Sen. Perry Dozier

Maddy summarySB 5871 requires auto glass repair shops to inform vehicle owners about safety system calibration needs when repairing windshields or windows, including whether calibration is required, whether the shop will follow manufacturer specs, and alternatives if they cannot perform it. Shops must provide written updates on calibration success and disclose all fees upfront, including itemized bills and price estimates. The bill prohibits shops from offering rebates to steer claims or charging excessive fees, and bans false documentation about repair locations or damage dates. These rules apply directly to vehicle owners, repair shops, and insurers handling insurance-covered glass repairs in Washington.

Maddy summarySB 6056 exempts utility service vehicles from Washington's motor vehicle emission standards, which otherwise adopt California's rules under federal law. It directly affects utility companies (like power and gas providers) whose service vehicles operate in Washington. The bill adds a specific rule requiring the Department of Ecology to exempt these vehicles, defined by federal trucking regulations (49 C.F.R. Sec. 395.2), from the emission standards adopted under state law. This change modifies existing rules without altering the broader emission requirements for other vehicles.

Maddy summarySB 6099 delays the Department of Revenue's enforcement or collection of new tax liabilities resulting from recently passed tax laws. It requires the department to suspend these actions from the effective date of the tax change until the first day of the calendar quarter after finalizing related rules. This directly affects taxpayers who would otherwise face immediate tax bills under new laws before administrative rules are established. The bill aims to provide temporary relief by ensuring tax changes are fully implemented through finalized rules before enforcement begins. The legislation is currently in committee referral after its first reading.

Maddy summarySB 6088 requires publicly owned game farms (like those operated by Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife) to obtain permits under the state's concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) program, which they were previously exempt from. This applies specifically to facilities raising pheasants or similar game birds, now explicitly included in CAFO regulations. The bill mandates these public facilities to implement manure management plans with runoff controls, dead animal protocols, and groundwater monitoring to prevent nitrate pollution in drinking water wells. It directly affects state-run game farms by aligning their environmental regulations with private agricultural operations to protect public water quality.

Maddy summarySB 6012 exempts schools (both public and private) from paying Washington's retail sales tax on certain services they purchase for operational use, such as cleaning, repairs, or maintenance. The bill amends state tax law (RCW 82.04.050) to exclude these school-purchased services from the definition of "retail sale," removing the tax obligation for schools. This change directly affects schools by reducing their operational costs for essential services, without altering tax treatment for other businesses. The bill is currently pending in committee after being prefaced for introduction in January 2026.

Maddy summarySB 6048 amends Washington's professional engineers' registration act by updating definitions and requirements for licensed engineers and land surveyors. It clarifies the scope of "practice of engineering" and specifically defines "significant structures" requiring engineering oversight - such as hospitals, hazardous facilities, buildings over five stories, and large gathering spaces (over 300 people). The bill directly affects engineers, land surveyors, and construction projects involving these structures, ensuring only qualified professionals oversee high-risk developments. Key provisions include refined definitions for "engineer-in-training" and updated criteria for board membership (e.g., 10 years of active practice). The changes aim to modernize regulatory clarity without creating new licensing barriers.

Maddy summarySB 5991 modifies Washington's Clean Energy Transformation Act to allow electric utilities to count electricity from natural gas power plants using carbon capture, utilization, mineralization, or sequestration (CCUS) technology toward the state's 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals. This directly affects utilities and natural gas plant operators by expanding eligible resources to include gas generation paired with CCUS, which captures carbon emissions before they enter the atmosphere. The bill clarifies that such projects qualify as "nonemitting" under existing law, addressing reliability concerns during extreme weather events when renewable sources like wind and hydro are low. It aims to support grid stability while advancing Washington's 2050 net-zero emissions target, without changing the state's overall renewable energy requirements.

Maddy summarySB 5980 would exempt live presentations (such as concerts, theater, and similar events) from Washington State's retail sales and use tax. This bill amends RCW 82.04.050 and 82.04.192 to remove live performances from the definition of "retail sale," meaning ticket sellers would no longer collect sales tax on these events. The change directly affects businesses selling tickets to live performances, including venues, promoters, and event organizers. The bill is currently pending in the legislature after being prefaced and referred to the Ways & Means committee.

Maddy summarySB 5996 freezes commercial shellfish fees at 2025 levels through June 2027. It prohibits the state department from raising fees for six specific licenses and services: commercial shellfish harvest, shellstock shipping, shucker-packer plants, export certificates, biotoxin testing, and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) monitoring. The bill also bans any new fees for shellfish harvesters, shippers, and processing plants during this period. This directly affects commercial shellfish operators in Washington state by preventing cost increases on their required licensing and testing fees. The legislation aims to provide fee stability for the shellfish industry through 2027.

Maddy summarySB 5819 amends Washington State’s tax code to classify paid protestor services as temporary staffing services, making them subject to state retail sales and use taxes. This change directly affects businesses that hire individuals to provide paid protest services, requiring them to collect and remit applicable taxes on these services. The bill updates the definition of "retail sale" under RCW 82.04.050 to explicitly include such services within taxable temporary staffing. It does not alter tax treatment for other services like janitorial work or construction. This is a procedural tax code amendment with no new tax rates or exemptions.