Rep. Gerry Pollet

Maddy summaryHB 1805 proposes a local 0.01% sales and use tax in Washington counties to fund additional services for children and families. The tax would generate revenue specifically for mental health support, early intervention programs, child care, school-based health services, shelter, rental assistance, and transportation. Counties could implement this tax via resolution or ordinance, with funds restricted to the listed services that address gaps in current Medicaid and behavioral health programs. The bill aims to support children and families early to improve well-being and reduce long-term needs like youth violence and substance use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington healthcare providers to inform patients about available pain control options before scheduling or during appointments for intrauterine device (IUD) placement or removal. It directly affects patients seeking IUDs - particularly those who have never given birth, who often experience more pain - and healthcare providers who perform these procedures. The key provision mandates that providers notify patients about pain management choices (beyond just over-the-counter medications) at the time of scheduling, aligning with updated CDC guidelines. The bill does not change medical practices but ensures patients receive clear information about pain control options before the procedure. It is pending review in the Health Care & Wellness committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2012 allocates $16.2 million for the 2024-25 school year and $4.7 million for 2025-26 to fund Washington's "transition to kindergarten" program, which helps children needing extra preparation before kindergarten. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools operating the program. Key provisions include requiring schools to prioritize low-income families for enrollment, prohibiting tuition fees or disability-based exclusions, mandating developmental assessments, and establishing a funding formula based on eligible student counts. The bill also sets standards for program eligibility (children age 4 by August 31 who need additional kindergarten preparation) and requires schools to adopt policies meeting state guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 creates a coordinated statewide network to improve school-based mental and behavioral health services for Washington K-12 students. It directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to lead strategic planning and coordination with state agencies, school districts, and regional programs, replacing fragmented existing efforts. Key provisions include establishing regional student assistance programs to provide evidence-based screening, prevention, and intervention services - especially in underserved areas - and requiring schools to align with the Washington Integrated Student Supports protocol. The bill aims to streamline access to mental health resources, reduce barriers to care, and support school staff through technical assistance, without creating new standalone programs. This directly affects all public school students and districts across Washington, particularly those in communities with limited behavioral health access.

Maddy summaryHB 1777 streamlines the state approval process for apprenticeship programs that already have federal approval, directly affecting program sponsors (including tribal and nontribal organizations) and employers seeking to expand training opportunities. It requires the apprenticeship council to expedite reviews of federally-approved programs by limiting state-specific scrutiny to unique requirements, while reforming competitor objections: objections must be filed within 30 days of provisional approval, and frivolous objections can trigger penalties like attorney fee payments or $10,000 fines. The bill also mandates annual reports comparing Washington’s program approval rates to federal standards and other states, including details on pending applications and denial reasons. These changes aim to reduce current delays - where 4 of 17 2024 applications remained pending after federal approval - without altering apprenticeship content or creating new training slots.

Maddy summaryHB 1566 requires health insurance companies in Washington to improve transparency in prior authorization decisions for medical treatments and drugs. It sets strict time limits: insurers must decide on electronic standard requests within 3 days and expedited requests within 1 day, with clear communication if more information is needed. The bill mandates that insurers provide evidence-based clinical criteria (updated annually to address health disparities) and include provider credentials when denying requests. It also restricts insurers from changing prior authorization policies more than quarterly, requiring 45 days' notice to providers for most updates. This directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and patients receiving covered care.

Maddy summaryHB 1986 would impose a new 5.9% tax on motor vehicle sales to businesses that use the vehicles for retail car rentals, directly affecting car rental companies purchasing vehicles for their fleets. This tax applies specifically to vehicles bought for rental operations (not individual car sales) and must be paid by the rental company at the time of purchase. Revenue from this tax will fund the state’s multimodal transportation account. The bill amends existing tax law to create this targeted tax, with the rate applying to sales occurring on or after October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1199 strengthens consumer protections by increasing penalties for insurance companies that violate Washington's insurance code. It amends statutes to allow the Insurance Commissioner to impose fines of $250-$10,000 per violation (up from $250), require insurers to pay restitution with 8% interest within 30 days, and issue cease-and-desist orders. The bill directly affects insurers found liable for code violations, mandating financial accountability for harms caused to policyholders. Key provisions include streamlined restitution orders for funds owed to consumers and automatic certificate revocation for unpaid fines.

Maddy summaryHB 1276 (titled "Concerning organized retail theft") actually modifies sentencing guidelines for violent crimes involving firearms or deadly weapons, not retail theft itself. The bill adds mandatory sentence enhancements: 5 years for Class A felonies, 3 years for Class B, and 18 months for Class C when a firearm was used during the crime. These enhancements must be served consecutively to other sentences and cannot be reduced if they exceed statutory maximums. The bill applies to offenders convicted of eligible felonies committed after July 23, 1995, excluding specific weapons offenses like machine guns. Note: The bill’s title is misleading, as it does not address retail theft but focuses on sentencing for firearm/deadly weapon crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 1072 requires Washington's Department of Health to review health care mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures that could affect access to reproductive, end-of-life, or gender-affirming care. Health care entities must submit applications 60 days before such transactions, detailing how access to these services will be maintained or improved in affected communities. The Department of Health can approve transactions, approve them with conditions, or deny them based on their impact on protected services. This law aims to prevent disruptions to critical care types while requiring transparency in transaction planning.