Sen. Sharon Shewmake

Maddy summarySB 5885 would allow Washington cities to grant increased density bonuses for affordable housing developments on properties owned by religious organizations. To qualify, at least 20% of units must be affordable to households earning 80% or less of the area median income for 50 years, with binding obligations ensuring affordability even if the property changes hands. Religious organizations would pay all development fees and must comply with federal fair housing laws prohibiting discrimination. Cities must create policies to implement this upon request from religious groups seeking such developments.

Maddy summarySB 6038 eliminates unnecessary postgraduate degree requirements for state jobs in Washington, directly affecting applicants and current employees in positions where such degrees aren't legally required to perform essential duties. The bill amends state law to require that job classifications not mandate advanced degrees unless required by law for the role's core functions. It updates the state's classification plan to prioritize simplicity, diversity, and market-based pay while ensuring eligibility for legally authorized workers. This policy change aims to broaden the state workforce pool by removing barriers for qualified candidates without advanced degrees.

Maddy summarySB 5999 authorizes Washington’s Department of Natural Resources to generate revenue from carbon offset and ecosystem service projects on state lands (approximately 6 million acres). The bill allows the department to enter long-term contracts (up to 125 years) for selling credits representing services like carbon sequestration, water filtration, and habitat restoration, with proceeds deposited into state accounts. It establishes rules for board-approved minimum payments and permits direct sales or partnerships with brokers/developers to access carbon and ecosystem markets. This directly affects state land management practices and creates new revenue streams for beneficiaries and the state, aligning with existing climate policy frameworks.

Maddy summarySB 6040 amends Washington State's lottery rules to permit electronic submission of nonwinning lottery tickets for second chance drawings, which are promotional entries offering additional prize opportunities. This change allows players to submit entries online instead of through physical methods, making participation more accessible. The Washington State Lottery Commission must now adopt rules explicitly including electronic processing for these entries. The bill does not alter standard lottery game rules but specifically updates procedures for promotional entries.

Maddy summarySB 5870 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to mimic human interaction and meet social needs) to disclose when users are interacting with AI, prevent harmful content, and provide crisis referrals for suicidal users. It mandates clear disclaimers, regular reminders for minors, and annual reports to the Department of Health about suicide prevention protocols. Operators face civil liability for violations, including $1,000 per violation plus damages, if their AI system contributes to suicide through harmful responses or failure to refer users to crisis services. The law specifically targets AI platforms that could cause harm, not general AI use, and applies to operators in Washington State starting July 2027.

Maddy summarySB 5876 makes it a crime to falsely present oneself as a peace officer by creating, possessing, or displaying fake badges, documents, or law enforcement insignia (like police or sheriff logos) when not officially sworn in. It also prohibits intentionally misrepresenting objects (such as vehicles) as belonging to law enforcement. The law targets impersonators and carries a penalty of a gross misdemeanor, but includes defenses for honorary officers, reserve officers, and historical/cultural uses like art or satire. It explicitly excludes protected free speech activities, such as parody or news coverage, from prosecution under this law.

Maddy summarySB 5878 requires Washington school districts to offer plant-based meal options at no extra cost when requested by a student, parent, or guardian, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. It defines "plant-based" as USDA-recognized meat alternatives and mandates clear labeling of these options in all meal materials. The law applies to all K-12 public schools, charter schools, and tribal education compact schools, but excludes summer food programs. School districts must honor requests for every meal the student participates in, though they may offer plant-based options to all students regardless of request. This policy change directly affects school meal programs and students seeking alternatives to animal-product-containing meals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington state to preserve historical records and artifacts related to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who lived or worked at Northern State Hospital. It mandates the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the University of Washington and state agencies, to create a detailed preservation plan by September 2027, including cataloging medical records, letters, photos, and artifacts at risk of destruction. The plan must outline storage, digitization, restoration, and public access for educational use, with no records destroyed until the plan is completed and funded. The bill expires June 30, 2028, and directly affects state archives, the University of Washington, and future researchers accessing these historical materials.

Maddy summarySB 5593 adjusts how Washington school districts calculate their maximum allowable enrichment levies (local property taxes for extra programs beyond state funding). It sets new limits based on student enrollment: $2,500 per student (adjusted for inflation) for districts with fewer than 40,000 students, and $3,000 per student for larger districts. The bill also modifies the calculation to account for local effort assistance, compliance adjustments, and cooperative agreements between districts. School districts must now get approval for their levy expenditure plans before voting on new levies.

Maddy summarySB 5152 directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study how to provide state employees with electronic access to academic journals, addressing current inefficiencies where staff spend time and money purchasing articles or visiting university libraries. The $83,000 study, funded from the general fund and due by December 2026, will examine potential funding, organizational structures, and policy options for a statewide journal subscription model. This bill does not create immediate access but seeks to determine if such a system would save state resources and improve efficiency, based on models used in other states. It expires June 30, 2027, and applies only to future policy decisions, not current operations.