Transcript Highlights:

• is all those things that make for a strong, resilient society: commerce, tourism, trade, food and fuel
• c><00:27:45.200><c> trade,</c><00:27:46.240><c> food</c><00:27:46.480><c> and</c><00:27:46.720><c> fuel
• </c> Commerce, tourism, trade, food and fuel Commerce, tourism, trade, food and fuel security,<00:27:

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• conventional manufacturing process for synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer generally relies on fossil fuels
• We were at WSU Tri-Cities earlier this year, working with the sustainable aviation fuels, and they've
• for farmers, and I'm looking at a couple number of farmers here themselves that'll tell us best, is fuel
• Instead of using fossil fuels, the bill incentivizes electrolytic hydrogen produced with renewable energy

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5816, which would add juice grapes to Washington’s Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act. Staff explained that the bill would allow juice grape producers to form an accredited association to negotiate with processors under the same timelines used for pears, and the prime sponsor said the measure was intended to help growers obtain fairer prices. A grape grower testified that Washington producers face a small number of buyers, little real negotiation, and prices far below New York’s, arguing the bill would give growers a way to bargain collectively. The public hearing closed with 47 people noted in support and one in opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production and use in Washington. Staff described the bill as directing WSDA to establish the program, adopt rules by 2028, and report to the Legislature, with costs shown in the fiscal note. The prime sponsor and several supporters, including Atlas Agro, a port representative, labor, NRDC, WSDA, the League of Women Voters, and the Washington State Potato Commission, said the bill could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local manufacturing and jobs, stabilize fertilizer supply and prices for farmers, and help Washington compete for federal clean hydrogen tax credits. WSDA said the program was implementable with consultation and that the Climate Commitment Act could be a funding source, though it noted rulemaking costs. The committee then held a work session on commercial shellfish fee assessments after the Department of Health adopted major fee increases for shellfish licensing and certification. Shellfish growers and association representatives said the increases—described as ranging from roughly 233% to 789% overall, with some individual licenses rising much more—would hit small and family farms hardest, could force closures, and were based on a fee structure they said is outdated and not tied well to production. DOH explained that the program has long relied on general fund support, that federal shellfish safety requirements must be maintained, and that the new fees are intended to move the program toward full cost recovery after years without increases. The department said it had used a phased approach, reopened rulemaking to look for a fairer structure, and would continue working with industry and the Legislature; no vote was taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm talking somebody with forestry experience, fuels management experience, and community mitigation
• agricultural viability and performance metrics developed under the strategy to include tracking the costs of fuel
• amendment is just adding something to the bill so we can track some of those costs that we have on fuel
• This amendment is going to add some metrics, calls out specifically the cost of fuel and labor.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2275, which would create a Wildfire Prevention and Protection Fund and a new council to oversee utility wildfire mitigation, claims payments, and related administration. Staff explained that investor-owned utilities would be required to participate, consumer-owned utilities could opt in, and utilities would pay annual contributions and maintain approved wildfire mitigation plans to qualify for claims coverage. The prime sponsor, Rep. Christine Reeves, said the bill was intended to address wildfire liability, support prevention, and create a more comprehensive statewide approach to wildfire risk. Members asked about retroactivity to July 1, 2021, utility contribution limits, and whether the bill would lower rates or improve mitigation funding. Public testimony was split. Supporters included the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Department of Natural Resources, wildfire survivors, and several wildfire and insurance advocates, who emphasized the need for compensation, stable funding, prevention, and better resilience planning. Opponents included several utilities, utility associations, business groups, and public utility district representatives, who argued the bill would shift uncapped costs to ratepayers, lacked clear liability reform and solvency protections, and could be vulnerable to future fund sweeps. Some witnesses cited California’s wildfire fund as a model, while others said Washington needed a broader, more holistic solution focused on prevention and liability reform. No vote was taken on HB 2275; the public hearing was closed after testimony. The committee then moved to executive session on House Bill 2238, which directs the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy and adds food security coordination and food system performance monitoring to the department’s duties. Four amendments were adopted: L-061, requiring consideration of regulatory cost metrics and periodic competitiveness reporting; L-062, directing the strategy to recommend legislative actions to make food more affordable and reduce food assistance need; L-060, adding people with lived experience of food insecurity and BIPOC small farmers to consultation requirements and focusing on root causes of hunger; and L-063, adding fuel and labor cost tracking to agricultural viability metrics. Amendment L-064, which would have required a consultant study on proposed agricultural labor legislation, failed on a 5-6 roll call vote. The committee then adopted the amended substitute and reported Substitute House Bill 2238 out of committee with a due pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Spokane incinerator burns waste, including plastics, which are the equivalent of burning fossil fuels
• The Spokane Inciderator burns waste, including plastics, which are the equivalent of burning fossil fuels
• energy and the way the energy would be developed at the facility so that we're not burning fossil fuels
• , for example, like plastics, and... ...at the facility so that we're not burning fossil fuels, for example

Bills: HB2426, HB2373, HB2416

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, electric utility, energy assistance, low-income households, monthly bill assistance, energy equity, waste management, energy, climate action, environmental regulations, fair treatment, renewable energy, sustainability, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Connor: There are other things we've heard: housing, grocery expenses, maintaining your automobile, fuel
• Growers are facing relentless increases in labor, fuel, fertilizer, and all those things.
• Growers are facing relentless increases in labor, fuel, fertilizer, and all those things.
• our returns, meaning part of the labor expense, along with all other expenses such as electricity, fuel

Bills: HB2355, HB2151, HB2372, HB2472, HB2409

Keywords: labor protections, domestic workers, wage standards, employment rights, worker safety, factory built housing, commercial structures, national standards, construction regulation, building safety, workers' compensation, benefits, employment, injury claims, insurance, liability, fire protection, sprinkler systems, licensed contractors, certified fitters

Transcript Highlights:

• requesting the counties to authorize a percentage of taxes generated by the general excise tax and fuel
• general<00:28:18.720><c> excise</c><00:28:19.120><c> tax</c><00:28:19.360><c> and</c><00:28:19.600><c> fuel
• </c><00:28:19.919><c> tax</c> general excise tax and fuel tax general excise tax and fuel tax collected

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Committee on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard several resolutions, with most public testimony focused on Senate Concurrent Resolution 159 and Senate Resolution 129, which urge continued U.S. support for the Ukrainian military. Testimony on those measures was largely opposed, with witnesses arguing Hawaii should prioritize local needs such as homelessness, infrastructure, and cost of living over additional aid to Ukraine; one support testimony was noted from the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Despite the opposition, both committees recommended passage with technical, nonsubstantive amendments, and the recommendations were adopted. The committees also considered transportation-related resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 182 and Senate Resolution 152 would initiate a summer streets pilot program, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 200 and Senate Resolution 180 would ask AMPO to coordinate a transportation management training program. Testimony on the summer streets proposal included support and opposition, with one witness saying community input should be gathered through existing district and community meetings rather than creating a pilot. The training-program measure drew opposition from a witness who argued it would add unnecessary bureaucracy. Both pairs were recommended for passage, with the summer streets resolutions passed unamended and the training-program resolutions passed with technical amendments. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 and Senate Resolution 14, concerning relocation of the Pearl City post office to Navy property, were recommended for passage with technical amendments. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 136 and Senate Resolution 150, which call for a geothermal energy working group. Supporters included the State Energy Office, PUC, consumer advocate, and others, though the energy office asked to move the report deadline to 2027. Opponents raised concerns about cost, health impacts, environmental risks, and Native Hawaiian representation. The chair proposed amendments to add a Native Hawaiian member, the consumer advocate, and the House and Senate energy committee chairs, clarify participation by utility, geothermal, and nonprofit representatives, and extend the report deadline to 2027. The resolutions were then recommended for passage with amendments, and all recommendations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, with Hurricane Charlie and with Ian, the company secured generators, food and fuel, tarps
• We receive about 45% of the fuel for the state of Florida, as well as jet fuel for Tampa and Orlando
• But there's definitely a few different alternative fuel solutions that they're looking at, but not for

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• ago Minnesota had nearly an $18 billion surplus, and that historic budget position could have helped fuel
• <00:03:38.239><c> could</c><00:03:38.400><c> have</c><00:03:38.599><c> helped</c><00:03:38.879><c> fuel
• </c><00:03:39.319><c> the</c> position could have helped fuel the position could have helped fuel the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We must curb the unchecked corporate power in our economy that is fueled by their outsized role in our
• economy</c><00:09:05.720><c> that</c><00:09:05.839><c> is</c><00:09:06.040><c> f</c><00:09:06.320><c> fueled
• </c><00:09:06.720><c> by</c> power in our economy that is f fueled by power in our economy that is f
• fueled by their<00:09:07.079><c> outsized</c><00:09:07.880><c> role</c><00:09:08.600><c> in</c><00:09

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um also there was an inadvertent switching of candidate political party designation, excuse me.
• Um also there was an inadvertent<01:33:58.560><c> switching</c><01:33:58.880><c> of</c><01:33:59.040>
• <c> candidate</c> inadvertent switching of candidate inadvertent switching of candidate political<01:
• For example, there was one in 2024 where two candidates' political parties got switched.
• Um that's a really simple fix, switched. Um that's a really simple fix, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're proposing to create a new tax credit to incentivize companies that produce aviation fuel from renewable
• One is a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit.
• So for the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, any company that was selling sustainable aviation fuel
• or producing it for use and sale within California... ...sustainable aviation fuel or producing it for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think if we wanted to address the fuel storage side, that should be a priority. should be done
• Some of these are going to operate on fuel that is that is already any nuclear waste or spent fuel at
• another site, we'll bring it in and we'll use that as fuel. to completely deplete that fuel source.

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• But in 2024, record-high ocean temperatures fueled the most extensive global coral bleaching event ever
• But in 2024, record-high ocean temperatures fueled the most extensive global coral bleaching event ever
• 58.640><c> high</c><01:11:58.960><c> ocean</c><01:11:59.440><c> temperatures</c><01:12:00.000><c> fueled
• </c> record high ocean temperatures fueled record high ocean temperatures fueled the<01:12:01.040><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investigative division is responsible for enforcing state tax laws and preventing tax fraud, including motor fuel
• These crimes... ...and preventing tax fraud, including motor fuel theft.
• These crimes often involve organized schemes where fuel is stolen, transported, and resold illegally.
• We have them with fuel theft and fuel depots, but not only along the border, but also in my district.

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard a series of bills focused on criminal procedure, public safety, victim protections, and law enforcement administration. SB 1537 would require criminal-proceeding interpreters to meet the same appointment standards used in the Government Code, and SB 993 would let the Comptroller’s Criminal Investigative Division seek mobile-tracking warrants directly in motor fuel theft and related tax-fraud investigations. SB 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notaries who notarize documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add continuing education for notaries. SB 1610 would tighten rules for civilly committed sexually violent predators at the Texas Civil Commitment Office, including penalties for new crimes and assaults on staff, sex-offender registration requirements, and removal of certain provisions from the filed version; the substitute reduced some of the harsher penalties and preserved parole/community-supervision eligibility. SB 836 would expand privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of certain trials, allowing pseudonyms earlier in the process, and protecting forensic exam evidence and invasive recordings under protective orders. SB 1563 would require county jailers to receive training on interacting with veterans, with testimony emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails. SB 906 would give the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo authority similar to other Texas tribes to commission peace officers under state law to enforce Texas laws on tribal land. SB 781 would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officers’ personal information and create a confidential departmental file system modeled on Chapter 143 civil-service practices, though members raised concerns about whether the bill could affect disciplinary records and existing disclosure rules. Testimony was largely supportive for the bills, especially from prosecutors, law enforcement representatives, victim advocates, and agency officials. Supporters of SB 693 described widespread deed fraud tied to improper notarizations; supporters of SB 836 stressed survivor privacy and the harms of livestreamed sexual-assault proceedings; supporters of SB 1563 said jailer training could help prevent veteran suicides and improve treatment; and supporters of SB 906 said state commissioning would improve public safety and coordination on tribal lands. SB 781 drew support from police and TCOLE witnesses who said the bill would extend confidentiality protections already used in civil-service departments, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law or could be read to shield misconduct information. Public testimony included opposition to SB 1610 from a civil-rights advocate who urged waiting for Sunset review, and opposition to SB 781 from a family member of a person killed by police, who objected to expanding confidentiality for officers. Several bills were left pending after testimony because the committee lacked a quorum or chose to hold them for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• regulate not only emissions, not only zero-emission vehicles, but really emissions from combustion fuels
• I mentioned a bit earlier, you know, the last time we saw fuel prices at this level, we did see more
• of zero-emission vehicles, but frankly, providing the tools to regulate emissions from combustion fuels
• Emissions from combustion fuels, but also enhance efficiency, so that people aren't spending as much
• Rocketdyne, you know, Santa Susana Field Lab is not far away, and they could have been bringing rocket fuel

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A number of programs funded by CCA support both pollution reduction and reduce energy and fuel costs.
• A number of programs funded by CCA support both pollution reduction and reduce energy and fuel costs.
• offer bill savings or helping them access clean transportation options that significantly cut their fueling
• Bad air from burning fossil fuels worsens asthma, causes heart disease, lung disease, and too many visits
• Bad air from burning fossil fuels worsens asthma, causes heart disease, lung disease, and too many visits

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee heard an overview from OFM Director Katie Chapman See on Governor Ferguson’s 2026 supplemental budget proposal. She said the budget was built in response to higher caseloads and inflation, a roughly $390 million revenue forecast drop, new federal costs tied to H.R. 1, and a relatively small ending fund balance. The proposal would increase near general fund spending by about $1.1 billion and solve an estimated $2.3 billion two-year gap through about $800 million in reductions, revenue shifts and tax preference changes, use of other funds, and about $1 billion from the budget stabilization account. She also noted the budget is balanced over two years but not fully over four years under the state’s outlook rules. Chapman See highlighted reductions in Working Connections Child Care, including a soft cap on enrollment and holding subsidy rates at the 75th percentile, delays to long-term care and developmental disability-related changes, and across-the-board reductions to higher education and administrative spending. She also described investments in wildfire suppression and preparedness, affordability programs like utility rebates and home energy assistance, housing-related planning and permitting support, One Washington IT replacement, behavioral health workforce programs, and continued support for some K-12 initiatives such as ninth grade success and homeless student stability. In response to questions, she said some proposed cuts were based on the governor’s subjective judgment about what was critically necessary, that current child care enrollees would not be cut off immediately, and that the budget would maintain services for about 500 highest-acuity Medicaid clients who lost eligibility under federal changes. Public testimony was largely critical of the proposed cuts in K-12, early learning, and higher education. School officials, educators, nurses, and advocacy groups opposed reductions to Transition to Kindergarten, Local Effort Assistance, Running Start, MSOC, school leadership and support grants, and higher education funding, arguing the cuts would worsen existing funding gaps and harm student outcomes. Several witnesses supported restoring or maintaining funding for ninth grade success, Treehouse’s foster youth graduation program, homeless student stability, and Science on Wheels. In early learning, child care providers and advocates opposed the Working Connections cap and subsidy-rate reduction, warning it would reduce access and destabilize providers. In higher education, campus leaders and labor representatives opposed across-the-board cuts and fund shifts, while some institutions and advocates supported targeted investments such as behavioral health workforce programs and DigiPen aid restoration. In human services, Planned Parenthood advocates praised restored abortion access funding and Medicaid reimbursements. The committee took no votes or final action in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee for its recognition of the 100th anniversary of the historic launch of the world's first liquid-fueled
• It's recognition of the 100th anniversary of the historic launch of the world's first liquid-fueled rocket

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with ceremonial items, including the Pledge of Allegiance and a welcome to Tri-County High School’s championship football and boys’ cross-country teams. The chamber then adopted a resolution commending the town of Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for recognizing the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. Several local bills were taken up and passed to be enacted, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting the senior property tax deferral income threshold in Wellesley, amending the Hopedinton charter regarding library trustee appointment powers, and later engrossing bills affecting the Cotuit Fire District, the Salem licensing board, and validating Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and, on committee recommendation, advanced two Cotuit Fire District bills to third reading and engrossment. A major portion of the session focused on two Senate orders seeking advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on pending initiative petitions. One order concerned a public records initiative that would extend public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends initiative that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney spoke in support of both orders, saying they were meant to inform the committee’s work and were not votes on the merits of the ballot questions. Both orders were adopted without objection. The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft and amendment pending, and adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026. The session concluded with an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m., which was adopted, and the Senate adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee for its recognition of the 100th anniversary of the historic launch of the world's first liquid-fueled
• It is in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the historic launch of the world's first liquid-fueled

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and several ceremonial items, including introductions of championship Tri-County High School football and boys’ cross-country teams and adoption of a resolution honoring Auburn and the Robert and Esther Goddard Centennial Committee for the 100th anniversary of the first liquid-fueled rocket launch. The chamber then gave final passage to several local bills, including measures authorizing payment by the City of Revere, adjusting Wellesley’s senior property tax deferral income threshold, amending the Hopedinton/Hopkinton town charter regarding library trustees, and other local matters, all of which were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees and took up several local bills from the Orders of the Day. These included bills enhancing the powers of the Cotuit Fire District’s Board of Water Commissioners, authorizing the Cotuit Fire District to raise money for the Historical Society of Santuit and Cotuit, further regulating the Salem licensing board, and validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. Each was advanced by unanimous consent, read a third time, and passed to be engrossed. A major portion of the session focused on two orders from Senator Friedman requesting advisory opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court on initiative petitions. One concerned a public records proposal that would extend public records law to the General Court and Governor’s office; the other concerned a legislative stipends proposal that would alter internal legislative procedures and compensation rules. Senator Feeney argued the requests were needed to clarify constitutional issues before the Legislature acts on the initiatives, and both orders were adopted. The Senate also received a Ways and Means report on Senate Bill 2720, a bill banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet sharks, with a new draft, Senate No. 3014, recommended. The chamber adopted an order placing the bill on the Orders of the Day for second reading on March 19, 2026, with amendments in order, and then adopted a separate order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m., dispensing with the printing of a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute for House Bill 2774, sponsored by Representative Knight, having to do with regulations based on fuel
• House Bill 2774, sponsored by Representative Knight, having to do with regulations based on fuel sources

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute for House Bill 2774, sponsored by Representative Knight, having to do with regulations based on fuel
• Substitute for House Bill 2774, sponsored by Representative Knight, having to do with regulations based on fuel

Summary: The Legislative Rules Committee met in executive session and announced that it would not hear House Committee Substitute for HB 1941, HB 2279, and HB 1681 that morning, saying members wanted more time to review it and that a hearing would be scheduled in the near future. The committee also took up two bills not on the hearing notice: House Committee Substitute No. 2 for HB 2668 and House Committee Substitute No. 2 for HB 2780, both dealing with property tax issues. The committee advanced a series of bills on a variety of topics, including fire district surplus property (HB 1752), personal property assessments (HB 1759), voter roll maintenance (HB 1812), epinephrine delivery devices (HCS for HB 1826, 2560, 2349, and 2194), disabled license plates and placards (HB 1827), school employee training (HCS for HB 2335), mortgage modifications (HB 2636), fuel-source-based regulations (HCS for HB 2774), masked intimidation (HB 2848), a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders (HCS for HB 3012, 2997, and 3058), motor vehicle assessments (HCS for HB 3035), and drug abuse (HCS for HB 313). Most of these measures received unanimous or near-unanimous do pass recommendations. There was limited discussion on HB 1752, where Vice Chair Mayhew raised a constitutional concern about allowing surplus fire district property to go to public service corporations; the sponsor explained that the bill did not further define that term, and the bill still received a 9-3 do pass recommendation. HB 2848 drew supportive comments from Ranking Member Bosley after he reviewed the bill, and HB 3035 was briefly corrected for a mistaken vote before receiving a do pass recommendation. The two property tax bills, HCS No. 2 for HB 2668 and HCS No. 2 for HB 2780, were explained by their sponsors as splitting earlier legislation into separate pieces: HB 2668 covered ballot language, tax impact disclosures, abatements, and election timing, while HB 2780 addressed the remaining property tax provisions, including subclass-based levy protections and school district debt service levy changes. HB 2668 passed 9-3, and HB 2780 passed 9-0 with three present. The committee then adjourned.