Maddy summarySB 6005 allocates $13 million for community electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, prioritizing multifamily housing, public locations, schools, and government facilities, with $2 million reserved for federally recognized tribes. It also directs $4.9 million for tribal electric boat grants and $6.85 million to establish a sustainable aviation fuel institute in the Cascadia region. The bill requires projects to reduce emissions and mandates implementation by local governments, tribes, or utilities, with strict reporting on emissions impacts and coordination with state electrification programs. Funding must cover level-two or higher charging infrastructure, including site improvements, and cannot exceed 100% of project costs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 6225 authorizes $3.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund preservation of Washington State’s existing transportation infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Proceeds will come exclusively from state fuel excise taxes and vehicle-related fees (like license fees), which are pledged to repay the bonds. The funds will be deposited into a new "Preserve Washington Account" within the motor vehicle fund, restricted to infrastructure preservation projects that extend the life of existing assets. The bill ensures bond repayment priority over other uses of these tax revenues and amends existing laws to clarify funding mechanisms.
Maddy summarySB 5868 increases the number of superior court judges in Skagit County from four to five and in Yakima County from eight to nine. The bill amends state law (RCW 2.08.063) to reflect these additional judicial positions. This change directly affects residents and court operations in both counties by expanding judicial capacity to handle case loads. The legislation is a straightforward statutory adjustment with no additional policy mechanisms beyond the judge count revisions.
Maddy summarySB 5346 requires Washington public school districts to adopt policies restricting student mobile device use during instructional hours by the 2026-27 school year. It directs the state superintendent to report on existing policies and recommend strategies (like time limits or secure storage) by December 2025, leading to a model policy developed by school directors. School districts must align their local policies with this model and share them annually with students and families. The bill excludes school-issued devices and defines "instructional hours" per existing law, focusing on reducing distractions and supporting mental health without specifying direct device bans.
Maddy summaryThe bill's title claims to advance transportation electrification, but the provided text focuses solely on motor vehicle dealer franchise regulations, not electric vehicle access or funding. It amends RCW 46.96.010 and 46.96.185 to prohibit manufacturers from discriminating against dealers in pricing, vehicle allocation, or marketing, and restricts manufacturers from competing with dealers by owning dealerships (with limited exceptions for temporary transitions or diversity initiatives). The text contains no provisions related to electric vehicle expansion, associated funding, or transportation electrification. The title appears inconsistent with the actual legislative content provided.
Maddy summaryWashington State bill SB 6134 requires the unemployment insurance department to notify workers applying for benefits due to a strike about potential overpayment assessments if they later receive retroactive wages from their employer. The bill amends state law to mandate this notice - via online application prompts, letters, or other reasonable methods - before benefits are issued. This change applies directly to striking workers who file for unemployment benefits and may later receive back pay from their employer. The requirement expires December 31, 2035, and includes provisions to align with federal funding rules.
Maddy summarySB 6136 requires Washington's Department of Labor and Industries to publicly disclose detailed information when it limits workers' compensation insurance rate increases below actuarial recommendations. Specifically, the department must publish on its website and in proposed rate filings: (1) the risk classifications affected, (2) the rate that would have applied without the limit, and (3) how other risk classes bear the cost of the limitation. This applies directly to businesses paying workers' compensation premiums and aims to clarify how rate adjustments impact the overall program's financial transparency. The bill mandates this reporting to ensure ratepayers and lawmakers understand the true cost of rate-setting decisions.
Maddy summarySB 6170 adjusts monetary thresholds for when Washington State can use its own workers (state forces) instead of contracting highway construction work. It increases the default threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 for most highway work, and sets a $160,000 threshold for small business contracting opportunities. For ferry vessels, it raises the state forces threshold to $400,000 during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill also requires the Department of Transportation to analyze ferry maintenance procedures and develop a program to reduce vessel out-of-service time. These changes directly affect the Department of Transportation, small businesses, and minority/women contractors competing for state highway and ferry projects.
Maddy summarySB 6194 changes how Washington State pays rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations for medical assistance services. It requires payments to be based on the hospital's actual allowable costs (not fixed rates) for services provided, but only if the hospital maintains no more than 25 inpatient beds (excluding psychiatric beds). This applies to hospitals not designated as "critical access hospitals" by Medicare after January 1, 2026, while those with that designation follow existing rules. The bill specifically targets these reservation-based rural hospitals to ensure cost-based funding supports essential care like emergency and primary services.
Maddy summarySB 6039 updates how Washington State's Department of Labor & Industries communicates with contractors regarding registration suspensions. It requires the department to notify contractors within two days of a suspension using a trackable electronic or non-electronic method (like email or certified mail), and to offer contractors a choice of communication method upfront. This change applies specifically to notifications about registration suspensions due to issues like expired bonds or canceled insurance. The bill does not alter contractor registration requirements or eligibility - it only modernizes the department's notification process.