Sen. Perry Dozier

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5108 aims to regulate service contracts and protection product guarantees, affecting consumers who purchase these agreements for various personal property. The bill updates and expands definitions for terms such as "administrator," "consumer," and "protection product guarantee." It broadens the scope of what constitutes a "service contract" to include specific services like tire and wheel repair from road hazards, paintless dent removal, windshield repair, and the replacement of motor vehicle keys or key fobs. Additionally, it defines "protection product guarantees" as agreements to repair or replace another product or cover incidental costs if a protective product fails to perform as specified.

Maddy summarySB 5047 prohibits public protests within 25 feet of individuals collecting signatures for or signing initiative or referendum petitions in Washington State. This bill directly affects citizens participating in the state's initiative and referendum process by creating a protected buffer zone around petition activities. The key provision amends RCW 29A.84 to make such protests a violation of existing election law, with penalties enforced under RCW 29A.84.250(4). The measure aims to prevent disruptions to grassroots civic engagement efforts during petition drives.

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.

Maddy summarySB 5631 creates a grant program to provide funding for back country search and rescue (SAR) organizations and volunteers operating in remote areas. The bill defines "back country search and rescue" as specialized efforts requiring unique training and equipment to locate and assist people in wilderness settings. It amends state law to establish this grant program under existing emergency management statutes (RCW 38.52). The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having received its first reading on February 3, 2025. The legislation directly affects volunteer SAR groups and their ability to access state funding for equipment, training, and operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require electronic media services (like streaming or music subscriptions) to refund consumers who cancel annual subscriptions early, calculating refunds based on the time the service was used (pro-rata) up to the end of the month of cancellation. It mandates that companies disclose refund policies and fees before sign-up and issue refunds within six months. The law applies only to individual consumers (not businesses or government) and covers subscriptions for intangible content like music, news, or entertainment. The bill is currently pending in the legislature and has not yet become law.

Maddy summarySB 5804 creates a dedicated tax on light and power utility businesses (at 1.741% of gross income) to fund salmon and steelhead habitat restoration. The revenue must be deposited into a new "federal injunction salmon habitat restoration account" to address barriers like unpassable road culverts and dams, as required by a federal court ruling. This tax replaces a previous rate but is structured to not increase overall taxpayer burden. The funds specifically target projects identified to resolve the state's obligation under the *United States v. Washington* court injunction, which estimates repair costs exceed $5 billion.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5034 eliminates the expiration date for the interagency, multijurisdictional system improvement team, informally known as SYNC. This team, composed of representatives from state infrastructure programs and local government associations, coordinates state investments in projects such as drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and broadband. Its purpose is to identify system improvements to maximize value, minimize costs, and ensure the long-term durability and resilience of infrastructure for communities across Washington. By removing the June 30, 2025 sunset date, the bill makes this coordination team permanent and requires it to submit biennial progress reports to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington's Department of Licensing to clarify how federal rules about immigration status and country of domicile affect commercial driver's license (CDL) applications and renewals. It mandates updates to state regulations, staff training on required documentation and applicant options, and public materials for CDL schools and applicants explaining available licensing paths based on immigration status. The policy directly impacts CDL applicants and holders navigating federal requirements, particularly those with non-citizen status or non-domiciled residency. Key mechanisms include rule updates, standardized staff training, and accessible resources to align state processes with federal standards. The goal is to improve clarity and accessibility in CDL licensing without changing federal requirements.

Maddy summarySB 5297 modifies the early learning facilities grant and loan program, which supports facilities providing care for children aged one month through 12 years. The bill renames the program's accounts and clarifies their uses, including funding for early childhood education and assistance programs. It removes the mandatory matching fund requirement for applicants experiencing financial hardship and introduces emergency grants for facilities affected by natural disasters or health and safety threats. The bill also expands eligibility to include Tribal compact schools and allows the Department of Commerce to contract with private-public partnerships to administer grants and loans.

Maddy summarySB 5008 creates a temporary grant program (expiring December 31, 2028) to help Washington public schools, school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools purchase or maintain digital assessment tools for math and English language arts in grades K-12. Schools applying for grants must outline plans for tool use and staff training, and funds prioritize districts based on need and geographic diversity. The program requires annual reports on fund usage, student demographics, and impacts on math and English test scores. This bill directly supports schools seeking tools to identify individual student needs and track progress.