Rep. Stephanie Barnard

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (HR 4691) adopted by the Washington State House of Representatives on February 16, 2026. It formally commends the contributions of U.S. presidents, specifically highlighting George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's roles in establishing freedom and ending slavery, and recognizes the third Monday in February as Presidents' Day. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it solely expresses the House's symbolic honor for presidential legacies. It directly affects no one but serves as a formal statement of recognition by the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis joint legislative memorial requests Washington's Governor to express state interest in hosting a federal nuclear energy innovation campus. It directs the Governor to prepare a state response to the U.S. Department of Energy's request for information, outlining Washington's capabilities in nuclear technology, workforce, and infrastructure. The memorial aims to position Washington to participate in a federal initiative focused on advancing nuclear energy technology, job creation, and grid reliability. It is a procedural request, not a law, directing state action to pursue a federal opportunity.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not substantive legislation) passed by the Washington state House of Representatives. It formally congratulates the Seattle Seahawks football team for winning the 2025 NFL regular season, NFC West Division championship, and Super Bowl 60. The resolution specifically recognizes their 14-3 record, defensive dominance, key player achievements (including MVP Kenneth Walker III), and community contributions. It has no legal effect beyond expressing the House's recognition and appreciation to the team organization.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution honoring Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh for his 2025 MLB achievements, including setting a record for home runs by a catcher (60) and winning the Home Run Derby as the first switch-hitting catcher. It recognizes his role in helping the Mariners win their first division title since 2001 and his awards like the Silver Slugger and Players' Choice Player of the Year. The resolution formally expresses the Washington State House of Representatives' appreciation and transmits copies to Raleigh, the Mariners organization, and MLB. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or affect policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally acknowledges Washington state's longstanding relationship with Ireland, highlighting longstanding ties like the Seattle-Galway sister city partnership (since 1986) and over $1 billion annually in trade across technology, agriculture, and other sectors. It does not create new laws, policies, or funding - only serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition by the Washington state House of Representatives. The resolution was introduced and adopted on February 9, 2026, with no direct impact on residents, businesses, or government operations. As a ceremonial resolution, it focuses on affirming existing partnerships rather than implementing concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) passed by the Washington State House of Representatives. It formally acknowledges and celebrates the Lunar New Year as a cultural milestone, highlighting the contributions and historical experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Washington. The resolution references Washington's 2024 recognition of Lunar New Year as a state-recognized holiday and emphasizes the importance of honoring cultural heritage and inclusion. It does not create new policies or funding but serves as a symbolic statement affirming community value.

Maddy summaryHB 2514 establishes a memorial on the Washington state capitol campus to honor service members from Washington who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn (collectively termed the "global war on terror"). The bill creates a work group with legislative, veteran, and state agency representatives to plan the memorial’s design, location, funding, and construction. It requires the work group to submit recommendations to the capitol committee by July 2027, including names to honor, potential sites, and budget details. The memorial must also include a reflective component acknowledging veterans who died by suicide after service. This is a commemorative measure with no immediate policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 2278) allows Washington counties or cities to continue imposing an additional $3 per night charge on hotel stays within designated tourism promotion areas. It directly affects lodging businesses operating in these areas, requiring 60% of local businesses to sign off on the fee before implementation. The legislation amends RCW 35.101.057 to permit this charge (on top of an existing $2 fee), mandates that proposed revenue uses be detailed, and specifies the fee expires July 1, 2027. The bill aims to sustain tourism sector growth by enabling continued funding for tourism promotion projects through this lodging fee.

Maddy summaryHB 2186 creates a state program to help Washington communities access federal economic development funds by providing matching state dollars. It requires the Department of Commerce to develop scoring criteria prioritizing applications based on job creation, federal funding amount, and rural/districted area impact, while setting limits on matching funds (up to 100% for nonprofits and rural projects, 50% for utilities). The bill mandates reporting on jobs created and federal funds secured, and directs the department to expand a public website with federal grant opportunities by 2028. It directly affects local governments, nonprofits, economic development organizations, and tribes seeking federal grants for projects like housing, infrastructure, and workforce training.

Maddy summaryHB 1592 shifts public defense funding responsibility in Washington State starting in 2026. The state will cover 50% of public defense costs based on counties' and cities' average spending over the previous five years, with the state paying all costs exceeding that average. Counties and cities must report case data, attorney caseloads, and training requirements for public defense attorneys to qualify for state funds. This bill directly affects local governments managing public defense systems and aims to standardize funding while requiring transparency in service delivery.