Transcript Highlights:

• It's been life-saving for many small and medium-sized... Waste.
• It's been life-saving for many small- and medium-sized food banks.
• We solve for sourcing from farmers both small and large scale.
• I've worked with small producers.
• What a small-scale farmer is.

Bills: HB2279, HB2463, HB1941, HB2238

Keywords: PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2279, which would require the Department of Agriculture to establish a program and criteria to evaluate PFAS chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides. The prime sponsor argued PFAS are persistent “forever chemicals” that pose environmental and health risks and said Washington should begin acting now, while some members questioned whether the bill would duplicate federal EPA review and could disadvantage Washington agriculture. WSDA testified that the bill is implementable but would require rulemaking, ongoing staff resources, and likely a 12-month extension to complete stakeholder engagement; agricultural and pesticide industry witnesses opposed the bill as duplicative of federal oversight and warned of market impacts, while environmental groups supported it as a needed step to reduce PFAS exposure in food and agriculture. The committee took no action on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2463, which would expand and rename the Washington Commodity Donation Program and create a farm-to-food pantry program to help hunger relief organizations buy Washington-grown food directly from farmers. The sponsor said the bill responds to reduced federal food security support and is intended to strengthen local food access and support farmers. Testimony was broadly supportive from food banks, hunger relief organizations, tribal farms, AARP, and several growers, who said the program helps move fresh produce, dairy, and protein to people in need and supports local agriculture. Several witnesses, however, raised concerns that language limiting participation to organizations that “solely” do this work could exclude many existing food hubs, distributors, and regional partners; others requested amendments to include tribally owned small-scale farms, food hubs, and broader distribution networks. No vote was taken on HB 2463. After the hearings, the committee recessed for caucus and then held executive session on House Bill 1941, which authorizes licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural associations and engage in collective processing, handling, and marketing. The sponsor and chair described it as a parity measure to help smaller cannabis producers organize and compete, while opponents argued it was premature given ongoing federal marijuana scheduling issues and that the bill’s scope was too broad. The committee approved the bill on a 6-5 vote and reported it out with a due pass recommendation. The chair also announced that executive action on House Bill 2238 would be deferred until the following day due to pending amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing I've found is that a small injustice that people feel against them, or that they can understand
• I appreciate the Department of Licensing having a small fiscal note estimating nine replacements per
• I appreciate the Department of Licensing having a small fiscal note estimating nine replacements per
• One day while I was at our local high school, a small school with a small parking lot, I walked around

Bills: HB1823, HB2092, HB2111, HB2114

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard four bills. HB 1823 was described as a technical cleanup bill for the Transportation Improvement Board, updating obsolete references and repealing outdated sections; a proposed substitute would restore language that had inadvertently removed remaining bond authority. Rep. Lowe and TIB supported the bill, calling it a good-government measure, and there was no opposition. The committee then heard HB 292, which would create a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. The prime sponsor and supporters said the goal was to give riders and stakeholders a regular, statutory forum to provide feedback to WSDOT; several testifiers urged broader statewide representation, inclusion of disability advocates, and possible participation by rail industry stakeholders such as BNSF. Testimony was broadly supportive, with some suggestions for amendments to expand the committee’s scope and membership. The committee next heard HB 2111, which would allow the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project toll facility bond retirement account to retain its share of interest earnings instead of having them credited to the general fund. Staff and the State Treasurer’s office said the change would keep revenue dedicated to the bridge project and avoid accounting and tax concerns; the chair and a business representative from Clark County supported advancing the bill as a necessary step for the project. Finally, HB 2114 would require the Department of Licensing to waive replacement plate fees for defective plates within two years of issuance and allow waivers in some cases between two and five years. The sponsor said the bill responds to widespread plate delamination complaints, especially in eastern Washington, and county auditors and other local officials testified in favor as a customer-service fix, though they asked for clearer definitions and noted the state’s newer flat plates may reduce the problem over time. The Department of Licensing fiscal note estimated limited annual replacements but significant one-time system update costs. The hearing on HB 2114 was left open briefly for a testifier who could not connect, and then the public hearing was temporarily closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, House Bill 875 seeks to provide a reasonable exception to these requirements for truly small...
• Instead, it simply recognizes us is that these requirements can be unnecessarily burdensome on small
• towns and a lot of small vendors.
• And they honestly prevent, like for a small business.
• I had a woman who worked for a small consulting company that had less than 50 employees, but this was

Bills: HB875, HB1667, HB2369, HB3844, HB4415, HB4479, HB4483, HB4676, HB5118, HB5400, HB5545

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• And we had similar results in our tribal Electric boats program and a few testimonials on this slide
• I'll say a lot of them are in the range of like a 20- to 30-foot work-boat type range.
• Whereas the Colville Tribes also have a larger boat.
• We have a pretty unique project up at Friday Harbor in the San Juans.
• They also have a few electric boats, their electric propulsion boats, which they are purchasing, as well

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held a work session focused on Climate Commitment Act transportation spending and electrification programs. Staff first reviewed overall CCA transportation allocations, saying about $2.2 billion has been allocated over three biennia, with major categories including public transportation, active transportation, ferry electrification, zero-emission vehicle programs, rail/ports, and planning. Members asked for additional breakdowns comparing CCA dollars with total program costs across categories. The Department of Ecology presented on the zero-emission school bus grant program. Ecology said the program was codified in 2024 and supports the transition from diesel to electric school buses, including buses, charging infrastructure, and training. For 2025-27, Ecology received $38.3 million in CCA funding; $21.4 million is already obligated or spent, replacing 91 diesel buses in 28 districts, with the rest to be awarded by the end of the biennium. Members asked about cost parity, exemptions for rural and extracurricular routes, health data, and whether the funding covers chargers as well as buses. Ecology said OSPI is developing the parity formula and exemptions are available when electric buses cannot meet district needs. The Department of Commerce described its clean transportation role, including EV rebates, tribal charging and electric boat projects, and the EV Coordinating Council. Commerce said its rebate program was designed to lower monthly costs and prioritize low-income households, with 89% of recipients saying the rebate was essential to their purchase. It also reported strong demand for charging grants, progress on tribal projects, and concerns about utility interconnection timelines, vandalism, and range anxiety. The Department of Enterprise Services reported on state agency EVSE projects, saying it has completed 82 sites with 567 Level 2 ports and 46 DC fast chargers, and that current projects will add 152 more Level 2 ports; members asked about replacing aging chargers and the state’s EV fleet purchasing mix. WSDOT closed with updates on charging, transit, and port electrification. It said its corridor charging program has awarded 23 sites this biennium, with 13 in overburdened communities and five tribal sites, and that the Washington Zero Emission Incentive Program opened with $112 million for vouchers for zero-emission commercial vehicles and equipment. WSDOT also described transit grants, including bus and bus facility funding, commute trip reduction, paratransit, tribal transit, and zero-emissions access car-share projects. The rail freight and ports division reported $89.8 million for port electrification projects, including shore power and drayage trucks, but noted only about 10% has been spent so far because projects are still in design and permitting. Members raised concerns about funding gaps, supply-chain delays, utility capacity, and whether the programs are sufficient to meet broader electrification needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the rebuilding of the David Malo Circle and Pi'ilani Homes; for DLNR, the rebuilding of the Hana Small
• Boat Harbor; for State Libraries, the rebuilding of the Hana Public Library; and inserting a provision
• 00:19:55.040><c> Hana</c> for DLNR, the rebuilding of the Hana for DLNR, the rebuilding of the Hana Small
• <00:19:55.560><c> Boat</c><00:19:55.800><c> Harbor,</c><00:19:56.720><c> for</c><00:19:56.880><c> State
• </c><00:19:57.120><c> Libraries,</c> Small Boat Harbor, for State Libraries, Small Boat Harbor, for State

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met in decision-making sessions and considered a long list of Senate bills, with no oral testimony taken. Several measures were advanced unamended, including SB 2178 on industrial hemp, SB 2277 on hospital price transparency, SB 2387 on digital financial asset transaction kiosks, SB 2688 on compassionate release, SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance data reporting, SB 3219 on housing infrastructure growth bonds, and others. Many bills were also advanced with technical or substantive amendments, including SB 2114 on collective bargaining grievance rights, SB 2601 on procurement penalties, SB 2698 on cruise ships/transportation, SB 2757 on digital asset charters, SB 2948 on insurance fraud, SB 2002 on water governance, SB 2022 on state water code penalties, SB 2190 on inclusionary zoning, SB 3294 on wrongful imprisonment compensation, and SB 17, SB 2407, SB 2811, SB 2907, SB 2930, SB 3084, SB 3103, and SB 2808 in the later agenda segment. The committee also discussed SB 2080, relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact, where one senator objected to interstate compacts as opening local jobs to out-of-state professionals; despite that objection, the measure was adopted. SB 3133 on preventive medicine drew amendment discussion to remove unnecessary language about committee members not being state employees and to delete an immunity subsection, while preserving ethics-code coverage and provider immunity. SB 3000 on insurance was amended to remove a savings clause, and SB 2921 on fund transfers received extensive amendments removing or revising numerous special funds and revolving accounts across agencies. Most votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, often with members present voting aye or with reservations. A few measures drew recorded no votes or reservations, including SB 2080, SB 3133, SB 2921, and SB 2401, where one member voted with reservations and the committee report was to reflect the Attorney General’s comments. In each case, the committee adopted the recommendation and moved the bills forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:53:13.920><c> 21</c><00:53:14.319><c> million</c><00:53:14.559><c> for</c><00:53:14.800><c> small
• </c><00:53:15.119><c> animal</c> and 21 million for small animal and 21 million for small animal slaughterhouse
• boat harbors, including Lahaina Small Boat Harbor.
• boat harbors, including Lahaina Small Boat Harbor. ...$20 million for repair and maintenance projects
• , and $1.5 billion for state harbors, and $1.5 billion for state highway<00:55:47.359><c> systems.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional ferry boats, still one per year, to replace that aging fleet.
• in our system so that we can keep them online until the new boats arrive.
• in our system so that we can keep them online until the new boats arrive.
• than it does a diesel engine boat.
• For a diesel engine boat, it is $12 million at the 30-year mark.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional ferry boats, still one per year to replace that aging fleet.
• in our system so that we can keep them online until the new boats arrive.
• in our system so that we can keep them online until the new boats arrive.
• than it does a diesel engine boat.
• For a diesel engine boat, it is $12 million at the 30-year mark.

Bills: SB6005

Keywords: transportation budget, transportation appropriations, capital budget, supplemental budget, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferries, Puget Sound ferries, tolling, express toll lanes, highway safety, traffic safety, impaired driving, ignition interlock, speed cameras, transit funding, public transit, multimodal transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation appropriations bill. Committee staff reviewed the current transportation budget, recent revenue forecasts, and the impact of the 2025 session’s new revenues and spending plan. They noted that fuel-tax-related forecasts were revised downward, while Climate Commitment Act revenues were revised upward in the near term but are expected to decline over time. The governor’s proposal was described as balancing over the six-year horizon and adding about $3.1 billion in bond-backed resources, including major preservation funding, three new ferries, maintenance, and support for other transportation accounts and agencies. Governor’s staff said the budget prioritizes preservation because of bridge deterioration, pavement needs, ferry fleet aging, and maintenance backlogs. They highlighted funding for bridge replacement and rehabilitation, paving, slope stabilization, culverts, maintenance, ferry vessel purchases and preservation, county road grant startup costs, State Patrol communications equipment, Department of Licensing mobile services and call center modernization, Columbia River dredging, bridge-strike analysis, and restoration of regional mobility grants. Committee members asked about electric vehicle adoption effects on fuel revenues, the self-insurance account, ferry vessel size and dock compatibility, and whether DOL mobile offices would be limited to rural areas. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s budget emphasis on preservation and maintenance. Cities, counties, contractors, business groups, ports, ferry users, and labor representatives backed investments in roads, bridges, ferries, dredging, and local access services, while urging more funding and better support for workers and equipment. Some witnesses argued the system is underfunded and fragile, while one testifier urged restraint and questioned the reliability of dedicated revenues. Other testimony called for continued support for COFA REAL ID assistance, Confluence Parkway in Wenatchee, and greater use of Climate Commitment Act funds for rail and port electrification. No votes were taken; the hearing on SB 6005 concluded and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 2610 creates... ...cybersecurity safe harbor protections for small
• Senator Nichols: Have we got some law firms that are targeting small businesses because of this?
• to small and medium businesses, otherwise known as SMBs.
• I am honored to serve on the Governor's Small Business Advisory Task Force and the Small Business Advisory
• Is this targeted because small law firms are gearing up to go after small companies for this?

Bills: SB324, SB1978, SB2139, SB2401, SB2587, SB2610, SB2858, SB3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, ERCOT, Texas electric grid, interconnection, Public Utility Commission, PUC, Public convenience and necessity, electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, electric utility, transmission, generation facilities, grid reliability, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, SERC

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not saying we're going to get to 330 boats in Hampton Harbor, Seabrook Harbor, but it would be nice
• </c><00:05:36.240><c> in</c> we're going to get to 330 boats in we're going to get to 330 boats in Hampton
• <00:05:36.800><c> Harbor,</c><00:05:37.199><c> Sebrook</c><00:05:37.600><c> Harbor,</c><00:05:38.160>
• <c> but</c><00:05:38.639><c> it</c> Hampton Harbor, Sebrook Harbor, but it Hampton Harbor, Sebrook Harbor
• </c> per boat or per fisherman? per boat or per fisherman?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , modest marina on the waterfront where we provide both public boat access, but we also operate a boat
• , modest marina on the waterfront where we provide both public boat access, but we also operate a boat
• , modest marina on the waterfront where we provide both public boat access, but we also operate a boat
• , modest marina on the waterfront where we provide both public boat access, but we also operate a boat
• I mean our overall ask is very small I mean our overall ask is very small<05:06:05.718><c> but</c><05

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• government purposes and recreational boating activities.
• trailers and most motorized boats.
• And 89% of small beneficiaries use the small business credit from 2019 to 2023.
• And 89% of small beneficiaries use the small business credit from 2019 to 2023.
• This difference in trends between small and large beneficiaries is also present in the number of small

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Say Ports and Harbors decides they're going to dredge out Portsmouth Harbor.
• So those are our two small bill.
• The boat looks just like a lobster boat.
• We do that with backpack units in small streams. We do it in boats with larger streams.
• We do it in boats with in small streams. We do it in boats with larger<03:49:54.800><c> streams.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill significant as Lahina Harbor.
• </c><00:05:15.680><c> and</c> group here which is Lahina Harbor and group here which is Lahina Harbor
• the harbor.
• the harbor.
• So it's there's only four harbor.

Bills: SB2596, SB3002, SB3067

Keywords: government leases, state entities, real property, affordable leasing, budget impact, green infrastructure, urban development, sustainability, environment, climate change, public health, Hawaii State Planning Act, land records, registration, surveys, subdivision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water and Culture and the Arts and on Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 3173, which would create a cultural training pilot program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, administered by DOBOR, for commercial permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Testimony was largely supportive from Lahaina Strong, which said the bill responds to community concerns and would help commercial operators return with greater cultural understanding and respect. Supporters framed the measure as a way to rebuild Lahaina intentionally and strengthen relationships between industry and community. Opposition came from Trilogy Excursions and the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii. They said they already provide or encourage cultural education, but argued the bill as written is too broad, potentially mandatory, and could create hiring and operational problems for businesses trying to restart after the fire. They asked that any program be voluntary, collaborative, and practical, with clearer details on who must take the training, how often it would be offered, and how it would be coordinated. In response to questions, a witness said most operators would likely participate if the training were accessible and well-marketed, but that the harbor’s limited current operations and staggered rebuilding make timing important. After testimony and questions, the chairs said they appreciated the comments but wanted to move the bill forward without amendments because of a filing deadline, noting that timing and other issues could be worked out in later committees with DLNR, OHA, and stakeholders. Both committees then voted to pass SB 3173 unamended, with one member excused in each committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Methemoglobin is usually a small percentage of our total hemoglobin.
• We have to get these boats out of the water a lot sooner, We can't afford to let our boats sink.
• So, yeah, we have to get these boats out of the water.
• We have to get these boats out of the water a lot sooner, We can't afford to let our boats sink.
• So, yeah, we have to get these boats out of the water.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met on February 4, with public hearing and executive action on several bills. The main public hearing was on House Bill 2668, as proposed substitute, which would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify and pursue relocation of the Bob Oak Game Farm and to plan remediation of the current site. Testimony from the bill sponsor, Centralia city officials, Lewis County public health staff, a tribal member, and residents strongly supported relocation, citing nitrate contamination in a sole-source aquifer, risks to drinking water for Centralia and nearby households, and the need for long-term public health protection. The committee also heard that interim mitigation measures such as point-of-use filters and water/sewer extensions were underway, but witnesses said relocation was the only durable solution. The bill was added to the day’s executive session as an unusual late addition, then later passed out of committee on a voice vote with a due pass recommendation. During executive session, the committee also acted on House Bill 2598, creating a Salmon Advisory Commission; House Bill 2619, creating a legislative task force to reduce regulatory stress in agriculture; House Bill 2199, dealing with derelict vessels and disposal timelines; House Bill 2463, which revises agricultural donation and farm-to-food pantry programs; and House Bill 1735, which prohibits force-feeding birds and related foie gras sales. Amendments were considered on several bills, including a DNR amendment to the vessel bill and a narrowing amendment to the force-feeding bill, which failed. The committee approved House Bill 2598 by a 6-5 vote, and House Bill 2619, House Bill 2199, House Bill 2463, House Bill 1735, and House Bill 2668 all received due pass recommendations, with some on voice votes and others by recorded roll call. The chair noted that moving House Bill 2668 in executive session the same day as public hearing was highly unusual and done because of the bill’s urgency and bipartisan support.

Bills: SB2969, SB3263, SB2602, SB3229, SB3199, SB2550, SB2877, SB3325, SB2024, SB2614, SB2613, SB3063, SB2319, SB2800, SB2892, SB2321, SB2407, SB2805, SB2153, SB2595, SB2781, SB3233, SB2360, SB1432, SB2543, SB2599, SB3053, SB2001, SB2041, SB3247, SB3253, SB2401, SB2673, SB3067, SB411, SB2934, SB3219, SB2919, SB2239, SB2532, SB2601, SB1032, SB2446, SB2152, SB2721, SB3076, SB3140, SB2671, SB2338, SB2268, SB99, SB2930, SB3069, SB3096, SB3097, SB3090, SB2060, SB3028, SB2544, SB2069, SB2552, SB3218, SB3022, SB148, SB2259, SB2578, SB2928, SB2816, SB2580

Keywords: SB2969, Maui wildfire, Maui wildfires, wildfire exposure, Maui Health Registry, University of Hawaii, public health, biomonitoring, medical screening, mental health services, trauma recovery, disaster recovery, first responders, kupuna, children's health, medically vulnerable, environmental exposure, toxic exposure, respiratory illness, community health

Bills: HB168, HB220, SB187, SB270, SB265, SB220, SB242, SB277

Keywords: loitering, mask policies, school safety, crime prevention, public health, board appointments, governor authority, multi-member boards, state governance, legislative authority, Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code, Title 10A, corporate governance, nonprofit governance, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a small step.
• You can find them anywhere from a small bodega to online accessibility.
• As has been said, small businesses are impacted by this as well.
• So it's again about this double charging I think of these small groups.
• your volleyball team or any of these small activities.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• At least 17 small towns in our region have had small-town clinics closed by Mayo since 2017.
• 00:07:23.440><c> our</c> been have small town clinics in our been have small town clinics in our region
• This bill is a small step. It stranger. This bill is a small step.
• </c> as well as small business development. as well as small business development.
• </c> small shops that sell uh these products. small shops that sell uh these products.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• say, you know, when it rains and stuff, you guys have to go clean it up, and that takes out of the boating
• We're DLNR is responsible for more of the Alaw Canal and small boat harbor, okay?
• all white is responsible for more of the all white canal<00:11:51.279><c> and</c><00:11:51.399><c> small
• </c><00:11:51.680><c> boat</c><00:11:52.040><c> harbor</c><00:11:53.040><c> okay</c><00:11:53.279><c>
• so</c> canal and small boat harbor okay so canal and small boat harbor okay so that's<00:11:54.000><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard five bills and later took up one joint Housing/Higher Education measure. On SB 1146 SD1, relating to the Alaw Canal, testimony from DLNR and UH was in support of funding an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to address debris management and water quality in the watershed; members discussed the cost burden on DLNR and the possibility of identifying upstream sources of debris. On SB 1232 SD2, relating to wastewater systems, the Department of Health, DHHL, and several advocacy groups supported a three-year pilot program at UH’s Water Resources Research Center to test new wastewater technologies, with witnesses saying it could help certify cheaper alternatives and reduce cesspool upgrade costs. On SB 119 SD1, relating to nursing, witnesses supported funding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Maui College. On SB 865 SD1, relating to agriculture, UH CTAHR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many island agricultural groups supported funding for a Kona Cooperative Extension position, with testimony and committee discussion favoring an extension agent over an administrative support role. On SB 1487 SD1, relating to UH revenue bonds, UH supported authorizing revenue bonds for priority capital projects, and members asked for clarification that the measure was a preliminary authorization rather than a specific spending plan. In decision-making, the committee recommended passing SB 1146 SD1, SB 1232 SD2, SB 119 SD1, SB 865 SD1, and SB 1487 SD1 with House Draft 1 amendments, mainly to change defective dates to 7/1/3000 and, for SB 865, to upgrade the position to an extension agent. Votes were unanimous in favor on the measures, with one recusal noted on SB 865 and some members excused on other votes. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for a joint House Housing/Higher Education hearing on SB 1553 SD2, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL asked that the bill be deferred because due diligence was incomplete and more discussion was needed with UH and other stakeholders; UH said it was coordinating access to the property and described its current and future use. Both committees agreed to defer the bill.