Transcript Highlights:

• And so the bill's been stripped out in new language.
• It's the immigrant family afraid that location data could be used against them.
• It's the immigrant family, afraid that location data could be used against them.
• I assume there's a location. Sorry.
• So, yes, we will pull the ALPR data from the location of the body if we find one.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• c> similar to this went to the senate similar to this went to the senate senate<00:11:39.720><c> stripped
• it out created a senate stripped it out created a commission<00:11:42.000><c> the</c><00:11:42.120><
• You may have seen it in a white tent in your polling location.
• You may have seen it in a white tent in your polling location, and this allows anyone to use it, but
• So if you're going to have to disseminate these records, they're going to have to be located, they're

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• this out-of-control resale industry, the bots and the ticket brokers will continue to outpace us, stripping
• continue to and the ticket brokers will continue to outpace<00:53:00.079><c> us,</c><00:53:00.559><c> stripping
• /c><00:53:01.040><c> assets</c><00:53:01.440><c> from</c><00:53:01.680><c> local</c> outpace us, stripping
• assets from local outpace us, stripping assets from local communities<00:53:02.880><c> while</c><00:

Bills: SF1750 , HF4250 , HF3938 , HF3904 , HF3642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We are stripping young people of the ability to protect themselves. We're silencing them.
• mistakes, not repeating them.<01:25:09.760><c> We</c><01:25:10.080><c> are</c><01:25:10.239><c> stripping
• We are stripping young people of them.
• We are stripping young people of the<01:25:12.080><c> ability</c><01:25:12.400><c> to</c><01:25:12.719

Summary: The committee met in executive session on Senate Bill 72, a parental rights in education measure, and considered an amendment offered by Representative Raymond. Raymond explained that his changes were intended to narrow the bill so it would not force schools to act as “surveillance operatives” for parents, especially regarding older students, and to avoid requiring teachers to disclose private family matters such as a student’s sexual orientation or pronouns. He also struck the bill’s “clear and convincing” standard and replaced it with a lower “evidence” standard, arguing teachers should have some basis for concern but not a burden equivalent to terminating parental rights. He said the amendment was meant to preserve due process, avoid weaponizing the bill in civil disputes, and reduce the risk of lawsuits. Members then debated the scope of the bill and amendment. Supporters said schools should not withhold information about a child’s health, school environment, behavior, bullying, self-harm, or criminal conduct, and argued that parents have a right to know about serious issues such as mental health concerns, sexual assault, drug use, or other misconduct. Several members emphasized that teachers do not diagnose mental illness, but should report observable concerns and involve school administrators or counselors when necessary. Opponents argued the bill would chill communication between students and trusted adults at school, especially for children from dysfunctional or unsafe homes, and said it could force outing of gay or trans students and increase the risk of harm or self-harm. One member cited the Department of Education’s trusted-adult approach and said teachers are not covered by formal confidentiality rules in the same way as lawyers or doctors. The discussion included examples and hypotheticals about bullying, sexual assault, drug use, self-harm, gender dysphoria, and whether a teacher would have to tell parents if a student used different pronouns or a nickname. Raymond and supporters said the bill would require disclosure of serious safety concerns but not compel teachers to diagnose or pry into private matters. Opponents argued the bill’s language still sweeps too broadly and could force disclosure in situations where a student fears abuse or being kicked out at home. The transcript does not show a final vote on the amendment or bill in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we saw during COVID, the governor used his authority to strip away people's rights, take away their
• co uh the governor used his authority uh co uh the governor used his authority to<01:27:32.159><c> strip
• c> people's</c><01:27:33.080><c> rights</c><01:27:34.040><c> take</c><01:27:34.280><c> away</c> to strip
• away people's rights take away to strip away people's rights take away their<01:27:34.880><c> ability

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a location in Casper. They rotate through.
• We have a a location in Casper. state. We have a a location in Casper.
• We have skill games in a lot of locations.
• We have skill games in a lot of locations.
• We have skill games in a lot of locations.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Gaming

Transcript Highlights:

• 17:59.360><c> they're</c> New England States in which they're New England States in which they're located
• </c> than the federal government stripping than the federal government stripping away<01:20:00.360><c
• If they are growing up in a right-to-work location, they have a 1.7 percentage point higher probability
• <02:47:41.240><c> uh</c><02:47:41.439><c> they</c><02:47:41.720><c> have</c> location uh they have location
• here in conquered New local 490 located here in conquered New Hampshire<03:56:29.199><c> and</c><03:

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Rogers is located in the poorest ZIP code in Washington State.
• Thank you. and Washington-based companies choosing to locate their new hires out of state.
• It's a location-based grocery establishment, so anything that's located in a geographic area that the
• And what might be necessary for a specific location. Thank you. Great. Thank you.
• We advocated for safer visiting locations while doctors recommended they just stop.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We're proud that our asset, the SoCal Biomethane Facility, located at the Victor Valley Water Reclamation
• But deployment's not always targeted at the locations where it provides the greatest grid value.
• Second, reliance on zero-carbon generation located behind the meter to the maximum extent feasible.
• Second, reliance on zero-carbon generation located behind the meter to the maximum extent feasible.
• The bill targets data centers by stripping them of ministerial status under CEQA, and this is logically

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're proud that our asset, the SoCal Biomethane Facility, located at the Victor Valley Water Reclamation
• But deployment's not always targeted at the locations where it provides the greatest grid value.
• And let's back up some of these circuits and look at where the locational net benefits are to be maximized
• Second, reliance on zero-carbon generation located behind the meter to the maximum extent feasible.
• The bill targets data centers by stripping them of ministerial status under CEQA, and this is logically

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• We're located about 40 miles east from here, called the Shingle Springs Band, but the tribe's ancestral
• I think tribal are uniquely qualified to speak on what it feels like to have their water rates stripped
• The concern that I have specifically in my district, where Glamis is located in Imperial County, we have
• Our tribal homeland is located along the Santa Isabel Creek in a fertile valley near present-day San
• More than 50 overwintering sites are located across roughly 40 state parks, including Natural Bridges

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, and land-use bills. AB 2218 by Assembly Member Calóra would establish a state policy directing agencies to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting tribes; tribal supporters said it is a needed step toward restoring a voice at the table, while water agencies and local government groups opposed it as vague and potentially harmful to water supply reliability. The bill was amended in committee and moved forward on a vote, though it was left on call. AB 2032 by Assembly Member Ransom, the Golden Mussel Response Act, would speed agency response to the invasive golden mussel by streamlining permits and research; it drew broad support and no opposition, and passed the committee unanimously to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 1712 by Assembly Member Pacheco would let Santa Fe Springs sell its small, contaminated water system through a protest process instead of a municipal election; supporters said it would avoid major rate hikes and improve reliability, and it was moved to Appropriations, though the vote was left on call. The committee also considered AB 1722 by Assembly Member Hadwick, which would create a clearer self-defense exception under the California Endangered Species Act for people facing dangerous predators. The author and a sheriff described a fatal mountain lion attack and argued rural residents need certainty; Defenders of Wildlife withdrew opposition after committee amendments, and the bill advanced to Judiciary on a vote that was left on call. AB 1613 by Assembly Member Wilson would require an off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship certification course before operating OHVs on public lands starting in 2029. Supporters said it would reduce accidents and educate new riders, while Vice Chair Gonzalez raised concerns about fees, penalties, tourism, and impacts on low-income residents in his district; the bill passed on a split vote and was left on call. Later, AB 1808 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand local permitting authority for Western Joshua tree projects and reduce or waive some fees for homeowners and public works. Supporters framed it as a way to balance conservation with housing and infrastructure needs, while environmental groups opposed changes they said would weaken avoidance and mitigation protections; the bill passed to Natural Resources and was left on call. AB 1894 by Assembly Member Rubio would address imported water deliveries and groundwater recharge in the context of golden mussel restrictions, with supporters arguing for a statewide, science-based approach that preserves water reliability; it advanced to Appropriations with no opposition. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance competing interests, especially around water reliability, tribal equity, public safety, and environmental protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not an either-or that in order to provide compassionate care we must strip people away from their
• It is not an either-or that in order to provide compassionate care we must strip people away from their
• to provide C Compassionate Care we order to provide C Compassionate Care we must<00:24:26.000><c> strip
• <c> people</c><00:24:26.760><c> away</c><00:24:27.080><c> from</c><00:24:27.279><c> their</c> must strip
• people away from their must strip people away from their constitutional<00:24:28.159><c> rights</c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes. Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders. Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the current limitations prevent prohibiting suspensions in K through 3 are restrictive and have stripped
• the current limitations prevent prohibiting suspensions in K through 3 are restrictive and have stripped
• the current limitations prevent prohibiting suspensions in K through 3 are restrictive and have stripped
• the current limitations prevent prohibiting suspensions in K through 3 are restrictive and have stripped
• The current limitations prevent prohibiting suspensions in K through 3 are restrictive and have stripped

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes towns with similar locations, size, and development to share best practices.
• It takes towns with similar locations, size, and development to share best practices.
• It takes towns with similar locations, size, and development to share best practices.
• It takes towns with similar locations, size, and development to share best practices.
• it's my understanding, that specifically asked to be part of it because of their similarities in location

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said that you've seen a strip or a line through it.
• Do we know where it's located? I've got somebody from the DNR coming up.
• I've got Do we know where it's located?
• We have ad hoc locations right now to do it.
• We have a ad hoc, um, locations that.

Bills: HF3426 , HF3896 , HF1426 , HF3793 , HF4061 , HF4246

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Rogers is located in the poorest zip code in Washington State.
• It's a location-based grocery establishment, so anything that's located in a geographic area that the
• So that allows early opportunity to learn what might be necessary for a specific location.
• And what might be necessary for a specific location. Thank you. Great. Thank you.
• We advocated for safer visiting locations, while doctors recommended they just stop.

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney General Keith Ellison met with a group directly tied to the fraud network at an off-site location
• network<00:17:19.600><c> at</c><00:17:19.760><c> an</c><00:17:19.959><c> off-site</c><00:17:21.040><c> location
• </c> network at an off-site location. network at an off-site location.
• It is not acceptable to Minnesotans that whistleblowers have been penalized, stripped of their jobs,

Transcript Highlights:

• square foot addition to this campus, where we'll be able to move the rest of our services, which are located
• asking for an appropriation to the military-based impact fund, that appropriation ended up being stripped
• I don’t know the exact location.
• Women veterans have been deploying to the same locations as men for the last, well, certainly since the
• It is located at a portion of the The aquifer allows us to monitor the migration of EDB at depth, at

Transcript Highlights:

• We exempted schools, we added in constitutional officers, and we had to strip out a trust fund that never
• Strip it away, and we're going to force some real impossible choices on our communities.