Maddy summarySB 6147 requires grocery stores in food deserts or low-income neighborhoods with limited access to other stores to provide six months' written notice of closure to city councils, county councils, health departments, and the public. During this notice period, stores must work with local officials and neighborhood groups to explore alternatives like helping residents start a co-op or connecting to another grocery store. Exceptions allow shorter notice for natural disasters or if the store is actively seeking capital that would be lost by giving full notice, but even then, stores must provide as much notice as possible and explain the reason. The attorney general and community groups can enforce these requirements through legal action for violations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Washington Traffic Safety Commission's role to focus on identifying contributing factors that lead to roadway fatalities and serious injuries. It amends existing laws to clarify that information from traffic fatality reviews is confidential and exempt from public disclosure, protecting sensitive data used in safety investigations. The legislation also adds new definitions for key terms like "bicyclist fatality," "pedestrian fatality," and "serious injury" to ensure consistent understanding across the commission's work. Additionally, the bill expands the commission's authority to operate as a public health authority while maintaining confidentiality for specific health-related records involved in traffic safety reviews.
Maddy summarySB 6045 extends collective bargaining rights to agricultural employees in Washington State, placing them under the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) for negotiations on wages, hours, and working conditions. It directly affects farmworkers and agricultural employers, excluding supervisors, family members, and those covered by federal labor laws. The bill establishes procedures for fair bargaining, including culturally and linguistically appropriate processes to address barriers like seasonal work and language differences. It defines key terms and ensures PERC can enforce protections against employer interference in union activities.
Maddy summarySB 6227 requires Washington colleges and universities to establish consistent statewide data collection protocols to identify parenting students (parents enrolled in higher education). It directs the Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop these protocols, form a work group with college leaders and student advocates, and encourage institutions to submit annual data to the state education data center. The bill aims to make parenting students' needs visible for better policy decisions, resource allocation, and support programs related to childcare and financial aid. This data-driven approach seeks to improve retention and graduation rates for parenting students without directly funding new services.
Maddy summarySB 6152 adds physical therapists and occupational therapists to the list of authorized "attending providers" for workers' compensation claims in Washington State. This means injured workers can now choose these therapists for treatment, and employers/insurers must cover their services as part of approved care. The bill amends specific statutes (RCW 51.08.200, 51.28.010, and 51.28.020) to include these professions in the definition of eligible providers, alongside existing options like physicians and chiropractors. It directly affects injured workers seeking treatment, insurers processing claims, and healthcare providers who can now bill under workers' compensation. The change expands provider choice without altering benefit eligibility or compensation amounts.
Maddy summarySB 6117 establishes a state framework for collective bargaining when federal labor laws no longer apply to certain workers in Washington. It directly affects employees not covered by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRB), such as some private-sector workers whose employers or industries fall outside federal jurisdiction. The bill creates procedures for certifying bargaining representatives through the Public Employment Relations Commission, preserves existing collective bargaining agreements during certification, and defines key terms like "employee" and "bargaining representative." It applies automatically if federal law ceases to preempt state regulation of labor relations for specific employers or industries. The law aims to maintain stable labor-management relations and protect workers' collective bargaining rights in gaps left by federal coverage.
Maddy summarySB 5861 requires school districts with 2,000 or more students to elect at least three or four board members from designated geographic districts, depending on enrollment size (3 for 2,000-5,000 students, 4 for over 5,000 students). The law applies to districts reporting enrollment above these thresholds by September 2026, with full implementation required by January 1, 2027. Smaller districts (under 2,000 students) are exempt, and districts unable to find qualified candidates in designated areas may appoint residents or use at-large seats temporarily. This directly affects large school districts across Washington State by changing how school board members are elected.
Maddy summarySB 5860 increases school board member daily compensation from $50 to $100 (capped at $13,750 annually), requires cost-of-living adjustments via the consumer price index, and mandates that compensation come only from local tax funds - never state funds. It also requires all school board members to complete a state-funded training program on school finance within one year of the law's effective date (January 2027), with new members completing it during their first term. The bill prohibits charging directors for training attendance and allows members to waive pay for any period. It directly affects school board members and districts, aiming to broaden candidate diversity by reducing financial barriers to service.
Maddy summarySB 5907 expands Washington's early childhood education program to include military-connected families who previously didn't qualify. It creates new eligibility for children in households with a military parent (active duty, reserve, or National Guard member stationed or residing in WA) whose family income is above 50% but below the Working Connections Child Care income limit, adjusted for family size. The bill adds military-specific factors like deployment status or single parenthood to the program's prioritization system for available slots. This change does not count these children as part of the state's standard entitlement program and expires August 1, 2030.
Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 5437 prohibits all noncompetition agreements (like clauses restricting employees from working in their field after leaving a job) for most workers, making them void and unenforceable. It directly affects employees and independent contractors by removing these restrictions, while allowing narrowly defined nonsolicitation agreements (which prevent poaching customers or coworkers) but not broadly restricting work. Employers must notify current and former workers about the void status of noncompete clauses by October 1, 2025. The law also prohibits employers from enforcing, threatening to enforce, or entering into prohibited agreements, with penalties for violations.