Maddy summarySB 5522 establishes a formal process for reviewing and approving capital projects on Washington's state capitol campus. It requires the State Capitol Committee to annually review proposed projects (defined as new buildings or major renovations exceeding 50% of replacement cost) and make recommendations, while expanding the committee's membership to include legislative leaders and agency representatives. The bill also creates a design subcommittee with architects and landscape experts to advise on campus aesthetics, preservation, and maintenance, ensuring campus improvements align with historic and architectural standards. This procedural bill focuses on structured management of the capitol campus, not direct policy changes affecting residents.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5589 directs the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to conduct a comprehensive study on how personal insurance rates are determined. The study will examine insurers' use of credit history, credit-based insurance scores, and other rate factors that may disproportionately affect Washington residents based on race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, or national origin. The OIC will collect information from insurers and contract with actuaries and consultants to analyze these practices. It will also identify and analyze alternative rate factors that do not rely on credit history or disparately impact residents. The OIC is required to submit preliminary and final reports to the legislature with findings, policy options, and recommendations on the use of these factors for personal insurance.
Maddy summarySB 5770 creates a new state property tax exemption for Washington homeowners' primary residences, reducing taxes on a portion of their home's value. The exemption equals the greater of $100,000 or 60% of the county's median home value (updated annually), applied to state taxes only (not local taxes). Homeowners must apply yearly by April 1st with proof of residency and personal information like Social Security numbers, and it applies to all primary homes including community land trusts and cooperatives. The bill aims to prevent displacement and help middle- and fixed-income families maintain housing stability by making home ownership more affordable. This policy change directly affects homeowners who qualify as primary residents, with the exemption taking effect for taxes levied in 2028 and later.
Maddy summarySB 5755 incentivizes converting underutilized commercial properties into residential housing by creating a state review process for eligible projects. It requires property owners to submit detailed proposals by October 1, 2025, including location details, infrastructure needs, and affordability plans. Eligible projects must be in urban areas with at least 250 new units, avoid sensitive zones or historic sites, and score high on criteria like low-income housing, environmental features, and community benefits. High-priority projects receive streamlined permits (processed within 180 days), technical assistance, and priority for state funding to accelerate development. This directly affects developers and property owners seeking to redevelop commercial sites into mixed-income housing near transit and jobs.
Maddy summarySB 5417 authorizes cities and counties in Washington to use automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras - combining cameras and microphones - to detect illegal vehicle racing and excessive noise violations exclusively in zones designated by local ordinance as "vehicle-racing camera enforcement zones." The bill requires local governments to conduct equity analyses before installing cameras, considering impacts on livability and safety, and to post annual reports detailing violations, crashes, and revenue use on public websites. It updates existing traffic camera laws to include these specific noise/racing enforcement tools while prohibiting their use on highway on-ramps. This policy directly affects drivers in designated zones and local governments managing traffic enforcement.
Maddy summarySB 5756 amends Washington State law to strengthen penalties for employers violating safety and health rules for minor workers (under 18). It establishes tiered civil fines starting at $100 for minor permit violations, up to $71,000 for violations causing serious harm or death, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. Employers with three or more violations in two years face a 12-month ban on obtaining minor work permits. The bill also allows immediate workplace safety orders when a minor’s life is at risk and requires annual inflation adjustments to penalty amounts starting in 2027. It directly affects employers hiring minors who fail to comply with work permit, hours, break, or safety requirements.
Maddy summarySB 5377 prevents auto manufacturers from treating dealers unfairly by banning price discrimination, unequal allocation of vehicles or parts, and restricting dealers' ability to earn documentary fees on certain programs. It also prohibits manufacturers from competing with dealers by owning or operating dealerships, except for limited cases like temporary ownership during transitions or partnerships with underrepresented groups. The bill requires manufacturers to disclose allocation methods to dealers upon request and adds a 4% cap on dealership ownership for certain partnerships. These changes directly affect new vehicle dealers and manufacturers in Washington State by creating a more equitable marketplace.
Maddy summarySB 5038 clarifies Washington's hate crime law by defining specific acts that qualify as hate crimes when motivated by bias against a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It makes offenses like assaulting someone, damaging property, or threatening someone (with context indicating a credible threat) a class C felony if done because of the victim's protected characteristic. The bill adds concrete examples for prosecutors, such as burning crosses on African American property or defacing Jewish property with Nazi symbols, and specifies that mistaken identity about a victim's protected characteristic is not a defense. It also clarifies that threatening words alone don't count as hate crimes unless they're credible threats, and that victims can pursue additional legal remedies beyond the felony charge.
Maddy summarySB 5497 requires Washington local governments (cities and counties) to approve permits for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or shelters through administrative processes only - preventing discretionary denials based on local comprehensive plans or regulations. If local rules block such projects, applicants can request a waiver of specific requirements, and the state department must resolve disputes. Noncompliant local governments face enforcement, including state withholding of certain tax revenues (like motor vehicle fuel or sales taxes) if they fail to issue permits or amend zoning rules within 60 days. The bill directly affects housing developers seeking these facilities and local governments managing land use approvals.
Maddy summarySB 5373 would allow Washington local governments (cities, towns, and special districts) to choose holding general elections in even-numbered years instead of the current odd-numbered years, aiming to boost voter turnout. The bill amends election statutes to permit this shift through local ordinances, charter amendments, or voter initiatives, requiring public hearings and specifying transition rules for election terms. It directly affects all local jurisdictions that opt to change their election timing, with the stated goal of increasing participation - particularly among younger voters, working families, and people with disabilities - by aligning local elections with higher-turnout even-year state/federal cycles. The bill does not mandate the change but provides a structured process for local governments to adopt it.