Maddy summarySB 6037 allows cities and towns in Washington to form fire protection districts with boundaries matching their city limits, replacing their municipal fire departments for fire prevention, suppression, and emergency medical services. Cities must submit a detailed financing plan showing property tax impacts and voter approval (simple majority or 60% for benefit charges) before creating such districts. For districts formed before July 1, 2026, cities must reduce their own property tax levies by the district’s proposed tax amount; for districts formed on or after that date, city tax rates are capped based on existing state law. This bill directly affects cities/towns seeking to transfer fire services to a dedicated district, requiring transparency about tax changes and voter consent.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 6130 requires Washington public high schools to hold voter registration events for students on "National Voter Registration Day" (the third Tuesday of September, or the next Tuesday if it conflicts with a major religious holiday). It directs schools to coordinate these events in history/social studies classes for all high school students aged 16+ - with paper and online registration options - during the school day, aiming for 50,000 new youth registrations annually. County auditors may assist, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction must distribute materials, track registrations, and report yearly progress to the legislature. The bill directly affects high school students in Washington state, focusing on early voter registration sign-ups before they turn 18, not on actual voting. This is a proposed legislative measure that passed its committee review in February 2026.
Maddy summarySB 6282 requires state-registered apprenticeships in the building and construction trades (specifically targeting plumbing apprenticeships in the bill text) to include up to four hours of approved behavioral health and wellness training annually. This training must cover topics like destigmatizing mental health, recognizing distress, suicide prevention, substance use awareness, and connecting to resources. The bill amends existing plumbing certification rules (RCW 18.106.070) to integrate this requirement into continuing education hours for apprentices. It directly affects apprentices in plumbing and construction trades by mandating this wellness training as part of their certification renewal process. The policy change is factual and non-partisan, focusing on concrete training requirements within current licensing frameworks.
Maddy summarySB 5861 requires school districts with 2,000 or more students to elect at least three or four board members from designated geographic districts, depending on enrollment size (3 for 2,000-5,000 students, 4 for over 5,000 students). The law applies to districts reporting enrollment above these thresholds by September 2026, with full implementation required by January 1, 2027. Smaller districts (under 2,000 students) are exempt, and districts unable to find qualified candidates in designated areas may appoint residents or use at-large seats temporarily. This directly affects large school districts across Washington State by changing how school board members are elected.
Maddy summarySB 5860 increases school board member daily compensation from $50 to $100 (capped at $13,750 annually), requires cost-of-living adjustments via the consumer price index, and mandates that compensation come only from local tax funds - never state funds. It also requires all school board members to complete a state-funded training program on school finance within one year of the law's effective date (January 2027), with new members completing it during their first term. The bill prohibits charging directors for training attendance and allows members to waive pay for any period. It directly affects school board members and districts, aiming to broaden candidate diversity by reducing financial barriers to service.
Maddy summarySB 5943 establishes a formal system for deferring school impact fees for single-family residential construction in Washington. It requires counties and cities to offer homeowners three payment options: delaying fees until final inspection, certificate of occupancy, or the first property sale after the building permit is issued. The bill limits deferrals to 18 months, requires recording a lien on the property, and sets a cap of 20 annual deferrals per applicant (with local governments able to allow more after consulting school districts). It also mandates that deferred fees must be paid from seller proceeds at closing and specifies that fees must be proportional to new development costs and used for related school facility improvements.
Maddy summarySB 5951 allows public and private schools in Washington to maintain a stock supply of albuterol (a medication for breathing difficulties) starting in the 2027-28 school year, requiring a health professional's prescription and a standing order. School nurses or trained staff can administer it during school activities, including field trips, following existing asthma management protocols - without changing how schools handle students who already have personal albuterol prescriptions. The bill includes liability protections for schools and staff who follow the established procedures. It applies to all schools, including charter and tribal schools, and aligns with current state policies for managing student respiratory symptoms.
Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 5950 adds specific religious observances to the list of recognized days in state law, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Guru Nanak's birthday (October 14), Guru Gobind Singh's birthday (January 5), and Vaisakhi (April 14). The bill amends existing law to formally recognize these dates as days of cultural and religious significance for Washington residents. It does not create new paid holidays but emphasizes state recognition to support religious minority communities. This recognition applies to state employees and agencies, aligning with the legislature's stated goal of fostering inclusivity and respect.
Maddy summarySB 5574 requires Washington public schools to teach Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history as part of social studies curriculum. Starting in the 2029-30 school year, all K-12 schools must include this history when aligned with state standards, covering topics like community contributions to civil rights, local/regional history, and economic/cultural impacts. The bill mandates the state superintendent to develop learning standards and approved curricula by September 2028, with school districts reporting on implementation annually beginning in 2030. This applies to all public school students in Washington, directly affecting curriculum content and instructional practices across the state.
Maddy summarySB 5186 lowers the voter approval threshold for school district bond measures from three-fifths (60%) to a simple majority (50%+1) of votes cast in elections. This change applies specifically to school districts seeking to validate or issue bonds for facilities funding, directly affecting school boards and voters in communities holding such bond elections. The bill modifies statutes (like RCW 28A.535.020) to reflect this lower voting requirement while maintaining the existing 2.5% total debt limit on taxable property value. It does not alter debt limits or other funding mechanisms, only the voter approval standard for new facility bonds.