Rep. April Berg

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 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 2206 aligns Washington state voting laws with federal standards to improve voting access for military personnel, overseas citizens, and their dependents. It requires the Secretary of State to implement a new electronic system for sending voter registration materials and ballots, create standardized ballot envelopes and authentication forms, and provide clear instructions for covered voters. This bill directly affects Washington residents serving in the military abroad, citizens living overseas, and their dependents who qualify as "covered voters" under the law. The changes apply to all federal, state, and local elections, ensuring these voters can cast ballots using federally prescribed procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 2191 requires owners and direct contractors to jointly pay unpaid wages and benefits (including health insurance, retirement contributions, and tool reimbursements) to construction workers when subcontractors fail to pay. It creates a direct legal path for workers, their representatives, or the attorney general to sue owners or direct contractors for withheld payments, rather than only pursuing subcontractors. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that workers are employees (not independent contractors), prevents liability waivers for nonpayment, and sets a 3-year deadline for filing claims. This directly affects construction workers, subcontractors, and higher-tier contractors across all project tiers in Washington state.

Maddy summaryHB 2092 establishes a passenger rail advisory committee for Washington State's Amtrak Cascades route. Counties with rail stations will appoint committee members (three from counties with over 750,000 residents, two from other counties) to provide community input on rail service challenges to the state transportation department. The committee must include rail users, commerce representatives, and local government staff, meeting three times yearly to advise on passenger rail concerns. This procedural bill creates a formal channel for community feedback but does not change rail service, funding, or operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 requires firearm owners in Washington to securely store firearms in vehicles and residences under specific conditions. In vehicles, unloaded firearms must be in a locked, concealed container (hard-sided for pistols, soft-sided with trigger locks for rifles/shotguns), with exemptions for farm vehicles, people living in vehicles, law enforcement, hunters, and military personnel. At residences, firearms must be locked or stored in a safe when not being carried or controlled by the owner or authorized user, with similar exemptions for antique firearms. The bill creates the Washington Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention to coordinate prevention efforts and imposes penalties ranging from $1,000 civil fines to felonies if prohibited persons access firearms.

Maddy summaryHB 1254 requires Washington State to adopt the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) by November 2029, directly affecting builders, homeowners, and local governments in wildfire-prone areas. The bill mandates specific fire-resistant construction standards, including class A-rated roofs, fire-resistant exterior walls, and ignition-resistant materials for decks and accessory structures. These requirements apply to new construction, major roof replacements, and additions in counties with wildfire hazard maps. The law updates building codes to align with national wildfire safety standards, aiming to reduce fire risk in communities near wildlands.

Maddy summaryHB 1339 proposes shifting general elections for Washington state cities, towns, and special purpose districts from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years to increase voter participation. Local governments would have the option to move elections to even years by adopting an ordinance, passing a charter amendment, or securing voter approval through initiatives. The bill requires public hearings and specifies transitional term adjustments during the shift, aiming to boost turnout - particularly among younger voters, low-income families, and people with disabilities - by aligning local elections with higher-turnout even-year cycles. It amends several election statutes to allow this change while maintaining existing rules for special elections.