Sen. Marko Liias

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5193 supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs in Washington state, directly affecting these students, their families, and participating school districts. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, school districts with online programs may offer students the ability to complete statewide assessments remotely. To implement this, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must develop or update assessment administration and security policies by April 1, 2027. These policies will cover requirements for testing personnel, student-to-proctor ratios, remote testing environments, device and network specifications, and parental consent. The bill aims to reduce burdens on families and ensure equitable access to assessments for online learners.

Maddy summarySB 5474 requires Washington's Department of Agriculture to develop an organic agriculture action plan by June 2027, aiming to support farmers transitioning to organic, regenerative, and sustainable practices. The plan must address barriers to organic certification, expand organic markets and acreage, support job creation (especially for youth and underrepresented communities), and identify gaps in farmer training and infrastructure. The bill also modifies fee rules to allow reduced certification costs when state funds are appropriated, with fees funding the program directly. It expires June 30, 2028. The bill directly affects Washington farmers seeking organic certification and those aiming to adopt climate-smart agricultural methods.

Maddy summarySB 5038 clarifies Washington's hate crime law by defining specific acts that qualify as hate crimes when motivated by bias against a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It makes offenses like assaulting someone, damaging property, or threatening someone (with context indicating a credible threat) a class C felony if done because of the victim's protected characteristic. The bill adds concrete examples for prosecutors, such as burning crosses on African American property or defacing Jewish property with Nazi symbols, and specifies that mistaken identity about a victim's protected characteristic is not a defense. It also clarifies that threatening words alone don't count as hate crimes unless they're credible threats, and that victims can pursue additional legal remedies beyond the felony charge.

Maddy summarySB 5373 would allow Washington local governments (cities, towns, and special districts) to choose holding general elections in even-numbered years instead of the current odd-numbered years, aiming to boost voter turnout. The bill amends election statutes to permit this shift through local ordinances, charter amendments, or voter initiatives, requiring public hearings and specifying transition rules for election terms. It directly affects all local jurisdictions that opt to change their election timing, with the stated goal of increasing participation - particularly among younger voters, working families, and people with disabilities - by aligning local elections with higher-turnout even-year state/federal cycles. The bill does not mandate the change but provides a structured process for local governments to adopt it.

Maddy summaryThe provided bill text does not match the title "Supporting the continued employment of pilots applying for federal aviation administration medical certificates." The actual text is a comprehensive amendment to Washington State's employment security definitions (RCW 50A.05.010 and 50A.15.060), focusing on clarifying terms like "casual labor," "employee," "employer," and "employment" for unemployment insurance purposes. It contains no provisions related to pilots, FAA medical certificates, or aviation employment. The title appears to be incorrect or mislabeled based on the provided text. Without accurate bill content matching the title, a summary of the pilot-related provisions cannot be generated.

Maddy summarySB 5695 requires most Washington drivers aged 18-25 to complete a state-approved driver training education course before obtaining a license, phasing in requirements over seven years starting January 1, 2027. It establishes three course options: school-based programs, licensed driving schools, or online courses (with additional behind-the-wheel hours required for older age groups). The bill also includes waiver provisions for special circumstances and mandates annual reports on implementation readiness until 2031. This directly affects young drivers in the state, expanding current requirements for those under 18 to include older age cohorts through age 24.

Maddy summarySB 5264 modifies tax compacts between Washington State and federally recognized tribes by increasing revenue-sharing percentages for tribes that complete qualified capital investments. It directly affects tribes with existing compacts, requiring the state to pay them 100% of state sales/use tax revenue above a $500,000 annual cap (instead of 25%) on transactions not meeting "new development" requirements, starting in the fourth year after the compact's effective date. The bill also establishes processes for verifying capital investments, resolving disputes, and maintaining confidentiality of tax records. This change aims to incentivize tribal infrastructure projects while clarifying revenue distribution terms under current compacts.

Maddy summarySB 5064 establishes an advisory council on rare diseases within the University of Washington School of Medicine to advise Washington's Secretary of Health. The council, composed of 12 members including clinicians, rare disease patients, caregivers, patient advocates, and industry representatives, must ensure geographic representation across the Cascade Mountains. It will focus on improving research, diagnosis, treatment, and public education about rare diseases, identify effective care strategies, and recommend creating a centralized online resource for patients. The council must submit biennial reports to the legislature starting in 2026, but it serves only in an advisory capacity without overriding local health authority.

Maddy summarySB 5044 allows public employers in Washington to negotiate with employee unions over contributions for supplemental retirement benefits (such as medical plans) that are administered by or on behalf of employee organizations. This bill amends state law to explicitly permit bargaining on contribution levels for these supplemental benefits, while still keeping core retirement plans and benefits administered by the Department of Retirement Systems off-limits to negotiation. The change directly affects public employees covered under Washington's retirement systems who participate in supplemental benefit programs. The policy shift clarifies that contributions for these specific supplemental benefits - distinct from basic pension plans - are subject to collective bargaining.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5800 authorizes the state of Washington to issue $7 billion in general obligation bonds to fund highway projects, including their design, land acquisition, and construction. The proceeds from these bonds will be deposited into the "move ahead WA account" within the motor vehicle fund, designated solely for these transportation purposes. The state pledges its full faith and credit for these bonds, with repayment primarily drawn from state excise taxes on fuel and vehicle-related fees. Additionally, the bill increases the authorized bond amount for the State Route 520 corridor projects by $500 million, bringing that specific project's total funding authorization to $2.45 billion.