Sen. Sharon Shewmake

Maddy summarySB 5903 changes election rules for cemetery district commissioners in Washington. It eliminates primaries for these positions, requiring all qualified candidates to appear on the general election ballot, with the top vote-getter winning each seat. If only one candidate files, they are automatically elected without appearing on the ballot. Vacancies on cemetery district boards would be filled using standard procedures under chapter 42.12 RCW, aligning with broader local government vacancy rules. This directly affects cemetery district voters and commissioners by altering election mechanics.

Maddy summarySB 6175 regulates secondary ticket sales for entertainment and sporting events to prevent consumer deception and price gouging. It caps resale prices at 110% of the original ticket price (including fees) and limits service fees to 10%, while requiring clear disclosures that tickets are purchased from a secondary marketplace, not the original seller. The bill prohibits misleading marketing (e.g., fake "official" sites), bans selling speculative tickets, and mandates resellers notify buyers within 8 hours of event changes. It exempts professional sports teams, small arts organizations ($500,000 annual revenue cap), schools, movie theaters, and tribal venues from most provisions. The law applies to commercial resellers and secondary ticket platforms operating in Washington.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Washington State Senate's formal appreciation for the National Guard's service. It recognizes their emergency response work (like 2025 flood support in Skagit and Snohomish counties), election security efforts, and youth programs such as the Washington Youth Challenge Academy. The Senate thanks the Guard's families and employers for their support and acknowledges the Guard's contributions to state safety, community well-being, and economic vitality. Adopted in January 2026, this symbolic resolution was sent to state and federal officials but does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 6315 requires Washington state agencies to collect and publish disaggregated data on race, ethnicity, sex, and gender identity for all state-funded programs. This affects agencies like Social and Health Services, the Department of Health, and the Department of Transportation, which must now break down data by these categories instead of using broad averages. The bill establishes minimum data collection standards based on federal guidelines for race/ethnicity and existing Washington rules for sex/gender identity, ensuring consistent reporting across departments. Its goal is to prevent biased policy decisions by ensuring data accurately reflects diverse community needs, such as in maternal health services or transit safety planning.

Maddy summarySB 5893 appropriates an additional $65 million from the natural climate solutions account for the 2026 fiscal year to support forest health and wildfire reduction programs. The bill addresses a funding shortfall identified in previous legislation (chapter 298, Laws of 2021), which lacked sufficient resources to fully implement forest restoration and wildfire mitigation efforts. This funding specifically targets the "wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account" to cover the $125 million needed for the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill does not create new policy but allocates existing funds to fulfill previously authorized program needs.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (not a bill with binding law), adopted January 2026, that recognizes the importance of youth sports in Washington state. It highlights benefits like improved well-being, academic engagement, and reduced mental health risks, while noting unequal access for marginalized groups (girls, youth of color, low-income families, and others). The resolution calls for promoting inclusive, affordable programs, trained coaches, injury prevention, and nontraditional sports like pickleball or adaptive athletics to increase participation. It does not create new programs or funding but formally encourages state support for these goals.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 8674) formally honors India's 2026 Republic Day as a symbolic gesture recognizing shared democratic values between India, Washington State, and the U.S. It directly acknowledges Washington's strong ties to Indian Americans - over 100,000 residents who contribute to the state's economy, cultural diversity, and institutions like healthcare and tech. The resolution highlights India's constitutional commitment to equality and Washington's partnership with India’s Seattle consulate on trade, education, and cultural exchanges. Adopted on January 26, 2026, it has no binding policy effects, serving solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summarySB 5934 would expand access to postconviction DNA testing for people convicted of felonies in Washington state who claim innocence. It establishes a presumption that courts must grant DNA testing requests when the results could show innocence, shifting the burden to the state to prove testing wouldn't demonstrate innocence with "clear and convincing evidence." The bill also requires courts to grant requests if the state doesn't oppose them within 30 days and clarifies that preserved biological evidence must be kept per state law. This aims to reduce unnecessary court costs and litigation while improving the accuracy of criminal convictions.

Maddy summarySB 6004 allows cities, towns, and public utilities in Washington to contract for the "capability" (future power generation capacity) of renewable or nonemitting energy projects, not just actual electricity output. It updates outdated laws by removing restrictions to specific "qualified alternative energy resources" and aligns with current clean energy definitions under the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act. Key provisions require public entities to pay for contracted projects regardless of completion or output issues, and payments cannot be reduced due to project delays or performance. This bill directly affects local governments and public entities seeking to invest in new clean energy infrastructure to meet state climate goals.

Maddy summarySB 6090 establishes a state program at Washington State University to conserve rare and historically significant apple varieties. The program requires WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards, provide preservation resources, propagate rare apple cultivars for both backyard and commercial use, and develop a list of endangered varieties. A "heritage orchard" is defined as either an orchard with five or more trees over 74 years old or containing at least one rare/lost apple variety. This bill directly affects orchard owners meeting these criteria and Washington State University, which must implement the program. The legislation aims to preserve Washington’s agricultural history by protecting apple varieties at risk of extinction.