Sen. Sharon Shewmake

Maddy summarySB 6006 would exempt food banks from paying Washington's retail sales tax on qualifying services they purchase to operate their programs. The bill amends state tax law (RCW 82.04.050) to create a specific exemption for food banks, removing the tax burden on services like food distribution, storage, or administrative support. This directly reduces operational costs for food banks statewide, allowing them to redirect resources toward serving communities. The change applies only to services directly used in food bank operations, not general retail purchases.

Maddy summarySB 6031 updates Washington state's insurance fraud laws to address modern schemes, including medical billing fraud using incorrect CPT/HCPCS codes. It expands the definition of "insurer" to cover more insurance types and defines specific fraud acts - like submitting false medical claims, misrepresenting services, or embezzling premiums - as a class B felony. The bill requires restitution for insurers and victims of fraud, clarifies where cases can be prosecuted, and targets organized fraud impacting both insurers and consumers. It directly affects insurers, health care providers (through medical coding rules), and insurance consumers by strengthening enforcement and penalties for fraudulent activities.

Maddy summarySB 5956 prohibits Washington public schools from using artificial intelligence (AI) or surveillance technologies to make or solely determine student discipline decisions, such as suspensions or expulsions. It bans "risk scores" predicting student misconduct, biometric tracking for emotional/mental health analysis, and automated watchlists, requiring human review for any discipline action involving AI or surveillance data. The law directly affects all K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and tribal education programs in Washington, mandating updates to policies to prevent discriminatory impacts on students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ students. It also restricts sharing student data with law enforcement except in emergencies involving imminent serious physical harm.

Maddy summarySB 5971 establishes a Washington state program to incentivize the production and use of low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer, defined as fertilizer with at least 80% lower life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fossil-fuel-based options. The program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, will provide rebates to farmers purchasing green fertilizer, payments to in-state manufacturers, and equipment grants for adoption, targeting Washington farmers, producers, distributors, and tribal agricultural entities. Funding will come from the Climate Commitment Act accounts, with implementation required by July 2028. The bill aims to reduce reliance on imported fertilizer, strengthen agricultural supply chains, and support clean energy manufacturing jobs.

Maddy summarySB 5961 transfers Washington's Imagination Library program - providing free monthly books to children from birth to age five - from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill requires the new administrator (a Washington-based nonprofit) to manage program operations, establish local affiliate programs, and partner with a national foundation to deliver books at no cost to families. Funding will come from a 50% payment by the nonprofit to the national foundation and the remaining cost from affiliate programs, with the Superintendent allowed to seek private donations. This change affects eligible children, local affiliates, and the nonprofit managing the program, streamlining oversight under education leadership.

Maddy summarySB 5968 integrates Washington's Executive Order 25-03 into state law by requiring state agencies to track and report processing times for "credentials" (including business permits, licenses, and professional certifications). It directly affects over 30 state agencies - such as the Department of Licensing, Ecology, and Health - and the businesses or individuals applying for these credentials. The bill mandates agencies to record key metrics like application completion time and decision time, then submit annual reports to the Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance. This aims to improve transparency, reduce delays, and help applicants plan more effectively by making processing data publicly available.

Maddy summarySB 6311 requires construction permittees to maintain continuous, accessible pedestrian pathways during projects in hospital zones (within 300 feet of hospital property), public parks, schools, and other sensitive areas. It prohibits sidewalk closures unless a feasible same-side temporary route cannot be provided, mandating ADA-compliant pathways with physical barriers, lighting, and unobstructed emergency access. Permittees must submit safety plans analyzing accessibility and emergency routes, with enforcement including stop-work orders for violations. The law applies to all local governments and entities performing permitted work in these zones, effective January 2027.

Maddy summarySB 6161 requires Washington's Department of Health to include dementia risk reduction and diagnosis information in public health materials and websites when relevant to existing campaigns. It also mandates adding this information to materials for healthcare providers. The law directs the department to consult dementia experts and make all updated content available in all languages currently used by the department. This applies to materials about health topics linked to dementia risk, such as exercise, nutrition, and chronic disease management.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state department to create a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan by June 30, 2027, with updates every two years thereafter. The plan must include specific elements like state economic profiles (covering demographics, workforce, and regional assets), identified economic challenges and opportunities, updates on small business programs, equity initiatives, measurable outcomes, and an implementation strategy. It directly affects state agencies responsible for economic development and the legislature, which must receive completed plans. The bill establishes concrete requirements for data-driven planning and accountability but does not fund new programs or alter existing laws.

Maddy summarySB 6222 allows Washington school districts to prioritize distributing surplus technology hardware (like laptops and tablets) to public school students, especially those from low-income families. It amends state law to require districts to first offer these devices for sale at reduced cost or free grant to students before selling them to others, with low-income families getting first priority. The bill defines "low-income" as families qualifying for free/reduced meals or earning ≤185% of the federal poverty level. This creates a clear process for schools to repurpose unused tech instead of selling it broadly, directly helping students who lack home devices for learning.