Sen. Adrian Cortes

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Washington school districts to issue bonds for school construction under $250,000 without requiring voter approval, streamlining funding for smaller projects. Districts must still secure voter approval for facility levies under RCW 84.52.053 and hold public hearings for bonds exceeding $250,000, including details on purpose, repayment, and terms. The law modifies existing debt authority (RCW 28A.530.080) to remove voter approval requirements for smaller bond issuances while maintaining transparency measures. It directly affects school districts managing capital projects, enabling faster access to funds for construction, modernization, or remodeling.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change the voter approval threshold for school district bonds from a simple majority to 55% of voters. It would require school districts seeking funding for facility construction, modernization, or repairs to obtain approval from at least 55% of voters participating in the election, rather than a majority. The amendment directly affects school districts across Washington that need to issue bonds for capital projects. If approved by voters, this change would become part of the state constitution, altering how local school funding is authorized.

Maddy summarySB 6321 establishes the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement to address funding shortfalls in state research caused by federal grant cuts. It authorizes $6 billion in state bonds (capped at $1 billion annually) to fund research at public universities and labs, targeting critical areas like cancer treatment, veterinary medicine, climate science, and semiconductor technology. The bill directly affects Washington’s research institutions, including WSU’s veterinary diagnostic lab, which faces potential closure due to lost federal funding. It aims to sustain ongoing projects and prevent loss of research capacity and economic benefits, such as the University of Washington’s $2.6 billion annual economic contribution.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 8665) formally recognizes February as Black History Month in Washington State. It honors the history, contributions, and resilience of Black Americans in Washington and across the nation, acknowledging their enduring impact on civic life, culture, and democracy. The resolution serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition by the Washington State Senate, with no new policies or direct effects on constituents or programs. It was adopted by the Senate on February 16, 2026.

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 6287 amends Washington state's controlled substances code to establish a regulatory framework for the preparation, distribution, and sale of kratom products. The bill directly affects manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers of kratom by creating new definitions and licensing requirements under the jurisdiction of the Washington state liquor and cannabis board. Key provisions include establishing specific categories for kratom products, setting standards for production and sale, and prescribing penalties for violations of the new regulations. The legislation also includes an expiration date, indicating that the regulatory framework is intended to be temporary and subject to future legislative review.

Maddy summarySB 5400 establishes a Washington state grant program to support local news journalism by funding news organizations that employ journalists covering community issues. Eligible applicants - including newspapers and digital platforms meeting specific criteria - must employ at least two to three journalists per quarter (with flexibility for smaller operations) to qualify for grants proportional to journalist hours worked. The program targets underserved communities, aiming to counter declining newsroom staff and advertising revenue by directly supporting journalist employment. Grants require reporting on progress and usage, with the Department of Commerce administering the program based on defined eligibility standards for "news journalists" and "qualifying publications."

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Washington State's developmental disabilities program to provide employment services starting at age 19 (previously age 21). It requires the state department to offer clients a choice to transition from employment programs to community inclusion services after nine months, with no prior approval needed for this switch. The bill mandates that clients and their legal representatives receive clear information about all service options, including activity types and service duration. It also directs the department to expand community inclusion programs that support community integration and independent living skills. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to make written documents about legislative discussions on bills publicly accessible for inspection and copying. It would require that internal legislative deliberations regarding bills being considered or introduced be available to the public, while also protecting legislators from liability for words spoken in debate or for the contents of these documents. The amendment would need voter approval at the next general election to take effect. This change directly affects how legislative staff and members handle internal communications about bills, increasing public transparency around the lawmaking process.