Sen. Derek Stanford

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 8651 is a procedural bill that honors the contributions of science, scientific research, and evidence-based decision making to society. It also recognizes the importance of continued investment in scientific research, higher education, and innovation to maintain Washington's leadership in discovery and technological advancement.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 8640 is a commemorative resolution that honors Senator Karen Lynn Keiser for her nearly 30 years of service in the Washington State Legislature. It commends her for her work on health care reform, establishing the Washington Health Benefit Exchange and Paid Family and Medical Leave program, and championing policies for working families.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate Resolution (not a law) honoring the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people in Washington state. It recognizes the disproportionate violence they face, acknowledges Washington's high rate of such cases, and expresses the Senate's solidarity with affected families, tribal nations, and advocates. The resolution does not create new legal requirements or funding but aims to raise awareness and support ongoing efforts to address this crisis. It was adopted by the Senate on April 14, 2025.

Maddy summarySR 8641 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing Washington State's longstanding relationship with Canada. It acknowledges shared economic ties (including $8 billion in annual exports), cultural connections, and practical border cooperation - such as for Point Roberts residents and cross-border emergency aid - without creating new laws or policies. The resolution formally expresses the Senate's view of Canada as a vital partner but has no legal effect on governance or funding. It was adopted by the Washington State Senate on April 11, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 5106 amends Washington state law to formally recognize Eid al-Fitr (first day of the tenth Islamic month) and Eid al-Adha (tenth day of the twelfth Islamic month) as designated days of cultural observance. The bill adds these dates to the list of recognized days in RCW 1.16.050, which are not automatically paid holidays but may be requested as unpaid religious holidays under existing provisions. State employees who observe these days can request them as unpaid days off for religious reasons, following the same process as other faith-based requests under RCW 1.16.050(3). The law does not change the paid holiday structure but ensures these dates are formally acknowledged in state statutes. It became effective July 27, 2025, after Governor approval.

Maddy summarySB 5118 updates Washington's licensing rules to create a specific pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking clinical experience. The bill establishes a time-limited "clinical experience license" allowing IMGs who don’t yet qualify for full licensure to work under supervision at approved healthcare facilities, meeting requirements like English proficiency and passing specific exams. This directly affects IMGs aiming to complete required clinical training before obtaining full medical licensure in Washington. The license permits practice only within approved training programs and terminates after one year unless renewed, requiring continuous progress toward full licensure. The bill became law on April 4, 2025, and takes effect July 27, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 5577 requires Washington State's Medicaid program (Apple Health) to cover all FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization or step therapy for both fee-for-service and managed care plans. This policy change directly affects Medicaid patients with HIV and the managed care organizations administering their coverage. The law eliminates extra approval steps needed to access these medications, ensuring faster treatment access. It takes effect on July 27, 2025, after being signed into law following legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution, not a bill with policy changes. It formally honors Transgender Day of Visibility in Washington State, recognizing transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals' contributions to the state's communities, history, and culture. The resolution affirms the Senate's commitment to equity and inclusion but does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any specific group through legal mechanisms. It serves as a symbolic gesture of support and celebration.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 8630) is a ceremonial statement adopted by the Washington State Senate on March 14, 2025. It formally honors the historical and ongoing contributions of Sikh Americans to Washington state's cultural, economic, and social development. The resolution specifically references the 1907 Bellingham Riots as a historical example of anti-Sikh discrimination and commits the Senate to combating discrimination against Sikhs and all marginalized communities. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic recognition of Sikh contributions and a reaffirmation of values like inclusion and equality.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) adopted by the Washington State Senate on March 7, 2025, to mark the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama (1965). It honors the bravery of civil rights activists like Amelia Boynton Robinson, John Lewis, and Jimmie Lee Jackson, who faced violent suppression while marching for voting rights. The resolution acknowledges the historical events that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and urges Washington citizens to remember this pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It has no legislative effect, serving solely as a symbolic recognition of these historical events.