Sen. Rebecca Saldaña

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5138 updates the authority of public facilities districts (PFDs) to impose lodging taxes. It revises the minimum number of lodging units required for tax applicability and introduces new tax structures for PFDs in counties with populations over 1.5 million that operate convention and trade centers. These specific PFDs can impose lodging taxes up to 7% in their largest city and 2.8% in other areas. The bill also authorizes an additional 2% lodging tax, expiring by July 2029, specifically to repay obligations related to convention center projects. PFDs imposing this additional tax must make annual payments to the state, with provisions for loans if unable to meet these payments due to debt.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5388 revises how behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment, are regulated for individuals in Washington state correctional facilities. Rather than requiring these services to be licensed by the Department of Health (DOH), the bill shifts to a monitoring process. The Department of Corrections (DOC) and DOH will jointly establish standards for these services, which the DOH will then monitor through annual inspections for compliance. The DOC must implement these standards by July 1, 2027, with DOH beginning annual inspections and providing technical assistance from that date forward.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5217 expands pregnancy-related accommodations for employees in Washington state, now applying to nearly all employers. It defines "pregnancy" to include related health conditions and the need to express breast milk, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations like flexible breaks, modified schedules, and assistance with manual labor. The bill prohibits employers from taking adverse action against employees requesting these accommodations and mandates paid break time for expressing breast milk for up to two years after childbirth. Additionally, it allows individuals with an infant under 12 months old to be excused from or delay jury service.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5412 provides financial tools for Washington school districts facing severe financial difficulties, specifically those in "binding conditions" or under "enhanced financial oversight." It allows these districts to take temporary, interest-free loans from their capital projects funds, which must be repaid within one year and not detriment existing projects. Additionally, districts in binding conditions may request authorization from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to sell real property. Proceeds from such sales must be used to restore financial stability or fund an authorized interfund loan, with this authorization limited to once every ten years.

Maddy summarySB 5232 updates the Essential Needs and Housing Support (ENHS) program in Washington State, impacting individuals eligible for these services and the entities that provide them. The bill allows designated support entities to use funds more flexibly to provide essential needs items and housing support to recipients. A significant change is the allowance of direct cash assistance, including through debit cash cards, when identified in a client's housing stability plan, removing a prior restriction. It also expands eligibility to include certain low or extremely low-income elderly or disabled adults transitioning off other benefits. Additionally, the bill aligns the administration rate for ENHS entities with other programs funded by the home security fund.

Maddy summarySB 5101 expands existing Washington State protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to also include employees who are victims of hate crimes or bias incidents, or whose family members are victims. The bill allows these employees to take reasonable leave from work, which can be intermittent or on a reduced schedule, with or without pay. This leave can be used for reasons such as seeking legal assistance, medical treatment, counseling, or engaging in safety planning related to the hate crime. Employers are required to provide reasonable safety accommodations and may ask for verification of the incident and the need for leave.

Maddy summarySB 5291 strengthens the WA Cares long-term care program by implementing recommendations from the long-term services and supports trust commission. The bill allows individuals who have paid into the program for at least three years while working in Washington to continue their participation and eligibility for benefits even if they move out of state. It also establishes a clear process for how the program's benefit unit, currently up to $100, will be adjusted annually for inflation using a specific consumer price index. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of approved services to explicitly include long-term services and supports provided in nursing homes.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5471 authorizes counties to permit "middle housing" in specific unincorporated areas, including designated urban growth areas and certain limited rural development areas. This allows for up to four residential units on parcels typically zoned for single-family homes. Counties implementing this must ensure middle housing development standards are no more restrictive than those for single-family residences, while still allowing objective standards like setbacks to apply. All such housing must be served by appropriate water and sewer services, and county actions to implement these provisions are exempt from certain administrative and judicial appeals.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5503 revises collective bargaining processes for public employees in Washington State. It modifies how the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) handles petitions to form new bargaining units and allows for the consolidation of existing units represented by the same employee organization. The bill also enhances PERC's procedural authority in setting hearing dates and enforcing subpoenas. Additionally, it establishes specific interest arbitration rights and an impasse resolution process for certain employees of the Department of Corrections.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5041 revises the eligibility rules for unemployment insurance benefits in Washington state for workers involved in labor disputes. The bill removes the disqualification for benefits for individuals whose unemployment is caused by an employer lockout. For workers unemployed due to a strike, the disqualification period now ends on the second Sunday after the strike begins, or when the strike terminates, whichever occurs first. However, benefits received due to a strike are capped at six calendar weeks, and the employer is notified of available mediation services.