Sen. Vandana Slatter

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 6246 provides free carbon pollution allowances to specific high-emission manufacturing facilities in Washington state that face global competition, directly affecting industries like steelmaking (NAICS 331), paper mills (322), petroleum refining (324110), and cement production. The bill requires the state department to establish objective criteria by 2022 to identify these "emissions-intensive, trade-exposed" facilities, which qualify for no-cost allowances based on historical production data. Facilities can choose between two calculation methods: (1) carbon intensity (emissions per unit of production) or (2) a fixed mass-based baseline, with allowance percentages gradually decreasing from 100% (2023-2026) to 94% (2031-2034) over time. This policy aims to balance climate goals with economic competitiveness for covered industries under Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.

Maddy summarySB 6002 limits how Washington state and local agencies can use automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, which track vehicle movements. It requires agencies to register ALPR systems with the attorney general and maintain detailed records of all system access (like who used it and why), while prohibiting use for immigration enforcement, in healthcare facilities, schools, or places of worship. Agencies may only use ALPRs for specific purposes, such as checking against stolen vehicle lists, missing persons databases, or parking enforcement. The law aims to balance public safety with privacy by restricting data collection and ensuring transparency in how license plate data is accessed and stored.

Maddy summarySB 5981 prevents drug manufacturers from restricting how Washington's safety net providers (like community health centers, hospitals serving low-income patients, and HIV clinics) use contract pharmacies to dispense discounted 340B medications. It prohibits manufacturers from denying access to these drugs, blocking contract pharmacy arrangements, or demanding extra data as a condition for supply. The bill allows covered entities to sue for violations, with penalties up to $5,000 per drug package, and requires annual reporting of 340B program activity. This directly protects vulnerable patients' access to affordable medications while safeguarding funding that safety net providers rely on for community services like screenings and financial assistance.

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 restores Washington's pre-2025 estate tax rates by amending the tax calculation tables in law. It directly affects estates of decedents dying in Washington with taxable assets exceeding $1 million, reversing recent increases implemented in 2025. The key provision replaces current tax brackets with historical rates, such as lowering the tax rate for estates between $2 million and $3 million from 17% to 15% for deaths after July 2026. The change ensures the state's estate tax aligns with rates in effect before July 1, 2025, without altering federal tax relationships.

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 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.