Rep. Clyde Shavers

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally recognizes Representative Virginia "Jenny" Graham for her public service in the Washington State House of Representatives. It highlights her eight-year tenure, her advocacy for public safety, and her work on community safety and veterans' issues. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of her contributions and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally honors John Michael Sattgast for his 35 years of dedicated service as a communications professional for the House Republican Caucus in the Washington State Legislature. It recognizes his work producing over 4,000 radio stories and coordinating media coverage for state representatives, as well as his leadership roles with the National Conference of State Legislatures. The resolution acknowledges his contributions to sharing legislative history and public information, noting his receipt of the 2023 Legislative Staff Achievement Award. This measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new policy or affecting government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally acknowledges the service of Representative Steve Tharinger to his district and the Washington state legislature. It recognizes his long career in public service, including his time as a Clallam County Commissioner, his work on the House Capital Budget Committee, and his advocacy for environmental protection and healthcare. The resolution serves as a commemorative tribute to his contributions and personal qualities rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2133 makes permanent a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers that was originally established temporarily in 2017. The bill modifies state law to ensure these centers no longer lose their tax exemption after the temporary period ends, directly affecting qualifying senior centers that provide community services. This change removes the temporary nature of the exemption created under Chapter 301, Laws of 2017, ensuring ongoing tax relief for these facilities.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1923, known as the "Mosquito Fleet Act," aims to increase the availability of passenger-only ferry services in Washington state. The bill expands the types of local governmental entities, such as counties, port districts, and public transportation benefit areas, that can establish passenger-only ferry service districts. These districts would be empowered to establish, finance, and operate passenger-only ferry services, including purchasing or leasing vessels and dock facilities. Before providing service, each district must develop an investment plan detailing proposed services, projected costs, and funding sources, ultimately impacting residents who rely on ferry transportation.

Maddy summaryHB 1717 creates a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing projects in Washington. It allows cities and counties to adopt programs where developers of qualifying projects (with at least 50% units for low-income households at 30-38% of income for 40 years) can defer paying local sales taxes on construction costs. Developers must apply to local governments, meet affordability requirements, and complete projects within three years (extendable to five total), with local authorities setting application rules and oversight. The program directly affects nonprofit and for-profit housing developers, public housing authorities, and low-income households in qualifying projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1073 creates the Washington National Guard Retention Program to help the state retain military personnel. It directs the Adjutant General to study retention needs - such as length of service and critical skills - and determine reenlistment bonuses to encourage members to extend their service. The program requires clear eligibility criteria and bonus payment schedules, with the state military department mandated to report on retention needs to the governor and legislature every three years starting in 2027. The bill directly affects Washington National Guard members who may qualify for reenlistment bonuses.

Maddy summaryHB 2534 (Promoting educational stability for children of military families) helps military-connected children enroll in Washington schools more smoothly when their families relocate due to military orders. It allows schools to accept enrollment applications before the child arrives in Washington, using military orders as proof of relocation (e.g., transfers to WA or bordering states, deployments), and requires parents to provide documentation within 90 days. The bill ensures schools transfer special education plans (like IEPs or 504 plans) from previous states and provide comparable services without delay. This directly affects military families moving to Washington and public school districts handling their enrollments.

Maddy summaryHB 2417 updates Washington's military justice code to extend specific victim protections to members of the state National Guard (organized militia) who experience crimes while serving in their state capacity. It directly affects National Guard members who are victims of offenses under the state military code. The bill establishes concrete rights including protection from the accused, timely notice of court proceedings, the right to be heard at key hearings, privacy safeguards, and access to restitution. These provisions align state military justice standards with federal protections to ensure consistent victim treatment during both federal and state service.

Maddy summaryHB 1541 modifies the composition of the Washington State Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, which advises the Governor and the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It changes the representation from state veterans' homes from one to two members and revises the criteria for ten other members. The bill expands representation to include veterans from federally recognized Indian tribes, current or former National Guard members, justice-involved or formerly incarcerated veterans, and veterans with specific lived experiences such as housing barriers or substance use disorder. It also clarifies nomination processes and ensures that no organization has more than one official representative on the committee.