Sen. Sharon Shewmake

Maddy summarySB 5155 extends Washington's 2021 pilot program to make a streamlined permitting pathway permanent for salmon habitat projects. It allows qualifying projects - such as those funded by Puget Sound restoration programs, tribal initiatives, or state fish recovery funds - to use this optional process instead of full environmental reviews, while still requiring compliance with flood risk and cultural resource protections. Projects must be listed in 18 specific restoration programs (e.g., Bonneville Power Administration projects or tribal fish barrier removal) and submit 60-day notices to tribes and archaeology offices before approval. This change speeds up habitat restoration without replacing existing permit requirements.

Maddy summarySB 5225 amends Washington state election law to prevent voter confusion caused by similar candidate names. It makes it a class B felony to file as a fake person, someone else's true name, or a name intentionally similar to an incumbent to mislead voters. The bill also requires election officials to list confusingly named candidates consecutively on ballots and add distinguishing details (like occupation or "incumbent" status) to clarify choices for voters. These changes directly affect candidates filing for office and election officials managing ballot listings. The bill was referred to the Senate Rules Committee but did not advance past committee review in early 2025.

Maddy summarySB 5448 exempts dialysis services provided within skilled nursing facilities from Washington State's certificate of need (CON) requirements. This directly affects dialysis providers operating inside skilled nursing facilities, removing a state approval barrier for these services. The bill allows such facilities to offer dialysis without needing prior state permission, provided they meet specific criteria like geographic accessibility and serving a majority of enrolled patients from a qualifying health plan. Facilities must apply for exemption with the state department, which must review applications within 30 days. This change streamlines access to dialysis care for residents in skilled nursing settings without altering broader CON rules.

Maddy summarySB 5465 allows Washington electrical companies to recover certain wildfire-related costs by selling bonds backed by future customer payments, instead of raising rates immediately. This would lower overall customer costs compared to traditional rate increases, as the bonds would be repaid through future utility bills. The Utilities and Transportation Commission must approve the use of this method for costs tied to declared disasters like wildfires, excluding fines or penalties. The bill creates clear rules for how these "rate recovery bonds" are structured and managed, ensuring they don’t count as state debt. It directly affects electrical companies and their customers by changing how wildfire costs are paid for.

Maddy summarySB 5421 allows certain small businesses to operate in residential zones across Washington state, directly affecting cities and towns (which must permit these businesses) and qualifying small business owners. The bill defines "neighborhood businesses" as specific types: small food venues (500-2,000 sq ft), local retail stores (up to 10,000 sq ft), licensed childcare centers (serving ≤45 children), and low-impact professional services (≤3 full-time staff). Cities must permit these businesses in residential areas while imposing reasonable rules on noise, signage, hours (minimum 12 hours/day), deliveries, and alcohol sales - without restricting existing licensed operations. The law aims to support local economies and community spaces without altering neighborhood character, requiring cities to adopt compatible regulations.

Maddy summarySB 5242 establishes a confidential, anonymous screening program for licensed health care providers in Washington State to address mental health and burnout. The program, funded by an annual surcharge on health professional licensing fees, provides an evidence-based screening questionnaire reviewed by counselors, with options for email consultation, referrals, or assistance with paid medical leave requests for mental health needs. It directly affects all health professionals licensed under chapter 18.130 RCW, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, by offering immediate access to behavioral health resources. The program’s costs are covered through a uniform surcharge added to licensing fees, with funds dedicated exclusively to the initiative via a new state account. The bill does not create new clinical standards but aims to improve provider access to support services through a structured, confidential pathway.

Maddy summarySB 5279 allows licensed child care providers in Washington to use documented work experience instead of formal early childhood education certificates to meet licensing requirements until August 1, 2028. To qualify, providers must have continuous employment since August 2021 (or seven cumulative years), active work requiring such certificates, and completed health/safety training. The bill also requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to form a stakeholder group - including providers, training organizations, and community advocates - to review and improve qualification systems, with a report due by December 2026. The law expires July 1, 2028, and does not apply to providers serving the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.

Maddy summarySB 5009 modifies the student transportation allocation system for school districts in Washington state. It encourages districts to use various vehicle types, including school buses and other vehicles like district-owned passenger cars, for student transportation if deemed safe and cost-effective. The bill updates reporting requirements for districts to include miles driven per vehicle type and directs the superintendent of public instruction (SPI) to calculate transportation allocations based on all vehicle types used. Additionally, the SPI will establish minimum categories and competitive specifications for all student transportation vehicles to guide reimbursement.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5224 updates the definitions and processes for the certification and commissioning of law enforcement and corrections officers in Washington state. It clarifies terms such as "certified," "commissioned," and "convicted" within the context of officer qualifications. The bill details the requirements for background investigations for applicants and specifies that all peace officers and corrections officers must obtain and maintain certification. These changes directly affect individuals seeking or currently holding positions as peace officers, corrections officers, and other related law enforcement personnel.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5263 modifies how special education programs are funded in Washington state, directly affecting local school districts and students with disabilities. The bill increases the state's funding multipliers used to calculate excess costs for special education students, including a higher multiplier for younger students and a new single multiplier for older students, while also removing a previous enrollment cap on these allocations. Additionally, it revises the criteria for "safety net" funding, removing a provision that considered extraordinary costs related to community demographics, and continues to focus on high-cost needs for individual students. This bill was signed by the Governor on May 19, 2025, and becomes effective on July 27, 2025.