Rep. Gerry Pollet

Maddy summaryHB 1056 empowers Washington's Attorney General to investigate and take legal action against local law enforcement and corrections agencies for systemic misconduct, such as excessive force, discriminatory practices, or inadequate detention conditions. The bill allows the AG to issue civil investigative demands, file lawsuits for systemic reforms, and seek court-ordered policy changes without addressing individual officer misconduct. It specifically applies to county and city agencies (excluding state entities like the Washington State Patrol) and requires coordination with federal investigations. The law does not replace existing legal remedies but aims to promote consistent accountability and transparency in local policing and corrections practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1820 requires Washington-based family vloggers who meet specific profit thresholds (e.g., earning $0.10+ per view or hitting platform payout limits) to set aside earnings from videos featuring their minor children into a trust. It directly affects minors under 18 whose images, names, or photos appear in at least 30% of a video segment and where the vlogger’s content generated qualifying revenue. The bill mandates that earnings from such content be held in trust for the child until they turn 18, with compensation proportional to the child’s screen time (e.g., if a child appears 40% of a video, 40% of the video’s revenue is set aside). Minors can later request deletion of their childhood content from online platforms upon reaching adulthood. The law amends Washington’s personal property rights statutes to address gaps in protecting children featured in monetized social media content.

Maddy summaryHB 1894 requires Washington public school districts to incorporate curriculum about the history, culture, and government of nearby federally recognized tribes into social studies by September 1, 2026, directly affecting all K-12 schools. It mandates districts to consult with tribes during curriculum updates and use the "John McCoy (lulilaš)" curriculum as a starting point. The bill creates an Office of Native Education within the superintendent’s office to support districts in developing these materials and requires annual monitoring of compliance starting in 2025-26. The law expires September 1, 2029, and requires districts to report on tribal collaborations and curriculum implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1493 changes the age at which individuals receiving developmental disabilities services in Washington state can access employment programs, lowering the starting age from 21 to 19. It requires the state agency to provide employment services beginning at age 19 and mandates that clients enrolled in employment programs for nine months may transition to community inclusion programs (and return to employment programs at any time) without prior department approval. The bill also requires the agency to clearly inform clients and their legal representatives about all service options, including the types of activities and service durations available under each program. Additionally, it directs the agency to develop rules for exceptions to the nine-month requirement and to expand community inclusion programs to support greater community integration. This bill takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1020 creates a structured system to help students aged 16-21 who are not on track to graduate high school reengage with education. It requires school districts to partner with community colleges, educational service districts, or community-based organizations to provide programs offering academic instruction (including free college courses at community colleges), career counseling, and case management. These programs must generate high school credits toward diplomas or equivalency certificates and address barriers to success. The bill defines "eligible students" as those under 21 not accumulating sufficient credits or recommended by social services/juvenile justice systems. It directs the state education office to develop rules with input from colleges and community organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 requires Washington public colleges and universities to offer early course registration to students with dependents starting in the 2025-26 academic year. It directly affects students who are parents or caregivers for children under 18, or individuals with disabilities/elderly relatives dependent on them. Institutions must create processes to prioritize these students for early registration - new students must complete admission, while continuing students must meet current enrollment requirements. The law defines "dependents" as children under 18 or those requiring the student's care due to disability, age, or health needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1907 classifies the rental or lease of individual storage spaces at self-service storage facilities as a "retail transaction" for tax purposes. This means self-storage facilities must collect and remit business and occupation taxes and sales taxes on these rentals, aligning them with other retail services. The bill amends Washington State law (RCW 82.04.050) to explicitly include storage rentals under the definition of taxable retail sales, affecting both the facilities (as taxpayers) and their customers (who pay the tax). It does not create new taxes but changes the tax treatment of an existing service. The bill is currently under review in the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1122 requires Washington public schools to restrict student mobile device use during instructional hours starting in the 2026-27 school year. It directs the state superintendent to report by December 2025 on successful strategies (like time limits or device storage) and exceptions (for emergencies, disabilities, or instructional needs), then mandates school districts to adopt compliant policies based on a state-developed model. The bill aims to reduce classroom distractions and support student mental health, citing research showing smartphones lower test performance by about six percent. It specifically excludes school-issued devices and applies to all public school districts, including charter and tribal schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1383 establishes a state grant program to provide funding for diaper banks to purchase and distribute essential baby items like diapers and wipes to families in need. The program prioritizes providers serving marginalized low-income communities or communities of color, or those with proven capacity to distribute baby essentials at scale. Grant recipients must apply through the department, which will annually report awarded funds on its website. This bill directly affects families accessing baby supplies and diaper bank providers operating in Washington state.

Maddy summaryWashington State's HB 1862 limits the maximum length of freight, passenger, and work trains operating within the state to 8,500 feet, directly affecting all railroad carriers (including those operating through Washington) that transport freight or passengers. The bill requires trains exceeding this length to obtain specific approval from the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which may allow trains up to 10,000 feet only if equipped with additional safety measures: extra crew members, accessible air brake valves, and emergency communication systems. Violations carry fines starting at $25,000 for the first offense, doubling with each subsequent violation. The law aims to address safety risks from excessively long trains on Washington's varied terrain, particularly regarding emergency response and infrastructure safety.