Sen. Rebecca Saldaña

Maddy summarySB 5256 requires the Washington Indeterminate Sentence Review Board to formally consider victims' objections when deciding whether to release offenders convicted of sex offenses. The bill mandates that victims of these crimes can present statements and object on record during hearings, with the board giving "great weight" to their objections and making written findings on them. It also requires county prosecutors to forward victim impact statements and contact information to the board as part of the review process. This policy change directly affects victims of sex offense convictions and the board's decision-making during parole hearings for such offenders.

Maddy summarySB 5523 requires community college districts in Washington to appoint a student trustee to their governing boards. The student trustee, selected by the governor from a list submitted by student governments, must be a full-time student (enrolled in at least 10 credits) in good academic standing. The bill mandates this position for all community college districts, with the student serving a one-year term starting July 2026, and grants them voting rights on board matters. This policy aims to incorporate student perspectives directly into governance decisions affecting campus life and services.

Maddy summarySB 5625 designates the Pacific geoduck (Panopea generosa) as Washington's official state clam through a ceremonial addition to state law. This bill directly affects Washington residents by establishing a symbolic state emblem for the clam, which is a large, edible bivalve native to Puget Sound and coastal waters. The legislation adds a new section to Washington’s Revised Code, formally recognizing the species without creating new regulations or funding. As a procedural bill, it does not alter existing laws or impact economic policies.

Maddy summarySB 5100 would require family members providing in-home long-term care for relatives (such as spouses, parents, siblings, or grandparents) to complete specific training hours before starting care. It sets different requirements: 12 hours for parents of developmentally disabled children, 15 hours for spouses/partners, and up to 35 hours for others, all within 120 days of hire. Training must include safety, orientation, and care-specific modules, with some hours needed before care begins. This applies to workers previously exempt from certification, while maintaining exemptions for professionals like nurses and certain respite caregivers. The bill is pending legislative action and would standardize training previously not required for these family caregivers.

Maddy summarySB 5621 exempts electronic raffles held at live sporting events from Washington State's standard raffle regulations, provided the total prize amount equals no more than 50% of the gross gambling receipts collected. This directly affects sporting venues, event organizers, and ticket purchasers at games or events where such raffles are offered. The key provision clarifies that these specific electronic raffles - where prizes are capped at half the revenue - are not considered traditional raffles under state law, removing them from requirements like charitable organization oversight and revenue distribution rules. The bill does not change how raffles operate but defines a clear exemption for this common event feature.

Maddy summarySB 5815 proposes modifications to Washington's Business and Occupation (B&O) tax system. The bill would increase certain B&O tax rates for businesses engaged in activities such as extracting, manufacturing, and retail sales to 0.5 percent. It also introduces a temporary B&O tax surcharge specifically for large companies with annual revenues exceeding $250 million. Additionally, the bill clarifies B&O tax deductions for certain investments and adjusts the advanced computing surcharge cap. The stated intent is to generate revenue to support public schools, higher education, health care, and social services across the state.

Maddy summarySB 5126 creates a statewide network to coordinate school-based mental and behavioral health services for Washington K-12 students. It directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to lead strategic planning, streamline access to resources, and establish regional programs through Educational Service Districts. The bill requires schools to implement evidence-based screening, prevention, and intervention services - including substance use education - and coordinate with community partners. This directly affects all public schools, students, and local education agencies by standardizing support systems currently fragmented across multiple state agencies.

Maddy summarySB 5508 establishes a Washington State child welfare housing assistance program providing housing vouchers, rental support, and navigation services to families facing housing instability that threatens child welfare reunification or prevents foster care placement. It directly affects parents with children who are dependent under state law or at risk of foster care due to housing barriers, aiming to reduce foster care needs. The program requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to contract with housing experts to operate the service across both sides of the Cascades, with annual reports tracking racial equity, waitlist times, and funding distribution. The bill mandates reporting on program outcomes starting November 2024, including whether support reaches diverse populations equitably. The bill is pending in the Senate Ways & Means Committee as of February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 5039 removes an exclusion that previously prevented Washington management service employees at the Department of Corrections from using interest arbitration to resolve workplace disputes. The bill amends state law (RCW 41.80.200) to include these employees under the existing interest arbitration process, allowing them to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions through mediation and binding arbitration if negotiations fail. This change directly affects management service employees within the Department of Corrections, granting them the same dispute resolution pathway as other covered DOC staff. The bill does not alter the arbitration procedures but expands eligibility to this specific employee group.

Maddy summaryWashington State bill SB 5709 allows counties to levy an additional property tax of up to 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value annually, specifically for public health clinics. This tax can only fund clinic operations, maintenance, and capital expenses, and is exempt from certain existing property tax limits in state law. The bill defines "public health clinic" broadly to include services like primary care, dental, reproductive health, disease prevention, and behavioral health. It directly affects Washington counties (which may choose to adopt this tax) and public health clinics (which would receive dedicated funding). The bill amends existing tax code sections to explicitly include public health clinic funding as an exception to general tax levy restrictions.