Rep. Shaun Scott

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1402 makes it an unfair practice for Washington state employers to include a driver's license requirement in job advertisements or applications unless the position's core functions genuinely necessitate operating a motor vehicle. This bill clarifies that transportation to and from the job site does not constitute a job function requiring a driver's license. Individuals harmed by a violation can pursue civil action to stop the practice and recover damages and attorney's fees.

Maddy summaryHB 2071 imposes a monthly $1 tax on owners of online dating applications with Washington resident users, calculated based on the number of Washington residents (identified via address or IP) using the app each month. The tax applies to businesses owning 50% or more of such apps and funds must be deposited into a dedicated domestic violence services account for intervention programs and victim assistance. Owners must report resident user counts monthly and maintain records, with accounts inactive for 24+ months no longer taxable. The tax takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects online dating app companies operating in Washington.

Maddy summaryHB 1905 requires courts to appoint legal counsel for individuals detained under Washington's involuntary treatment laws. This bill directly affects people facing involuntary mental health or substance use disorder detention, ensuring they have representation during court proceedings. Key provisions amend statutes to mandate appointed counsel during involuntary commitment hearings and related legal processes. The law updates procedures to provide due process for detained individuals under the Involuntary Treatment Act, without specifying funding or eligibility details. This change aims to strengthen legal protections for those in involuntary detention.

Maddy summaryHB 1964 requires individuals requesting lists of people (like contact information) under Washington's public records law to sign a declaration stating the request is noncommercial and explaining its purpose. This applies specifically to requests for "lists of individuals," not general public records. The bill also clarifies that agencies cannot deny valid requests solely for being "overbroad" and allows them to block automated "bot" requests causing excessive interference. The law aims to prevent commercial misuse of public records while ensuring transparency for noncommercial requests.

Maddy summaryHB 1506 would require state-chartered credit unions in Washington that merge with a commercial bank to pay a business and occupation tax starting October 1, 2025. Currently, these credit unions are exempt from this tax under state law, but the bill removes that exemption for any credit union that merges with a bank regulated by the Department of Financial Institutions. The tax would equal 1.2% of the credit union's gross income, applying only to merged entities. This change directly affects credit unions that choose to merge with commercial banks, shifting their tax obligation from exemption to a standard 1.2% rate.

Maddy summaryHB 1480 would allow any Washington county to impose a 0.5% tax on real estate sales to fund affordable housing, but only with voter approval. The tax revenue must be used exclusively for developing housing for very low, low, and moderate-income residents, including construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance. Counties must create a spending plan with public input before seeking voter approval, and the tax would be collected from both buyers and sellers (with at least half of the burden on the buyer). The tax would take effect 30 days after voter approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1310 eliminates the enrollment cap on students eligible for state special education funding in Washington, directly affecting all public school districts and students with disabilities. The bill increases funding multipliers for districts serving students with disabilities in inclusive settings (80%+ time in general education), raising the multiplier from 1.12 to 1.5289 for those students, while lowering it to 1.447 for less inclusive placements. It also requires the state superintendent to monitor racial disproportionality in special education identification and provide technical assistance to districts. These changes aim to ensure equitable state funding without requiring local district contributions and support inclusive educational practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1579 requires Washington school districts to report detailed transportation data for specific student groups, including those with special education needs, experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or attending skill centers. It mandates the state superintendent to develop a new funding model by 2028 that addresses unique challenges in rural and urban districts, and establishes a $400 flat rate per homeless student for transportation costs. The bill directly affects school districts and the students in these four priority groups by changing how transportation funding is calculated and reported. Districts must submit quarterly reports on mileage, ridership, and costs, with funds for homeless students limited to their specific transportation needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1035 requires Washington's public community colleges, technical colleges, and regional universities to adopt policies addressing secondary traumatic stress among faculty and staff. It mandates developing model policies with specific elements, including mental health support, diversity-focused workplace climates, campus mental health committees, and annual reporting. Institutions must post these policies publicly by September 2025 and incorporate all required elements into their own policies by the start of the 2025-26 academic year. The bill also requires colleges to publish online links to mental health resources, self-assessment tools, and best practices for their workforce.

Maddy summaryHB 1512 establishes a grant program to help low-income drivers address nonmoving traffic violations (like registration or insurance issues) through nonpunitive solutions such as repair vouchers, helmet programs, or community education, rather than fines. It directly affects low-income road users - defined as those on public assistance, WIC, Medicaid, or earning 125% of the federal poverty level - by providing alternatives to financial penalties. The bill also requires police to report detailed stop data (including race, age, and reason for stops) starting in 2026 and clarifies that stops for nonmoving violations can only be secondary to primary offenses like speeding or impaired driving. These provisions aim to reduce racial disparities in traffic enforcement while improving road safety compliance.