Transcript Highlights:

• County; and there is a flood protection system in Jefferson County.
• but in Bullock County and ODM County as well.
• Jefferson County but in Bullock<00:20:37.600><c> County</c><00:20:37.840><c> and</c><00:20:37.960><c
• and odm County as well Bullock County and odm County as well that<00:20:39.640><c> is</c><00:20:39.880
• ><c> I</c><00:26:23.840><c> do</c> portion of bullet County and so I do portion of bullet County and

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I grew up in Contra Costa County.
• I live in Solano County.
• We cover Yolo, Solano, Plaster County, Sacramento, and El Dorado counties.
• We cover Yolo, Solano, Plaster County, Sacramento, El Dorado counties.
• We represent people who earn Solano, Plaster County, Sacramento, El Dorado counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am from District 1, so from the Oregon border down to Amador and Alpine County, 11 very rural counties
• We support our local feed store and poultry feed mills in San Joaquin County and Sacramento County.
• I'm a poultry leader for Dixieland 4-H out of Madera County.
• Chair, I'm Eduardo, my name is Eduardo Ramos and I'm with County, coming from County Santa Barbara and
• I'm from El Dorado County. I run the poultry show at the El Dorado County Fair.

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Advisory Committee to the Maui County Advisory Committee to the Maui County Council<00:22:20.000
• A tourism is operating in Maui County.
• And the county are the same entity. So that's one thing.
• We think it's only for City and County of Honolulu and only on public lands.
• We think it's only for City and County of Honolulu and only on public lands.

Bills: HB1979

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1979 HD3, which would shorten the time to file certain judicial challenges to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for affordable housing and clean energy projects, and would also affect transfer of some environmental court appeals to the Supreme Court. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the amended bill, saying the changes were improved from earlier versions and that the shorter filing period was reasonable for these priority projects. Hawaii Gas asked that the bill’s clean energy definition be broadened to align with existing renewable energy law so emerging technologies like renewable hydrogen and renewable gas would be included. Kauai Island Utility Co-op and Greenpeace Hawaii testified in support and opposition, respectively, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce litigation uncertainty and opponents saying the shorter deadline would limit public participation and not solve the real causes of project delays. Opposition testimony came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, 350 Hawaii, and others, who argued the bill could chill legitimate public-interest claims, especially where there is limited public notice, and that environmental review was being unfairly blamed for delays caused by permitting, financing, or infrastructure problems. Several speakers said the measure would reduce transparency and make it harder for communities to respond in time. One testifier from Earthjustice said the environmental review process itself is not the problem and should not be weakened for projects that still need public disclosure and community engagement. The committee then moved to decision-making and, citing the volume of opposition and concerns about public participation, transparency, and whether the bill would actually improve timelines, the chair deferred HB 1979 HD3 indefinitely. The hearing was adjourned after the vote decision was announced. The transcript then shifted to HB 2585, relating to tourism and statewide standards for agritourism. Testimony was mixed: farmers and agricultural groups described agritourism as essential to keeping small farms and ranches viable, while also urging safeguards so it would not be abused or displace real agricultural production. Some speakers warned the bill’s revenue-based limits could unintentionally shut down existing farm stays and related operations, especially in Maui County. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said it supported the intent but wanted clearer protections for bona fide agriculture and more flexibility around revenue requirements and force majeure situations. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's 40 or so other counties, and that pot of money is around $17 million.
• in San Francisco County.
• County or to L.A. like to get to work.
• For us, we're doing it in a percentage where in Los Angeles County is the worst.
• in the city and county of San Francisco.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> law. um and making sure that counties law. um and making sure that counties are<00:44:50.400><c>
• of Minnesota Counties.
• </c><00:54:44.319><c> Counties</c><00:54:45.280><c> oppose</c> counties to fill needs.
• Counties oppose counties to fill needs.
• In both situations, the county case manager specifically for the county that would be responsible for

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid would not cover this because they're in county jail or they're under the county authority.
• They would be in the county jail.
• Okay, so you serve five different ... counties.
• They suck counties dry; they suck the state.
• Red River, Delta, and Fannin Counties in Texas and three counties in southeastern Oklahoma.

Bills: SB670 , SB1388 , SB627 , SB912 , SB269 , SB528 , HB2711 , HB4819 , HB5248 , HB4175

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Even within New Mexico, McKinley County has the highest rates of any county.
• And then also, can you please address for me how McKinley County, which is the only county in the entire
• So McKinley County has shared they have this tax.
• Jenny Wei** chairs the committee, and we do participate.
• Through the county to convert it to a mobile home.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The tribe has long been an important part of the Santa Barbara County community, contributing to the
• The tribe has long been an important part of the Santa Barbara County community, contributing to the
• It requires counties to provide foster youth with the last known whereabouts and contact information
• County and Palisades fires last year and ensures similar responses will be undertaken for all future
• Several California counties and cities, including Orange County, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach, have

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a long daily file and concurrence agenda. Early procedural actions included withdrawing AB 1555 and AB 2221 from engrossing and enrolling, suspending rules to move SB 813 to second reading, re-referring several bills to committees, and approving committee meeting notices. The chamber also adopted a rules waiver for chaptering-out amendments and handled several other procedural motions before turning to floor votes. On the Senate third reading file, members approved a wide range of bills covering housing, health care, education, transportation, energy, public safety, taxation, and local government. Measures discussed included EV charger liability in HOAs (SB 1267), local public benefits authority (SB 1099), special needs trusts under Proposition 19 (SB 974), infant formula tax treatment (SB 1151), mutual water company rate transparency (SB 1417), Alzheimer’s treatment coverage (SB 950), protections for mental health professionals in correctional settings (SB 993), development fee transparency (SB 1014), climate literacy in schools (SB 1048), illegal dumping enforcement (SB 1218), homeowner repair timelines for unpermitted work (SB 1272), EV charging station permitting (SB 1283), nonprobate asset distribution (SB 1288), DCA sunset cleanup (SB 1311), wildfire and disaster-related measures (SB 742, SB 904), nitrous oxide sales restrictions (SB 936), PrEP access (SB 1023), early math assessments (SB 1067), firearm restrictions for certain serial-number offenses (SB 1220), and several licensing, education, and health-related bills. Most measures passed with strong margins; a few drew notable opposition, including SB 993, which failed, while SB 222, SB 1037, SB 1220, SB 1255, and SB 1279 passed with narrower votes. The Assembly then took up concurrence on numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. Among the bills concurred in were AB 2075, AB 431, AB 1153, AB 1328, AB 1486, AB 1573, AB 1591, AB 1617, AB 1738, AB 1749, AB 1789, AB 1802, AB 1818, AB 1820, AB 1829, AB 1877, AB 2010, AB 2011, AB 2160, AB 2178, AB 2262, AB 2310, AB 2349, AB 2422, AB 2481, AB 2504, AB 2580, AB 2640, AB 1705, and AB 1793. These concurrence items covered forestry, aviation, illegal dumping, Medi-Cal, climate resiliency, housing, health professions, hazardous waste reporting, domestic violence protections, mental health parity, lactation support, community college programs, air quality response, student aid, beverage containers, teacher credentialing, state mandates, privacy, cash payments, and more. The transcript ended while the Assembly was beginning consideration of SB 1412 on remote parent-teacher conference participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roger Hilton with the Orange County Employees' Retirement System. Thank you. You have two minutes.
• Naomi Padron on behalf of the Los Angeles County Employees' Retirement Association.
• Naomi Padron, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Employees' Retirement Association.
• , on behalf of the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association.
• counties in the state.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• :14:15.839><c> have</c><00:14:16.000><c> an</c> counties are mandated to have an counties are mandated
• </c><00:42:52.720><c> in</c> information just for participating in information just for participating
• I think there's still a participate.
• </c> amount they're required to participate amount they're required to participate in<01:21:43.040><c
• </c><01:49:11.760><c> has</c> Um and now and like Henma County has Um and now and like Henma County has

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Dallas County Commissioner's Court supports it.
• I own and operate Freestone County Raceway in Wortham, Texas.
• We're dealing with this up in my area right now in Collin County.
• in Collin County and also this week in Harris County.
• Depending on the size of the county, some counties that fund is very, very small.

Bills: HB2242 , HB2446 , HB2799 , HB4502 , HB2920 , HB2790 , HB5620 , HB5060 , HB5076 , HB5080 , HB5081 , HB5128 , HB5130 , HB3847 , HB5116 , HB2969 , HB4546 , HB4202 , HB5624 , HB3964 , HB4803 , HB872 , HB4775 , HB4777 , HB4961 , HB5570 , HB2988 , HB4260 , HB1375 , HB5009 , HB5411 , HB5134 , HB4388 , HB3095 , HB1387

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• And the advisory group will participate in nominating the additional members.
• Over 76 percent of assessment participants took part in the election, and they voted to renew at 98%.
• to see it move forward and will benefit from it would participate. ...participating in this program
• and would like to see it move forward and will benefit from it would participate.
• We serve Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties in the very northeast corner of the state.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. Staff explained that the bill would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington colleges, but would continue to prohibit bets on the performance of individual college athletes. Tribal representatives from the Jamestown S’Klallam, Puyallup, and Kalispel tribes testified in support, saying the bill would keep wagering within the regulated tribal marketplace, protect integrity, and help smaller tribal casinos participate through a hub-and-spoke model. University of Washington and Washington State University representatives supported the ban on individual prop bets and emphasized student-athlete safety, while WSU also argued the bill would expand exposure to harassment and online abuse. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes wildfire mitigation grant program. Staff said the bill would fund grants for wildfire-hardening homes to IBHS standards, authorize pilot projects, and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify homes that meet the standards. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder and Senator Marcus Riccelli supported the bill, arguing that wildfire losses and non-renewals are increasing and that upfront mitigation is cheaper than recovery. Local officials and advocates from Medical Lake, Washington Realtors, and climate and wildfire groups also supported the measure. Insurance industry representatives supported the mitigation goals but objected to the bill’s requirement that insurers provide coverage based on IBHS designation and to using the commissioner’s regulatory account as a funding source, saying underwriting still needs to consider broader risk factors. No action was taken. The committee next held a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 6061, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program. State of Washington Tourism, the Washington Wine Commission, the Washington Hospitality Association, the Brewers Guild, the Port of Seattle, and rural economic development representatives said the state’s tourism program is underfunded and that an industry-led assessment could provide a stable, competitive funding source. They said the model would be governed by a ratepayer oversight board, subject to ratification, and could generate significant visitor spending and tax revenue over time. Some testimony raised concerns about the scope of eligible businesses and the bill’s references to other industries, but supporters said friendly amendments would refine those details. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5844 on self-storage rental agreements, which would allow electronic agreements, clarify acceptance by continued occupancy, and create a uniform process for termination or nonrenewal for nonpayment or nonmonetary defaults. Self-storage operators supported the bill as a modernization measure that would improve safety and consistency, and no vote was taken on any of the bills heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• This brings total LCFF entitlement for counties to $1.4 billion in 2025-26.
• It can also include cities, counties, right? Cities and counties.
• ELOP is funded based on the number of participating students.
• How do we get to a place where the participation rates are higher?
• Jeff Baca representing the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now, the chairman of the Madison County Commission... ...the Madison County Commission.
• This will let you participate at age 18.
• One could go purchase land in Bibb County and be in Shelby County and... ...county and be in Shelby County
• So can you tell me if it's already in the county that wouldn't even... already in the county, that wouldn't
• So it has specifically happened in Shelby County.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm retired and worked in county government.
• I live in Jefferson County.
• Frankly, I feel like this is just a King County problem.
• Frankly, I feel like this is just a King County problem.
• It will create barriers to participation for people, the right people, in those more rural areas to participate

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror Memorial on the Capitol campus. The prime sponsor and supporters, including veterans, Gold Star family members, and military advocates, said the memorial would honor Washingtonians who died in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who later died by suicide, while helping secure private fundraising and a concrete plan for the project. No opposition was recorded during the hearing, and the bill was later closed without a vote in the transcript excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 2661, which would create a temporary task force to study public records request abuse, including frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing requests, and consider possible reforms. Supporters from cities and school-related organizations said some agencies face heavy costs, legal review burdens, and repeated or overly broad requests, especially in schools. Opponents from open-government and media groups argued the bill misdiagnoses the problem, could restrict access, and should instead focus on better staffing, training, technology, and compliance. The hearing ended without a vote in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee voted to advance several bills. It reported out proposed substitute House Bill 2637, which expands Public Records Act exemptions for certain personal information, on a 4-3 vote; House Bill 2632, which updates terminology for noncitizens, on a 4-3 vote; proposed substitute House Bill 2499, on conservation district governance and disclosure rules, on a 4-3 vote after rejecting two amendments; House Bill 2198, concerning the statewide credential catalog and online repository, on a 6-1 vote; and House Bill 2520, allowing emergency meetings outside a county seat and clarifying Open Public Meetings Act procedures, on a 7-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the participants go on and participate in the Special Olympics for volleyball as well.
• We have Canadian County leadership.
• They just raised it to $30 for a whole school year, and they'd be eligible to go participate in this.
• county officers.
• county officers.

Bills: HB2997 , HB2021 , HB3041 , HB1823 , HB3372 , HB1427 , HB3127 , HB3128 , HCR1020 , HB4198 , HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3006 , HB3007 , HB3008 , SB392 , HB3320

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:17:35.040><c> except</c> participating except participating except Hamstead<01:17:37.120><c> and<
• participating participating voluntarily.<01:36:41.600><c> Um</c><01:36:41.920><c> but</c><01:36:42.159
• These 10 counties all have county houses of correction.
• </c> authorities at the county authorities at the county level.<04:17:24.640><c> It</c><04:17:25.080>
• Can a member participate by Zoom?

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 254, which Senator David Roford described as a technical correction to controlled substance inventory law for pharmacies. He said the bill would remove outdated language requiring inventories to be done in an odd-numbered year, while keeping the existing requirement that pharmacies conduct a full controlled substance inventory every two years in line with federal law. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether the requirement is pharmacy-by-pharmacy, whether new pharmacies would be affected, and whether the change would alter scope or compliance; the sponsor and a representative of the New Hampshire Pharmacist Association said it would not, and that it mainly provides clarity for pharmacies and inspectors. The public hearing on SB 254 was then closed, and the committee also heard support from a representative of the pharmacist community, who said the association supports the bill. The committee then discussed a non-germane amendment to SB 254 dealing with FBI background checks for educational surrogate parents under the Department of Education. Representative Leyon explained that the amendment was requested by the Department of Education after the FBI rejected prior statutory language, and that the goal was to allow people serving as educational surrogate parents to complete FBI fingerprint-based background checks so they can perform their duties. Department of Education and Department of Safety staff testified that the amendment mirrors language that has worked in other education-related background check statutes, including provisions with specific disqualifying offenses tied to child safety, and that the FBI requires precise statutory language and direct transmission of records through the Department of Safety. Members questioned why the FBI’s approval was needed, whether individuals could simply provide their own records, and whether changing federal leadership could require future changes; witnesses said the state needs both state and national records, that records must come directly from the FBI through the Department of Safety, and that the language is intended to satisfy current federal requirements. During the discussion, some members expressed skepticism about the need for the amendment and about placing it on a bill about controlled substance inventories, but no vote was taken during the portion of the transcript provided. The committee also briefly discussed a separate bill on physician assistants/physician associates, with members noting that the proposed name change would not alter scope of practice and that some outside groups had raised concerns about transparency, but that discussion was interrupted and not concluded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They help me participate.
• They help me participate.
• Practically speaking, this amendment before you today would give my home county, Orange County, the top
• Practically speaking, this amendment before you today would give my home county, Orange County, the top
• I know Martin County and my home county has had a major threat when our tax collector had their whole

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank each member of the Senate and Assembly who will participate in our program today.
• Tennis participation has grown 46% since 2019.
• John was a longtime political force, well known Representing North Orange County.
• In Orange County, he was affectionately known as Mr.
• When I was a freshman in the Assembly, we both represented Orange County.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.