Rep. Janice Zahn

Maddy summaryHB 1614 modifies Washington's capital gains tax rules by replacing the business and occupation tax credit with a new nonrefundable capital gains tax credit, closing technical loopholes, and clarifying how credits apply to taxpayers. It requires brokers and barter exchanges to report transactions, limits credit use to the tax year of the sale (with no carryforwards), and mandates monthly transfers from the general fund to education accounts based on tax reductions. The bill directly affects taxpayers with capital gains, brokers, and state education funding streams, while ensuring no net change to state tax collections. Key provisions include standardized treatment for spouses/domestic partners and new rules for adjusting transfer amounts to education funds. The changes take effect for 2025 tax years and expire January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1737 ensures federally approved apprenticeship programs operated by federally recognized tribal governments in Washington state have the same rights and responsibilities as state-approved programs. It amends state law to define "registered apprentice" and "skilled journeyperson" to include tribal programs that meet federal approval standards. The bill requires contractors working at high-hazard facilities like petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants to use a "skilled and trained workforce" made up of registered apprentices or skilled journeypersons from approved programs, including tribal ones. This directly affects tribal governments operating apprenticeship programs and contractors in critical industries, ensuring equitable access to these workforce standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1723 requires Washington school districts to mandate pre-hire union agreements (called "project labor agreements") for construction projects exceeding $35 million. These agreements must cover all labor on the project, prevent strikes, include dispute resolution, and ensure fair competition among contractors. The bill exempts projects under specific statutes, smaller projects, or those with urgent needs, and allows exceptions if requiring such agreements would hinder competition or efficiency. It directly affects school districts managing large-scale construction and contractors working on eligible projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1870 allows Washington counties to levy an additional property tax of up to five cents per $1,000 of assessed value specifically for public health clinics. This tax can only fund the operation, maintenance, and capital expenses of clinics providing services like primary care, dental care, disease prevention, reproductive health, and behavioral health. The bill amends existing tax laws to exempt this new levy from standard county tax limits (like the $1.80 cap), ensuring it doesn’t count toward other spending restrictions. It directly affects counties and public health clinics, which would use the funds for low-barrier health services to underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 1763 imposes a 6% tax on short-term rental platforms (like Airbnb) starting January 2026. Revenue from this tax funds local affordable housing programs and housing infrastructure projects (such as water, sewer, and transportation systems) in counties and cities. Local governments must use the funds exclusively for homeless services, shelters, or infrastructure, with requirements including limiting single-family units to 2,000 square feet and requiring urban annexation for projects within growth boundaries. The bill directly affects short-term rental platforms (as taxpayers) and local governments (as fund recipients).

Maddy summaryHB 1535 prohibits dental insurers from restricting patient choice or limiting care based on network agreements, requiring dentists to make treatment decisions with patients rather than insurers. It mandates that at least 85% of dental insurance premiums be spent directly on patient care, not administrative costs, and gives patients the right to request independent reviews for denied claims. The bill directly affects dental patients (ensuring access to chosen providers and fair coverage), dentists (protecting their clinical autonomy), and dental insurers (requiring compliance with transparency and spending rules). These changes aim to create a fairer system by aligning dental insurance protections with medical insurance standards and reducing out-of-pocket costs for Washington residents.

Maddy summaryHB 1867 allows Washington counties or cities to impose a real estate excise tax of up to 0.5% on home sales, with proceeds dedicated exclusively to developing affordable housing for very low, low, and moderate-income residents and those with special needs. Local governments must first gain voter approval through a majority vote in an election, either via a resolution from local officials or a petition signed by 10% of eligible voters. The tax revenue must be managed through a competitive grant process for nonprofit housing providers, housing authorities, or public agencies, with spending plans requiring public hearings. Counties and cities cannot levy this tax if the county has already implemented a similar tax under prior law. This bill directly affects local governments and homebuyers/sellers in communities that choose to adopt the tax.

Maddy summaryHB 1756 sets a limit of 5 parts per million for lead in cookware and cookware components that touch food, effective January 1, 2026. It applies to manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers selling cookware in Washington, prohibiting products exceeding this lead level. The law exempts secondhand sales (like casual or nonprofit transactions) and includes definitions for terms like "cookware" (e.g., pots, pans, utensils) and "vulnerable populations." After 2034, the Department of Ecology may lower the limit if feasible and necessary for health protection. This directly affects cookware producers and sellers while prioritizing safety for consumers, especially those in vulnerable groups.

Maddy summaryHB 1732 limits large investment and business entities from purchasing additional single-family homes in Washington to increase housing affordability for residents. It prohibits entities owning more than 25 single-family homes (business entities) or any investment entity (like real estate trusts managing pooled investor funds) from buying more homes, with exemptions for nonprofits, necessary renovations, or short-term development projects. Violators face civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation and must sell the property to a third party within one year. The law aims to address Washington’s housing crisis, where investor ownership has risen significantly while home prices have surged 55% since 2018. It adds these provisions as a new chapter in Washington’s consumer protection law (Title 19 RCW).

Maddy summaryHB 1767 adjusts how Washington state provides supplemental funding to school districts based on their enrichment levies. It calculates state assistance as a fraction of a district's actual levy rate (capped at $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value) for districts below that threshold, while districts meeting or exceeding it receive full maximum assistance. The bill also sets a per-pupil funding limit ($2,500 or $3,000, adjusted for inflation) based on district size for enrichment levies, and includes specific provisions for state-tribal education compact schools. This directly affects school districts collecting enrichment levies, particularly smaller districts and tribal schools, by changing how their local levy efforts translate to state funding.