Rep. Janice Zahn

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 4692) acknowledges the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII, including 12,000 from Washington State. It recognizes Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists from Washington, and urges reflection on the principle "with liberty and justice for all," without creating new policies or requiring government action.

Maddy summaryHB 2281 strengthens Washington State's government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes by requiring state agencies to consult with tribes before actions affecting tribal cultural sites or practices. It defines "tribal traditional cultural places" and prohibits agencies from imposing "undue burdens" on tribal traditions without proving a compelling government need and using the least restrictive approach. Tribes can seek legal remedies in court if agencies violate these protections, with specific burden-of-proof rules for cases involving sacred tribal knowledge. The bill directly affects tribes whose cultural sites or practices may be impacted by state projects like construction or land management.

Maddy summaryHB 2552 allows Washington’s Department of Transportation and regional transit authorities to create pre-approved contractor rosters for recurring infrastructure projects like highway maintenance and facility repairs. Instead of bidding each project separately, agencies would pre-qualify contractors based on safety records, past performance, and commitments to hiring small, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged businesses. The bill requires agencies to report annually on roster usage, contracts awarded, and participation rates of minority-owned firms. This directly affects DOT, transit authorities, and contractors seeking state infrastructure work by changing how contracts are awarded.

Maddy summaryHB 2236 clarifies that Washington's Housing Finance Commission cannot compete with private lenders by offering home loans to individual buyers for single-family homes. The bill explicitly prohibits the Commission from originating or making residential mortgage loans for owner-occupied housing (except for down payment assistance programs), redirecting its focus to multifamily and nonowner-occupied housing financing. It amends existing law to ensure the Commission acts as a financial conduit for affordable housing projects without replacing private mortgage services. The changes aim to streamline financing for rental housing while preserving the role of licensed lenders in the residential mortgage market.

Maddy summaryHB 2399 prohibits property insurance policyholders from assigning their post-loss insurance benefits to third parties (like contractors) after a claim occurs. This directly affects homeowners and renters who might otherwise sign agreements transferring control of their insurance claims to repair companies. The bill makes such assignments void and unenforceable, while allowing exceptions for licensed public adjusters, attorneys working for the homeowner, and mortgage lenders. Violations can result in $50,000 fines per incident, with enforcement handled by the Insurance Commissioner.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures Washington's workforce education investment oversight board by clarifying its membership, leadership, and accountability processes. It specifies that the 18-member board includes legislative chairs (ex officio), business representatives, labor and education leaders, students, and other stakeholders, with two co-chairs appointed biennially. The board must annually report to the legislature by December 31 on funding priorities and track program effectiveness using data from the education data center and student achievement council, focusing on metrics like completion rates and job placement. These changes aim to improve transparency and results in how workforce education funds are allocated and monitored.

Maddy summaryHB 2401 establishes the Washington State Boys and Men Commission to address systemic challenges faced by boys and men, particularly those who are boys of color, in rural areas, identifying as LGBTQ+, or socioeconomically disadvantaged. The commission will identify needs, recommend policy changes, and coordinate with state agencies on issues like mental health access, education pathways, and vocational opportunities. Crucially, the commission’s creation is contingent on securing non-state funding (grants or private contributions) sufficient to cover operational costs through December 2029, with the Office of Financial Management required to identify funding needs by June 2026. It will consist of nine appointed members (including tribal representation and a majority identifying as male) and operate under an executive director appointed by the governor. The commission’s duties include serving as a policy information hub and producing biennial reports with recommendations to the legislature and governor.

Maddy summaryHB 2298 authorizes Washington county auditors to create a voluntary property title protection program to prevent land record fraud. Property owners can opt to record a "fraud protection instrument" with their county auditor, which requires a secure ID or court-approved process for any transfer of ownership. The program allows county auditors to delay recording transfers for up to five business days if fraud protection is active and includes an emergency override via court orders or authorized legal actions. This directly affects property owners who choose to enroll in the program to safeguard against unauthorized title changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2351 strengthens protections for emergency responders in Washington by expanding the definition of "obstruction" to cover firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel during active incidents. It makes it a gross misdemeanor to willfully hinder these responders when they are identifiable as such, with specific provisions allowing defense if a mental health crisis was involved. The bill also prohibits local government agencies (cities, counties, and emergency command systems) from using public funds to investigate or assist federal programs targeting emergency responders based on immigration status, race, religion, or national origin - except for required legal compliance or non-immigration-related duties. These changes apply to all emergency responders as defined in the law, effective January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2364 revises Washington State's poverty reduction task force, renaming it the "economic justice and well-being task force" and expanding its structure to better align with the state's 10-year poverty reduction plan. The bill requires the task force to include diverse statewide representation from legislative bodies and 11 state agencies, with additional voting members from equity-focused commissions. It directs the task force to develop evidence-based strategies, monitor progress on poverty reduction goals, and collaborate with community stakeholders to address systemic inequities - particularly for historically underrepresented groups like immigrants, refugees, and communities of color. The bill focuses on structural changes to coordinate state efforts rather than creating new programs.