Maddy summarySB 5805 amends Washington state law to transition the Yakima Valley School (a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in Selah, Yakima County) from operating as a residential habilitation center to community-based services. It requires the state to establish state-operated living alternatives for residents moving to the community, up to eight crisis stabilization beds, and up to eight respite beds, all funded through the state budget. The bill also directs the state to provide mobile specialty services - such as dental care, therapy, and nursing - to former residents and others with developmental disabilities in the community. These changes aim to shift care from residential centers to community settings while maintaining service access within available funding.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5800 authorizes the state of Washington to issue $7 billion in general obligation bonds to fund highway projects, including their design, land acquisition, and construction. The proceeds from these bonds will be deposited into the "move ahead WA account" within the motor vehicle fund, designated solely for these transportation purposes. The state pledges its full faith and credit for these bonds, with repayment primarily drawn from state excise taxes on fuel and vehicle-related fees. Additionally, the bill increases the authorized bond amount for the State Route 520 corridor projects by $500 million, bringing that specific project's total funding authorization to $2.45 billion.
Maddy summarySB 5160 provides supplemental transportation funding for Washington State's 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, totaling approximately $26.16 million for the Washington State Patrol and other agencies. It directly affects state agencies, counties, and tribal governments through specific project allocations, such as $7.3 million for the University of Washington to map sidewalks and improve accessibility, $2.5 million for county bridge load rating grants, and $3.7 million for traffic safety initiatives including telematics data collection and tribal traffic safety programs. Key mechanisms include strict "provided solely" conditions requiring funds to be used only for designated purposes, with amounts lapsing if related legislation (e.g., SB 5374 for tribal programs) isn't enacted by June 2025. The bill does not create new policies but allocates existing funds to targeted transportation projects and administrative needs.
Maddy summarySB 5512 allows licensed house-banked card rooms in Washington with multiple locations to use a single centralized surveillance monitoring center instead of individual systems at each site. This directly affects multi-location card room operators, requiring them to get written approval from the Washington Gambling Commission and meet specific safety and staffing standards. Key provisions include mandatory preoperational inspections, internal control submissions, real-time monitoring capabilities, alarm systems for security breaches, and minimum staffing ratios (e.g., one employee per 15 gambling tables). The bill updates gambling regulations to modernize security oversight while ensuring consistent safety protocols across all monitored locations.
Maddy summarySB 5352 ensures all Washington public school students can receive free meals daily upon request, removing previous income-based eligibility requirements. The bill directly affects every student in state public schools who seeks a meal, eliminating the need for families to qualify through income verification. Key provisions amend school funding laws to require districts to provide free meals to all requesting students, aligning with the legislature's finding that hunger should not hinder academic success. This policy change shifts meal access from a means-tested program to universal availability within public schools.
Maddy summarySB 5410 amends Washington State law to expand eligibility for disability parking privileges to include veterans. Specifically, it adds veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who use a service animal (as defined by federal regulations) to the list of qualifying individuals under existing parking rules. The bill does not create new benefits but extends current disability parking access to this veteran group, requiring the same medical certification as other applicants. It maintains all existing requirements for documentation, application, and issuance of parking placards or license plates. This change directly affects eligible veterans seeking parking accommodations under Washington’s disability parking program.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5694 establishes a statewide certification program for boiler operators in Washington state. This program aims to unify existing certification and training standards across the state to ensure operators possess necessary skills for safe boiler operation, maintenance, and repair. The Board of Boiler Rules is tasked with developing rules for this certification, which are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2028. The Department of Labor & Industries will be responsible for enforcing these new certification requirements, while recognizing certifications from approved existing programs.
Maddy summarySB 5511 defines "low-proof beverage" as drinks under 16 ounces containing more than 0.5% but less than 7% alcohol by volume, excluding wine, malt beverages, and malt liquor. This new classification will determine how such products are regulated under Washington's liquor laws. It directly affects businesses selling these beverages, including flavored malt beverages and certain cocktails, by clarifying their regulatory category. The bill amends existing definitions in Washington’s liquor code to establish this category without imposing new restrictions or taxes.
Maddy summarySB 5487 modifies Washington's overtime law to allow agricultural employers to select 12 weeks per year during which workers may work up to 50 hours weekly without triggering overtime pay. This directly affects agricultural workers and employers by creating a seasonal exemption from the standard 40-hour overtime rule, specifically addressing the time-sensitive labor needs of crop harvesting and planting seasons. The bill aims to help farms manage peak labor demands without reducing worker hours or earnings, as seen in California's similar overtime policy. It amends RCW 49.46.130 to add this temporary exemption while maintaining overtime protections for most workweeks.
Maddy summarySB 5027 establishes a Washington state program to repay law school loans for public defense attorneys and prosecutors. To qualify, participants must work full-time (at 80% of the state bar’s standard caseload) in qualifying public defense or prosecution roles for three years. The program provides up to $20,000 annually for three years ($120,000 total), prioritizing rural practitioners if funding is limited. Participants must repay funds if they leave before completing the service period.