Maddy summarySB 6281 requires Washington state agencies to conduct a detailed economic assessment before purchasing any commercial cloud computing service for their data. The assessment must analyze all deployment options (public cloud, private cloud, hybrid, or on-premises), including full lifecycle costs (maintenance, data migration, security vulnerabilities), service needs, outage recovery speed, cybersecurity compliance, and hybrid environment availability. Agencies must submit this assessment to the Office of Financial Management for approval at least 30 days prior to procurement, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. The bill applies to state agencies but exempts institutions of higher education and allows waivers for specific service requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 5859) expands graduation options for Washington state high school students by adding competency-based assessments and performance-based learning experiences as valid pathways to demonstrate college and career readiness. Students can now meet graduation requirements through competency-based assessments in English language arts and math (instead of solely relying on traditional tests) or by completing real-world projects, portfolios, or practicums that align with state learning standards. School districts must offer these new options alongside existing pathways (like standardized tests or dual-credit courses) and provide annual information about all options to students and families. The bill requires the state board to establish rules for evaluating these new pathways, ensuring they meet state standards while giving districts flexibility in implementation.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove fixed session length limits for Washington's legislature. Currently, the constitution specifies 105 days for odd-year sessions and 60 days for even-year sessions; this amendment would allow the legislature to set session durations through regular laws instead. If approved by voters, it would change Article II, Section 12 of the state constitution to give lawmakers authority over session timing. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election and would enable the legislature to adjust session lengths based on evolving needs.
Maddy summarySB 6270 establishes a Washington state passenger rail advisory committee to provide input on Amtrak Cascades service. It requires counties with Amtrak stations to appoint committee members: counties over 750,000 population appoint three representatives, others appoint two. The committee must include at least five rail user group representatives, one commerce-related representative, and one local government planning representative, all residing near stations in their counties. The committee meets three times yearly with state transportation officials to review service concerns and help shape feedback on rail challenges. The bill creates a formal structure for local input but does not change rail service or funding.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 8667 is a formal tribute honoring Monica Alexander upon her retirement as Executive Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. The resolution recognizes her 20+ years of service with the Washington State Patrol - including being the first Black woman promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, and captain - and her leadership in expanding training facilities, reducing officer training wait times, and advancing policy initiatives like sexual assault kit funding. It does not create new laws or policies but celebrates her legacy in transforming law enforcement culture and increasing community representation. The Senate adopted this resolution on January 21, 2026, to acknowledge her contributions to Washington state.
Maddy summarySB 6232 creates a new Washington State Board of Licensed Mental Health Counselors to provide specialized oversight of the profession. The board, composed of seven licensed counselors and two public members, will develop licensing rules, set practice standards, and handle disciplinary actions. This directly affects mental health counselors by establishing their dedicated regulatory body and enhances public protection through targeted oversight of mental health services. The bill updates licensing requirements to align with the profession's growth and Washington's upcoming counseling compact participation.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Washington state law to clarify eligibility for school employees' health benefits programs. It specifically ends the "Smart Health" wellness incentive program for new enrollments starting January 1, 2028, while allowing employees who qualified by December 31, 2027, to receive the incentive in 2028. The bill also ensures that school districts cannot set eligibility requirements stricter than 630 hours worked per school year for benefits coverage. These changes directly affect school employees seeking health benefits and school districts administering those programs.
Maddy summarySB 6208 requires health care entities like hospitals, hospital systems, and provider organizations to notify Washington's Attorney General 60 days before certain major transactions. This includes mergers, acquisitions, or ownership changes involving these entities, or conversions from nonprofit to for-profit status, especially when out-of-state entities generate $10 million+ in Washington patient revenue. The Attorney General can request additional information within 30 days, halting the transaction until responses are provided. The bill also establishes data-sharing agreements between the Attorney General and health agencies to support oversight under these new rules. It directly affects large health care organizations planning significant structural changes.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 8661) is a ceremonial recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by the Washington State Senate. It affirms Dr. King's legacy and calls on all Washingtonians to continue working toward justice, emphasizing persistence and collective action. The resolution does not create new laws, policies, or funding; it is purely symbolic and non-binding. It was adopted by the Senate on January 19, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 6185 aims to reduce child maltreatment-related fatalities and near-fatalities by supporting families receiving child welfare services in Washington State. It directly affects parents, guardians, or legal custodians who are pregnant, have newborns, or have children under age four facing potential child protective services intervention or removal. Key provisions include expanding access to legal counsel and "parent allies" for at-risk families, requiring court oversight for children under four during shelter care, connecting families to community services, and providing public health nurses for parents of young children with open investigations. The bill also mandates specialized training for child welfare supervisors and aligns services with Washington Thriving’s behavioral health strategy to improve substance use disorder treatment access. These changes target families with recent child welfare involvement to keep children safely in their homes.