Maddy summarySB 5305 establishes an "environmental accelerator" within Washington's Office of Regulatory Assistance to help salmon recovery and ecological resiliency projects funded by climate commitment act revenue navigate regulatory barriers. It automatically enrolls eligible entities (like local governments or nonprofits receiving funds from climate accounts) and assists them in seeking temporary waivers of state laws or rules for up to five years (extendable until climate act compliance ends). Regulatory agencies must respond to relief requests within 60 days, and the program requires annual progress reports to the legislature, including details on requests, granted relief, and recommendations for permanent changes. The accelerator expires on January 1, 2031, and includes a mandated evaluation by a joint committee by December 2029.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryWashington State bill SB 5709 allows counties to levy an additional property tax of up to 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value annually, specifically for public health clinics. This tax can only fund clinic operations, maintenance, and capital expenses, and is exempt from certain existing property tax limits in state law. The bill defines "public health clinic" broadly to include services like primary care, dental, reproductive health, disease prevention, and behavioral health. It directly affects Washington counties (which may choose to adopt this tax) and public health clinics (which would receive dedicated funding). The bill amends existing tax code sections to explicitly include public health clinic funding as an exception to general tax levy restrictions.
Maddy summarySB 5580 requires corporations, trusts, and other entities owning 20 or more single-family homes or condominium units in Washington to register with the Secretary of State. They must report contact details, property addresses, end use (like rental or sale), purchase prices, and business locations. The law aims to create statewide transparency about corporate housing ownership, which the bill cites as increasing rapidly (22% of single-family purchases in 2022). Exemptions include banks that acquired properties through foreclosure within 12 months and "build to rent" developments. This registration is intended to help policymakers address housing affordability without restricting ownership.
Maddy summarySB 5407 delays the annual recalibration (rebasement) of nursing home payment rates under Washington's capital component system from 2023 to 2028. This bill directly affects nursing homes receiving state Medicaid payments in Washington, as it postpones the update to their facility-based payment rates. The key mechanism is amending the law to require a single rebasing in 2028 instead of annual adjustments, maintaining current payment rates for the capital component until that date. This change applies specifically to the capital component of the payment system, which calculates rates based on facility age, square footage, and rental values.
Maddy summarySB 5620 codifies specific rights for children and youth in foster care under Washington state law, directly affecting all youth in out-of-home placements due to dependency proceedings. Key provisions include guaranteed anti-discrimination protections, priority for placements with relatives or familiar caregivers, access to education without disruption, the right to consent to medical care or adoption (if over 14), and requirements for foster care providers to receive relevant case information. The bill also mandates that the state department create and distribute a clear pamphlet outlining these rights by September 2025, including emergency contact information for caseworkers. This legislation formalizes existing protections into statute without creating new rights, focusing on practical daily needs like personal belongings access, confidentiality, and transition support for youth aging out at 18.
Maddy summaryThis bill would permanently implement Pacific Standard Time year-round in Washington State, replacing the current practice of switching to daylight saving time in spring and back in fall. It amends state law to exempt Washington from daylight saving time changes, requiring all cities, counties, and state entities to observe Pacific Standard Time consistently. The bill repeals previous time-related statutes and aligns with the state's 2019 authorization to pursue year-round standard time, pending federal action. It takes effect November 3, 2025, affecting all residents and local governments across Washington.
Maddy summarySB 5058 aims to increase Washington's recycling rate for packaging to 65% by implementing specific strategies within the state's current waste management system. It requires a statewide list of accepted recyclable materials to reduce confusion and contamination, mandates a needs assessment to identify necessary investments, and expands requirements for manufacturers to use postconsumer recycled content in packaging and paper products. The bill directly affects residents (through standardized curbside recycling services), manufacturers (via new recycled content rules), and local governments (which retain authority over collection systems). It maintains existing public-private partnerships and does not alter local government roles in managing recycling services.
Maddy summarySB 5561 creates a public registry requiring most health care entities in Washington State to annually report detailed ownership, operational, and financial information to the Department of Health starting June 2027. Health care providers, facilities, organizations, and their owners (including private equity funds and management services organizations) must submit data on business addresses, ownership structures, board members, and financials - exempting small groups of two or fewer providers or entities covered under a parent entity’s report. The Department of Health will develop a public online tool by January 2028 to display this information, making it accessible for transparency while keeping individual Social Security numbers confidential. This registry aims to increase visibility into health care ownership and operations without imposing new fees on reporting entities.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5576 allows counties, cities, and towns in Washington State to impose a new special excise tax of up to four percent on short-term rental lodging booked through online platforms. The revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively for essential affordable housing programs. These funds can support activities such as acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing affordable housing, covering operations and maintenance costs for such housing, or providing rental assistance to tenants. Local governments are required to publish an annual report detailing how these tax revenues were spent.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program establishing a state fund to reimburse landowners, fire districts, certified burn managers, and tribal cultural fire practitioners for property damage caused by properly conducted prescribed burns or cultural burns. The fund covers losses up to $2 million per claim for damage meeting specific criteria (e.g., burns following approved plans by certified practitioners), excluding cases involving criminal or negligent acts. It expires on June 30, 2033, and requires annual appropriations to operate. The program aims to reduce financial liability concerns that have limited the use of prescribed fire as a forest health tool.