Rep. Janice Zahn

Maddy summaryHB 2554 repeals five sections of Washington State law (RCW 77.110.010-040 and 900) that conflicted with judicially confirmed tribal fishing rights and existing state-tribal cooperative agreements. The bill directly affects tribal nations and state fisheries management by removing outdated legal barriers. It eliminates provisions that declared state policy on fish management, denied rights based on cultural heritage, and required congressional transmittal, aligning state law with treaty obligations and current cooperative agreements for salmon, trout, and steelhead resources.

Maddy summaryHB 2632 requires Washington state and local government agencies to replace the term "alien" with "noncitizen" in all new statutes, codes, and official documents enacted after July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects state agencies, courts, and local governments that draft or update legal documents, ensuring consistent terminology for individuals who are not U.S. citizens or nationals. Key provisions mandate this terminology shift unless federal law requires otherwise, while also urging review of existing documents to remove "alien" references. The bill focuses solely on updating government language, with no new rights or obligations for residents.

Maddy summaryHB 2294 bans private agreements that prevent grocery stores or pharmacies from operating on property where they would otherwise be allowed under local zoning laws. This directly affects property owners, developers, and retailers subject to restrictive covenants or leases that limit food and medicine access. The law prohibits rules restricting store types, sizes, or locations - except for pre-existing agreements or store relocations meeting specific criteria like proximity and timing. Enforcement is handled by the state attorney general and local governments through existing consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2472 requires all contractors and certified fitters working on fire sprinkler systems in Washington to hold state-issued licenses and certificates. Fire code officials can demand to see these credentials during inspections, and failure to provide them results in an immediate stop-work order until compliance is verified. The law also empowers officials to order removal and replacement of improperly installed systems if public safety is at risk. These requirements apply directly to contractors and fitters performing fire sprinkler work across the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2230 streamlines oversight for community residential service providers that support people with developmental disabilities, directly affecting these providers and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The bill limits DSHS to one annual review per provider per category (such as finances, service plans, or quality assurance) and requires departments to share documents across divisions to avoid duplicate requests. Exceptions apply for investigations, incident reports, or federally mandated reviews. This reduces administrative burden, allowing more resources to focus on direct client support rather than overlapping paperwork.

Maddy summaryHB 2543 amends Washington State's county clerk fee structure, primarily affecting individuals filing family law cases and court documents. The key provision requires a $54 fee for initial divorce, legal separation, or marriage validity petitions, with $48 directed to the state domestic violence prevention account and $6 retained by counties (minus 5% for court admin). It also adjusts fees for jury demands ($125/$250), certified document copies ($5/page), and electronic exhibits ($25), while adding reporting requirements for county domestic violence service funding. These changes directly impact court users, counties, and state programs focused on domestic violence prevention.

Maddy summaryHB 2088 creates a multi-state licensure compact for dietitians, allowing licensed professionals to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each location. The bill establishes a "compact privilege" that recognizes a dietitian's home-state license as valid in other member states, eliminating the need for duplicate licensing. It directly affects licensed dietitians (especially those relocating, including military members and spouses), patients seeking care across state lines, and participating states' regulatory systems. Key mechanisms include standardized requirements for practice, shared data systems for disciplinary information, and provisions to protect public health while reducing administrative burdens on both professionals and states.

Maddy summaryHB 2158 allows Washington State notaries to perform remote notarizations using video technology for individuals not physically present. It requires notaries to verify the identity of remote users through at least two methods (like identity documents or witness verification), create audiovisual recordings of the process, and retain these recordings for at least 10 years. The bill specifically permits remote notarization for individuals outside the U.S. only if the document relates to U.S. matters (like property or court filings) and isn’t prohibited by the foreign location. This update modernizes Washington’s notary laws to accommodate digital transactions while maintaining security and record-keeping standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2152, titled "Ryan's law," allows terminally ill patients with a qualifying medical condition to use cannabis in hospitals, nursing homes (excluding some residential facilities), and hospice care centers starting January 1, 2027. Facilities must establish written policies prohibiting smoking/vaping, requiring secure storage, documenting use in medical records, and having patients or their designated providers manage cannabis. Patients must provide valid authorization, and staff cannot administer or retrieve cannabis. The law excludes emergency departments and does not require facilities to comply if federal agencies block it, though it clarifies federal scheduling alone cannot override the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2107 requires Washington construction site inspectors to provide employers or owners with written notice within 10 working days when they identify an immediate safety hazard during inspections that could cause worker injury. This applies specifically to residential building and general construction projects under the North American Industry Classification System. The law, effective until June 30, 2026, mandates this notice but does not change inspectors' existing authority or the employer's obligation to correct hazards. It also requires the Department of Labor to report by December 1, 2026, on instances where timely notice wasn't given and the reasons for non-compliance.