Sen. Phil Fortunato

Maddy summarySB 5817, the "State Elections Confidence Using Rigorous Examination Act," proposes changes to Washington's election processes affecting voters and state agencies. It mandates a study by the University of Washington on voter registration system security, focusing on preventing duplicate registrations and identifying ineligible voters. The bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, rather than an affirmation. Furthermore, it adds a requirement for voters to enclose a copy of their valid photo identification when returning their ballot.

Maddy summarySB 5624 requires the Washington State Patrol, in collaboration with the Department of Ecology, fire districts, and the towing industry, to create best practices for responding to electric vehicle (EV) fires. The guidelines must cover first responder protocols during EV collisions or fires and procedures for safely transporting, towing, and storing damaged EVs. The State Patrol must also develop checklists to improve coordination between agencies during EV fire responses, which will be shared with all fire departments across Washington. These practical tools aim to standardize safety measures as EV adoption increases.

Maddy summarySB 5073 redirects revenue from Washington state's motor vehicle sales tax to highway funding. Starting July 1, 2025, all sales tax collected on new and used vehicles (including private-party sales) must go to the motor vehicle fund for highway purposes, such as construction and preservation. The bill excludes certain vehicles from this tax, including farm tractors (unless used for marijuana production), off-road vehicles, nonhighway vehicles, bicycles, and snowmobiles. This change modifies existing tax law to ensure vehicle sales revenue directly supports highway infrastructure rather than general state funds.

Maddy summarySB 5703 exempts Washington’s only waste-to-energy municipal solid waste facility from the state’s cap-and-invest program requirements. The bill adds a narrow exemption for this specific facility, based on a 2024 Ecology study finding it emits fewer greenhouse gases than landfill alternatives. It directly affects the county and city solid waste management program operating this facility by removing its emissions reporting obligations under the cap-and-invest program. The exemption applies to the facility’s emissions exceeding 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, aligning it with other covered entities under the program. This change ensures the facility is treated equally with other waste systems under the cap-and-invest framework.

Maddy summarySB 5776 creates a program for "American dream homes" - owner-occupied single-family homes under 1,500 square feet designed for low-income households. It requires cities to limit permitting fees to $1,250 per home, provides property tax exemptions for seven years, and offers tax credits to builders based on the home's selling price. Homes must stay affordable for low-income buyers (defined as households earning ≤70% of local median income) for seven years after the first sale, with restrictions preventing resale above affordability limits unless due to foreclosure. The program expires December 31, 2036, and applies only to homes meeting specific income and size criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that revenue from road usage fees, vehicle miles traveled charges, or similar fees must be spent **exclusively** on highway-related projects and services. It would directly affect how Washington State allocates funds from these specific fees, mandating they cover road construction, maintenance, traffic systems, and related expenses like bridge operations or ferry services tied to highways. The amendment clarifies that such fees cannot fund general state programs, while excluding existing license fees and fuel taxes from this requirement. Voters would decide on this change at the next general election, as the amendment requires ratification. (Note: This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a direct law.)

Maddy summarySB 5151 limits annual state spending growth to the average annual increase in Washington's median worker wage, starting in 2026. It requires the state to calculate a spending cap based on the prior decade's median wage growth and directs any excess revenue above this cap toward lowering property tax rates. The bill applies to all state general fund spending and mandates that the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council determine excess revenues by December 1 each year, which the Department of Revenue must use to reduce property tax rates by the following year. This directly affects state budget decisions and homeowners through potential property tax relief.

Maddy summarySB 5564 modifies Washington state's basic education goals to emphasize preparing students to become "globally competitive citizens" while adding specific requirements about understanding the state's constitutional republic foundations. It mandates the state superintendent to identify and post ethnic studies materials for K-12 schools by September 1, 2025, and encourages schools to incorporate these materials into curricula (with K-6 focusing on integration and 7-12 offering dedicated courses). The bill also requires updating state learning standards to include "appreciating and admiring differing cultures" and ensuring academic accuracy in core subjects like math and science. These changes directly affect all public K-12 schools and students across Washington state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington schools and public institutions to collect more detailed data on child sexual abuse incidents to better understand and address the problem. It mandates that clergy members report suspected child sexual abuse (similar to other mandatory reporters) while explicitly protecting religious practices like the sacrament of confession. The law updates existing statutes to improve data collection by educational agencies and clarify reporting obligations for religious professionals. These changes aim to strengthen child safety systems without infringing on constitutional religious freedoms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington law enforcement to provide juveniles (under age 18) with immediate access to an attorney before questioning or when they might waive constitutional rights during police contact. For jurisdictions over 1 million people, the attorney must consult in person; smaller areas may use phone or video. Statements made without this consultation are inadmissible in court unless the juvenile properly waived rights after meeting with a lawyer, or if exceptions apply (like imminent life threats or trafficking victim situations). The law aims to prevent coerced statements and ensure juveniles understand their rights before interacting with police.