Sen. Mark Schoesler

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 8683), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally honors the Seattle Seahawks for winning the 2025 NFL season, including their regular-season record, NFC West championship, and Super Bowl 60 victory. The resolution expresses the Washington State Senate's appreciation for the team's on-field success and community contributions, with no legal effect or impact on constituents. It was adopted on February 10, 2026, and serves solely as a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 8679 (SR 8679) is a symbolic resolution adopted by the Washington State Senate on February 5, 2026, that formally recognizes Taiwan's role in international affairs and strengthens Washington state's economic ties with Taiwan. It reaffirms support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations (like those addressing trade and health) and encourages closer economic partnerships between Washington and Taiwan, citing Taiwan as the state's 6th largest trading partner ($3.8 billion in 2024) and a top market for Washington agricultural exports. The resolution directly affects Washington state's trade relationships and its diplomatic engagement with Taiwan, referencing the Taiwan Relations Act and Taiwan's contributions to global disaster relief. It does not create new laws or alter policy but serves as a statement of support for existing economic and cultural connections.

Maddy summarySB 6186 directs Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services to seek a federal waiver from the USDA, which currently restricts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from purchasing candy and sweetened beverages. If approved, the waiver would allow SNAP recipients in Washington to use their benefits for these items, though the bill explicitly excludes milk, 50%+ juice drinks, sports drinks, and medical beverages from the restriction. The department must annually request the waiver until granted, but the bill does not change current federal rules - SNAP benefits would still be restricted until the waiver is approved. This bill affects Washington SNAP participants who currently cannot buy candy or sugary drinks with their benefits, pending federal approval. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Human Services Committee after a public hearing.

Maddy summarySB 6318 sets maximum annual fees for commercial shellfish operations in Washington State, directly affecting harvesters, shippers, and processors. It establishes specific fee limits based on business type and scale, such as $416 for harvesters, $752 for large shellstock shippers, and up to $1,912 for large shucker-packers. The bill also caps biotoxin testing fees (e.g., $733 for harvesters with multiple sites) and export certificate fees at $75. These provisions amend existing shellfish fee laws to standardize and limit costs for the industry.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 8676), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It formally congratulates the Seattle Mariners baseball team for winning the 2025 American League West Division title and reaching the American League Championship Series, with specific recognition for catcher Cal Raleigh's record-breaking season (60 home runs, 125 RBI). The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a symbolic honor from the Washington State Senate. It directly affects the Mariners organization and Cal Raleigh by publicly acknowledging their achievements.

Maddy summarySB 6203 clarifies how Washington courts must count out-of-state convictions when calculating an offender's sentencing score under state law. It requires that out-of-state convictions (including foreign convictions meeting due process standards) be classified using Washington's offense definitions, rather than their original jurisdiction's classifications. The bill specifically excludes out-of-state convictions that would have been handled in juvenile court under Washington law, unless they match murder or Class A felony sex offenses. This directly affects defendants with prior convictions from other states or countries who are being sentenced in Washington courts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Washington State Senate's formal appreciation for the National Guard's service. It recognizes their emergency response work (like 2025 flood support in Skagit and Snohomish counties), election security efforts, and youth programs such as the Washington Youth Challenge Academy. The Senate thanks the Guard's families and employers for their support and acknowledges the Guard's contributions to state safety, community well-being, and economic vitality. Adopted in January 2026, this symbolic resolution was sent to state and federal officials but does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 5927 caps the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for certain workers' compensation pensions at 3%, replacing the current system that tied adjustments to annual changes in Washington's average monthly wage. It directly affects workers receiving pensions under pre-1971 compensation schedules, including surviving spouses and permanently disabled workers. The key change modifies how pension payments are adjusted each year - limiting increases to 3% regardless of actual wage fluctuations, which have previously ranged from 2% to 10.1% annually. This aims to stabilize program costs after cumulative premium increases exceeded 22% since 2020, while maintaining existing benefit formulas.

Maddy summarySB 6090 establishes a state program at Washington State University to conserve rare and historically significant apple varieties. The program requires WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards, provide preservation resources, propagate rare apple cultivars for both backyard and commercial use, and develop a list of endangered varieties. A "heritage orchard" is defined as either an orchard with five or more trees over 74 years old or containing at least one rare/lost apple variety. This bill directly affects orchard owners meeting these criteria and Washington State University, which must implement the program. The legislation aims to preserve Washington’s agricultural history by protecting apple varieties at risk of extinction.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Washington state's rules for self-storage rental agreements. It requires storage facilities to include specific disclosures in written agreements, informing renters that unpaid rent (after 14 days) may lead to a lien on stored property and potential sale to cover costs. The bill also allows electronic signing of agreements, clarifies that continued use of space for 30 days after notice constitutes agreement acceptance, and mandates a 15-day notice period before termination. Additionally, it specifies that renters must remove belongings within 15 days of termination notice, and facilities may dispose of unclaimed property after 5 days if not removed. These changes directly affect renters and self-storage facility operators.