Rep. Rob Chase

Maddy summaryHB 2735, titled "Establishing a constitutional floor in family law cases," would require Washington courts to apply specific constitutional principles when making custody decisions. It establishes a "presumption of parental fitness" (meaning parents are considered fit unless proven otherwise), mandates strict scrutiny for state interventions in parent-child relationships, and requires clear, contestable court orders without secret evidence. The bill directly affects parents and courts handling family law cases in Washington, aiming to align family law procedures with constitutional protections like due process and parental rights. Named "Troxel II" after a U.S. Supreme Court case on parental rights, it proposes no new custody rules but sets procedural standards for existing cases. The bill is currently in committee review.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 4679) commends Wapato School District for its Ichishkiin language program, which teaches the Yakama Nation's Indigenous language to students in grades 4-12. It recognizes the district as the first in Washington state to offer the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy in an Indigenous language and highlights the program’s national recognition, including being named "Exemplary Program of the Year" by the National Johnson-O'Malley Association. The resolution honors the school’s collaboration with the Yakama Nation and its role in preserving Indigenous language heritage through public education.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 4692) acknowledges the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII, including 12,000 from Washington State. It recognizes Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists from Washington, and urges reflection on the principle "with liberty and justice for all," without creating new policies or requiring government action.

Maddy summaryHJM 4012 is a Washington State House Joint Memorial urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102), which would amend federal law to extend "full concurrent receipt" benefits to combat-injured veterans regardless of their years of service. Currently, veterans with less than 20 years of service who are medically retired due to combat injuries receive less federal disability compensation than those with 20+ years, creating inequity. The memorial requests Congress schedule a vote on H.R. 2102 to resolve this disparity and fulfill the nation's obligation to all combat-injured veterans. This is a procedural request to the federal government, not a state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2205 expands Washington's regulated sports wagering industry by allowing tribal casinos to offer sports betting under existing gaming compacts. The bill defines sports wagering to include professional, collegiate, Olympic, and esports events (excluding minor leagues and individual collegiate athletes in-state), while requiring tribal compacts to address licensing, regulation, and problem gambling. It permits internet betting only when customers are physically present at tribal facilities, and clarifies that tribal sports wagering is authorized bookmaking exempt from certain penalties. This directly affects federally recognized tribes in Washington operating under gaming compacts.

Maddy summaryHB 1798 allows county auditors and treasurers to appoint a designee (a representative they choose) to serve on firefighters' pension boards instead of attending themselves. This directly affects fire protection districts across Washington, as their pension boards must now include either the county auditor/treasurer or their designated representative. The bill amends existing law (RCW 41.18.015) to clarify that these officials can delegate their board seat to a qualified designee. This change aims to increase flexibility for county staff while maintaining the board's structure, which includes firefighter-elected members and a fire commissioners' chairperson.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (HR 4691) adopted by the Washington State House of Representatives on February 16, 2026. It formally commends the contributions of U.S. presidents, specifically highlighting George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's roles in establishing freedom and ending slavery, and recognizes the third Monday in February as Presidents' Day. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it solely expresses the House's symbolic honor for presidential legacies. It directly affects no one but serves as a formal statement of recognition by the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not substantive legislation) passed by the Washington state House of Representatives. It formally congratulates the Seattle Seahawks football team for winning the 2025 NFL regular season, NFC West Division championship, and Super Bowl 60. The resolution specifically recognizes their 14-3 record, defensive dominance, key player achievements (including MVP Kenneth Walker III), and community contributions. It has no legal effect beyond expressing the House's recognition and appreciation to the team organization.

Maddy summaryHB 2733 limits how municipalities and public facilities districts can spend lodging tax revenues on tourism facilities, capping operational support at 5% of annual lodging tax revenue. It requires applicants to demonstrate how funds will increase tourism by showing projected travel patterns (e.g., overnight stays away from home or trips over 50 miles). Municipalities must use a local advisory committee to review applications and approve funding based on these projections, and recipients must report actual tourism impacts annually. The bill also mandates public reporting of these results to local governments and the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2528 standardizes how cities and counties under Washington’s Growth Management Act can impose a 0.25% real estate sales tax to fund capital projects. It requires tax revenue to be used exclusively for specific infrastructure like roads, parks, airports, and affordable housing projects, with limits on how much can fund homelessness housing (capped at 25% of funds or $100,000, whichever is greater). Cities must identify these projects in their budget and may need voter approval for new taxes, while ensuring funds align with comprehensive planning requirements. The bill updates existing law to create uniform rules across jurisdictions, replacing inconsistent local approaches.