Transcript Highlights:

• </c> folks about remote supports, preserving folks about remote supports, preserving access<00:03:06.000
• Preserving the status quo does nothing to help the program and the people, the people that are served
• A2 would preserve an MCO's ability to credential and contract with providers in MA.
• A2 would preserve an MCO's the MCOs's.
• </c><01:54:16.880><c> their</c> have a way to try to preserve their have a way to try to preserve their

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms. The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget. Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• California can protect children while preserving access to meaningful connection and community.
• California can protect children while preserving access to meaningful connection and community.
• California can protect children while preserving access to meaningful connection and community.
• So I want to preserve our ability to think through that. Digital forgeries.
• So I want to preserve our ability to think through that.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on public safety, consumer protection, and youth harms. AB 1557 by Assemblymember Papin would clarify e-bike motor power limits and set lower speed-related standards for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, cities, the California Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, argued the bill would reduce severe injuries and deaths among young riders. Opponents from People for Bikes warned it could conflict with federal law, create legal uncertainty, and disrupt the bicycle market. The author and committee members acknowledged industry concerns and urged continued work on the bill. AB 1770 by Assemblymember Garcia would place large health care service plan arbitration under California Department of Justice oversight and require compliance with the California Arbitration Act. Supporters described cases where patients were forced into private arbitration with little transparency or accountability, arguing the bill would make the process fairer and more neutral. Kaiser Permanente and the Civil Justice Association of California said they were still reviewing amendments and had not settled on a final position. Committee members expressed sympathy for the personal stories shared and encouraged continued negotiations. The committee also heard AB 2075, which would require fire suppression equipment to be kept closer at hand during brush work, and AB 1864, which would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism. AB 2075 was presented as a response to a Ventura County wildfire, with support from the Ventura County District Attorney’s office and no opposition heard. AB 1864 was backed by the author, Stanford biosecurity expert Dr. Milana Trout, and Encode AI, while Biocom opposed unless amended and California Life Sciences remained neutral. Members discussed implementation details and the role of the Department of Public Health. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with harmful features and create an e-safety advisory commission. Supporters, including youth advocates, parents, medical groups, and Common Sense Media, said addictive design features are harming children’s mental health and safety. Opponents, including EFF, the ACLU, TechNet, and other civil liberties and industry groups, argued the bill is overbroad, raises First Amendment and privacy concerns, and could limit access to important online communities. Despite those objections, the bill was moved forward after committee discussion, with members emphasizing the need to protect children while continuing to work on carveouts and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is directed to develop a model ordinance for
• I'm also the historic preservation officer.
• Assuring access to care promotes the most economical way to preserve the health of Washingtonians and
• We are also grateful for the inclusion of family preservation services in the bill.
• preservation model, and our state's less intensive family preservation services.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• help protect access to mental health and substance use treatment, support frontline workers, and preserve
• For these reasons, I urge you to oppose Senate Bill 5974, preserve voter control of elected offices,
• Partnering with an MSO offered our practice a lifeline and enabled us to preserve access to infusion
• There's no disagreement with the chair and the sponsor of this bill about needing to preserve clinical
• Our ability to meet new needs depends on preserving the staff and infrastructure we have today.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• as counties prepare for the statewide implementation of the Minnesota African-American Family Preservation
• as counties prepare for the statewide implementation of the Minnesota African-American Family Preservation
• as counties prepare for the statewide implementation of the Minnesota African-American Family Preservation
• <02:00:39.199><c> and</c><02:00:39.440><c> Child</c><02:00:39.679><c> Welfare</c> Preservation and Child
• Welfare Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality<02:00:41.040><c> Act.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it the Family First preservation and reunification services? Yes.
• Family First preservation and reunification services.
• and reunification services preservation and reunification services so<01:05:29.960><c> we</c><01:05:
• family preservation reification Services is<01:05:37.799><c> our</c><01:05:38.039><c> largest</c><01
• The cost for a family to engage in family preservation services is $10,000 or under.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in the interest of preserving your voices going forward, the motion to suspend the rules requires
• c><01:05:03.440><c> to</c> HR1, those funds cannot be used to HR1, those funds cannot be used to preserve
• <c> existing</c><01:05:04.720><c> services</c><01:05:05.280><c> such</c><01:05:05.520><c> as</c> preserve
• existing services such as preserve existing services such as cardiology,<01:05:06.640><c> oncology,<
• the heritage and stories of to preserve the heritage and stories of the<02:36:52.479><c> region</c><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• different reasons: a priority on safety, to improve the safety of our highway systems, maintenance and preservation
• I am excited that we're making additional investments in preservation and maintenance.

Summary: The House and Senate Transportation Committee conferees met to consider the conference report for SB 5161, the transportation budget for the 2025-27 biennium. Staff explained that the underlying 2023-25 transportation budget was revised downward by about $1.3 billion, from $14.5 billion to $13.2 billion, and the report included a dedication honoring the late Senator Bill Ramos for his service to Washington and its transportation system. Members from both chambers spoke in support of the budget and praised the work of committee staff, noting the difficulty and length of the negotiations. Several conferees said the budget was responsible and cautious given uncertainty around costs and federal funding, while still advancing major priorities such as ferry procurement, fish barrier removal, safety improvements, State Patrol staffing, preservation and maintenance, and key projects including the North Spokane Corridor, SR 520, Gateway, and other Connecting Washington and mega projects. After discussion, the committee adopted the conference report by voice vote, with members then recorded as recommending it. The report was advanced to the House and Senate, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish
• 56.319><c> to</c> deal more kindly with one another and to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve
• 58.000><c> the</c><00:07:58.240><c> pale</c><00:07:58.639><c> blue</c><00:07:58.879><c> dot,</c> preserve
• and cherish the pale blue dot, preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the<00:08:00.000><c> only</c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintain compliant electronic records would also promote greater clarity and consistency while preserving
• Just as importantly, it preserves accountability by ensuring electronic records remain compliant and
• continuing to work with stakeholders on concerns raised in paragraphs B and E, and continuing to preserve
• And continuing to preserve, I know, very important, the merit principle.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parks and Recreation to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation
• . to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation, learning, exchange
• 8,000 small and mid-sized family farmers in California and has worked for more than 45 years to preserve
• AB 1912 ensures that all hunters can defend themselves from threats in remote wilderness while preserving

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to parks, wildlife, water, and veterans. AB 1592 would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to partner with the California Indian Heritage Center support organization; supporters said it would help move the long-planned center forward with Native-led governance. AB 2216 would expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area and update its authority to better support watershed-scale conservation, climate resilience, workforce, tribal grants, and related projects. AB 1702 would expand state parks access for veterans, National Guard, reservists, and active duty service members by broadening eligibility for the Distinguished Veterans Pass and creating a discounted parks pass. AB 1673 would allow county fish and game commissions to use certain revenues to reimburse sheriffs for fish and wildlife enforcement and wildlife-conflict prevention, especially in rural counties with limited state enforcement presence. The committee also considered AB 1912, which would allow archery deer hunters to carry concealed firearms while hunting, aligning deer hunting rules with those already in place for other big game archery hunts. Supporters argued it would improve hunter safety in remote areas without harming wildlife enforcement, while opponents were not present. AB 1987 would dedicate revenues generated from state wildlife areas back to those areas for operations, maintenance, and habitat management; supporters said the areas are underfunded and need a stable funding source. All of these bills received due pass recommendations and were later approved by the committee, with AB 2216 passing 11-1 and the others passing 12-0. The most contested measure was AB 2630, which would give the State Water Resources Control Board emergency-style authority to make measurement and reporting changes for water diversions and use, with a five-year sunset. The author and supporters said the board needs flexibility to update the CalWATRS reporting system quickly as technology and conditions change. Water agencies, farm groups, and business groups opposed the bill, arguing it would bypass public input and could allow repeated emergency regulations affecting compliance and operations. After extended debate, the committee passed AB 2630 on an 8-4 vote. The committee also approved two consent items, AB 1804 and AB 2260, both unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parks and Recreation to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation
• . to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation, learning, exchange
• 8,000 small and mid-sized family farmers in California and has worked for more than 45 years to preserve
• AB 1912 ensures that all hunters can defend themselves from threats in remote wilderness while preserving

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It improves compliance and strengthens the workforce pipeline and preserves, in the process, local control
• It improves compliance and strengthens the workforce pipeline and preserves in the process local control
• Pipeline and preserves, in the process, local control.
• That preservation and local control is critical to communities like ours.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began by welcoming a new Senate Page, Caleb Williams of Shelley, who introduced himself and answered a few light questions about his plans after graduation. The committee then approved minutes from February 10, 12, 16, and 17, 2026, by voice vote. The main action item was Senate Bill 1317, which would create regional service centers to help school districts and charter schools share special education-related staff and services, especially in rural areas. The sponsor and department staff said the bill is intended to reduce duplication, improve compliance with IDEA, strengthen recruitment and retention of specialists, and preserve local control. Testimony from superintendents, teachers, parents, advocates, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing high costs for contracted services, staffing shortages, and the benefits of shared regional models. Senator Zito raised concerns about the $1 million fiscal note, the use of real property, and the lack of clarity about how many centers would be created and where they would be located. After discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1317 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion passed with Senator Zito voting no. Following that, the committee received informational presentations on two Idaho education programs: District 91’s PASS program in Idaho Falls, a tiered behavior-support model for young students, and Kootenai Classical Academy’s classical education model, including its curriculum, character education, and strong literacy results. The meeting adjourned at the scheduled hard stop.

Transcript Highlights:

• including wild animals, birds, and fish, are the property of the state of Idaho and they will be preserved
• Adopted in the final months of the Clinton administration, the rule aimed to help preserve remaining
• Those protections preserve wildlife corridors for grizzly bears, elk, and wolves.
• The rule of balance preservation and sustainable use.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Changes to the program should be considered cautiously to preserve investment certainty and policy intent
• Tolio, and that made a number of changes to that program but preserved the same basic scope in that it
• It preserves some of the existing provisions in terms of what member producer fees can be used for by
• this new organization, and it also preserves Ecology's ability to adopt rules and enforce program requirements

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2436, a technical fix to Washington’s oil tanker escort tug requirements in Puget Sound waters. The bill would require escort tugs to have either horsepower equal to 5% of the tanker’s deadweight tonnage or 3,000 horsepower, whichever is greater. Rep. Lekanoff and the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners said the change aligns statute with existing rules and industry practice and supports protection of the Salish Sea and southern resident killer whales. No opposition was raised, and the hearing was closed without action at that point. The committee then heard House Bill 2322, which changes Clean Fuels Program rules and tax incentives for alternative jet fuel. Supporters, including Rep. Dent, Sky Energy, 12, and the City of Moses Lake, said the bill would provide certainty for large-scale sustainable aviation fuel investment by changing the trigger for tax incentives and clarifying that certain renewable electricity, including hydro, can count as zero carbon. Ecology opposed the bill’s treatment of electricity accounting, saying it would weaken incentives for new renewable generation and could reduce the clean fuels program’s emissions benefits. U.S. Oil asked for additional clarification or changes to allow Pierce County participation or define “blender.” No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. In executive session, the committee passed several bills. Substitute House Bill 2343, dealing with discharge permits for publicly owned animal facilities, passed 21-0. Proposed second substitute House Bill 1420, creating a textile and apparel coordinating organization for a needs assessment, passed 12-9. House Bill 2426, allowing Pollution Control Hearings Board appeals to be heard by a single member or alternative panel by agreement, passed 19-2. Substitute House Bill 2271, expanding post-consumer recycled content requirements for certain plastic products, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2215, adjusting Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier thresholds, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2421, restricting 6PPD and certain substitutes in tires, passed 11-9 with one excused after an amendment to exempt rural eastern Washington was rejected. Action on House Bill 2301 and House Bill 2296 was deferred to a later meeting due to time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• strengthens alignment with Washington's greenhouse gas reduction goals at the facility level, it does not preserve
• And so I think what's most important for the state of Washington is to preserve the ability to treat
• I think what's important is that whatever we do, even if we link, that we preserve our flexibility here
• working with you to ensure policy changes affecting EITEs under the CCA must, at the very least, preserve

Bills: HB2537 , HB2245 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• strengthens alignment with Washington's greenhouse gas reduction goals at the facility level, it does not preserve
• And so I think what's most important for the state of Washington is to preserve the ability to treat
• I think what's important is that whatever we do, even if we link, that we preserve our flexibility here
• working with you to ensure policy changes affecting EITEs under the CCA must, at the very least, preserve

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers. Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget. Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• These departments are best positioned to serve their unique school communities, and preserving their
• The bill preserves all other components of current Texas NIL legislation, including the financial literacy
• Under this legislation, local control is preserved, allowing school districts to best determine how the
• This allows the preservation of the student's work in case of questions around feedback or grading and

Bills: HB322 , HB126 , HB3062 , HB1481 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB121 , HB2243 , HB3627 , HB1178 , HB367 , HB5515 , HB126 , HB121

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about protecting mobility and preserving safety.
• We're a nonprofit of over 300 members who are committed to the advocacy of creation and preservation
• an unhealthy dichotomy and holds hostage the tools and funding municipalities used to build and preserve
• Importantly, the bill preserves the current county handling fees.

Bills: HB 341 , HB 469 , HB 971 , HB 1624 , HB 2721 , HB 2959 , HB 3365 , HB 3731 , HB 3793 , HB 3861 , HB 3946 , HB 3966 , HB 4348 , HB 4401 , HB 4402 , HB 4924 , HB 4966 , HB 5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about protecting mobility and preserving safety.
• We're a nonprofit with over 300 members who are committed to the advocacy of the creation and preservation
• creates an unhealthy dichotomy and holds hostage the tools and funding municipalities use to build and preserve
• Importantly, the bill preserves the current county handling; these counties will still receive their

Bills: HB341 , HB469 , HB971 , HB1624 , HB2721 , HB2959 , HB3365 , HB3731 , HB3793 , HB3861 , HB3946 , HB3966 , HB4348 , HB4401 , HB4402 , HB4924 , HB4966 , HB5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation