Sen. Jeff Wilson

Maddy summarySB 5045 expands Washington’s existing battery stewardship program to include electric vehicle (EV) batteries, which were previously excluded from the recycling requirements. The bill amends key statutes to redefine "vehicle battery" to encompass EV batteries, requiring retailers selling new EV batteries to accept used ones for recycling at the point of sale - similar to current rules for lead-acid car batteries. This includes maintaining a mandatory core charge (minimum $5) for new purchases if used batteries aren’t returned. The change directly affects EV battery retailers and consumers purchasing new EV batteries, extending the state’s recycling framework to cover this growing battery type.

Maddy summarySB 5091 prevents Washington from adopting California's motor vehicle emission standards, requiring the state to instead set rules consistent with federal clean air standards. The bill directs the Department of Ecology to establish Washington-specific emission requirements that align with federal law but exclude California's standards, which the legislature states limits economic flexibility. It affects all motor vehicles registered in Washington, including new registrations and emissions testing requirements, while maintaining exemptions for electric vehicles, low-emission hybrids, and certain older or specialty vehicles. The law repeals prior requirements to adopt California standards and mandates the Department of Ecology to develop rules for vehicle emissions without referencing California's framework.

Maddy summarySB 5283 prevents Washington's Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council from overriding local bans on electricity storage facilities in critical areas. It directly affects local governments that have enacted zoning restrictions in critical areas (as defined in RCW 36.70A.030) and developers seeking to build such facilities. The bill amends state law to explicitly prohibit the council from preempting these local land use restrictions, ensuring communities retain authority over siting decisions in environmentally sensitive zones. This change applies specifically to electricity storage facilities and does not alter broader state preemption rules for other energy projects.

Maddy summarySB 5363 allows regulated businesses like tow truck operators to charge a transaction fee of up to 3% for credit card payments, provided they always offer a no-cost payment option (such as cash or check) and disclose both options simultaneously to consumers. This directly affects registered tow truck operators and other regulated businesses in Washington state, who currently cannot recover credit card processing costs like unregulated businesses or the state itself. The bill requires businesses to display the fee at the same time as credit card information and ensures consumers retain access to fee-free payment methods. It aims to modernize payment systems by creating a fairer framework for regulated businesses facing financial strain from unreimbursed services and compliance costs.

Maddy summarySB 5483 prohibits Washington school districts from censoring or restricting instruction about U.S. or Washington state history and heritage when using original source documents containing religious references. The bill specifically protects teaching from 13 listed historical materials, including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Gettysburg Address, Pledge of Allegiance, and Northwest Ordinance. It directly affects public school districts by requiring them to teach these documents without removing or altering religious content. The law aims to preserve the full historical context of foundational American texts in classroom instruction.

Maddy summarySB 5739 allows specific public facilities districts (PFDs) that meet strict criteria - such as creation dates, population thresholds, and prior construction timelines - to impose a small sales and use tax (up to 0.037%) to fund regional centers like community facilities. The tax, collected from residents and businesses within the district, must be deducted from state tax collections and can only be used for qualifying regional center projects. Districts may increase the tax rate in 0.001% increments if state revenue data shows a net loss exceeding 0.50%, but total tax cannot exceed 0.037% and must be matched with other public or private funding. This bill amends existing tax authority for PFDs created under Washington’s chapters 35.57 and 36.100, focusing on funding regional centers rather than new policies.

Maddy summarySB 5757 requires Washington cities and counties using automated traffic safety cameras to conduct equity analyses before placing cameras, considering impacts on livability, accessibility, and traffic safety data like collision rates. It mandates annual public reports on camera locations, crash data, and how fine revenues are used (including costs and excess funds), with the state commission also reporting on statewide camera use and demographic impacts. The bill sets clear signage rules (30 days prior to activation), limits camera use to specific locations (excluding on-ramps), and restricts recordings to vehicle license plates without capturing faces. It applies directly to local governments operating cameras and vehicle owners receiving violation notices. The law aims to ensure transparency, equity, and accountability in automated traffic enforcement.

Maddy summarySB 5639 creates a tuition and fee waiver at Washington's public colleges and universities for children of homicide victims who were Washington residents at the time of their parent's murder and were subject to a dependency proceeding under state law. The waiver covers all tuition and fees for up to six academic years, provided the student begins their education within 10 years of high school graduation. This expands existing tuition waivers for children of first responders and firefighters to include children of homicide victims. The bill requires annual reporting on waiver costs and mandates a state study to track educational and health outcomes for affected students.

Maddy summarySB 5248 creates a work group to address risks of large commercial vessels colliding with Washington bridges. The group, including representatives from Washington and Oregon transportation departments, river pilots, emergency management, and federal agencies, will review vulnerable bridges and develop near, medium, and long-term recommendations to prevent collisions and reduce impacts - detailing estimated costs for each. The work group must submit its final report to the legislature by July 1, 2026, and the bill expires December 31, 2026. This bill directly affects bridge safety planning and coordination among transportation and emergency response entities.

Maddy summarySB 5747 exempts affordable housing projects from current state building code requirements, allowing cities and counties to enforce older building codes (the last four iterations) to lower construction costs and speed development. It directly affects developers and local governments building housing defined as affordable - rental units costing ≤30% of household income or owner-occupied housing for low/moderate-income households (≤80% of local median income). The bill amends Washington’s building code statutes (RCW 19.27 and 19.27A) to create this exemption specifically for affordable housing projects. This policy change aims to increase housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers for qualifying developments.