Transcript Highlights:

• Um, first one is what happened to the geologic hazards evaluation, which is zeroed out.
• </c> geologic hazards geologic hazards evaluation<01:03:52.960><c> which</c><01:03:53.200><c> is</c><
• Um, for some of these it's specific positions that we're moving on, like the hazardous waste and oil
• </c><01:13:13.760><c> We're</c> hazardous waste and uh oil fund.
• We're hazardous waste and uh oil fund.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Department of Health's website indicating that avian influenza, or bird flu, is an occupational hazard
• 00:05:04.840><c> is</c><00:05:04.919><c> an</c><00:05:05.120><c> occupational</c><00:05:05.800><c> hazard
• </c><00:05:06.240><c> that</c> bird flu is an occupational hazard that bird flu is an occupational hazard
• 47.520><c> under</c><00:35:47.839><c> this</c><00:35:48.000><c> bill</c><00:35:48.560><c> they</c> hazards
• and yet under this bill they hazards and yet under this bill they would<00:35:48.880><c> lack</c><00

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission for an Oklahoma motor carrier safety and hazardous materials transportation hearing.

Bills: SB1213 , SB1221 , SB1636 , SB1687 , SB1772 , SB1932 , SB2062

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• of um, lithium talking about the hazards of um, lithium batteries<03:02:31.920><c> and</c><03:02:32.080
• producing a hazardous waste, you have<03:23:47.520><c> to</c><03:23:47.680><c> comply</c><03:23:48.080
• All but alkaline batteries, fire hazard.
• </c><03:59:22.960><c> Our</c> batteries and other hazardous waste.
• Our batteries and other hazardous waste.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• President, last fall we saw historic flooding throughout Washington State.
• We proposed $2 million. ...by the floods. So we happen to have a balance in one of our RV accounts.
• We're going to make sure we take care of you on floods. And he absolutely kept it.
• Took care of us on wildfire, we're going to make sure we take care of you on floods.
• We looked at the water issues, and yes, we had fires, other neighbors had floods.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide habitat for wildlife, help control flooding, offer educational opportunities, and give the
• Operations and maintenance costs for pumping water, mosquito abatement, invasive plant control, wetland flooding
• They need a stable source of funding to prevent habitat degradation, delays in wetland flooding, and
• boasted more than 4 million acres of naturally occurring seasonal wetlands, but in the past 120 years flood

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to parks, wildlife, water, and veterans. AB 1592 would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to partner with the California Indian Heritage Center support organization; supporters said it would help move the long-planned center forward with Native-led governance. AB 2216 would expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area and update its authority to better support watershed-scale conservation, climate resilience, workforce, tribal grants, and related projects. AB 1702 would expand state parks access for veterans, National Guard, reservists, and active duty service members by broadening eligibility for the Distinguished Veterans Pass and creating a discounted parks pass. AB 1673 would allow county fish and game commissions to use certain revenues to reimburse sheriffs for fish and wildlife enforcement and wildlife-conflict prevention, especially in rural counties with limited state enforcement presence. The committee also considered AB 1912, which would allow archery deer hunters to carry concealed firearms while hunting, aligning deer hunting rules with those already in place for other big game archery hunts. Supporters argued it would improve hunter safety in remote areas without harming wildlife enforcement, while opponents were not present. AB 1987 would dedicate revenues generated from state wildlife areas back to those areas for operations, maintenance, and habitat management; supporters said the areas are underfunded and need a stable funding source. All of these bills received due pass recommendations and were later approved by the committee, with AB 2216 passing 11-1 and the others passing 12-0. The most contested measure was AB 2630, which would give the State Water Resources Control Board emergency-style authority to make measurement and reporting changes for water diversions and use, with a five-year sunset. The author and supporters said the board needs flexibility to update the CalWATRS reporting system quickly as technology and conditions change. Water agencies, farm groups, and business groups opposed the bill, arguing it would bypass public input and could allow repeated emergency regulations affecting compliance and operations. After extended debate, the committee passed AB 2630 on an 8-4 vote. The committee also approved two consent items, AB 1804 and AB 2260, both unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide habitat for wildlife, help control flooding, offer educational opportunities, and give the
• Operations and maintenance costs for pumping water, mosquito abatement, invasive plant control, wetland flooding
• They need a stable source of funding to prevent habitat degradation, delays in wetland flooding, and
• boasted more than 4 million acres of naturally occurring seasonal wetlands, but in the past 120 years flood

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• years I've been with the department and even before that, that has only been when there's a fire or a flood
• I've been with the department and then even before that, that has only been when there's a fire or a flood
• That has only been when there's a fire or a flood. And then we use this during the COVID pandemic.
• But what we do, if there's a fire or a flood, we're concerned that taxpayers may not have access to their

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 108, which amends the Watershed District Act to fix a problem created by last year’s changes: appointed watershed district boards could not legally levy taxes, even though several districts already had mill levies. The sponsor and staff explained the bill would preserve the existing tax authority by tying it to the soil and water district responsible for the watershed district. There was no public opposition, and the committee voted do pass on HB 108 as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 154, a tax credit bill intended to decouple New Mexico’s Advanced Energy Equipment Tax Credit from changing federal definitions and to add fusion machines and related components to the state definition. Supporters from economic development, industry, utilities, and education argued the bill would provide certainty, attract advanced manufacturing, and help New Mexico compete for investment without changing the credit’s caps or fiscal impact. Members questioned why hydrogen, geothermal, and small modular reactors were not included; staff said those technologies were not in the federal definition and that adding them now could create unintended consequences. The committee voted do pass on HB 154, with one member voting reluctantly yes. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax code cleanup bill, was then presented and amended twice. The first amendment preserved New Mexico’s independent definition of qualified research for the tech jobs and R&D credit. The second removed a proposed expansion of the film tax credit to certain tribal expenditures after concerns about fiscal impact; members discussed possible future approaches for tribal film activity and the film partner loophole. The bill also makes technical and policy changes including rounding certain payments to the nearest nickel, waiving interest when tax deadlines are extended for good cause, removing small late-filing penalties in some cases, allowing delinquent taxpayers to renew permits under installment agreements, intercepting excess delinquent property tax auction proceeds for other state tax debts, clarifying tobacco tax treatment for larger vape cartridges, and tightening film credit rules. After public opposition from business groups and discussion from members, the committee voted do pass on HB 291 as twice amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• the town of Greenville, the 2023 blizzard that hit Crestline in San Bernardino, the 2024 San Diego floods
• I similarly represent an area that, in 2023, was significantly impacted by flooding and storms.
• Similarly, in my area, flood.
• People don't actually underestimate plastic waste; it actually leads to clogging of the drains and floods

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing focused on the California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and its role in helping small businesses access capital, recover from disasters, and scale innovative companies. Chair Salas and Vice Chair Castillo opened by emphasizing the importance of small businesses to California’s economy and noting recent passage of AB 685, described as a small business resiliency and innovation measure. Witnesses from multiple SBDC regions and business owners testified about the network’s statewide reach, confidentiality, multilingual advising, and partnerships with universities and state agencies. Panelists described SBDC’s work in three main areas: disaster recovery, startup and innovation support, and capital access. Testimony highlighted SBDC assistance after major disasters such as the Camp Fire, Dixie Fire, San Diego floods, and the Los Angeles fires, including help with insurance claims, grant applications, debt restructuring, and reopening businesses. Business owners from Altadena and Sacramento shared personal stories of how SBDC guidance, grants, and connections helped restore operations, preserve jobs, and navigate crises. Another panel focused on technology startups and the “valley of death,” explaining how SBDC helps founders with customer discovery, grant strategy, intellectual property, and financing; examples included a mobility-tech company and a biodegradable plastics startup that secured major grants, investment, and jobs with SBDC support. A third panel focused on access to capital, with SBDC staff explaining lending options, state loan programs, and finance centers that package loans and match businesses with lenders. They said many small businesses need less than $100,000 and often turn to high-cost alternatives without guidance; SBDC helps them refinance and secure better terms. A beverage company founder described using SBDC to move from a failed public affairs firm to launching a tequila brand, raising capital, and building distribution. Members asked about barriers facing immigrant-owned businesses, disaster aid gaps, and regulatory burdens; SBDC representatives said their services are confidential, available to eligible businesses regardless of immigration status, and designed to connect clients to whatever public or private resources exist. No formal vote was taken at the hearing, and the meeting ended after public comment with the chair urging continued funding for SBDC and related small business support programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• the town of Greenville, the 2023 blizzard that hit Crestline in San Bernardino, the 2024 San Diego floods
• I similarly represent an area that in 2023 was significantly impacted by flooding and storms.
• Similarly, in my area, flood.
• People don’t actually underestimate plastic waste; it actually leads to clogging of the drains and floods

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding will come to order. Clerk, call the roll.
• emergency plan, and also ensuring there's safe access to get out of the camp. ...in the event of a flood
• Generally, there shouldn't be cabins in the flood plains unless certain standards are met.
• testified during our 23rd hearing about disaster scams that proliferated in the wake of the July 4th flooding

Transcript Highlights:

• blending nature with innovation and promoting mangroves, oyster reefs, and living shorelines to reduce flooding
• It also mandates a statewide study to assess nature-based flood mitigation, economic and environmental
• applied research and innovation, ensuring it remains focused on scientific research, Senator Garcia: flood
• infrastructure to address sea level rise and storm surges, Senator Garcia: support modeling efforts to assess flood

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Fontenot urges and requests the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to study the impact of flooded
• and to reinstate the enforcement mechanism that restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally flooded

Bills: HCR54 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR104 , HB1209

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on March 27 with a quorum present, approved prior minutes, and then took up several resolutions and one bill related to wildlife, water resources, and conservation. H.C.R. 79, as amended, urged the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to work together to allow the use of dogs for hunting in Kisatchie National Forest; supporters described it as a traditional hunting practice that has been restricted for years and could benefit local hunters and businesses. H.C.R. 104, as amended, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and modernize the collection, retention, and access to subsurface data, with members emphasizing the need to avoid sharing company-specific information. H.C.R. 87 was reported favorably to support correspondence from U.S. Sen. Kennedy regarding duck flyway management, H.C.R. 54 was reported favorably to study the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl and restore an enforcement mechanism related to hunting over intentionally flooded crops, and H.C.R. 94 was reported favorably to require annual boating safety reports to legislative committees. The committee then heard HB 1209, which would have paused new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals while allowing existing agreements to continue and be renewed through December 31, 2036. The author said the bill was intended to give the state time to develop a more comprehensive, data-driven surface water strategy and to address invasive species such as giant salvinia, which he said has severely affected waterways in his district. Members and witnesses acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, but there was concern that the bill was too complex to move quickly in the session. The committee discussed converting it into a study resolution instead, and the bill was deferred without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a study on the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior
• Fish Wildlife Service to conduct a study on impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior.

Bills: HR119 , HR120 , HR121 , HR122 , HR123 , HR124 , HR125 , HR126 , HR127 , HR128 , HR129 , HR130 , HR131 , HR132 , HCR53 , HCR54 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HR115 , HR116 , HR117 , HR118 , SCR19 , SCR26 , SB102 , SB222 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB418 , SB420 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB49 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB211 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB324 , HB376 , HB377 , HB422 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB549 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1011 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB310 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HR74 , HCR26 , HCR35 , HCR7 , HB51 , HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB180 , HB192 , HB393 , HB430 , HB445 , HB506 , HB515 , HB521 , HB565 , HB590 , HB614 , HB638 , HB670 , HB672 , HB685 , HB692 , HB752 , HB773 , HB781 , HB799 , HB860 , HB874 , HB887 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB965 , HB972 , HB977 , HB982 , HB1006 , HB1010 , HB1044 , HB1072 , HB1088 , HB1179 , HB1200 , HB76 , HB132 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB265 , HB275 , HB291 , HB322 , HB342 , HB475 , HB486 , HB616 , HB635 , HB639 , HB690 , HB740 , HB757 , HB761 , HB774 , HB808 , HB855 , HB872 , HB883 , HB886 , HB903 , HB949 , HB962 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1036 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1076 , HB1078 , HB1113 , HB1132 , HB1146 , HB1232 , HB1233 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB52 , HB154 , HB400 , HB463 , HB570 , HB631 , HB637 , HB870 , HB952 , HB961 , HB399 , HB868 , HB905 , HB401 , HB901 , HR20 , HB9 , HB58 , HB151 , HB193 , HB284 , HB459 , HB476 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB915

Keywords: condolences, public service, environmental justice, sustainability, local government, military service, World War II, veteran, community, Italian Festival, cultural celebration, Tickfaw, Italian-American, community pride, heritage, Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Heaven Riley Breaux, recognition, youth empowerment, community service

Transcript Highlights:

• with other informal acequias, but in terms of this, with the ongoing need for areas like the fire and flood
• In terms of this, with the ongoing need for areas like the fire and flood areas of both in San Miguel

Bills: SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> health hazards. health hazards. And<04:08:39.880><c> Mr.
• , would you join me and a fire hazard, would you join me and vote<04:25:39.720><c> no</c><04:25:40.560
• That can create a safety hazard, but it also gives you a cost.
• That can create a safety hazard grid.
• That can create a safety hazard but<05:01:45.800><c> it</c><05:01:45.920><c> also</c><05:01:46.800><c

Transcript Highlights:

• Garbage is lining the streets because garbage trucks can't pick up trash, causing an additional health hazard
• an trucks can't pick up trash, causing an additional<01:09:52.000><c> health</c><01:09:52.319><c> hazard
• </c><01:09:53.520><c> say</c><01:09:53.759><c> we</c><01:09:54.000><c> want</c> additional health hazard
• We say we want additional health hazard.

Transcript Highlights:

• attorney represent you at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for an Oklahoma Motor Carrier Safety and Hazardous

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met and considered several Senate bills, hearing brief presentations and mostly unanimous support. Senate Bill 1636 would require law enforcement to review cold cases in a timely manner and, if requested, provide updates to the victim’s family or designee; it passed with a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 1772 clarified when vehicle lights must be used, changing the requirement to sunset-to-sunrise and during rain or low-visibility conditions; it also passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1221 would require tracking numbers for mailed driver’s licenses and allow optional expedited shipping at the requester’s expense; it passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1932 would let individuals represent themselves, or be represented by an officer of a business or entity, in certain Oklahoma Corporation Commission motor carrier safety and hazardous materials hearings; it passed 6-0. The committee then laid over one bill when the presenter was not available. After a brief pause, it heard Senate Bill 1687, which would extend the period for new drivers who do not complete driver’s education and extend intermediate licensing requirements to age 18, while also clarifying that professional driving schools may administer written tests at all locations; this bill passed 5-1. Finally, Senate Bill 1213, a Department of Corrections request modifying earned credit and time-served provisions for inmates, passed 6-0. The committee completed its agenda and adjourned, with the chair noting a possible meeting the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• zone district funds to be used for flood recovery efforts in the wake of a governor-declared flood disaster
• We're getting federal help for our floods as well. Do you have any idea?
• This bill will help those most impacted by the flooding in December.
• Our community was directly impacted by the recent flood event.
• You know, during this last flood event, small town, we have boots on the ground.

Bills: SB6294 , SB6211 , SB5650 , SB6033 , SB6297 , SB6343 , SB6067 , SB6082 , SB6323 , SB6324 , SB5862 , SB5923 , SB6151

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> lives lost in the catastrophic floods lives lost in the catastrophic floods that<00:22:51.840><c
• </c><00:24:32.720><c> They</c> Texas when the flood overtook them.
• They Texas when the flood overtook them.
• And now we had a one-in-a-hundred-year catastrophic rainstorm that produced horrific floods and tragic
• happened, she canceled after this flood happened, she canceled the<00:30:39.520><c> contracts</c><00