Rep. Gerry Pollet

Maddy summaryHB 1431 prohibits rental car companies in Washington from separately charging customers for "vehicle license cost recovery fees" (fees meant to cover the company's costs for licensing, titling, and registering rental cars). Instead, companies may describe their actual costs for these services in rental agreements but must include a clear disclaimer stating these costs are not imposed by the government on customers. The bill also sets rules for "child restraint system rental fees," requiring them to be based on the company's actual costs and guaranteeing a full refund if the restraint system isn't available within one hour of rental pickup. This bill directly affects rental car companies operating in Washington and their customers, changing how these specific fees can be presented and charged.

Maddy summaryHB 1863 requires all Washington school districts to develop cardiac emergency response plans by the 2025-26 school year, directly affecting schools, staff, students, and participants in athletic events. The plan must include designated response teams (staff, coaches, nurses), AED placement within three minutes of cardiac events, annual staff training in CPR/AED use, and coordination with local emergency services. Schools must update plans yearly and maintain AEDs per manufacturer guidelines, with clear signage. The bill also creates a grant program prioritizing schools with high student poverty rates (50%+ on free/reduced lunch) to fund AEDs and training.

Maddy summaryHB 1107 requires large fashion producers (those with over $100 million in annual gross income) to annually disclose specific environmental information to Washington’s Department of Ecology starting January 1, 2027. It mandates reporting on high-priority chemicals in products, definitions of sustainability claims like "green" or "eco-friendly," disposal methods for unsold inventory, and current environmental initiatives. The bill directly affects major fashion brands, manufacturers, and importers selling products in Washington, aiming to increase transparency about the industry’s environmental footprint. Key provisions include requiring clear definitions of marketing terms and data on waste disposal volumes, with penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2081 modifies Washington's business and occupation (B&O) tax structure, affecting various businesses operating in the state. It increases B&O tax rates for several business activities, including extraction, manufacturing, retail sales, and digital goods. The bill also establishes a temporary B&O tax surcharge for large companies with annual revenues exceeding $250 million. Additionally, it clarifies the B&O tax deduction available for certain business investments.

Maddy summaryHB 1296, "Promoting a safe and supportive public education system," enacts new requirements for public schools, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools in Washington. The bill prioritizes student safety, access to education free of discrimination, and privacy within the school system. It expands protected characteristics to include ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, and neurodivergence in anti-discrimination policies. Furthermore, the bill mandates that schools develop and share a "Statement of Student Rights" through educational and promotional materials, including civics education, to inform students of their entitlements.

Maddy summaryHB 1163 enhances requirements for firearm purchases, transfers, and possession in Washington state. The bill mandates that individuals obtain a valid permit to purchase firearms from the Washington State Patrol firearms background check program before acquiring a firearm. It also specifies requirements for firearms safety training programs, outlines circumstances for delayed firearm transfers, and requires recordkeeping for all transfers. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to purchase or transfer firearms and licensed firearm dealers, modifying the existing background check and sales processes.

Maddy summaryHB 2049 aims to enhance funding for K-12 education and communities by modifying state and local property tax authority and adjusting the school funding formula. The bill revises the maximum dollar amount school districts can levy for enrichment, setting it as the lesser of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value or a per-pupil limit. This per-pupil limit is updated with specific "inflation enhancements" through 2030 and establishes a new base amount starting in 2031, impacting funding based on student enrollment. Additionally, it adjusts how the state provides local effort assistance funding to supplement these school district enrichment levies.

Maddy summarySubstitute House Bill 1811 aims to enhance crisis response services in Washington state by integrating and supporting "co-response" teams. The bill formalizes co-response as a multidisciplinary partnership between first responders (like law enforcement and EMTs) and human services professionals (such as social workers and behavioral health clinicians). These teams respond to emergency situations, including 911 and 988 calls, involving behavioral health crises and complex medical needs. The goal is to de-escalate situations, divert individuals from the criminal justice system, and provide immediate medical and behavioral health care in the field, benefiting vulnerable populations.

Maddy summaryHB 1498 establishes a grant program to help cities and counties create and operate domestic violence co-responder programs. These programs deploy domestic violence victim advocates alongside law enforcement to provide on-scene support, resources, and care navigation for victims and their families. The bill creates a dedicated state treasury account, funded primarily by an additional $100 fee on marriage licenses, to support this initiative. The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy will administer these grants, also providing technical assistance and support for billing health insurance for services.

Maddy summaryHB 1837 establishes specific improvement priorities for the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail service, aiming to enhance the state's transportation system. It mandates the Washington State Department of Transportation to work towards target goals by 2035, including increasing on-time performance to 88% and boosting daily round trips between Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The department must also improve multimodal connections at stations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the bill requires the department to report annually on its progress and directs the Joint Transportation Committee to conduct an independent review of the Amtrak Cascades service development plan.