Sen. Jess Bateman

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5469 aims to prevent certain data-sharing practices in the rental housing market that could lead to coordinated rent pricing. The bill makes it unlawful for "service providers" to collect and analyze rental data from multiple landlords and then recommend rental prices or terms to more than one landlord. It also prohibits landlords from subscribing to or contracting with these coordinating service providers. Violations would be considered unfair trade practices under the state's consumer protection act, allowing for enforcement by the attorney general or civil lawsuits by injured individuals.

Maddy summarySB 5591 creates a local sales and use tax reimbursement program for developers building affordable housing projects. It allows cities or counties to adopt programs that reimburse developers for sales taxes paid on construction materials, provided the project includes at least 50% units affordable to low-income households (costing ≤30-38% of income) for 40 years. Developers must apply to local governments, meet strict affordability and timeline requirements (completion within 3 years), and maintain affordability for the full 40-year period. The program applies only to projects meeting Washington’s defined "affordable housing" standards and requires local government approval before implementation.

Maddy summarySB 5422 requires public employers in Washington State, including universities and state agencies, to negotiate with employee unions over decisions to adopt or change artificial intelligence (AI) technology when those changes affect employees' wages or performance evaluations. This bill amends existing labor laws (RCW 41.56 and 41.80) to specifically include AI-related workplace changes in mandatory bargaining topics. The law applies only to AI uses impacting wages or evaluations, not all technology decisions, and does not affect existing contracts until their renewal. Public sector employees covered under these labor codes are the direct beneficiaries of this requirement.

Maddy summarySB 5522 establishes a formal process for reviewing and approving capital projects on Washington's state capitol campus. It requires the State Capitol Committee to annually review proposed projects (defined as new buildings or major renovations exceeding 50% of replacement cost) and make recommendations, while expanding the committee's membership to include legislative leaders and agency representatives. The bill also creates a design subcommittee with architects and landscape experts to advise on campus aesthetics, preservation, and maintenance, ensuring campus improvements align with historic and architectural standards. This procedural bill focuses on structured management of the capitol campus, not direct policy changes affecting residents.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5798 proposes reforms to property tax relief for senior citizens, disabled persons, and certain veterans in Washington state. It expands the existing relief program by increasing the maximum valuation amounts for which eligible homeowners can receive property tax exemptions based on their income thresholds. The bill also clarifies eligibility rules, allowing exemptions to continue if a residence is temporarily unoccupied for long-term care and ensuring that cost-of-living adjustments to Social Security or SSI benefits do not disqualify applicants for 2024 property taxes.

Maddy summarySB 5332 allows cities and counties in Washington to permit at least one mobile dwelling unit (like tiny homes on wheels, travel trailers, or RVs) on residential lots that already have a home, are in urban growth areas, and have adequate utility capacity. It requires safe utility connections (water, sewer, electricity) to existing homes on the lot and bans homeowners' associations from prohibiting these units, though the rule expires in 2028. The bill does not require new construction but sets standards for how mobile dwellings must be connected to utilities and maintained to remain movable. This directly affects local governments, property owners with existing homes, and HOAs in qualifying areas.

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 5497 requires Washington local governments (cities and counties) to approve permits for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or shelters through administrative processes only - preventing discretionary denials based on local comprehensive plans or regulations. If local rules block such projects, applicants can request a waiver of specific requirements, and the state department must resolve disputes. Noncompliant local governments face enforcement, including state withholding of certain tax revenues (like motor vehicle fuel or sales taxes) if they fail to issue permits or amend zoning rules within 60 days. The bill directly affects housing developers seeking these facilities and local governments managing land use approvals.

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 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.