Rep. Andrew Engell

Maddy summaryHB 2141 freezes new building code updates for 10 years after the 2024 adoption cycle, preventing the state council from initiating or implementing further code editions until 2034. After 2036, substantive code updates would occur no more than every six years, rather than the previous three-year cycle. The bill directly affects the State Building Code Council, local governments implementing codes, and construction professionals by altering the timeline for adopting new safety and accessibility standards. Key provisions include prohibiting local code amendments during the freeze period and requiring emergency code changes only for public health/safety emergencies or federal compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2221 requires Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife to take specific actions when mule deer or white-tailed deer populations decline 25% below their 10-year average in areas where gray wolves are not federally protected. The bill mandates predator mitigation - including wolf translocation, targeted removal, or nonlethal measures - within 60 days of designation as "at-risk," continuing until populations meet or exceed 2004 harvest levels for two consecutive years. It also requires annual, transparent population surveys conducted with hunters and public reporting of trends, actions, and progress by March 31 each year. The law directly affects rural communities, tribal and nontribal hunters, and wildlife management, aiming to stabilize key ungulate populations that support local economies and recreation.

Maddy summaryHB 2701 amends Washington state land use laws to prioritize housing affordability in local planning. It reorganizes the state's comprehensive planning goals, elevating "Housing" as a top priority to ensure plans accommodate affordable housing for all income levels, while adding new climate resiliency goals. The bill targets local governments and developers by streamlining approval processes for housing projects consistent with adopted plans, aiming to reduce delays and costs that contribute to the housing shortage. It removes outdated provisions and creates a new framework to address the state's housing crisis, particularly impacting rural and marginalized communities. The changes apply to all counties and cities required to follow the Growth Management Act.

Maddy summaryHB 2695 exempts seasonal agricultural workers from Washington's mass layoff notice requirements when they are hired with a written agreement specifying their employment ends after a particular harvest or seasonal activity. This applies only if the employer disclosed the estimated end date at hiring and the workers understood their job was temporary. The bill modifies existing law to clarify that employers don't need to provide 60-day advance notice for seasonal farm workers in these circumstances. It does not affect year-round farm employees or other types of layoffs. This change directly impacts agricultural employers and seasonal farmworkers in Washington.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4675, adopted on January 28, 2026, is a ceremonial resolution expressing the Washington State House of Representatives' gratitude to the Washington National Guard for their service. It specifically acknowledges the Guard's roles in emergency response (including flood operations and search-and-rescue missions), disaster recovery efforts (like adapting from the Oso landslide), and national defense support (such as aerial refueling capabilities). The resolution directs copies to the Adjutant General, Governor, and other officials but does not create new laws or alter policies. It directly honors National Guard members, their families, and employers without imposing any financial or operational requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2250 limits hospital charity care eligibility to Washington state residents, directly affecting hospitals and patients seeking free care. The bill requires hospitals to restrict charity care to individuals meeting specific residency criteria, such as living in Washington with intent to stay indefinitely, entering for work, or being a child with a resident parent. Exceptions include emergency care under federal law, children under 18, and those receiving state/federal payments (like foster care assistance), while explicitly prohibiting immigration status from being considered. It clarifies that non-residents, including those seeking routine care, cannot access charity care, aiming to prevent strain on hospital capacity and cost increases for Washington residents. The law takes immediate effect and amends existing hospital charity care statutes.

Maddy summaryHJM 4013 is a joint memorial urging Governor Ferguson to opt Washington state into a federal tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 education. It would direct approximately $732 million annually in unused federal funds to Washington students from working-class and middle-class families (household income ≤300% of area median income) through tax credits for donors. The program requires no state funding, imposes no budget obligation, and mandates scholarship organizations to spend at least 90% of funds on student expenses like tutoring and technology while meeting strict federal accountability standards. Failure to opt in would prevent Washington families from accessing these federal resources, which would instead benefit students in states that have joined the program.

Maddy summaryHB 2642 exempts emissions from lubricants (and certain other fuel products) combusted outside Washington from the state's cap-and-invest program requirements. It amends the definition of "covered entities" under Washington's climate law to exclude emissions associated with lubricants produced or imported for use outside the state. This means companies manufacturing or importing lubricants that are shipped out of Washington for combustion elsewhere would no longer have those emissions counted toward the 25,000 metric ton CO2e threshold that triggers participation in the cap-and-invest program. The bill directly affects lubricant producers and importers whose products are delivered outside Washington for end-use. This change reduces reporting obligations for these entities under the program's current structure.

Maddy summaryHB 2454 amends Washington state law to reduce regulatory requirements for small-scale producers of infrastructure materials like gravel, sand, and stone. It clarifies definitions in surface mining regulations to exempt operations under seven acres owned by counties with fewer than 20,000 residents, excluding them from full reclamation and permitting rules. The bill specifically targets small producers by excluding certain activities (e.g., on-site road maintenance, public works projects under size limits) from the definition of "surface mine." This directly affects small local producers and rural county operations, streamlining compliance without altering environmental standards for larger operations.

Maddy summaryHB 2623 would create a state grant program starting January 1, 2027, to support rural emergency medical transport providers. It provides supplemental payments to cover the gap between what Washington's medical assistance programs pay for ambulance rides and the Medicare rate, specifically for services to people enrolled in medical assistance who live in frontier counties. The program targets ground ambulance providers serving these areas and requires them to meet state-set eligibility criteria. Funding depends on annual appropriations, and payments prioritize claims based on submission order if funds are limited. This aims to improve access to emergency transport in underserved rural communities.