Rep. Gerry Pollet

Maddy summaryHB 2015 establishes a new grant program to improve public safety by providing direct financial support to local and tribal law enforcement agencies. These grants are intended to help agencies with hiring, retaining, and training law enforcement officers, as well as peer counselors and behavioral health personnel for co-response teams. To qualify for funding, agencies must meet specific requirements, including implementing state policies on use of force and de-escalation, participating in mandated trainings, and demonstrating compliance with data collection standards. Grant funds can cover up to 75 percent of entry-level salaries and benefits for new officers and support costs for required officer training.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1392 establishes the Medicaid Access Program in Washington state, directly affecting health carriers and Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill implements an annual "covered lives assessment" on these entities, with specific per-member-per-month rates, to fund the program. Implementation of these assessments and the program is conditional upon federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, along with state appropriation certifications and contract amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 2003 establishes a temporary Columbia River recreational salmon and steelhead endorsement program, effective January 1, 2026. Individuals 15 years or older will need to purchase this endorsement, costing $7.50 for adults and $6 for youth/seniors, to recreationally fish for salmon or steelhead in designated Columbia River areas. Funds collected will be deposited into a new account to support selective fishing opportunities, including monitoring, hatchery production, pinniped removal, and enforcement. The Department of Fish and Wildlife, with stakeholders, must review the program and provide a continuation recommendation to the legislature by December 2026. All provisions of this program are set to expire on January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 1162 requires all health care settings in Washington to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan to protect their employees. These plans must address factors such as physical security, staffing patterns, employee training, and procedures for reporting violent acts. The bill mandates annual reviews and updates of these plans and requires health care settings to conduct timely investigations into every workplace violence incident. Findings from these investigations, along with incident data, must be regularly summarized and submitted to a relevant workplace committee to identify systemic causes and recommend plan modifications.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1497 aims to enhance waste material management systems, particularly for organic materials, in Washington State. It directs the Department to develop a statewide education and outreach program by January 1, 2029, focusing on residential organic waste separation and contamination reduction, providing resources for local governments. The bill also updates eligibility for grant programs that support waste management initiatives for various entities, including local governments and businesses. Additionally, it mandates that new waste collection containers provided to customers, such as for residential and commercial services, be color-coded starting January 1, 2028, to help reduce contamination.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1154 strengthens environmental and public health protections by modifying the permitting process for solid waste handling facilities. It requires the state Department of Ecology to review and approve permits for new or modified landfill facilities *before* local health departments can issue or renew them, a change effective August 1, 2027. For other solid waste handling facilities, the state Department will continue to review permits after local issuance and retains the ability to appeal. Additionally, the bill involves the Department of Agriculture in reviewing composting facilities that receive materials from quarantined areas to prevent the spread of diseases or pests.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 expands protections for workers in Washington's state paid family and medical leave program. The bill requires the department to enhance outreach to employees, explaining their eligibility, application process, and reinstatement and nondiscrimination rights. It also mandates increased outreach to employers about their responsibilities and authorizes the department to audit employer records for compliance. Additionally, the bill clarifies premium collection and calculation methods, and ensures the confidentiality of employee information within the program.

Maddy summaryHB 1936 extends the time frame during which retired school employees can return to work in public educational institutions without affecting their pension payments. The bill changes the expiration date for these provisions from July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2030. This allows certain retirees, including those in non-administrative positions and some administrators in second-class school districts, to work up to 1,040 hours per year while continuing to receive their pension.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1946 clarifies the process for tribal membership on local boards of health in Washington state. The bill mandates that local boards of health must allow a representative from each federally recognized Indian tribe or qualified urban Indian organization with a presence in the county to serve as a member. These representatives are selected by their respective tribe or organization, and the local board of health must notify the American Indian Health Commission. This ensures that tribal and urban Indian organization perspectives are formally integrated into local public health governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1351) adjusts the eligibility requirements for children to access Washington's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). It clarifies that an eligible child must be at least three years old by August 31st of the school year and not yet age-eligible for kindergarten. The bill updates income thresholds for families, shifting from federal poverty levels to state median income percentages over time. Additionally, it expands eligibility to include children experiencing homelessness or those who have participated in other specific early childhood support programs.