Rep. Janice Zahn

Maddy summaryHB 1810 requires Washington state to study financial incentives for seismic retrofits of older brick buildings (unreinforced masonry structures) and create a statewide inventory of such buildings. It directly affects building owners of vulnerable historic properties, local governments using the inventory for planning, and taxpayers through potential tax changes. Key provisions include a 2026 study on tax modifications (like special valuation or exemptions) to reduce retrofit costs, and a 2030 deadline to catalog all such buildings using existing data and on-site verification. The bill aims to make retrofits more affordable to protect public safety and preserve affordable housing, without mandating retrofits. It expires in 2026 for the study and 2030 for the inventory work.

Maddy summaryHB 1992 requires Washington state and local governments to integrate pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian infrastructure into highway planning and construction. It mandates preserving existing trails when highways are built, providing replacement routes if trails are severed, and incorporating active transportation facilities into highway designs where they align with adopted plans. The bill directly affects state and local transportation agencies, highway planners, and trail users by changing how infrastructure projects must consider non-motorized travel. Key mechanisms include amending highway codes to prioritize trail connections, requiring safety-focused traffic control at trail crossings, and authorizing funding for trail maintenance from existing transportation budgets.

Maddy summaryHB 1966 updates Washington state public works contracting rules for local governments. It sets new cost thresholds requiring competitive bidding: $30,000 for materials, $75,500 for single-trade labor, and $150,000 for multi-trade labor projects. The bill introduces unit-priced contracts for recurring work (like routine maintenance) with fixed hourly rates, annual wage updates, and a three-year maximum term. These rules directly affect cities, counties, and contractors managing public infrastructure projects such as roads, utilities, and street lighting.

Maddy summaryHB 1721 allows qualified zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) manufacturers - those with no existing dealership agreements - to sell directly to consumers in Washington, provided they establish at least two service centers and offer mobile repair services in the state. It supports traditional auto dealers by creating a grant program for EV technician training and charging infrastructure, with dealers selling at least 50% of their vehicles as ZEVs qualifying for additional funding. The bill requires ZEV manufacturers to honor warranties at designated service centers and mandates annual reports starting in 2026 to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, with a final review scheduled for 2034. These changes aim to expand ZEV access while balancing dealer transitions and consumer protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1677 requires all public universities in Washington with student health centers to offer medication abortion services by the 2026-27 academic year, either directly or via telehealth referrals. For universities without student health centers, the bill mandates providing confidential referrals to abortion providers, telehealth support, and campus spaces for virtual appointments. It also requires all institutions to maintain a website with clear reproductive health resources, including academic accommodation options for pregnancy-related needs. The bill directly affects approximately 196,000 college students facing significant travel and wait-time barriers to abortion care, aiming to make services as accessible as possible within campus health systems.

Maddy summaryHB 1625 creates a grant program to provide funding for back country search and rescue (SAR) organizations and volunteers in Washington state. The program directly supports groups that respond to emergencies in remote, rugged terrain, where specialized skills and equipment are required to locate and rescue individuals. The bill amends state law to establish this grant mechanism, enabling these organizations to maintain operations and services. This policy change offers concrete financial resources to enhance SAR capabilities in backcountry areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1664 requires Washington's long-term care ombuds program to submit annual funding recommendations by September 1 each year. The recommendations must ensure funding achieves a 1:2,000 ombudsman-to-resident ratio (per Institute of Medicine guidelines), account for projected facility bed growth, inflation, and administrative needs. This directly affects residents in licensed long-term care facilities by mandating sufficient resources to investigate complaints and protect their rights. The bill shifts the program from current underfunding to a structured, annually updated funding process.

Maddy summaryHB 1805 proposes a local 0.01% sales and use tax in Washington counties to fund additional services for children and families. The tax would generate revenue specifically for mental health support, early intervention programs, child care, school-based health services, shelter, rental assistance, and transportation. Counties could implement this tax via resolution or ordinance, with funds restricted to the listed services that address gaps in current Medicaid and behavioral health programs. The bill aims to support children and families early to improve well-being and reduce long-term needs like youth violence and substance use.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 creates a coordinated statewide network to improve school-based mental and behavioral health services for Washington K-12 students. It directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to lead strategic planning and coordination with state agencies, school districts, and regional programs, replacing fragmented existing efforts. Key provisions include establishing regional student assistance programs to provide evidence-based screening, prevention, and intervention services - especially in underserved areas - and requiring schools to align with the Washington Integrated Student Supports protocol. The bill aims to streamline access to mental health resources, reduce barriers to care, and support school staff through technical assistance, without creating new standalone programs. This directly affects all public school students and districts across Washington, particularly those in communities with limited behavioral health access.

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.