Transcript Highlights:

• We will now suspend the hearing on House Bill 2462 and open the hearing on House Bill 2401 with the staff
• We will now suspend the hearing on House Bill 2401 and open the hearing on House Bill 2198 with the staff
• in support of House Bill 21...
• in support of House Bill 2198.
• That will conclude testimony on House Bill 2198, and we will reopen the hearing on House Bill 2401.

Bills: HB2198 , HB2401 , HB2462 , HB2419 , HB2210 , HB2205 , HB2249

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: regulatory efficiency, permitting, licensing, executive order, state government, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, unpiloted aircraft, drones, regulation, airspace safety, privacy, address confidentiality, administrative law judges, privacy protection, staff employment

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3790 by Adams of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to contracts.
• House Bill 3790 is a consumer protection bill.
• House Bill 3790 is a consumer protection bill.
• House Bill 3790 by Adams of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to contracts.
• Members, House Bill 3142 is an industry request bill.

Bills: HB2979 , HB3790 , HB3142 , HB3463 , HB4143 , HJR1086 , SB392 , HB3087 , HB3037 , HB3581 , HB4058 , HB2959 , HB4227 , HB2997 , HB4125 , HB1453 , HB3521 , HB3691 , HB2015 , HB2940 , HB1016 , HB3267 , HB3695 , HB3697 , HB3045 , HB3662 , HB3453 , HB3053 , HB3301 , HB3495 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3845 , HB4198 , HB4425 , HB2970 , HB3338 , HB3443 , HB3783 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB1242 , HB1752 , HB2961 , HB2967 , HB2973 , HB2988 , HB3031 , HB3240 , HB3047 , HB3052 , HB3066 , HB3086 , HB3175 , HB3177 , HB3178 , HB3429 , HB3548 , HB3638 , HB3404 , HB3704 , HB1590 , HB3759 , HB3831 , HB3904 , HB4092 , HB1979 , HB1983 , HB1250 , HB2952 , HB3671 , HB3920 , HB4118 , HB3944 , HB3969 , HB3973 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3978 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3942 , HB4203 , HB2588 , HB3024 , HB3383 , HB3279 , HB3919 , HB3883 , HB4193 , HB3431 , HB3435 , HB4352 , HB4484 , HB1245 , HB3172 , HB3306 , HB4294 , HB3880 , HB2929 , HB3128 , HB2956 , HB3015 , HB3114 , HB3567 , HB3749 , HB4229 , HB4237 , HB4253 , HJR1046 , HJR1084 , HB3411

Keywords: HB2979, Talyn Bain Act, school zone, school safety, speed limit, 45 mph, state highway, Department of Transportation, ODOT, flashing beacons, traffic enforcement, speeding violation, public school, private school, K-12, drop-off, pick-up, highway safety, municipal maintenance, county commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you is House Bill 2228, an act relating to scissor stair regulations and the State Building
• The bill before you is House Bill 2381 concerning performance-based building codes for low-rise residential
• The bill before you is House Bill 2418, an act relating to permit review processes.
• We have signed in other on House Bill 2381. We do support the bill.
• The bill before you is House Bill 2273, reducing the embodied carbon emissions of buildings and building

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several housing, building code, and permitting bills. HB 2228 would direct the State Building Code Council to convene a technical advisory group to recommend code amendments allowing scissor stairs in buildings with more than two dwelling units. Supporters, including architects, builders, and housing advocates, said scissor stairs could improve safety, reduce corridor and stair footprint, lower costs, and allow more efficient and denser housing layouts. The bill was then closed to public hearing. HB 2381 would create a performance-based code pathway for low-rise residential buildings and allow recognition of third-party certifications. The chair described it as a move from prescriptive to performance-based standards, with flexibility for builders and potential alignment with clean building goals. The Building Industry Association of Washington opposed the bill as written, saying the main need is a performance pathway in the energy code rather than the IBC, while FutureWise supported the concept but urged caution about the complexity and timeline of converting code to performance-based standards. The public hearing on HB 2381 was closed after testimony. HB 2418 would change permit review processes, including vesting rules for residential project permits in urban growth areas, pausing review clocks in certain circumstances, extending timelines to other fee-charging reviewing entities, and requiring a single permit responsible official and point of contact by 2027. Builders, developers, and housing advocates generally supported the bill’s coordination and timeline provisions, saying they would reduce delays and costs, though several groups raised concerns about the vesting section and completeness definitions. FutureWise and county representatives warned the vesting changes could create litigation or records issues, while the sponsor said the vesting portion might be reconsidered. The committee also heard HB 2273, which would require embodied carbon reduction standards for larger building projects through reuse, product-based reductions, or whole-building life-cycle assessment. Support came from architects, Commerce, and environmental justice advocates, who said the bill would reduce climate impacts and encourage innovation; opponents from the concrete and aggregate industry and a taxpayer group raised concerns about costs, supply-chain issues, conflicts with other legislation, and exemptions such as for schools. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the public hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• be scheduled for consideration by the House: House Bill 4349, directing the City of Boston Police Department
• The Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, to whom was referred the Senate amendment of the House bill
• House number 4813. Question now is on passing the bill to be engrossed.
• Chair has been informed that House 4717, 18. ...the bill is passed to be engrossed.
• The bill is passed to be engrossed as amended. The House will be in a brief recess.

Summary: The House opened with the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team leading the Pledge of Allegiance and being formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blais of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, which was placed on file. The House then acted on several procedural and local matters. It adopted committee reports extending reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees to March 18, 2026, and advanced three bills to third reading: a Boston Police age-waiver bill for Louis Cabral and sick leave bank bills for Marnie Jean Goldstein and William Blaylock. The House also passed to enactment charter amendments for Provincetown and Greenfield, concurred in a Senate amendment to a Wellesley land-conveyance bill, and engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners and Milton alcohol licensing. On House No. 4717, relating to the annual town meeting for Orange, the House adopted an amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended. Later, on House No. 1110 concerning subprime loans, the House adopted an amendment discharging the bill from the Bills in the Third Reading committee and referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's Council for House Bill 195 last year.
• Yeah, Madam Chair, so he has the Senate companion bill to the House Bill.
• I'm the House sponsor of the House Bill. He's the Senate sponsor of the Senate Bill.
• I bring you House Bill 494.
• We still have our header a few bills back, but we are moving to House Bill 494.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill number 12 being original House Bill nine.
• House Bill 107, 2026.
• House Bill 231, concurrence failed. House Bill 36, forestry division wildland fire modules.
• to House Bill 36.
• </c> House Bill 231, concurrence failed. Mr. House Bill 231, concurrence failed. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 4232...
• The Chair has been informed that House Bill 4232 has been released by the Committee on Bills in Third
• Walsh of Peabody moves that the bill be amended by substitution of a bill with the same title, House
• Walsh Peebitt, he moves that the bill be amended by substitution of a bill with the same title, House
• The engrossed bills come before the House, being rightly and truly prepared for final passage: House

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including recognition of Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, occupational safety and health observances, Eagle Scout achievements, Taiwanese American Heritage Week, the Quattro Iro Lodge’s 100th anniversary, and the Waltham Rotary Club’s centennial. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. The House also considered several local bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including a Berkeley bill authorizing recall of elected officials, an Ashland bill adding 10 liquor licenses, and a Belmont bill removing seating-capacity requirements for certain liquor licenses. After suspending Rule 7A, the House ordered these bills to a third reading. The House then passed to be enacted a Rutland recall-election bill and concurred in Senate amendments to the Fairhaven charter bill. Additional third-reading action included passage to be engrossed of a Taunton bill establishing a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities, a Stowe validation bill, and a Falmouth charter/town clerk bill. On the Falmouth bill, Representative Walsh offered and the House adopted a substitute amendment using House No. 5412, after which the bill passed as amended. Finally, the House enacted engrossed bills for Fairhaven, Orange, the Dedham-Westwood Water District, and Lancaster, adopted an order to meet the following Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With no witnesses, public testimony on House Bill 610 will close, and the House bill will be left pending
• This time will close public testimony on House Bill 4623. House Bill 4623 will be left pending.
• Public testimony will close on House Bill 4, and House Bill 4 will be left pending.
• House Bill 718 public testimony.
• The chair will call up House Bill 4. Public testimony will open back up on House Bill 4.

Bills: HB4 , HB20

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, House Bill 1170, is a balanced approach.
• The bill before you, House Bill 2186, has three components.
• , House Bill 2186.
• Please pass House Bill 2351. Thank you. Christina is also on. Please pass House Bill 2351.
• House Bill 2351 is a common-sense public safety bill.

Summary: The committee first took executive action on House Bill 1170, which would require disclosures when content is developed or modified by artificial intelligence and address provenance tools and enforcement. Staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments. The committee rejected amendments that would have applied the bill to public entities and tribal nations, added technical-and-commercial-feasibility language, and created a geo-blocking provision or a right to cure. It adopted amendments allowing comparable existing detection tools to satisfy the bill, protecting covered providers from liability when disclosures are unintentionally altered despite reasonable preservation measures, and setting a January 1, 2028 effective date. Members then debated whether the bill was ready for enactment, with supporters emphasizing transparency and consumer trust and opponents warning it was premature and could hinder innovation. The committee voted 7-4, with two excused, to report the bill out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2186, which would expand state support for applicants seeking federal economic development funds, create a matching-funds account, and require a study of available federal grants. The prime sponsor said the bill would help Washington capture more federal dollars, especially for projects that require matching funds, and would expand the Fund Hub WA website beyond environmental grants. Testimony in support came from the Port of Seattle, the Washington Economic Development Association, the City of Pasco, a downtown Kennewick nonprofit, and the Department of Commerce, all saying the bill would improve competitiveness, help underserved communities, and leverage state dollars for larger federal returns. Commerce said it was still developing the fiscal note and technical edits. The hearing on HB 2186 was then closed. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 2351, which would protect emergency responders and emergency response operations. Staff explained that the bill would bar local governments and incident command systems from assisting enforcement actions targeting emergency responders based on protected status, create emergency operation zones with restrictions on law enforcement activity, and change the obstruction statute to cover obstruction of emergency responders. The prime sponsor and many local officials, firefighters, and advocates testified in support, citing incidents where federal enforcement actions disrupted wildfire response and other emergencies. Some witnesses raised concerns about administrative burden, ambiguity, and possible unintended consequences, including a proposed mental-health defense and clarification of responder identification. The Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and the Association of Washington Cities said they supported the goal but wanted changes to avoid conflicts and reduce burdens. The hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• To orient you according to the global targets agreement, the housing bill received a target of $15 million
• </c> housing trust funds to include housing housing trust funds to include housing direct<00:10:57.120
• Um, and while this bill does not solve the housing crisis that people are experiencing in every corner
• Simply put, this bill in front of us accomplishes the three pillars that I've always looked at housing
• The bill in front of us today is going to work to provide more affordable options in housing by providing

Transcript Highlights:

• of a bill with the same title, House Number 5491.
• The bill is ordered to a third reading as amended. House at ease for a brief recess.
• The House being informed that House No. 5388 has been released by the Committee on Bills in the Third
• The bill is passed to be engrossed as amended. House at ease for a brief recess.
• The bill has passed to be engrossed. House will be in recess.

Summary: The House began with routine ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, adoption of several congratulatory resolutions, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee. It then took up a supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill (H. 5393 / H. 5493), which Ways and Means reported at about $227.3 million for items including snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and technical changes related to lottery revenue and other outside sections. The bill was advanced through second and third reading and later passed to be engrossed after a roll call vote. The chamber also passed to engrossment a land transfer bill for the Town of Marion (H. 5388) and a Bolton alcohol licensing bill (S. 2628, as amended). The House also enacted two local bills: one further regulating special meetings of the Holyoke City Council and one amending the charter of the town of Reading. A major floor debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which was framed by supporters as a response to book challenges and censorship in public and school libraries. Supporters, including Representatives Garballey and Moran, argued the bill would protect librarians, require reporting of book challenges, preserve age-appropriate access to materials, and keep challenged books on shelves during review; opponents raised concerns about parental rights and local control. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including one that would have removed a criminal-law protection for librarians and educators, and another that would have shifted school review authority more directly to elected school committees. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and another narrowing who may initiate certain complaints to parents or guardians of a student in the school. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a large roll call vote. The House also debated and passed H. 5491 / S. 1646, implementing recommendations of the Walsh Kennedy Commission on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Supporters said the bill would require certification for hot work, strengthen penalties for repeated or reckless violations, and improve public notification and enforcement to prevent future tragedies; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously or near-unanimously after roll call. In addition, the chamber advanced a local land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path in Billerica and a bill concerning ownership and maintenance of culverts and dams in Town Line Brook and Lindenbrook. The session included several recesses, quorum checks, and recognition of guests, including Danvers High School graduates, a former state representative, and WGBH representatives for Public Media Awareness Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there questions on the bill? Senator, there is a companion House bill.
• Senate Bill 7038. Is there objection? Seeing none, show the motion adopted. Read the House bill.
• , as well as companion House bills.
• The questions on the bill? Senator, there's a companion House bill.
• In this amendment, we're addressing House Bill 399.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3258.
• The bill is left pending. House to explain the bill.
• This is House Bill House Bill 4864 by Representative Will Metcalfe that I'll be laying out.
• House Bill 4478.
• Otherwise, House Bill 4703 will instant...

Bills: HB1952 , HB3258 , HB3524 , HB3851 , HB4478 , HB4613 , HB4703 , HB4742 , HB4744 , HB4809 , HB4864

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board

Transcript Highlights:

• : Senate Bill 261 and House Bill 311.
• House Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 133. House Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 133.
• </c> of Senate Bill 214 as amended by House of Senate Bill 214 as amended by House Floor<00:27:38.240
• House Bill ready for your signature.
• </c><01:35:35.800><c> Bill</c> Chair is preparing to sign House Bill Chair is preparing to sign House

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have a public hearing on House Bill 2248 and executive session on House Bill 2158 and House Bill
• House Bill 2248.
• beginning with House Bill 2158.
• Next, House Bill 2178.
• Announce the bill passed. Yes, your bill passed. House Bill 2158 has passed.

Bills: HB2248 , HB2158 , HB2178

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: corporate filings, secretary of state, business entity filings, annual reports, foreign corporation, domestic corporation, nonprofit corporation, registered agent, trademark assignment, charities division, entity registration, foreign registration, ministerial filing duty, filing refusal, international student exchange, exchange visitor placement organization, doing business in Washington, remote worker, branch campus, notary certification

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1323 and House Bill 1310.
• .: House Bill 1331, House Bill 1332, House Bill 1333, House Bill 1183, House Bill 1109, House Bill 1308
• House Bill 1331, House Bill 1332, House Bill 1331, House Bill 1332, House<00:51:22.960><c> Bill</c><00
• /c> House Bill 1333, House Bill 1183, House Bill 1333, House Bill 1183, House<00:51:27.280><c> Bill</
• ,</c><00:51:30.960><c> House</c> House Bill 1109, House Bill 1308, House House Bill 1109, House Bill

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; House<00:14:28.639><c> Bill</c><00:14:28.959><c> 97</c> &gt;&gt; House Bill 97 &gt;&gt; House
• The next bill is House Bill 164, and there is an amendment that I would like to introduce to House Bill
• </c> to make a motion on House Bill 216. to make a motion on House Bill 216.
• </c> legislate on House Bill 570. legislate on House Bill 570.
• Next is House Bill 661.

Summary: The Finance Committee met on October 30 to act on a series of bills that had been considered during the budget process, with many being recommended for inexpedient to legislate because their funding or policy language had already been handled in House Bill 2. Early actions were largely unanimous. House Bill 54, allowing alternate treatment centers to operate for profit, was recommended ought to pass and was approved 25-0, then placed on the consent calendar because it carried no appropriation. House Bill 97, a wastewater and infrastructure appropriation, was recommended inexpedient to legislate because its funding had been replaced in HB 2; Representative Rum opposed the motion and argued the grant funding helps local taxpayers and housing development, but the committee adopted ITL 14-11, with a minority report to follow. House Bill 111, dealing with the right-to-know ombudsman, was also unanimously recommended ITL because the budget had already made related reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 164, and adopted Amendment 225-2979H, which appropriates $150,000 in FY 2027 to the Secretary of State’s Division of Archives and Records Management for a local government records manager position. The amended bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended and approved 25-0. House Bill 197, the Property Tax Relief Act, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would restore a state contribution to retirement costs for local employers and provide property tax relief, while opponents argued the earlier change was largely offset by employee contribution increases and other retirement-system adjustments. The committee ultimately adopted ITL 14-11, and a minority report was requested. The committee also acted on House Bill 215, a landfill-related bill. Members explained that most of its language had been included in HB 2 but was removed in conference, so the bill was retained and amended to apply more narrowly to new landfills. Amendment 2025-2970H was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended by a 25-0 vote. House Bill 216, which would change retirement eligibility rules for certain workers injured on the job, was recommended inexpedient to legislate after its sponsor said the fiscal impact was too uncertain to support. Finally, House Bill 219 received Amendment 2025-2988H to change its effective date to July 1, 2027, and discussion began on the bill’s broader purpose of returning about $5.7 million annually from RPS funds to ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• So House Bill 932, Senate Bill 325, and then Senate Bill 323. With that, member from Poultney.
• </c><00:11:16.440><c> Bill</c><00:11:16.600><c> 932,</c> The first will be House Bill 932, The first
• So House Bill agricultural subjects.
• So House Bill 932,<00:11:47.200><c> Senate</c><00:11:47.560><c> Bill</c><00:11:48.200><c> 325,</c><00
• </c><00:12:00.400><c> Bill</c><00:12:00.600><c> 932,</c> The proposal of amendment on House Bill 932,

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to present to you House Bill 267. I'm here to present to you House Bill 267.
• Without objection, House Bill 1195. 795 favorably. Without objection, House Bill 1195.
• Without objection, House Bill 917 will be reported favorably. You've got House Bill 1230, sir.
• Turner, you have House Bill 1103. House Bill 1103. You're in good company today, sir. Thank you.
• So it's House Bill 848, whenever you're ready. It's House Bill 848, whenever you're ready.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee then heard and advanced a series of House bills, many of them described as modernization or consumer-protection measures. HB 555, as amended, expands the definition of financial exploitation under the Protection of Eligible Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, adds training and transaction-delay provisions for financial institutions, and was reported favorably after technical and substantive amendments. HB 1166 creates a disclosure form for vacant residential property transactions and was also reported favorably. HB 267, which changes how candidates for the Louisiana Board of Home Inspectors are submitted to the governor, and HB 1195, which updates rules and penalties for athletic contests, exhibitions, and sports-agent/NIL regulation, were each moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced several licensing and regulatory bills. HB 917 modernizes life safety and property protection licensing by reducing burdens on some employees and moving to a three-year license cycle; it was reported favorably. HB 1230 overhauls Louisiana’s money transmission laws, replacing older statutes with a new framework for digital payments and stronger consumer protections; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 1103, described as opening Louisiana for business in certain commerce areas, was reported favorably. HB 478 requires utility bills to clearly label and reimburse overcharges within 90 days and was reported favorably. HB 1096 gives electric cooperatives an opt-out from a prior law allowing boards to amend bylaws without member approval, and HB 921 modernizes private security licensing while restoring penalties for unlicensed activity; both were reported favorably, with HB 921 amended. HB 548 adds CPA licensure pathways to help address shortages, especially in rural areas, and was also reported favorably. Several bills drew more extensive discussion. HB 670 would promote wood pellet manufacturing and related workforce development; supporters argued it could create jobs and help manage timber waste, while an opponent warned about pollution, environmental violations, and the risks of biomass facilities. Committee members raised concerns about permitting and environmental oversight, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably, with discussion of possible follow-up with DEQ. HB 259, dealing with BEAD broadband projects, extends notice requirements before excavation, requires coordination with utility operators, and addresses damage reimbursement; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 848 clarifies repair obligations for ATV and golf cart sellers, aiming to ensure consumers have meaningful repair access and to level the playing field between small dealers and big-box retailers; it was reported favorably after questions about enforcement and service requirements. The committee also heard HB 672 and HB 670 as economic-development measures tied to brick manufacturing and wood pellets, respectively, and both were moved favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that remaining bills would be carried over to the following week, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will start with House Bill 2051 now.
• The agency is neutral on House Bill 2051.
• House Bill 2875.
• House Bill 2457 receive a do pass.
• You have given House Bill 2457 a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2953.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard several bills. HB 2686, sponsored by Rep. Heap, would require physicians performing surgeries at outpatient surgical facilities to annually and whenever changed provide the facility a call-coverage plan, including hospital coverage if applicable, to ensure patients have a known physician contact for complications; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2051 would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to CMS approval, to cover breastfeeding and lactation services in inpatient, outpatient, home-based, and group settings; supporters described the bill as improving maternal and infant health and AHCCCS said it was neutral with an estimated $1.8 million general fund cost, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2837, a transparency bill for municipal zoning hearings, would require speakers to disclose compensation for testimony and require certain board members or hearing officers to disclose and recuse for recent ties to entities appearing before them; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee also approved HB 2875, as amended, which clarifies local authority over commercial drone delivery systems and related land-use and zoning issues, including near airports; Zipline and industry supporters backed the bill as providing regulatory clarity, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting after adoption of the amendment. HB 2324 would let cities with their own fire codes, through an intergovernmental agreement, enforce those codes on county-owned buildings in city limits, with reporting requirements to the State Fire Marshal; county and fire-management representatives supported the measure as a clarification of jurisdiction, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2439 would exempt single-user public or semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ pool rules, but the committee adopted an amendment removing ADEQ rulemaking authority; supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and regulatory burden, while one senator opposed it over public-health concerns, and it passed 4-2 with one not voting. HB 2457 would allow utilities to build certain co-located power plants without a certificate of environmental compatibility after notice and a public comment session, which opponents said would reduce public review and transparency for power plant siting, while supporters said it would streamline power development; it passed 4-2 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2953 would cap certain nondisciplinary and disciplinary civil penalties imposed by the State Board of Pharmacy at $25,000 in specified circumstances; a supporter said it matched limits used elsewhere and gave the board authority to use nondisciplinary actions, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then adjourned.