Sen. Manka Dhingra

Maddy summarySB 5575 amends Washington state law to clarify when courts must limit a parent's residential time with a child in parenting plans. It specifically requires limitations if a parent has committed physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, a sex offense against a child, or willful abandonment, or if they knowingly live with someone who has committed such acts. The bill defines "protective actions" (like reporting abuse or seeking restraining orders) as not constituting "abusive use of conflict," ensuring parents taking safety steps aren't penalized. This directly affects parents and children in custody cases where abuse or safety risks are alleged, changing how courts evaluate residential time restrictions.

Maddy summarySB 5768 expands Washington State's Working Families Tax Credit to include all low-income residents aged 18 and older, removing previous age restrictions. It affects Washington residents who file federal tax returns, pay state sales/use tax, and meet income limits (e.g., $300 for those with no children, up to $1,200 for those with three+ children). The bill maintains existing credit amounts, phase-out rules based on income, and inflation adjustments, while adding a new eligibility category for those aged 18+ who otherwise qualify under federal tax code rules. This change directly broadens access to the refundable credit for younger adults who previously may have been excluded due to age.

Maddy summarySB 5060 creates a state grant program to help local and tribal law enforcement agencies hire more officers and mental health responders for community safety. It provides grants covering up to 75% of entry-level salaries (capped at $125,000 per position for 36 months), requiring a 25% local cash match. Agencies must meet specific training and policy standards, including crisis intervention and trauma-informed care compliance, to qualify. The bill appropriates $100 million for this program and mandates annual reports tracking grant usage, staffing vacancies, and hiring timelines. It directly affects Washington’s local and tribal law enforcement agencies seeking to fill officer positions and improve co-response to community safety needs.

Maddy summarySB 5770 creates a new state property tax exemption for Washington homeowners' primary residences, reducing taxes on a portion of their home's value. The exemption equals the greater of $100,000 or 60% of the county's median home value (updated annually), applied to state taxes only (not local taxes). Homeowners must apply yearly by April 1st with proof of residency and personal information like Social Security numbers, and it applies to all primary homes including community land trusts and cooperatives. The bill aims to prevent displacement and help middle- and fixed-income families maintain housing stability by making home ownership more affordable. This policy change directly affects homeowners who qualify as primary residents, with the exemption taking effect for taxes levied in 2028 and later.

Maddy summarySB 5179 establishes a statewide complaint process for students, parents, and community members to address noncompliance with specific state education laws by local school districts. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must create this process by July 2026 to investigate both "limited" complaints impacting individuals and "broad" complaints affecting groups or entire districts. Complainants are required to exhaust local complaint procedures or notify the district superintendent before filing with OSPI. If noncompliance is found, the school district must adopt and submit a compliance action plan. This process covers state laws concerning civil rights, harassment, curriculum requirements, the use of restraint or isolation, and student discipline.

Maddy summarySB 5756 amends Washington State law to strengthen penalties for employers violating safety and health rules for minor workers (under 18). It establishes tiered civil fines starting at $100 for minor permit violations, up to $71,000 for violations causing serious harm or death, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. Employers with three or more violations in two years face a 12-month ban on obtaining minor work permits. The bill also allows immediate workplace safety orders when a minor’s life is at risk and requires annual inflation adjustments to penalty amounts starting in 2027. It directly affects employers hiring minors who fail to comply with work permit, hours, break, or safety requirements.

Maddy summarySB 5434 requires governors to formally file emergency declarations with the secretary of state and provide public notice. It sets clear rules for ending emergencies: governors must terminate them when order is restored, the legislature can end them via concurrent resolution during sessions, or legislative leadership can terminate them after 90 days if the legislature is adjourned. The bill limits emergency orders (like curfews or business restrictions) to 30 days unless extended by the legislature, and mandates governors to notify legislative leaders before issuing such orders. This directly affects governors' emergency authority and the legislature's ability to oversee emergency powers. The law aims to prevent prolonged emergency declarations without legislative input.

Maddy summarySB 5038 clarifies Washington's hate crime law by defining specific acts that qualify as hate crimes when motivated by bias against a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It makes offenses like assaulting someone, damaging property, or threatening someone (with context indicating a credible threat) a class C felony if done because of the victim's protected characteristic. The bill adds concrete examples for prosecutors, such as burning crosses on African American property or defacing Jewish property with Nazi symbols, and specifies that mistaken identity about a victim's protected characteristic is not a defense. It also clarifies that threatening words alone don't count as hate crimes unless they're credible threats, and that victims can pursue additional legal remedies beyond the felony charge.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Washington's legislature to create a property tax exemption for primary residences. If approved by voters, it would enable future legislation to establish this exemption, with the legislature determining eligibility and specific conditions. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election and does not create the exemption itself, only authorizes its potential future implementation.

Maddy summarySB 5519 requires ocean-going vessels to use low-sulfur fuels (with a maximum sulfur content of 0.1% by weight) in auxiliary engines, main engines, and auxiliary boilers when operating within three nautical miles of Washington's shoreline, starting January 1, 2028. This applies to commercial, government, and military vessels meeting specific size or engine criteria (e.g., over 400 feet long or with certain propulsion systems), but excludes tugboats and similar small vessels. The bill mandates that vessel operators maintain detailed records of fuel types, fuel-switching procedures, and vessel positions to verify compliance. These measures aim to reduce harmful air pollution from vessel operations, protecting public health and coastal environments in Washington.