Sen. Drew MacEwen

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur to Washington state's official list of recognized religious observances. It does not create new paid holidays but ensures these specific Jewish holidays are included in the state's list of days employees may reference when requesting two unpaid religious days under existing law (RCW 1.16.050(3)). State employees and political subdivisions (including schools and public institutions) may still request these days as unpaid time off for religious observance, subject to the same employer guidelines and "undue hardship" standards as other religious holidays.

Maddy summarySB 5996 freezes commercial shellfish fees at 2025 levels through June 2027. It prohibits the state department from raising fees for six specific licenses and services: commercial shellfish harvest, shellstock shipping, shucker-packer plants, export certificates, biotoxin testing, and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) monitoring. The bill also bans any new fees for shellfish harvesters, shippers, and processing plants during this period. This directly affects commercial shellfish operators in Washington state by preventing cost increases on their required licensing and testing fees. The legislation aims to provide fee stability for the shellfish industry through 2027.

Maddy summaryWashington State Senate Bill 5527 establishes a $15,000 annual longevity bonus for Washington State Patrol troopers with 26 or more years of service, paid in four quarterly installments starting July 1, 2024. It also provides a one-time retention incentive (based on the employee's anniversary quarter) for eligible troopers already meeting the service requirement before July 1, 2024, payable by June 30, 2025. The bonus is time-limited (expiring June 30, 2029), not counted toward pension calculations, and requires quarterly reports on trooper staffing levels to the legislature. This policy directly affects senior Washington State Patrol officers meeting the service criteria, aiming to retain experienced personnel.

Maddy summarySB 5208 creates a new clean energy fund program in Washington state that provides loans to support clean energy projects. The fund offers loans for specific initiatives like acquiring electric vehicles, installing solar/wind equipment, decarbonizing facilities, and modernizing the grid, with eligibility for utilities, businesses, government agencies, and national labs in Washington. Loans must be repaid with principal and interest, which cycle back into the fund, and interest rates are capped for public entities while private loans must be at prime rate plus two percent. The program aims to advance the state’s environmental goals by financing projects that reduce emissions and foster a clean energy economy.

Maddy summarySB 5258 requires Washington's Medicaid agency and state auditor to collaborate with managed care organizations to prevent duplicate Medicaid enrollments across states, which causes unnecessary payments. Key provisions mandate that private health plans monthly identify individuals enrolled in multiple state Medicaid programs, recover premiums for those who moved out of state, and report findings annually starting in 2027. The bill also directs agencies to use national address databases to track residents who relocate out of state and requires a state auditor performance audit by 2031 to assess progress. These changes directly affect Washington's Medicaid program and the private health plans contracted with the state, aiming to reduce improper payments through systematic tracking and reporting.

Maddy summarySB 5241 adds fusion energy facilities to Washington State's list of qualifying clean energy projects eligible for site certification under chapter 80.50 RCW. This means fusion energy developers can now apply for site certification through the same process used for solar, wind, and other clean energy projects. The bill amends the definition of "alternative energy resource" in RCW 80.50.020 to explicitly include fusion energy, aligning it with existing clean energy technologies. This change directly affects fusion energy companies seeking to build facilities in Washington by allowing them to utilize the state's streamlined siting process for clean energy projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington's fishery director to report to lawmakers within five years on emerging commercial fisheries, assessing whether a separate license, fee, or harvest program is needed. It specifically mandates detailed data on selective fishing gear effectiveness, benefits to commercial fishers, and hatchery management practices. If the report recommends a new system, the state must establish it, allowing current experimental license holders to convert without increasing Puget Sound commercial license numbers. The bill directly affects commercial fishers in emerging fisheries using selective gear, focusing on structured reporting to guide future licensing decisions.

Maddy summarySB 5810 is a budget bill allocating funds for Washington State's 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operations. It provides specific appropriations for state agencies, including $61.7 million for the House of Representatives and $46.3 million for the Senate in fiscal year 2026, along with $14.1 million for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The bill includes a provision requiring the audit committee to review juvenile rehabilitation programs, focusing on staffing, safety, programming, and gender equity, with a report due by July 2026. It directly affects state government operations and agencies funded through this legislation. This is a routine appropriations bill, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 5091 prevents Washington from adopting California's motor vehicle emission standards, requiring the state to instead set rules consistent with federal clean air standards. The bill directs the Department of Ecology to establish Washington-specific emission requirements that align with federal law but exclude California's standards, which the legislature states limits economic flexibility. It affects all motor vehicles registered in Washington, including new registrations and emissions testing requirements, while maintaining exemptions for electric vehicles, low-emission hybrids, and certain older or specialty vehicles. The law repeals prior requirements to adopt California standards and mandates the Department of Ecology to develop rules for vehicle emissions without referencing California's framework.

Maddy summarySB 5371 eliminates a 24-liter limit on single transactions for wine and spirit sales by retailers holding combination spirits, beer, and wine licenses. This change directly affects stores licensed to sell spirits, wine, and beer for off-premises consumption, allowing them to sell larger volumes in one transaction without restriction. The bill amends Washington’s liquor code (RCW 66.24.035) to remove the specific volume cap previously required for such sales. Other licensing requirements, like the $316 annual fee and 10,000-square-foot store space minimum, remain unchanged. The bill simplifies transaction rules for eligible retailers without altering other operational or tax provisions.