Maddy summaryHB 2411 expands Washington state employees' shared leave eligibility to include victims of hate crimes and situations involving immigration enforcement actions affecting the employee or their relative. It adds two specific qualifying reasons to existing shared leave provisions: (1) being a victim of a hate crime, and (2) needing time off due to immigration enforcement actions like detention, deportation, or related family separation. The bill includes strict protections, requiring employers to accept written statements or documentation from advocates (not disclosing immigration status) and prohibiting the sharing of personally identifiable immigration information. This policy change directly affects state employees facing these specific circumstances, allowing them to use shared leave without pay while maintaining confidentiality about immigration status.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2105 requires Washington employers to notify workers within 72 hours if federal agencies plan I-9 form or worker record inspections. It mandates posting notices in five common non-English languages at workplaces, sending written notices to workers' last known addresses, and sharing federal inspection results with affected workers. The law directly affects all Washington employers and immigrant workers who may face federal immigration verification checks. Key provisions include multilingual notice requirements, timelines for employer communication, and a template for compliance developed by the Attorney General. This bill creates a formal process for transparency during federal I-9 audits, aiming to protect workers' rights during inspections.
Maddy summaryHB 2215 adjusts compliance thresholds under Washington's Climate Commitment Act for fuel suppliers. It lowers the de minimis exemption from 25,000 to 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually for most fuel suppliers (including gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and propane), requiring them to report emissions if their fuel combustion exceeds this threshold. The bill excludes fuel volumes delivered outside Washington or combusted outside the state, and directs the Department of Ecology to enforce rules uniformly across all regions and fuel types. This change aims to prevent market distortions by ensuring consistent compliance obligations for fuel businesses operating within the state.
Maddy summaryHB 2266 requires Washington cities and counties to permit permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency shelters, and indoor emergency housing in any zoning district where hotels or residential development is allowed, without imposing stricter rules than those for standard hotels or homes. It standardizes permitting processes, prohibits local governments from restricting these housing types to industrial zones, and mandates that cities/counties meet projected housing needs for emergency shelters. For indoor emergency shelters, the bill requires sponsors to provide written certification of community notification (within 500 feet), one community meeting, a point of contact, and operational policies - without additional requirements. The bill directly affects local governments (by changing zoning rules), housing providers (by streamlining approvals), and people experiencing homelessness (by increasing housing access), aiming to address Washington’s housing crisis through regulatory reform.
Maddy summaryHB 2442 allows Washington counties and cities to impose specific real estate excise taxes to fund local capital projects and affordable housing. It authorizes a 0.25% tax on real property sales for general capital projects (like streets, parks, and sewer systems), with strict usage rules requiring projects to align with comprehensive plans. Additionally, it creates a separate 0.5% tax exclusively for affordable housing development, including acquisition, construction, and maintenance for low- and moderate-income residents. Local governments must document funding plans for future projects and follow voter approval processes for new taxes, while funds must be managed through competitive grant processes for housing initiatives. The bill directly affects local governments by expanding their tax tools for infrastructure and housing priorities.
Maddy summaryHB 1750 creates clear guidelines for addressing voter suppression and vote dilution claims under Washington’s Voting Rights Act. It prohibits local governments (counties, cities, school districts, etc.) from implementing election policies that create material disparate burdens on voters in protected classes (race, color, or language minorities), as defined by federal law. The bill establishes that such policies are illegal unless the government proves they are necessary to serve a compelling interest with no less burdensome alternative, and it removes the requirement to prove discriminatory intent in claims. This amendment replaces outdated provisions and aligns Washington’s standards with federal voting rights protections.
Maddy summaryHB 1710 requires certain local governments (designated as "covered jurisdictions" due to documented voting rights issues) to obtain pre-approval before implementing specific voting changes. These changes include altering election methods, redrawing district boundaries, restricting language access for voters, or modifying early voting sites. Before any such "covered practice" takes effect, the local government must either seek a court declaration or get certification from the Attorney General that the change won’t diminish minority voting access. This applies to jurisdictions with a history of voting discrimination or current disparities in voter registration, participation, or other metrics affecting protected groups. The bill aims to enforce compliance with Washington’s Voting Rights Act of 2018 by adding a pre-clearance step for high-impact voting decisions.
Maddy summaryThis Washington bill requires AI companion chatbots that simulate human relationships to clearly disclose they are artificial at the start of use, every three hours, and at new sessions. For minors (under 18), it mandates hourly reminders about the artificial nature of the chatbot, blocks sexually explicit content, and prohibits manipulative tactics like fake emotional distress or excessive praise to foster dependency. It excludes customer service bots, in-game assistants, and educational tools from these rules. The law aims to prevent emotional dependency and ensure psychological safety while allowing responsible AI development.
Maddy summaryHB 2320 regulates firearm manufacturing using 3D printers, CNC mills, or digital code by requiring manufacturers to register these methods with the state. It directly affects individuals or entities producing firearms through digital means, including those creating undetectable or untraceable weapons. The bill amends Washington’s firearm laws to mandate registration of such manufacturing processes and explicitly targets unlicensed producers who might bypass background checks. This policy change aims to address public safety concerns by making digital firearm production subject to state oversight.
Maddy summaryHB 2091 requires public employers covered under chapter 41.80 RCW (specifically Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, and The Evergreen State College) to provide employee information to exclusive bargaining representatives. The bill amends RCW 41.80.075 to expand the list of covered employers to include these four public universities. This means union representatives at these institutions would gain access to employee data previously not required to be shared under the existing law. The change directly affects these universities' labor relations by mandating information sharing with their recognized employee unions.