Maddy summaryHB 1299 reduces minimum parking requirements for new developments across Washington. It caps residential parking at 0.5 spaces per unit (for cities) or 1 space per unit (for code cities), and commercial parking at one space per 1,000 square feet. The bill exempts small buildings (under 1,200 sq ft residential or 5,000 sq ft commercial), affordable/senior/disabled housing, childcare, alcohol facilities, and mixed-use projects from minimum parking rules. It also allows cities to waive parking requirements for transit-accessible housing (within 1/4 mile of frequent transit) and requires local governments to assess actual parking needs case-by-case. The law directly affects developers and local governments by shifting parking mandates from rigid rules to flexible, location-based decisions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1550 requires electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers and sellers in Washington to cover the cost of responsibly managing batteries when they reach the end of their life in vehicles. It directly affects EV manufacturers, dealers, and battery providers who sell new propulsion batteries in the state. The bill establishes a system prioritizing reuse (like repurposing for energy storage), repair, or remanufacturing before recycling, and mandates that battery providers fund recycling programs through a new state framework. This updates Washington’s existing battery management rules to specifically address EV batteries, which were previously excluded from producer responsibility requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 1740 expands Washington's Office of Independent Investigations to include prosecuting criminal cases related to officer use of force, directly affecting victims of such incidents and county prosecutors. The bill grants the office concurrent authority with county prosecutors to investigate and prosecute use-of-force cases and related offenses, while requiring the independent prosecutor to meet strict appointment criteria (including background checks for bias) and keep victims informed of case progress. It mandates public reporting when charges are declined for fatal use-of-force cases and clarifies cost responsibilities (the office covers its prosecution costs but not defense costs). The independent prosecutor, appointed by the director, holds final authority over charging decisions and case management within the office's jurisdiction.
Maddy summaryHB 1714 allows small businesses with 20 or fewer employees to form joint self-insurance programs for property damage and liability claims, pooling resources to cover risks traditionally managed through commercial insurance. It requires state approval for all such programs, mandates reporting to the state risk manager, and designates the state risk manager as the legal representative for all lawsuits against the program. Participants must establish reserve funds and comply with specific operational standards, while excluding businesses already self-insuring or part of other regulated risk pools. This bill creates a new regulatory framework for small business risk pooling under Washington state law.
Maddy summaryHB 1513 establishes specific protections for Washington's Seashore Conservation Area, which includes state-owned coastal lands between Cape Disappointment and Leadbetter Point, and other defined zones. The bill mandates that 40% of beach areas under recreation management plans must be reserved for pedestrian use year-round, with motorized vehicle access restricted from April 15 to Labor Day. It also requires special pedestrian-only zones near salmon-bearing streams during spawning season, after consultation with wildlife officials. Local governments may adopt stricter rules, and management plans must consider factors like public safety, habitat protection, and economic impacts. The bill directly affects state parks management, local communities, and beach users through these access and conservation requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all cities and towns in Washington to allow child care centers (including converting existing buildings) as an outright permitted use in every zoning area except industrial zones, without needing special approval. It permits local governments to impose minor restrictions on permits, such as designated pickup/drop-off areas. Cities required to update comprehensive plans in 2027 must incorporate these rules by then, while all other cities must implement them within two years of the law taking effect. The policy directly affects child care providers seeking locations and local governments managing zoning regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 2045 creates a new 1% tax on businesses with over $250 million in annual revenue in Washington starting January 2026, targeting large corporations. It also increases the tax rate for financial institutions from 1.2% to 1.9% after July 2025. The bill exempts manufacturers, farmers, and certain income types from the new tax. These changes aim to fund K-12 education, public safety, health care, and basic needs programs, as stated in the legislative findings.
Maddy summaryHB 1808 creates a state-funded revolving loan program to support permanently affordable homeownership for low-income households. The program provides loans (up to 50% of project costs) to nonprofit developers building housing that remains affordable for at least 99 years through long-term restrictions on resale and ownership. Loans carry interest rates between 1% and 2.5%, with repayments recycled into the fund to finance new projects. This directly affects low-income homebuyers (defined as households earning ≤80% of local median income) and nonprofit developers who build housing meeting specific affordability standards.
Maddy summaryHB 1412 establishes the Washington State Commission on Middle Eastern and North African Americans to address systemic gaps affecting this community. The commission will focus on improving data collection about MENA populations and advising state agencies and the legislature on policies impacting their needs, such as healthcare access, housing, and education. It requires the governor to appoint 12 diverse members with balanced representation across ethnicities, geography, gender, age, and occupations, serving staggered terms. The commission’s primary duties include developing consistent data collection methods, recommending policy changes, and coordinating community recognition events, while explicitly avoiding overemphasis on religion or international policies.
Maddy summaryHB 1301 requires Washington state facilities to provide free communication services (including voice calls, video, and messaging) to people confined in state custody, eliminating fees for these services. It mandates that facilities maintain existing access to communication devices (like wall phones) and provide free tablets to incarcerated individuals. The bill prohibits facilities from charging fees or generating revenue from these services and explicitly states communication services cannot replace in-person visitation. It also requires transparency by making provider contracts and fee structures publicly available on facility websites and tablets. This law applies to both the Department of Corrections and Department of Children, Youth, and Families facilities.