Rep. Janice Zahn

Maddy summaryHB 2125 allows Washington's public retirement systems (including those for teachers, police, judges, and state employees) to use interest earnings from their trust funds to cover specific costs. The bill authorizes paying legal expenses (like court costs and expert fees), medical expenses (for member exams), and administrative costs (such as audits and cybersecurity) directly tied to protecting the trust funds from losses. It also permits using trust fund earnings to investigate fraud and recover overpayments, with all recovered funds returned to the relevant retirement system. The bill does not change how retirement benefits are calculated but modifies how certain operational costs are funded. This amendment to RCW 41.50.255 aims to streamline expense management for the state's retirement systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2134 requires regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) serving specific counties to include measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in their transportation plans. It applies only to counties meeting strict criteria: those with high population density (100+ people/sq mi, 200,000+ population), river-bordering counties with growth rates ≥1.65%, or counties west of the Cascades with ≥130,000 residents. The bill mandates RTPOs to develop integrated regional plans that prioritize cost-effective projects, coordinate across county lines, and include financial strategies, while requiring biennial plan reviews. These plans must balance regional mobility with climate goals, focusing on existing infrastructure efficiency and transportation demand management.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HB 2157 regulates high-risk artificial intelligence systems that make consequential decisions affecting major life areas like housing, employment, healthcare, loans, and education. It applies to developers (with over $100,000 annual revenue) and deployers operating in Washington who use AI systems for these decisions. The law prohibits algorithmic discrimination - unlawful bias based on protected characteristics - and requires systems to be designed and tested to prevent such outcomes, while excluding research activities and certain facial recognition uses.

Maddy summaryHB 2092 establishes a passenger rail advisory committee for Washington State's Amtrak Cascades route. Counties with rail stations will appoint committee members (three from counties with over 750,000 residents, two from other counties) to provide community input on rail service challenges to the state transportation department. The committee must include rail users, commerce representatives, and local government staff, meeting three times yearly to advise on passenger rail concerns. This procedural bill creates a formal channel for community feedback but does not change rail service, funding, or operations.

Maddy summaryHB 2185 creates a new Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs within Washington's state agency responsible for youth services. The office must coordinate statewide efforts to reduce youth homelessness by collecting data, developing strategies to address root causes, and improving permanency rates for homeless youth. It requires a 12-member advisory committee - including youth representatives, advocates, law enforcement, service providers, and individuals with lived experience - to guide the office's work on funding, policy, and practice gaps. The office must be operational by January 1, 2016, with the advisory committee holding its first meeting by March 1, 2016.

Maddy summaryHB 2176 exempts collaborative drug therapy agreements - written plans between pharmacists and physicians for managing patient medications - from public disclosure under Washington’s public records law. These agreements, which outline how pharmacists can independently adjust medications under physician supervision, would remain confidential unless used as evidence in disciplinary actions against a licensed healthcare provider. The bill specifically prohibits disclosure of personally identifiable information (like names or contact details) in these agreements, except when the agreement directly leads to a disciplinary finding. This change primarily affects pharmacists, physicians, and healthcare facilities using such agreements, ensuring their operational details stay private while maintaining transparency in disciplinary cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1834 requires businesses providing online services likely accessed by minors (under 18 in Washington) to estimate users' ages with reasonable accuracy or apply full minor protections to all users. It prohibits using collected personal information for age estimation beyond that purpose and bans retaining such data longer than needed. The bill defines "addictive feeds" (algorithm-driven content streams) and "dark patterns" (manipulative interfaces) to restrict how platforms design features targeting minors. It also sets standards for determining if a service is "likely accessed by minors," including audience composition and design elements appealing to children. These provisions aim to limit data collection and addictive features on platforms used by Washington's youth.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 4677) declares the Washington State House of Representatives' recognition of the elevated behavioral health challenges faced by construction workers, including higher suicide rates, substance use disorders, and stress linked to job demands. It does not create new rules or funding but formally acknowledges these issues through a series of "WHEREAS" statements highlighting the industry's unique risks. The resolution calls for reducing stigma and promoting collaboration to improve access to behavioral health resources tailored for construction workers. It directly affects construction workers across Washington by affirming their health needs without implementing concrete policy changes.

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.