Sen. Mike Chapman

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5334 expands the types of decisions that can be appealed to the Pollution Control Hearings Board. This bill specifically allows civil enforcement decisions made by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) under RCW 76.04.205 to be heard by the board. This change provides a formal avenue for appeal for individuals or entities who are subject to these particular DNR enforcement actions. The bill ensures that these specific civil enforcement decisions related to natural resources can undergo independent review.

Maddy summarySB 5212 allows water users in Whatcom and Skagit counties (Water Resource Inventory Area 1) to file claims for long-standing groundwater and surface water uses that predate established water codes, as part of a new water rights adjudication process. It amends existing law to ensure that submitting a specific adjudication claim form satisfies the requirements for these "precode" water uses. The bill aims to apply procedures similar to those used in the Yakima basin adjudication to ensure these historical water users can participate. However, any new claims filed under this provision will be subordinate to certain established water rights, including those with permits, certificates, or federal bases.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5653 expands the scope of collective bargaining rights for fish and wildlife officers in Washington state. It amends the definition of "fish and wildlife officer" within state law to include additional ranks. Specifically, the bill extends collective bargaining eligibility to lieutenants and captains, as well as officers ranking below deputy chief. This change allows a broader range of fish and wildlife officers to participate in negotiations concerning their employment relations, including wages, hours, and working conditions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5014 enhances election security for Washington state's county election offices and their vendors. It requires county election offices to use the ".gov" domain for official communications and to partition their election-related IT networks from other county systems. The bill also mandates that counties implement 24/7 intrusion detection systems to monitor for malicious activity. Additionally, it expands the types of election equipment requiring state approval and strengthens requirements for counties and their vendors to immediately report security breaches or malicious activity to the Secretary of State and Attorney General. These new security measures are intended to be adopted by county election offices by July 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 5370 allows port districts in Washington state to extend the terms of their port commissioners from four years to six years. This change can be initiated by a resolution from port commissioners or a petition signed by at least 10% of the district's voters. The proposal must then be approved by a simple majority vote of the district's voters in a general election. If approved, the commissioner elected at that specific election will serve a six-year term, with subsequent commissioners also serving six-year terms. This measure does not apply to certain port districts required to maintain four-year terms or those with five commissioners.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the formula for allocating state funding to support basic education in Washington state school districts. It outlines how funds are distributed based on the resources needed for "prototypical" elementary, middle, and high schools. The formula specifies minimum staffing levels for classroom teachers, including average class sizes for various grades and subjects, and allocations for other essential school staff like principals and support personnel. Additionally, it mandates the Superintendent of Public Instruction to report per-pupil allocations for different programs to enhance transparency, while generally allowing districts flexibility in how they use these funds.

Maddy summarySB 5556 modernizes Washington's adopt-a-highway program, affecting volunteer groups, businesses, and sponsors who participate in roadside clean-up and maintenance. The bill explicitly links the program's operation and recognition efforts to specific legislative appropriations, emphasizing fiscal limitations. It expands adoptable locations to include rest areas and park-and-ride lots, and clarifies that activities can include planting pollinator-friendly vegetation and graffiti removal. Additionally, it requires the Department of Transportation to submit annual reports on program participants and prohibits politically active organizations from participating.

Maddy summarySB 5303 extends a key water supply milestone for the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan from 2025 to 2035. This bill changes the deadline for securing permits and funding to begin construction on water supply facilities designed to provide at least 214,000 acre-feet of water. It also prolongs the State of Washington Water Research Center's role in reviewing cost-benefit analyses for large water supply projects within the plan until July 1, 2035. The legislation maintains the requirement that at least half of the plan's total costs must be funded by federal, private, and other non-state sources.

Maddy summarySB 5323 increases the penalties for stealing or possessing stolen property that belongs to firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers. It expands the definitions of first-degree theft and first-degree possession of stolen property to include essential equipment taken from fire stations, EMS buildings, or their vehicles. These actions become a Class B felony if the equipment is critical to emergency work and its loss significantly delayed a response, or if the equipment is valued over $1,000. This bill aims to protect the vital tools first responders use by applying stricter penalties to those who steal or possess their equipment under these specific circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 5485 extends the expiration dates for several provisions related to livestock identification in Washington state. It prolongs the requirement for the Department of Agriculture to submit an annual report on the livestock inspection program, detailing finances, expenditures, and recommendations, until July 1, 2030, instead of July 1, 2026. The bill also extends the sunset dates for other related sections of a 2023 act concerning livestock identification. These changes ensure that the state's framework for tracking livestock and overseeing the program's financial status remains in effect for an additional four years.