Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the Office of the State Engineer is enforcing the water code using penalties.
• The Office of the State Engineer is enforcing the water code using penalties written in 1907, almost
• you so much for coffee hold on the opposite of the state engineer is using is enforcing the water code
• They went back, they checked through, you know, real estate transactions.
• “You know, real estate transactions about water can be very sketchy, let me just say.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commercial real estate market remains, I don't know... ...the state, particularly market-rate and
• The commercial real estate market remains devastated by the effects of COVID and work-from-home policies
• impact assessment that we have done, by leaving, you know, in the report, show 15 indicators in zip codes
• like ours that show the differences in our zip code for the quality of life that we have compared to
• And from their perspective, it's cancellation by zip code or neighborhood, and so that's a huge issue

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually spent my morning this morning up at a Real Estate Journal event trying to attract builders
• at<00:29:24.799> uh<00:29:25.000> a<00:29:25.159> real<00:29:25.399> estate
• <00:29:25.640> Journal<00:29:26.039> event up at uh a real estate Journal event up
• now are going through the process of updating their comprehensive plans and updating their zoning codes
• Zoning codes, you know, fairly regularly.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That code works and we have the data and the research to show that.
• The challenge though is that 90% of homes in wildfire prone areas were built before this code.
• I still don't see a real estate agent marketing home hardening or marketing defensible space actions.
• We just re-established our what we call California Wildland Urban Interface code committee.
• to make sure that our building code remains very viable.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way the law works now is if the pastor lives in the parsonage, then there's no real estate tax on
• So, but the U.S. tax code does say just ministers. Okay. Yeah.
• The US tax code says that it opinion.
• So but the US tax code does might be.
• So but the US tax code does say<00:22:27.600> just<00:22:28.000> ministers.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in work session and focused only on SB 291; SB 249 and SB 83 were postponed for at least two weeks, and the chair said there would be no meeting next week. The chair also announced a deadline of the 22nd for clearing out drawers and lockers, and reminded members about a field trip to Nashua the next day and mileage paperwork for attendees. For SB 291, the chair distributed Amendment 2025-1925H, explaining that it was intended to simplify the bill and address concerns about church parsonages by allowing a church to rent out a parsonage and apply the net income to a pastor’s housing allowance. Members discussed whether the language could unintentionally exclude non-Christian denominations, whether the bill was too narrow, and what guardrails would prevent abuse. Several members said the amendment was clearer and supported it, while one member preferred retaining the bill for more study. The discussion also touched on how “church” and “parsonage” are defined under existing law and IRS rules, with the chair and others saying the language was broad enough and that no testimony from other religious groups had raised concerns. After the discussion, the chair took a straw poll showing support for the amendment and then closed the work session. In executive session, a motion was made and seconded to ought to pass SB 291.

Transcript Highlights:

• States Code Section 1357G, States Code Section 1357G, or<00:10:19.680> any<00:10:19.839> other
• to the residential landlord tenant code. to the residential landlord tenant code.
• residential landlord tenant code residential landlord tenant code maintained<02:10:35.119> by
• <02:24:06.399> section to title 8, United States code section to title 8, United States code
• United States code section 11101 A15U. United States code section 11101 A15U.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1768, which would prohibit state and county law enforcement agencies and officials from entering into federal immigration-enforcement agreements under 8 U.S.C. 1357(g) and from assisting in certain immigration enforcement actions except in limited circumstances. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi all testified in strong support, arguing the bill would protect due process, reduce fear in immigrant communities, preserve trust in local police, and keep local resources focused on public safety. Testifiers said cooperation with immigration enforcement can chill court attendance, crime reporting, and cooperation with police, and they emphasized that the bill would not stop federal enforcement or affect other deputization agreements for environmental or other criminal matters. Committee members asked whether any 287(g) agreements currently exist in Hawaiʻi; testifiers said they were unaware of any and believed the bill would maintain the status quo. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 1548, which would reduce the maximum sentence for misdemeanors from one year to 364 days and allow people previously sentenced to one year to seek sentence modification. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, and the William S. Richardson School of Law immigration clinic all supported the measure, saying the one-day change could prevent severe immigration consequences such as detention, removal, and bars to relief that can be triggered by a sentence of 365 days or more. Testifiers stressed that the bill would not change criminal liability or public safety, but would align Hawaiʻi law with similar reforms adopted in other states. Members questioned whether the change would affect citizens or create an automatic immigration process; witnesses responded that the issue is the federal immigration consequence tied to the maximum sentence, not actual time served, and that citizens would not face that consequence. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HB 1548, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• following changes to update provisions related to the homeowner's insurance in the Oklahoma Insurance Code
• It's House Bill 2956 with the Real Estate Appraisers Board.

Bills: HB2929, HB2956, HB2955, HB3128, HB3880, HB4294, HB2970, HB3338, HB3443, HB3783, HB3800, HB3818

Keywords: homeowner insurance, insurance premium, claim history, insurance regulation, at-fault claims, flood insurance, state law, consumer protection, appraisal management, Real Estate Appraiser Board, appraiser registration, background checks, ownership requirements, captive insurance, protected cell, sponsored captive, captive insurer, insurance commissioner, premium tax, dormant captive

Transcript Highlights:

• , and someone will have to have that code in order to file.
• It's been codified in the Bankruptcy Code and in the Securities Investor Protection Act beginning in
• It's been codified in the Bankruptcy Code and in the Securities Investor Protection Act beginning in
• See, in one case, Chairman wants to give 200% for the same codes. It's costing 4.3 million extra.
• billing code, for the same services.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up several bills and repeatedly chose to retain or table them rather than advance them. House 167, dealing with past wax, was voted ought to pass; House 312 was retained because members said NCAA-related advertising and uniform policy issues were still unresolved; House 434, requiring insurers to provide rental cars for at least seven days, was voted inexpedient to legislate; and House 454, on biodegradable packaging claims, was also voted inexpedient to legislate after members said the proposal lacked a workable enforcement mechanism and would likely be only a symbolic state-by-state measure. House 721, making gold legal tender, was retained, with members saying the bill needed more work and that the issue was less compelling in New Hampshire because the state has no sales tax. The committee then discussed House 310, which was amended to create a study commission on blockchain and related regulatory issues. The amendment expanded the commission’s charge to include legal, regulatory, financial, technological, and environmental considerations, added review of federal developments, included blockchain-based trust and stable token issues, broadened membership, and extended the repeal and report dates by a year. Members said the commission would help New Hampshire develop expertise and a report for future legislation, while also noting that federal action could affect the state’s role. The amendment was adopted 8-1, and the bill itself was then retained. Finally, the subcommittee heard a revised amendment to House 406 on business filings and registered agents. The Secretary of State’s office explained that the amendment, drafted with input from the Business and Industry Association, narrows the bill to address fraudulent or unauthorized entity filings after a written complaint and sworn statement, sets minimum requirements for registered agents, bars use of commercial mail-drop addresses as registered offices, and allows removal or cancellation of fraudulent filings with penalties for false filings. Members asked about which entities must maintain registered offices and how the rules would affect home-based businesses; the sponsor said most New Hampshire business entities must have a registered office, with some exceptions such as domestic nonprofits and trade names. The discussion emphasized concerns about synthetic entities, identity misuse, and the need for a physical in-state registered agent address.

Transcript Highlights:

• automatic approval of building permits after 60 days for permits that may not meet State Building Code
• that may not meet State Building Code that may not meet State Building Code requirements<00:14:31.600
• We've made changes to our zoning code and went to a unified development code to increase flexibility.
• We've made changes to our zoning code and went to a unified development code to increase flexibility.
• We've made changes to our zoning code and went to a unified development code to increase flexibility.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:44.000> enforcement with our town's code enforcement with our town's code enforcement
• > enforcement<00:53:19.119> shut heard that the code enforcement shut heard that the code
• Um and um they estate appraisal board.
• <04:05:45.359> appraisers that apprentice real estate appraisers that apprentice real estate
• So it's a check on real estate So it's a check on real estate appraisers<04:06:06.720> and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:03:48.559> or a platform to carry the data, code, or a platform to carry the data, code
• Um, the the... real estate licenses and sellers of real real estate licenses and sellers of real property
• you, realtors, real estate licensees—you know, they want to do what's right.
• you, realtors, real estate licensees—you know, they want to do what's right.
• you, realtors, real estate licensees—you know, they want to do what's right.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every, um, jurisdiction has a different zoning code, first of all, and they're not all the same, so it's
• thank you for that, and I do, I think a lot of it is statutory, um, whether it's, I guess, building codeed
• We, not a lot of people know this, but we are real estate developers, so we also build housing in Santa
• I do manage our real estate development team, so a lot of what we've talked about today is very, um.
• So we are really um working hard in our real estate development department which as, as my colleague

Transcript Highlights:

• The fund was created in North Dakota Century Code 4.1-01-21.1.
• And I'm disappointed in sending starved estates. So I supported them all my life.
• It doesn't take changes in code. It doesn't take changes in policy.
• It's color-coded: 1,460, we've not attained; 1,450 right now, we're a foot lower than that.
• 61-28-04 and the North Dakota Administrative Code 33.1-16-02.1.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• estate entities. estate entities.
• to inflate reimbursements, also codes to inflate reimbursements, also known<01:29:13.199> as<
• You can code a non-face-to-face encounter as part of a diagnostic assessment 3 days prior, 7 days after
• If the total interaction is over 99 minutes, you can code 6212 for extra time.
• most important for diagnostic codes most important for billing<01:31:30.719> purposes.

Bills: HF3668, HF2779, HF2771

Keywords: gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration

Summary: The House Finance and Policy Committee met on March 2 with a quorum present and heard House File 3668, which would create a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The bill author argued the office would treat gun violence as a public health crisis, improve research and coordination, and help reduce deaths and trauma, especially among children. Several supporters testified, including representatives from the Minnesota Medical Association, Protect Minnesota, family medicine, public health, and obstetrics/gynecology, all emphasizing firearm injury and suicide as major public health problems and urging a coordinated, data-driven response. Multiple testifiers shared personal accounts of shootings and their effects on children and families, including the Annunciation shooting, and said the office could help align prevention efforts across health care, law enforcement, and community organizations. Opposition came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which argued the bill would create a permanent taxpayer-funded bureaucracy that could be used to shape firearm policy and restrict a constitutional right. The group said Minnesota should focus instead on enforcing existing laws, prosecuting violent offenders, and providing direct victim services. During committee discussion, Vice Chair Nadeau offered an A2 amendment to move the proposed office from the Department of Health to the Department of Public Safety, citing data-sharing, accountability, and examples from other cities and states; after discussion with the bill author, he withdrew the amendment. Chair Becker then noted existing state and local spending on violence prevention and public safety programs and raised concerns about duplication of effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not a lawyer, but I think disclosure is the key to all real estate and condominiums, and I support
• <00:20:31.120> and<00:20:31.480> Condominiums key to all real estate and Condominiums
• key to all real estate and Condominiums and<00:20:32.640> I<00:20:32.840> support<00:20
• And then is the owner of the property required to comply with the landlord-tenant code?
• I am a broker and also a conductor of continuing education for real estate agents.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees. The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns. HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A12. of uh other local bills. Madam Speaker, of uh other local bills.
• I'm going to miss you both in real estate and now the alcohol world, I guess.
• I I'm going to miss you both in<00:24:24.960> real<00:24:25.120> estate<00:24:25.440>
• > and<00:24:25.679> now<00:24:25.919> the<00:24:26.080> alcohol in real estate
• and now the alcohol in real estate and now the alcohol world,<00:24:26.880> I<00:24:27.039>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The body then moved through routine business including committee reports, second readings, first readings of a large batch of House files, and receipt of Senate File 3958 for comparison with a House companion. Several noncontroversial motions were adopted without objection, including referral and re-referral motions later in the day. The chamber then took up a series of bills, many of them veterans, commerce, mortgage, liquor, elections, and financial institutions measures. House File 3544, a veterans housekeeping bill updating state law to conform with federal standards and clarifying benefit forfeiture language, passed 133-0. House File 3467, authorizing MDVA to use nonmonetary support to collaborate on veteran services such as food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention, also passed 133-0. House File 3437, clarifying that certain mortgage lending protections apply to consumer home loans rather than commercial loans, passed 133-0. House File 3479, clarifying homeowners’ rights to postpone foreclosure sales in several edge cases, passed 128-5. The annual liquor bill, Senate File 2511, drew the most discussion. Members described provisions addressing the so-called “Granny Happy Hour” in senior facilities, University of Minnesota liquor-related flexibility, and other local liquor-law changes. An author’s amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 129-1. House File 4118, allowing state-chartered credit unions to use private deposit share insurance subject to state oversight, passed 131-2. House File 4241, a local government/elections omnibus addressing disclosure rules, Hennepin County medical examiner appointment procedures, and Rochester School Board election structure, passed 124-9. House File 3699, changing a license plate contest to feature the Lake Superior agate and requiring a Minnesota artist, passed 110-22. Later, the House adopted motions to send House File 4668, an Explore Minnesota film tax credit bill, and House File 4319, a Lake City port authority bill affecting local taxing authority, to the Taxes Committee. The chamber also approved a motion to recall House File 1234, the payment transparency bill, from Ways and Means and place it on the General Register after a zero-cost fiscal note was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• For work, by trade, I am in real estate. I've been in real estate since I was in college.
• In real estate investments, I own a portfolio of self-storage facilities.
• I've got some other residential rentals that we manage as well, but real estate is my trade.
• like to see it as professionals, is that once it's introduced, we don't want the rest of the criminal code

Transcript Highlights:

• These amounts originate as cash funds from the Division of Real Estate cash fund created in section 12
• .<03:35:40.720> These<03:35:41.040> amounts estate.
• These amounts estate.
• real estate cash fund created<03:35:46.800> in<03:35:46.960> section<03:35:47.200>
• proceeds pursuant to section estate proceeds pursuant to section 28-3-1061 28-3-1061 28-3-1061 SI<04

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior journal, and heard several brief recognitions before moving to business. Members welcomed foster care advocates for Child Abuse Prevention Month, Girl Scouts visiting the Capitol, and participants in Black Maternal Health Week, with remarks emphasizing foster youth voice, leadership development, and the need for culturally competent maternal health care and doula/midwife support. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1026, honoring former Governor Roy Romer and designating a portion of I-25 as the Governor Roy Romer Memorial Highway. Supporters highlighted Romer’s long public service, his work on education and infrastructure, and his role in major state projects. A proposed amendment to strike the word “memorial” was withdrawn, the House suspended the rules to allow Romer to speak from the well, and Romer offered remarks about legislative collegiality and the importance of democracy and listening to opposing views. House Joint Resolution 1026 was adopted on a 60-0 vote, with four excused and one absent. After a brief recess, the House returned to special orders and resumed reading House Bill 1410 at length, continuing through extensive appropriations language for the Department of Human Services, including child welfare, youth services, Medicaid-related transfers, SNAP and benefits administration, and other funding line items. No final action on House Bill 1410 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• : So, Mike, in your initial testimony, you alluded to the willingness of people to invest in real estate
• Landlords are basically in the business of investing in real estate and renting properties because they
• So, in reading this and thinking about it as a real estate agent and as a property owner, I recognize
• So, in reading this and thinking about it as a real estate agent and as a property owner, I recognize
• The real estate company don't do anything.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the type of information that in a real estate deal is generally withheld and not provided across
• in and make offers because, again, this is just kind of a very different way of approaching a real estate
• That's the type of information that in a real estate deal is generally withheld and not provided across
• in and make offers because, again, this is just kind of a very different way of approaching a real estate
• in and make offers because, again, this is just kind of a very different way of approaching a real estate

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and made several announcements, including recognition of Liberty Common High School seniors and Canyon Creek Elementary students visiting the Capitol. Committee meeting notices were also given for Judiciary and Transportation, Housing, and Local Government. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1027, a Holocaust remembrance resolution sponsored by Representatives Weinberg and Woodrow and Senators Weissman and Ball. The resolution emphasized the history of the Holocaust, the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Colorado and nationally, the importance of Holocaust and genocide education, and the need to combat bias and hate. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections from Representatives Woodrow, Weinberg, Goldstein, and others about family history, survivor testimony, and the importance of remembrance and prevention. The House adopted HJR 1027 by vote, and Representatives Rutnell and Lindsay were added as co-sponsors. The chamber then set a slate of bills as special orders for April 14, 2026. In committee-of-the-whole action, House Bill 1288 on jury selection was amended and passed; the amended bill creates a jury selection working group to study voir dire, juror questionnaires, and related issues, with a public report and Supreme Court review of any proposed rule changes. House Bill 1224 on financial protections for mobile home park residents was also taken up, with committee reports adopted and discussion focused on transparency in park sales, resident purchase opportunities, disclosures, and due diligence protections. Representative Richardson offered amendment L006 to adjust how a state registration fee is allocated, describing it as a flexibility and transparency measure, while the sponsor responded that the bill was keeping the fee structure stable and that the existing split had been negotiated with stakeholders.