Sen. John Braun

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 5648 creates a new "ENABLE account" within Washington's state treasurer's office to support the state's ABLE program. The account will use state funds, federal money, and donations to directly help eligible individuals with disabilities who have ABLE accounts by reducing their annual fees (up to $50 per account) and depositing $1,000 into existing accounts as of July 1, 2025, plus $1,000 into new accounts opened after that date. It also allocates funds for program promotion and administrative costs, aiming to increase participation without affecting eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid. The bill does not change disability eligibility criteria but focuses on lowering costs and expanding access to the existing ABLE program.

Maddy summarySB 5310 increases Washington state child care subsidy rates to cover 75% of the market rate for licensed or certified providers, starting July 1, 2025. It requires the state to develop a cost model to eventually cover the full cost of quality child care, considering factors like location and cost of living. The bill directly affects licensed child care centers, family home providers, and outdoor nature-based providers receiving state subsidies. It also mandates bargaining with family child care home providers over implementation and declares an emergency to expedite the change. The policy aims to align subsidies with actual provider costs while maintaining current bargaining rights.

Maddy summarySB 5424 transfers all assets and operations of Evergreen State College to the University of Washington (UW) by July 1, 2026, creating a new UW health sciences campus focused on training healthcare workers. This directly affects Evergreen students and staff (who will transition to UW programs), Washington communities (which will gain more behavioral health, nursing, and dental services), and UW (which assumes ownership of Evergreen’s property). Key mechanisms include abolishing Evergreen State College, establishing a health-focused mission for the new campus, requiring an advisory committee to shape programs aligned with workforce needs, and mandating a 10-year financial plan for sustainability. The campus will prioritize undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, dental, and behavioral health fields to address regional healthcare shortages. The bill expires August 1, 2029, with a requirement for the UW board to submit a financial plan by July 1, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 5151 limits annual state spending growth to the average annual increase in Washington's median worker wage, starting in 2026. It requires the state to calculate a spending cap based on the prior decade's median wage growth and directs any excess revenue above this cap toward lowering property tax rates. The bill applies to all state general fund spending and mandates that the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council determine excess revenues by December 1 each year, which the Department of Revenue must use to reduce property tax rates by the following year. This directly affects state budget decisions and homeowners through potential property tax relief.

Maddy summarySB 5277 repeals provisions allowing juvenile court jurisdiction to extend up to age 25 for certain serious offenses. It specifically targets juveniles aged 16-17 charged with violent crimes (like robbery, rape of a child, or armed offenses) who would previously have remained under juvenile court oversight until 25. The bill removes the "up to age 25" extension from RCW 13.04.030 and repeals related statutes including RCW 13.40.301. This change shifts jurisdiction to adult courts earlier for these cases, directly affecting youth facing serious criminal charges.

Maddy summarySB 5526 raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and related products to 21 in Washington State, directly affecting retailers and underage buyers. It requires retailers to verify age using valid ID (like driver’s licenses or tribal cards) and clarifies definitions for "vapor products" and "alternative nicotine products." The bill increases penalties for violations, including fines up to $15,000 and license suspension/revocation for repeated offenses. These changes amend existing laws to strengthen enforcement of age restrictions and product safety regulations.

Maddy summarySB 5670 creates a state grant program to help rural school districts with large geographic areas (450 square miles or more) offset rising transportation costs from increased fuel prices. The program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides direct financial assistance for fuel-related expenses in school transportation. It specifically targets districts facing higher costs due to their extensive service areas. The grant is funded through appropriations and focuses solely on mitigating fuel cost impacts for eligible rural schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires taverns, nightclubs, hotels, and sports entertainment venues to offer drug testing devices for sale to customers in designated areas (excluding drink preparation zones). Businesses must ensure devices are within their expiration date, display clear signage about availability, and may charge only the wholesale cost (or offer them free). The law explicitly states venues are not liable for inaccurate test results, such as false positives or negatives. It applies to all licensees under Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 5007 creates a statewide program to support students missing 10% or more of school days (chronically absent) and at risk of not graduating high school. It requires educational service districts to train staff on early warning systems to identify at-risk students and connect them with supports like family engagement, health services, academic help, and transportation. The bill establishes a "Building Bridges" grant program for local school-family-community partnerships to implement dropout prevention systems, including data-driven interventions, mentorship, and alternative education options. These partnerships must collect and report data on student demographics, attendance, graduation rates, and outcomes to track effectiveness. The law aims to improve reengagement and graduation rates through coordinated, evidence-based support for vulnerable students.