Rep. Lisa Callan

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1102 aims to increase the number of veterans in Washington State who are aware of and receiving federal benefits. It expands the state's Veterans Service Officer (VSO) program, prioritizing funding for counties where a lower percentage of veterans currently receive federal disability or pension compensation. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to proactively inform recently discharged veterans about available benefits and to provide county-specific service information online. It also mandates biennial reports on veteran service access and requires counties with state-funded VSOs to serve veterans from adjacent counties.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1079 permits school districts with online programs to offer remote testing options for statewide assessments to their students, starting in the 2027-28 school year. This measure aims to reduce travel burdens and costs for students and families enrolled in online education. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is required to develop comprehensive policies by April 1, 2027, to ensure the security and integrity of these remote tests. These policies will address requirements for testing personnel, student-to-proctor ratios, remote testing environments, device specifications, and parental consent.

Maddy summaryHB 1562 mandates that public buildings in Washington state provide baby diaper changing stations, directly benefiting parents and caregivers. It requires these buildings to install a changing station in at least one restroom accessible to women and one accessible to men, or in a gender-neutral restroom. This requirement applies to new public buildings and existing ones undergoing restroom remodels costing $15,000 or more. The bill includes exemptions if installation is not feasible or violates accessibility standards, and establishes a warning for a first violation, followed by a civil infraction for subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1052 clarifies the definition of a hate crime offense in Washington state, applying to individuals who commit malicious and intentional acts against others based on perceived protected characteristics. It specifies that assault, property damage, or threats made due to a person's perceived race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability constitute a hate crime. The bill also outlines specific acts, such as burning a cross or defacing property with Nazi symbols, that can be used to infer intent to threaten a victim based on their perceived characteristics. Commission of a hate crime offense is established as a Class C felony.

Maddy summarySubstitute House Bill 1232 amends existing Washington state laws concerning private detention facilities. The bill modifies the definition of a "private detention facility" to include any private, nongovernmental entity, removing the previous restriction to only for-profit entities. It revises the specific operational standards that these facilities must meet for detained persons. The new provisions require a safe and clean environment, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, adequate utilities like heating and hot water, and established maintenance and housekeeping policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1130 establishes a prioritization system for individuals with developmental disabilities seeking home and community-based services waivers in Washington State. It directs the Developmental Disabilities Administration to prioritize specific populations, such as those over age 45, individuals discharging from institutional settings, or those without a safe hospital discharge plan. The bill also mandates the administration to align its rules with this prioritization and to routinely collect and publicly report data on waiver enrollment, waitlists, and unfulfilled service requests. This aims to ensure that individuals identified as most in need receive timely access to critical support services.

Maddy summaryHB 1329 amends the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) concerning how certain wholesale power purchases are classified. The bill modifies the definition of a "coal-fired resource" by expanding the duration for specific limited-term wholesale electricity purchases that are exempt from this classification. Under the new provisions, electric utilities can make wholesale power purchases for up to three months, or up to six months for system sales used for seasonal resource adequacy, without these being counted as coal-fired resources under CETA. This aims to provide utilities with more flexibility in acquiring short-term power, provided these exemptions are not used to avoid CETA's overall restrictions on coal-fired energy.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1106 expands eligibility for property tax relief to more disabled military veterans in Washington state. It lowers the required combined service-connected disability rating from 80% to 40% or higher for veterans to qualify for property tax exemptions on their primary residence. This change allows a broader group of disabled veterans to receive a reduction in their annual property tax obligations, provided they meet other existing criteria related to residency, ownership, and income thresholds. The bill aims to recognize the sacrifices of veterans by making property tax relief more accessible.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1046 grants civil immunity to individuals who damage a motor vehicle while rescuing a vulnerable person or domestic animal from imminent harm inside. To qualify for this protection, the rescuer must determine the vehicle is locked, have a good faith belief of imminent danger, notify law enforcement before entry, use only necessary force, and remain with the rescued individual until first responders arrive. A "vulnerable person" includes anyone under 18 or impaired by disability or aging, and "domestic animal" refers to household pets such as dogs and cats. This bill aims to encourage intervention in situations where vulnerable individuals or pets are at risk in locked vehicles.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4650 is a commemorative resolution recognizing Representative Bruce Q. Chandler for his 26 years of distinguished service to the 15th Legislative District and the State of Washington. It honors his contributions in areas such as agriculture, business, early learning, and state budgeting.