Maddy summaryHB 2174 allows counties, cities, or towns in Washington to designate "accident risk zones" on public roads with frequent collisions. It requires public hearings before designation, mandates safety investigations (including speed limit reviews), and increases enforcement in these zones. Drivers committing traffic violations like speeding in these zones face double the standard fine if signs notify them of the higher penalties, with half the doubled fines funding safety improvements like road signs or engineering fixes. Zones automatically end once safety measures are implemented or can be dissolved via petition from property owners or by the local government. The bill explicitly authorizes local governments to create these zones under new state law provisions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2726 would allow Washington state parks districts to propose a new 0.2% sales tax to voters for park and recreation improvements. If approved by voters, the tax would fund parks, trails, athletic fields, and facility maintenance, with revenues limited to 10 years (extendable with new voter approval or up to 20 years if dedicated to debt repayment). The tax would apply to taxable purchases under state law and must be collected in addition to existing taxes. Voters in affected communities would decide whether to implement this local tax increase.
Maddy summaryHB 2386 standardizes the forms employers must use when handling wage garnishments in Washington State. It requires employers to provide specific details in their "first answer" form, including the defendant's employment status, preexisting garnishments, earnings calculations, and exempt amounts using a prescribed format. The bill mandates that plaintiffs include minimum exemption amounts and maximum garnishment percentages on the form, with employers allowed to treat non-compliant garnishments as non-continuing. This affects employers who withhold wages under court-ordered garnishments.
Maddy summaryHB 2432 allows Washington school districts to prioritize selling or giving surplus technology hardware (like laptops and tablets) to public school students at reduced price or for free, instead of selling to the general public first. It specifically directs districts to prioritize students from families qualifying for free/reduced meals or earning at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The bill amends existing law to require districts to document sales/grants and defines "surplus technology hardware" as devices issued to students during the school year. This policy change aims to reduce financial barriers for students needing technology for education and workforce development.
Maddy summaryHB 2520 allows public agencies in Washington to hold emergency meetings remotely or outside regular locations when necessary for urgent action during declared emergencies. It requires agencies to provide free, real-time public access to these meetings via phone, internet, or broadcast, and to clearly state how the public can participate. The bill also updates rules for special meetings outside county seats for local concerns and joint meetings between counties. These changes ensure emergency meetings remain transparent and accessible while maintaining public accountability under state open-meeting laws.
Maddy summaryHB 2159 creates a dedicated "preK promise account" managed by the state treasurer to fund Washington's state-funded early childhood education programs. The account receives and tracks donations, grants, and gifts separately from each source, and funds can only be used for eligible children in the existing early childhood education program (RCW 43.216.510). Unlike typical state funds, this account does not require annual appropriations for spending, and any leftover funds accumulate rather than returning to the general fund. The bill directly affects early childhood education programs and the children they serve, establishing a new funding mechanism for these services.
Maddy summaryHB 1364 increases the annual gross revenue threshold for charitable and nonprofit organizations from $5,000 to $15,000 for conducting unlicensed bingo, raffles, and amusement games. This change allows these organizations to generate more revenue from fundraising activities without requiring a state license or paying local taxes on the first $15,000 of revenue. The bill updates related tax exemptions in Washington state law (RCW 9.46.110) to align with the new threshold. It directly affects nonprofits that use these games as a primary fundraising method, providing greater flexibility while maintaining existing operational requirements like member-only participation and record-keeping.
Maddy summaryHB 2703 amends Washington state law to expand the types of foods cottage food operations can produce and sell. It updates the definition of "cottage food products" to explicitly allow "other nonpotentially hazardous foods" identified by the Department of Agriculture director through rulemaking, beyond the current list of baked goods, jams, and extracts. The bill also clarifies that products cannot contain ingredients with 0.3% or more THC and specifies that alcohol used for extracts must not be intended as beverages. This directly affects Washington home-based food producers who sell directly to consumers, enabling them to offer a wider range of safe, non-hazardous foods under new department guidelines.
Maddy summaryHB 2704 requires that all "less restrictive alternatives" for sexually violent predators - treatment settings less restrictive than total confinement - must be operated directly by Washington's Department of Social and Health Services or by a provider contracted with the department. This applies to individuals convicted of or charged with sexual violence who have a mental abnormality or personality disorder making them likely to commit predatory sexual acts if not confined. The bill explicitly excludes placement in the community protection program (RCW 71A.12.230) from qualifying as a less restrictive alternative. It amends existing statutes to enforce this operational requirement, ensuring such programs meet state oversight standards. This policy change directly affects sexually violent predators under civil commitment proceedings.
Maddy summaryHJM 4014 is a procedural memorial requesting the U.S. Department of Justice investigate alleged fraud in Washington state's child care subsidy programs. It cites reported issues including hundreds of millions in un-auditable payments, whistleblower claims of self-dealing in community reinvestment programs, and misleading practices in minority-focused debt relief. The memorial specifically asks the DOJ to examine the Attorney General's handling of fraud allegations, potential public records violations, and whether systemic issues undermine federal oversight. This is a formal request to federal authorities, not a legislative change affecting Washington residents or programs directly.