Sen. Jim McCune

Maddy summarySB 5020 would exempt Washington homeowners aged 75 or older from all state and local property taxes on their primary residence, regardless of household income. To qualify, seniors must own the home (as fee simple, life estate, or contract purchase) and occupy it as their main home at the time of filing. The exemption transfers to a new primary residence if the senior sells or moves due to displacement, but does not apply to secondary homes. It takes effect for property taxes due in 2026 and later, with temporary absences for long-term care (e.g., nursing home stays) not disqualifying eligibility if the original home remains occupied by a spouse or dependent.

Maddy summarySB 5623 creates a 13-member committee to review Washington state's public records exemptions. The committee, appointed by the governor, attorney general, state auditor, and legislative leaders, must annually examine all exemptions, develop a review schedule, and recommend whether each exemption should be kept, modified, scheduled for future review, or terminated. By November 15 each year, the committee submits these recommendations to the governor and legislative committees. This process directly affects how state agencies handle public records by requiring regular, transparent evaluation of exemptions. The bill establishes a structured, annual review mechanism for public records exemptions without changing existing laws.

Maddy summarySB 5135 clarifies that school district boards of directors hold final authority over curriculum standards, evaluation systems for staff, and the review of teaching materials (like textbooks) upon parent complaints. It repeals a prior law requiring comprehensive sexual health education in schools. The bill mandates school boards to set curriculum standards based on district needs and annually report evaluation criteria for staff to the state superintendent. This directly affects Washington school districts, their boards, and parents who may request material reviews. The changes shift curriculum control to local boards while removing a specific state-mandated health education requirement.

Maddy summarySB 5749 allows cities and code cities to designate "housing development opportunity zones" in underutilized areas with existing large commercial structures, such as shopping malls or vacant stores. Within these zones, residential development is prioritized, and projects are encouraged to use existing infrastructure and site areas to help reduce costs. Cities may also waive impact fees for developments in these zones, and designations can be implemented outside of typical planning cycles, provided they are included in the next comprehensive plan update. The bill mandates a review by 2043 to assess the number of housing and affordable housing units created, with a provision for potential repeal if affordable housing targets are not met, and the act is set to expire on July 1, 2045.

Maddy summaryThis bill would permanently implement Pacific Standard Time year-round in Washington State, replacing the current practice of switching to daylight saving time in spring and back in fall. It amends state law to exempt Washington from daylight saving time changes, requiring all cities, counties, and state entities to observe Pacific Standard Time consistently. The bill repeals previous time-related statutes and aligns with the state's 2019 authorization to pursue year-round standard time, pending federal action. It takes effect November 3, 2025, affecting all residents and local governments across Washington.

Maddy summarySB 5213 changes the penalty for possessing fentanyl from a gross misdemeanor to a class C felony in Washington State. It applies to anyone knowingly holding fentanyl without a valid prescription, excluding medical cannabis users under existing laws. The bill includes provisions for law enforcement to refer some cases to treatment programs instead of jail, while maintaining criminal penalties for fentanyl possession.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits camping on public property in Washington state unless authorized, responding to the U.S. Supreme Court's *Grants Pass v. Johnson* decision. It bans camping within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, day cares, or shelter facilities (with posted signs), and requires police to confirm nearby shelter availability before issuing citations for camping. Violations start as small fines ($50) for first offenses, escalating to misdemeanor charges for repeated violations. The law mandates referrals to therapeutic courts for repeat offenders and prohibits citations when shelters have available space, aiming to balance enforcement with access to shelter.

Maddy summarySB 5048 requires Washington's secretary of state to notify the chair and ranking member of relevant legislative committees within five days whenever a challenge is raised about the number of valid signatures on an initiative petition. This procedural bill directly affects legislative committees by ensuring they are promptly informed of signature disputes. The key mechanism is the mandatory 5-day notification to committees after any challenge to an initiative's signature count is filed. The bill does not change initiative rules but standardizes communication between the secretary of state and lawmakers. (1 sentence, as it is procedural)

Maddy summarySB 5624 requires the Washington State Patrol, in collaboration with the Department of Ecology, fire districts, and the towing industry, to create best practices for responding to electric vehicle (EV) fires. The guidelines must cover first responder protocols during EV collisions or fires and procedures for safely transporting, towing, and storing damaged EVs. The State Patrol must also develop checklists to improve coordination between agencies during EV fire responses, which will be shared with all fire departments across Washington. These practical tools aim to standardize safety measures as EV adoption increases.

Maddy summarySB 5073 redirects revenue from Washington state's motor vehicle sales tax to highway funding. Starting July 1, 2025, all sales tax collected on new and used vehicles (including private-party sales) must go to the motor vehicle fund for highway purposes, such as construction and preservation. The bill excludes certain vehicles from this tax, including farm tractors (unless used for marijuana production), off-road vehicles, nonhighway vehicles, bicycles, and snowmobiles. This change modifies existing tax law to ensure vehicle sales revenue directly supports highway infrastructure rather than general state funds.