Rep. Darya Farivar

Maddy summaryHB 2260 requires signature gatherers (people collecting signatures for ballot initiatives) to sign a declaration on each petition sheet confirming they verified each signer's identity, address, and that no one was paid to sign. It also mandates matching petitioners' addresses to their voter registration records to prevent fraud. These changes aim to improve signature verification accuracy by ensuring addresses on petitions match registration data, reducing errors in validating signatures. The bill aligns with requirements in other states like Idaho and California and responds to issues where unsigned declarations and missing addresses led to potential signature validation errors.

Maddy summaryHB 2259 requires initiative and referendum proponents to gather at least 1,000 valid signatures from Washington voters *before* filing a measure with the secretary of state, aiming to prevent duplicate filings and ensure minimum public support. It also bans paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected - a practice linked to documented fraud in past measures like 2008’s Initiative 985 and 2012’s Initiative 1185. The bill mandates these changes to protect ballot integrity, citing evidence that per-signature compensation incentivizes forged or duplicate signatures. These provisions apply directly to ballot measure sponsors, circulators, and state offices processing petitions, aligning with similar laws in Oregon and Montana.

Maddy summaryHB 2332 regulates how Washington state and local agencies use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems to protect driver privacy. It requires all agencies using ALPRs to register systems with the Attorney General, limits their use to specific purposes (like checking stolen vehicles or missing persons), and prohibits collecting data near healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. The bill mandates detailed audit trails tracking every system access and explicitly bans using ALPRs for immigration enforcement or stopping vehicles based solely on a system match. Agencies must develop policies for ALPR use and obtain independent reasonable suspicion before stopping a vehicle, ensuring privacy rights under state and federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 2415 requires Washington's Department of Social and Health Services to investigate unexpected deaths of residents in state-run facilities (including hospitals, residential habilitation centers, and state-operated living alternatives). It mandates a review team with relevant expertise to examine each case, develop safety recommendations, and issue a public report within 120 days, including details on prior abuse/neglect reports if applicable. The department must also create and post a corrective action plan addressing review findings online within 120 days. This applies to all facilities operated by the department providing residential or inpatient care, with strict confidentiality protections for the review process itself.

Maddy summaryHB 2102 eliminates certain unenforceable legal financial obligations (LFOs) for offenders in Washington State, including costs, fees, and accrued interest on restitution or other debts. It automatically voids these debts after the bill’s effective date, prohibits courts from accepting payments for them, and allows judges to waive uncollectible portions of LFOs upon offender request. The bill also stops interest accrual on criminal fines and fees as of June 7, 2018, and updates collection procedures for existing debts. This directly affects individuals with outstanding criminal or civil LFOs, particularly those deemed uncollectible. The law clarifies that courts may not enforce or collect these specific debts while preserving mechanisms for individual court-based relief.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (not a policy bill) introduced on January 19, 2026, by multiple Washington State Representatives. It formally recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, legacy of nonviolent activism, and contributions to civil rights, including his role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. The resolution expresses the House's commitment to upholding Dr. King's ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any specific individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryHB 2265 requires landlords in Washington state to allow tenants to install portable air conditioners or evaporative coolers (like window units or floor models) without restriction, unless specific safety or structural concerns apply. Landlords may only prohibit such devices if installation violates building codes, damages property, exceeds electrical capacity, or conflicts with window egress requirements - prioritizing tenants with disabilities requiring cooling. The bill mandates landlords provide written lease notices detailing tenant rights and restrictions, and shields landlords from liability for tenant-installed device issues. This directly affects all residential tenants in Washington, particularly those in buildings without permanent AC during extreme heat events.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HJM 4010 is a formal request to the U.S. government to investigate the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a University of Washington psychology graduate and Seattle resident. The memorial, addressed to President Trump, the Secretary of State, and the Department of Justice, asks for a "transparent, thorough, and independent investigation" into her death by an Israeli military sniper in the West Bank on September 6, 2024. It specifically cites her peaceful activism, including organizing protests for Palestinian rights and supporting displaced communities, and draws parallels to the unresolved death of another Washingtonian, Rachel Corrie. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it does not create new law but formally urges federal action. The request is directed at U.S. executive and legislative branches to pursue accountability for Eygi's death.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 bans the sale, possession, transport, or distribution of farmed octopus in Washington State, targeting commercial aquaculture operations. The bill directly affects businesses and individuals involved in octopus farming, as it prohibits these activities under new provisions in Title 19 RCW. Key mechanisms include a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance, enforceable by the attorney general. The legislation is based on the legislature’s findings that octopuses are highly intelligent, sentient creatures requiring protection from farming practices. It expands existing 2024 restrictions on octopus aquaculture by eliminating the commercial market for farmed octopus.

Maddy summaryHB 2293 prohibits Washington state law enforcement agencies, including the Washington State Patrol and peace officer training commissions, from participating in or funding training, exchanges, or travel with foreign military forces, intelligence agencies, or security services. The bill directly affects all Washington law enforcement officers and agencies by banning partnerships, programs, or travel for foreign military/intelligence training. Key provisions require agencies to cease any existing arrangements and prevent future funding or facilitation of such international training activities. This policy change aims to restrict state law enforcement collaboration with foreign security entities, with no exemptions specified.