Rep. Gerry Pollet

Maddy summaryHB 2019 increases the estate tax rates for Washington estates valued over $9 million, making the tax more progressive. Starting in 2025, estates exceeding $9 million will face a 38% tax rate (up from 35% under current law), with higher rates applying to larger estates. This directly affects Washington residents inheriting estates above the new thresholds, particularly those with assets exceeding $9 million. The bill adjusts tax brackets to impose higher rates on the largest estates while raising the applicable exclusion amount to $3 million for 2025-2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1951 caps fares for transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) during large-scale events, limiting charges to 120% of the driver's pay for prearranged rides. It directly affects passengers using these services at events defined as gatherings of 1,000+ people indoors or 10,000+ people outdoors with defined entrances/exits (excluding school or religious events). The bill requires companies to provide fare estimates before rides and prohibits excessive pricing during events, with "driver's pay" defined as base compensation excluding tolls or tips. This policy aims to prevent price gouging during high-demand gatherings while maintaining existing state preemption over local regulations for transportation network companies.

Maddy summaryHB 2024 creates a state property tax exemption for Washington homeowners' primary residences, reducing their state tax burden. It exempts either $100,000 of a home's assessed value or 60% of the county's median home value (whichever is greater), applied after other existing exemptions. This directly benefits primary residence owners - especially fixed-income households and those at risk of displacement - by lowering annual state property tax costs. The exemption applies only to state levies (not local taxes) and requires an annual application by April 1st, with verification to ensure it applies to only one residence.

Maddy summaryHB 1550 requires electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers and sellers in Washington to cover the cost of responsibly managing batteries when they reach the end of their life in vehicles. It directly affects EV manufacturers, dealers, and battery providers who sell new propulsion batteries in the state. The bill establishes a system prioritizing reuse (like repurposing for energy storage), repair, or remanufacturing before recycling, and mandates that battery providers fund recycling programs through a new state framework. This updates Washington’s existing battery management rules to specifically address EV batteries, which were previously excluded from producer responsibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1740 expands Washington's Office of Independent Investigations to include prosecuting criminal cases related to officer use of force, directly affecting victims of such incidents and county prosecutors. The bill grants the office concurrent authority with county prosecutors to investigate and prosecute use-of-force cases and related offenses, while requiring the independent prosecutor to meet strict appointment criteria (including background checks for bias) and keep victims informed of case progress. It mandates public reporting when charges are declined for fatal use-of-force cases and clarifies cost responsibilities (the office covers its prosecution costs but not defense costs). The independent prosecutor, appointed by the director, holds final authority over charging decisions and case management within the office's jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryHB 1211 would require clergy, including ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders, to report suspected child abuse and neglect in Washington state. This bill amends the state's child abuse reporting law (RCW 26.44.020 and 26.44.030) to remove a previous exemption for clergy, making them mandated reporters under the same standards as other professionals. The key change broadens the definition of "member of the clergy" to include diverse religious leaders and integrates them into the reporting framework. This directly affects religious leaders who interact with children in Washington, requiring them to report suspicions of abuse or neglect to child protective services.

Maddy summaryHB 1772 establishes "shared streets" in Washington state, where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles share the same roadway space. Local governments can designate nonarterial streets as shared streets using official traffic signs, requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians and cyclists while cyclists must yield to pedestrians. The bill also allows local authorities to set a 10 mph speed limit specifically on designated shared streets without needing an engineering study. This directly affects local governments (which can designate these streets), pedestrians, cyclists, micromobility device users (like e-scooters), and drivers navigating these shared spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 establishes a permanent ninth grade success grant program to fund school-based teams that identify and support ninth-grade students at risk of not graduating. The program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, prioritizes public schools with low ninth-grade on-track rates or below-average graduation rates, particularly in underserved communities. Grant funds cover team member compensation, professional development, substitute teachers for program duties, and direct student supports. Schools must report annually on participation, student demographics, and outcomes like on-track rates and graduation data through 2030.

Maddy summaryHB 1950 requires contractors or subcontractors who violate payment rules (RCW 39.04.250) to cover specific costs for certified minority- and women-owned subcontractors on public works projects. If a certified subcontractor cannot make timely employer contributions to a Taft-Hartley trust due to delayed payments, the responsible contractor must indemnify them for any associated fees or penalties. This applies only to public works contracts entered or renewed after the bill's effective date, targeting financial penalties related to pension/fund contributions, not general late payment expenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1280 amends Washington's school funding formula to require a 23:1 student-to-teacher ratio for career and technical education (CTE) programs in middle and high schools. This specifically affects sixth-grade students in middle school CTE programs by establishing a funding standard for class sizes. School districts receiving state basic education funds must allocate resources to maintain this ratio for CTE instruction. The bill modifies existing funding rules under RCW 28A.150.260 to include CTE class size requirements in the allocation formula. It does not mandate new CTE programs but sets parameters for funding existing or expanded middle school CTE offerings.