Rep. Suzanne Schmidt

Maddy summaryHB 1978 requires election equipment vendors to provide source code for ballot tabulation machines, hardware, and software to county auditors as part of their contracts. County auditors must then make this source code available for public inspection and copying, unless it is legally protected as confidential. The bill directly affects election vendors, county auditors, and the public by mandating transparency in the technology used to count votes. It aims to increase public confidence in election accuracy by allowing anyone to review how vote-counting systems operate, without altering the voting process itself.

Maddy summaryHB 1777 streamlines the state approval process for apprenticeship programs that already have federal approval, directly affecting program sponsors (including tribal and nontribal organizations) and employers seeking to expand training opportunities. It requires the apprenticeship council to expedite reviews of federally-approved programs by limiting state-specific scrutiny to unique requirements, while reforming competitor objections: objections must be filed within 30 days of provisional approval, and frivolous objections can trigger penalties like attorney fee payments or $10,000 fines. The bill also mandates annual reports comparing Washington’s program approval rates to federal standards and other states, including details on pending applications and denial reasons. These changes aim to reduce current delays - where 4 of 17 2024 applications remained pending after federal approval - without altering apprenticeship content or creating new training slots.

Maddy summaryHB 1436 allows Washington cities and counties to impose a 0.10% sales tax to fund additional commissioned law enforcement officers. Local governments must use the revenue to hire more officers if their officer-to-population ratio is below the national average, or for other criminal justice programs (like domestic violence services or homelessness initiatives) if their ratio is already above average. The state collects the tax and returns the funds directly to the local jurisdiction. This bill aims to address Washington’s low ranking in law enforcement staffing per capita and high crime rates by creating a dedicated funding mechanism for local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 1872 expands exemptions from certain firearm restrictions for specific groups in Washington State. It exempts current and retired peace officers, military personnel, veterans, shooting sports instructors, and concealed pistol license holders from background check waiting periods after they’ve already passed background checks. The bill also creates new exemptions for these groups regarding restrictions on "excess capacity magazines" and "assault weapons" under existing law. These changes directly affect the named groups by reducing regulatory barriers for firearm access and use while maintaining existing background checks. The bill does not change the definition of "assault weapon" but clarifies exemptions for authorized individuals under the new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1022 creates a pilot program providing no-interest down payment and closing cost loans (up to $25,000) to essential workers in Washington state who meet income limits. It directly affects firefighters, nurses, police officers, emergency medical technicians, mental health professionals, social workers, child care providers, and veterans with household income below 100% of the state median. Loans require no repayment until the home is sold, rented, or refinanced, and the program is capped at $15 million in funding through June 2027. The bill mandates reporting on program outcomes to the legislature by 2026 and 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1893 creates a new legal right for victims injured by individuals released before trial to sue judges who failed to properly assess public safety risks related to violent offenses. The bill requires judges to conduct written risk assessments analyzing the defendant’s violent history, potential victims, and alternatives to pretrial detention before releasing someone charged with a violent offense. It removes judicial immunity for such cases, making judges personally liable for damages if they recklessly ignored public harm risks, though the state may still cover defense costs unless the judge intentionally disregarded risks. The law directly affects victims of violence, judges making pretrial release decisions, and state/local governments handling legal defense costs. It applies only to cases arising after the bill’s effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1117 repeals Washington State's adoption of California's motor vehicle emissions standards, which had caused registration barriers for vehicles meeting federal standards. The bill directly affects vehicle owners who previously needed 407,541 exemptions to register their vehicles and government agencies managing registrations. Key provisions require the Department of Licensing to register previously prohibited vehicles (if they meet state requirements) and direct the Department of Ecology to repeal all rules implementing California standards. This eliminates administrative burdens on both the public and government, allowing vehicles to be registered without exemptions under federal standards. The bill takes immediate effect as an emergency measure.

Maddy summaryHJR 4200 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Washington state's personal property tax exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 per head of household for taxable personal property. If approved by voters, this change would directly affect homeowners and residents who own personal property (like vehicles or equipment) subject to state taxation. The amendment would modify Article VII, Section 1 of the state constitution to adjust the exemption amount while maintaining other constitutional tax principles, such as uniformity and public purpose requirements. This measure requires voter approval at the next general election after the secretary of state publishes the amendment notice in local newspapers.

Maddy summaryHB 1266 establishes the Washington State Commission on Boys and Men within the governor's office to address issues affecting boys and men across six focus areas: mental/physical health, education, careers, fatherhood, the preschool-to-prison pipeline, and court system experiences. The commission, composed of 11 appointed non-legislative members (with diverse representation requirements) and 4 legislative advisory members, will monitor legislation, coordinate with other commissions (like the women's and LGBTQ commissions), gather data, and submit biennial reports to the legislature and governor. Its key duties include identifying needs, advising state agencies on policies affecting boys and men, holding public hearings, and advocating for removing barriers they face. This is a structural commission creation bill, not a policy change, with no direct fiscal impact detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 1800 requires homeless housing grant recipients in Washington state to submit annual plans by December 1st, detailing projected numbers of people helped and spending per person. The state auditor must annually audit these programs to verify funds are used for authorized purposes, review administrative vs. service costs, and assess whether grantees meet their stated goals. Non-compliance - such as missing deadlines or misusing funds - can result in loss of future grant eligibility. This bill directly affects organizations receiving state homeless housing funds (grantees and subgrantees) by mandating specific reporting and accountability measures.