Maddy summarySB 5164 proposes creating a state-funded program to place "postsecondary enrollment specialists" in high schools across Washington, working at a 1:600 ratio with seniors. These specialists will directly assist students - especially those from lower-income backgrounds - with completing financial aid applications (like FAFSA and WASFA), connecting to scholarships, and navigating college enrollment processes. The bill requires school districts to partner with community colleges, tribal organizations, or community groups to hire these specialists and mandates free training for school staff on financial aid. It also requires annual reports tracking how the program increases financial aid completion rates and enrollment, targeting schools with historically low application rates. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 5604 creates a 20-year property tax exemption for new housing projects located within a designated "station area" (within 0.5 miles of a major transit stop) in Washington. To qualify, projects must include at least 20% of units affordable to low- or moderate-income households (defined as 50-80% of local median income) for 50 years, with long-term covenants ensuring affordability. Local governments must adopt regulations for station areas and oversee compliance, including recording deeds to maintain affordability. The bill aims to incentivize housing near transit by reducing development costs while mandating long-term affordability for residents.
Maddy summarySB 5796 imposes a 5% excise tax on large Washington employers for payroll expenses exceeding the Social Security wage threshold (currently $168,600 per employee annually). It directly affects employers with over $7 million in annual payroll - estimated to be 17% of businesses - while exempting smaller businesses. The tax revenue funds public schools, health care, and social services by depositing funds into the state general fund. Employers must pay the tax directly (not deducted from employee wages), with the tax applying only to wages above the Social Security limit.
Maddy summarySB 5295 updates Washington's sexual assault survivor bill of rights to align with federal grant requirements. It directly affects survivors of sexual assault (including minors through guardians) and requires medical facilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to provide specific protections. Key provisions include: free medical forensic exams, written notices about victim compensation and evidence handling, referrals to sexual assault programs, access to advocates throughout legal proceedings, preservation of sexual assault kits upon request, and free copies of police reports. The bill ensures survivors retain all rights regardless of participation in criminal proceedings, with legal remedies limited to court orders for denied rights.
Maddy summarySB 5392 authorizes a $1.6325 billion transfer from Washington's budget stabilization account to the state general fund by June 15, 2026, to support state services. The bill requires repayment of $816.25 million to the stabilization account by June 30, 2028, and another $816.25 million by June 30, 2029. This transfer directly affects state budget operations, funding general fund services without altering the requirement to balance the budget in future years. The legislation establishes a clear repayment schedule for the temporary fund movement.
Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 5201, the "Psychedelic Substances Act," would create a regulated system allowing adults 21+ to access psychedelic substances under professional supervision for therapeutic use. It establishes licensing for facilitators and service centers (overseen by the Department of Health) and for manufacturers (overseen by the Liquor & Cannabis Board), requiring safety protocols while emphasizing cost reduction to improve equity and access. The bill explicitly states it won't require insurance coverage for these services, won't override federal law, and aims to facilitate research on psychedelic benefits. It specifically addresses cost barriers disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities, directing regulators to minimize compliance costs without compromising safety.
Maddy summarySB 5336 requires employers (including hotels, retail stores, security companies, and property services contractors) to implement specific protections for "isolated employees" - workers like janitors, security guards, and hotel housekeepers who spend most of their time working alone. Key provisions mandate employers to adopt sexual harassment policies, provide mandatory training on preventing harassment and using panic buttons, supply panic buttons to isolated employees, and maintain records of training and button usage. Employers must also submit annual reports on training and work locations to the Department of Labor and Industries. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per repeat willful offense, with enforcement handled through department investigations and citations.
Maddy summarySB 5322 creates a research program within Washington’s Department of Agriculture to develop new control methods for burrowing shrimp, which damage shellfish farming operations and harm coastal ecosystems like eelgrass habitats in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. The bill establishes a governing board with shellfish growers, tribes, state agencies, and industry representatives to oversee research funding, prioritize effective solutions, and coordinate efforts. It specifically funds projects targeting shrimp control in those two regions, prohibits funding for previously ineffective methods, and requires collaboration between farmers, scientists, and regulators. The program expires on July 1, 2035, and aims to restore productivity for shellfish growers who lost key pest control tools like carbaryl and imidacloprid.
Maddy summarySB 5429 establishes a 21-member State Building Code Council within Washington's Department of Enterprise Services, amending RCW 19.27.070. The bill specifies detailed membership requirements, including representation from local governments (county/city officials based on population size), the construction industry (13 private sector members across specialties like commercial building, green construction, and plumbing), accessibility experts, utility providers, and legislative members. Key mechanisms require members to maintain industry relevance during their terms, mandate governor appointments based on trade association nominations, and include ethics training requirements. This bill directly affects state agencies, local governments, and the construction industry by restructuring council composition and appointment processes.
Maddy summarySB 5162 requires Washington health care facilities (like hospitals and clinics) to create and annually update safety plans addressing workplace violence risks. These plans must cover security systems, staffing patterns, incident reporting, employee training, and specific high-risk areas like parking lots. Facilities must investigate every violent incident, analyze causes (including staffing levels), and submit quarterly reports to safety committees with de-identified data and recommendations for improving prevention. The law directly affects health care workers and facilities by mandating concrete safety measures and accountability for workplace violence incidents.