Transcript Highlights:

• restoring and stabilizing the investments in FPHS, House Bill 2439 helps ensure King County can preserve
• restoring and stabilizing the investments in FPHS, House Bill 2439 helps ensure King County can preserve
• restoring and stabilizing the investments in FPHS, House Bill 2439 helps ensure King County can preserve
• If the objective is stronger enforcement against illicit products, preserving uniform statewide standards
• If the objective is stronger enforcement against illicit products, preserving uniform statewide standards

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2483, which would create an annual data broker registry at the Department of Licensing beginning in 2027. Staff explained that data brokers would have to register, pay a fee, and disclose information about the types of data collected, security measures, opt-out options, and whether precise geolocation or consumer health data is involved. Prime sponsor Rep. Kloba said the bill is intended to make data collection and resale more visible to consumers and to address harms such as scams, tracking, and surveillance pricing. Testimony was mixed: TechNet, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Retail Association opposed the bill as drafted, saying the definition of data broker is too broad and could sweep in businesses that are not true data brokers, while the sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying amendments and public-data carve-outs. The committee then heard House Bill 2400, which would regulate monetized social media content featuring children. Staff described provisions requiring vloggers above certain revenue thresholds to register with the Department of Revenue, creating trust accounts for minor children appearing in monetized videos, allowing young adults to request deletion of monetized childhood content, requiring reporting by social media services, and establishing civil penalties and statutory damages. Rep. Reeves said the bill is meant to draw a line between ordinary family posting and monetizing children online, citing concerns about child labor protections and exploitation. TechNet and AWB opposed the bill, arguing that social media platforms should not be made the middleman for trust accounts and that the private right of action and enforcement structure should be revisited; they urged further work during the interim. Finally, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2439, an omnibus tobacco and vapor product bill. Staff said it would create a responsible vendor program, raise license fees and penalties, require retailers to buy from licensed wholesalers or distributors, add certification requirements for vapor manufacturers, study extended producer responsibility for vapor waste, expand lab testing authority, tighten age-verification rules, prohibit certain imitation or entertainment vapor products, remove state preemption so local governments could adopt stricter rules, and redirect portions of tobacco tax revenue to public health accounts. Supporters, including public health groups, King County, the American Heart Association, and pediatricians, backed the youth-prevention, local-control, and funding provisions. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill, focusing on the loss of preemption, higher fees, compliance burdens, and the risk of pushing sales to the illicit market; some also argued the bill should rely more on state-level uniform regulation and stronger enforcement rather than new restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• AmeriCorps seniors, volunteers in the communities, cultural site stewards from our State Historic Preservation
• You'll notice here that part of our program within the State Historic Preservation Office is the Main
• We, through the SHPO, through the Historic Preservation Office, and through this... ...through the SHPO
• , through the Historic Preservation Office, and this Main Street Program, we've created jobs part-time
• We've invited and built new businesses and have preserved more than 384 rehab projects.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And cultural preservation for New Mexicans that empowers rural New Mexicans to strengthen our land, our
• Because if you can remember, those of you sitting out here have preserved something that is part of our
• The Estaba de la Serna is currently attempting to buy back the lines from holders. to try to preserve
• all other land grants. and all the other land grants in New Mexico in our continued journey of preservation
• And so our biggest goal right now is we're really trying to preserve the mountain for our future generation

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask you to vote no and preserve our students' ability to have honest evidence based discussion of difficult
• One is to make sure that we are preserving and quite frankly facilitating a representative democracy
• Foundational purpose of our schools to protect our democracy and to preserve and enable our democracy
• And also protect that fear, protect and preserve and work really hard to make sure that that fear is
• What it means to preserve democracy for people?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a committee bill regarding the Open Government Sunset Review Act that preserves from expiration
• A definition that creates an express exception to preserve the First Amendment and to permit criticism
• That's what they do - they preserve wetlands for monetary gain. I mean, they're in business.
• That's the ultimate - wetlands are being preserved through their efforts.
• My opinion to your question is balance is the answer. the interface where environmental preservation,

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we talk about housing production and preserving affordable housing, it's not only important..
• . that we create more but we preserve what we have.
• have been advocating together around a set of priorities for affordable housing. production and preservation
• would enable development or developers to withdraw cash from existing HCD projects to promote the preservation
• Existing affordable housing projects have excess equity that can be extracted and used to preserve existing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system by incorporating medical expertise into investigations and preventing unjust separations and preserving
• And it's personal for me because it's going to save lives and preserve families, and that is really..
• . for me because it's going to save lives and preserve families.
• Pepper Uchino, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, who will be followed by Joe Patrick.
• I'm the president of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain genetic or medical conditions that can mimic signs of abuse. Senator Sharif and several family members and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially misread as abuse, and argued the bill would give parents more opportunity to obtain qualified medical opinions. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language imposing analysis duties on certain medical professionals, then passed the bill favorably after testimony in support from the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several affected families. The committee then considered SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 96 on relief for Jacob Rogers, SB 382 on affordable housing rent agreements, SB 4 and SB 6 on claims bills for Patricia Armini and Jose Correa, SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, SB 658 on waiver or release of liens, SB 28 and SB 30 on claims involving South Broward Hospital District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 24 on relief for Mandy Penny Lemon, SB 72 on campaign funds for child care expenses, and SB 1622 on recreational customary use of beaches. Most of these bills were explained by their sponsors as narrow relief or technical measures, and the committee heard a mix of support and opposition from claimants, local governments, industry groups, and advocacy organizations. Several bills drew substantive debate. On SB 382, members discussed rent stability and whether the bill should better address lease language and future rent increases; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably. On SB 1142, members raised concerns about environmental and drainage impacts and whether releases of conservation easements should be mandatory or discretionary, but the bill still passed favorably. On SB 72, members questioned the scope of allowable campaign child care expenses and the need for stronger guardrails against abuse; the bill nevertheless passed favorably. On SB 1622, testimony sharply divided between supporters of restoring public beach access and opponents defending private property rights; debate continued when the transcript ended, so no final vote on that bill is reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committed to making sure that we are preserving our social safety net and preserving the commitments
• for the legislature, what programs are priorities for the administration, and what can be done to preserve
• I think that the idea of taking actions to preserve more of the reserve than is being proposed is certainly
• I think the preservation of a lot of the early education and childcare initiatives, including keeping
• Additionally, in response to last year's fiscal situation, the foreclosure intervention housing preservation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are approved by the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, or DAHP. Thank you.
• The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, or DAHP, is the agency that also administers
• This is a recommendation to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
• The second is to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 4, 2026, with all five commissioners present. The commission approved the May 26 meeting minutes, welcomed new commissioner Diane Tabelius, noted Commissioner Orr’s reappointment, and elected Andy Knopfsiger Meadows as chair and Dr. Sharon Kiyoko as vice chair. JLARC staff also introduced two Evans School interns who are assisting with preliminary research for the 2027 review cycle. JLARC then presented preliminary findings on seven tax preferences, focusing most heavily on Main Street communities, equitable access to credit, and urban data centers. Staff recommended continuing the Main Street and equitable access to credit preferences because both appeared to meet legislative goals, while also suggesting DAHP collect more detailed and standardized business-count data for Main Street evaluations. For the urban data center exemption, staff concluded it had only been used for refurbishment projects, not new construction, and recommended allowing it to expire. Commissioners and Representative Pollitt discussed the limits of self-reported data, the need for more specific performance criteria, and whether future tax preference statements should measure cost per job, whether jobs would have occurred anyway, and energy-use impacts. Staff also reviewed preferences for airplane modifications, landfill biogas equipment, automotive adaptive equipment for veterans and service members, and housing for adults with developmental disabilities. JLARC recommended continuing the airplane modification, landfill biogas, and automotive adaptive equipment preferences, while suggesting the landfill biogas program improve reporting and noting the veterans’ preference use has declined. For the developmental disabilities housing exemption, staff found no use of the preference and recommended allowing it to expire, while suggesting the legislature and DSHS consider other ways to support housing continuity. The commission will take public testimony in September, adopt comments in October, and forward final comments in December.

Transcript Highlights:

• protecting jobs, protecting small businesses, protecting public access, protecting marine resources, and preserving
• After much collaboration and listening to stakeholders, Assemblywoman Rubio's bill preserves the ability
• Just want to thank Save Mount Diablo for their incredible work preserving the range across the many counties
• We've seen species come back as a result of that preservation, something that we all strive for in California

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it says you have an increase in required program activities as defined by the National Historic Preservation
• the program activities as defined by the National<00:13:20.880><c> Historic</c><00:13:21.400><c> Preservation
• </c> National Historic Preservation Act. National Historic Preservation Act.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Joint Fiscal Committee met on May 15 at 10:00 a.m. and first approved the April 17 minutes. It then took up a consent calendar covering tabs three through seven, with items 089 and 097 removed for separate discussion. The committee approved the remainder of the consent calendar and then adopted item 089, which involved Department of Safety/Homeland Security grant funding for active shooter incident management and school reunification training. Officials said the project is a mandatory Homeland Security grant set-aside, with training for public safety officials and school districts and internal social media used only to promote training schedules; members asked about marketing, outcomes, and how success would be measured. The committee next considered item 097 for the Division of Historical Resources. Agency officials said the request was driven by a decade-long increase in Section 106 and state historic preservation reviews, many tied to disaster-related infrastructure work such as culvert and road repairs, and that the grant would add capacity to handle roughly 1,000 to 1,500 reviews per year. The committee approved the item after brief discussion. Under the regular calendar, the Department of Transportation presented a fuel-related transfer. Members questioned the decline in the highway fund balance, which staff said was being affected by rising expenses, flat-to-moderate revenue, and a rough winter that increased maintenance costs. DOT officials said they were considering toll rate increases and noted the agency pays market wholesale fuel rates; they also discussed prior fuel hedging decisions and said they have authority to hedge again if it makes sense. The committee approved the DOT item, then approved a miscellaneous action item to fill a position at the LBA. Members also asked the chair to remind the Attorney General to appear at a future meeting regarding the YDC claims report. The committee set its next meeting for Friday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned after a brief note of appreciation for recent corrections and changes reported by the liquor commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• The center will continue Cheech's work of creating, preserving, and sharing Chicano art to ensure that
• More importantly, rodeos preserve the rural mystique of California, celebrate our Western heritage, and
• thank my rodeo organizations and volunteers, and families across our state that work year-round to preserve
• Organizations and volunteers, families across our state that work year-round to preserve this important

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several resolutions and guest introductions, with much of the session focused on commemorations and recognitions. Senate Resolution 87, by Senator Archuleta, marked the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Archuleta and other senators spoke in support of remembrance, historical recognition, and concern for Armenians facing current threats and displacement. The resolution was adopted by a 37-0 vote, and the chamber also welcomed members of the Armenian community and other guests. The Senate also adopted SR 93 by Senator Cortese honoring Jim Plunkett’s football career and legacy as a California and Latino sports figure. Senators highlighted his Heisman Trophy, Super Bowl victories, and recent selection for the NFL Hispanic Football Hall of Fame. The resolution passed unanimously. Later, SCR 124 by Senator Wiener recognized transportation barriers faced by Californians with epilepsy and the importance of reliable transit for employment and independence; it was adopted by unanimous roll call. SCR 158 by Senator Allen declared April Arts, Culture and Creativity Month and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the California Arts Council, with remarks emphasizing the state’s arts economy and the Council’s history; it also passed unanimously. The Senate further adopted SCR 159 by Senator Alvarado-Gil designating April as California Rodeo Appreciation Month. Supporters described rodeo as part of California’s agricultural and Western heritage, noted its economic impact, and highlighted the roles of Black cowboys, women competitors, and rural communities. Each resolution was followed by introductions of related guests, including Armenian community members, Jim Plunkett and family, epilepsy advocates, arts leaders such as Luis Valdez and Cheech Marin, and rodeo representatives and titleholders. After the resolutions, the Senate handled the daily file and adopted the consent calendar 38-0. The body also approved the Senate journals for April 13-16, 2026, announced committee meetings, and acknowledged Senator Menjivar’s upcoming birthday. The Senate then recessed until its next scheduled floor session on Tuesday, April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• United States Navy serves as a steadfast guardian of America's security at sea, defending freedom, preserving
• to our nation, and we recognize the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation for its ongoing dedication to preserving
• Her voice helped preserve an important part of our borderlands history.
• The women in those families helped build the Tucson we know today, preserving culture, strengthening

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the pledge, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and recognitions, including the Dr. of the Day, Korean community guests, students, local officials, and a proclamation honoring the future USS Arizona SSN-803 and the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation. The chamber also announced committee assignments and took up several procedural motions, including reconsideration motions on HB 4027 and HB 2444, both of which were granted and returned to third reading. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider measures on Calendar Numbers One and Two. In Committee of the Whole, HB 4034, dealing with CTE-related issues, was amended and reported do pass after debate over concerns from Tempe Union High School District and EVIT, with supporters saying the bill clarified statute and reduced future disputes. HB 2444 was amended and reported do pass. HB 2992, a pilot program related to sexual abuse prevention, drew opposition over concerns about opt-out instruction, pilot status, and classroom burdens, but it passed Committee of the Whole on a 31-21 division vote after amendments. HB 4027, involving highway naming, was amended and reported do pass despite objections that the amendment still appeared to elevate Charlie Kirk over the existing Ed Pastor designation. On third reading, HB 293 passed 31-22 and HB 2502 passed 37-16. HB 2229, relating to maternal services and funding for pregnancy resource centers, generated extensive debate over abortion-related implications and was defeated 26-27, though a motion to reconsider later succeeded 27-21. HB 2533 failed on reconsideration, while HB 2750 passed 44-9 and HB 2999, a special taxing districts bill tied to housing affordability, passed 32-21 after supporters argued it would lower financing costs and help build more affordable homes. H.C.M. 2009, urging federal action to streamline access to minerals on federal land withdrawals, passed 31-22. The House adjourned until the next day after additional announcements and personal privilege remarks, including a proclamation for Sleep Apnea Awareness Month and a call for more efficient floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their job is historic preservation, and they often are spending their money to preserve buildings.
• getting about another $500,000 in matching, and so they're spending about $1 million a year in preservation
• And so they're spending about a million dollars a year in preservation.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 26, March 3, and March 5, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1379, which would raise Idaho State Police’s Project Choice fee from $3 to $8 to help fund trooper pay and recruitment/retention. Senator Woodward and ISP Director Bill Gardner said the agency is understaffed, behind other law enforcement agencies in pay, and losing recruits and experienced troopers; several law enforcement association representatives testified in support. Senator Cole opposed the bill, arguing it could trigger pay increases for local agencies and ultimately higher property taxes, but the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next advanced House Bill 742, which modernizes vehicle titling by expanding electronic records and shortening lien-release timelines for Idaho dealers; it passed with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 664, dealing with truck speed differentials and allowing more uniform traffic speeds, also passed after testimony from Rep. Pickett and a Farm Bureau representative in support, despite concerns from one senator about truck safety and traffic conditions. House Bill 716, an Idaho Transportation Department cleanup bill, was sent to the floor as well; it updates gas-tax distribution language after ISP’s funding shift to the general fund and increases funding for the local bridge inspection program from $175,000 to $300,000. The committee then considered House Bill 825, which would remove a mandatory 50-cent license plate fee going to the Idaho Heritage Trust and replace it with a specialty plate option tied to America 250; the bill was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. Finally, the committee reconsidered House Bill 629 and adopted an amendment package that would allow electronic vehicle registration while still requiring a physical copy in the vehicle, addressing law enforcement concerns and preserving the bill’s cost-saving goal. The amended bill was then sent to the 14th order for possible amendment, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This act is also designed to preserve personal property rights and promote property owner access to platforms
• The court also said the act is to be construed to preserve personal property rights and promote property
• It affirms that residential property remains residential property while preserving local authority to
• Importantly, this bill preserves local authority to address legitimate concerns.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee approved minutes from February 17 and February 19, 2026, then heard extensive testimony on two short-term rental bills: Senate Bill 1263 and House Bill 583. The bills reflected competing approaches to local regulation of short-term rentals. SB 1263, sponsored by Senator Harris, would limit local governments to certain safety-related rules, require contact information for owners/operators, and restrict additional licensing or special regulations. Supporters said it balanced property rights with public safety and local enforcement needs, while opponents argued it would still create burdens, uneven rules, and unnecessary licensing. HB 583, sponsored by Senator Lakey, would more broadly prohibit local governments from singling out short-term rentals for special regulation, while preserving general health, safety, nuisance, and occupancy rules. Supporters framed it as a property-rights and anti-overreach measure; opponents said it would weaken local control and public safety protections, especially in resort communities. Testimony on both bills came from city officials, resort-city representatives, rental owners, fire and emergency personnel, and advocacy groups. Supporters of local regulation emphasized safety concerns such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, emergency contacts, inspections, parking, occupancy limits, and infrastructure impacts like sewer and water capacity. Several witnesses from resort towns described local ordinances as necessary to manage complaints, emergency response, and neighborhood impacts. Opponents of stricter local rules argued that short-term rentals are residential uses and should not face different treatment than long-term homes, and some described local ordinances as discriminatory or overly burdensome. A few witnesses also raised concerns about business licensing, caps, and requirements that could affect family income or small rental businesses. After testimony, the committee first considered SB 1263. Senator Guthrie moved to send it to the floor, but Senator Lakey offered a substitute motion to hold it in committee. After discussion, the substitute motion carried by a 5-4 roll call vote, and SB 1263 was held in committee. The committee then considered HB 583. A substitute motion to send it to the 14th order for possible amendment failed by a 7-2 vote. The original motion to send HB 583 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation then passed 8-1, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, preserve continuity by reviewing and maintaining as many of the current amendments to the 2018
• First, preserve continuity by reviewing and maintaining as many of the current amendments to the 2018
• This approach maintains continuity by preserving the work done by previous boards and keeping construction
• This approach maintains continuity by preserving the work done by previous boards and keeping construction

Summary: The House Business Committee met with a quorum and first considered two pending fee rules from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. The committee approved Rules Docket 24-21-2501 for the Idaho State Contractors Board, which raises annual registration and renewal fees from $50 to $60 to help the board meet statutory cash-balance requirements. It also approved Rules Docket 24-2201-2501 for the Board of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety, which increases licensure fees by 15 to 20 percent to address a negative cash balance and comply with Idaho’s board solvency statute. Members asked about the causes of the shortfalls, possible consolidation of boards, and why one training fee was left unchanged. The committee then took up Rules Docket 24-2801-2501 for the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board. Representative Graham moved to hold the docket subject to call of the chair, citing concerns raised by industry participants and the need to work through issues with the department before advancing the rule. The motion carried, and the docket was held in committee. The longest discussion centered on Rules Docket 24-3930-2502, the Idaho Building Safety Code rules, which would adopt the 2024 building codes with Idaho-specific amendments. Supporters said the proposal would improve housing affordability, add flexibility for builders, address lithium-ion battery fire risks, and update energy and residential provisions while preserving many 2018 standards. Committee members raised concerns about overlapping authority with the State Fire Marshal, wording on garage heat detectors, whole-house ventilation language, and whether some provisions should remain in the building code at all. After public testimony from building officials, home builders, and city representatives in support of the rule, the committee first failed a substitute motion to hold the docket, then adopted a motion to reject the rule docket. The meeting adjourned with a reminder that the next floor session would begin at 11 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• has successfully adapted to purposefully serve these customers in a way that ensures that we're preserving
• not going to shift costs to residential and small commercial customers, and ensuring that we are preserving
• And then third, preserving capacity for non-data center growth.
• And then third, preserving capacity for non-data center growth.

Bills: HB2133, HB2592

Keywords: sexual material, consent, synthetic depiction, privacy, internet regulation, rights protection, artificial intelligence, government regulation, innovation, procurement, administrative burdens, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• housing, the bill raises the minimum SHIP allocation to a million dollars and dedicates funding to preserve
• legislation that we're discussing today, the purpose of why we're bringing it forward, is to save and preserve
• And the purpose of why we're bringing it forward is to save and preserve the program so that it continues
• But we're here today, and that's a great thing because what we've now done is we're going to preserve

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then received and adopted, by a 39-0 vote, a committee report confirming 52 gubernatorial appointments to various state, regional, and local boards and commissions. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural renaissance package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program, housing and transportation investments, and additional education and health care support. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping rural health provisions after Florida secured federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, though some raised questions about eligibility for certain rural grants and the distribution of federal funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then took up CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gaetz said the bill responds to the Auditor General’s findings by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, requiring student identification and verification, reducing scholarship organization fees, tightening payment and audit rules, and creating a stabilization fund for scholarship demand. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision from this bill and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators debated the bill’s impact on accountability, public schools, and scholarship providers, but generally supported the reforms. The bill passed 38-0. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House, welcomed Palm Beach County Day participants, and adjourned until the following Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Chris Elder, who's the chair of the Food Policy Forum at the King County Farm Land Preservation Program
• So Chris Elder, who's the chair of the Food Policy Forum at the King County Farm Land Preservation Program
• Farmland Preservation Program Manager John Devaney, who is the vice chair of the Food Policy Forum and
• I'm the farmland preservation program manager for King County.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened its 2026 session with committee housekeeping, member introductions, and a reminder that schedules are set a week in advance and amendments must be submitted by the prior day’s deadlines. Chair Reeves emphasized solution-oriented, collaborative, and respectful participation, then outlined that the committee would focus on three interim reports relevant to its work this session: municipal water efficiency, ecosystem services, and food policy. The first presentation, from the William D. Ruckelshaus Center and WSU, reviewed Washington’s municipal water efficiency statute and regulation. Presenters said interviewees largely agreed on the need for better data collection, more technical assistance for smaller systems, and more state funding for both agency staffing and water system infrastructure. Most opposed shifting oversight of the conservation program from the Department of Health to Ecology, and the report recommended keeping oversight at DOH while improving collaboration across agencies and tribes. The presenters also urged broader statewide water planning, more consistent reporting using the AWWA water audit method instead of leakage percentage, re-evaluating the 500-connection threshold, and addressing outdoor water use, rebates, reuse, and public education. Members asked about creating a new office for water oversight, but the presenters said that idea was generally viewed as too costly and impractical under current budget conditions. DNR then presented its 2025 ecosystem services work group report. The department described ecosystem services markets it studied, including regulatory and voluntary forest carbon, avoided wildfire emissions, and water leasing, with lower potential identified for blue carbon, biodiversity, and water quality markets. DNR said about 15,000 acres of state forest land may have carbon-market potential, but emphasized that the analysis was broad and not project-specific, so the report recommends pilots, continued market monitoring, use of third-party developers, and clarification of authority through House Bill 2170. Committee members asked about economic feasibility, timber tradeoffs, and how success would be defined, and DNR said those questions would be better addressed in future, more detailed project-level work. The final presentation covered the Food Policy Forum’s 2025 report to the legislature. Speakers described broad consensus recommendations on food security, local foods in schools, farm-to-food-bank programs, a state farm bill, commercial access, and food system infrastructure. They highlighted pressures on agriculture from development, flooding, drought, water shortages, and the need to preserve farmland and support farmers, food banks, and local procurement systems. The committee chair thanked the presenters and noted that several related bills and policy proposals would be heard later in session. No votes were taken; the meeting concluded after the presentations and brief member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that early involvement can lead to ideas such as preserving more property, avoiding impacts to
• He said species management is extremely important and that conservation is a powerful tool for preserving
• We were leading with the State Parks Preservation Act, and we passed that.
• We were leading with the State Parks Preservation Act, and we passed that.

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first considered the appointment of Joshua Kellam to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellam described his background with Garcia Companies, emphasized his conservation interests and land stewardship work, and addressed concerns about his development ties, the commission’s composition, the recent black bear hunt vote, and a prior Yes on 2 campaign supported by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Supporters said he is a conservation-minded landowner and good steward of large acreage, while opponents argued the commission is already overrepresented by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend his confirmation, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no and the rest of the members present voting yes. The committee then received an FWC implementation update on recently enacted boating and waterways legislation. FWC staff reviewed five laws: the Boater Freedom Act (SB 1388), Vessel Accountability (SB 164), Lucy’s Law/Boating Safety (HB 289), Disposition of Migrant Vessels (SB 830), and Water Access Facilities (HB 735). The presentation covered new rules on vessel stops, safety decals, Springs Protection Zones, derelict and at-risk vessel enforcement, long-term anchoring permits, tougher boating penalties, removal of migrant vessels, and grants for boating access infrastructure. Staff said rulemaking and officer training were underway, with some provisions already effective and others scheduled to take effect later in 2025 or January 2026. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and the new Springs Protection Zone standard. FWC explained that responsible owners must reimburse removal costs and can lose vessel registration privileges if they do not pay. On Springs Protection Zones, staff said the new law raises the threshold from any harm to significant harm and requires vessel activity to be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make that determination. Senator Smith questioned whether the higher standard makes protections harder to establish and asked about Silver Glen Springs; FWC said that proposal was paused and would be revisited under the new criteria. The committee took no further action and adjourned after the presentation.