Sen. Jess Bateman

Maddy summarySB 5947 establishes a 19-member Washington Health Care Board to design a universal health care plan for all state residents. The board must develop the plan, secure federal approval and funding through a waiver, and recommend legislative changes before implementation. It includes specific representation: employers, health providers (like primary care doctors and nurses), tribal leaders, labor, and health financing experts. The bill cannot take effect until federal law permits states to create such a plan with federal funding.

Maddy summarySB 5496 would limit large investment entities (like real estate investment trusts and pooled fund managers) and businesses owning over 50 single-family homes from purchasing additional single-family homes in Washington. It prohibits these entities from acquiring new properties, with limited exceptions for nonprofits, properties needing code modifications, or short-term conversions to multifamily housing. Violations could result in a $100,000 penalty per violation and require the property to be sold to a third party within one year. The bill aims to increase housing availability for residents by restricting large-scale investor purchases, which the legislature cites as contributing to the state's housing affordability crisis. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Rules Committee and has not advanced to final passage.

Maddy summarySB 5500 modernizes Washington's child care subsidy rates for the Working Connections program by requiring the state to use a "cost of quality" rate model that covers the full cost of high-quality care. This model includes living wages for staff, benefits, educational materials, professional development, and other operational costs, replacing the previous 85th percentile market rate as the baseline. The bill mandates that future reimbursement rates must reflect these actual costs while maintaining the current minimum rate, and requires triennial reviews of rates for infants, nonstandard hours, and special needs populations. This directly affects licensed child care providers receiving state subsidies and the working families relying on subsidized care.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator Rebecca Saldaña for her decade of service to the 37th Legislative District and the state of Washington. The bill formally commends her legislative work, including sponsoring landmark laws on environmental justice, domestic workers' rights, and adult entertainment worker protections. It recognizes her role as chair of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and her advocacy for frontline communities, workers, and communities of color. The resolution is transmitted to Senator Saldaña by the Secretary of the Senate as an official expression of gratitude for her contributions to Washington state policy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator Judy Warnick for her nearly two decades of service in the Washington State Legislature, recognizing her leadership roles and contributions to agriculture, rural development, and community advocacy. The resolution formally acknowledges her work as a former dairy farmer and her service on multiple committees, including her role as Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee. It expresses the Senate's appreciation for her dedication to public service and directs that copies of the resolution be sent to Senator Warnick and her family as a token of gratitude.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator Steve Conway for his 34 years of service to Washington state, particularly his advocacy for workers' rights and labor policy. The resolution formally commends his contributions to collective bargaining, pension systems, and local community projects, including funding for educational and cultural facilities. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of his legislative career and public service. The Senate transmitted this resolution to Senator Conway as a gesture of appreciation for his work representing the 29th Legislative District.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally acknowledges March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Washington state. It recognizes approximately 120,000 residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and honors the families, caregivers, and service providers who support them. The resolution expresses appreciation for the inclusive community efforts that help individuals with disabilities participate fully in society. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness and promote inclusion.

Maddy summarySB 6078 creates a new program to provide prelicensing support services to individuals seeking Washington state child care licenses. The bill requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to offer free assistance with applications, understanding licensing rules, facility planning, and regional requirements - covering all license types including centers, family homes, and nature-based programs. It also mandates the department to develop an online resource guide detailing these supports, which cities and counties must share with applicants when they submit permit requests. The program operates within existing state resources and aims to simplify the licensing process without changing current regulatory standards.

Maddy summarySB 6130 requires Washington public high schools to hold voter registration events for students on "National Voter Registration Day" (the third Tuesday of September, or the next Tuesday if it conflicts with a major religious holiday). It directs schools to coordinate these events in history/social studies classes for all high school students aged 16+ - with paper and online registration options - during the school day, aiming for 50,000 new youth registrations annually. County auditors may assist, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction must distribute materials, track registrations, and report yearly progress to the legislature. The bill directly affects high school students in Washington state, focusing on early voter registration sign-ups before they turn 18, not on actual voting. This is a proposed legislative measure that passed its committee review in February 2026.

Maddy summarySB 6172 eliminates special exemptions for coal-fired power plants in Washington State's emissions reporting system. It removes preferential treatment by requiring coal plants to follow the same reporting rules as other large emitters (those exceeding 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually), repealing prior provisions that created separate standards. The bill amends Washington’s emissions law (RCW 70A.65.080) to apply consistent reporting thresholds to all covered entities, including coal plants, waste-to-energy facilities, and railroads. This change ensures coal plants are subject to the same compliance requirements as other major emitters without special exemptions. The policy directly affects coal-fired power plants and other large emitters that previously operated under different rules.