Rep. Brandy Donaghy

Maddy summaryHB 1421 creates a new Smokey Bear special license plate for Washington vehicles, with an initial fee of $40 and an annual renewal fee of $30. The plate features Smokey Bear's name, image, and wildfire prevention messages, and will be issued by the Department of Natural Resources under existing license plate regulations. This procedural bill adds the plate to Washington's existing special license plate options without altering other policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1298 requires public four-year universities in Washington to provide and pay for insurance coverage for student athletes (both current and former athletes eligible for post-eligibility health care under athletic association rules). This insurance specifically covers athletics-related injuries and illnesses, including emergency evacuation and repatriation costs. The bill mandates that institutions, not students, bear the full cost of this coverage. It directly affects student athletes at public universities participating in intercollegiate sports and their post-eligibility health care access.

Maddy summaryHB 1080 requires hotels and short-term rentals to disclose all mandatory fees, except for government taxes and special district assessments, within their advertised room rates. Before a consumer reserves a stay, the total price presented must include all government taxes and assessment fees. These rules apply to advertising displayed in or from Washington state. Businesses found in violation may face civil penalties up to $10,000 per infraction, with enforcement handled by city, county, or state attorneys.

Maddy summaryHB 1441 establishes a competitive grant and loan program to fund repair and replacement of existing public broadband infrastructure in unserved areas, directly affecting local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and broadband-focused businesses. The bill requires applicants to first contact existing broadband providers to verify no current service meets state standards and to demonstrate project benefits like household access, community support, and long-term sustainability. It amends existing law to explicitly include "repair and replace" projects in the funding criteria, streamlining the process for maintaining and upgrading current broadband systems. Applications must detail project locations, technical capabilities, community impact, and evidence that existing providers haven’t already committed to serving the area.

Maddy summaryHB 1654 clarifies which local entities are responsible for enforcing the International Fire Code in unincorporated county areas. It allows counties to handle enforcement, but gives cities, towns, or fire protection districts (with over $10 million in annual revenue) the option to take over enforcement duties - including fire cause investigations and building inspections - after providing six months' notice to the county. These entities may also charge fees to cover enforcement costs, and must offer equivalent jobs to displaced county fire marshals. The bill does not change existing fire safety standards but adjusts administrative responsibility between local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 1653 creates a state program to reimburse registered tow truck operators for releasing vehicles owned by indigent citizens who cannot afford towing costs. It applies to vehicles impounded on private property or by law enforcement (excluding those impounded after an arrest), requiring applicants to self-certify as indigent and owners, and operators to verify eligibility before submitting forms to the Department of Licensing. Reimbursement uses existing funds from towing service payments, with priority given to applications based on submission order if funds are limited. The bill requires annual reporting on program usage and prohibits tow operators from claiming liens on released vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 1125 allows judges to modify lengthy prison sentences in Washington state when a person's original sentence no longer serves justice. It directly affects incarcerated individuals who meet specific criteria, such as having served 7+ years for an offense committed as a juvenile (starting July 2026), 10+ years for offenses committed as young adults (starting July 2031), or having a terminal illness. The bill requires petitioners to show rehabilitation or low recidivism risk, and courts may only reduce sentences (not increase them), must maintain mandatory minimums, and mandate a 6-month minimum wait after a hearing before release. The law also requires new sentences to include five years of community supervision.

Maddy summaryHB 1227 allocates $3.025 million to increase women and minority-owned contractor participation in transportation projects, with specific requirements for outreach, technical assistance, and a trucking resource-sharing program. It also provides $4.92 million for tribal electric boat grants to convert fishing vessels to electric motors and $2.4 million for the University of Washington to create a public sidewalk accessibility dataset. The bill appropriates funds across 10 state agencies for road maintenance, ferry operations, and capital improvements during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. Key provisions include targeted spending conditions, such as requiring diversity action plans for pilotage commissions and prioritizing non-Puget Sound areas for contractor support.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 requires health insurance plans in Washington to cover nonopioid pain treatments equally with opioid drugs starting January 1, 2026. It prohibits plans from designating nonopioid drugs as "nonpreferred" when opioids are preferred or imposing stricter requirements (like prior authorization) on nonopioid options compared to opioids. The bill also mandates the state to create and publish an educational pamphlet about nonopioid pain treatment alternatives by 2026, detailing available options and their pros and cons. This applies to all health plans, managed care organizations, and public health programs covered under the law. The legislation directly affects insurers and patients by changing coverage rules for pain management.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 legalizes home cultivation of cannabis for Washington residents aged 21 and older. The bill allows individuals to grow up to six cannabis plants per household (with a maximum of 15 plants total per residence) and possess cannabis products within state-set limits, including up to 1/2 ounce of useable cannabis. It prohibits visible cultivation from public view or neighboring properties and restricts non-commercial sharing to no more than 1/2 ounce per 24 hours among adults 21+. The law does not apply to minors, commercial activity, or public consumption.