Sen. Keith Goehner

Maddy summarySB 5154 clarifies and updates the duties of county auditors in Washington State. It amends state law to require county commissioners to designate one of their own employees as clerk (replacing the auditor's previous role as clerk), mandates this clerk to record all board proceedings and votes, and requires publishing a summary of each legislative session within 15 days. The bill also removes outdated requirements about the auditor serving as clerk and handling the commissioners' seal. These changes directly affect county auditors, commissioners, and clerks by clarifying their responsibilities and improving transparency in county governance.

Maddy summarySB 5554 requires cities in Washington to adopt or update local regulations for residential and mixed-use properties within one year to align with new historic landmark designation rules. The bill prohibits cities from designating properties under 40 years old as historic landmarks and mandates written owner consent for any designation that restricts property use, alteration, or demolition - without consent, such designations are invalid. Exceptions apply only for properties within existing historic districts established under local ordinances. The law overrides conflicting local rules and applies to all cities, including code cities, with specific provisions for implementation timelines.

Maddy summarySB 5524 creates a new "Donate Life" special license plate option for Washington vehicle owners. The bill adds this plate to the state's existing special plate program, requiring a $40 initial fee and $30 annual renewal fee. Vehicle owners who choose this plate will display a "Donate Life" logo, with fees supporting related causes as specified in the plate description. This is a procedural change that expands the current list of special license plate options without altering registration requirements or creating new administrative processes.

Maddy summarySB 5748 allows cities and counties in Washington to replace impact fees (charges for new housing infrastructure like roads or schools) with a local sales tax, provided they first reduce those fees by at least 50%. The tax, capped at 1% of sales, must fund the same infrastructure projects the fees previously covered, and requires voter approval via a simple majority vote. Local governments must annually review the tax rate to align with infrastructure costs, and the tax cannot be used to offset fees already collected through other means. This bill directly affects municipalities that currently impose impact fees and developers building new housing within those jurisdictions.

Maddy summarySB 5432 addresses temporary license plate production and shortages by requiring durable temporary plates that last four months and must be consecutively numbered. It mandates the Department of Licensing to adopt contingency rules by December 2025 to extend temporary plate validity during permanent plate shortages, reducing customer return trips. The bill also requires the Department of Corrections and Department of Licensing to communicate statewide or local plate shortages to county auditors and develop mitigation plans, including contracting third-party vendors until shortages are resolved and inventory is sufficient for 90 days. This directly affects vehicle owners needing temporary plates and county agencies handling license applications.

Maddy summarySB 5434 requires governors to formally file emergency declarations with the secretary of state and provide public notice. It sets clear rules for ending emergencies: governors must terminate them when order is restored, the legislature can end them via concurrent resolution during sessions, or legislative leadership can terminate them after 90 days if the legislature is adjourned. The bill limits emergency orders (like curfews or business restrictions) to 30 days unless extended by the legislature, and mandates governors to notify legislative leaders before issuing such orders. This directly affects governors' emergency authority and the legislature's ability to oversee emergency powers. The law aims to prevent prolonged emergency declarations without legislative input.

Maddy summarySB 5660 allows counties and cities to extend public water, storm drain, and sewage systems beyond urban growth boundaries when specific conditions are met: environmental or health harms exist from lacking utilities, the extension won't encourage urban growth, and the community determines it's economically feasible. It requires local comprehensive plans to address utility access needs, including reviewing drainage and stormwater runoff impacts. The bill directly affects properties outside urban areas without existing utility connections, particularly in rural or underserved communities. Key provisions create new criteria for utility extensions while amending planning requirements to integrate environmental and housing considerations. The bill does not mandate extensions but provides flexibility for local governments to act under defined safeguards.

Maddy summarySB 5510 sets limits on how conservation districts in Washington State can collect revenue from landowners through rates and charges. It caps annual per-acre charges at $0.10 and per-parcel fees at $7.50 (up to $22.50 in larger counties), with annual adjustments based on the Seattle-area consumer price index starting in 2029. Forestland charges are limited to one-tenth of the average rate for other lands, with special rules for large forestland holdings. These rates are collected like property taxes through county assessors and treasurers, directly affecting landowners and conservation districts across the state.

Maddy summarySB 5630 amends Washington's climate commitment act to clarify which entities must report emissions under the state's program. It establishes a 25,000 metric ton carbon dioxide equivalent threshold for coverage, affecting farm fuel users, transporters, electricity importers, fossil fuel suppliers, and natural gas companies. The bill defines specific criteria for when these entities become "covered" (e.g., based on emissions from facilities or operations) and outlines transition rules for new or modified operations. It does not address payments to farm fuel users, as the title suggests, but focuses solely on defining reporting obligations under the existing climate program. This procedural amendment ensures consistent application of emissions reporting requirements across covered sectors.

Maddy summarySB 5631 creates a grant program to provide funding for back country search and rescue (SAR) organizations and volunteers operating in remote areas. The bill defines "back country search and rescue" as specialized efforts requiring unique training and equipment to locate and assist people in wilderness settings. It amends state law to establish this grant program under existing emergency management statutes (RCW 38.52). The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having received its first reading on February 3, 2025. The legislation directly affects volunteer SAR groups and their ability to access state funding for equipment, training, and operations.