Maddy summaryHB 1896 authorizes counties and cities in Washington to impose a 0.1% local sales and use tax, with the revenue credited against state tax obligations, to fund hiring additional commissioned law enforcement officers. The bill requires that funds be used primarily for hiring officers to reach at least the national average of officers per capita, with limited exceptions for "criminal justice purposes" like domestic violence services or homelessness programs. It also expands the Criminal Justice Training Commission’s mandate to increase the number of basic law enforcement training courses. The legislation aims to address Washington’s low law enforcement officer-to-population ratio and rising crime rates by providing a dedicated local funding mechanism.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1108 proposed establishing a legislative task force on housing cost driver analysis in Washington state. This task force would have included legislators, economists, and representatives from various housing sectors, such as developers, landlords, tenants, realtors, and city/county officials. Its main purpose was to research and identify the primary factors contributing to the cost of homeownership and rental housing. The task force was intended to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. However, the Governor vetoed this bill on May 20, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1162 requires all health care settings in Washington to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan to protect their employees. These plans must address factors such as physical security, staffing patterns, employee training, and procedures for reporting violent acts. The bill mandates annual reviews and updates of these plans and requires health care settings to conduct timely investigations into every workplace violence incident. Findings from these investigations, along with incident data, must be regularly summarized and submitted to a relevant workplace committee to identify systemic causes and recommend plan modifications.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1934 modifies state law concerning the public disclosure of information from employment investigation records held by public agencies. The bill requires that after an investigation into discrimination or harassment is complete, the names, images, job titles, and contact information of complainants, accusers, and witnesses must be redacted, and their voices altered on audio recordings, before public disclosure, unless they consent. However, if an elected government official is a complainant, their name and title will not be redacted from the investigatory records once the investigation is concluded. This directly affects public employees and individuals involved in such investigations, as well as public agencies responsible for these records.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1014 updates Washington state's child support schedule, directly affecting parents and children involved in child support orders. It raises the combined monthly net income threshold where courts can exceed the standard economic table from $12,000 to $50,000. The bill also adjusts the presumptive minimum support obligation, increasing the federal poverty guideline percentage used for its determination from 125% to 180% for a one-person family. Additionally, it clarifies how a parent's self-support reserve is applied and specifies which income sources, such as overtime and second jobs, are included or excluded when calculating gross monthly income for support.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1023 adopts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, creating a new multistate licensing program for cosmetologists. This compact allows licensed cosmetologists to practice in any participating member state with a single license issued by their home state, aiming to reduce licensing burdens and enhance mobility for professionals, including military spouses. It establishes a commission to set uniform requirements and facilitate cooperation among states for licensure, investigations, and discipline. The bill's purpose is to improve public access to, and safety of, cosmetology services while addressing workforce shortages. Washington State's adoption of this compact will become effective on June 1, 2028.
Maddy summaryHB 1533 allows specialty electricians enrolled in a single-employer journey-level apprenticeship program to continue working under their valid specialty electrician certificate of competency. This permits employers to utilize their skills while the apprentice is participating in the program. Employers must submit quarterly reports of these specialty hours and provide annual notice to the apprentice, detailing the wage and potential impact on apprenticeship wage progression. These specialty hours do not count towards completing the journey-level apprenticeship program. The bill also exempts employers from certain continuous employment requirements for the apprenticeship, provided they ensure at least 800 program-qualifying hours annually.
Maddy summaryHB 1628 establishes the Washington state fire service policy board to advise the state director of fire protection on matters related to the state fire marshal's office. This board, composed of representatives from various fire service organizations, will develop recommendations for agency budget requests and strategies to enhance fire service training and resources. The goal is to ensure the continued provision of comprehensive fire service training, fire prevention, investigations, and all-hazards response for Washington state.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4650 is a commemorative resolution recognizing Representative Bruce Q. Chandler for his 26 years of distinguished service to the 15th Legislative District and the State of Washington. It honors his contributions in areas such as agriculture, business, early learning, and state budgeting.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1605 establishes a longevity bonus program for eligible commissioned employees of the Washington State Patrol. It provides an annual $15,000 bonus, paid quarterly, for those with 26 or more years of service, beginning July 1, 2024. Employees who met this service requirement before July 1, 2024, also qualify for a one-time retention incentive. These bonuses are intended for retaining senior personnel, do not count towards pension calculations, and are subject to collective bargaining agreements, with the program expiring on June 30, 2029.