Sen. Marcus Riccelli

Maddy summarySB 6346 would impose a new tax on Washington households with annual income of $1 million or more, affecting approximately the top 0.5% of earners. Revenue generated would fund K-12 education, health care, higher education, and human services programs. The tax excludes income from selling family-owned businesses and real estate, while also including reductions to sales taxes on essentials like personal care products and business taxes through credits. This policy aims to shift tax burden toward high earners to support public services, as the bill states Washington’s current system is the second most regressive in the nation.

Maddy summarySB 6034 creates a new cabinet-level office within the governor's administration called the Office of Indian Affairs. This office directly affects federally recognized tribes in Washington, state agencies, and tribal organizations by establishing formal processes for government-to-government collaboration. Key provisions require the office to advise state agencies on tribal relations, mandate training for state leaders on tribal engagement, coordinate annual meetings with tribal nations, and develop accessible training for all state employees. The office must submit annual reports detailing its activities, funding, and progress toward strengthening state-tribal partnerships. It operates independently from state funds, allowing it to accept private gifts for tribal engagement events.

Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 6035 requires counties to hold regular meetings with tribal nations to plan voting centers and ballot drop boxes on reservations, ensuring military, overseas, disabled, and tribal voters on reservations have accessible voting options. It mandates annual meetings between the secretary of state and tribal nations to address voting barriers like registration tools and ballot delivery. The bill also establishes a secure electronic ballot return system for those specific voter groups, requiring strict cybersecurity testing and an auditable paper trail, with implementation targeted for 2031. These provisions aim to improve voting access for four distinct groups facing unique logistical challenges.

Maddy summarySB 5892 strengthens privacy protections for Washington's voter registration database by exempting specific sensitive information from public disclosure. It prohibits sharing voter contact details (phone/email on ballot envelopes), voter signatures, and technical election infrastructure details, while also protecting voted ballots and related records. The bill makes it a class C felony for election officials to knowingly misuse or disclose confidential voter data like driver's license numbers or social security numbers. Requests for database records must now be directed to the Secretary of State, not local counties, to centralize access and enhance security.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows renters and mobile home occupants in Washington to install portable cooling devices (like window units or floor models) without landlord approval, with key exceptions for safety, building codes, or existing heat pumps. Landlords cannot charge fees for installation or restrict devices, but may require proper drainage and 48-hour notice for inspections. They must disclose insurance restrictions on window units in leases and inform tenants of their rights. The law does not override existing disability accommodation requirements or landlord responsibilities for electrical issues caused by tenant devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-created network of healthcare providers for workers' compensation cases in Washington. It requires the Department of Labor to set minimum standards for providers (like malpractice insurance and no disciplinary actions) to join the network, and creates a higher-quality "second tier" for providers using occupational health best practices. Injured workers gain the right to choose their initial provider (except in emergencies), and employers cannot steer them toward specific clinics; if no network provider is within 15 miles, workers can access non-network care with guaranteed payment under the department’s fee schedule. The bill directly affects injured workers, employers (including self-insurers), and healthcare providers seeking to treat workers’ compensation cases.

Maddy summarySB 5863 requires Washington's Division of Archives to create a preservation plan for historical records and artifacts from Lakeland Village, a former state facility for residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The plan must catalog at-risk items (like medical records, letters, and photos), assess their condition, outline storage/digitization steps, and include a public access strategy, all due by September 2025. It prohibits destroying these records until 2030 and limits indirect costs for the University of Washington to 15%. The bill directly affects state agencies managing archives, social services, and historical preservation, ensuring these records are preserved and made accessible for future education and research.

Maddy summarySB 6162 expands Washington’s senior property tax relief program to help older residents and veterans with lower incomes. It directly affects seniors aged 61+ (or disabled retirees), veterans with 40%+ VA disability ratings, and surviving spouses aged 57+ who meet income thresholds. The bill provides tiered tax relief: full exemption from all property taxes for those below income threshold 3, and partial exemptions (covering up to 80% of home value) for those between thresholds 1 and 2. Key changes include simplifying eligibility rules, allowing income adjustments for events like spouse death or Social Security COLAs, and locking in lower property valuations for qualifying homeowners.

Maddy summarySB 5845 requires health insurance carriers in Washington to pay or deny complete claims from healthcare providers within 30 days of receiving them. If a claim is incomplete, carriers must send a written notice within 14 days specifying missing information or denial reasons. Carriers that miss deadlines must pay interest (1% for first 60 days, 1.5% thereafter) on unpaid claims, which cannot be applied to patient deductibles. The law applies to all health plans filed or renewed after January 1, 2027, and includes penalties for claims unresolved over 90 days. It directly affects insurance companies and healthcare providers by clarifying payment timelines and adding financial consequences for delays.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 5156 requires the Department to adopt new rules for elevator standards by March 31, 2026. These rules will allow cities and counties to permit passenger and freight elevators to meet either the most current global or North American safety standards. For smaller apartment buildings, specifically those with up to six stories and a total of 24 units, the bill allows for passenger elevators that are no larger than what accommodates a wheelchair. This aims to provide updated and potentially more flexible elevator options for certain residential buildings.