Sen. Perry Dozier

Maddy summarySB 6300 allows Washington school districts to develop their own alternative learning standards instead of using the state’s mandated standards, provided they align with statewide student learning goals and are published online. Districts must still meet core requirements like minimum instructional hours (1,000-1,080 annually for grades 1-12), 24 graduation credits, and existing programs for special education and bilingual students. The bill does not alter state-mandated curriculum content but gives districts flexibility in how they structure their academic standards. School districts must submit their alternative standards to the state superintendent for review before implementation.

Maddy summarySB 6298 requires that for Washington State public works projects receiving over $500,000 in state funds (from capital budgets or specific financing contracts), iron, steel, aluminum, and manufactured products used must be "manufactured in the United States," meaning at least 55% of component costs must originate domestically for manufactured products. Agencies can waive this requirement if materials aren't available domestically in sufficient quantity or quality, or if U.S. materials would increase project costs by more than 25%, but must provide 30 days of public notice and publish a justification for the waiver. The bill also prohibits intentionally mislabeling non-U.S.-made products as "Made in America" for public projects. This applies to contracts advertised for bids after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits using artificial intelligence to replace certified teachers or support staff (paraeducators) in Washington schools. It allows AI to supplement or enhance instruction but explicitly bans its use for replacing human educators. The law directly affects public schools and instructional staff by setting clear boundaries for AI integration in classrooms. It creates a new legal standard in education policy without specifying implementation details.

Maddy summarySJR 8209 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two property tax relief mechanisms in Washington State: a homestead exemption for primary homeowners (limiting state property taxes on their residence to a fixed dollar amount) and a renter's credit refunding part of rent paid by qualifying tenants. Both provisions require future legislation to set specific dollar amounts, with the renter's credit capped at the same maximum as the homeowner exemption. The amendment would need voter approval to take effect, as it modifies the state constitution, and would not shift tax burdens to other property types or increase overall tax rates.

Maddy summarySB 6295 creates a new homestead property tax exemption program primarily for homeowners in Washington. It exempts the first $500,000 of assessed value for eligible primary residences (including single-family homes, multi-unit dwellings with separate taxation, and certain manufactured/mobile homes) starting in 2028. The exemption amount increases annually based on state levy growth and requires homeowners to claim it annually by June 30th through county assessors. This policy directly affects Washington homeowners who qualify as primary residents, reducing their state property tax burden without impacting existing exemptions.

Maddy summarySB 6273 requires Washington’s Department of Ecology to publicly list all known unauthorized tire piles on its website, including location, duration, tire count, environmental risks, and cleanup timelines. It mandates the department to report annual tire recycling rates, authorized storage sites, and state/local cleanup efforts funded by a $5-per-tire fee (increased from $1 in 2025). The law aims to increase transparency about waste tire cleanup priorities and fund allocation for communities with the most severe tire pile problems. This directly affects the public, legislators, and local governments seeking to address tire waste through accessible data.

Maddy summarySB 6283 provides a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm machinery and equipment purchased by eligible Washington farmers. It directly affects farmers whose combined gross sales or harvested value of agricultural products (including bee pollination services) does not exceed $2 million in the previous tax year, adjusted annually for inflation after 2031. The exemption covers equipment like tractors, combines, and irrigation tools used in crop or livestock production, but excludes road vehicles and motorcycles. The tax break expires on October 1, 2036, and applies to purchases made on or after October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Washington state's rules for self-storage rental agreements. It requires storage facilities to include specific disclosures in written agreements, informing renters that unpaid rent (after 14 days) may lead to a lien on stored property and potential sale to cover costs. The bill also allows electronic signing of agreements, clarifies that continued use of space for 30 days after notice constitutes agreement acceptance, and mandates a 15-day notice period before termination. Additionally, it specifies that renters must remove belongings within 15 days of termination notice, and facilities may dispose of unclaimed property after 5 days if not removed. These changes directly affect renters and self-storage facility operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific percentage limits on state funding for architectural and engineering services used in Washington school district construction and modernization projects. School districts must stay within these limits, which are calculated based on project size (square footage) and type: new construction projects have caps ranging from 5% (for smaller projects) down to 3% (for very large projects), while modernization projects are capped at 1.5 times the new construction limit for their size. For projects combining both new construction and modernization, the state funding limit is prorated between the two types. The bill directly affects school districts managing building projects by defining the maximum state reimbursement they can receive for these professional services.

Maddy summarySB 6266 clarifies that Washington's state auditor may access prescription monitoring program data to conduct authorized audits, while maintaining all existing confidentiality protections. It explicitly adds the "office of the Washington state auditor" to the list of authorized recipients under existing privacy rules (RCW 70.225.040(3)(o)). This affects the Department of Health (which manages the prescription monitoring program) and the auditor's office (which gains explicit access for audit purposes). The bill does not change confidentiality requirements but ensures the auditor can fulfill statutory duties without compromising patient privacy.