Sen. Perry Dozier

Maddy summarySJR 8212 proposes a constitutional amendment to Washington State's Constitution, changing eligibility requirements for state legislators. It would require candidates to be at least 25 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, have no felony or gross misdemeanor convictions, and complete a detailed background investigation within six months of filing. The background check must include criminal history checks, verification of extremist group affiliations, social media review, citizenship confirmation, a psychological exam, and a polygraph. This amendment would apply to all future legislators elected or appointed after ratification, directly affecting candidates for the Washington State Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 8672) honoring Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, a Washington State Patrol officer who died in the line of duty on December 19, 2025. The resolution expresses the Senate's condolences to her family, commends her service and embodiment of the Patrol's motto ("Service with Humility"), and extends gratitude to all Washington State Patrol members. It has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic recognition of her life and service, with copies sent to her family and Patrol leadership.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 8683), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally honors the Seattle Seahawks for winning the 2025 NFL season, including their regular-season record, NFC West championship, and Super Bowl 60 victory. The resolution expresses the Washington State Senate's appreciation for the team's on-field success and community contributions, with no legal effect or impact on constituents. It was adopted on February 10, 2026, and serves solely as a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summarySB 5898 directs that tax proceeds from aircraft fuel must be deposited into the state's aeronautics account (as defined in RCW 82.42.090), ensuring these funds support aviation-related programs and infrastructure. This bill does not change the tax rate or definition of aircraft fuel but modifies existing law to redirect these specific revenues. The change affects state budget allocations for aviation, with no impact on taxpayers or the tax calculation itself.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 8679 (SR 8679) is a symbolic resolution adopted by the Washington State Senate on February 5, 2026, that formally recognizes Taiwan's role in international affairs and strengthens Washington state's economic ties with Taiwan. It reaffirms support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations (like those addressing trade and health) and encourages closer economic partnerships between Washington and Taiwan, citing Taiwan as the state's 6th largest trading partner ($3.8 billion in 2024) and a top market for Washington agricultural exports. The resolution directly affects Washington state's trade relationships and its diplomatic engagement with Taiwan, referencing the Taiwan Relations Act and Taiwan's contributions to global disaster relief. It does not create new laws or alter policy but serves as a statement of support for existing economic and cultural connections.

Maddy summarySB 6324 amends Washington State's retirement system (Plan 2) for law enforcement officers and firefighters by including standby pay in the calculation of "basic salary." Standby pay is compensation received when personnel are required to be available for immediate work but aren't actively working. This change increases retirement benefits for affected members by counting this pay toward their pension base. The bill specifically excludes lump-sum payments for unused leave or severance pay from the calculation.

Maddy summarySB 5853 creates a voluntary statewide emergency notification system to alert elected officials if a threat is reported to 911. It requires the Secretary of State to establish a database for public officials (including city, county, state, and federal roles) who choose to enroll. The system would notify all enrolled officials immediately if another enrolled official contacts 911 about a targeted threat, without sharing personal details of those involved. This aims to improve communication during threats, drawing from a Minnesota incident where officials were murdered after threats went unreported. The bill amends 911 coordination laws to integrate this system while maintaining data privacy.

Maddy summarySB 6348 codifies Washington’s voluntary tax disclosure program and creates a temporary tax amnesty period. It allows businesses and individuals with unpaid state taxes (like sales, use, or business taxes) due before July 1, 2026, to avoid penalties and interest by filing all required returns and paying in full by October 1, 2026. To qualify, applicants must disclose all tax activity, have no fraud history, and not have been contacted by the department recently. The program excludes those with evasion penalties, criminal tax cases, or bankruptcy proceedings, and waives penalties only for taxes paid as required by the bill.

Maddy summarySB 6339 requires courts to confirm that any "less restrictive alternative" placement (like community-based treatment) for individuals released from secure facilities must be owned and operated by the same entity providing the services. It mandates specific conditions for such releases, including electronic monitoring with real-time tracking, 500-foot residence restrictions near schools/child care, and court verification that the placement provider owns the residence. The bill also requires adherence to "fair share principles" to prevent disproportionate placement of individuals in specific counties, with the department documenting placement decisions and notifying counties of out-of-county releases. This directly affects courts, the Department of Corrections, and service providers arranging community-based supervision under Washington’s conditional release law (RCW 71.09.096).

Maddy summarySB 6345 requires that all contracts for transportation projects on state-owned highways in Washington must pay prevailing wages established by the industrial statistician. It directs the industrial statistician to prioritize collective bargaining agreement rates for trades with union contracts, using the rate covering the most workers if multiple agreements exist, and to conduct wage surveys only where no agreements apply. The law applies to contracts bid or awarded on or after June 1, 2029, and amends existing law to clarify that prevailing wage determinations must follow these rules. This directly affects contractors working on state highway projects by mandating specific wage standards for laborers and mechanics.