Sen. Jess Bateman

Maddy summarySB 5307 eliminates Washington's cap on students eligible for state special education funding, ensuring all public school districts receive full state support without needing local funds to cover costs. It increases per-student funding multipliers based on inclusion rates: districts serving students in general education settings 80%+ of the day receive a higher multiplier (1.5289) versus those with lower inclusion (1.447). The bill also requires the state to monitor inclusion rates, reduce disproportionate identification of students with disabilities, and provide technical assistance to school districts. This directly affects all public school districts in Washington serving students with special education needs.

Maddy summarySB 5795 reduces Washington's state sales and use tax rate from 6.5% to 6% for most retail purchases, effective January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects all Washington residents who make retail purchases, with the largest benefit going to low- and middle-income households who pay a higher percentage of their income in sales tax under the current system. This change modifies RCW 82.08.020 to lower the tax rate while maintaining existing exemptions for items like groceries and medical supplies.

Maddy summarySB 5477 updates Washington's mental health parity law to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services by requiring health insurers to cover medically necessary care based on established clinical standards. The bill defines "medically necessary" care as services aligned with evidence-based guidelines from recognized medical associations and eliminates previous exclusions for substance use disorder treatments (effective 2026) and certain diagnostic codes. It mandates consistent coverage rules for both mental health and substance use disorders, removes administrative barriers for providers joining insurance networks, and repeals outdated provisions that limited coverage. This directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking covered mental health and substance use treatment services in Washington.

Maddy summarySB 5515 expands equitable access to community solar energy by requiring new projects to allocate at least 30% of their generating capacity to low-income subscribers and 50% to residential subscribers. It defines community solar projects as systems under 5,000 kW AC with specific site requirements, and creates a system where subscribers receive financial credits on their electricity bills based on their share of the project’s output. The bill directly affects low-income households, renters, and residential customers who cannot install rooftop solar, while requiring electric utilities to implement these programs. Key mechanisms include mandatory subscriber quotas, standardized definitions for "low-income" (80% of area median income or 200% federal poverty level), and restrictions on project size and ownership concentration.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new constitutional article (Article XXXIII) to Washington State's constitution, directly affecting all residents by establishing legal protections for reproductive freedom and gender-affirming care. It would prohibit the state from denying or interfering with an individual's rights to choose abortion, contraception, assisted reproductive technology, or gender-affirming care, and from discriminating based on pregnancy outcomes. The key mechanism requires voters to approve this amendment in the next general election, as the bill mandates submitting it for ratification. If approved, these protections would become part of the state constitution, overriding conflicting laws. The amendment explicitly states it does not limit existing rights to liberty, privacy, or equal protection under the law.

Maddy summarySB 5531 streamlines background checks for home care workers by removing automatic disqualification for certain past convictions after specific time periods pass (e.g., cannabis sales after 3 years, theft after 10 years, or assault/robbery after 5 years). It directly affects home care workers, long-term care providers, and contracted agencies working with vulnerable adults or children. Key provisions include allowing temporary unsupervised access for up to 30 days during a character review while maintaining a requirement for written notice to guardians about pending reviews. The bill also clarifies that agencies may use discretion in reviewing past convictions, with a rebuttable presumption supporting their decisions.

Maddy summarySB 5433 would allow unions representing Washington State Department of Corrections employees to negotiate a single master collective bargaining agreement directly with the governor or the governor's designee, rather than forming coalitions with other unions. Currently, most state agency bargaining units representing fewer than 500 employees must form coalitions, but Department of Corrections employees were only partially exempt (the marine department was exempt while others were not). This bill would extend the direct negotiation process to all Corrections employees, eliminating the need for coalitions across the entire department. The change applies solely to Corrections employees and does not affect bargaining rules for other state agencies.

Maddy summarySB 5438 limits the sale of high-impact refrigerants in Washington by phasing out virgin hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with global warming potential above 2,200 by 2027, 1,500 by 2030, and 750 by 2033. It requires state agencies to use reclaimed refrigerants for maintenance and establishes a task force to study transition strategies for HVAC and refrigeration businesses. The bill directly affects businesses selling, distributing, or using HFCs in cooling systems, promoting climate-friendly alternatives and reclaimed refrigerant use. It includes temporary exemptions for technical challenges but mandates a 2027 report on implementation progress.

Maddy summaryWashington State's Senate and House of Representatives passed SJM 8012, a formal memorial requesting the U.S. Department of State conduct an independent investigation into the killing of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a Seattle-born human rights activist and University of Washington psychology graduate. The memorial specifically asks for an investigation into her 2024 death in the West Bank, when she was fatally shot by an Israeli military sniper while peacefully observing the displacement of Palestinians. It cites her background as a Washington resident, community organizer, and advocate for Palestinian rights, drawing parallels to another Washington activist's similar killing. This procedural request does not create new law but formally urges U.S. government action to seek accountability for a U.S. citizen killed abroad.

Maddy summarySB 5190 allows Washington K-12 school districts to formally request extensions to meet state energy performance standards for school buildings. The bill amends existing law to create a specific process for districts to seek deadline extensions when compliance would be impractical. This directly affects public school districts responsible for maintaining energy efficiency standards under RCW 19.27A.210. The key mechanism is a structured request procedure for districts facing challenges in meeting energy targets by established deadlines.