Transcript Highlights:

• And then on virtually joining us is Ella Fultz, who is the owner and founder of Gathering Tree Early
• Ella is the owner and founder of Gathering Tree Early Learning in Vancouver.
• This reinforces self-determination and builds essential self-advocacy skills.
• This reinforces self-determination and builds essential self-advocacy skills.
• Capital projects fund instead of refunding the impact fees to the property owner.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on Washington’s child care oversight and subsidy system, focusing on Working Connections Child Care, licensing, audits, and fraud prevention. DCYF officials said the program serves over 63,000 eligible families, with about 6,600 licensed providers and roughly 2,200 license-exempt family, friend, and neighbor providers. They described annual unannounced licensing visits, complaint investigations, attendance tracking, eligibility verification, random and focused audits, and referrals to the Office of Fraud and Accountability or Office of Financial Recovery when needed. Senators asked about voucher amounts, visit frequency, and what happens when children are not present; officials said the average subsidy is about $2,200 per month, providers are paid directly, and repeated failed visits can lead to license closure. Child Care Aware and provider testimony emphasized the quality system, Early Achievers, and a virtual provider described the practical realities of home-based care and unannounced inspections. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5952, which would standardize the process for waiving high school physical education requirements. The bill’s sponsor said the goal was to make PE waiver decisions consistent across districts so students who move schools are not disadvantaged, especially in six-period schedules with limited room for electives. Student supporters said a uniform process would improve fairness and help students fit in AP, career, or other coursework. Opponents, including PE teachers and the Washington Association of School Principals, argued that PE is a core academic subject, that athletics is not interchangeable with PE, and that local flexibility should remain. The State Board of Education supported the bill, saying current district policies vary widely and a standardized process would improve equity and transparency. Next, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 5961, which would transfer the Imagination Library of Washington from DCYF to OSPI. The sponsor called it a simple administrative move to align the book-gifting program with early literacy and K-12 education, noting the program serves about 120,000 children in all 39 counties. OSPI and program representatives supported the transfer, saying it better fits the birth-to-grade-three literacy continuum and strengthens accountability. Testifiers highlighted the program’s role in school readiness, early brain development, and access to physical books for young children. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 5969, which would allow a student’s IEP transition plan to satisfy high school and beyond plan requirements if the IEP team chooses. The sponsor, a special education teacher, said the bill would reduce duplication and better support students with disabilities as they transition to postsecondary life. The committee then began hearing testimony on the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Re Hay down was five patches of build debates. See no debate.
• To build up past it's full of leader. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The gentleman from Atokka representedeam whose final patches to build debates.
• House Bill 1894 builds on that momentum by focusing on insurance coverage.
• And so, they utilize this program to build tennis courts.

Bills: HB3329 , HR1039 , HR1040 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB3706 , HB3711 , HB4139 , HB1268 , HB3660 , HJR1023 , HB3298 , HB3056 , HJR1084 , HB3934 , HB3919 , HB4118 , HB4119 , HB3791 , HB4260 , HB4178 , HB4215 , HB4324 , HB3270 , HB4352 , HB4305 , HB2955 , HB3315 , HB3066 , HB1245 , HB4125 , HB3075 , HB3129 , HB3239 , HB4153 , HB3265 , HB4491 , SB680 , HB4263 , HB4268 , HB1675 , HB3885 , HB2984 , HB3697 , HB2959 , HB3671 , HB3852 , HB2933 , HB3057 , HB3802 , HB4294 , HB4285 , HB3708 , HB3979 , HB3977 , HB3986 , HB3985 , HB3588 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HJR1070 , HB3590 , HB3595 , HB3391 , HB3183 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB1002 , HB4434 , HJR1086 , HB4060 , HB3881 , HB3500 , HB4408 , HB3648 , HB3127 , HB3606

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're now slashing those programs that were building out transmissions and building out wind and
• SO THEY'RE NOW SLASHING THOSE PROGRAMS THAT WERE BUILDING OUT TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILDING OUT WIND AND
• The legislation makes America safe again by building the wall and giving the resources to build our immigration
• The legislation makes America safe again by building the wall and giving the resources to build our immigration
• And given the resources to build our immigration laws and build our military and make America prosperous

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not social services buildings.
• We are asking potential building site.
• :54.080><c> for</c><00:26:54.240><c> this</c> owners have already paid for this owners have already paid
• </c><00:27:15.200><c> Our</c> owners. This is our local economy. Our owners.
• </c> is not about building something new. is not about building something new.

Bills: HF4680 , HF4047 , HF4590 , HF3757 , HF3569 , HF4507 , HF4426 , HF4927 , HF4788 , HF4757 , HF4747 , HF3561 , HF4014 , HF4013 , HF4689 , HF4766 , HF4589

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would love to see how we can get to an agreement where we can build a bridge to these folks.
• But we've got a database building.
• I don't know what that two years is for, if it's to build a facility, I don't understand.
• So I'm trying to figure out how do we. build the bridge for everyday Texans.
• If we can build a bridge to teacup for everybody, I would be there if that's what this bill did.

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB9 , SB42 , SB15 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SCR1

Transcript Highlights:

• We're holding this committee hearing in Room 2100 of the O Street Building.
• We're holding this committee hearing in Room 2100 of the O Street Building.
• This builds on that existing framework of law.
• Mike Monaghan, on behalf of the state building trades, in support.
• Building trades are in support. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• They were for like park owners.
• Sometimes recipients were park owners.
• Second is right before this we started to talk about our buildings.
• Is that how these buildings are operating?
• A lot of people are moving to that building. All right, well, thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• He imagined the land would serve as the perfect place to build a life, start a farm, and raise a family
• He imagined the land would serve as the perfect place to build a life, start a farm, and raise a family
• You see, once upon a time, a previous owner of the site had operated this landfill illegally for years
• Clair, in which she states, and I quote, 'This mess is what happens when we build a regulatory system
• of the site, so the department has the ability to identify, investigate, and prosecute the owners of

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it would shift all of the motor vehicle taxes to real property owners.
• So when we went around the state and we heard from people, particularly real property owners, I think
• taxes, we would be shifting the burden of all motor vehicles in the state over to our real property owners
• Because property tax on the building they live in is included in their rent, or we would not be keeping
• But others in this building have.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• And that fire really ripped through the front two buildings of the Vistra side.
• recognized as the most comprehensive safety and storage mitigation, would basically be included in building
• But they mentioned to the owners of this location, 'We can't believe that you got permitted here,' and
• the owners were just as shocked as the firefighters were.
• This needs to be looked at before a permit is given to the owner to actually move forward.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and heard several measures. The main policy bills discussed were SB 24, which would restrict investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying, and efforts against municipal utilities, and SB 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which would strengthen safety standards for battery energy storage facilities after the Moss Landing fire. The consent calendar also included SB 80, SB 491, SB 593, SB 804, and SCR 25, which were taken up without debate. SB 24 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates, who argued that ratepayer money should not be used for political or promotional activity and that current rules lack meaningful consequences. Opponents from the utilities and business community said the bill was too broad, could interfere with shareholder-funded advocacy and legal work, and might unintentionally affect public service communications and expert consulting. Several committee members shared support for the bill’s goal but raised concerns about its breadth, especially around legal fees and communications; the author said he was willing to work on amendments, including on consultant fees, and accepted committee amendments. SB 283 received broad support from firefighters, local governments, utilities, labor, and business groups. Supporters said the bill would improve fire safety, require fire authority consultation and inspections, and prevent battery storage from being sited in unsafe indoor combustible facilities. The author described the Moss Landing fire and said the bill would add standards based on NFPA guidance while preserving local governments’ ability to adopt stricter rules. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee voted SB 283 out 16-0, and SB 24 was also approved after a roll was held open and later closed, ultimately passing 11-1. The consent calendar passed 16-0, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'm representing the New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council.
• But if you were building houses, nothing to do with government, you had to pay into the program.
• Now, the people building the hospital or building whatever, maybe, yes. I don't know.
• Now, the people build in the hospital or building whatever, maybe, yes. I don't know.
• Usually the owner of the company is a guy filling in that spot, you know.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills in its final meeting, beginning with House Bill 200, which had previously been left on the table on a tie vote. The committee voted to bring it back and then approved it as amended on a 7-2 vote. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for complex rehabilitation technology devices and allowing up to two devices in a three-year period, received testimony in support and was advanced on a 9-0 vote. Members then heard House Bill 270, which would require certain public works projects to contribute to apprenticeship and training programs or the state apprenticeship fund. Supporters argued it would create a level playing field and strengthen workforce development, while opponents said it would raise costs, burden contractors without accessible apprenticeship programs, and hurt small businesses. An amendment to delay the effective date failed 4-6, and the bill was then approved 6-4. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax cleanup bill, was presented as a package of technical and policy updates, including rounding rules, fee changes, tax credit clarifications, and property tax collection adjustments; it passed 8-2. House Bill 108, a cleanup measure for watershed districts to address tax-levying authority after a change from elected to appointed boards, passed 10-0. House Bill 306, which limits facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth while exempting rural facilities, also passed 10-0 after brief discussion. House Bill 20, allowing Native American applicants to request a voluntary designation on driver’s licenses and ID cards with privacy protections, received supportive testimony from tribal and law enforcement representatives and passed 10-0. Finally, House Bill 309, expanding a special property tax valuation method to include electric power storage facilities, drew support from labor and energy representatives and passed 10-0. The chair closed by thanking staff and members and adjourned the meeting, noting it was likely the committee’s last of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• When a property owner hires a P.S... yourself today?
• When a property owner hires a P.S. Division of Insurance. We've been around for over 100 years.
• When a property owner hires a PA, we review the policy, all coverages.
• We prepare a detailed estimate of damages to the building, personal property, business property.
• The insurer was not willing to retain an outside building consultant to give a non-biased building estimate

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're building partnerships across Detroit's survivor ecosystem.
• We're building partnerships across Detroit's survivor ecosystem.
• It means we can build real infrastructure instead of patchwork programming.
• We've seen lives change because someone took the time to build trust, to provide support, and offer a
• I speak as the owner and chief instructor of APEX Defense Solutions LLC, where I teach firearms safety

Committee: Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety met with a quorum and adopted the June 4, 2026 minutes. The committee first took up Senate Bill 712, adopting the S-2 substitute, which expands residency requirements to include adjoining districts and removes a provision allowing a district to appoint someone employed by the district. The committee then reported SB 712 to the floor. It also considered House Bills 4025 and 4026, described as safe storage tax exemption bills; the committee heard one supportive written card and reported both bills to the floor, each on a 5-1 vote. The committee next heard testimony on Senate Bill 885, which would create a statewide Parent and Child Legal Representation Commission and Office within LARA to address child protective legal representation. Senator Singh and Alicia Moon of the Michigan Supreme Court described the current county-by-county system as uneven, with attorney shortages, inconsistent pay, and limited specialized training. They said the bill would set standards for training, caseloads, client contact, and compensation, while requiring public comment and future appropriations before implementation. Testimony and written cards from a broad range of organizations and judges supported the measure, and the committee reported SB 885 to the floor on a 6-0 vote. The committee then heard extensive testimony on Senate Bills 1015 and 1016, which would create an Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention within MDHHS and establish a grant program to support community violence intervention efforts statewide. Sponsors and witnesses from Force Detroit, D-Live, Seize the Smoke, Advance Peace, public health, law enforcement, and advocacy groups described CVI as a public health and public safety strategy that reduces shootings, supports survivors, and saves public costs. Several witnesses cited local data showing reductions in shootings and homicides in Detroit and Lansing, while one witness from the Michigan Sheriff's Association opposed the bills as written. The committee voted to report both SB 1015 and SB 1016 to the floor, each on a 5-0 vote with one pass, and then adjourned after additional testimony and reading of support cards.

Transcript Highlights:

• The notices have already gone out to the owners.
• I'm a property owner in East Baton Rouge Parish.
• So you hold a property for three years and then the owner... Yes, correct.
• We can't just send the notice to the owner.
• And so this was trying to help that and build a loan at the same time.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 1088, which would authorize state and local sales and use tax rebates for certain items used in aerospace facilities and activities. Chairman Bacala, LED Secretary Susan Bouchois, and governor’s office representative Julie Emerson argued the bill would help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace and defense investment, build on Michoud’s history, and attract high-paying jobs. Members asked about job growth, the scope of aerospace versus defense, and whether downstream activities like jet fuel production could qualify. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved HB 1179, which extends the ad valorem tax exemption for certain manufacturing establishments to aerospace manufacturing establishments, also reporting it favorably without objection. HB 1122, a placeholder bill tied to a future path toward reducing the state income tax rate, was voluntarily deferred by its sponsor after brief explanation. The committee then heard HB 515, which would let political subdivisions sell certain adjudicated properties directly to buyers at appraised value if the property is under $50,000. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to help parishes clear long-vacant blighted properties and return them to commerce and the tax rolls. Members raised concerns about transparency, competition, title issues, and possible conflicts with recent tax-sale reforms. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment requiring the property to have been offered at public auction within the preceding 12 months before an over-the-counter sale could occur, and HB 515 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered HB 440, a constitutional amendment allowing parishes to increase the homestead exemption above the current level. The sponsor said the exemption has not been updated since 1980 and argued that raising it would provide relief from rising property taxes, insurance costs, and cost of living pressures. Amendments were adopted requiring parish approval and a local election before implementation, and delaying effectiveness until 2030. Several members and LABI warned the change could shift tax burdens onto businesses and other taxpayers, create parish-by-parish disparities, and affect bond ratings. The committee voted 5-9 against reporting HB 440, and the sponsor voluntarily deferred the companion bill, HB 543. Finally, the committee took up HB 614, presented with help from eighth-grader Elijah Brown as part of a civics competition. The bill would rebate state sales taxes on lodging and meals for utility company workers performing disaster or emergency-related work. After discussion, the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill to water, gas, and electric utilities regulated by the PSC, limited the rebate period to 10 days after a declared disaster, tied eligible lodging and meal costs to federal per diem rates, and capped annual rebates at $55,000. Members asked about administration, eligible workers, and fiscal impact; the Department of Revenue said it could administer the rebate with existing resources. The discussion was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...interior improvements to an existing building.
• As a former city council member myself, I'm committed to helping build communities by building the supply
• If we want to build a sustainable The future generations of our residents—if we want to build a sustainable
• an apartment building or a condo building with over, you know, 300 units, then you need to have a child
• an apartment building or a condo building with over, you know, 300 units, then you need to have a child

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• And they usually start little with the pilot project and they may build up to that.
• It could also be a major help for the actual owner to get caught up.
• requested this bill last year that they worked on, talked with those lien holders, those mortgage owners
• And we certainly don't want foreclosure proceedings from either the lien holder standpoint or the owner
• were absolutely outraged that the city manager had entered into negotiations with somebody that was building

Bills: SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with municipal authority, land use, waste management, and transparency. Senate Bill 2106, by Senator Brooks, would require municipalities that use a reversion ordinance to change zoning back to a prior designation to compensate landowners for any loss in property value; it passed 8-0. Senate Bill 1471, by Senator Boren, as amended, would allow cities and towns to impose narrowly tailored fees related to solid waste and packaging impacts, with revenue limited to waste collection, recycling, cleanup, education, and related contamination-reduction efforts; members discussed microplastics, bag fees, and concerns about scope and oversight, and the bill passed 6-2. Senator Nysha and the chair spoke in support of the measure as a conservation and landfill-reduction tool. Senate Bill 2139, by Senator Hicks, was presented as a cleanup bill directing county clerks to remove discriminatory language from recorded plats, including digital records, after an ordinance amending a plat is adopted and recorded. The committee adopted a committee substitute, struck title, and advanced the bill 8-0. Senate Bill 2154, by Senator Reinhardt, would require lien holders to be notified before foreclosure proceedings begin when a municipal lien is filed; Senator Nice asked whether the notice period could be defined as 10 business days, and the author agreed to discuss that with stakeholders. That bill also passed 8-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1619, by Senator Hamilton, was broadened from an original focus on data centers to a general transparency measure for municipal and county governments. It would prohibit officials from using nondisclosure agreements to conceal how public tax dollars are spent, while still protecting proprietary business information. Members discussed constituent concerns about secretive economic development deals, and the bill passed 8-0. The committee then concluded its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what does that mean for property owners?
• So what does that mean for, you know, for property owners?
• And certainly property owners, you know, we've certainly seen an uptick in some of that financial burden
• And everybody in this building is sitting around talking about it.
• And everybody in this building is sitting around talking about this whole tax issue.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met to hear a staff presentation on Florida property taxes. Staff Director Azar Khan gave an overview of the property tax system, including constitutional limits, January 1 assessment rules, homestead and non-homestead residential property, commercial and agricultural classifications, tangible personal property, and centrally assessed property. The presentation highlighted major exemptions and assessment caps, such as the homestead exemptions, Save Our Homes, the 10% cap for non-homestead property, and favorable treatment for agricultural/classified use land. It also reviewed long-term growth in just value and taxable value statewide, along with declining millage rates over time as taxable values have risen. Members then discussed the possibility of eliminating property taxes and the fiscal consequences of doing so. Senator Jones asked about the impact on local governments and referenced estimates that replacing property tax revenue could require roughly $43 billion; staff responded that current levied amounts are in the ballpark of more than $30 billion for non-school levies and more than $20 billion for school levies, but that the exact impact would depend on county and district budgets and collections. Senators Bernard, Passidomo, Gates, and others emphasized the need for more data on alternative revenue sources, such as sales tax increases or other combinations, and for input from counties and cities before considering broad tax changes. Chair Avila explained the presentation was intended to give members a foundation before property tax proposals are heard in committee, noting that several bills had already been filed involving homestead and tangible personal property. No bills were voted on, and no formal action was taken beyond the informational presentation. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Business owners are forced to pass on this expense to customers.
• Does it help build?
• It's a different building standard.
• It really socializes that concept of the fortified building.
• It impacted the building codes; they switched the building codes to support this, so big fans of this

Bills: HB778 , HB 1266 , HB1576 , HB2213 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2841 , HB3306 , HB3320 , HB3388 , HB3508 , HB3520 , HB3689

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lauren Richards, and along with my co-owner Caitlyn O'Neill, I am the owner of Tropes and
• Caitlyn O'Neill, I am the owner of Caitlyn O'Neill, I am the owner of Tropes<00:34:18.200><c> and</c>
• ><c> Vinaigrette</c><00:37:02.160><c> in</c> Pippenberg, owner of Vinaigrette in Pippenberg, owner of
• One small business owner by them.
• </c> building and rolling out this program. building and rolling out this program.

Bills: HF4110 , HF2113 , HF4569 , HF4414

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:53.760><c> property</c> colleges like all private property colleges like all private property owners
• are able to prohibit visitors as owners are able to prohibit visitors as well<00:02:57.680><c> as</c
• He then went to a classroom building, chained the door shut, and proceeded to kill 30 more people.
• My name is Anna Ley, director of government relations and advocacy for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus
• like, what uh buildings or or what<00:19:25.120><c> have</c><00:19:25.280><c> you</c><00:19:25.520><

Bills: HF4362 , HF4252 , HF4440

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy