Maddy summarySB 5380 requires Washington state agencies to consider environmental justice when reviewing projects that could impact pollution burdened communities. It mandates lead agencies to prepare an "environmental justice impact statement" for new or expanding projects in these areas, assessing existing pollution stressors and potential health impacts. The bill also requires public hearings in affected communities, with 30 days of advance notice and accessible outreach to ensure community input before decisions are made. This applies to projects reviewed after January 1, 2027, and aims to address cumulative environmental health disparities. The law modifies existing environmental review rules to formally integrate environmental justice considerations into state decision-making processes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in high-hazard facilities (like chemical plants or refineries) to pay skilled journeypersons at least the 75th percentile wage for their occupation and location, based on Washington state employment data. It defines "skilled journeyperson" as workers who either graduated from an approved apprenticeship program or have equivalent on-the-job experience. The rule applies to all high-hazard facility workers classified as journeypersons, not just those on public projects. The change takes effect January 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 5222 limits annual rent and fee increases for Washington tenants to 7% (with specific exemptions), requires landlords to provide written notice for increases, and bans excessive or arbitrary fees. It directly affects all renters under Washington’s residential and manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant acts, including households with children, seniors, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by rent hikes. Key provisions include allowing tenants to terminate leases without penalty if increases violate the cap, creating a landlord resource center for compliance support, and establishing parity between month-to-month and fixed-term leases. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to enforce violations and recover damages for unlawful rent or fee charges.
Maddy summarySB 5376 clarifies and updates Washington state's animal cruelty laws by defining key terms like "necessary food," "shelter," and "space" with specific, measurable standards. It directly affects all animal owners and caretakers in Washington by requiring: species-appropriate food provided at suitable intervals, drinkable water easily accessible daily, shelter protecting against weather elements with bedding, and adequate space for exercise with proper lighting and sanitation. The bill amends existing statutes (RCW 16.52) to ensure consistent enforcement, excluding commercial livestock operations under accepted husbandry practices. These definitions help law enforcement and animal control agencies assess neglect cases based on concrete, observable standards.
Maddy summarySB 5526 raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and related products to 21 in Washington State, directly affecting retailers and underage buyers. It requires retailers to verify age using valid ID (like driver’s licenses or tribal cards) and clarifies definitions for "vapor products" and "alternative nicotine products." The bill increases penalties for violations, including fines up to $15,000 and license suspension/revocation for repeated offenses. These changes amend existing laws to strengthen enforcement of age restrictions and product safety regulations.
Maddy summarySB 5787 allows the state to use $77,687,000 from the budget stabilization account to cover fire suppression costs incurred by the Department of Natural Resources during the 2024 wildfire season. It directly affects wildfire response efforts by authorizing funds for firefighting operations following the governor's August 2, 2024, emergency declaration due to wildfires. The bill specifies these funds are for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and clarifies that this appropriation does not change the requirement to balance future budgets. It takes immediate effect as an emergency measure to address ongoing wildfire threats.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires taverns, nightclubs, hotels, and sports entertainment venues to offer drug testing devices for sale to customers in designated areas (excluding drink preparation zones). Businesses must ensure devices are within their expiration date, display clear signage about availability, and may charge only the wholesale cost (or offer them free). The law explicitly states venues are not liable for inaccurate test results, such as false positives or negatives. It applies to all licensees under Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, effective January 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5093 aims to ensure dignity for individuals experiencing pregnancy loss in Washington state. It amends existing law to remove specific mentions of abortion, premature birth, and stillbirth from the circumstances that automatically trigger a coroner's investigation, thereby reducing the potential for criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. The bill also repeals the "Concealing birth" statute. Additionally, it establishes a new requirement for correctional institutions and private detention facilities to annually report the aggregate number of people experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, or perinatal loss while confined, with the Department of Health compiling a statewide report for the legislature.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5217 expands pregnancy-related accommodations for employees in Washington state, now applying to nearly all employers. It defines "pregnancy" to include related health conditions and the need to express breast milk, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations like flexible breaks, modified schedules, and assistance with manual labor. The bill prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees requesting these accommodations and mandates paid break time for expressing breast milk for up to two years after childbirth. Additionally, it allows individuals with an infant under 12 months old to be excused from or delay jury service.
Maddy summarySB 5813 aims to increase funding for public education, child care, early learning, and higher education by modifying the state's capital gains and estate taxes. Beginning January 1, 2025, an additional excise tax of 2.90 percent will be imposed on an individual's Washington capital gains that exceed $1,000,000. For the estate tax, the bill increases the applicable exclusion amount to $3,000,000 for estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2025. It also creates a more progressive rate structure for the estate tax by increasing the top tier rates up to 35 percent, with all revenues dedicated to the education legacy trust account.