Transcript Highlights:

• It looks like there is no adverse impact.
• And not only did it show no adverse impacts, it showed very positive environmental impact.
• One is impact on cost or price. The other is environmental impact.
• You could have something that has huge impacts.
• You could have something that has huge impacts.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on climate, water, wildfire safety, and coastal policy. AB 70 would codify a definition of pyrolysis and allow procurement credit for projects using organic waste to produce pipeline biomethane; AB 30 would authorize E15 gasoline sales in California; AB 66 would create a CEQA exemption for emergency evacuation routes in high-fire-risk areas; AB 399 would let the Coastal Commission consider carbon sequestration and blue carbon demonstration projects; AB 491 would codify state nature-based climate targets; AB 436 would streamline siting and permitting for composting facilities; AB 43 would make permanent state authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers; and AB 580 would extend Metropolitan Water District authority related to the Colorado River Aqueduct. The committee also took up AB 439, which would streamline certain Coastal Commission de minimis plan changes and reporting requirements, and AB 404 was pulled at the author’s request. Testimony was generally supportive on the organic waste, composting, wildfire egress, blue carbon, nature-based solutions, wild and scenic rivers, and water infrastructure bills, with supporters emphasizing emissions reductions, landfill diversion, climate resilience, and local government flexibility. AB 30 drew the most debate: supporters said E15 would lower fuel costs and emissions, while opponents from boating and marine groups warned about engine damage, misfueling, and the need for clearer labeling and continued E10 availability. AB 66 also drew concerns from environmental groups and some members about the breadth of the CEQA exemption and lack of guardrails, though supporters argued it was narrowly targeted to high-risk communities with safeguards. Most measures received due-pass recommendations and advanced on recorded votes, often with broad support. AB 70, AB 30, AB 66, AB 399, AB 436, AB 43, AB 439, and AB 580 all passed out of committee, with AB 491 also moving forward after some opposition from the Farm Bureau and questions about codifying targets in statute. The consent calendar items were approved as well, and the committee adopted its rules before concluding the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• been impacted.
• As you can see, on the right-hand side, those are the impacts.
• I'm just trying to understand the total economic impact.
• And I know that it impacted all of our local retailers. I know it impacted our schools.
• I just remember the impact that happened.

Bills: HB63 , HB64 , HB184 , HB200 , HB47 , HB48 , HB2 , HB9

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the expected impacts of House Bill 9 on private detention facilities and the surrounding counties and municipalities, focusing on Cibola County/Milan, Torrance County/Estancia, and Otero County. Corrections Secretary Alicia Lucero explained that the Corrections Department does not oversee the immigration detention facilities directly, but said the department could help displaced workers through hiring fairs and expedited hiring into state positions, and suggested possible alternative uses for the buildings such as behavioral health treatment, training campuses, or transitional living centers. She also noted that a memorial would task several state agencies and affected counties with exploring alternate uses and economic options, and that Workforce Solutions had scheduled job fairs in February for the affected communities. Local officials described major fiscal and community impacts. Cibola County and Milan said the loss of the facility would reduce gross receipts tax revenue, force service cuts, and potentially shrink the county budget substantially; they also warned that the village uses the detention population to support federal grant applications and industrial park development. Torrance County and Estancia said the closure would eliminate jobs, reduce GRT revenue that funds public safety, and require transporting prisoners to other facilities at much higher bed rates, with estimated annual impacts around $3 million. Otero County reported 284 jobs and $20.8 million in payroll at risk, along with about $3 million in annual GRT and a $68 million facility that could be foreclosed if bonds defaulted. Committee members pressed for more precise numbers, including employee counts, transport costs, current bed costs, and the total fiscal impact after accounting for existing contract payments. Several members emphasized that each facility and community is different and asked for separate, detailed plans, including short-term cost replacement and long-term economic diversification. There was discussion of possible hold-harmless assistance, emergency bill drafting, and coordination with Workforce Solutions, Economic Development, and higher education partners. No formal vote was taken; the chair directed staff and agencies to meet the next morning to continue developing an emergency response and requested more detailed information from the counties and the department.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program changes and anticipated impact program changes and anticipated impact at<00:03:32.319><c
• ><c> of</c> total impacts potential total impacts of total impacts potential total impacts of this<00
• I served a small city surrounded by rural areas.
• And we know that with the impacts day.
• have that impact.

Bills: HF45 , HF1148 , HF3624 , HF3586 , HF777

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF45, Lake Benton, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Public Facilities Authority, public infrastructure, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, utility replacement, U.S. Highway 75, road reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, local government grant, Minnesota bonding, capital appropriation, food insecurity, prepared meals

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is the essence of the bill, and I think it's obviously doesn't have a fiscal impact.
• We don't try to impact that at all.
• over 110 small rural school districts all across the state.
• Our district is federally impacted, with up to 10% of revenues coming from impact aid.
• And our federal impact aid payments, they come in the spring unless there is a delay.

Bills: HB2440 , HB2551 , HB2593

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education, ombudsman, record-keeping, transparency, advocacy, school funding, financial solvency, education budget, district financial health, state funding, accounting, budgeting, reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• In this way, you can see that economic development really changes people's lives and impacts them.
• So, you know, those offices and access to those experts is really impactful for our businesses.
• I'm the CEO of DH, a social impact communications agency in Washington.
• ...or impact fees or whatever to put these lower-cost houses on the market?
• You know, we're all for it and we're here to help in that rural setting.

Bills: SB5871 , SB5919

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: motor vehicle, glass repair, insurance claims, consumer protection, regulations, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• And because we're a rural state, we have the same issues as other rural states do.
• As a rural state, we need those services.
• As a rural state, we need those services.
• Would this change of reimbursement have any impact on that screening process?
• The financial impact is now being seen by the tribal nations.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also really concerned about the fiscal impact of the bill.
• seem to want to be rural people.
• They seem like it's a step backwards if they go to rural areas.
• And there's no public transit in rural areas.
• Then you also said that you like your rural area the way it is.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee took up several bills, beginning with HB 519, which would require special masters appointed in complex consolidated litigation to comply with judicial conduct and federal appointment/disqualification standards, subject to Louisiana law. After a technical amendment clarifying that the provision applies to cases designated under Supreme Court rules, the bill was moved favorably without objection. HB 29, creating the Ascension Parish Retired Employee Insurance Fund, was then heard and also advanced favorably without objection. The committee next considered HB 324 on judicial salaries. The bill would make the 2024 and 2025 judicial supplement stipend permanent and add future cost-of-living adjustments, subject to available funding and approval by the Louisiana Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board. Members asked about funding sources and whether the stipend could be made permanent without a constitutional amendment; after discussion, the bill was moved favorably without objection. The longest discussion centered on HB 211, the Homelessness Court Program, later named the Streets to Success Act. Amendments were adopted to limit the bill to licensed group homes and to remove enforcement language that would have created civil actions against local governments for failing to remove encampments, while setting staggered effective dates. Supporters, including the bill author and governor’s office representatives, said the measure would create a coordinated court-and-services response for people experiencing homelessness, especially those with substance use or mental health issues, and would allow designated camping areas and diversion into treatment. Opponents, including housing advocates, legal aid groups, and people with lived experience, argued the bill would criminalize homelessness, increase jail and court involvement, and fail to address root causes such as unaffordable housing, lack of shelter capacity, and inadequate wraparound services. The bill drew extensive testimony but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you know, HR1 contained a six-month redetermination requirement that impacts the Medicaid
• This new requirement will start in January of next year, and it's estimated it will impact 380,000 members
• The rest of the rural counties, this doesn't affect them in language. ...counties.
• impacted.
• Rural counties are less likely to have the community-based support... ...disproportionately impacted.

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733 , SB1192 , SB1398 , SB1399 , SB1494 , SB1557 , SB1813 , SB1821

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation, employment services, developmental disabilities, Arizona Revised Statutes, occupational therapy, board regulation, public safety, licensing, physician assistants, regulatory board, medical practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Just want to have a conversation about why that was included in the bill, how that's impacted.
• So we do all the rural hospitals.
• So it would really, it would truly impact where us nurse, our nursing programs across the state would
• They are not rural hospital by any means, but they find it out, which currently there's nothing to say
• and in particular poor women who live in rural communities.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• reiterate that I have the utmost confidence in this committee that we'll bring very informed and impactful
• Madam Chair, and thank you, Senator, for bringing this forward in rural northern New Mexico.
• As we've talked, this has been an inspiration in rural District 38.
• I could see the concern, especially in rural areas, for maintenance of those roads.
• I'm a private landowner in a rural area in southern New Mexico.

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• For many families, especially those from rural Alaska and rural communities, a child receiving psychiatric
• This bill will impact the lives and the retirement savings futures of 100,000...
• This bill will impact the lives and the retirement savings futures of 105,000 Alaskans if we pass it.
• And finally, this bill is a part of the rural health transformation program. So if it doesn't...
• And finally, this bill is a part of the rural health transformation program.

Summary: The Alaska Legislature met in joint session to consider gubernatorial vetoes of five bills. Members first took up House Bill 52 on minors and psychiatric hospitals, with supporters arguing it would improve transparency, family communication, oversight, and reporting around seclusion and restraint in psychiatric facilities. Opponents of the veto cited DOJ findings and media reports about abuses at a North Star facility. The override failed, 36-24, falling short of the 40 votes needed. The joint session then considered Senate Bill 41 on mental health education. Supporters said it would help develop age-appropriate mental health curriculum and could aid suicide prevention, while critics argued it was mischaracterized and did not impose a state takeover of local schools. The veto override failed, 38-22. Members next considered House Bill 314 on architects, engineers, surveyors, and interior designers, focusing on the AELS Board’s continuation and the need for professional oversight during major infrastructure work. That override passed, 45-15. The legislature then voted on Senate Bill 21, the Alaska Work and Save Program, which supporters said would expand retirement savings access for workers and small businesses, including an option to direct PFD funds into retirement accounts. The override failed, 39-21. Finally, House Bill 195 on pharmacists and physician assistants was debated as a health care access measure that would let pharmacists provide more services under a standard-of-care model; supporters said it would reduce costs and improve access, while some members raised concerns about scope and abortion-related issues. The veto override passed, 43-17. The joint session then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a fiscal note available that shows zero impact.
• I mentioned, the Finance Commission is not a budgeted entity of the state; therefore, there’s no impact
• So we are all impacted by the higher interest rate.
• I know that these are some of the most rural communities in our state, and I'm curious about the fact
• It was initially the place where the rural access was happening, and then the Public Works Board, the

Bills: HB2273 , SB5188 , HB2353 , HB2420 , HB2470

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, construction, environment, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, capital budget, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning

Transcript Highlights:

• So none of these have anything to do with rural areas.
• There can be a differential for rural areas and what have you.
• But you have to look at the rural communities that... Thank you for the answers.
• We've had to this committee for rural health care providers that is especially the issue.
• And come back to practice in one of these high rural areas.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say we did review research related to a variety of impacts.
• and that businesses as well have been impacted.
• They are part of our total H.R. 1 impact estimate.
• a significant impact on supplemental food resources for food banks.
• Noat Bottomal with California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services opened its first hearing of the year with a discussion centered on CalFresh, the Department of Social Services, and related anti-poverty and immigrant services programs. Chair Jackson framed the hearing as a response to the “historic and enormous challenges” created by H.R. 1, emphasizing that the committee’s goal was to minimize harm to vulnerable Californians. No votes were taken in the hearing. The first major topic was the impact of H.R. 1 on CalFresh eligibility and administration. CDSS estimated major federal funding reductions, with hundreds of thousands of Californians potentially losing benefits under new time limits and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, and additional losses among certain non-citizen groups. County welfare directors, eligibility workers, SEIU, and other advocates argued that counties are underfunded and understaffed to implement the new rules, and urged release of the previously authorized $20 million General Fund, a county match waiver, and an additional ongoing workforce investment. LAO and the Department of Finance said they were reviewing the administration’s proposals and emphasized the need to use existing data, automation, and statutory direction to reduce administrative burden and improve implementation. A second panel addressed county administrative backfill and the broader fiscal effects of H.R. 1. CDSS explained that the law shifts more administrative costs to the state and counties beginning in federal fiscal year 2027 and could also create future state benefit costs tied to payment error rates. County and food bank representatives warned that many counties will struggle to absorb the higher match and that penalties tied to payment error rates could worsen budget pressure. Members pressed Finance and CDSS for clearer timelines, written responses, and more detailed workload assumptions, while Finance said it was still analyzing the federal guidance and county resource needs. The final major topic was the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and possible state responses for people losing federal CalFresh eligibility. CDSS said CFAP remains limited by statute and by the federal structure it currently uses, but that the planned expansion to Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status remains on track for October 1, 2027, subject to funding. Immigrant advocates urged the state to fold newly excluded humanitarian immigrants into CFAP and to invest in outreach and administration, while Western Center on Law and Poverty proposed a broader state-funded anti-hunger response for people cut off by H.R. 1. LAO noted that the CFAP expansion is difficult to estimate and that further policy and technical work would be needed to assess costs and implementation options.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a communications telephone company in rural California, and I'm also a member of CalCom.
• We are a communications, a telephone company in rural California, and I'm also a member of Calcom.
• And those are just... ...one alerts to our rural residents.
• Those are just a few of the critical services our networks enable in rural California.
• We are deeply committed to our rural communities.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• So AB 860 helps us move from intent to Impact.
• Our rural district is located in southern Fresno County.
• I've visited some of our rural school districts.
• I've visited some of our rural school districts.
• of the digital age that is dramatically impacting students.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills, first adopting a consent calendar of 11 measures without individual presentations. The committee then took up AB 1412, which would require California schools to implement or adopt a transferred special education student’s IEP within 30 days for out-of-state transfers and to coordinate more quickly on records. The author and military-family witnesses said the bill would reduce delays for highly mobile students, especially military children; a school administrators group opposed it. The bill received initial support from committee members and was moved on call. The committee also reconsidered AB 281, which would require notice to parents when outside consultants provide sex education instruction; the author accepted amendments removing a copy-right provision, but the bill remained on call after a split vote. The committee heard AB 1005, which would create a statewide drowning-prevention education and swim-lesson voucher framework for underserved communities. The author and supporters described drowning as a preventable public health and equity issue, while the bill was clarified as developing a plan rather than immediately launching a voucher program. It was voted out on a 3-0 roll with the measure placed on call. AB 908, as amended, would add compliance monitoring for existing requirements that schools use LGBTQ-inclusive instructional materials and curriculum under the FAIR Act. Supporters said the bill would improve implementation and student safety; opponents raised concerns about privacy, girls’ sports, and school burdens. The committee approved the bill 5-2 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1401, which would affirm parents’ access to school records, including unofficial records unless exempt by law. The author argued that parents need clearer access to information held by schools and vendors, while school officials and teachers’ union representatives warned the bill was too vague and could sweep in personal notes, journals, and other sensitive material. The bill failed on a 2-3 vote and was placed on call. Finally, AB 727 would require student ID cards to include the Trevor Project hotline for LGBTQ youth; supporters framed it as a suicide-prevention measure, while opponents argued it conflicted with parental rights and religious beliefs. Committee discussion focused on whether 988 already provides similar access and whether the Trevor Project is an appropriate resource to print on IDs; the hearing continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you do, in the studies that are coming up with economic impact estimates, the economic impact
• The impact to our schools has been vast.
• The impact? Victims have told us that these images are more, more. The impact?
• The lasting impact. The lasting impact. AI changes the nature of harm.
• So they're a good rural example.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding the Financial Impact Estimating Conference and those financial impact statements, the bill
• And the Financial Impact Estimating Conference.
• Senator Rural. Thank you, Mr. President.
• It amends the Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program, which already provides funding for rural
• This bill will have no impact on their practice.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Senators also paid tribute to former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron with a moment of silence. The chamber then moved to special-order bills after routine announcements that no committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk. The first major bill, SB 138/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses and added warnings and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. After a brief amendment and questions about attorney rights and prior impairing-substance language, the bill passed 37-0. SB 306 on Medicaid providers followed, requiring broader provider access, including after-hours availability and more primary care access for Medicaid enrollees; it also passed 37-0. The chamber then took up the major condominium reform bill, SB 1742/HB 913, addressing post-Surfside safety, reserve funding, milestone inspections, budgeting, reserve flexibility, manager regulation, conflicts of interest, and condo sale rescission periods. Senators from both parties praised the sponsors for extensive stakeholder work and the bill passed 37-0 after multiple amendments. The final major item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendments and petition-gathering rules, with sponsors arguing the bill was needed to combat fraud in the 2024 petition process and opponents warning it would burden citizen initiatives. The Senate adopted the House bill and then considered numerous amendments on petition circulator rules, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and related enforcement provisions; several amendments were adopted, and the substitute was later withdrawn, leaving the chamber to continue on the underlying bill and remaining amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the rural commercial, we would be able to see housing built.
• Washington's housing crisis spans the urban-suburban-rural divide.
• The federal Continuum of Care program has been impacted.
• This would impact 500 families, which would leave them potentially homeless.
• I think it fits in rural and urban and suburban communities.

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 6026, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act with populations of 30,000 or more to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and bar local governments from requiring ground-floor commercial or retail as a condition of housing approval, with exemptions for certain sensitive areas and a carve-out for transit-oriented development station areas. The prime sponsor, Senator Alvarado, and supporters from the governor’s office, Commerce, housing advocates, developers, and major employers argued the bill would unlock underused land, reduce costs, and help address the state’s housing shortage. Opponents and local government representatives from small towns, counties, and cities said the bill could harm commercial corridors, small businesses, tax base stability, and local planning flexibility, and asked for narrower exemptions or additional carve-outs. No vote was taken on SB 6026 during the hearing. The committee then held executive action on Senate Bill 5937 and Senate Bill 5938. SB 5937, dealing with smart access systems and tenant privacy, was amended to clarify that keypad-only entry is not covered, require written privacy policies within five days of installation, and add operational purposes to allowable data collection; the committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill with a due pass recommendation. SB 5938, which changes the foreclosure prevention fee and directs a Commerce study on a state homeowner assistance fund, was also amended to extend the study deadline and related expiration date; the committee adopted the amendment and moved the bill forward with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6018, which would expand and modernize the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage lending to borrowers, extending bond counsel selection cycles, removing advance notice requirements for bond issuance, and repealing an outdated housing finance plan/program. The sponsor and the commission said the bill would improve efficiency and create new financing tools for affordable housing, while banking groups said they supported the goal but wanted clearer limits to ensure the commission would not enter first-mortgage lending for homebuyers. The sponsor and commission said they would work on clarifying language. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6027 and Senate Bill 6028. SB 6027 would expand the use of local housing sales taxes and the Affordable Housing for All account to support operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation of existing affordable housing, update REET exemption timing, and align the definition of emergency housing with the Growth Management Act; local governments, housing providers, and advocates strongly supported the bill as a way to preserve existing housing amid rising costs and federal funding uncertainty. SB 6028 would create a revolving loan fund administered by the Housing Finance Commission to finance mixed-income affordable homeownership projects with long-term affordability covenants; the sponsor said it would help builders who have entitled sites but face high capital costs, and the hearing began with staff briefing and sponsor testimony, with questions from members starting as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel that living in rural Hawaii gives me a firsthand experience to provide input to the council.
• But mainly I work and live on the east side of Hawaii, and I feel like I have a positive impact on our
• I feel that living in rural Hawaii gives me a firsthand experience to provide input to the council.
• But mainly I work and live on the east side of Hawaii, and I feel like I have a positive impact on our
• </c> in a very highly rural in a very highly rural area<00:13:35.000><c> okay</c><00:13:35.480><c> what

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard a series of gubernatorial nominations and board appointments, mostly to health-related advisory councils and commissions. Nominees testified briefly about their backgrounds and reasons for serving, including Melanie Lao for the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee; Asana Saragosa Torres and Jessica Stevens for the State Council on Mental Health; several nominees for the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, including S. Brian, Jacob Pelo, Patrick Winfield Lougher, Dr. An Young, Marin Anka, and Kenneth Faria; Roxanne Row for the Hawaii County Health Planning Council; Lewis Johnson and Susie Schulberg for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Mariah Nicholls and Evan Nakatsuka for the State Rehabilitation Council; and Co Woly for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation board. Testimony in support came from the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, and other individuals and organizations, with several nominees emphasizing lived experience, rural health access, mental health advocacy, EMS experience, or community service. One nomination, GM 522 for Melanie Lao, drew favorable comments about her qualifications and written responses. GM 572, Roxanne Row’s nomination to the Hawaii County Health Planning Council, was the only item that raised concern because the committee had not received her questionnaire answers directly; after questioning, the chair deferred decision-making on that nomination until March 5 pending receipt of the answers. The committee also noted a title correction for GM 548, changing the reference from an advisory board to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to advise and consent on all nominations except GM 572, which was deferred. The adopted recommendations covered GM 522, 523, 525, 526, 540, 541, 548, 575, 576, 577, 579, 629, 630, 631, and 633. The meeting then adjourned after congratulating the nominees and inviting them to remain for a group photo.