Maddy summarySB 5852 requires Washington employers to notify workers and their representatives within 72 hours if a federal agency conducts an inspection of employment verification forms (I-9) or worker records. It mandates posting multilingual notices in workplaces and sending written notices to all current and recent workers (within the last three years), including details about the federal agency and inspection. The law aims to ensure immigrant workers are informed during federal immigration enforcement actions, with notices required in the five most commonly used non-English languages in the state. Employers must also provide affected workers with copies of federal inspection results. This applies to all Washington employers, including state agencies and businesses.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 5884 expands a sales and use tax deferral program to incentivize redevelopment of underutilized property in qualifying cities (with populations of 135,000-275,000). It directly affects property owners who develop affordable housing - both rental and homeownership - for low- or moderate-income households, as defined by federal income thresholds. The key mechanism allows qualifying developers to defer paying sales and use taxes on eligible projects, provided they maintain affordable housing for at least 10 years. This applies to vacant land, partially used land, or underutilized property (like surface parking lots) identified by city authorities as suitable for affordable housing redevelopment.
Maddy summarySB 6217 expands Washington's college grant program to cover students enrolled in eligible certificate or diploma programs that do not lead to a degree (nondegree credential programs). It affects Washington residents pursuing these shorter-term training programs starting in the 2027-28 academic year. The bill adds this category to existing eligibility requirements, including financial need and residency, while maintaining the same grant structure and academic progress rules as degree programs. This change aims to increase access to affordable workforce training for students seeking credentials like nursing assistants or IT certifications.
Maddy summarySB 6338 requires Washington courts to consider prosecutor recommendations about housing plans before approving community-based release for sexually violent predators. The bill amends existing law to mandate that courts allow prosecutors in the housing county to provide input on the suitability of proposed housing, and the court must formally weigh this input before making final release decisions. If the court's decision differs significantly from the prosecutor's recommendation, it must explain its reasoning in writing. This change directly affects courts, prosecutors, and individuals seeking conditional release under Washington’s sexually violent predator laws, focusing on housing safety and community protection. The bill does not alter treatment requirements or supervision terms but adds a formal step for prosecutor involvement in housing approval.
Maddy summarySB 6337 prohibits sexually violent predators from being placed in community-based supervision (less restrictive alternatives) within 500 feet of, or with a direct line of sight to, K-12 schools, child care facilities, or recreational facilities. The bill requires courts to impose strict conditions for conditional release, including electronic monitoring with real-time tracking, 500-foot distance restrictions, and sight-line bans from protected facilities. It also mandates that placement decisions follow "fair share" principles to ensure equitable distribution across counties and prevent disproportionate grouping in specific communities. The law directly affects individuals subject to Washington’s sexually violent predator commitment system who seek community-based supervision. These provisions aim to enhance community safety through specific geographic restrictions and individualized supervision conditions.
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 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 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.
Maddy summarySB 6090 establishes a state program at Washington State University to conserve rare and historically significant apple varieties. The program requires WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards, provide preservation resources, propagate rare apple cultivars for both backyard and commercial use, and develop a list of endangered varieties. A "heritage orchard" is defined as either an orchard with five or more trees over 74 years old or containing at least one rare/lost apple variety. This bill directly affects orchard owners meeting these criteria and Washington State University, which must implement the program. The legislation aims to preserve Washington’s agricultural history by protecting apple varieties at risk of extinction.
Maddy summarySB 6293 establishes a pilot program to fund workplace-based treatment and research for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in high-risk occupations, such as first responders, where workers face repetitive trauma exposure. The bill amends state law to allow the Department of Labor & Industries to use medical aid fund resources for grants supporting the development and evaluation of PTSD treatment programs in these workplaces. The pilot is limited to specific high-risk occupations and will be assessed for effectiveness before potential expansion. This initiative aims to reduce long-term disability by addressing PTSD early within the state's workers' compensation system.