Sen. T'wina Nobles

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5702 streamlines the process for setting and adjusting toll rates in Washington state. It exempts the Transportation Commission, when acting as the state's tolling authority, from the standard administrative procedure act for these decisions. This change is intended to allow for quicker adjustments to tolls, enabling the commission to meet financial obligations and performance requirements for tolled facilities more efficiently. The bill aims to establish a faster, more flexible toll setting process while still maintaining public transparency.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5627 aims to improve safe excavation practices and prevent damage to underground utilities throughout Washington state. It establishes a comprehensive damage prevention program by assigning clear responsibilities for providing notice of proposed excavation, free locating and marking of underground utilities, and reporting any damage. The bill also sets safeguards for construction near hazardous liquid and gas pipelines and outlines processes for collecting damage data and enforcing compliance. This legislation directly affects excavators, facility operators, and the general public by protecting vital utility services and enhancing safety.

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 summarySenate Bill 5543 aims to provide equity in eligibility for the College Bound Scholarship program in Washington state. The bill standardizes how eligible students can meet the high school graduation requirement by confirming that receiving a high school equivalency certificate is a valid pathway for all scholarship recipients. It removes a previous specific provision that separately allowed certain dependent or adopted students to use this certificate, thereby streamlining the requirements. This

Maddy summarySubstitute Senate Bill 5025 updates the requirements for educational interpreters who assist deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing students in Washington schools. It directs the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to establish new standards, identify assessments, and create a certification system for these interpreters, including separate standards for deaf and deaf-blind interpreters. The bill introduces two types of certificates: a limited certificate for those meeting a basic performance standard, and a full certificate for those meeting a higher standard, with all interpreters generally required to be certified by the 2027-28 school year. It allows for a temporary period where interpreters can continue working while pursuing certification and mandates that the PESB publicly report certification data annually.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5571 limits the ability of cities, code cities, and counties in Washington State to regulate exterior cladding materials on buildings. It prohibits these local governments from requiring or excluding specific exterior cladding materials if those materials already comply with the state building code. Exterior cladding refers to nonload-bearing materials attached to the outside of a building. This limitation does not apply to homeowners' associations, historic districts, or areas subject to specific architectural themes or wildfire protection codes. Local governments can still adopt building codes that require fire-resistant siding materials for wildfire protection.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5253 extends the eligibility for special education services for students with disabilities in Washington state. Under this bill, services will now continue until the end of the school year in which a student turns 22, rather than 21. This change addresses a federal court ruling that found the state's previous age-out policy violated federal law. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to update an implementation plan by October 2026 to improve transition planning for students with disabilities moving to post-school life.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5148 creates a new process for Washington state counties and cities to ensure their housing plans comply with state growth management laws. It allows local governments to submit their housing elements and development regulations to the Department of Commerce for review. These plans will not take effect until the Department determines they meet various state housing requirements. The Department can also mandate review for jurisdictions not adequately planning for or producing sufficient housing, especially for diverse income levels. This aims to improve local government compliance with housing goals under the Growth Management Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires cities and towns in Washington state to allow child care centers as an outright permitted use in most zoning districts. This applies to all zones except industrial, light industrial, and open space zones, and includes the conversion of existing buildings. Cities can still impose reasonable restrictions on these permits, such as those related to pickup and drop-off areas. Additionally, cities must provide for conditional use approval for on-site child care centers located in industrial or light industrial zones, excluding high hazard facilities. Cities must implement these changes through their comprehensive plan updates or within two years of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5559 aims to streamline the process for dividing land into multiple parcels within urban growth areas in Washington State. The bill allows counties, cities, and towns to increase the maximum number of lots permitted in a "short subdivision" - a simplified land division process - from four to up to nine, provided these divisions are within an urban growth area and the local government passes an ordinance. This change primarily affects landowners and developers by potentially making it easier to subdivide property. Additionally, the bill updates definitions related to subdivisions and adjusts regulations regarding further division of short plats within a five-year period.