Rep. Amy Walen

Maddy summaryHB 1968 makes it a crime to knowingly expose a child or dependent adult to fentanyl, synthetic opioids, or methamphetamine precursors (like ephedrine or anhydrous ammonia). It specifically targets situations where a caregiver allows a vulnerable person to come into contact with these substances, excluding medical use. The law exempts child welfare workers and their staff from criminal liability under this provision, and violations would be charged as a class B felony. This bill directly affects parents, guardians, and caregivers who endanger vulnerable individuals through substance exposure.

Maddy summaryHB 1895 creates a tax credit for Washington small businesses (50 or fewer employees) that pay for employees' educational expenses at accredited institutions. The credit covers 100% of costs for tuition, books, and on-campus lodging related to associate degrees, apprenticeships, or technical programs, up to $20,000 per business annually. Businesses must apply through the state department, and unused credits can be carried forward for one year. The credit expires January 1, 2037 for the benefit amount and January 1, 2038 for the entire provision.

Maddy summaryHB 1557 establishes Washington's Guaranteed Admissions Program, which guarantees admission to public four-year colleges for eligible high school seniors meeting specific criteria. It requires participating colleges (including tribal institutions and state universities) to simplify application processes starting in 2026-27, and mandates high schools to share student data with colleges to identify qualified applicants. The bill also requires all high schools to provide annual notifications to students in grades 9-12 about this program, the Washington College Grant, dual credit options, and other college pathways. Institutions may opt out of the program by reporting their reasons to the legislature, but must still pursue alternative access initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 1810 requires Washington state to study financial incentives for seismic retrofits of older brick buildings (unreinforced masonry structures) and create a statewide inventory of such buildings. It directly affects building owners of vulnerable historic properties, local governments using the inventory for planning, and taxpayers through potential tax changes. Key provisions include a 2026 study on tax modifications (like special valuation or exemptions) to reduce retrofit costs, and a 2030 deadline to catalog all such buildings using existing data and on-site verification. The bill aims to make retrofits more affordable to protect public safety and preserve affordable housing, without mandating retrofits. It expires in 2026 for the study and 2030 for the inventory work.

Maddy summaryHB 1998 clarifies which investment income businesses can deduct when calculating Washington state's business and occupation tax. It specifically allows deductions for income from investments like stocks, bonds, and interest between related entities (if under 5% of gross receipts), while excluding income from banking, lending, factoring, or credit extensions. The bill defines key terms like "banking business" and "investment" to resolve recent legal uncertainty after a court case created confusion about deductible income. It applies retroactively to past tax years but does not create new refund rights for taxes already paid.

Maddy summaryHB 1113, known as the public SAFE-T Act, creates a pathway for individuals charged with certain simple or gross misdemeanors in Washington state to have their charges dismissed. Under this bill, a court may agree to dismiss a misdemeanor charge if the defendant waives their right to a speedy trial and substantially complies with court-ordered conditions and programs for up to 12 months. Full restitution is a required condition for dismissal, although inability to pay due to indigence is not a barrier if progress is made. However, the bill explicitly excludes a wide range of specific offenses, such as domestic violence, DUI-related charges, and certain assault or firearm offenses, from this dismissal process.

Maddy summaryHB 1599 regulates debt adjusters and debt resolution services providers in Washington State, directly affecting consumers seeking help managing unsecured debt and the businesses offering these services. The bill sets a 15% fee cap on total debt adjustment services (including fees from financial institutions), limits initial charges to $25, and prohibits fees on rent or utility payments. It clarifies distinctions between "debt adjusters" (who manage debt) and "debt resolution services providers" (who renegotiate debt terms), while defining key terms like "dedicated account" and "fair share" contributions. The law also prohibits fee retention until all creditors are notified and imposes penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 1433 would establish a regulated system in Washington for adults 21+ to access psychedelic substances for therapeutic use under licensed professionals. It directs the Department of Health to license facilitators and service centers, and the Liquor & Cannabis Board to oversee manufacturers and testing, requiring sessions in controlled environments with trained guides. The bill emphasizes reducing costs to improve equity, particularly for historically disadvantaged communities, while explicitly stating it does not require insurance coverage or override federal law. This would create a legal framework for safe, supervised use and research, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2009 clarifies how Washington's real estate excise tax is calculated when selling a controlling interest (like majority ownership) in a company that owns real estate in the state. It specifies that the tax is based on the true value of the real property multiplied by the percentage of the controlling interest being sold, rather than the total sale price of the company. If the property's value can't be determined, the tax uses the county's property tax assessment value at the time of sale. This applies directly to businesses and individuals transferring ownership stakes in real estate-holding entities, ensuring consistent tax calculation for these transactions. The bill takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1076 establishes a structured process for Washington State’s health technology assessment program, directly affecting state health programs (like Medicaid) that decide which medical technologies qualify for coverage. The bill requires the state to systematically review health technologies prioritized based on Medicare coverage, expert guidelines, safety concerns, high costs, or significant usage variations, with up to eight reviews annually. Key provisions mandate evidence-based assessments of safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness - considering patient input and unique impacts on populations (e.g., age, disability) - and require decisions within 180 days of submission. The program must align with federal Medicare decisions unless new evidence supports a different conclusion, ensuring transparency through public comment and written explanations for denied requests.