Rep. Liz Berry

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law), introduced by Washington state House representatives. It recognizes the domestic maritime industry's role in disaster response - citing examples like evacuations after 9/11 and aid delivery during Maui wildfires - and highlights its economic impact (22,500 jobs, $1.5B in labor income). The resolution states the industry's value in supporting community resilience during natural disasters but contains no new laws, funding, or binding requirements. It directs the resolution to be sent to U.S. Congress members as a statement of support.

Maddy summaryHB 2724 proposes a new tax on Washington residents with annual adjusted gross income of $1 million or more, affecting approximately the top 0.5% of households. The tax revenue would be deposited into the state general fund to support K-12 education, health care, higher education, human services, and the working families' tax credit. Key provisions include exempting sales of family-owned small businesses and real property from the tax, aligning the state definition of taxable income with federal rules (modified for state purposes), and reducing other taxes like sales tax on essential items. The bill aims to make the state tax system less regressive by shifting more burden to high earners while maintaining current tax rates for lower-income residents.

Maddy summaryHB 2489 establishes statewide rules preventing local governments from penalizing people for basic life-sustaining activities (like sleeping or eating in public) when no adequate shelter is available. It requires cities to prove shelter space existed before enforcing public space laws, and invalidates citations or prosecutions that violate this rule. The bill protects individuals experiencing homelessness from punishment for necessary activities while ensuring enforcement actions are limited to immediate safety risks. It does not create a right to shelter, but mandates cities to document shelter availability and coordinate with service providers to address homelessness.

Maddy summaryHB 2524 establishes a new State Security Guards Industry Standards Board to set minimum employment requirements for security guards in Washington. The board will create rules by 2028 covering minimum pay, paid leave, benefits, and training standards, ensuring they meet or exceed existing industry conditions. Security guard employers must provide certified training every two years through approved worker organizations, which the board will oversee. This bill directly affects security guards and their employers across Washington, aiming to standardize working conditions in the industry.

Maddy summaryWashington's HB 2273 requires large new construction, additions, and renovations (100,000+ square feet, excluding school districts) to reduce embodied carbon emissions from building materials. Projects can comply through three paths: reusing at least 45% of an existing structure, demonstrating reduced emissions for 90% of covered materials using environmental data, or conducting a whole-building life-cycle assessment comparing to a functionally equivalent reference building. All projects must report compliance data to a public database managed by the Department of Commerce, including details like project size, compliance method, and material usage. The bill establishes reporting templates and requires design professionals to verify emissions calculations before project completion.

Maddy summaryHB 2537 provides free emissions allowances (credits) to specific manufacturing facilities classified as "emissions-intensive and trade-exposed" under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. It directly affects 13 manufacturing sectors, including metals, paper, aerospace, cement, and petroleum refining, as defined by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. The bill establishes that qualifying facilities receive allowances based on historical emissions intensity or a mass-based production baseline, with the percentage of free allowances gradually decreasing from 100% (2023-2026) to 94% (2031-2034). This policy modifies how emissions credits are distributed to these facilities during compliance periods, without altering overall emissions caps.

Maddy summaryHJR 4210 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would replace fixed session length limits for Washington's legislature with flexible rules. Currently, the constitution mandates 105-day regular sessions in odd-numbered years and 60-day sessions in even-numbered years; this amendment would allow the legislature to set session durations through regular laws instead. If approved by voters, the legislature could adjust session lengths based on evolving needs, such as addressing urgent issues or budget cycles. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election and does not change the legislature's authority to pass laws or the structure of legislative sessions. This directly affects how Washington's state legislature organizes its annual work schedule.

Maddy summaryHB 2218 establishes a state-approved network of healthcare providers for workers' compensation cases in Washington. It requires injured workers to choose a provider within 15 miles of home for initial care (with non-network visits limited to emergencies), prohibits employers from directing workers to specific clinics, and sets quality standards for network inclusion (e.g., malpractice insurance, licensing status). The bill creates a second tier of providers recognized for using advanced occupational health practices, with financial incentives for meeting these standards. This directly affects injured workers, healthcare providers seeking to treat workers' compensation cases, and employers managing claims.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally acknowledges the strong economic, cultural, and political ties between Washington State and the Province of Québec. It highlights Québec’s $850 million in bilateral trade with Washington in 2024, Québec-based business investments across the state, and shared expertise in sectors like clean technology and AI. The resolution does not create new laws or funding; it solely serves as a symbolic recognition of existing partnerships through a formal statement by the Washington State House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2563 allows Washington state to send unemployment compensation hearing notices and decisions electronically to claimants, with a pilot program for unemployment cases through June 2029. It requires claimants' agreement for electronic service in most cases (except the pilot period) and updates existing rules for how these notices must be delivered. The bill affects unemployment claimants and the Washington State Employment Security Department, streamlining communication while maintaining written notice requirements. It takes effect July 1, 2026.