Transcript Highlights:

• IS WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TOGETHER AND I INVITE ALL OF YOU TO DISCOVER Radically different depending
• on your album, depending on what the feel of the day is.
• RADICALLY DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON YOUR ALBUM, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE FEEL OF THE DAY IS.
• It depends on what demographic changes may occur in the future, but if you reference the Language Diversity

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a portion of it where you may get that information, depending on the due diligence of the officer
• Chairman, that in other states, if you do get picked up, they do actually ask you, and if you have, depending
• Chairman, Senator Adams, I think it depends upon the state and some states you can register your car
• So I think it would just depend. But if you're going to come... ...period of time.
• So I think it would just depend.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee began by approving minutes from March 12 and March 17, 2026, and briefly thanked page Olivia for her service. The committee then heard House Bill 927, which would restore consequences for unpaid moving traffic infractions by allowing DMV notice and possible license suspension-related enforcement, while preserving work and medical driving privileges and payment plans. Supporters, including the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and AAA, said the bill would improve accountability and public safety; opponents argued Idaho should instead rely on collections and avoid restricting movement. After debate, a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee passed, so HB 927 was held. The committee next heard House Bill 508, a technical cleanup bill related to prior bicycle and pedestrian facility language. Sponsor Representative Green said it would clarify that federal grants or funds can be used for highway projects and limit a violation provision to elected officials. After a failed motion to hold the bill, the committee voted to send HB 508 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1424, a bill aimed at preventing future direct-to-consumer vehicle sales models in Idaho while grandfathering existing manufacturer-owned dealerships. Supporters framed it as a response to Chinese economic competition and national security concerns, while opponents from Scout Motors and the Electrification Coalition said it would restrict American startups and consumer choice. The committee voted to send SB 1424 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Later, the committee took up House Bill 666, which would require new Idaho residents to obtain an Idaho license and registration within 30 days. Members raised concerns about enforceability and the short timeline, and the committee instead sent the bill to the 14th Order for possible amendment. House Bill 717, a related bill on vehicle registration for new residents, was also discussed; sponsor Representative Mickelson and county representatives said it would help capture road funding from unregistered vehicles, especially out-of-state and electric vehicles. However, a motion to send HB 717 as amended to the 14th Order failed on a roll call vote, and the bill was left without further action before the committee adjourned for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• in 2022 with gun violence and domestic violence restraining orders, and AB 561 in 2025 with elder dependent
• AB 561 in 2025 with elder and dependent adult protection orders have increased access and provided certainty
• beginning in January of 2027, most restraining order types, including domestic violence, elder and dependent
• Access to justice depends on public trust in the legal profession.
• However, we have some concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement dependent on actions by the State

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused largely on legal ethics, access to justice, public notice, water-rights notice, and protections for vulnerable people. AB 2305 would bar corporate investors such as private equity and hedge funds from directing or influencing litigation decisions; it was supported by the Consumer Attorneys of California and others, with the Civil Justice Association of California supporting if amended to add disclosure requirements. AB 2039 would tighten discipline for attorney misconduct, protect whistleblowers inside law firms, and restrict certain client-loan arrangements; it drew support from consumer attorneys and a support-if-amended position from CJA. AB 2109 would require the State Bar to adopt the National Conference of Bar Examiners’ Universal Bar Exam after the troubled February 2025 California bar exam; members discussed the need for broader review and possible reciprocity, but supported moving the bill forward. The committee also advanced AB 2115, which would issue a formal legislative apology to California Native peoples for the state’s role in historic violence and dispossession, with strong support from tribal leaders and Native organizations. Members spoke at length about the need for acknowledgment, healing, and a Capitol plaque memorializing the apology. AB 2179 would expand electronic filing and remote appearance options to workplace violence restraining orders, aligning them with other protective order procedures; it received support from local governments, prosecutors, labor groups, and advocacy organizations. AB 2534 would allow restraining orders based on forced marriage or attempts to compel marriage, and the committee heard powerful testimony from a survivor and support from family violence advocates. Two other measures addressed notice and transparency. AB 2323 would modernize public notice by keeping print publication as the legal standard while requiring online availability, with supporters emphasizing access, archival value, and the role of community newspapers; a special districts group opposed unless amended. AB 2125 would require courts in water-rights adjudications to consider proof of notice and receipts before proceeding, prompted by testimony from Ventura County farmers who said they lost water allocations without adequate notice. The committee approved the bills it heard, including several on consent, and later took roll-call votes to move the measures forward, generally sending them to Appropriations or to the floor as noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the credits can be traded between systems as necessary to ensure that surface-water-dependent systems
• closest laboratory by somebody, where it costs us between $30 and $150 to have that test analyzed, depending
• Supply for the products and projects that we all care about depends on minerals sourced right here in
• So the net water savings, I think, you just kind of have to depend on the site.
• So I think it all just depends on the site, and I would hope that we could lean on the experts for what

Bills: SB1137, SB1176, SB1287, SB1335, SB1336, SB1445, SB1677

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Transcript Highlights:

• 2022 with gun violence and domestic violence restraining orders, and AB 561 in 2025 with elder and dependent
• AB 561 in 2025 with elder and dependent adult protection orders have increased access and provided certainty
• beginning in January of 2027, most restraining order types, including domestic violence, elder and dependent
• Access to justice depends on public trust in the legal profession.
• However, we have some concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement dependent on actions by the State

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be $1 to $100,000 depending on the damages.
• So I think it depends on every situation, unfortunately. ...they appreciate honesty.
• So I think it depends on every situation, unfortunately.
• So I think it depends on every situation, unfortunately. Thank you, Doctor.
• And to try to bring them together is sometimes really complicated, depending on the scenario.

Summary: The committee first approved a motion to send an IRS-related item to print, then took up House Bill 822, which would require covered entities such as schools, child care providers, and medical or behavioral health providers to notify parents when a minor requests help with a social transition and would restrict assisting a child’s transition without parental consent. Representative Skaug, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect parents’ rights and ensure they are not kept in the dark about serious matters involving their children. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, including the use of terms like “request,” “facilitate,” and “aid and abet,” the applicability of mandamus to private entities, and the potential for a $100,000 civil penalty; Skaug said penalties would be proportional and that the bill was aimed at social transition, not ordinary behavior or medical treatment. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of Idaho Family Policy Center, a parent, a father, and Alliance Defending Freedom, argued the bill would restore parental authority, stop schools and providers from concealing a child’s gender-related concerns, and close loopholes in existing school policies. Opponents, including physicians, a nurse, a parent, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and a trans constituent, said the bill was vague, would chill professional judgment, could endanger vulnerable youth, and might force disclosure in situations where a child is not safe at home or is not ready to involve parents. Several opponents also warned the bill could worsen Idaho’s provider shortages and create legal and ethical conflicts for educators and clinicians. After sponsor closing remarks, senators debated the measure. Supporters emphasized parental rights and the need for notification, while opponents argued the bill lacked clear definitions and safety exceptions. The committee then voted on the motion to send House Bill 822 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion carried, and the bill was advanced to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The things that happen either will make us evil or they will make us more saintly, depending entirely
• For better or for worse, we are in a system that is highly dependent... ...exposure.
• For better or for worse, we are in a system that is highly dependent upon these digital infrastructures
• tuition dollar, we don't know exactly how much those dollars are while we're in session because it depends
• tuition dollar, we don't know exactly how much those dollars are while we're in session because it depends

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received gubernatorial and Senate messages, including signed House bills and several Senate bills and House bills returned for enrollment or referral. Committee reports moved a number of measures forward, including bills on agriculture, education, revenue and taxation, state affairs, and appropriations, along with House Concurrent Resolution 35 recognizing Idaho athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics and House Joint Memorial 21 concerning tungsten, both sent for printing. The House introduced a large slate of new bills, including measures on tax refunds for erroneous sales tax payments, county commissioner vacancy procedures, codifier’s corrections, open meetings, data centers and water use, compliance with law, tax exemptions for information technology equipment, historic preservation, state office vacancies, administrative rules, abortion trafficking, irrigation districts, education strategic performance plans, and several appropriations and policy bills. The chamber also placed many bills on the third reading calendar and later returned some items to committee or general orders, including House Joint Memorial 19, House Bills 828 and 862. A major portion of the meeting was floor debate and passage of several budget and policy bills. The House suspended rules and passed House Bills 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, and 835, with debate focusing on maintenance and enhancement budgets, dedicated funds, one-time expenditures, agency consolidations, cybersecurity, and transparency in JFAC budgeting. House Bill 866 covered constitutional officers; House Bill 867 covered general government and military pay; House Bill 868 funded PERSI enhancements; House Bill 869 restored cuts for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; House Bill 870 funded OITS cybersecurity and Health and Welfare IT consolidation; House Bill 871 funded the State Tax Commission; and House Bill 835 limited non-cognizable spending authority. Most bills passed with recorded votes, though several drew significant opposition over spending levels and use of federal or dedicated funds. The House also heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and possible floor action later in the week, and members introduced visitors in the gallery. The chamber adjourned by motion until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• That given our directive, I mean, it depends on your definition of comprehensive.
• That is also dependent on agencies entering their correct address and employer and employee information
• It's something we certainly could explore right now that is also dependent on agencies entering their
• So I'm sure that we certainly could explore right now that is also dependent on agencies entering their
• LOFT found that the cost of leases varied depending on the source.

Summary: The LOFT Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then received LOFT’s report on state office space utilization in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. LOFT presented three main findings: OMES is not fully exercising its statutory authority over state property and relies on flawed self-reported data; state office space is being used inefficiently and often below policy benchmarks; and better use of state-owned space could save tens of millions in private lease costs. LOFT also described errors in the state’s real property inventory, low utilization rates across OMES-owned, agency-owned, and privately leased space, and recommended stronger data verification, clearer space standards, and more active oversight of underused property. OMES responded that it believes it is meeting its statutory obligations and said it tries to balance oversight with being a partner to agencies, placing them in space that best fits their mission and service needs. OMES officials said they rely on agency-reported data, do not have enough staff to independently verify all inventory information, and do not “police” daily occupancy. Members questioned the distinction between meeting statutory duties and exercising full authority, the use of “shall” versus “recommend,” the lack of enforcement for agencies that decline space recommendations, and whether OMES should more aggressively consolidate or divest underused buildings. LOFT and OMES also discussed the methodology behind utilization calculations, including badge-swipe data, space standards, and common-area adjustments. In the final finding, LOFT estimated that relocating agencies from private leases into existing state-owned space could save roughly $16 million to $28.8 million annually, depending on the scenario used. LOFT cited other states and federal reforms as models and recommended that OMES more actively assess underutilized properties, verify data, and use actual utilization analysis to reduce private leasing. OMES said it would review the comments and work to improve. The committee then unanimously approved a rapid-response evaluation request for LOFT to examine DHS child care subsidy verification and reimbursement processes, citing concerns about possible improprieties and the need to confirm whether fraud or waste is occurring.

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note is available with no estimated state fiscal costs and additional local costs depending
• While these are early successes, we have learned that 100% affordable project dependence on public funding
• can mean these projects wait in a long funding queue. ...project dependence on public funding can mean
• It depends on what existing structures are even available for acquisition and the state of each particular
• so I can initially answer that and just say that every potential expansion is so individualized it depends

Bills: HB2304, SGA9280, SGA9281

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My four-year-old child's life depended on social media.
• My four-year-old child's life depended on social media shares.
• And it all depends on your algorithm.
• The distance to the bodies of water could be covered by him in as little as 10 minutes or sooner, depending
• It may be a keep eyes from a safe distance type of methodology depending on the person.

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families met in executive session first and approved two measures by roll call vote. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2610, relating to the Missouri State Legal Expense Fund, was amended to cap the fund for that bill at $1 million and then voted do pass by a 17-0 vote. The committee also adopted a substitute combining House Bills 1839, 29, 21, and 3015, described as age verification legislation, and voted the combined House Committee Substitute do pass by a 17-0 vote. The committee then held a lengthy public hearing on House Bill 1840, which would create a statewide Purple Alert system for missing persons with developmental disabilities. Representative Sherry Gallick and numerous supporters testified that the bill would fill a gap between Amber and Silver Alerts and help law enforcement and the public respond faster when vulnerable individuals wander or go missing. Family members, advocates, service providers, and first responders described personal tragedies involving autistic children and adults, emphasized the risks of water, traffic, exposure, and exploitation, and said specialized training for responders was important. No one testified in opposition. After a brief recess, the committee heard House Bill 2170, which would update Missouri child passenger restraint laws to require rear-facing seats for children under age three and tighten other child restraint requirements. The sponsor and supporters from MoDOT, pediatric, medical, and emergency physician groups said the bill would codify best practices and improve child safety, while committee members raised questions about enforcement, exceptions for larger children, and the cost of fines and car seats. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no final vote taken on HB 1840 or HB 2170 during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• the laws and to the regulations that are established under Missouri statute, maybe other places depending
• So that’s why you can’t have a lot of dependency on what that may be.
• You may have two or three years of collections that go well, then you may have a lot of claims depending
• We don't want to change our charging rate from month to month, depending on what the cash balance is
• Now, it could be, depending on the crime, and there was one just recently where this individual had a

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 2592, 2834, and 2787 into one measure. The combined substitute was then voted do pass by a unanimous roll call, recorded as 15 ayes and 0 noes after a brief correction to the tally. The committee then heard House Bill 1786, which would raise the Highway Patrol’s spending threshold for purchasing vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and related specialized equipment without returning to the legislature from $100,000 to $500,000. The sponsor and Highway Patrol witnesses said the current cap is outdated because boats, armored vehicles, bomb trucks, and aircraft equipment now cost far more than $100,000, while members asked about inflation, the revolving fund, and whether a lower increase might be more appropriate. No opposition testimony was offered. Next, House Bill 2885 was heard. It would redirect the first $1 million in annual boat registration fee revenue away from general revenue and into the Missouri Water Patrol Division. The sponsor and Highway Patrol said registration revenue has declined while operating costs have risen, and the division needs the money to support enforcement, search and rescue, dive operations, and boating safety programs. Members asked how much revenue is collected and whether the change would affect other programs; testimony indicated the bill would mainly earmark existing revenue rather than increase overall department funding. The committee also heard House Bill 2694, which would exempt four fee-supported funds from the end-of-biennium sweep to general revenue: the Highway Patrol Academy Fund, the State Forensic Laboratory Account, the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety Fund, and the Elevator Safety Fund. The sponsor and Department of Public Safety witnesses said the sweeps make long-term planning difficult and can disrupt training, lab support, and safety inspection operations, though members raised concerns about excess balances, guardrails, and whether fee reductions should be considered if reserves grow too large. Finally, House Bill 1712 was heard; it would make intentionally failing to charge an electronic monitoring device a crime, closing a loophole in existing tampering law. The sponsor, a sheriff, and other witnesses said the bill addresses deliberate attempts to evade monitoring, while members discussed battery warnings, rural access to electricity, and the costs and benefits of pretrial release. No votes were taken on the later bills before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it depends if you all agree. All right. I appreciate me.
• And like every other county government, the county depends on a few resources for revenues.
• And again, it'll depend upon the loan that, I mean, maybe, you know, if there are a lot of state schools
• So, Madam Chair and Senator Pinto, so if I understand the question is depending on the type of loan that
• The average amount, depending upon who you asked, NCSL, I think, is saying somewhere around $235,000

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization and step-therapy measure, on a committee substitute that had already incorporated many stakeholder changes. The sponsor and agency witnesses described revisions to definitions of chronic health condition and serious mental illness, shorter prior-authorization periods, and limits on reporting requirements. Supporters, including a nurse practitioner and disability advocates, said the bill would reduce barriers to needed medications and urged broader protections for chronic and behavioral health conditions. Health insurance and pharmacy benefit management representatives remained opposed, arguing prior authorization is an important patient-safety tool and objecting to the bill’s limits on its use. Senator Hickey offered two amendments: one to conform electronic prior-authorization response times to existing law by changing seven days to three, and one to restore the prior-authorization period from 12 months to three years. The first amendment was accepted; the second passed on a 5-4 vote. The committee then approved the amended substitute 6-3. The committee next heard Senate Bill 111, which would expand the confidentiality of personal information held by the Motor Vehicle Division to include sex, gender identity, national origin, and immigration status. Tax and Revenue officials explained that the bill would not change what documents MVD collects, but would limit disclosure of sensitive information contained in scanned records unless a statutory exception applies. Members asked about what appears on licenses, what is stored in MVD’s system, and whether law enforcement access would change; officials said criminal law enforcement exceptions would remain in place and that the bill mainly affects public disclosure requests. The committee voted 8-1 to give the bill a do-pass recommendation. Senate Bill 218, funding a Los Alamos Emergency Operations Center, was presented as a regional disaster-response and training facility for northern New Mexico. Los Alamos County witnesses said the project would support emergency management training and coordination across the region and requested $5 million. Several senators questioned whether the county had explored bonding, intergovernmental agreements, or regional cost-sharing, and raised concerns about Los Alamos’s debt capacity and whether the project was truly regional. Supporters said the county has a long capital backlog and that the center would serve communities from Santa Fe north. The committee ultimately voted 9-1 to advance the bill. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 14, a major health professional loan-repayment proposal. Senator Hickey described it as an effort to recruit and retain physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals by increasing repayment amounts, prioritizing physicians and doctors of osteopathic medicine for 50% of the fund, and allowing service commitments with some flexibility, including part-time work. Supporters from medical, nursing, and behavioral health groups said the bill would help address workforce shortages and make New Mexico more competitive. Committee members asked about the inclusion of physician assistants, the 90-day start requirement, anti-donation concerns, tax treatment, tribal and IHS providers, and whether the 50% physician set-aside would leave enough for other professions. After discussion, the committee voted 10-0 to send the bill forward with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on how a city is added to a fire protection district, its general levy rate might change.
• We've got this great state that depends heavily on tourism, but when we compare what we spend on tourism
• And then you've got price increases, and you're depending on what the markets are doing at any given
• And then you've got price increases and you're depending on what the markets are doing at any given time
• You're depending on what the markets are doing at any given time.

Summary: House Finance heard testimony on several tax and local government bills. HB 2278 would remove the July 1, 2027 expiration on the additional $3-per-room-night tourism promotion area lodging charge; supporters from destination marketing organizations said the revenue has produced strong returns for tourism and events, while questions were raised about how the local ordinances would continue. HB 2583 would lower the population threshold for cities to impose a higher lodging tax and expand authority for public facilities districts; the sponsor and Vancouver supporters said it would help fund a proposed performing arts center and other tourism investments, while hospitality, short-term rental, and some local advocates raised concerns about stakeholder input, equity, and whether the bill was too broad. HB 2224 would change how a city forming a single-city fire protection district handles levy reductions and would exempt part of one levy from the local tax limit; city and firefighter groups supported it as a needed tool for fire and EMS funding, while hospital districts and tax opponents warned about prorationing, governance, and higher taxes. HB 2325 would create a statewide tourism self-supported assessment program funded by participating tourism businesses; supporters from tourism, hospitality, wine, and brewing groups said it would provide a competitive, industry-driven statewide marketing program, while members questioned impacts on specific communities and the need for broader local benefits. HB 2431 would expand from 15 to 50 days the amount of fundraising activity allowed in nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places, and the Grange supported it as a practical way to keep community halls open. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session and advanced three bills. HB 2584, a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm equipment sold to eligible farmers, passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2610, which modifies the property tax exemption for nonprofit homeownership development, also passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2615, which codifies the voluntary disclosure tax program and authorizes temporary tax amnesty, likewise passed 14-0 with one excused. The chair also announced a deadline for amendments on items to be acted on the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a number of property tax exemptions for nonprofits depending on the use of the property.
• In terms of whether or not it's a tax shift, I think it depends on whether it's new development or redevelopment
• circumstances, while the weekly benefit itself is up to 90% of an employee's average weekly wage depending
• which requires public institutions of higher education to waive all tuition and fees for certain dependents
• Department of Veterans Affairs administers the Dependents Educational Assistance Program, or DEA program

Bills: SB6256, SB6275, SB5868, SB5954

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice should not depend on wealth, a person's legal acumen, or timing.
• Justice should not depend on wealth, a person's legal acumen, or timing.
• Justice should not depend on wealth, a person's legal acumen, or timing.
• having to conform and understand how things operate because it can be a violent place at times, depending
• trying to help run an organization, and it could all be done to provide some predictability and dependability

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. On House Bill 2354, relating to common interest communities under WUCIOA, staff explained that the proposed substitute would exempt small middle-housing communities from most WUCIOA provisions, exempt certain middle-housing communities from reserve studies if wastewater-related reserve components are not needed, raise the audit threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 in annual assessments, and prevent governing documents from shifting maintenance costs for EV chargers and heat pumps away from the unit owner. Representative Reed and a Community Associations Institute witness supported the bill as a set of cleanup changes tailored to smaller communities, and there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee then heard House Bill 2412, which would add a ninth Superior Court judge in Yakima County. Representative Mendoza and Yakima County officials and judges testified that the county has had eight judges since 1998 despite major population growth, rising filings, and a backlog of more than 2,800 cases older than two years. They said the county can accommodate the new judge physically and has budgeted its share of the cost. The bill was supported as a way to reduce delays, protect speedy-trial rights, and improve access to justice, and the hearing was closed without opposition testimony. House Bill 2500, concerning transfers of beneficiary-designated property to charities, would require holders such as financial institutions or insurers to notify charitable beneficiaries within 10 days of the owner’s death, allow charities to submit an affidavit to claim the property, require transfer within 30 days, and bar holders from demanding personal information or requiring charities to open accounts or wait on other beneficiaries. Charitable organizations strongly supported the bill, describing long delays and invasive paperwork, while credit unions and bankers raised concerns about identity verification, fraud risk, and the 30-day deadline. The committee then heard House Bill 2595, which would extend the time limit for collateral attacks on criminal judgments from one year to three years and allow the Office of Public Defense to provide direct representation in those matters. Supporters, including incarcerated individuals, defense-related advocates, and the League of Women Voters, argued the current deadline is too short for pro se prisoners and juvenile offenders to discover and litigate claims; prosecutors and victim advocates opposed it, citing finality, workload, and harm to victims. Finally, House Bill 2597 would create a state civil cause of action for violations of federal constitutional rights during civil immigration enforcement, with damages, fees, and a three-year limitation period. The sponsor and supporters framed it as an accountability measure for constitutional violations, while law enforcement and other opponents warned about unclear definitions, immunity issues, and unintended consequences. The hearing on HB 2597 was concluded, and the committee noted an executive session on the bill would occur later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on how many clients are coming through the schools to what they get to practice on at that
• Bowman: Again, I do not know, because it would be state dependent.
• Again, I do not know, because it would be state dependent.
• Again, I do not know, because it would be state dependent.
• That's anywhere from, depending on the state, 200 to 600 hours, where you're just in theory behind a

Summary: The House Business Committee first introduced and approved two RS requests. RS 33044, brought by Rep. Ehart, would examine changes affecting military chaplains so their counseling work could be considered toward licensing requirements; the committee introduced it without opposition. RS 33004, brought by Rep. Cornelis, would require businesses to allow restroom access to people with Crohn’s disease or similar medical conditions who present documentation; it was also introduced unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 513, which would reduce cosmetology training from 1,600 to 1,000 hours and apprenticeship hours from 3,200 to 2,000, with a proposed implementation date of January 1, 2027 in the related RS 33099. Supporters argued the bill would lower barriers to entry, reduce student debt, speed entry into the workforce, and still preserve safety through existing board standards and testing. Opponents, including cosmetology instructors, school owners, and industry representatives, argued the change would weaken training, shift costs to salons, and harm reciprocity for Idaho licensees moving to other states. After public testimony and committee discussion, HB 513 was held in committee, while RS 33099 was introduced and sent to the second reading calendar, with Reps. Birch and Cheatum recorded in opposition. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 514, which would allow cosmetology students to take their licensing exam after completing 80% of the program rather than waiting until the end. The sponsor said this would get students into the workforce sooner and reduce delays caused by test scheduling and results. Testimony was generally supportive, with some comments that earlier testing could help students and employers, though one member noted the need to balance free-market goals with public safety and consumer protection. The committee voted to send HB 514 to the House floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• with a fund balance of 3% or less, OSPI believes a more appropriate threshold would be 6% to 8%, depending
• It would probably be half a day’s work at the most, depending on what we have going on or what the format
• Depending on how complex it is, but we’d have to see what that looks like. Okay, thank you.
• She said elected boards and superintendents want to monitor and track those items monthly, depending
• So, and of course, depending on when such information is required, right?

Summary: The House Education Committee heard public testimony on three bills focused on school district finances and education ombuds confidentiality. House Bill 2593, an OSPI request, would require school districts to maintain minimum general fund balances beginning in the 2031 school year, with OSPI calculating district-specific amounts and adopting rules. It would also require monthly financial reporting starting in 2028-29 and allow OSPI to withhold apportionment for late reporting or require repayment plans if districts fall below the minimum. Supporters, including OSPI and the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to prevent districts from reaching binding financial conditions and to provide earlier intervention; opponents from WASDA, rural districts, and school boards argued it would reduce local control, create cash-flow problems, and impose rigid limits that do not fit different district circumstances. Several witnesses also raised concerns about the proposed maximum fund balance and the impact on districts with enrollment volatility, federal impact aid, or special project savings needs. The committee also heard House Bill 2551, which would let school districts with estimated ending fund balances at or below 3% of revenues seek OSPI approval to sell real property before entering binding financial conditions, with proceeds used to restore solvency rather than being deposited into capital or debt service funds. The prime sponsor and Tacoma School District testified that the bill would give districts flexibility to avoid deeper fiscal distress, while OSPI said it supported the concept but suggested a higher threshold and broader minimum fund balance policy. Testimony in opposition or concern focused on the risk of selling appreciating assets, the possibility of one-time sales being used to solve ongoing budget problems, and the need for stronger state funding rather than asset liquidation. The committee also heard House Bill 2440, which would make identifying information in Office of Education Ombuds complaint records confidential, allow limited disclosure by consent or under legislative or gubernatorial subpoena, and require release of a complainant’s own records with redactions; the bill was supported by the ombuds office and its sponsor as a way to protect complainants and encourage reporting. No votes or executive actions were taken. The committee closed the public hearings after hearing testimony and recorded sign-ins, and the chair noted that the bills could be eligible for executive action beginning the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it would probably depend on sort of the program or the funding in question.
• For something like the rural health transformation program, it would probably depend on the terms of
• I think the short story is it might depend on the specific context.
• Well, it depends on the topic.
• As a science-based organization, we absolutely depend on the research done by OEHHA.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee established quorum and first approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointees and procedural items on unanimous 5-0 votes, including Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgements. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access and equity, continuing CalAIM and behavioral health transformation, and drawing on personal experience with family members needing care. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, eligibility redeterminations, fraud oversight, provider reimbursement, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the impact of federal changes; Sadwith said the department is working on expedited payments, monitoring distressed hospitals, county technical assistance, and strategies to reduce disenrollments and improve program integrity. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee advanced his nomination to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee next considered Chris Thayer, PhD, for Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and supporting tools such as Prop 65, CalEnviroScreen, and risk communication. Senators pressed him on the use of models versus real-world data, fenceline monitoring, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and whether OEHHA’s work adequately reflects lived experience and local conditions. Thayer responded that the office often must rely on the best available evidence, including animal, human, and alternative methods, while continuing to improve communication and community engagement; he also discussed EnviroScreen updates, Prop 65 warning reforms, and research gaps. Public testimony in support highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role and the importance of biomonitoring and PFAS work. The committee approved Thayer’s nomination to the full Senate on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Grove voting no and Senator Jones not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• healthy maturation of Pacific oysters, sea butterflies, Dungeness crab, all of the animals that we depend
• just multiple species, but our local economies, local communities, and resources that we love and depend
• not just multiple species, but our local economies, local communities, resources that we love and depend
• nutrient pollution so that we can basically make it easier for shellfish and other critters that we depend
• other critters. so that we can basically make it easier for shellfish and other critters that we depend

Summary: The committee first received an update from Larry Madsen of the Office of Columbia River on eastern Washington water supply projects. He described the office’s mission to develop new water supplies for in-stream and out-of-stream uses, noting that funded projects have developed more than 800,000 acre-feet of water toward a 1 million acre-foot goal by 2030. He reviewed the four major program areas: the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, the Walla Walla Water 2050 plan, the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, and the Icicle Work Group. He highlighted major projects such as East Low Canal work, Springwood Ranch reservoir planning, Bateman Island causeway removal, and Icicle Creek improvements, and emphasized the importance of state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partnerships and cost-sharing. Senators asked about accelerating the Springwood Ranch study, reservoir sizing and refill potential, and how conservation fits into the Yakima plan. The committee then heard from Betsy Peabody, Dr. Micah Horwith, and Bill Dewey on the Marine Resources Advisory Council and ocean acidification. They explained that Washington was an early bellwether for ocean acidification impacts, especially on shellfish hatcheries, where low aragonite saturation and changing pH caused major oyster larval mortality. They described the state’s monitoring network, hatchery buffering systems, research partnerships, and adaptation strategies such as kelp co-culture, selective breeding, and native oyster restoration. Testimony stressed that ocean acidification is affecting shellfish, Dungeness crab, razor clams, and even salmon, and that continued state investment, emissions reductions, and nutrient pollution control are needed. Senators asked about differences between native and farmed species, real-time monitoring, and the pH/aragonite thresholds that threaten shellfish production. Finally, Todd Myers and Pam Lewis of the Washington Policy Center presented concerns about agricultural viability, sustainability, and food security. Lewis said Washington farms are under severe financial pressure, citing negative farm take-home pay, high production and labor costs, and the need to rely more on voluntary programs, tax relief, and labor cost changes. She also argued that food insecurity is rising and that donations to food banks are harder when farms are financially strained. Myers followed with remarks on forest health and salmon recovery, arguing for more active forest management, expanded use of Good Neighbor Authority, and fewer permitting barriers. He also said salmon recovery funding should be locally prioritized and science-based, with regulatory barriers reduced so projects can move faster. The committee then voted to refer Senate Bill 6154, a culvert replacement permitting bill, to the Senate Local Government Committee without recommendation, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Probably, depending on the size of the investment that I had made, it might have been cheaper to do that
• Probably depends on the size of the lawsuit.
• It depends on your deductible, too. And either way, it's not a good way to do business. Thank you.
• I mean, I think it depends a lot on what one is trying to advertise, of course.
• Without this fix, damage to the hospitality industry and the local communities that depend on our industry

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2229 would update the professional engineers registration act by removing the U.S. citizenship requirement for board members, increasing pro tem board positions, giving the board more discretion over experience and continuing education requirements, removing some registration exclusions, and making various technical updates. The bill sponsor and the board described it as a cleanup and modernization measure, and a board representative said one naming change in the draft was unintended and would be corrected. No public testimony was taken before the hearing was suspended and later closed. House Bill 2274 would revise the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act after a Washington Supreme Court decision led to a wave of lawsuits over email subject lines. The bill would require a sender to have a “reliable basis” to know an email is held by a Washington resident, narrow when a subject line is actionable, require recipients to show they reviewed and relied on the email to recover damages, and repeal the act’s per se Consumer Protection Act violation while keeping statutory damages. Retailers, small business owners, hospitality groups, and e-commerce representatives supported the bill, saying the current interpretation is producing costly, technical lawsuits over ordinary promotional language and creating settlement pressure even without consumer harm. Consumer advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections against deceptive subject lines and that the current law already targets false or misleading claims. The committee took no final action on the bill. House Bill 2294 would prohibit future negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies, with exceptions for existing restrictions, relocations, and certain retail centers. The sponsor said the measure is intended to improve food and pharmacy access, especially after grocery closures such as the one in Lake City, and noted similar local ordinances already exist. Food industry and grocery association witnesses generally supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to food access and help independent grocers, while also asking for clearer guardrails to avoid unintended effects on legitimate business arrangements. The sponsor said she was open to working on enforcement and other details. The committee then moved to executive session and passed House Bill 1269, which would adjust pawn broker loan terms, interest, document preparation fees, storage fees, and allow online payment for renewals. Members described it as a modest increase after 11 years without changes, and the bill was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, with 15 members voting in the affirmative.