Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington counties and cities to update their comprehensive plans with specific new elements. It mandates detailed housing analysis for all income levels (including low and very low-income households), explicit strategies to address racially disparate housing impacts from zoning, and anti-displacement policies like inclusionary zoning. The bill also requires land use planning to protect groundwater, mitigate wildfire risks through development standards, and coordinate capital facilities planning with housing needs. These changes apply directly to local governments managing urban growth areas and rural development zones. The bill does not alter existing housing laws but adds new requirements to local planning documents.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 5759 establishes a program providing interest-free loans of $1,000-$12,000 to Washington state residents (18+ years old) for purchasing original art created by Washington artists or indigenous artists based in Washington. The program, administered by the state commission, requires repayment in 12 monthly installments and restricts exporting artwork while the loan is active. It directly supports Washington artists by increasing sales and visibility, stimulates the local arts economy by encouraging art purchases, and aims to make art more accessible for personal use. The bill explicitly states the program’s purpose is to foster a thriving arts ecosystem through these concrete financial mechanisms.
Maddy summarySB 5299 permits licensed physicians to provide "virtual direct supervision" for intravenous contrast procedures performed by diagnostic radiologic technologists, therapeutic radiologic technologists, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists. This means physicians no longer need to be physically present during these procedures but must be immediately available via real-time audio/video communication and within 30 miles of the facility. The bill amends Washington’s medical practice law (RCW 18.84.020) to specifically allow this telehealth-based supervision model for IV contrast procedures, while requiring physical supervision for all other radiologic procedures. It directly affects these technologists and their supervising physicians by updating supervision requirements to align with modern telehealth capabilities.
Maddy summarySB 5544 creates a new "county local road trust account" within the motor vehicle fund to finance improvements on county roads not classified as arterial or collector roads. It requires counties to spend all road revenues solely on road projects (with limited exemptions) to qualify for funding, prioritizing projects in overburdened communities, environmental health disparities areas, near Indian reservations, or for pedestrian facilities. Allowed projects include road reconstruction, bridge replacements, fish passage removal, and access improvements to community facilities. The program mandates joint planning with cities/towns for adjacent projects and requires counties to provide matching funds based on board-established rules. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 5159 designates the last Saturday in October (or the last Friday if weather requires) as "Trick-or-Treat Day" for recognition in Washington state. It adds this date to the list of recognized days in state law (RCW 1.16.050), alongside other observances like Juneteenth and Native American Heritage Day. The bill does not create a legal holiday or alter school calendars - it simply formally acknowledges this date for community celebration. The legislature states this aims to reduce school absences and improve safety by shifting trick-or-treating to earlier in the day before dark. This is a procedural recognition, not a policy change affecting voting or funding.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5158 allows public four-year colleges and universities in Washington to provide and pay for insurance specifically for their intercollegiate student athletes. This insurance can cover students currently participating in sports programs. It also permits coverage for certain former student athletes who are entitled to post-eligibility health care for athletics-related injuries, as determined by the institution's athletic association rules. This measure shifts the potential cost of such insurance from the individual student athlete to the institution.
Maddy summarySB 5768 expands Washington State's Working Families Tax Credit to include all low-income residents aged 18 and older, removing previous age restrictions. It affects Washington residents who file federal tax returns, pay state sales/use tax, and meet income limits (e.g., $300 for those with no children, up to $1,200 for those with three+ children). The bill maintains existing credit amounts, phase-out rules based on income, and inflation adjustments, while adding a new eligibility category for those aged 18+ who otherwise qualify under federal tax code rules. This change directly broadens access to the refundable credit for younger adults who previously may have been excluded due to age.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 5765) primarily redefines terms related to psychiatric care and behavioral health services in Washington State law, including terms like "psychiatric pharmacists," "antipsychotic medications," and "behavioral health service provider." It amends existing definitions within statutes governing mental health and substance use disorder services but does not establish new duties or requirements for pharmacists. The bill focuses on clarifying terminology for consistency across related laws, with no concrete policy changes described in the provided text. It is a definitional amendment, not a substantive policy change affecting practice or services.
Maddy summarySB 5318 requires fingerprint-based background checks for individuals seeking certain jobs involving unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, children, or juveniles in Washington state. It affects long-term care workers, child placement providers, residential facility staff, and others in roles covered by specific state agencies (like DHS and DCS), particularly when applicants have lived in Washington less than three consecutive years. The bill mandates submitting fingerprints to both the Washington State Patrol and FBI for background checks to verify character and suitability for these positions.
Maddy summarySB 5591 creates a local sales and use tax reimbursement program for developers building affordable housing projects. It allows cities or counties to adopt programs that reimburse developers for sales taxes paid on construction materials, provided the project includes at least 50% units affordable to low-income households (costing ≤30-38% of income) for 40 years. Developers must apply to local governments, meet strict affordability and timeline requirements (completion within 3 years), and maintain affordability for the full 40-year period. The program applies only to projects meeting Washington’s defined "affordable housing" standards and requires local government approval before implementation.