Maddy summaryHB 1853 requires Washington school districts to designate all public outdoor recreational spaces (like playgrounds and fields) as "green community schoolyards" available for community use outside school hours. It mandates the state superintendent to create a model shared-use agreement policy covering scheduling, costs, liability, equity, and fee structures to facilitate community access. School districts adopting this model policy become eligible for adjusted state funding under the school construction program. The bill directly affects school districts, community groups, and residents - especially those in underserved areas - by expanding access to outdoor recreation spaces without new land acquisition. It aims to improve physical activity access, community cohesion, and climate resilience through existing school properties.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1202 authorizes the state of Washington to issue $4.87 billion in general obligation bonds to fund capital projects approved in future state budgets. The bill directs bond proceeds to specific state accounts: $4.31 billion to the state building construction account and $555 million to a taxable building construction account, with funds later transferred to designated programs like outdoor recreation, habitat conservation, and early learning facilities. It establishes procedures for repaying bond principal and interest using state general revenues and requires annual certification of payment needs. The bill does not specify individual projects but creates the financial framework for funding state capital projects through bond sales.
Maddy summaryHB 1082 allows licensed child care providers in Washington to use documented work experience instead of formal early childhood education certificates to meet licensing requirements until August 1, 2028. To qualify, providers must show continuous employment since August 1, 2021 (or seven cumulative years), active work requiring such certificates, and completion of required health/safety training. The bill also requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to form a stakeholder group - including providers, training organizations, and community advocates - to review and improve staff qualification systems, with a report due by December 2026. This law expires July 1, 2028, and does not apply to providers serving the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).
Maddy summaryHB 1283 amends Washington State vehicle title laws to clarify that certificates of title may be issued either electronically or as paper documents. The bill establishes a $50 service fee for applicants requesting a paper title, in addition to standard title fees, with specific distribution rules: $25 goes to the state motor vehicle fund, and the remainder is retained by the issuing county or subagent. It updates application requirements, including odometer disclosure and owner information, and specifies that paper titles cannot be issued immediately for vehicles previously designated as salvage. This bill directly affects vehicle owners seeking physical title documents, changing the fee structure and administrative process for paper title requests.
Maddy summaryHB 1445 would create a state-run Washington Health Trust to provide universal, comprehensive health coverage to all Washington residents, eliminating premiums, deductibles, and copayments. The trust would cover essential health benefits including primary care, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health services, and maternity care for everyone, regardless of income, race, or immigration status. It prohibits discrimination by providers and requires all qualified health care facilities to participate, with the trust paying providers directly for covered services. The bill aims to replace fragmented private and public insurance systems with a single unified financing structure to simplify administration and reduce costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new reimbursement rules for health insurers covering Washington public employees' health plans. Starting in 2027, insurers must pay at least 150% of Medicare rates for primary care and behavioral health services, while capping payments at 200% of Medicare for most hospital services (350% for children's specialty hospitals). Rural hospitals and critical access facilities must receive minimum payments of 101% of Medicare costs. These requirements specifically apply to insurers serving public employees, not general health coverage.
Maddy summaryHB 1921 establishes a mileage-based road usage fee system to replace declining fuel tax revenue, directly affecting vehicle owners - starting with electric/hybrid vehicles in 2027 and phasing in conventional vehicles based on fuel efficiency by 2035. The bill creates a voluntary program for EVs/hybrids (2027-2029) and a mandatory program for increasingly efficient conventional vehicles (starting 2029), replacing existing registration fees like those in RCW 46.17.323/324. Fees are calculated per mile driven, with privacy protections for location data emphasized as a core requirement. The phased approach aims to maintain current transportation funding levels while adapting to fuel-efficient vehicle adoption.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HJR 4201) proposes amending Washington State's constitution to lower the voter approval threshold for school district bonds. Currently, school districts need a three-fifths (60%) majority of voters to approve bonds under Article VIII, section 6. The amendment would change this to require only a simple majority (over 50%) of voters voting on the bond measure. This change would directly affect all Washington school districts seeking voter approval for bond-funded projects like facility construction or modernization. The proposal is a constitutional amendment, not a law, and requires voter ratification at the next general election.
Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2078 seeks to expand access to medical cannabis and related services in Washington state. The bill allows licensed cannabis processors to obtain a medical cannabis endorsement, enabling them to sell Department of Health-compliant cannabis products directly to qualifying patients and their designated providers. This endorsement also permits both cannabis retailers and processors to provide cannabis at no charge to these individuals. Overall, the bill aims to increase the availability of medical cannabis options for registered patients.
Maddy summaryHB 1120 sets new minimum state salary allocation targets for school staff in Washington's basic education program, directly affecting all public school districts. It requires the state to gradually increase minimum salary allocations to reach $67,325 (adjusted for inflation from 2023-24) for classified staff (e.g., office, support roles) starting in the 2025-26 school year, with further increases to $99,164 for classified administrative staff by 2027-28. The bill mandates annual inflation adjustments and regional cost-of-living adjustments based on school district housing values, as specified in the annual budget. These changes aim to align state funding with actual staffing costs, replacing previous formulas that expired after the 2017-18 school year. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations Committee after being prefaced in December 2024.