Sen. Mike Chapman

Maddy summarySB 5111 clarifies that recording surcharges paid by clients to counties for document recording (e.g., property deeds) are not subject to Washington's sales, use, or business taxes. It directly affects title and escrow businesses, which were previously assessed back taxes for failing to collect these taxes on surcharges - creating financial hardship, especially for small businesses. The bill amends tax law to explicitly exclude such surcharges from taxable transactions, aligning with a 2024 court ruling that classified the surcharge as an excise tax (not a fee). This change prevents future tax assessments on these specific charges, providing clear guidance for businesses.

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 5015 removes the governor from the final approval process for energy facility projects in Washington State, transferring that authority directly to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. The bill amends state law to change the council’s role from making a recommendation to the governor to issuing a final decision on project certification. This change affects energy developers seeking approval for new or expanded facilities, as they will no longer require gubernatorial sign-off after council review. The bill streamlines the process by eliminating a step where the governor had no substantive role beyond appointing the council chair, according to the legislative findings.

Maddy summarySB 5114 changes Washington state retirement benefit payments to cover the entire month when a retiree or beneficiary dies, rather than stopping at the date of death. Under current rules, estates often had to repay benefits received after the death date within the same month (e.g., if someone died on the 25th, they might repay for the last 5 days). The bill requires the Department of Retirement Systems to pay benefits through the end of the death month, with survivor benefits beginning the first day of the next month. This change applies prospectively from January 1, 2026, and does not affect past repayments.

Maddy summarySB 5505 updates Washington's state universal communications services program to expand access to affordable broadband and essential telecommunications services. It establishes a $5 million annual funding account (with carryover) to support communications providers serving fewer than 20,000 access lines who commit to maintaining basic services and broadband infrastructure in areas below state speed goals. Funds can be used to upgrade service in underserved regions, maintain emergency systems (like 911), and preserve existing infrastructure, but cannot overbuild federally-funded areas. The bill directly affects smaller telecom providers and ensures residents in rural or low-broadband areas retain access to critical services like emergency calling and telemedicine.

Maddy summarySB 5573 establishes statewide safety standards for electric security alarm systems on industrial and commercial properties where local governments have no specific regulations. It requires systems to use ≤12V batteries, display "Warning: Electric Fence" signs every 30 feet, be 10 feet high (or 2 feet above barriers), include emergency deactivation for first responders, and be installed on designated outdoor storage properties (e.g., vehicle/equipment yards, excluding retail displays). The bill prohibits treating these systems as fences under general fence codes and allows local governments to maintain their own regulations or require operator permits. It specifically excludes traditional burglar and fire alarm systems from these requirements.

Maddy summarySB 5454 extends Washington's existing dairy inspection program through June 30, 2031, by amending the assessment on milk processing. It requires milk processing plants to pay a fee of 54 cents per hundredweight of milk processed (exempting those paying under $20 monthly) to fund inspections ensuring compliance with national milk safety standards. The collected funds are deposited into a dedicated dairy inspection account within the state's agricultural fund, exclusively used for inspection services. This bill directly affects dairy processors in Washington by maintaining the current funding mechanism for program oversight.

Maddy summarySB 5722 creates a state grant program for Washington farms growing handpicked specialty crops sold locally (within 250 miles), requiring farms to hire only domestic agricultural workers and be owned by state residents. Eligible farms can receive grants up to $40,000 - covering up to eight weeks of paid overtime during peak harvest - to support local hiring, reduce transportation-related pollution, and strengthen food sovereignty and climate resilience. The bill also establishes an Office of Agricultural and Seasonal Workforce Services within the Department of Agriculture to administer the grant program and handle foreign labor certifications. This program directly affects qualifying farms, with funding tied to specific local sales and worker hiring criteria.

Maddy summarySB 5091 prevents Washington from adopting California's motor vehicle emission standards, requiring the state to instead set rules consistent with federal clean air standards. The bill directs the Department of Ecology to establish Washington-specific emission requirements that align with federal law but exclude California's standards, which the legislature states limits economic flexibility. It affects all motor vehicles registered in Washington, including new registrations and emissions testing requirements, while maintaining exemptions for electric vehicles, low-emission hybrids, and certain older or specialty vehicles. The law repeals prior requirements to adopt California standards and mandates the Department of Ecology to develop rules for vehicle emissions without referencing California's framework.

Maddy summarySB 5363 allows regulated businesses like tow truck operators to charge a transaction fee of up to 3% for credit card payments, provided they always offer a no-cost payment option (such as cash or check) and disclose both options simultaneously to consumers. This directly affects registered tow truck operators and other regulated businesses in Washington state, who currently cannot recover credit card processing costs like unregulated businesses or the state itself. The bill requires businesses to display the fee at the same time as credit card information and ensures consumers retain access to fee-free payment methods. It aims to modernize payment systems by creating a fairer framework for regulated businesses facing financial strain from unreimbursed services and compliance costs.