Maddy summaryHB 1767 adjusts how Washington state provides supplemental funding to school districts based on their enrichment levies. It calculates state assistance as a fraction of a district's actual levy rate (capped at $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value) for districts below that threshold, while districts meeting or exceeding it receive full maximum assistance. The bill also sets a per-pupil funding limit ($2,500 or $3,000, adjusted for inflation) based on district size for enrichment levies, and includes specific provisions for state-tribal education compact schools. This directly affects school districts collecting enrichment levies, particularly smaller districts and tribal schools, by changing how their local levy efforts translate to state funding.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1680 creates a new "oral preventive assistant" license in Washington, allowing trained professionals to perform specific preventive dental services under a dentist's supervision. It directly affects dental practices and patients seeking routine care by expanding who can provide services like cleanings (prophylaxis) and basic gum checks (periodontal probing) for patients with healthy mouths. The bill establishes training requirements, defines the scope of allowable tasks (such as dental assisting duties and non-invasive procedures), and mandates that dentists verify assistants' competency before assigning tasks. This aims to increase access to preventive dental care by adding a new tier of dental support staff, while maintaining dentist oversight for complex procedures.
Maddy summaryHB 1291 aims to reduce upfront costs for individuals receiving maternity services through their health plans in Washington State. Starting January 1, 2026, most health plans will no longer require enrollees to meet their deductible before covering in-network delivery services, such as vaginal or C-section births. Any out-of-pocket costs paid for these services will still count towards the enrollee's total deductible. For health plans linked to Health Savings Accounts, deductibles for delivery services will be set at the minimum level required to maintain the HSA's tax-exempt status.
Maddy summaryHB 1856 creates an alternative pathway for small municipal gas utilities (those with pre-2022 emissions under 27,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) to meet climate goals under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. These utilities can opt out of standard compliance by submitting a plan by September 1, 2025, demonstrating they will reduce emissions below 22,500 tons annually by 2030 while spending funds equivalent to their standard compliance costs. If they miss the 2030 target, they revert to full compliance and pay penalties for each ton of emissions exceeding the threshold from 2026-2030. The bill adjusts the state’s emissions program rules for 2026 onward if utilities choose this pathway, ensuring continued emissions accountability.
Maddy summaryHB 1262 would rename Washington's Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities to the "Council for Health Justice and Equity" and update its membership requirements to include representatives from state commissions (such as the Commission on African American Affairs and the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs) and key departments (including Health, Social and Health Services, and Commerce). The bill specifies that the council must include six public members reflecting diversity in race, ethnicity, and gender, while maintaining its role in coordinating state efforts to address health disparities. This is a procedural update to existing law, not a new policy or funding measure, and it was referred to committee but did not advance in 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1690 requires Washington's Department of Ecology and Department of Health to jointly conduct a comprehensive assessment of the state's water and sewer systems by June 2027. The assessment will identify critical infrastructure gaps, analyze upgrade costs, and evaluate funding options to address issues like aging systems, septic maintenance challenges, and water quality concerns affecting public health. It directly impacts local governments, water utilities, and residents in communities facing infrastructure limitations, particularly in urban growth areas and small towns. The bill mandates gathering data from cities, counties, health boards, and utilities to inform recommendations for protecting environmental resources and supporting economic development. This assessment aims to provide a data-driven foundation for future investments in water and sewer infrastructure.
Maddy summaryHB 1625 creates a grant program to provide funding for back country search and rescue (SAR) organizations and volunteers in Washington state. The program directly supports groups that respond to emergencies in remote, rugged terrain, where specialized skills and equipment are required to locate and rescue individuals. The bill amends state law to establish this grant mechanism, enabling these organizations to maintain operations and services. This policy change offers concrete financial resources to enhance SAR capabilities in backcountry areas.
Maddy summaryHB 1693 exempts WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program staff from standard medical licensing requirements to perform specific blood tests. The bill allows WIC clinic staff to conduct hematological screening tests using heel-stick, toe-stick, or finger-stick methods directly at clinics. This change enables WIC staff to quickly screen for conditions like anemia in infants and mothers without needing separate medical licenses, streamlining access to routine health evaluations. The exemption applies only to these limited, non-invasive tests within the WIC program's scope.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington's health authority to pay home health agencies for complex medical care provided by family caregivers to children under 18 with significant medical needs. It mandates that caregivers (parents, guardians, or close family) complete 75 hours of training from an accredited agency, receive care supervision from a registered nurse, and work for a licensed home health agency. The program, effective September 2026, limits eligibility to the child's income only (not household income), prohibits caregivers from repaying training costs, and requires a 2029 report on the program's effectiveness. It covers specific medical tasks like medication administration, tracheostomy care, and feeding support provided under nursing supervision.
Maddy summaryHB 1458 requires large new construction, additions, and renovations (50,000+ square feet) to reduce embodied carbon emissions from building materials. It offers three compliance paths: reusing 45% of existing structures, demonstrating a 90% reduction in emissions for covered materials, or conducting a whole-building life-cycle assessment. Projects must report data through a public database managed by the Department of Commerce, including material choices and compliance methods. The law applies to all covered projects under the International Building Code and mandates verification by licensed design professionals.