Rep. Nicole Macri

Maddy summaryHB 2488 changes how Washington state pays rural emergency hospitals for services provided to Medicaid patients. It makes these payments dependent on annual state budget appropriations rather than automatic funding. This directly affects rural hospitals federally designated as "rural emergency hospitals" (not critical access hospitals). The bill replaces previous automatic payment rules with a system requiring yearly legislative funding approval for these hospitals to receive Medicaid reimbursement. The change applies to all services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries, regardless of their managed care enrollment.

Maddy summaryHB 2106 requires health insurance carriers to provide healthcare providers and facilities with clear, 90-day advance notice of major contract changes that affect payments or services. The notice must detail the specific financial impact, exact language of the change, and allow providers to accept or reject it without disrupting their existing contracts. If carriers fail to follow these rules, the proposed changes become void, and providers can reject modifications without penalty. This bill directly affects insurers and healthcare facilities by mandating transparency for significant changes like payment rate cuts, new billing rules, or service restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2312 authorizes Washington state employees to take unpaid "shared leave" when they or a covered family member face immigration enforcement actions like detention, court appearances, or deportation proceedings. It defines "family member" broadly to include household members relying on the employee for care, and requires employers to protect immigration status details when verifying leave. Employees can provide documentation from advocates/attorneys or a written statement without revealing sensitive information, and employers must redact any immigration data in verification. This leave is only available after employees exhaust other leave options, and it applies to state employees covered under existing shared leave policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2321 requires 3D printer manufacturers and sellers in Washington state to equip all new printers with software that automatically blocks print jobs for firearms or illegal firearm parts, effective July 1, 2027. The law mandates that printers use a "firearms blueprint detection algorithm" to identify and reject files containing firearm designs before printing, meeting specific technical standards to prevent bypassing. Manufacturers must attest under penalty of perjury that their printers comply, with penalties including misdemeanors for first offenses and class C felonies for repeat violations or corporate breaches. This directly affects 3D printer companies operating in Washington, aiming to prevent unlawful firearm manufacturing through technical safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 2300 requires large Washington employers (with 500+ total workers in the state during a quarter) to reimburse the state for health care costs paid through public programs like Apple Health for their workers. Employers must pay an assessment based on the state's per-person cost for each worker enrolled in medical assistance programs who is under 65 years old. This applies to most employers, but excludes those already providing health coverage to all workers or seasonal businesses meeting specific criteria. The program aims to preserve public health funding by shifting costs to employers whose workers rely on state-funded care, with payments due quarterly starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2302 would allow Washington pharmacists to prescribe certain medications directly for chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, behavioral health, and addiction - without requiring special agreements with physicians. Currently, pharmacists must maintain complex collaborative agreements, which the bill identifies as an unnecessary administrative burden. The change leverages pharmacists’ existing training (including 1,740 hours of patient care) to improve access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities. It amends state law to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice to fully utilize their expertise in medication management. The bill focuses on concrete policy change, not outcomes or advocacy.

Maddy summaryHB 2341 changes Washington state's school calendar to align with National Voter Registration Day, requiring public high schools to hold voter registration events during history or social studies classes for students aged 16 and older on the third Tuesday in September (or the following Tuesday if it conflicts with a major religious holiday). The bill mandates that schools provide both online and paper voter registration forms during these events, with county election offices encouraged to assist. It sets a goal of 50,000 new youth voter registrations annually and requires the state superintendent to report yearly progress to the legislature. This replaces the existing "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day" observance on January 16th, shifting the focus to voter registration for students who may have missed earlier opportunities.

Maddy summaryHB 2268 requires mortgage servicers to pay borrowers at least 2% simple annual interest on funds held in escrow accounts for residential mortgages (covering one- to four-unit homes) starting January 1, 2027. It prohibits servicers from charging fees that would reduce the effective interest rate below 2%. The law applies only to new mortgages executed on or after the effective date, directly affecting borrowers who maintain escrow accounts and the servicers managing those accounts. This policy change mandates a minimum return on escrow funds, shifting a financial benefit from servicers to borrowers.

Maddy summaryHB 2097 would allow Washington counties to impose a business and occupation tax to fund local services like public safety and waste management, directly affecting businesses operating within county jurisdictions. Counties must adopt a standardized model ordinance developed with business stakeholder input, including a minimum $20,000 annual gross income threshold for small businesses and provisions to prevent double taxation with city taxes. Before implementing or raising the tax, counties must hold a voter referendum requiring signatures from at least 15% of registered voters. The law specifies that existing tax classifications under state law remain exempt and mandates uniform reporting and penalty rules for all counties using this tax.

Maddy summaryHB 2147 increases state funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs in Washington State to address inflation-driven budget shortfalls affecting school districts. It establishes a new funding formula based on prototypical schools (600 high school students, 432 middle school students, 400 elementary students) with specific class size standards (e.g., K-3 at 17 students per teacher) and minimum staffing allocations. The bill requires transparency by mandating the Superintendent of Public Instruction to publish per-pupil funding reports online, which school districts must link to their websites. It also includes targeted provisions for career-technical education, lab science class size reduction, and high-poverty schools with over 50% free/reduced lunch eligibility. The legislation amends existing law (RCW 28A.150.260) to adjust funding allocations based on actual student enrollment and school type.