Transcript Highlights:

• That water industrial businesses.
• </c> opportunities to support that industry opportunities to support that industry and<00:50:56.720><
• :50:57.920><c> into</c> and support new industries coming into and support new industries coming into
• I think that we thought that the oil and gas and the trona industry and the mineral industry would just
• I think that we thought that the oil and gas and the trona industry and the mineral industry would just

Bills: HB0150

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with a lot of folks uh in the industry. with a lot of folks uh in the industry.
• </c> much what the industry thoughts are. much what the industry thoughts are.
• ,</c> your point and you're in the industry, your point and you're in the industry, so<01:08:27.759><
• So this was another one that we asked the industry to review, and the feeling of the industry is this
• We won't target your industry. You'll have to obey the same rules as every other industry.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• The process is a little bit different in the beer industry versus the vape industry, and that there can
• versus the vape in the beer industry versus the vape industry<00:38:35.760><c> and</c><00:38:35.880>
• </c> utilized a tremendous amount of industry utilized a tremendous amount of industry members<00:45:
• industry.
• industry.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> regulations by which those industries regulations by which those industries have<01:19:53.760><c
• &gt; with<02:17:23.599><c> industry.
• </c> &gt;&gt; with industry. &gt;&gt; with industry.
• </c> &gt;&gt; So, this is an industry bill. &gt;&gt; So, this is an industry bill.
• Then as industry was clean water.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for the first time for this industry. for the first time for this industry.
• ><c> growing,</c> digital asset industry is growing, digital asset industry is growing, evolving,<01:
• . industry. industry.
• </c> the crypto industry. the crypto industry.
• </c> protect farmers and the cattle industry. protect farmers and the cattle industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank our industry trade partners.
• in turn accepted a number of industry positions reflected in the current language.
• And then on an enforcement standpoint, I think it provides just good guardrails for industry at large
• In Virginia, I was a regulator for the industry.
• The insurance industry are essential to better understanding wildfire risk and mitigation efforts.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills and then moved into a work session on insurance-related topics. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice of an impending lapse or cancellation, including notice to a designated third party, and to provide proof of delivery; it would also require applicants to be told they may designate such a third party. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill as a consumer protection measure for older or vulnerable policyholders, while the life insurance industry supported the concept but requested a delayed implementation date and a small technical amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 2399, which would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance. Staff and the prime sponsor described the practice as allowing contractors to step into the policyholder’s shoes and potentially take control of claims, litigation, and settlement, often to the consumer’s detriment. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all supported the bill, emphasizing consumer vulnerability after disasters and the risk of fraud or inflated claims. Members asked about steering by adjusters, alternative ways for homeowners to authorize others to help with claims, and the $50,000 per-violation penalty, which would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact a Washington Travel Insurance Act based on the NAIC model, creating a more detailed statutory framework for travel insurance licensing, travel retailers, travel administrators, disclosures, and prohibited sales practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choice and standardize rules, while the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the compromise language but raised a remaining concern about claims being adjusted by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office testified that the bill should not be read to supersede Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the sponsor said amendments were being worked on to address that concern. In the work session, OIC and Department of Natural Resources staff presented the wildfire mitigation and resiliency work group report. They said the group reached consensus on several areas, including the importance of community-level mitigation, better data sharing, improved transparency around wildfire-related nonrenewals and cancellations, and a voluntary grant program to help homeowners retrofit to IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. Members asked about leadership for the recommendations, overlap with existing programs, privacy concerns in data sharing, and how the proposals would fit with broader statewide wildfire planning. The committee also received a briefing on flood insurance markets and claims after the December atmospheric flooding event, with staff noting that private flood policies generally offer broader coverage than the federal NFIP, and that Washington had seen about 700 federal claims and roughly $18 million paid out so far.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can hear from the waste industry directly, I'm sure, behind the scenes.
• But, for example, when industry buys aluminum...
• SB 5975 dismantles it and puts industry convenience ahead of public health.
• Last year, that industry came back in to say, hey, this doesn't work.
• None of that is what industry is seeking.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with SB 5965 on retail bags. Staff explained that the bill would prohibit single-use plastic and reusable film plastic carryout bags, raise the paper bag pass-through charge from 8 cents to 20 cents, exempt certain assistance-program customers from bag charges, and add manufacturer/distributor penalties. The sponsor and supporters, including environmental groups, Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma, county solid waste representatives, and health advocates, argued the current law has led to thicker plastic bags and more plastic pollution, microplastics, and recycling contamination. Opponents from hospitality, grocery, retail, paper, and plastic bag industries said the bill would raise costs, create checkout confusion, burden food delivery and takeout operations, and amount to a de facto ban on paper bags as well; several urged waiting for more data on the current 12-cent fee. The hearing ended with a reported 1,240 non-testifiers on SB 5965, with 541 pro, 695 con, and 4 other. The committee then heard SB 6030 on plastic bags. Staff said the bill would allow film plastic and paper carryout bags if they meet recycled-content standards, keep the paper bag fee at 8 cents, reduce the plastic bag fee from 12 cents to 8 cents, and remove the minimum thickness standards for reusable film plastic bags while retaining recycled-content requirements and the SNAP exemption. No public testimony was taken on the bill, and the chair noted 208 non-testifiers, with 192 pro, 11 con, and 5 other. Finally, the committee heard SB 5975 on lead in cookware. Staff described it as a third-round update to the state’s cookware lead law, narrowing covered cookware, delaying the 10 ppm lead standard to 2030, and allowing compliance through FDA or European testing methods. Supporters, including some industry representatives, said the current law is unclear and difficult to enforce, that a workable test is still being developed, and that the bill would provide certainty and avoid unintended coverage of safe products. Opponents from Ecology, Health, environmental groups, and consumer advocates argued the bill would weaken Washington’s existing protections, create broad exemptions, and allow high-lead cookware to remain on the market; they also criticized shifting from total-content testing to leach testing. The hearing closed with 609 non-testifiers on SB 5975, with 54 pro and 552 con.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you keep in mind that description earlier, more than half of industries, less than half of industries
• We've seen it in certain industries.
• We can see them by industry.
• Are we recruiting a specific specialized industry to the state? Are we alleviating.
• Turning to slide 33, Highly Specialized Industries I'd like to note here that we've moved a couple of

Committee: Joint Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that was recognizing that this was a unique industry in that, at the time, the companies were
• That's why these insurance levels were put into place, because this is a different industry with very
• That was the industry study that we commissioned this year. It may be... Early Research Group.
• That was the industry study that we commissioned this year. It may be what you're referring to.
• This is something that happens in the insurance industry all the time.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike with beer, the wine industry in Florida... ...reusable.
• And that was feedback from science and industry. That is the amendment. Thank you.
• Now let's talk a little bit about what's going on in our industry, in this industry across the state.
• So I have a unique benefit of working in the nonprofit industry.
• While we're waiting, Charmin... and unregulated industries.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't know exactly which way the industry is going.
• We have several industries that demand proper illumination.
• Senate Bill 34 negatively impacts New Mexico's business industry and decreases public safety.
• This bill, Senate Bill 34, is primarily directed toward the outdoor advertising industry.
• Could you address the concerns with these industrial locations in their 24-hour operations?

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, why give a significant tax credit to this as opposed to other industries?
• There were industries like this everywhere. They're gone.
• There was industries like this everywhere. They're gone.
• I'm here on behalf of our affiliate, the Common Ground Industrial Area Foundation.
• I'm here on behalf of our affiliate, the Common Ground Industrial Area Foundation.

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the agricultural industry here as we expend those funds.
• And we appreciate all the work we've had with Farm Bureau and the livestock industry and the University
• And we appreciate all the work we've had with Farm Bureau and the livestock industry and the universe
• The work we've had with Farm Bureau and the livestock industry and the University of Idaho. Mr.
• And we've talked to many players in the industry, and it's not meat.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona cannot afford to take this industry for granted.
• Yuma represents 6,000 employees in the hospitality industry.
• We have about a $750 million-a-year industry. It's a growing community. It's a growing industry.
• We have the number one export industry in the state.
• Today, Pinal County is attracting industries that define the future.

Committee: House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2950, which would allow a governing body to approve a tourism improvement area to promote tourism and lodging. Supporters from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Visit Yuma, and Visit Phoenix said the bill would give communities a voluntary, locally controlled tool to market destinations, attract events, and strengthen rural and urban tourism economies without raising taxes on residents. Members discussed tourism’s economic importance in places like Yuma and other rural communities, and the bill was moved forward with a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. The committee then held a presentation on rural economic development in Pinal County, focusing on the Lucid Motors project and its workforce partnership with Central Arizona College. Speakers from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and Lucid described the Drive48 training program, the creation of a skilled workforce pipeline, and broader economic impacts such as higher wages, job creation, and related growth in housing and infrastructure. The committee also read proclamations recognizing Lucid Motors and Central Arizona College for their contributions to economic development in rural Arizona. Finally, the committee heard HB 2946, which revises development fee requirements and prohibits development fees on accessory dwelling units. The sponsor argued the bill was intended to address housing affordability and reduce burdens on families and builders, while cities, towns, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and municipal attorneys opposed it, saying it would shift costs from growth to existing taxpayers and weaken the principle that growth should pay for growth. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to remove county-related provisions and make clarifying changes. The amended bill was then passed with a 4-1 vote and two members voting present.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know what I came off the industry. Yeah, we did. Senator Wilson. Let me back up a little bit.
• So yes, for clarification, it's not that we're just focusing on one industry in itself.
• So yes, for clarification, it's not that we're just focusing on one industry in itself.
• Then we have the industry of A, the highway industry.
• We're saying the rest of the state and the construction industry is paying for it.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills in its final meeting, beginning with House Bill 200, which had previously been left on the table on a tie vote. The committee voted to bring it back and then approved it as amended on a 7-2 vote. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for complex rehabilitation technology devices and allowing up to two devices in a three-year period, received testimony in support and was advanced on a 9-0 vote. Members then heard House Bill 270, which would require certain public works projects to contribute to apprenticeship and training programs or the state apprenticeship fund. Supporters argued it would create a level playing field and strengthen workforce development, while opponents said it would raise costs, burden contractors without accessible apprenticeship programs, and hurt small businesses. An amendment to delay the effective date failed 4-6, and the bill was then approved 6-4. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax cleanup bill, was presented as a package of technical and policy updates, including rounding rules, fee changes, tax credit clarifications, and property tax collection adjustments; it passed 8-2. House Bill 108, a cleanup measure for watershed districts to address tax-levying authority after a change from elected to appointed boards, passed 10-0. House Bill 306, which limits facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth while exempting rural facilities, also passed 10-0 after brief discussion. House Bill 20, allowing Native American applicants to request a voluntary designation on driver’s licenses and ID cards with privacy protections, received supportive testimony from tribal and law enforcement representatives and passed 10-0. Finally, House Bill 309, expanding a special property tax valuation method to include electric power storage facilities, drew support from labor and energy representatives and passed 10-0. The chair closed by thanking staff and members and adjourned the meeting, noting it was likely the committee’s last of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• This industry puts both people and pets at risk.
• The substitute was significant in its changes because it addressed a kind of new industry.
• This industry is technically, in their eyes, not a loan. So there is no interest rate in there.
• Since they're going to be in this industry, they truly are unsecured other than a personal guarantee,
• Situations have occurred in the past, and we're very concerned about these things as an industry.

Bills: HB 12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696 , HB12 , HB149

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Local vet businesses are crucial to livestock producers, the livestock industry, and our state's economy
• The decline of the dairy industry has prompted our family to diversify, with our two sons returning home
• </c><01:10:26.159><c> or</c> unexpected downturn in the industry or unexpected downturn in the industry
• </c><01:20:37.159><c> money</c> they have saved the grain industry money they have saved the grain industry
• </c><01:21:22.440><c> thank</c> unsustainable for our industry thank unsustainable for our industry thank

Bills: HF2446 , HF2878 , HF2667 , HF1795 , HF2683 , HF2916

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• plot. to turn New Mexico into just an industrial plot.
• Chair, the renewable industry is in Montana. ...the renewable industry is in Montana, New York, or Pennsylvania
• Indeed, Montana still has vibrant industries.
• In the oil and gas industry, our pollution control amendment was passed in the 70s.
• We have over time reached out to industry.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> facility, let's call it waste industries facility, let's call it waste industries and<00:08:05.840
• > and waste industries is physically and waste industries is physically located<00:08:07.759><c> in</
• </c> waste being managed by Waste Industries waste being managed by Waste Industries located<00:08:15.360
• These fires put industry workers, responders, and the public at risk. Mr.
• <c> workers</c><00:13:31.920><c> first,</c> These fires put industry workers first, These fires put industry

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a failure of the law, but of industries' refusal to prepare.
• This is not a failure of the law, but of industries' refusal to prepare.
• This is not a failure of the law, but of industries' refusal to prepare.
• This is not a failure of the law, but of industries' refusal to prepare.
• This is not a failure of the law, but of industries' refusal to prepare.