based reading programs by the 2028-29 school year, focusing on foundational literacy skills for students in grades K-4. It mandates schools to hire reading coaches, adopt structured literacy approaches aligned with research (emphasizing phonics, fluency, and comprehension), and provide targeted support for students with dyslexia. The bill also creates READ grants of up to $75,000 annually per elementary school to fund literacy initiatives, requires the state to publish 10 years of school performance data online, and directs a review comparing Washington’s math standards to Singapore’s method (with a 2026 report deadline). These changes directly affect elementary schools, teachers, and students, particularly those struggling with early literacy and math proficiency.

Maddy summaryHB 2115 restores a 1985 tax exemption that removes sales tax from transactions involving precious metal bullion (like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) and monetized bullion (coins or money made from precious metals). It directly affects businesses selling these items by exempting the bullion itself from state sales tax, though tax applies only to commissions earned on transactions. The bill defines "precious metal bullion" as refined metals (not items like jewelry) and excludes such sales from tax calculations under Washington’s tax code. It applies retroactively from January 1, 2026, to correct a 2025 repeal of the original exemption.

Maddy summaryHB 2202 establishes a dental care pilot program at Washington's Rainier School residential habilitation center for individuals with developmental disabilities who have high medical or behavioral needs requiring anesthesia or face barriers to community dental care. Eligible participants must meet specific criteria, including documented medical needs or unavailability of community dental services, and may use short-term stays (up to 24 hours) with respite care authorization. The program will operate under Medicaid billing, with federal matching funds deposited into the state general fund, and requires a legislative report by October 2028 detailing outcomes, challenges, and future needs. The pilot expires July 1, 2028, with the bill's full provisions expiring July 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 2093 would remove precious metals and bullion from taxable sales under Washington's business and occupation tax code. It specifically excludes "precious metal bullion" (refined gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and "monetized bullion" (coins used as currency) from definitions of taxable "retail" or "wholesale" sales. Businesses selling these items would no longer pay tax on the full sale amount, though tax would still apply to commissions earned. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects dealers and sellers of precious metals.

Maddy summaryHB 2121 exempts nonprofits and schools from paying state sales and use taxes on specific services they purchase, such as repairs, cleaning, installation, and maintenance. The bill amends Washington's tax code (RCW 82.04.050) to clarify that these entities are not subject to tax on qualifying services used for their operations. This directly affects organizations like schools, charities, and community groups that previously paid tax on services like building repairs or landscaping. The policy change creates a clear exemption by updating tax definitions to exclude these services for eligible nonprofits and schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2126 would exempt school districts in Washington state from paying taxes on fuel used in school buses. The bill amends state tax codes to specifically add school buses (operated per education laws) to the list of exempt fuel uses, directly affecting public school districts. This change would reduce operating costs for schools by eliminating a tax on fuel for all school bus operations within the state.