Rep. Larry Springer

Maddy summaryHB 2655 provides a sales and use tax exemption for new data centers in specific eastern Washington counties (east of the Cascades, bordering another state, with at least 500,000 residents). It covers construction, equipment, and power infrastructure costs for qualifying data centers, but requires them to create a minimum of 35 family-wage jobs or 3 jobs per 20,000 square feet of server space within six years. The exemption expires in 2048, and tax certificates must be renewed every two years, with job requirements verified annually. This policy directly affects data center developers in targeted counties seeking tax savings tied to job creation.

Maddy summaryHB 2725 reverts Washington state's estate tax rates to levels in effect before July 1, 2025, by amending RCW 83.100.040. It directly affects Washington residents with taxable estates exceeding $1 million, as it reduces tax rates for estates valued between $1 million and $9 million. The bill changes the tax brackets - for example, lowering the top rate from 35% to 20% for estates over $9 million - based on the decedent's death date. This policy change applies to estates of decedents dying on or after specific dates in 2025 and 2026, undoing recent increases enacted in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2528 standardizes how cities and counties under Washington’s Growth Management Act can impose a 0.25% real estate sales tax to fund capital projects. It requires tax revenue to be used exclusively for specific infrastructure like roads, parks, airports, and affordable housing projects, with limits on how much can fund homelessness housing (capped at 25% of funds or $100,000, whichever is greater). Cities must identify these projects in their budget and may need voter approval for new taxes, while ensuring funds align with comprehensive planning requirements. The bill updates existing law to create uniform rules across jurisdictions, replacing inconsistent local approaches.

Maddy summaryHB 2463 creates two new grant programs to connect Washington farmers with hunger relief organizations. It establishes a "farm donation grant program" that provides funds to nonprofits to purchase surplus farm products (like produce, dairy, and protein) directly from Washington growers, compensating farmers for harvest and logistical costs. A second "farm-to-food pantry grant program" supports nonprofits in building direct contracts between farmers, tribes, and food hubs to supply food pantries. The bill prioritizes organizations with at least five years of experience and aims to ensure equitable access for minority, veteran, women, and tribal farmers. The law requires grant recipients to report results to the state department and is known as the "Washington Farmers Feeding Families Act."

Maddy summaryHJR 4210 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would replace fixed session length limits for Washington's legislature with flexible rules. Currently, the constitution mandates 105-day regular sessions in odd-numbered years and 60-day sessions in even-numbered years; this amendment would allow the legislature to set session durations through regular laws instead. If approved by voters, the legislature could adjust session lengths based on evolving needs, such as addressing urgent issues or budget cycles. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election and does not change the legislature's authority to pass laws or the structure of legislative sessions. This directly affects how Washington's state legislature organizes its annual work schedule.

Maddy summaryThis Washington State legislative memorial (HJM 4009) requests federal agencies to maintain wildfire response capacity amid consolidation plans. It specifically asks the Department of Interior and Agriculture to ensure full staffing of the new Wildland Fire Service by April 2026, delay further reorganization until wildfire activity decreases, and avoid reducing firefighting capacity during consolidation. The request aims to protect communities, infrastructure, natural resources, and firefighter safety in Washington State, responding to federal staff reductions and uncertainty about consolidation impacts.

Maddy summaryHB 2620 invalidates a 2025 forest buffer rule adopted by Washington's Forest Practices Board and requires the Board to restart the rulemaking process for riparian buffers around nonfish streams. The bill mandates the Board to develop a measurable economic viability standard for the timber industry by January 2027, ensuring rules consider impacts on small landowners and operational mills. It also requires the Board to reevaluate scientific studies used in the prior rulemaking, ensuring longer-term monitoring and actual evidence of aquatic resource impacts before adopting new standards. This legislation directly affects the Forest Practices Board, timber industry stakeholders, and rural communities dependent on forest revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 2221 requires Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife to take specific actions when mule deer or white-tailed deer populations decline 25% below their 10-year average in areas where gray wolves are not federally protected. The bill mandates predator mitigation - including wolf translocation, targeted removal, or nonlethal measures - within 60 days of designation as "at-risk," continuing until populations meet or exceed 2004 harvest levels for two consecutive years. It also requires annual, transparent population surveys conducted with hunters and public reporting of trends, actions, and progress by March 31 each year. The law directly affects rural communities, tribal and nontribal hunters, and wildlife management, aiming to stabilize key ungulate populations that support local economies and recreation.

Maddy summaryHB 2536 allows Washington wineries to operate restaurants that serve spirits, beer, and wine on their own premises or on adjacent property they own or lease. This bill amends state licensing rules to let domestic wineries hold "spirits, beer, and wine restaurant" licenses at their primary manufacturing sites or authorized additional locations. Previously, wineries could only sell wine at their facilities, but this change permits them to serve all three beverage types in a full-service restaurant setting. The policy directly affects Washington wineries, particularly those with multiple locations seeking to expand on-site dining options.

Maddy summaryHB 1364 increases the annual gross revenue threshold for charitable and nonprofit organizations from $5,000 to $15,000 for conducting unlicensed bingo, raffles, and amusement games. This change allows these organizations to generate more revenue from fundraising activities without requiring a state license or paying local taxes on the first $15,000 of revenue. The bill updates related tax exemptions in Washington state law (RCW 9.46.110) to align with the new threshold. It directly affects nonprofits that use these games as a primary fundraising method, providing greater flexibility while maintaining existing operational requirements like member-only participation and record-keeping.