Transcript Highlights:

• The state government committee is responsible for numerous entities within state government, and that
• Article 2 is the state government policy.
• Section 4 applies the Minnesota Department of Government Data Practices Act to the legislature as well
• Chair now of State Government Finance.
• Department of Health. the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance. Good morning, Tamara Weber, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance.
• My district needs government to work, I need the government to work, we need the government to work,
• Department of Finance? Yeah, I'm on Department of Finance.
• If the federal government should rescind the access rule, this language would give the Department of

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a Department of Agriculture bill.
• And again, a massive preemption to our local governments.
• And again, a massive preemption to our local governments.
• It has been proven over the last six months that some counties want to our local governments.
• It's not so much on the merits of fluoride as opposed to whether or not government should...

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions, including family members, university guests, local officials, and student groups. The chamber then moved to special order bills, beginning with two Open Government Sunset Review measures: SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both bills passed unanimously after brief explanations and no amendments. The Senate also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, and SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. SB 832 drew debate over a possible lawsuit and created a narrow strict-liability defense for landowners who survey and record notice of former phosphate property. SB 700 generated the most extended debate, especially over a provision removing fluoride from public water systems and related amendments on public health, local control, and study requirements; several fluoride-related amendments failed, while a technical amendment passed. The bill also included provisions on agricultural regulation, labeling, drones, lending, charities, housing for agricultural workers, and youth programs. The Senate then approved several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric Miles Jr. and Jennifer Miles, and Marcus Button, all involving catastrophic injuries and settlements paid by the relevant public entities. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements passed after an amendment that increased penalties for texting while driving and added a distracted-driving education component. SB 1718, preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking an abortion without parental consent or notification, also passed unanimously. Several other bills were temporarily postponed. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and move CS for SB 7016 back to second reading; all motions were adopted. The Senate then adjourned until Wednesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m. or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this remittance program would be done by the local government as opposed to the state.
• So this remittance program would be done by the local government as opposed to the state.
• So the local government has to approve them for the remittance program ahead of time?
• However, Section 3, subsection 2 creates an unfunded mandate for county planning departments.
• So in this case, it's the Franchise Tax Board and the Department of Social Services.

Summary: House Finance heard testimony on two affordable housing bills. House Bill 1859 would expand an existing density bonus for housing on religious organization property by lowering the affordability threshold from 100% to at least 50% affordable units, requiring local policies to implement the bonus upon request, and creating a new state and local sales and use tax exemption for qualifying projects with at least 50% affordable units maintained for 10 years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help projects on church-owned land pencil out amid high construction and financing costs, while a county association raised concern that the bill would create an unfunded mandate for local planning departments. Several witnesses also asked that homeownership projects be explicitly included, and staff confirmed the exemption would be administered through an exemption certificate. The committee then moved to House Bill 1717, which would authorize cities and counties to create a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing developments. Staff said the remittance would cover 100% of local taxes paid after project completion, with a 50% affordable housing threshold and 40-year affordability requirement, and the sponsor and local government and housing advocates supported it as a flexible tool to reduce development costs. Testifiers generally backed both bills, with some asking for more flexibility on income targeting and clarification on county-city interactions under HB 1717. No votes were taken; both public hearings were closed and the committee adjourned after a separate work session on the Working Families Tax Credit, where advocates urged broader eligibility, higher benefit amounts, and easier access, and a California researcher described data-linking methods used to improve tax credit take-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> of</c> the Department of Admin, Department of the Department of Admin, Department of Natural<00:
• </c><00:03:05.840><c> of</c> assistant commissioner Department of assistant commissioner Department of
• ,</c><00:04:50.480><c> like</c> employees of local government, like employees of local government, like
• Um the these state government.
• </c><00:44:52.560><c> and</c> now between the state governments and now between the state governments

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• create as government.
• create as government.
• , anti-federal-government measure?
• Thank you. anti-federal government measure.
• That's not good government. it, obstruct it, and slow it down. That's not good government.

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:

• health grants for tribal governments. health grants for tribal governments.
• governance governance is<00:19:16.200><c> necessary.
• </c> would do is set up this governance would do is set up this governance advisory<00:19:21.880><c>
• </c> department about this. department about this.
• And I have discussed that with the<01:42:24.680><c> department</c> the department the department and<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, Henry Ng, Department of Finance.
• Do we have any comments from the Department of Finance? David Tahn with the Department of Finance.
• So one of the sort of the one key piece of the statutory structure governing how local governments can
• Do we have any comments from the Department of Finance? And JT Creeden, Department of Finance?
• Creeden, Department of Finance?

Transcript Highlights:

• AT THE END OF THE DAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND MANY TIMES THEY GOVERNMENT AND I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE
• ANOTHER GOVERNMENT MAY NEED.
• THOSE TWO TEAMS HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PENNY FROM STATE GOVERNMENT OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
• OR FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
• THIS ROADWAY IS TO BE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WROTE.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Developmental Services authorized remote services for
• I want to be very clear, this bill does not take authority away from any department.
• Instead, it creates a central coordinating hub so state departments can operate..."
• "Instead, it creates a central coordinating hub so state departments can operate in alignment.
• Yeah, and this is, you know, agnostic to whoever is in the federal government.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on disability services, food security, veterans, aging services, and child care. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make permanent the option for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive certain regional center services remotely; supporters said remote services improve access, continuity, safety, and choice, and there was no opposition. The committee initially lacked a quorum, so action on the bill was delayed until later in the hearing, when it was moved on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, reduce duplication, and support a 24-hour hunger hotline; supporters framed it as a coordination and strategic-planning measure, while some members questioned whether existing programs should be evaluated first and whether the bill needed stronger reporting and accountability. It passed 3-0 to Governmental Organization. The committee also heard SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez, which would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with developmental disabilities are not left without support if a parent or other primary helper becomes unavailable. Supporters, including families and disability advocates, described emergencies, immigration enforcement fears, and service interruptions as reasons for the bill; members asked about the current approval and renewal process and whether the annual renewal requirement could be streamlined. The bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1077, also by Senator Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency benefits mechanism; supporters cited the 43-day federal shutdown and delays in benefits, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Other measures discussed included SB 1201 by Senator McNerney, the No Hungry Heroes Act, which would seek waivers and direct referrals to protect veterans from federal SNAP changes and job-search-related income calculations; it passed 3-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource connections continue operating during partner transitions so people do not lose access to “no wrong door” services; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would update child care subsidy funding and reimbursement structures to better reflect direct family services and stabilize providers; the author said a provision tied to the budget would be removed, and the bill passed 4-0 to Education. Finally, SB 991 by Senator Menjivar was presented to improve how abuse and neglect findings in residential care facilities for the elderly are categorized in the licensing database, so serious abuse is not lumped together with lesser violations; testimony described examples of sexual assault and restraint being recorded as generic residents’ rights violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Revenue did work with the Department of Licensing and the Department of Transportation
• So we've... ...come from the Department of Revenue.
• The aeronautics account is administered by the Department of Transportation.
• I work as the Director of Governmental Relations at the Department of Ecology.
• We rely heavily on really two sources to provide general government functions.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on aircraft fuel taxes, hearing from WSDOT Aviation about the FAA’s aviation fuel tax rules, Washington’s compliance history, and the potential consequences of noncompliance. WSDOT said the state has collected roughly $210 million in aviation fuel taxes since the federal compliance period began, and that FAA has questioned some of the state’s claimed offsets. Members asked about the federal authority behind the rules, who pays the taxes, and whether Boeing is affected. The committee then moved to public hearing on several bills tied to aviation fuel tax revenue. SB 5989 would redirect a small share of state sales and use tax on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account and require reporting on airport project funding. Supporters, including port, airport, and pilot groups, said it was a measured step toward FAA compliance and airport investment; the bill’s staff summary said it would reduce general fund revenue and increase DOR costs. SB 5898 would redirect hazardous substance, petroleum products, and oil spill-related taxes on aircraft fuel to the aeronautics account. Supporters said it would bring Washington into compliance and help airports, while Ecology, counties, and ports warned it would significantly reduce MTCA and related environmental funding. SB 6240 would create a new noise and air quality mitigation account funded by a portion of hazardous substance tax revenue; airport and aviation groups opposed it as duplicative or noncompliant with FAA rules, while community and environmental advocates from Sea-Tac area cities supported it as a needed mitigation source. The committee also heard SB 6244, which would extend a hazardous substance tax exemption for certain pesticides used in Washington agriculture through 2038. Agricultural and logistics witnesses supported it as important for food security, storage, and competitiveness, and staff said it would have a small revenue loss and administrative cost. SB 6231, a governor-request bill, would repeal the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishments while keeping the exemption for original server equipment; OFM and local government groups supported it as a revenue-raising budget measure, while data center, labor, and business representatives opposed it, warning of lost investment, jobs, and competitiveness. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for prescription drug resellers; OFM supported it as an outdated preference, but pharmacies, wholesalers, and business groups argued the cost would be passed through to pharmacies, hospitals, insurers, and patients and could worsen pharmacy closures. The committee then heard SB 6220, which would narrow and clarify a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income homeownership property by allowing temporary community use and preserving the exemption when property is transferred to another exempt nonprofit. The sponsor said the bill was intended to let a community land trust host local performances without jeopardizing affordable housing plans. Finally, the committee heard SB 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs, in addition to the state toxicologist process. Seattle’s city attorney supported it as a way to reduce a long toxicology backlog and speed DUI cases, while counties raised concerns about shifting costs to local governments and creating unequal access based on local resources. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both Katrina and I are from the House Fiscal Analysis Department, and like House Research, our department
• the cost of government services.
• for the cost of government government for the cost of government services<00:09:43.800><c> in</c><00
• government government government<00:13:00.880><c> how</c><00:13:01.079><c> much</c><00:13:01.320><c>
• paid to local governments.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:01.840><c> finance</c> referred to the state government finance referred to the state government
• Uh, you mentioned the state govern govern govern, um, what's done is right and correct and, um, that
• ,</c> businesses, tribal governments, businesses, tribal governments, government<00:42:56.400><c> entities
• </c> Department of Agriculture. Department of Agriculture.
• </c> Department of Agricultures policy bill. Department of Agricultures policy bill.

Bills: HF4080 , HF3693 , HF1857 , HF4350

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Law Enforcement in support. Department of Transportation in support on Zoom.
• Department of Law Enforcement in support. Department of Transportation in support on Zoom. Yeah.
• Hawaii Police Department in support. Uh, Honolulu Police Department in support on Zoom.
• 55.919><c> support</c> Department of Transportation in support Department of Transportation in support
• </c><00:35:35.440><c> of</c> highways, Department of highways, Department of Transportation.<00:35:37.200

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 20, 2025, first on two bills and then on a series of resolutions. On SB 597, relating to administrative driver’s license revocation, the Department of the Attorney General and other agencies supported extending the deadlines for written review decisions because chemical testing results, especially from neighbor islands, can take longer to return. One individual testified in opposition. The committee amended the bill to set the review-decision deadlines at 14 and 28 days, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and recommended passage with amendments by vote. The committee then heard SB 1285 SD2, a highway safety measure that would create an impaired-driving offense, establish automatic license suspension procedures, and amend related administrative processes. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the new infraction structure and recommended deleting that section, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create due process problems and unnecessary burdens on the courts. DOT and several advocacy groups supported the measure, and one individual testified in support of lowering the BAC limit to 0.05. The committee adopted extensive amendments, including deleting several sections, revising revocation language for refusals to test, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 3000, then passed the bill with amendments. In the later resolution hearing, the committee heard measures on Maui road projects, the Kulani Hako Bridge replacement, enforcement against improperly registered out-of-state vehicles, a proposed extension of the Skyline rail to West Oahu, a proposal to transfer airport regulatory authority to DOT, a golf-ball safety resolution, and a restricted parking pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods. Testimony was generally supportive on the Maui road, bridge, vehicle-registration, and golf-ball measures, while DOT opposed the airport-corporation task force resolution and several groups offered mixed views, including calls for public-sector union representation if a task force were created. The committee also heard support and concern on the Skyline extension resolution, with members noting the need for transit options that better serve West Oahu. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the resolutions it took up in decision-making, including the Maui road measures, the bridge resolution, the vehicle-registration resolution, and the Skyline-related resolution, with the airport-corporation and parking-zone measures also heard before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney General at the Department of Justice.
• For, as in absolute governments, the king is the law.
• The government has to run the table.
• and effective government action by the federal government.
• That's what makes it a sclerotic effect on government action.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• I, only in government is a lack of an increase a cut, and I guess only in government is a restriction
• I, only in government is a lack of an increase a cut, and I guess only in government is a restriction
• The bill is certainly rooted in limited government and good government.
• The bill is certainly rooted in limited government and good government.
• The bill is certainly rooted in limited government and good government.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance. As Cynthia Elmore, Department of Finance, nothing to add. Okay, thank you.
• Also, there is a department delegation authority, which is controlled by the California Department of
• And Department of Finance? Is Cynthia Elmore with the Department of Finance? Nothing. Thank you.
• And Department of Finance? Is Cynthia Elmore with the Department of Finance? Nothing to add.
• Allison Hewitt, Department of Finance. I don't...

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe this is only a cost for local government.
• This would be housed separately in Department of Commerce?
• Finally, there are costs at the Department of Health.
• I work on policy issues at the King County Department of Public Defense.
• There are costs identified by JRA and the Department of Commerce.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:20.480><c> of</c> ask that question to the Department of ask that question to the Department
• Government Government operations um<00:43:54.079><c> is</c><00:43:54.200><c> there</c><00:43:54.359>
• It establishes the Department of Housing, places HCDA, HHFDC, OPSD, and HPHA within the Department of
• within a new department to oversee other state departments if the current state department fails to
• Please don't create another department to manage ineffective departments or to create top-heavy government

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives. Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And sheriffs can sign up our county government for costs that they have no governance over, is that right
• That's representative government.
• The government doesn't make money.
• state government.
• So should government.

Bills: HB26 , HB73 , SB 14 , HB46

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs