Rep. Cindy Ryu

Maddy summaryHB 2122 requires Washington hospitals to offer annual flu vaccinations to two specific patient groups: adults 65 or older, and any patient (regardless of age) with a chronic health condition. This applies each year from October 1 to March 1, beginning July 1, 2027, unless the vaccine is unavailable at the hospital or the immunization is medically unsafe for the patient. Hospitals are exempt during declared state emergencies or disasters, and critical access hospitals certified under federal law are also excluded. The law focuses on expanding access to flu shots for high-risk patients during peak flu season through a straightforward hospital offering requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 2627 streamlines the repair and maintenance of Washington's aging highway infrastructure, particularly bridges that are over 80 years old, structurally deficient, or rated in fair or poor condition. It exempts certain bridge repairs from standard regulatory requirements if done within the existing right-of-way or outside it for engineering/environmental needs without adding lanes, and allows the state Department of Transportation and local governments to use expedited contracting for emergency repairs without public bidding. The bill also requires contracts over $700,000 to be reviewed by the Office of Financial Management and mandates prequalification for contractors. This aims to prevent highway closures that disrupt community access to essential services like medical care and food.

Maddy summaryHB 2634 addresses the cleanup of a leaking radioactive waste landfill at Hanford, which is contaminating soil and groundwater flowing toward the Columbia River. The bill requires waste generators and nuclear reactor operators to cover investigation and cleanup costs (not state taxpayers) and prohibits adding new waste until the site is fully remediated. It mandates future disposal facilities in Washington must include liners and environmental safeguards, and requires tribal input in setting cleanup standards for sites affecting treaty rights of the Yakama Nation and Umatilla Indian Reservation. The law also establishes that cleanup levels must protect human health and tribal resources using tribal-approved exposure scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 2173 prohibits Washington law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings (like balaclavas or ski masks) during routine public interactions, while allowing exceptions for active undercover operations and protective gear used by specialized units like SWAT teams. The bill defines "facial covering" to exclude medical masks, helmets, and clear face shields. It also establishes that individuals detained in violation can sue officers for financial compensation, attorney fees, or other court-ordered remedies. The law applies to all "peace officers" as defined under state law during standard public duties.

Maddy summaryHB 2100 imposes a tax on large Washington companies for payroll expenses exceeding $125,000 per employee (mirroring the federal Medicare surtax threshold), effective July 2026. The tax revenue will fund the "Well Washington Fund," with 51% of annual revenues dedicated to supporting health care (including Medicaid), higher education, food assistance (SNAP), and energy/housing programs. The bill creates an oversight board of 25 legislative members to manage fund allocations, ensuring resources target services most impacted by federal budget cuts. This policy directly affects large operating companies with significant payroll, aiming to offset projected losses in state services from federal legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 2260 requires signature gatherers (people collecting signatures for ballot initiatives) to sign a declaration on each petition sheet confirming they verified each signer's identity, address, and that no one was paid to sign. It also mandates matching petitioners' addresses to their voter registration records to prevent fraud. These changes aim to improve signature verification accuracy by ensuring addresses on petitions match registration data, reducing errors in validating signatures. The bill aligns with requirements in other states like Idaho and California and responds to issues where unsigned declarations and missing addresses led to potential signature validation errors.

Maddy summaryHB 2259 requires initiative and referendum proponents to gather at least 1,000 valid signatures from Washington voters *before* filing a measure with the secretary of state, aiming to prevent duplicate filings and ensure minimum public support. It also bans paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures collected - a practice linked to documented fraud in past measures like 2008’s Initiative 985 and 2012’s Initiative 1185. The bill mandates these changes to protect ballot integrity, citing evidence that per-signature compensation incentivizes forged or duplicate signatures. These provisions apply directly to ballot measure sponsors, circulators, and state offices processing petitions, aligning with similar laws in Oregon and Montana.

Maddy summaryHB 2332 regulates how Washington state and local agencies use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems to protect driver privacy. It requires all agencies using ALPRs to register systems with the Attorney General, limits their use to specific purposes (like checking stolen vehicles or missing persons), and prohibits collecting data near healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. The bill mandates detailed audit trails tracking every system access and explicitly bans using ALPRs for immigration enforcement or stopping vehicles based solely on a system match. Agencies must develop policies for ALPR use and obtain independent reasonable suspicion before stopping a vehicle, ensuring privacy rights under state and federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 2103 allows Washington cities, towns, and public utilities to contract for the *potential power generation capacity* (not just actual output) of renewable or nonemitting electric projects, such as wind or solar. It removes previous restrictions limiting contracts to specific "qualified alternative energy resources" and expands eligibility to align with current clean energy standards under RCW 19.405.020. Key provisions require public entities to pay for this capacity regardless of project completion or output issues, and payments cannot be reduced based on project performance. This bill aims to accelerate clean energy investment by giving local governments greater flexibility to secure future power needs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House resolution (not a policy bill) introduced on January 19, 2026, by multiple Washington State Representatives. It formally recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, legacy of nonviolent activism, and contributions to civil rights, including his role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. The resolution expresses the House's commitment to upholding Dr. King's ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity for all. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any specific individuals or groups.