Maddy summarySB 5404 establishes a new funding structure for Washington state public defense services, requiring the state to cover 50% of costs starting in 2026 based on a five-year average of county expenditures. Counties and cities that save funds due to this state contribution must redirect those savings toward specific alternatives like pretrial diversion programs, reentry services, or public defense infrastructure (e.g., IT, staffing). The bill mandates annual reporting of caseloads, attorney hours, and service quality metrics to the Office of Public Defense, which will use this data to review case categorization standards. It also allows low-population counties to transfer public defense responsibilities to the state office, with the state retaining their pro rata funding share for service delivery.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 5151 limits annual state spending growth to the average annual increase in Washington's median worker wage, starting in 2026. It requires the state to calculate a spending cap based on the prior decade's median wage growth and directs any excess revenue above this cap toward lowering property tax rates. The bill applies to all state general fund spending and mandates that the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council determine excess revenues by December 1 each year, which the Department of Revenue must use to reduce property tax rates by the following year. This directly affects state budget decisions and homeowners through potential property tax relief.
Maddy summarySB 5054 exempts Washington wineries selling fewer than 20,000 gallons of table wine or cider annually from the standard wine tax on those initial sales. This change modifies existing tax code (RCW 66.24.210) to remove the $0.0528-per-liter tax for the first 20,000 gallons of wine/cider sold each year, directly benefiting small wineries. The bill aims to reduce financial barriers for small producers who lack economies of scale and face challenges like economic downturns and climate impacts. This policy change takes effect upon passage, altering how wineries calculate and pay state wine excise taxes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington schools and public institutions to collect more detailed data on child sexual abuse incidents to better understand and address the problem. It mandates that clergy members report suspected child sexual abuse (similar to other mandatory reporters) while explicitly protecting religious practices like the sacrament of confession. The law updates existing statutes to improve data collection by educational agencies and clarify reporting obligations for religious professionals. These changes aim to strengthen child safety systems without infringing on constitutional religious freedoms.
Maddy summarySB 5488 protects youth in state care from having their personal benefits (like Social Security) used to pay for their care. Starting January 1, 2026, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) cannot apply benefits to reimburse care costs for youth aged 14-17, and starting 2028 for all other youth in care (under 14 or over 17). The bill requires DCYF to screen youth for Social Security benefits, apply for them on their behalf, and manage approved funds in special accounts (like ABLE accounts) to avoid affecting eligibility. DCYF must also provide financial literacy training to youth aged 14+ who may receive benefits and transition account management to them or their parents when they leave care.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington law enforcement to provide juveniles (under age 18) with immediate access to an attorney before questioning or when they might waive constitutional rights during police contact. For jurisdictions over 1 million people, the attorney must consult in person; smaller areas may use phone or video. Statements made without this consultation are inadmissible in court unless the juvenile properly waived rights after meeting with a lawyer, or if exceptions apply (like imminent life threats or trafficking victim situations). The law aims to prevent coerced statements and ensure juveniles understand their rights before interacting with police.
Maddy summarySB 5670 creates a state grant program to help rural school districts with large geographic areas (450 square miles or more) offset rising transportation costs from increased fuel prices. The program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides direct financial assistance for fuel-related expenses in school transportation. It specifically targets districts facing higher costs due to their extensive service areas. The grant is funded through appropriations and focuses solely on mitigating fuel cost impacts for eligible rural schools.
Maddy summarySB 5406 authorizes the state to pay for electricity used to charge electric vehicles (EVs) at state office locations. It directly affects state employees who use plug-in EVs for work-related purposes or as commute vehicles. The bill amends state law to allow state-funded electricity for both publicly owned and privately owned EVs used in state business or commuting. The director of enterprise services must report on electricity costs and EV usage at state offices if expenses become significant. This policy change specifically addresses state-funded power for EV charging infrastructure at government facilities.
Maddy summarySB 5007 creates a statewide program to support students missing 10% or more of school days (chronically absent) and at risk of not graduating high school. It requires educational service districts to train staff on early warning systems to identify at-risk students and connect them with supports like family engagement, health services, academic help, and transportation. The bill establishes a "Building Bridges" grant program for local school-family-community partnerships to implement dropout prevention systems, including data-driven interventions, mentorship, and alternative education options. These partnerships must collect and report data on student demographics, attendance, graduation rates, and outcomes to track effectiveness. The law aims to improve reengagement and graduation rates through coordinated, evidence-based support for vulnerable students.
Maddy summarySB 5171 amends Washington state law to clarify compensation for livestock owners affected by wolf predation, bears, or cougars. It establishes a minimum $500 economic loss threshold for claims and requires the commission to set rules for qualifying damage, including a new process for indirect losses (like reduced weight gain or pregnancy rates from wolf harassment) by comparing current losses to historical averages. The bill ensures claims are prioritized based on loss percentage and specifies that unpaid claims due to funding limits may be paid in the next fiscal year. It directly affects ranchers and livestock owners who experience wildlife-related damage.