Rep. Nicole Macri

Maddy summaryHB 2546 standardizes time limits for health insurance carriers to request refunds from healthcare providers for overpaid claims. It requires carriers to submit refund requests in writing within six months (or nine months for coordination with other insurers) after payment, gives providers 30 days to contest requests, and deems unchallenged requests accepted. The bill directly affects health insurance carriers and healthcare providers by creating clear, uniform rules for overpayment recovery, replacing previous variable timeframes. It excludes dental-only carriers, Medicare, and supplemental plans, and does not change how carriers recover payments from patients. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2547 requires county and municipal jails in Washington to have a written contract with the U.S. government before holding individuals transferred from federal custody. The contract must cover all costs of confinement and include a fee for the jail’s expenses; if federal funds aren’t received as agreed, the jail must stop holding those individuals. The bill also prohibits jails from contracting to hold people transported across state lines, except when a valid judicial warrant exists. This directly affects local jails that currently house federal detainees and ensures financial accountability for federal custody arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 2535 requires all public college and university student health centers in Washington to offer medication abortion access by the 2027-28 academic year, either through telehealth agreements with safety-net abortion providers or other cost-effective methods. Institutions without student health centers must provide referrals to abortion services and train staff on campus resources for telehealth appointments. The bill also mandates that all public colleges maintain a dedicated webpage with clear information on reproductive health services, including scheduling, academic accommodations, and links to state health resources. This law directly affects approximately 196,000 pregnancy-capable students at Washington's public institutions by reducing travel barriers and integrating abortion care into campus health services.

Maddy summaryHB 2538 requires Washington community and technical colleges to gradually increase part-time faculty pay to 75% of full-time comparable pay by 2028-29, 80% by 2029-30, and 85% by 2030-31 for the same classroom teaching hours. The bill directly affects part-time faculty at these institutions and mandates annual progress reports to the legislature, including data on pay gaps, faculty demographics, and departmental disparities. Colleges must base pay equity on instructional workloads, including class time, preparation, grading, and student support. The law aims to stabilize faculty employment, improve student outcomes, and increase workforce diversity by closing long-standing pay gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state ombuds office to assist seniors living in independent living facilities (like age-restricted apartment buildings or non-medical portions of retirement communities) but excludes assisted living or nursing homes. The ombuds will handle complaints about housing issues, track data on resident concerns, and coordinate with other ombuds offices, without enforcement authority. Facilities must prominently display the ombuds' contact information to residents and prospective residents. The ombuds will be provided by a contracted nonprofit organization and must have expertise in landlord-tenant law and consumer protection.

Maddy summaryHB 2502 removes sales tax exemptions for certain products and services that currently only exclude state sales tax but not local sales tax. This change will increase revenue for local governments (cities and counties) by requiring these items to pay both state and local sales taxes. The bill specifically targets exemptions listed in the tax code that previously allowed businesses to avoid paying local taxes on qualifying purchases. As a result, local governments will gain additional funding to support essential services like roads, public safety, and community programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2497 addresses the 70% rise in child fatalities and near-fatal abuse cases by supporting families involved with child welfare services. The bill requires the state to provide legal counsel and parent allies for pregnant individuals or new parents at risk of child removal, assign public health nurses to parents of children under four with active investigations, and expand the Parent-Child Assistance Program in high-need areas for families with substance use issues. It also mandates specialized training for child welfare supervisors on safety assessments and improves connections to community services. These changes aim to keep children safe at home while addressing root causes like substance use and lack of support.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HJM 4010 is a formal request to the U.S. government to investigate the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a University of Washington psychology graduate and Seattle resident. The memorial, addressed to President Trump, the Secretary of State, and the Department of Justice, asks for a "transparent, thorough, and independent investigation" into her death by an Israeli military sniper in the West Bank on September 6, 2024. It specifically cites her peaceful activism, including organizing protests for Palestinian rights and supporting displaced communities, and draws parallels to the unresolved death of another Washingtonian, Rachel Corrie. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it does not create new law but formally urges federal action. The request is directed at U.S. executive and legislative branches to pursue accountability for Eygi's death.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 bans the sale, possession, transport, or distribution of farmed octopus in Washington State, targeting commercial aquaculture operations. The bill directly affects businesses and individuals involved in octopus farming, as it prohibits these activities under new provisions in Title 19 RCW. Key mechanisms include a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance, enforceable by the attorney general. The legislation is based on the legislature’s findings that octopuses are highly intelligent, sentient creatures requiring protection from farming practices. It expands existing 2024 restrictions on octopus aquaculture by eliminating the commercial market for farmed octopus.

Maddy summaryHB 2473 authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to accept donations, grants, and endowments from public or private sources to support its existing programs. The board, which administers initiatives like Washington World Fellows (study abroad fellowships) and Boundless Washington (outdoor leadership for youth with disabilities), may use these funds for its mission without replacing state appropriations. Crucially, the bill requires the board to publicly post all received funds and expenditures on its website and report private donations to the Office of Financial Management. These funds must directly support authorized programs not already funded by the legislature, ensuring transparency and accountability.