Maddy summarySB 5398 creates property tax exemptions for Washington veterans with severe service-connected disabilities and their surviving spouses. It allows veterans receiving VA compensation for a combined disability rating of 80% or higher (or total disability) to qualify for tax relief, along with surviving spouses aged 57+ who meet income requirements. The exemption reduces or eliminates property taxes based on income thresholds: full exemption for lowest-income veterans (threshold 3), and partial exemption covering up to $70,000 of home value for moderate-income veterans (threshold 2), or up to 60% of home value (minimum $60,000) for highest-income eligible veterans (threshold 1). The bill adjusts tax calculations for income changes like retirement or spouse loss, and maintains eligibility during cost-of-living increases to social security benefits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 5678 creates a state task force to study Washington's residential landlord-tenant laws and imposes a 36-month moratorium on new local rental regulations. The task force, composed of landlords, tenants, housing advocates, and local government representatives, will examine issues like rent limits, evictions, security deposits, and tenant screening. Local governments (cities, towns, counties) cannot enact new rental rules during the moratorium period, which begins when the bill takes effect. The task force must report its recommendations to the legislature by July 2027, with the bill expiring in 2029.
Maddy summarySB 5732 amends Washington's Growth Management Act to require counties and cities to track housing permit applications and close the housing availability gap. It directs local governments to foster housing supply in rural areas, ensure sufficient land is available for new housing developments, and monitor regional progress toward housing goals. Failure to meet these requirements could trigger sanctions under the law. The bill targets local planning under the Growth Management Act, focusing on measurable accountability for housing supply rather than direct construction.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows senior centers, senior housing organizations, and senior living communities (with a 55+ age minimum) to operate bingo games weekly, instead of the standard limit of twice yearly. It specifically amends Washington’s gambling laws to permit these senior-focused groups to conduct weekly bingo, with revenue from bingo capped at $10,000 annually. All proceeds must fund the organization’s charitable or nonprofit purposes, and they must follow standard reporting and notice requirements. This change directly affects senior living communities meeting the age criteria, providing them greater flexibility for fundraising through bingo.
Maddy summarySB 5383 exempts sales and use taxes on labor, materials, and equipment used in qualifying salmon recovery projects. It applies to sponsors (such as tribes, local governments, or nonprofits) receiving state funding for projects aimed at increasing salmon/steelhead stocks through habitat restoration, barrier removal, or hatchery improvements. To qualify, sponsors must obtain a department-issued exemption certificate and provide it to sellers before August 1, 2025. The exemption expires when the project is certified operationally complete, with sponsors required to pay any back taxes within 60 days of expiration. This policy directly reduces costs for entities undertaking state-funded salmon habitat restoration efforts.
Maddy summarySB 5075 prohibits most health plans from charging copays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing fees for specific prenatal and postnatal services starting in 2026. It covers in-network office visits, ultrasounds, vitamins, and follow-up care like cesarean recovery during the pregnancy period (from first pregnancy-related claim until delivery) and for 12 weeks after birth (up to one year for complications). Prescription drugs for pregnancy-related conditions are also exempt from cost-sharing starting in 2027. The bill applies to nongrandfathered health plans in Washington, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum individuals by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these essential services.
Maddy summarySB 5050 requires that in Washington state presidential primary elections, voters' party preference selections be placed inside ballot envelopes so they cannot be seen from the outside. This change ensures party declarations remain as secret as other ballot choices, directly protecting voters' privacy during presidential primaries. The bill also mandates that ballot envelopes include a clear, visible notice reminding voters they must select a party for their ballot to be counted. These provisions aim to prevent outside observers from inferring a voter's candidate choice based solely on their party selection. The bill is currently under review in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Maddy summarySB 5710 requires Washington State Ferries to contract for clean diesel vessels to replace the current Issaquah-class ferries, directly affecting the state ferry system and shipbuilders. Key provisions include exempting these contracts from standard procurement rules, allowing flexible methods like design-build or lease-with-option-to-buy, and offering a 13% financial incentive for vessels constructed in Washington to offset economic losses from out-of-state building. The bill also permits postponing hybrid conversions for some vessels until the first conversion proves effective. These changes aim to accelerate delivery while prioritizing local shipbuilding and operational efficiency.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington counties and cities to regularly review and update their community land use plans and development regulations to align with state requirements. Small cities (population under 500, not near large cities, with low growth) can opt out of full reviews but must still update critical areas protections and transportation plans. Counties must also review urban growth areas to ensure they accommodate projected development over 20 years while maintaining environmental safeguards. The law mandates public input processes for all changes and sets specific deadlines for updates, with penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects local governments, developers, and residents by standardizing land use planning across the state.
Maddy summarySB 5145 requires new Washington state spending programs costing over $1 million in their first full biennium (and not self-funded by fees) to include an expiration date no later than 10 years from implementation. It mandates that each program must also include a "state spending performance statement" detailing its legislative purpose and specific, measurable metrics to evaluate effectiveness. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must periodically review these programs using the stated metrics, considering factors like goal achievement, unintended benefits, and fiscal impact, then recommend to the legislature whether to continue, modify, or terminate each program. If a program fails to meet its metrics, the committee must recommend termination, applying to all new programs established after January 1, 2026.