Maddy summarySB 6304 requires Washington State’s Investment Board to incorporate ethical investment standards into its management of public retirement and trust funds. It prohibits investments in companies or activities involving serious human rights violations, weapons production, coal energy, tobacco, environmental harm, or other significant ethical risks (as detailed in Section 2). The bill mandates the Board to assess these risks when making investment decisions, develop public proxy voting guidelines supporting ethical standards, and report annually on how these principles are applied. This directly affects how $100+ billion in public funds are managed, ensuring investments align with state values while still aiming for prudent financial returns. The Board must now consider both financial and ethical risks in its investment strategy.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 6109 prohibits Washington State's Investment Board from investing state funds in private detention facilities. Starting immediately, the Board cannot make new investments in entities owning or operating such facilities, and must fully divest existing investments by January 1, 2030. The bill requires this transition to avoid financial loss by reinvesting in comparable, productive alternatives. It directly affects state pension and retirement funds managed by the Investment Board, targeting for-profit facilities operating under government contracts.
Maddy summarySB 5945 modifies Washington's "persistent offender" definition to exclude convictions for crimes committed before age 18, directly affecting individuals sentenced as adults for juvenile offenses. The bill requires courts to consider resentencing these individuals to align with current constitutional standards established by U.S. Supreme Court rulings (Miller v. Alabama) and Washington state court decisions (State v. Bassett). Key provisions amend sentencing laws to ensure juvenile offenses no longer count toward "persistent offender" status, reflecting scientific understanding that youth have greater potential for rehabilitation. This change applies to people currently incarcerated for such cases, correcting a legal inconsistency where juvenile offenses were still used to impose harsh sentences despite court rulings.
Maddy summaryWashington's SB 5439 requires the state investment board to fully divest all public funds from thermal coal companies by January 1, 2030. It defines "thermal coal companies" as those deriving significant revenue from coal mining, power generation, or infrastructure (e.g., 10% revenue from coal, 10,000+ tons annual production). The bill prohibits new investments in such companies immediately and allows limited exceptions for companies transitioning to clean energy with a verified timeline. The state must report progress annually to the legislature, aligning with Washington's goal to eliminate coal-fired electricity by 2025.
Maddy summarySB 6175 regulates secondary ticket sales for entertainment and sporting events to prevent consumer deception and price gouging. It caps resale prices at 110% of the original ticket price (including fees) and limits service fees to 10%, while requiring clear disclosures that tickets are purchased from a secondary marketplace, not the original seller. The bill prohibits misleading marketing (e.g., fake "official" sites), bans selling speculative tickets, and mandates resellers notify buyers within 8 hours of event changes. It exempts professional sports teams, small arts organizations ($500,000 annual revenue cap), schools, movie theaters, and tribal venues from most provisions. The law applies to commercial resellers and secondary ticket platforms operating in Washington.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 6320) modifies Washington State's funding formula for school district enrichment levies and creates new rules for students in alternative learning experiences. It adjusts state funding based on actual district levy rates (capping at $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value) and establishes a process for districts to restore funding for students in remote online programs when certified by a healthcare provider due to immunosuppression, chronic illness, injury, or bullying-related medical conditions. The bill defines "multidistrict online providers" as organizations serving students across multiple districts, excluding certain cooperative programs. It directly affects school districts, students in remote learning, and tribal education compact schools by changing how enrollment and funding are calculated for alternative learning programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires parents who choose home-based instruction for their children to submit written declarations of their education plans when their child turns 6 and 7 years old. The declaration must include the child's name, age, and details about whether they are currently using home instruction or plan to enroll in public/private school. Parents must file this by September 15th each school year or within two weeks of the term start, with the local school superintendent. It also establishes annual testing requirements for home-schooled children and clarifies that home instruction rules apply only after age 8. This affects parents opting for home-based education instead of public or private school enrollment.
Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Washington State Senate's formal appreciation for the National Guard's service. It recognizes their emergency response work (like 2025 flood support in Skagit and Snohomish counties), election security efforts, and youth programs such as the Washington Youth Challenge Academy. The Senate thanks the Guard's families and employers for their support and acknowledges the Guard's contributions to state safety, community well-being, and economic vitality. Adopted in January 2026, this symbolic resolution was sent to state and federal officials but does not create new laws or policies.
Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 6327 would exempt both baby and adult diapers from the state's sales and use tax starting October 1, 2026. This applies to all diapers (washable or disposable) worn by people of any age who require incontinence products, directly reducing costs for families purchasing these essential items. The bill amends Washington's tax codes (chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW) to remove these products from taxable sales and use categories. The legislature states this permanent tax change aims to lessen the financial burden on Washington households.
Maddy summarySB 6326 requires Washington school districts to maintain minimum fund balances based on size: large districts (2,000+ students) must keep at least 6% of prior year state funding, while smaller districts must keep 8%. Districts cannot use these funds for salaries or benefits but may access them for unexpected enrollment changes, short-term cash flow, emergencies, or preapproved one-time costs. Starting in 2028-29, districts must submit monthly financial reports to the state superintendent, including expenditures, revenue, and cash balances, with late submissions risking withheld state payments. Failure to restore required fund balances triggers state intervention to redirect funding over 12 months. The bill directly affects all public school districts in Washington State.