Rep. Sharon Wylie

Maddy summaryHB 1175 requires cities in Washington to permit neighborhood stores (like mini-markets selling food, drinks, or household items) and neighborhood cafés (with at least 500 square feet) in residential zones, provided cafés serve food if they offer alcohol. Cities may still regulate parking (if feasible), operating hours (cafés must operate at least 12 consecutive hours), and maximum building size. The bill applies to all cities and code cities, mandating implementation by 2027 for cities updating comprehensive plans or within two years for others. It directly affects small business owners seeking to operate in residential areas and local governments managing zoning rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1347 clarifies the regulatory framework for cannabis testing laboratories in Washington state. The bill designates the Department of Agriculture (WSDA) as the authority responsible for accrediting independent, third-party cannabis testing laboratories and establishing their quality standards. The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) will accept this WSDA accreditation as the sole basis for certifying these labs, unless a lab violates LCB requirements. Cannabis producers and processors must submit samples to these accredited labs for quality assurance testing. Any product lot that fails to meet quality standards must be destroyed, and the WSDA is authorized to collect fees to support its accreditation program.

Maddy summaryHB 1066 requires the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to establish and annually update a public online data dashboard. This dashboard will track various information related to regulated substances such as liquor, cannabis, cigarettes, tobacco products, and vapor products. It will include data on compliance rates for sales to minors, citations issued, youth usage, health impacts, prevention program funding, and collected taxes and fees. The board, in consultation with the Department of Health and Health Care Authority, must implement this within existing resources, meaning no new funds or staff will be allocated for its creation or maintenance.

Maddy summaryHB 2303 prohibits employers in Washington state from requiring, requesting, or coercing employees to have microchips implanted. It directly affects all employers (including state agencies) and employees, excluding medical devices used for health monitoring. The bill creates a legal remedy allowing affected employees to sue for damages, attorney fees, and injunctions if violated. It defines "microchip" as subcutaneous devices storing personal data, but clarifies medical implants for health treatment are exempt.

Maddy summaryHB 2152, titled "Ryan's law," allows terminally ill patients with a qualifying medical condition to use cannabis in hospitals, nursing homes (excluding some residential facilities), and hospice care centers starting January 1, 2027. Facilities must establish written policies prohibiting smoking/vaping, requiring secure storage, documenting use in medical records, and having patients or their designated providers manage cannabis. Patients must provide valid authorization, and staff cannot administer or retrieve cannabis. The law excludes emergency departments and does not require facilities to comply if federal agencies block it, though it clarifies federal scheduling alone cannot override the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2242 clarifies and preserves access to preventive health services covered by most Washington health insurance plans. It requires plans issued after April 1, 2026, to cover evidence-based services like vaccinations, cancer screenings, and other preventive care without cost-sharing, based on current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) ratings and CDC recommendations. The bill updates coverage requirements to align with federal guidelines as of June 30, 2025, and allows the state Department of Health to issue immunization guidance without standard rulemaking. This directly affects Washington residents using health insurance and insurers offering new or updated plans, ensuring consistent access to preventive care without adding new requirements for patient consent or immunization mandates.

Maddy summaryHB 2151 requires Washington state to adopt national safety standards for factory-built housing and commercial structures, specifically aligning with International Code Council (ICC) guidelines for design, construction, and inspections. It directs the Department of Labor & Industries to enforce rules ensuring structural safety and compliance with plumbing, electrical, and energy codes, while allowing qualified inspection agencies (like ICC-certified firms) to conduct inspections. This bill directly affects builders, inspectors, and local enforcement agencies by replacing current state-specific requirements with nationally recognized standards. The law also establishes fee schedules for enforcement and permits fee waivers during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 4697) honoring Dr. Bernal Baca, recognizing his decades of service to Washington state. It highlights his work as a 30-year Yakima Valley College professor, founder of the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs, leader in labor and education advocacy, and executive director of a Tacoma-based Latino community nonprofit. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to justice, education, and community building, with no policy changes or direct effects on specific groups. As a procedural measure, it serves solely to express the House's recognition of his legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 2306 allocates supplemental transportation funding for Washington's 2025-2027 budget, primarily directing $18 million from the carbon emissions reduction account toward electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. It prioritizes projects in multifamily housing, public locations, schools, and government facilities, requiring grantees to be local governments, tribes, or utilities. Specific allocations include $6.85 million for a sustainable aviation fuel initiative and $2 million for Snohomish County’s Paine Field research center. The bill mandates reporting on fund usage and coordination with state electrification programs, with tribal governments eligible for dedicated tribal electric boat grants.

Maddy summaryThis Washington state joint memorial (HJM 4017) urges the U.S. federal government to take specific actions regarding Iran, directly affecting U.S. agencies and policymakers. It requests the U.S. refrain from military intervention, strengthen targeted sanctions against Iranian officials violating human rights, minimize harm from broad sanctions on civilians, and support Iranian democracy movements through diplomatic and humanitarian means. The resolution emphasizes prioritizing Iranian-led democratic processes and includes nine specific policy requests, such as expanding internet access and halting deportations to Iran. As a symbolic state resolution - not a binding law - it has no legal effect but formally expresses Washington’s position to federal authorities.