Rep. Julia Reed

Maddy summaryEngrossed Substitute House Bill 1688 establishes statewide standards for electric security alarm systems, primarily impacting industrial and commercial property owners with outdoor storage and local governments. For cities and towns that have not adopted their own regulations, the bill mandates that these systems be allowed on outdoor storage properties, provided they meet specific installation requirements. These requirements include limits on electric charge, placement of warning signs, minimum height, and a device for first responder deactivation. The bill also clarifies that these systems are not considered fences unless explicitly regulated as such, and allows local governments to adopt their own regulations with specific procedural requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1606 directs the Washington state institute for public policy to conduct a study on providing state employees with electronic access to peer-reviewed journals. The study will investigate potential funding, organizational structures, and policy mechanisms to facilitate this access. Its purpose is to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness for state agencies that currently face challenges in accessing these academic, scholarly, or scientific publications. The institute must complete and submit the study to relevant legislative committees by June 30, 2026. This section of the act is set to expire on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1275 grants the Department of Labor & Industries new authority to ensure workers' compensation payments are made when a self-insured employer's certification is withdrawn. This applies to self-insured groups, counties, cities, and other municipal employers. Under the bill, if an employer's self-insurer status is terminated, the department will step in to pay compensation to affected workers. The decertified employer is then required to reimburse the department for these payments through a schedule determined by the director, who will also adopt rules for implementing these financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1549 modifies the criteria companies must meet to be considered a "responsible bidder" for public works projects in Washington state. It removes an exemption for experienced bidders from the requirement to complete training on public works and prevailing wage laws. Additionally, for projects requiring apprentice utilization, bidders must now submit an apprentice utilization plan to the awarding agency before work begins. The Department of Labor and Industries will create a template for this plan, publish completed plans, and maintain records of individuals who have completed the required training.

Maddy summaryHB 1112 removes the requirement that judges pro tempore (temporary judges) in municipal courts must reside in the city where the court operates. It specifically applies to cities with populations exceeding 400,000 people, directly affecting judges appointed to fill temporary court vacancies in those jurisdictions. The bill amends state law to state that judges pro tempore "need not be a resident of the city" while maintaining other qualifications like being a licensed attorney and state elector. This change takes effect July 27, 2025, after the bill was signed by the Governor on April 11, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1556 expands tuition waivers at Washington community and technical colleges for students who need to complete high school while attending college. It directly affects high school completers (including nonresidents), children and surviving spouses of fallen or disabled law enforcement officers, firefighters, or state patrol officers, and up to 40% of students in deaf education programs. Key provisions require colleges to waive all tuition and fees for eligible high school completers and first responder families (with a 10-year enrollment window), and allow partial waivers for nonresidents in high school completion programs. The law, effective July 2025, also mandates annual reporting on waiver costs to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution designates November 22nd as "Kimchi Day" in Washington state. It recognizes the cultural significance of kimchi, its history in Korean cuisine, and the contributions of Washington's Korean American community to the state's cultural diversity. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally celebrates this cultural observance.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a Seattle-raised activist and University of Washington psychology graduate. It recognizes her work as a community organizer, advocate for refugees and immigrants, and environmental justice supporter who was tragically killed in September 2024. The resolution posthumously commends her legacy of activism and encourages continued efforts for social and environmental justice. It has no policy impact or direct effect on any group, as it solely serves to honor her life and work.

Maddy summaryHB 1439 updates Washington's motor vehicle and driver licensing laws to match federal definitions, primarily by standardizing terms like "revoke" (one-year invalidation) and "suspend" (less than one year). It adds significant privacy protections for vehicle owners by restricting how businesses can access owner information, requiring written disclosure agreements, and prohibiting unsolicited contact. The bill also repeals outdated sections and requires agencies to retain disclosure requests for three years. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, businesses seeking owner data, and state agencies managing licensing records, with the law taking effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 standardizes training requirements for family members providing in-home long-term care to relatives (such as spouses, parents, children, or siblings), who were previously exempt from certification. The bill mandates specific training hours: 35 hours for most family caregivers within 120 days of starting (including 5 hours before care begins), and 15 hours basic plus 6 hours focused training for spouses/domestic partners (effective July 2026). It applies to caregivers providing non-respite care (20+ hours/month) or respite care under certain limits, excluding veterans' program caregivers. The law, effective July 27, 2025, amends RCW 18.88B.041 and 74.39A.076 to create these new standards.