Rep. Jenny Graham

Maddy summaryHB 2108 transfers all juvenile justice responsibilities from Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to the Department of Corrections (DOC), effective July 1, 2026. This includes moving all staff, records, equipment, funds, and ongoing cases related to juvenile justice services. The bill updates state law to replace all references to DCYF with DOC in relevant statutes and ensures continuity for ongoing cases and contracts. This change directly affects youth in the juvenile justice system, their families, and the agencies managing their cases, shifting oversight from DCYF to DOC.

Maddy summaryHB 2143 changes how transportation benefit district boards are structured in Washington State. It requires proportional representation on boards based on population in larger counties without major cities, preventing any single city from dominating the board. The bill adds two new voting positions: one for a regular public transit user and one representing community organizations that use transit. It also mandates that board meetings be held at times and locations accessible by public transit.

Maddy summaryHB 2162 creates a program to help new lawyers working as prosecutors or public defenders pay student loans by offering annual grants of up to $10,000 per year. It funds these grants through a tax credit for law firms that contribute to a dedicated account, allowing firms to claim a business and occupation tax credit equal to their contribution (up to $20,000 annually). The law requires the program to begin by 2027, with grants awarded based on available funds, and mandates annual reports on participation and spending. This bill directly affects public defense/prosecution lawyers and participating law firms, aiming to improve recruitment and retention in these roles through financial incentives. The program expires December 31, 2038.

Maddy summaryHB 2153 prohibits homebuyers from receiving more than one state-funded down payment assistance loan or grant from Washington's housing programs. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who might apply for multiple assistance programs, ensuring they can only accept one offer. The bill amends state law to state that applicants applying for multiple programs (or multiple offers from one program) are eligible for only a single loan or grant. This change aims to fairly distribute limited public funds to more qualified homebuyers instead of concentrating benefits on a single buyer.

Maddy summaryHB 2150 requires Washington's Department of Ecology to publish a complete greenhouse gas emissions inventory by January 1, 2027, and update it quarterly thereafter. If the department misses these deadlines, certain climate policies that impose costs on consumers or businesses (like utility or fuel regulations) will no longer be enforced. The bill directly affects households and businesses bearing higher energy costs from existing climate programs. It aims to ensure state climate policies are data-driven and accountable by linking their enforcement to timely emissions reporting. This change focuses on transparency, requiring measurable proof that policy costs actually reduce emissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates English as the official language of Washington state for all state government operations. It requires state agencies to use English for official public records (like government documents) and meetings (as defined by law), though agencies may voluntarily provide multilingual materials alongside English. The bill prohibits state agencies from mandating non-English materials but allows interpreters at public meetings and explicitly protects private language use and business operations. It also encourages state institutions to promote English language classes for non-native speakers.

Maddy summaryHB 2138 requires Washington public schools to implement evidence-based reading programs by the 2028-29 school year, focusing on foundational literacy skills for students in grades K-4. It mandates schools to hire reading coaches, adopt structured literacy approaches aligned with research (emphasizing phonics, fluency, and comprehension), and provide targeted support for students with dyslexia. The bill also creates READ grants of up to $75,000 annually per elementary school to fund literacy initiatives, requires the state to publish 10 years of school performance data online, and directs a review comparing Washington’s math standards to Singapore’s method (with a 2026 report deadline). These changes directly affect elementary schools, teachers, and students, particularly those struggling with early literacy and math proficiency.

Maddy summaryHB 2208 exempts health care continuing education courses from Washington State's retail sales and use tax. This bill directly affects licensed health professionals (such as nurses, doctors, and therapists) who must complete these courses to maintain their licenses. The key mechanism removes the tax on these required courses, reducing costs for professionals who otherwise face increased expenses under the state's new service tax. The exemption aims to address workforce shortages by making professional development more affordable and accessible, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHB 2202 establishes a dental care pilot program at Washington's Rainier School residential habilitation center for individuals with developmental disabilities who have high medical or behavioral needs requiring anesthesia or face barriers to community dental care. Eligible participants must meet specific criteria, including documented medical needs or unavailability of community dental services, and may use short-term stays (up to 24 hours) with respite care authorization. The program will operate under Medicaid billing, with federal matching funds deposited into the state general fund, and requires a legislative report by October 2028 detailing outcomes, challenges, and future needs. The pilot expires July 1, 2028, with the bill's full provisions expiring July 1, 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 2093 would remove precious metals and bullion from taxable sales under Washington's business and occupation tax code. It specifically excludes "precious metal bullion" (refined gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and "monetized bullion" (coins used as currency) from definitions of taxable "retail" or "wholesale" sales. Businesses selling these items would no longer pay tax on the full sale amount, though tax would still apply to commissions earned. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects dealers and sellers of precious metals.