Bills: HB176, HB180, HB176, HB180, HB333, HCR35

Keywords: tax, ad valorem, voter-approval, local government finance, property tax, repeal, tax rates, school finance, tax reduction, compressed tax rate, education, funding, HB 176, Texas border security, interstate compact, Government Code Chapter 794, Texas-Mexico border, border enforcement, immigration enforcement, ICE 287(g)

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we also have the Don't mess with Texas campaign that is intended to reduce, uh, litter across the
• I've got a couple, um, we used to have a litter program.
• limits and the denial of access to the time that we were tracking it the very next year, we saw a reduction
• enforcement as well as needed, but I mean, and I'm sorry, sir, but my question is, I get there was a reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• CalRecycle's mission is to protect public health and the environment through the reduction, reuse, and
• And in this needs assessment, part of it is a source reduction baseline that estimates the amount of
• will help illustrate the importance of implementation of Senate Bill 54 and achieving that source reduction
• convenience across the state so that people are utilizing those systems instead of throwing away or littering
• front, and more on ensuring there's convenient opportunities for Californians so that they're not littering

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CalRecycle's mission is to protect public health and the environment through the reduction, reuse, and
• And in this needs assessment, part of it is a source reduction baseline that estimates the amount of
• will help illustrate the importance of implementation of Senate Bill 54 and achieving that source reduction
• convenience across the state so that people are utilizing those systems instead of throwing away or littering
• front, and more on ensuring there's convenient opportunities for Californians so that they're not littering

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard department budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle presented its 2026-27 budget and discussed priorities including edible food recovery, composting, beverage container recycling, and landfill response. Members asked about funding for food recovery grants, processing fees for wine and spirits containers under SB 1013, plastic packaging generation under SB 54, restaurant food waste requirements under SB 1383, and litter cleanup efforts. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has helped recover more than 300 million meals, but there is no sustained funding source; it also explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and that new producer responsibility and infrastructure investments are intended to improve recycling rates over time. The committee then heard CalEPA’s overview, including the agency’s response to climate, air quality, water, toxics, and enforcement challenges. Secretary Garcia emphasized federal rollbacks, methane monitoring, AB 617 implementation, safe drinking water progress, Exide cleanup, and pesticide reduction efforts. Members questioned the agency about regional gasoline blends, authority and technical thresholds for landfill intervention, and the growth in the Secretary’s office staffing and budget. CalEPA said the budget increase reflects expanded coordination, technology modernization, hazardous materials response, and legal capacity. The committee also discussed a proposed landfill support, response, and enforcement package for subsurface elevated temperature events, with CalEPA describing a coordinated multi-agency approach and the need for stronger early response tools. DTSC presented its department overview and several BCPs. Director Butler highlighted progress on permit backlog reduction, safer consumer products rulemaking, Exide cleanup, PFAS work, and planning for emerging waste streams such as solar panels and lithium batteries. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals, and fee-setting authority, and identified community concerns about cumulative impacts, hazardous waste planning, accessible data, and engagement. The committee also heard a proposal to expand DTSC’s Office of Policy into a statewide planning division to implement hazardous waste management plan recommendations and improve reporting systems. Members raised concerns about whether the new division duplicated existing work, but DTSC said it would fill identified gaps and improve coordination. Public testimony largely supported the proposals, especially ongoing funding for edible food recovery, composting, safer consumer products enforcement, and the coordinated landfill response package. Witnesses from StopWaste, California Against Waste, Waste Management, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and water advocacy groups urged continued or increased funding for these programs. No votes were taken; the chair held all items open and adjourned the hearing after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did a litter abatement bill a while back, and so I brought this forward.
• We're going to have a 30% reduction in the life of our roads and bridges by this bill passing.
• We'll see that reduction.
• That's where the reduction of 25 to... ... the reduction is 25 to 30%.

Bills: SB46

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• repeatedly have. shared that acceptance of our LGBTQ two-spirit plus relatives is a form of harm reduction
• Usually, when a possum has babies, about half the litter survives, which is what makes it a survivalist
• A marsupial keeps the babies in a little pouch, so usually about half the litter survives.
• Traditionally, it's about 70 babies that are usually born, and about half the litter survives, so it

Transcript Highlights:

• Through the previous testimony today, cats suffer from chronic pain, litter box avoidance, increased
• They stop using the litter box because it hurts to dig in the sand, and they begin to bite because they
• They stop using the litter box because it hurts to dig in the sand, and they begin to bite because they
• They're more likely to soil the house because digging in the litter hurts their paws.
• and health care provider groups and facilities of all sizes should be protected from unnegotiated reductions

Bills: HB1904, HB2106, HB2211, HB2247, HB2329, HB2339

Keywords: animal welfare, cats, declawing, animal rights, pet care, healthcare, contract modifications, provider notifications, insurance carriers, health facilities, HB 2211, medically tailored meals, medical nutrition therapy, medical assistance, Medicaid, Health Care Authority, Department of Social and Health Services, nutrition support, chronic disease, dietary accommodations

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several health-related bills. HB 1904 would prohibit cat declawing except for therapeutic purposes, with staff describing fines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements; the prime sponsor and animal welfare and veterinary witnesses argued declawing is cruel and causes pain and behavior problems, while the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association supported the ban but asked to remove the added reporting and disciplinary provisions. HB 2211 would direct implementation standards for medically tailored meals under Medicaid-related nutrition supports; the sponsor said it clarifies an existing program and prioritizes Washington-based nonprofits, and supporters from Meals on Wheels, food coalitions, distributors, farms, and nonprofits said local sourcing improves health outcomes, keeps dollars in-state, and builds capacity, while questions were raised about whether the local provider requirement could limit current vendors. HB 2329 would allow licensed midwives to delegate certain tasks to medical assistants and supervise medical assistants, with the sponsor and birth center/midwife witnesses saying it would fix an omission and reduce staffing barriers, especially in rural areas; they also indicated the lactation consultant provision would likely be removed. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2247, which would expand and clarify veterinary telehealth and the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Supporters, including animal shelter leaders, nonprofit outreach providers, veterinarians, and an attorney, said telehealth would improve access in rural and underserved areas, help triage cases, reduce shelter intake, and allow care when transportation, cost, or mobility barriers prevent in-person visits; opponents or cautionary testimony from the veterinary association said they were working on amendments to preserve guardrails and clarify when access-to-care exceptions are documented. HB 2339 would modernize nursing licensure language for ARNPs, clarify titles for the four ARNP roles, adjust rules for CRNAs’ controlled substance administration, remove transcript submission requirements, and let the Board of Nursing issue interim permits directly; nursing witnesses and the Board supported the bill as technical cleanup, while hospitals and physicians raised concerns about title language and the deletion of a reference to the medical profession. Finally, HB 2106 would restrict health carriers from making significant mid-contract changes to provider agreements without notice and acceptance, requiring 90 days’ notice and voiding noncompliant changes; the sponsor and provider groups said carriers are unilaterally changing payment and service terms mid-contract, while UW Medicine described repeated insurer policy changes that can reduce reimbursement and disrupt patient care.

Transcript Highlights:

• through the previous testimony today, cats suffer from chronic pain, Cats suffer from chronic pain, litter
• They stop using the litter box because it hurts to dig in the sand, and they begin to bite because they
• They stop using the litter box because it hurts to dig in the sand, and they begin to bite because they
• They're more likely to soil the house because digging in the litter hurts their paws.
• and health care provider groups and facilities of all sizes should be protected from unnegotiated reductions

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several health-related bills. House Bill 1904 would prohibit cat declawing except for therapeutic purposes, with staff explaining definitions, fines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The prime sponsor and animal welfare advocates described declawing as cruel and linked it to pain and behavior problems, while the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association supported the substance of the bill but asked to remove the added reporting and disciplinary provisions as redundant and burdensome. House Bill 2211 would provide guidance for medically tailored meals under existing Medicaid-related nutrition supports, including standards for Washington-based nonprofit providers where possible, menu review, and nutrition requirements. The sponsor said it would clarify implementation without expanding the program, and supporters from meal providers, food distributors, and local farms said it would improve health outcomes, keep dollars local, and support Washington jobs and agriculture. House Bill 2329 would allow licensed midwives to delegate certain tasks to medical assistants and to supervise medical assistants, with the sponsor and birth center operators saying it would fix an omission in current law and help rural and under-resourced birth centers operate more efficiently. Supporters said it would improve staffing and financial stability, while the sponsor indicated the lactation consultant language would likely be removed because those consultants are not regulated by the Department of Health. The committee then returned to House Bill 1904 for additional testimony from humane organizations, veterinarians, shelter leaders, and local officials, all supporting a ban on declawing and emphasizing animal pain, shelter impacts, and available alternatives. House Bill 2247 would expand and clarify veterinary telehealth and veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules, allowing a VCPR to be established in certain telehealth circumstances and setting guardrails for consent, practice standards, and when in-person exams are still required. Supporters from shelters, animal welfare groups, mobile clinics, and veterinarians said telehealth would improve access in rural and underserved areas, reduce shelter intake, and help animals receive care sooner; the veterinary association supported the bill with amendments to clarify recordkeeping and access-to-care findings. House Bill 2339 would update nursing license terminology and processes for advanced registered nurse practitioners, including title changes, controlled substance rules for CRNAs, transcript submission, and interim permits. Nursing board and ARNP representatives supported the technical updates, while the hospital association and medical association raised concerns about title language for clinical nurse specialists and the deletion of a reference to the medical profession. Finally, House Bill 2106 would require health carriers to give 90 days’ notice of significant mid-contract payer modifications and provide the actual modification language, with the sponsor and hospital and provider representatives saying insurers are increasingly making unilateral changes that affect payment, services, and patient access. UW Medicine and a rural hospital district described examples where insurers changed imaging or preventive service coverage mid-contract, causing financial losses and forcing difficult choices about network participation. Carriers were noted as opposing the bill, while providers and facilities argued it would improve transparency and prevent one-sided contract changes that disrupt care.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want to procure compost that is littered with, Compost that we procure, we want to be clean.
• We don't want to procure compost that is littered with incomplete, incompletely digested plastics for
• strategy or methane reduction strategy.
• . ...and ongoing risks such as double counting and non-permanent emission reductions.
• And the state has validated VMT reductions from earlier affordable housing projects.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused on environmental policy, public infrastructure, housing, and energy. AB 1812, dealing with compostable plastics and compost contamination, drew strong support from farmers, composters, counties, cities, and waste companies, while manufacturers and compostable-product companies opposed it unless amended, arguing it would undermine compostable packaging and SB 54 goals. AB 2216 to expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area also received broad support and no opposition. AB 2481, which would allow leftover glass quality incentive funds to support recycled glass used in fiberglass insulation and other products, was supported by insulation manufacturers, recyclers, and waste advocates and passed with no opposition. AB 2152, streamlining fire station construction and tying CEQA relief to project labor agreement requirements, was supported by firefighters and construction trades but opposed by contractors and wildlife groups over the PLA mandate and environmental review provisions; the committee discussed amendments and sent it forward. AB 1536, the Save Our Shores Act, aimed at offshore oil and gas safety and decommissioning, was supported by coastal and environmental groups and opposed by the petroleum industry, with members debating pipeline safety, drilling risks, and carbon intensity before advancing the bill. AB 1849, a study bill on decarbonized gaseous fuels, split supporters from hydrogen, bioenergy, and propane interests against environmental and justice groups who said it favored biomethane and hydrogen without clear definitions; the author said it was only a study measure, and it moved ahead. AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and community college housing projects, was backed by students, UC representatives, housing advocates, and labor, with no opposition heard; members raised concerns about environmental impacts and evacuation planning, but the bill was approved. Several measures were taken on consent and others were held open for absent members or quorum issues, with multiple bills receiving due pass recommendations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want to procure compost that is littered with... do in great part to the fact that they must
• We don't want to procure compost that is littered with, Compost that we procure, we want to be clean.
• We don't want to procure compost that is littered with incomplete, incompletely digested plastics for
• strategy or methane reduction strategy.
• And the state has validated VMT reductions from earlier affordable housing projects.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the larger items that I'll point out are a 1.5% across-the-board reduction to the institutions
• There is a reduction, as was in the House budget, for Evergreen State operating costs, although it is
• There are dental rate reductions.
• It also has a reduction for children, but it is modified to exclude certain children.
• Of course, there are many reductions throughout the budget that are harmful and are going to be hard

Summary: The conference committee met on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, the state operating budget, and received a detailed staff briefing on the proposed conference report. Staff explained how to read the comparison documents, the four-year balanced-budget outlook, and the main resource assumptions, including use of the March 2025 revenue forecast, exclusion of the statutory 4.5% growth assumption, revenue legislation totaling about $8.7 billion, numerous fund transfers, and reversion assumptions. They also noted the proposal does not include a temporary salary reduction or furloughs. The briefing highlighted major policy areas and their net five-year impacts, including increases for state and higher education employee compensation, K-12 education, long-term care and developmental disabilities, corrections, information technology, and other policy items. It also described net reductions in behavioral health, children/youth/families, higher education, natural resources, other human services, and health care/public health, with many of the changes tied to delayed programs, rate adjustments, fund shifts, and savings options from Governor Ferguson. The committee then heard member comments, with supporters emphasizing K-12 funding and fiscal responsibility, and Senator Gildon opposing the process and the closed-door nature of the budget development. A motion was made and seconded to recommend adoption of the conference report and pass the bill. The roll call showed one member voting do not recommend, one member excused, and the remaining members recommending adoption. By vote of the committee, the conference report was adopted, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got deadwood, you have litter, you have the soil itself, you have live biomass, the above-ground
• You've got deadwood you have<00:28:56.399><c> litter</c><00:28:56.799><c> you</c><00:28:56.880><c> have
• you have the soil itself you have litter you have the soil itself you have<00:28:59.360><c> uh</c><00
• </c><00:31:03.440><c> and</c><00:31:03.600><c> deadwood</c><00:31:04.080><c> those</c> not soil litter
• </c><01:28:00.639><c> in</c> showed you was um you know reductions in showed you was um you know reductions

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and the clerk called the roll, establishing a quorum. The committee approved the prior minutes after correcting the date and changing a reference so that a draft-legislation note attributed to Representative Wlette was corrected. After that, the chair introduced a carbon presentation by Mr. Charlie Lebec and invited members and guests to move closer to view the slides. Mr. Lebec’s presentation focused on forest carbon science and forest carbon offset markets, with emphasis on how forests store, sequester, and emit carbon. He explained greenhouse gases and the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and temperature, then defined key terms such as carbon storage, sequestration, flux, sinks, and sources. He also described forest carbon pools, noting that soils contain a large share of forest carbon, and discussed how forest age affects storage and sequestration, arguing that younger forests often sequester carbon faster while older forests store more carbon overall. He also addressed how harvested wood products can continue to store carbon, responding to a question from a member about mass timber and carbon sinks. The presentation included regional comparisons showing New Hampshire’s forest density, carbon storage, and sequestration relative to other New England states, and noted that New Hampshire forests offset more than 30% of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from nonforest sources, while Maine and Vermont offset even larger shares. Mr. Lebec said eastern forests are generally carbon sinks, unlike some western forests affected by wildfire, and stressed that forest management, soil protection, and forest age all influence carbon outcomes. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• Littering is illegal.
• Fines for simple littering can range from $150 to $900. See someone littering?
• So don't litter. Do it for me. Oh, good luck with your driver's test. So don't litter.
• And all that litter adds up.
• Obviously, don't litter. But don't let your passengers litter either.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education met with quorum, approved the minutes from its previous meeting, and took several action items related to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LIAC). The commission unanimously approved the 2026-27 LIAC membership slate after reviewing recommendations from the selection committee, and it also approved the council’s budget and mileage reimbursement guidelines, noting the only change was an updated IRS mileage rate. Members thanked the legislature for continuing to fund LIAC after earlier years when it relied on outside donations. The meeting featured presentations on civic education resources and America 250 programming. Brandon Burris, representing the Lieutenant Governor’s office, highlighted Louisiana state parks, the Checkout Louisiana library backpack programs for parks and museums, Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s anti-litter campaign, and Homework Louisiana. Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute discussed national civics education trends, teacher discomfort with controversial topics, and the institute’s teacher training, student camps, debate programs, and civics app. Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Katie Stark and Nancy Torren presented America 250-related materials, including a PBS Kids feature on a Louisiana child and LPB’s “Louisiana’s Hidden History” videos and teacher resources on Bernardo de Galvez and Spanish Louisiana. LIAC members then reported on their work, including school safety efforts, digital service-hour tracking, AP self-study access, minor work permits, AI-generated harassment concerns, and local civic engagement projects. Peggy Cotonia of the Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education reported 87 Law Day presentations and 287 total Law Day and Constitution Day presentations reaching about 9,400 students, along with updates on awards and a shortened but still free summer institute for teachers. Barry Irwin reported that legislation to clean up outdated commission membership and quorum language had passed the House and been heard in Senate Education, moving toward final passage. The commission adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Littering is illegal.
• Fines for simple littering can range from $150 to $900. See someone littering?
• So don't litter. Do it for me. Oh, good luck with your driver's test. So don't litter.
• And all that litter adds up.
• Obviously, don't litter. But don't let your passengers litter either.

Summary: The Louisiana Commission on Civic Education met with a quorum, approved the minutes from its prior meeting, and unanimously approved the 2026–27 membership slate for the Legislative Youth Advisory Council after hearing that more than 300 students applied. The commission also approved LIAC’s budget and mileage reimbursement guidelines, which were updated to reflect the IRS rate increase. Members thanked the Legislature for continuing to fund LIAC after earlier years of sponsor-based support. The meeting featured several civic education presentations tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Brandon Burris of the Lieutenant Governor’s office described state parks, museums, library backpack programs, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, and Homework Louisiana as civic and educational resources. Liam Julian of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute discussed national trends in civics education, teacher discomfort with controversial topics, and the institute’s teacher training, student camps, debate programs, and civics app. Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Katie Stark and Nancy Torren presented America 250-related materials, including a PBS Kids feature on a Louisiana child and a PBS Learning Media series on Bernardo de Gálvez and Spanish Louisiana, along with teacher training events. LIAC members John Parker and Brandon Routon reported on their work over the year, including school safety efforts, digital service-hour tracking, AP self-study access, minor work permits, AI-generated harassment of minors, and school advisory councils. The Louisiana Center for Law and Civic Education reported on Law Day and Constitution Day programming reaching thousands of students, its summer institute, student and teacher awards, and a proclamation marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Barry Irwin also reported that legislation to clean up the commission’s membership and quorum provisions had passed the House and been heard in Senate Education. The commission adjourned after thanking staff for managing the meeting during severe weather.

Transcript Highlights:

• Single-use batteries and vape litter are real environmental problems, and we support addressing them.
• Single-use batteries and vape litter are real environmental problems, and we support addressing them.
• The disposables driving the litter and the fires come through the illicit market, and they will keep
• That's a significant emissions reduction available today using existing vehicles and infrastructure.
• A lot of what CARB has claimed for carbon reduction over the last 15 years under LCFS is attributable

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the birth of litters.
• that were found in Albuquerque, and in my opinion, this improvement was also due to spay-neuter and reduction
• in the birth of litters.
• The hard data in my own experience studying this issue. ...birth of litters.
• The result, when we have unwanted litters of puppies and kittens, means that shelter kennels fill up

Bills: SB97, SB55, SB40, SB38, SB120, SB113, SB116, SB117, SB118

Keywords: tax credits, municipality, county property, industrial revenue bonds, economic development, qualified expenditures, solar energy, tax credit, renewable energy, photovoltaic, solar thermal, New Mexico, economic incentive, energy independence, SB40, Driver Privacy and Safety Act, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate reader, vehicle surveillance

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a slide in here today to tell you a little more about our litter prevention and our litter control
• And then lastly, this litter initiative.
• And the litter problem is prevalent. I mentioned earlier we spent $8 million a year on litter.
• And then lastly, this litter initiative.
• And the litter problem is prevalent. I mentioned earlier we spent $8 million a year on litter.

Summary: The committee received a report from Director Wiley of the Arkansas Department of Transportation on a series of routine and quarterly items, including the closeout of the department’s efficiency review. Wiley said all five remaining recommendations from that review had been implemented, highlighted a new public maintenance dashboard on the agency website, and reported four surplus properties sold since the last meeting. He also noted that ARDOT had obligated $3.14 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to date and reviewed the annual expenditure report tied to 2019 revenue changes, which funded $98.7 million in maintenance projects last year. Members asked about the balance between maintenance and new construction, with Wiley saying about 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system and that ARDOT’s overall spending is overwhelmingly focused on upkeep because of the size of the state highway network. He also discussed major projects and corridor priorities, including Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings, passing-lane improvements on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, Highway 82 widening in south Arkansas, and long-range plans to widen Interstate 40, possibly including a toll study. On the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, he said the design had been revised to reduce public impacts and would not require a long-term bridge closure. The committee also discussed safety and enforcement tools in work zones. Wiley said new work-zone cameras and cell phone detection tools were being used on projects such as I-30, I-57, and I-49, mainly to improve safety rather than issue citations. In addition, he said ARDOT spends about $8 million annually on litter control and is expanding anti-litter efforts, including a spring cleanup day involving more than 2,500 operations employees and some office staff. He also announced agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for field and office staff and the Street Smart education program for middle school students, with plans to expand it to high school content next year. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the director’s presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, when it comes time to go use the litter box and such, sometimes they stop using their litter box
• </c><04:23:32.800><c> thank</c> you're not having unwanted litters thank you're not having unwanted litters
• They can't urinate or defecate outside the litter box because it's too painful to go inside the litter
• </c> defecating outside the litter defecating outside the litter box<04:45:25.920><c> why</c><04:45:26.280
• </c> inside the litter inside the litter box<04:45:30.520><c> the</c><04:45:30.798><c> pain</c><04:45

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training through the police standards system. Representative Barbara Coma, the sponsor, said the bill was prompted by problems in animal cruelty cases, especially in rural areas without animal control officers, and she described it as a limited training measure. She said an amendment was forthcoming that would add an eight-hour approved course and a two-hour refresher every three years, and she emphasized that the trained officers would serve as resources rather than being required to take action themselves. Members asked about cost, due process, overlap with animal control officers, how trained officers would be identified and notified, and whether veterinarians could fill the role. Coma responded that the bill would not be a heavy financial lift, would not interfere with animal control officers, would apply to livestock as well as companion animals, and would still require law enforcement involvement because veterinarians cannot lawfully remove animals from property. She also said the training could improve due process by helping officers better understand when animal removal is appropriate and how cases should proceed. Sheriff William Wright, speaking for the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association, testified in opposition. He said training itself was acceptable, but the bill went beyond training by creating an obligation for sheriffs and state police to respond to and potentially investigate animal cruelty cases, which he argued would be ambiguous, unfunded, and burdensome for staffing and resources. He said some sheriff’s offices do not have investigative deputies and that the bill could create liability and uncertainty about who would lead investigations. In response to questions, he said the association would likely have no objection if the bill were limited to training, but it opposed the assistance/investigation mandate as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some may say we should wait until the next litter study.
• Some may say we should wait until the next litter study in 2027 before acting.
• We are the state's lead agency managing litter programs, and we oversee the state's litter prevention
• This bill will require Ecology to convene a Littering Solutions Task Force.
• We are the state's lead agency managing litter programs, and we oversee state's litter prevention campaigns

Summary: The committee heard testimony on three main bills. House Bill 2284 on reducing litter would remove a scheduled increase in plastic bag thickness, preserve the existing penalty on thicker bags, and create a litter solutions task force to use existing data and recommend further actions. Supporters from business, retail, agriculture, food industry, and the Department of Ecology said the bill takes a data-driven approach and could help reduce litter without imposing a full bag ban, while Ecology noted it already has a statewide litter study underway and raised cost and membership concerns. Opponents and other commenters generally favored the bill’s direction but emphasized the need for more study and careful implementation. No vote was taken. House Bill 1652 would require certain ocean-going vessels in Washington waters to use fuel with no more than 0.1% sulfur, with recordkeeping, Ecology oversight, penalties, and a substitute clarifying vessel coverage and exemptions. The prime sponsor and environmental and public health advocates said the bill would reduce air and water pollution from scrubbers and protect the Salish Sea, orcas, salmon, and nearby communities. Ports, shipping interests, and industry groups raised concerns that the bill could effectively discourage scrubbers, create burdens for irregular callers and cargo traffic, and affect port competitiveness, while some said the bill should be narrowed or further stakeholdered. The hearing also included discussion of a proposed substitute and possible impacts on vessels and port operations. House Bill 2367 would end special coal-related exemptions by limiting the cap-and-invest exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas regulation for the coal plant, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. Supporters said the bill would align state law with the planned closure of the Centralia coal plant, reinforce Washington’s climate policies, and remove outdated carve-outs. Business and petroleum representatives warned that if the plant were brought back into the cap-and-invest program, the allowance market could be affected and Ecology might need flexibility to adjust the program. The committee heard extensive testimony on all three bills but took no recorded votes or final action in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This significant reduction would cause our work to cease.
• This significant reduction would cause our work to seize.
• As far as the reduction in smoking, I'm happy to look into that and give you some data that I find.
• Preserving the tax reduction will ensure that tax policy is proportional to risk and allow for better
• Investing in cessation and prevention services will amplify those reductions.

Bills: HB2038, HB2297, HB2382, HB2487, HB2018

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Summary: House Finance held hearings on several tax-related bills. HB 2038 would impose a 0.4% additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms starting in 2027 and direct the revenue to a new youth behavioral health account. The sponsor and supportive youth witnesses said social media contributes to youth anxiety and problematic internet use and that the bill would fund prevention and behavioral health services. Opponents from business and tech groups argued the tax unfairly targets one sector, could violate federal internet tax law, and should be funded through the general fund instead. HB 2297 would create local tax incentives to help grocery stores in underserved communities, including preferential city B&O rates, a sales tax exemption for security services, a property tax exemption program, a B&O credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. Supporters, including food access advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents of food-desert neighborhoods, said the bill would help preserve and attract grocery stores in communities that have lost access to healthy food. Counties supported the concept but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption, saying local revenue losses should be minimized. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to emergency medical services, tobacco enforcement, and public health accounts. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce smoking, generate revenue, and help fund cancer research and public health programs. Retailers and industry groups opposed the bill, warning it would hurt small stores, push sales to illicit or out-of-state markets, and burden lower-income consumers. HB 2487 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurers after a 2024 Supreme Court decision, with retroactive application to 2019; DOR and patient advocates supported it as a clarification to prevent an overly broad exemption, while insurers and business groups opposed the retroactivity and warned of higher premiums and ambiguity affecting related insurance activities. HB 2018 would raise the solid waste tax by 0.5% annually for five years and create a local government solid waste assistance account; counties and solid waste officials supported it as a way to stabilize funding for waste management as landfill revenue declines, and the hearing included public testimony in favor. No committee votes were taken in the transcript.