Rep. Gerry Pollet

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an alternative to prosecution for juveniles charged with unlawful firearm possession (under RCW 9.41.040(2)(a)(v)). It requires juveniles to agree to a 12-month intensive supervision program with a reduced caseload probation officer, including mandatory therapy, mentorship, school attendance, and random consent-based searches for firearms or illegal substances. Participants must comply with conditions like curfews, geographic restrictions, and substance use monitoring, with the charge dismissed if they successfully complete the program. The alternative can be terminated if noncompliance is proven, requiring court hearings to review evidence and circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 2409 extends collective bargaining rights to agricultural employees in Washington State, including farmworkers and those in food processing, packing, and distribution. It places these workers under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), allowing them to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions through elected representatives. The bill defines key terms (like "agricultural employee" and "bargaining representative") and requires PERC to handle disputes while addressing barriers like language differences and seasonal work patterns. This policy change directly affects agricultural employers and workers, shifting their labor relations under state law rather than federal oversight.

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 2580 increases state funding to supplement school districts' local enrichment levies in Washington. It provides additional state funds based on a district's actual levy rate: districts with rates below $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value receive funding proportional to their rate, while those at or above $1.50 receive full maximum assistance. Tribal education compact schools receive per-student funding up to $2,692.74 (adjusted for inflation starting 2028), calculated using prior year data. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not count toward the state's basic education funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2581 expands the options electric utilities can use to meet 20% of their greenhouse gas neutral compliance requirement under Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act. It allows utilities to count investments in specific projects - such as upgrading transmission systems, enabling distributed energy resources, installing EV charging infrastructure (including for low-income communities), and addressing transmission constraints - toward this 20% target. Each $1 million spent on these qualifying projects counts as 0.25% toward the utility’s compliance obligation. The bill applies directly to Washington’s retail electric utilities required to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2030. It does not change the core requirement that 80% of electricity must come from renewable or nonemitting sources.

Maddy summaryHB 2400 requires vloggers earning $12,000+ annually from compensated social media video content to register with Washington’s Department of Revenue as conducting business (Sec. 2). It mandates social media platforms and advertisers to set up trust accounts for minor children appearing in paid videos, withholding a pro-rata percentage of compensation based on the child’s screen time (Sec. 3). Platforms with Washington nexus must annually report detailed data to the Department, including creator counts, revenue from minors’ content, and video segment volumes (Sec. 4). The bill directly affects compensated vloggers, platforms, and advertisers, creating new registration, trust-fund, and reporting obligations.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HR 4666) formally recognizes Mia Hamant, a University of Washington women's soccer goalkeeper who passed away after battling stage 4 cancer. It commends her courage and spirit during her time with the team and her impact on the Husky community. The resolution also congratulates the 2025 UW women's soccer team for winning the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, reaching the NCAA Elite Eight, and setting program records. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect and serves only to honor Hamant and the team's achievements.

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 summaryHB 2148 creates Washington's "pay it forward" program to help graduate students cover tuition and fees at public universities. The program provides funding for up to four years of study (or 125% of a program's length), minus any existing state financial aid, for students at University of Washington, Washington State University, regional universities (Western, Central, Eastern), or The Evergreen State College. Participants repay the program after graduation by contributing a percentage of their income (3.5% for regional universities/state college, 5% for state universities) for up to 15 years, with payments tied to the credits taken during their studies. Funding comes from state appropriations, participant contributions, and private donations, held in a dedicated trust fund managed by the Student Achievement Council.