Sen. Perry Dozier

Maddy summarySB 5674 provides property tax exemptions for new or expanded manufacturing facilities in Washington state. It exempts eligible buildings, equipment, and land from property taxes for six years (or eight years for certified "green" facilities or those exporting through Washington seaports) after a facility becomes operational. To qualify, manufacturers must file claims with county assessors, and exemptions cannot be renewed. The law applies to taxes levied from 2026 through 2035 and expires on January 1, 2036.

Maddy summarySB 5624 requires the Washington State Patrol, in collaboration with the Department of Ecology, fire districts, and the towing industry, to create best practices for responding to electric vehicle (EV) fires. The guidelines must cover first responder protocols during EV collisions or fires and procedures for safely transporting, towing, and storing damaged EVs. The State Patrol must also develop checklists to improve coordination between agencies during EV fire responses, which will be shared with all fire departments across Washington. These practical tools aim to standardize safety measures as EV adoption increases.

Maddy summarySB 5090 updates Washington's Professional Engineers' Registration Act by modernizing definitions and board composition. It removes outdated language and clarifies terms like "practice of engineering" and "significant structures" (e.g., defining hazardous facilities and large buildings). The bill requires board members to have at least 10 years of active practice in engineering or land surveying, including five years immediately prior to appointment. This affects the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and the professionals they regulate, without changing core registration requirements for engineers or land surveyors.

Maddy summarySB 5430 requires Washington electric utilities to submit detailed wildfire mitigation plans to the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) for approval, with updates every three years. The UTC must review these plans within 120 days (for initial submissions) or 90 days (for updates), holding public workshops and meetings, and can approve plans with conditions to balance wildfire risk reduction with cost to consumers. The bill repeals outdated provisions and directs the UTC to adopt rules including input from fire districts, landowners, and customer groups on vegetation management, power shutoffs, and fair compensation. This directly affects all electric utilities operating in Washington, ensuring their wildfire plans are reviewed transparently and cost-effectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington counties, cities, and towns with authority to approve new home construction to permit enough housing to cover their portion of the state's estimated 1 million+ housing shortage by 2035. The Department of Commerce will calculate each local government's specific housing target by April 2026 and publish it online. Local governments must review their zoning and permitting rules to remove barriers to construction, and if over 33% of building permits are denied, they must address the causes. The bill also establishes a process for local governments to report state laws hindering housing, prompting the legislature to consider amendments.

Maddy summarySB 5054 exempts Washington wineries selling fewer than 20,000 gallons of table wine or cider annually from the standard wine tax on those initial sales. This change modifies existing tax code (RCW 66.24.210) to remove the $0.0528-per-liter tax for the first 20,000 gallons of wine/cider sold each year, directly benefiting small wineries. The bill aims to reduce financial barriers for small producers who lack economies of scale and face challenges like economic downturns and climate impacts. This policy change takes effect upon passage, altering how wineries calculate and pay state wine excise taxes.

Maddy summarySB 5699 amends Washington State law requiring counties and cities to update their comprehensive plans. It mandates specific additions to the land use element, including wildfire risk mitigation (like adopting firewise standards), groundwater protection, and environmental justice considerations. The housing element must address racial disparities in housing access, identify anti-displacement policies, and ensure affordable housing options for low- to moderate-income households, including accessory dwelling units. This bill directly affects all local governments required to maintain comprehensive plans under state law.

Maddy summarySB 5277 repeals provisions allowing juvenile court jurisdiction to extend up to age 25 for certain serious offenses. It specifically targets juveniles aged 16-17 charged with violent crimes (like robbery, rape of a child, or armed offenses) who would previously have remained under juvenile court oversight until 25. The bill removes the "up to age 25" extension from RCW 13.04.030 and repeals related statutes including RCW 13.40.301. This change shifts jurisdiction to adult courts earlier for these cases, directly affecting youth facing serious criminal charges.

Maddy summarySB 5668 requires Washington's state board of health to update newborn screening panels by July 2026 to align with the federal recommended screening panel, adding conditions like metabolic disorders within 12 months of federal updates. It mandates a feasibility review for new additions, assessing costs, available funding, treatment access, and screening technology before implementation. The bill directly affects newborns (through expanded screening), hospitals (which collect blood samples), and the Department of Health (which administers the program and fees). It also allows public petitions for new screenings if scientific evidence supports them, ensuring additions are evidence-based and timely. The law modifies existing statutes to streamline this process while maintaining parental opt-out rights for religious reasons.

Maddy summarySB 5670 creates a state grant program to help rural school districts with large geographic areas (450 square miles or more) offset rising transportation costs from increased fuel prices. The program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides direct financial assistance for fuel-related expenses in school transportation. It specifically targets districts facing higher costs due to their extensive service areas. The grant is funded through appropriations and focuses solely on mitigating fuel cost impacts for eligible rural schools.