Rep. April Berg

Maddy summaryHB 2542 requires Washington-based animal testing facilities, contract testing facilities, and drug manufacturers to use non-animal test methods for drug development when scientifically valid alternatives are available. It prohibits the use of animal test methods in the drug development process (including discovery and preclinical research) if equivalent or better alternatives exist, defined as methods validated by federal bodies that don’t involve animals. The law does not apply if federal regulations mandate animal testing, and violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Washington’s consumer protection law. This directly affects entities conducting drug safety and efficacy testing within the state, aiming to align with federal policy supporting non-animal testing methods.

Maddy summaryHB 2313 authorizes Washington cities to establish publicly owned grocery stores in underserved areas with food access gaps. Cities can acquire property (including via eminent domain), apply for state capital grants covering building rehabilitation and 24-hour "food locker systems," and use tax increment financing to fund store development and infrastructure. The bill requires annual reporting on financial status, community access, jobs created, and for third-party operated stores, sales data and compliance with contractual benchmarks like local produce sourcing. This directly affects cities seeking to address food insecurity through municipal grocery initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2117 adds a seventh member to Washington's Board of Natural Resources, specifically a tribal representative appointed by the governor from federally recognized tribes in the state. The bill amends the board's composition to include this position, requiring the governor to consult with tribes during appointments and ensuring the representative serves a four-year term starting July 1, 2026. This change directly affects the board's decision-making process on natural resource management and requires collaboration with tribal nations. The bill aims to incorporate tribal perspectives and expertise into state forestland and natural resource policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2183 requires all Washington counties to create and adopt extreme heat response plans by July 1, 2027. Each plan must include immediate response strategies, long-term adaptation measures (like building upgrades and cooling assistance), and specific protections for vulnerable groups including seniors, outdoor workers, low-income households, and children. Counties must also establish tribal partnerships, public education programs, medical emergency protocols, and systems to track heat-related illnesses. Existing plans meeting these standards are exempt from the 2027 deadline, and counties must review plans during regular comprehensive plan updates.

Maddy summaryHB 2182 authorizes Washington's Department of Health to directly acquire, distribute, and dispense abortion medications (like mifepristone and misoprostol) to healthcare providers and entities offering reproductive care, including abortion services. The bill creates a state-run program to prioritize bulk distribution to clinics and hospitals, allowing the department to sell medications at cost (plus a $5 per dose fee for secure handling) or free in 2025, with revenues going to the general fund. This directly affects healthcare providers who can now receive these medications through the state program and patients seeking abortion care. The law exempts the department from needing a wholesaler's license for these activities under specific state laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1812 prohibits health insurers in Washington from imposing time limits or arbitrary caps on reimbursement for anesthesia services, regardless of procedure duration or patient health status. It requires insurers to cover all medically necessary anesthesia care without denying coverage based on factors like patient age (e.g., infants or seniors), emergency status, or severe illnesses. The bill mandates reimbursement be based solely on a provider’s assessment of medical necessity, not preset time limits, and prohibits insurers from discriminating against anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists. Violations can trigger enforcement actions by the Insurance Commissioner, including fines, required reimbursement for denied claims, and license suspension. This directly affects patients receiving anesthesia (especially vulnerable groups), providers, and health insurers operating in Washington.

Maddy summaryHB 2662 requires Washington's state investment board to integrate environmental, social, and governance principles into managing public retirement and trust funds. It prohibits investments in companies involved in forced labor, coal production, tobacco manufacturing, severe environmental harm, or violations of international humanitarian law, while still prioritizing strong financial returns. The board must annually report on how these principles guide investment decisions and develop proxy voting guidelines to address related risks. This directly affects the board’s management of billions in state funds, including retirement accounts and public trust assets.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to form a work group that identifies existing African American studies curricula used in high schools and colleges nationwide. The work group must review prior education reports, consult with historically Black colleges, and survey current programs to compile a list of approved materials. By December 2027, the office must submit this list to the legislature for school districts to consider adopting in grades 7-12. The requirement expires July 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 2122 requires Washington hospitals to offer annual flu vaccinations to two specific patient groups: adults 65 or older, and any patient (regardless of age) with a chronic health condition. This applies each year from October 1 to March 1, beginning July 1, 2027, unless the vaccine is unavailable at the hospital or the immunization is medically unsafe for the patient. Hospitals are exempt during declared state emergencies or disasters, and critical access hospitals certified under federal law are also excluded. The law focuses on expanding access to flu shots for high-risk patients during peak flu season through a straightforward hospital offering requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 2330 establishes a committee within the state department to create a scoring system that prioritizes capital funding for decarbonization projects at state campus energy systems (like university or community college facilities). It directly affects state agencies managing these campuses by requiring them to submit projects for review under new scoring criteria. Key provisions include a 13-member committee with diverse expertise (e.g., energy, labor, utilities) and a ranking process evaluating factors like long-term cost savings, greenhouse gas reductions, project readiness, and alignment with climate goals. The bill ensures funding is additive to existing budgets and aims to support compliance with Washington’s clean energy standards for state facilities.