Transcript Highlights:

• Um there's an physical impact.
• </c><00:29:12.000><c> of</c> evidence to show the true impact of evidence to show the true impact of
• </c> studies that indicate positive impacts. studies that indicate positive impacts.
• </c> what's the impact on the retailer? what's the impact on the retailer?
• </c> Richards called SNAP restrictions impact Richards called SNAP restrictions impact analysis<01:34

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> law changes since 2023 that impact law changes since 2023 that impact future<00:02:18.959><c> taxes
• </c> prevalent in 21, the the economic impact prevalent in 21, the the economic impact payments<00:34
• </c> inflation, changes to consumption. inflation, changes to consumption.
• </c> regressive impact on the lower deaths. regressive impact on the lower deaths.
• </c> impacting people at the lower deaths. impacting people at the lower deaths.

Bills: HF331 , HF916

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• which will bring the California tax code into conformity with the provisions of the 2022 federal Inflation
• Two key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act provide mechanisms for eligible taxpayers to monetize
• By allowing California businesses to utilize the incentives laid out in the Inflation Reduction Act,
• We know his impact is everywhere we look, both in San Francisco and across We know his impact is everywhere
• So thank you, John, for all that you did for people in California, all the people you impacted, all of

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then returned to session with prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following news of his shooting. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules, moving several bills to the inactive file, re-referring bills to committees, and authorizing committee meetings. The chamber also observed adjournments in memory for several individuals, including Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey. On the floor file, members considered and passed a long list of Senate bills, largely on bipartisan or unanimous votes. Topics included consumer protection and transparency for self-storage contracts (SB 709), adoption jurisdiction (SB 450), privacy and name/image protections (SB 683), an audit of the February 2025 bar exam (SB 47), data broker transparency (SB 361), used-car buyer protections (SB 76), state parks land acquisition streamlining (SB 630), cemetery work group deadlines (SB 777), financial enforcement authority (SB 825), utility outage reporting and reliability planning (SB 292), vital records confidentiality (SB 313), health care coverage and hormone therapy access (SB 418), workplace outreach (SB 578), Holocaust and genocide education (SB 472), county jail treatment for misdemeanor incompetency cases (SB 820), and AI companion chatbot safeguards for minors and self-harm risks (SB 243). Most measures passed with little or no opposition, though SB 578 drew sharp debate over the workplace outreach program and its funding. The Assembly also took up concurrence items and approved numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. These included transparency in legislative nondisclosure agreements (AB 1370), affordable faculty/staff housing provisions at community colleges (AB 648), tribal youth foster care reforms (AB 1378), EV charger payment regulations (AB 1423), technical Political Reform Act changes (AB 1511), diacritical marks on vital records (AB 64), reproductive health protections with urgency (AB 260), union and collective bargaining protections (AB 288), bench trial statement-of-decision streamlining (AB 515), agricultural land stewardship (AB 524), geothermal exploratory project rules (AB 527), Medi-Cal field medicine changes (AB 543), tobacco-related provisions (AB 573), social media platform rules (AB 656), state parks transaction reporting (AB 679), professional licensing changes (AB 742), and child care staffing and assistant teacher pathways with urgency (AB 753). Votes were generally strong, with several measures passing unanimously or near-unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act provide mechanisms for eligible taxpayers to monetize
• By allowing California businesses to utilize the incentives laid out in the Inflation Reduction Act,
• We know his impact is everywhere we look, both in San Francisco and across...
• We know his impact is everywhere we look, both in San Francisco and across our state, in the many foster
• So thank you, John, for all that you did for people in California, all the people you impacted, all of

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and began with prayer and a moment of silence in response to the shooting of Charlie Kirk, with members and the presiding officer condemning political violence and urging decorum. The body then recessed briefly for caucuses and later resumed floor business, including a series of procedural motions to move bills to the inactive file, suspend rules, and allow committees to meet on specified measures. No substantive committee votes were taken in the opening portion beyond those procedural suspensions and referrals. The main floor action was on Senate third-reading bills and later concurrence items. Members approved a wide range of measures covering consumer protection and privacy (SB 709 on self-storage contracts, SB 683 on unauthorized use of name/image/likeness, SB 361 on data brokers), family and health issues (SB 450 on adoptions, SB 418 on health care coverage and hormone therapy, SB 313 on birth certificate confidentiality), public safety and government operations (SB 47 on the State Bar exam audit, SB 509 on transnational repression, AB 1370 on legislative NDAs), energy and environment (SB 630 on state parks acquisitions, SB 500 on Energy Star alternatives, AB 527 on geothermal projects), labor and education (SB 578 on the Workplace Outreach Program, AB 563 on child care planning, SB 472 on Holocaust and genocide education), and transportation, taxation, and elections-related bills. Several measures were passed unanimously or with broad bipartisan support, while others drew some opposition, including SB 630, SB 825, SB 418, and SB 578. The Assembly also took up multiple concurrence items from the Senate, including AB 64 on diacritical marks in vital records, AB 260 on reproductive health care, AB 288 on collective bargaining rights, AB 515 on civil procedure, AB 524 on agricultural land, AB 543 on Medi-Cal and field medicine, and AB 1370 on transparency and NDAs. Most of these were concurred in by comfortable margins. The chamber also adopted several rule waivers and committee meeting notices, and moved some items to the inactive file at the request of authors. Toward the end of the session, the Assembly paused for adjournment-in-memory tributes honoring Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey, with members highlighting their public service, community advocacy, and lasting impact. After the memorials, the House recessed and later returned to continue concurrence votes on additional bills, including SB 472, SB 820, SB 243, and a series of Assembly bills, with recorded roll-call votes generally showing passage and concurrence in Senate amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in terms of cottage food exemption from licensure, it does not impact that exemption at all.
• That still exists and it would not be impacted.
• And also I should add there is also an inflation adjuster that will go into the maximum amount that a
• There is also an inflation adjuster that will go into the maximum amount that a cottage producer can
• Yes, there will be an increase for inflation every two years based on the CPI for July 2025, right?

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• With inflation and other contexts, prices can go up.
• talking about $127 million in revenue, which is quite robust, so I'm just curious how this would impact
• Inflation is still a factor, as you've mentioned, even though it's down from where it was.
• :45.079><c> a</c><00:37:45.280><c> factor</c><00:37:45.680><c> as</c><00:37:45.960><c> as</c> um inflation
• is still uh a factor as as um inflation is still uh a factor as as you've<00:37:46.440><c> mentioned

Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we’re talking about premium impact that I’m not sure what it is.
• The inflation adjustment. So apparently that's not workable, so we're going to take that out.
• So we won't have inflation adjusted for that 3,000. It'll just be 3,000.
• </c><00:33:49.960><c> adjustment</c> changes, uh the the inflation adjustment changes, uh the the inflation
• No, one C is the dollar amount; it will not go up with inflation. Page three line... Page three.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• value inflation and residential value increases<00:13:37.040><c> that</c><00:13:37.279><c> have</c><
• And when you don't have these aids that are not pegged to inflation and that are like a static amount
• In a county with limited tax base, even small spending shifts have a significant impact on us.
• </c> shifts have a significant impact on us. shifts have a significant impact on us.
• on what is being passed in your committees, what is the potential workforce impacts?

Bills: HF3396

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• expenditures that total more than $5,500 in the aggregate, subject to adjustment by the PDC for inflation
• And for sure in Stevens County, fiscal impacts are at the very forefront of our mind at present.”
• “There’s a lot of really heavy hitters, a lot of things that are of high impact to a large volume of
• I mean, is there such an incredible volume of people that are impacted?”
• impact studies, both of which do require tribal consultation.

Bills: HB2210 , HB2123 , HB2206 , HB2281 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: local representation, fair elections, government accountability, voter rights, transparency, foreign nationals, elections, Washington state, voter participation, government oversight, voting rights, uniform standards, overseas voting, civilian voting, state legislation, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also know that that impacts the workforce.
• Many of my constituents were impacted by that change.
• The impact of this modernization is measurable.
• These are real jobs with real economic impact.
• These are real jobs with real economic impact.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And we know that, at least it seems empirically obvious, that the inflation rate on properties around
• We know that, at least it seems empirically obvious, that the inflation rate on properties around the
• lake is much higher than that impact, so I'm sure the $5 charge is worth a lot less when we're trying
• We know that, at least it seems empirically obvious, that the inflation rate on properties around the
• The inflation rate on properties around the lake is much higher than that impact, so I'm sure the $5

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• properties resulting in unfairly high tax burdens. code to require appraisers to factor in the real-world impact
• Those people make between $18 to $22 an hour. time you take their taxes out and with inflation, they
• everyday homeowner owner is outnumbered or at a disadvantage when advocating for lower taxes due to. to inflated
• To really assess the impact of that, to know if we should, in the very next session, expand that from
• But when accounting for or inflation-driven increases in our operating expenses, our net incomes have

Bills: HB1952 , HB3258 , HB3524 , HB3851 , HB4478 , HB4613 , HB4703 , HB4742 , HB4744 , HB4809 , HB4864

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:51.760><c> prek</c> communities this work has impacted prek communities this work has impacted
• </c><00:48:28.559><c> 2025</c><00:48:29.319><c> and</c><00:48:29.480><c> the</c> familiar with impact
• 2025 and the familiar with impact 2025 and the current<00:48:29.880><c> strategic</c><00:48:30.359><
• We've seen higher education costs explode at much higher rates than inflation, and so I think a deep
• spaces really to be and social impact spaces really to be able<00:57:48.640><c> to</c><00:57:48.839>

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, first up is, in tab three, the impacts of growth on agriculture and infrastructure, and I see that
• The impacts of growth on agriculture and infrastructure.
• We wanted to see what the Department of Health and Welfare is doing to catch errors in those inflated
• We wanted to see what the Department of Health and Welfare is doing to catch errors in those inflated
• Factors driving growth in prison population and the impacts of growth on agriculture and infrastructure

Summary: The committee approved minutes from September 25 and December 2, 2025, then heard seven topic requests for possible Office of Performance Evaluations studies. Topics included the impacts of growth on agriculture and infrastructure, Medicaid hospital billing, Your Health Idaho plan selection, fund balance management for boards and commissions under DOPL, the Board of Community Guardians, sexual assault in women’s prisons, and drivers of prison population growth. Requesters emphasized issues such as conversion of farmland to development, possible Medicaid billing upcoding, uninsured Idahoans’ costs, uneven board fund balances after consolidation, gaps in guardianship services, prison safety and oversight, and factors driving incarceration growth. OPE staff said all were feasible, with some smaller, medium, or larger in scope depending on the topic. After a secret ballot, the committee selected four studies for OPE: the Board of Community Guardians, drivers of prison population growth, impacts of growth on agriculture and infrastructure, and oversight of sexual assault in women’s correctional facilities. Members noted the remaining topics received fewer votes, but the director said the office could potentially take on additional work later if capacity allowed. The committee also agreed to follow up on the Idaho Home Learning Academy report and the 2023 direct care workforce report, with follow-up timing suggested for December and June, respectively. The committee then received a follow-up report on Idaho’s 911 system. OPE said the system faces four major pressures: insufficient funding, staffing shortages, too many centers relative to call demand, and weak statewide data and oversight. The report recommended evolving the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission into a statewide program with authority to oversee the system, collect standardized financial data, set performance standards, and clarify cost responsibilities. The committee heard responses from the IPSCC chairman, the Military Division, and others, who generally agreed with the need for better data and coordination but stressed local control, outdated radio infrastructure, and the lack of a clear funding estimate. The committee discussed whether to pursue a follow-up focused on funding gaps and system costs, and OPE said it could do additional background work with the commission and Military Division to see what data are available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statewide, we are nearly 18,000 businesses that drive significant economic and social impacts.
• This action on this bill will have impact in every Washington district.
• And it can actually have real health impacts and social impacts that were not intended.
• She explained that when costs change due to inflation, tariffs, or new taxes, grocers must update prices
• When costs change due to inflation tariffs or new taxes, grocers must update prices quickly so that the

Bills: SB6149 , SB6175 , SB6230 , SB6248 , SB6312 , SB6061 , SB6137

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: rural county, frontier county, public facilities funding, economic development, local option sales tax, sales and use tax, workforce housing, affordable housing, county tax authority, RCW, Washington state, community economic revitalization board, CED, infrastructure funding, public works, job creation, job retention, job expansion, county planning, state auditor reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is a big impact that goes back into the state in the form of PERA benefits.
• – so explain that to me exactly why – what you did, and then why it's coming back, and how – what impact
• And so the end of that impacts us, which is in a good way, because we were able to decrease the premium
• It can be impactful.
• We know the impact that these could have as far as having that compounded amount.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Then a question to our forest friends: How do DSFs impact old-growth forests?
• The health impacts of air pollution are contributing to the affordability crisis facing Californians.
• Diesel emissions and their health impacts are not evenly distributed around the state.
• industry and the way that it's impacting frontline communities.
• That it's impacting industry and the way that it's impacting frontline communities.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1938, which would create a voluntary process for local governments to designate California surf reserves through the Ocean Protection Council. The author and supporters, including Save the Waves Coalition, the League of California Cities, and the California State Association of Counties, argued the bill would recognize surf breaks as important natural and economic assets. The bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote, with the measure left on call. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included AB 1699, AB 1780, AB 1891, AB 1893, and AB 2566. The committee then took up AB 2051, which would convene a coastal resilience permitting working group to develop a roadmap for streamlining permits for coastal resilience projects. The author and supporters from the Bay Area Council, Port of San Francisco, and others said the bill would reduce duplicative permitting delays while preserving environmental protections. One member raised concerns about giving too much authority to the Coastal Commission, but the bill still received a due pass recommendation to Water, Parks and Wildlife and passed on a roll call vote. AB 2494, dealing with the management of demonstration state forests, drew substantial debate. The author said the bill would update outdated 1947-era management goals to emphasize biodiversity, carbon sequestration, wildfire resilience, recreation, research, and tribal co-governance, with strong support from Mendocino County, tribal representatives, and environmental groups. Opponents from the Farm Bureau, California Forestry Association, and others argued it would shift the forests away from sustainable timber production, create funding instability, and invite litigation. After extensive questioning about forest science, old growth, funding, and tribal co-management, the bill received a due pass recommendation to Appropriations and passed on a roll call vote. The committee also approved AB 2483, which would create a permanent certification pathway for formerly incarcerated firefighters who served on Cal Fire hand crews. Supporters said the bill would recognize their training and improve job prospects after release, and it passed unanimously to Public Safety. Finally, AB 1777, the California Clean Skies Act, was heard; it would affirm CARB’s authority to adopt indirect source rules to address pollution from vehicle-heavy facilities such as warehouses and ports. Environmental, health, and labor supporters backed the bill as a tool to protect public health, while trucking, business, port, and industry groups opposed it as costly and overly broad. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with members debating whether it clarified existing authority or created new regulatory power.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then a question to our forest friends: How do DSFs impact old-growth forests?
• The health impacts of air pollution are contributing to the affordability crisis facing Californians.
• Diesel emissions and their health impacts are not evenly distributed around the state.
• industry and the way that it's impacting frontline communities.
• That it's impacting industry and the way that it's impacting frontline communities, it takes a long time

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• expenditures that total more than $5,500 in the aggregate, subject to adjustment by the PDC for inflation
• And for sure in Stevens County, fiscal impacts are at the very forefront of our mind at present.
• I mean, is there such an incredible volume of people that are impacted?
• We actually have to take volume of people that are impacted.
• impact studies, both of which do require tribal consultation.

Summary: The committee opened with member introductions and then heard House Bill 2123, which would change Washington’s foreign-national certification requirements for election contributions and political advertising. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would only require certifications for campaigns or sponsors exceeding a $5,500 threshold, with an amendment raising that threshold to $6,000, which would largely limit the requirement to ballot measure activity. Prime sponsor Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon said the current paperwork burden makes campaigns harder without solving a real problem, and that his proposal would preserve protections where federal law does not already cover ballot measures. Testifiers supporting the bill, including campaign treasurers, said the certification requirement is burdensome and ineffective; one witness raised concern that a related repeal provision might unintentionally allow foreign participation in state elections, and staff/leadership indicated follow-up would occur. The hearing on HB 2123 was then suspended and later reopened with additional supportive testimony from campaign professionals and others before the committee moved on to other bills. The committee then took up House Bill 2210 on ranked-choice voting for local elections. Staff said the bill would replace the current top-two primary structure with a top-five process for jurisdictions using ranked-choice voting, allow counties and other local governments to adopt the system through 2032, and set ballot, tabulation, rulemaking, and public education requirements; Seattle would be exempt because it is already moving toward ranked-choice voting. Rep. Gregerson, the sponsor, framed the bill as a temporary tool to protect free and fair elections amid federal uncertainty and potential Voting Rights Act changes. Supporters from Fair Vote Washington, the Washington Bus, Sightline Institute, and others argued ranked-choice voting can improve representation, reduce vote splitting, and help young, military, overseas, and underrepresented voters. Opponents, including Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, county auditors, and several citizens, said the system is confusing, costly, harder to audit, and may increase ballot rejection or lower participation, especially among communities of color and voters with limited English proficiency. The committee heard extensive debate but took no final action during the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2411, which expands the state shared leave program to cover employees who are victims of hate crimes or whose absences stem from immigration enforcement actions affecting themselves or family members. Rep. Osman Salahuddin said the bill responds to real cases where state workers faced detention or family separation and could not use shared leave under current law. OFM, the Office of Equity, and the Washington Federation of State Employees supported the bill, describing it as a humane, low-cost way to help employees remain employed during traumatic disruptions. A Republican member asked whether the change would apply to people not legally present or working under a visa; witnesses said they believed it would not, or would be extremely unlikely, and would follow state hiring documentation requirements. The hearing then closed on HB 2411. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2281 on government-to-government consultation with tribes regarding state actions affecting tribal traditional cultural places. Staff said the bill would require mutually agreed consultation processes, timely notice, meaningful consultation before action, and a heightened legal standard requiring the state to show a compelling interest and least restrictive means if it would burden tribal cultural practices; tribes could sue in superior court. Rep. Chris Stearns said the bill is intended to protect Native identity, sacred sites, and religious practices from further loss, while tribal leaders and faith advocates strongly supported it as enforceable protection for sacred places and sovereignty. Some business and industry groups said they supported the goal but worried the bill’s broad definitions and cause of action could create permitting uncertainty, project delays, and significant costs, especially for clean energy and industrial projects. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2206, which would adopt the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; supporters said it would streamline absentee voting for overseas and military voters, while opponents argued it could allow never-residents or duplicate registrations and raised constitutional concerns. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So by suspending it, what will be the impact?
• It will have major impacts upon rates and upon funding.
• It will have major impacts upon rates and upon funding.
• So we do have that impact. We can understand some of those impacts on our priorities.
• So we do have that impact. We can understand some of those impact our priorities.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy executive committee met to approve the November minutes, which were adopted by voice vote. The committee then received an update from the Attorney General’s Office on two ongoing cases, Fowler and Joel Lynn, with briefing and oral argument timelines still pending. Michael Harbour of the Office of the State Actuary provided an actuarial update focused on ESSB 5357, explaining that the bill raised the assumed investment return from 7% to 7.25%, suspended UAL contribution rates for four years, and changed amortization for past benefit improvements; members asked for clarification on how those changes would affect long-term funding and contribution rates, especially for Plan 1 systems. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to committee discussion of interim priorities and the need for more analysis of recent pension legislation. Members emphasized the importance of understanding the fiscal impacts of ESSB 5357 and related pension changes before the September economic experience study, and several asked staff to provide a more preliminary walkthrough of the bill’s effects. The committee also discussed the LEOFF 1 study and broader questions about overfunding, including when a plan should be considered overfunded and whether overfunding should be addressed through merger or closure proposals. One member suggested reviewing the operating budget’s excess compensation proviso during the interim as well. Staff reviewed the draft 2025 interim work plan, proposing June topics including election of officers, a presentation on SB 5357 and its actuarial implications, and an initial LEOFF 1 study kickoff based on SB 5085 and HB 2034. The committee also placed excess compensation and demographic experience study items in a parking lot for possible later scheduling. The June agenda was adopted by roll call vote, with three ayes and three members absent or excused, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.