Sen. Emily Alvarado

Maddy summarySB 6346 would impose a new tax on Washington households with annual income of $1 million or more, affecting approximately the top 0.5% of earners. Revenue generated would fund K-12 education, health care, higher education, and human services programs. The tax excludes income from selling family-owned businesses and real estate, while also including reductions to sales taxes on essentials like personal care products and business taxes through credits. This policy aims to shift tax burden toward high earners to support public services, as the bill states Washington’s current system is the second most regressive in the nation.

Maddy summarySB 6002 limits how Washington state and local agencies can use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, which track vehicle movements. It requires agencies to register ALPR systems with the attorney general and maintain detailed records of all system access (like who used it and why), while prohibiting use for immigration enforcement, in healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. Agencies may only use ALPRs for specific purposes, such as checking against stolen vehicle lists, missing persons databases, or parking enforcement. The law aims to balance public safety with privacy by restricting data collection and ensuring transparency in how license plate data is accessed and stored.

Maddy summarySB 6027 allows Washington counties and cities to impose up to a 0.1% sales tax to fund affordable housing and related services. It requires at least 60% of the revenue to support housing construction, rehabilitation, or services for specific groups including homeless individuals, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill limits how funds can be used (capping supplanting of existing local funds at 10%) and mandates that counties coordinate with cities on projects, prioritizing 15% of housing units for residents with local ties. It also permits using funds to offset state/federal reductions and authorizes bonds for housing development.

Maddy summarySB 6026 requires Washington cities and counties with populations over 30,000 to allow residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones, directly affecting these municipalities and developers. The bill prohibits local governments from banning residential uses in these zones but permits limited mixed-use requirements (e.g., 20% of non-station areas must include ground-floor commercial space) and allows height increases of at least 10 feet in designated areas. Exceptions include historic properties, business improvement areas, and specific locations like refinery zones or historic main streets. The law preempts conflicting local rules and takes effect one year after enactment, unless local ordinances are updated first. It does not override building permit requirements unrelated to zoning.

Maddy summarySB 5981 prevents drug manufacturers from restricting how Washington's safety net providers (like community health centers, hospitals serving low-income patients, and HIV clinics) use contract pharmacies to dispense discounted 340B medications. It prohibits manufacturers from denying access to these drugs, blocking contract pharmacy arrangements, or demanding extra data as a condition for supply. The bill allows covered entities to sue for violations, with penalties up to $5,000 per drug package, and requires annual reporting of 340B program activity. This directly protects vulnerable patients' access to affordable medications while safeguarding funding that safety net providers rely on for community services like screenings and financial assistance.

Maddy summarySB 6182 establishes an abortion savings program funded by an annual assessment on health insurance companies. It requires health carriers to pay $0.82 per coverage month in 2027 (then $0.165 annually) to a state account, with funds used to provide operating grants to abortion providers and funds that support clinical care access for people without sufficient resources. The bill prohibits disclosing patient or provider identifying information and mandates that at least 85% of program funds go directly to eligible organizations. These grants specifically support abortion services where federal funding is restricted, and the program cannot pass assessment costs to consumers through premiums or rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows renters and mobile home occupants in Washington to install portable cooling devices (like window units or floor models) without landlord approval, with key exceptions for safety, building codes, or existing heat pumps. Landlords cannot charge fees for installation or restrict devices, but may require proper drainage and 48-hour notice for inspections. They must disclose insurance restrictions on window units in leases and inform tenants of their rights. The law does not override existing disability accommodation requirements or landlord responsibilities for electrical issues caused by tenant devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-created network of healthcare providers for workers' compensation cases in Washington. It requires the Department of Labor to set minimum standards for providers (like malpractice insurance and no disciplinary actions) to join the network, and creates a higher-quality "second tier" for providers using occupational health best practices. Injured workers gain the right to choose their initial provider (except in emergencies), and employers cannot steer them toward specific clinics; if no network provider is within 15 miles, workers can access non-network care with guaranteed payment under the department’s fee schedule. The bill directly affects injured workers, employers (including self-insurers), and healthcare providers seeking to treat workers’ compensation cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1069 amends Washington state law to allow collective bargaining between public employers and employee organizations regarding contributions for certain supplemental retirement benefits. Currently, state law prevents bargaining over retirement plans and benefits administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. This bill clarifies that employers can now negotiate over contributions for additional retirement benefits, including medical plans, as long as these benefits are administered by or on behalf of an employee organization. This change enables discussions over these specific benefit contributions, while still excluding the core state retirement plans from collective bargaining.

Maddy summaryHB 1500 requires sellers in Washington common interest communities (like condos, cooperatives, and planned developments) to provide buyers with a detailed resale certificate before closing a sale. This certificate must include current financial information such as unpaid assessments, past-due fees, the association’s reserve study status, insurance details, and any pending legal issues, all verified within 45 days. It also mandates specific disclosures about the community’s financial health and obligations, including warnings if a reserve study is missing. The bill directly affects unit owners selling properties and aims to ensure buyers fully understand financial responsibilities before purchasing.