Rep. Julia Reed

Maddy summaryHB 2509 streamlines the review process for electrical transmission facility applications by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. It requires the council to include members with specific expertise in environmental regulations, energy infrastructure, and tribal consultation, and mandates that at least one member be a licensed Washington attorney. The bill changes hearing requirements from public hearings to adjudicative reviews focused solely on defined environmental and land-use impacts, while establishing clear decision criteria for approvals. It also includes special provisions for wind energy projects, allowing limited site preparation and construction under existing certifications without requiring new council approval for minor expansions. This bill directly affects energy developers seeking transmission facility permits and the council’s operational procedures.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HJM 4010 is a formal request to the U.S. government to investigate the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a University of Washington psychology graduate and Seattle resident. The memorial, addressed to President Trump, the Secretary of State, and the Department of Justice, asks for a "transparent, thorough, and independent investigation" into her death by an Israeli military sniper in the West Bank on September 6, 2024. It specifically cites her peaceful activism, including organizing protests for Palestinian rights and supporting displaced communities, and draws parallels to the unresolved death of another Washingtonian, Rachel Corrie. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it does not create new law but formally urges federal action. The request is directed at U.S. executive and legislative branches to pursue accountability for Eygi's death.

Maddy summaryHB 2160 amends eligibility rules for school employees' health benefits in Washington State, requiring employees to work at least 630 hours during their first school year to qualify for benefits in their second year. It also ends the "Smart Health" wellness program for new participants starting January 1, 2028, while allowing employees who met eligibility by December 2027 to receive wellness incentives in 2028. The bill affects school employees and their dependents by setting minimum work-hour thresholds and updating coverage rules for family plans. These changes update existing benefits program criteria under Washington law to standardize eligibility and phase out specific wellness incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 bans the sale, possession, transport, or distribution of farmed octopus in Washington State, targeting commercial aquaculture operations. The bill directly affects businesses and individuals involved in octopus farming, as it prohibits these activities under new provisions in Title 19 RCW. Key mechanisms include a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance, enforceable by the attorney general. The legislation is based on the legislature’s findings that octopuses are highly intelligent, sentient creatures requiring protection from farming practices. It expands existing 2024 restrictions on octopus aquaculture by eliminating the commercial market for farmed octopus.

Maddy summaryHB 2201 requires Washington counties to designate specific "urban growth areas" where development is encouraged, directly affecting cities, counties, and tribal nations coordinating on planning. It mandates counties to plan for projected population growth over 20 years within these areas, ensuring sufficient land for housing, businesses, and services while prioritizing development in existing urban zones first. The bill also establishes rules for resolving disputes between counties and cities over growth area boundaries and limits extending urban services to rural areas unless necessary for health, safety, or environmental protection. This update standardizes planning requirements across local governments under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2106 requires health insurance carriers to provide healthcare providers and facilities with clear, 90-day advance notice of major contract changes that affect payments or services. The notice must detail the specific financial impact, exact language of the change, and allow providers to accept or reject it without disrupting their existing contracts. If carriers fail to follow these rules, the proposed changes become void, and providers can reject modifications without penalty. This bill directly affects insurers and healthcare facilities by mandating transparency for significant changes like payment rate cuts, new billing rules, or service restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2062 creates a new license for maple syrup processing operations in Washington, primarily affecting small-scale producers using bigleaf maple sap in remote forest areas. The bill establishes simplified requirements, allowing "sugar shacks" (temporary facilities) without permanent plumbing or running water, and exempts small operations ($50,000 annual sales or less) from water testing. It mandates food safety training for staff, basic sanitation practices (like using food-grade materials and clean containers), and inspections focused on low-risk syrup production - consistent with FDA standards. The law aims to support this regional industry while keeping land forested, avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens for producers in rural locations.

Maddy summaryHB 2395 allows owners of private recreational docks and mooring buoys on state-owned aquatic lands to temporarily share them with other qualified recreational vessels. It specifically authorizes "recreational moorage sharing" for privately-owned docks, enabling nonresidential, noncommercial boats (like personally owned or club-affiliated vessels) to use these facilities. The bill amends existing law to clarify that this sharing does not constitute a commercial operation or residential use. It directly affects private dock owners and recreational boaters, without changing ownership, fees, or land use regulations. The bill is currently in committee referral after its first reading on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2293 prohibits Washington state law enforcement agencies, including the Washington State Patrol and peace officer training commissions, from participating in or funding training, exchanges, or travel with foreign military forces, intelligence agencies, or security services. The bill directly affects all Washington law enforcement officers and agencies by banning partnerships, programs, or travel for foreign military/intelligence training. Key provisions require agencies to cease any existing arrangements and prevent future funding or facilitation of such international training activities. This policy change aims to restrict state law enforcement collaboration with foreign security entities, with no exemptions specified.

Maddy summaryHB 2398 creates a tax credit for Washington small businesses (50 or fewer employees) that provide maritime trade educational assistance to employees working aboard or servicing U.S. flagged vessels. The credit covers 100% of eligible training costs - such as tuition, tools, and maritime certification programs - up to $20,000 per business annually, with unused credits carryable for five years. It applies to both business and occupation taxes (Chapter 82.04 RCW) and public utility taxes (Chapter 82.16 RCW), excluding overlapping credits. The credit expires for claiming on January 1, 2038, and the law ends January 1, 2039. Eligible employees must be enrolled in Washington maritime training programs supporting careers like commercial fishing, marine engineering, or vessel operations.