Maddy summarySB 5117, the "FEAST Act" (Food Economics, Availability, and Security Over Time), creates a new state policy framework to support Washington's agricultural sector. It requires the state to analyze the fiscal impact of proposed legislation on agricultural businesses, including regulatory cost changes, and produce written fiscal notes for lawmakers upon request. These notes must detail annual impacts for the first two years and a six-year forecast, focusing on how policy decisions affect farmers' ability to produce food. The bill directly affects agricultural entities (like farms and processors) and state agencies responsible for drafting and reviewing legislation. It does not change existing agricultural regulations but establishes a process for evaluating future policy impacts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 5566 increases penalties for assaulting certain public safety personnel, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, transit workers, school bus drivers, healthcare providers, and court staff while they are performing their duties. It reclassifies assault against law enforcement from a class C felony to a class B felony (a more serious charge) and adds a mandatory minimum 180-day prison sentence for such assaults committed during riots. The bill also expands protections to include assaults against healthcare providers, transit operators, and court personnel under specific duty-related circumstances. These changes apply to anyone who physically harms these workers while they are on duty, with no additional policy implications or outcomes speculated.
Maddy summarySB 5063 creates a tax credit program for Washington state rail infrastructure improvements. It provides a 50% tax credit against state taxes for eligible rail operators (including class II/III railroads, port/city-owned rail, and industrial spur owners) on qualifying maintenance, new construction, and modernization costs. Credits are capped at $500,000 per company annually and $8 million statewide, with unused credits carryable for up to five years or transferable to other taxpayers. The bill directly affects smaller rail carriers and industrial facilities by reducing costs for upgrading tracks, bridges, and safety infrastructure to support modern freight needs.
Maddy summarySB 5208 creates a new clean energy fund program in Washington state that provides loans to support clean energy projects. The fund offers loans for specific initiatives like acquiring electric vehicles, installing solar/wind equipment, decarbonizing facilities, and modernizing the grid, with eligibility for utilities, businesses, government agencies, and national labs in Washington. Loans must be repaid with principal and interest, which cycle back into the fund, and interest rates are capped for public entities while private loans must be at prime rate plus two percent. The program aims to advance the state’s environmental goals by financing projects that reduce emissions and foster a clean energy economy.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated "salmon recovery project maintenance account" in the state treasury, requiring that 1% of all funds allocated for salmon recovery projects be deposited into it for long-term upkeep. It mandates that all projects receiving funding must include a plan for ongoing maintenance to ensure habitat benefits last over time. The bill modifies existing funding rules to prioritize projects with strong maintenance plans and requires grant recipients to disclose how maintenance funds are spent. This ensures salmon habitat restoration efforts remain effective for decades, not just during initial construction.
Maddy summarySB 5241 adds fusion energy facilities to Washington State's list of qualifying clean energy projects eligible for site certification under chapter 80.50 RCW. This means fusion energy developers can now apply for site certification through the same process used for solar, wind, and other clean energy projects. The bill amends the definition of "alternative energy resource" in RCW 80.50.020 to explicitly include fusion energy, aligning it with existing clean energy technologies. This change directly affects fusion energy companies seeking to build facilities in Washington by allowing them to utilize the state's streamlined siting process for clean energy projects.
Maddy summarySB 5055 promotes agritourism in Washington by adjusting building code requirements for agricultural structures. It specifies that agricultural buildings used for agritourism activities are not subject to standard commercial building permit requirements. This exemption applies if the building is used for agritourism for six months or less per year, provided it still meets all life and fire safety standards. This change directly affects farmers and landowners who host agritourism events on their property, potentially easing regulatory burdens for these activities.
Maddy summarySB 5003 creates a competitive grant program under Washington's Superintendent of Public Instruction to improve physical security at K-12 public schools. Public school districts can apply for grants covering eligible projects like entrance security systems, fencing, perimeter barriers, and infrastructure redesigns to streamline access. Grants are capped at $2 million per district over two years, with no more than 3% of funds allowed for administrative costs. The program requires annual progress reports to the legislature detailing applications, funding requests, and approved projects starting December 2025.
Maddy summarySB 5285 would allow Washington cities and counties to impose a 0.10% sales tax to fund additional commissioned law enforcement officers. Jurisdictions must use the revenue solely for hiring officers unless their current officer-to-population ratio exceeds the national average (calculated using FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data), in which case funds can support broader criminal justice programs like domestic violence services or homelessness initiatives. The bill targets Washington's high violent crime rates and low officer staffing - ranking last in the nation for officers per capita - by creating a dedicated funding stream for local law enforcement expansion. It requires jurisdictions to report staffing data annually and mandates that tax revenue directly supports law enforcement employment.
Maddy summarySB 5111 clarifies that recording surcharges paid by clients to counties for document recording (e.g., property deeds) are not subject to Washington's sales, use, or business taxes. It directly affects title and escrow businesses, which were previously assessed back taxes for failing to collect these taxes on surcharges - creating financial hardship, especially for small businesses. The bill amends tax law to explicitly exclude such surcharges from taxable transactions, aligning with a 2024 court ruling that classified the surcharge as an excise tax (not a fee). This change prevents future tax assessments on these specific charges, providing clear guidance for businesses.