Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:47:44.560><c> security</c><00:47:44.880><c> prison,</c> Halawa, our only medium security prison
• </c> we have one medium-security male prison. we have one medium-security male prison.
• She went out and talked to prisoners. She went to halfway houses.
• </c> She went out and talked to prisoners. She went out and talked to prisoners.
• </c> not a prison. not a prison.

Bills: SCR180

Keywords: wildfire, fire hazard, Lahaina, West Maui, Maui wildfire, vegetation management, fuel reduction, defensible space, fuel breaks, invasive grasses, emergency access, evacuation route, fire lane, state lands, public safety, Office of the State Fire Marshal, community risk reduction, hazard mitigation, brush clearance, wildland-urban interface

Summary: The committee opened by noting it was likely its last hearing of the 2026 session, then took up several resolutions. SCR 54, on appointing a hydrogen fire safety expert and training on hydrogen-related protocols, and SCR 59, on allowing certain health care professionals to practice without a license during a state of emergency, drew no testimony. Members discussed SCR 59 as a response to past emergencies and the need for pre-approved, updated registries of professionals who could be deployed quickly in emergencies. SCR 62 SD1, which asks the 911 Board to form a working group with the disability community to address access issues in emergency and 911 responses, received testimony from disability advocates and the 911 Board. Testifiers said the measure should ensure an integrated system with EMS infrastructure, real-time access for dispatchers and field personnel, and public education about the system; they also noted that Smart911 is no longer being used on Oahu and Maui and that a statewide, integrated approach is needed. Members agreed to work the suggested language into the resolution. SCR 179, urging Maui County to enforce fire code provisions on brush clearance, fuel breaks, roadside vegetation clearing, and emergency access, was noted as having no testimony but continuing to raise important issues. SCR 74, calling for an audit of no-bid contracts issued under emergency proclamations from 2020 through 2025, drew strong support from a late testifier who tied the measure to emergency procurement concerns after the Lahaina wildfire and COVID-era contracting. The witness argued that procurement rules should not be waived in ways that compromise safety, and described concerns about unlicensed contractors and construction problems in a state housing project. Members asked about the scope of the audit and whether it would interfere with criminal investigations; the witness said the audit should cover a broad range of contracts, including nonprofit contracts, and should not be limited to the wildfire period. The committee also heard SCR 28 SD1 on creating a Hawaii Vietnam Veterans Medal, with support from the Department of Defense and veterans advocates, who said the resolution is intended to do the groundwork for a future appropriation and to determine eligibility and distribution procedures. Finally, SCR 60 SD1, requesting updates on the “Breaking Cycles” rehabilitation and restorative justice study, received support from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Correctional System Oversight Commission, and reform advocates. The department asked that reporting be annual rather than quarterly because of the complexity of the OCCC project, and supporters said the measure would promote transparency and help ensure the study’s recommendations are implemented. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Bills: SB1365, SB2139

Keywords: SB1365, Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, procurement exemption, competitive bidding, state purchasing, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism department, merchandise for resale, gift shops, lodges, golf pro shops, state parks, restaurant contracting, retail outlets, public procurement, purchasing flexibility, Title 74, emergency clause, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants

Summary: The Government Oversight committee met briefly with a prayer and then heard two Senate bills. Senate Bill 1365, presented by Representative Townley, updates and modernizes statutory language for the tourism promotional fund, caps the fund at $75,000, and exempts tourism and recreation purchases from the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act so tourism venues such as golf courses and lodges can keep stock on hand without procurement delays. After a do pass motion and no debate, the committee approved the bill 7-4 and reported it out. Representative Kelly then presented Senate Bill 2139, which provides clarifying language to Senate Bill 1617 from 2024. Kelly said it resulted from a year of research and stakeholder discussion and had passed unanimously in the Senate. The committee moved the bill with no questions or debate and approved it 11-0. The chair then thanked members for their work and adjourned the meeting, noting it was likely the last meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• . housing. housing.
• for housing choice voucher a to apply for housing choice voucher a housing<00:07:36.160><c> choice</
• House File 4561. 4561. 4561.
• trying to secure housing.
• House File 495 West, House File 4321 is a Lesnar car, an Igo bill, House File 3902, a Duran bill, 4161

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not be hearing House Bill 3792 or House Bill 5683 today.
• House Bill 5680 be left pending at this time.
• Currently, housing projects.
• Chair lays out House Bill.
• my house district.

Bills: HB769, HB2132, HB3383, HB3792, HB5431, HB5682, HB5677, HB5678, HB5680, HB5681, HB5683, HB5684, HB5685, HB5686, HB4078

Keywords: environmental regulation, sustainability, business compliance, state oversight, local control, pollution, renewable resources, grant program, neighborhood organization, pedestrian infrastructure, Texas Department of Housing, financial assistance, neighborhood organizations, grants, urban development, safety, public safety, housing development, low income housing, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair moves that House Bill 2225, without...
• The chair lays out House Bill 2797.
• The chair moves that House Bill 2797, as substituted, be reported favorably to the full House with the
• The chair moves that House Bill 3810, without amendment, be reported favorably to the full House with
• Housing coming into their communities.

Bills: HB1835, HB2561, HB3630

Keywords: manufactured housing, HUD-code, zoning, local government regulations, installation permits, municipal utility district, board meetings, public access, meeting location, transparency, fire prevention, agriculture, local government, fire safety, regulations, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first bill up today is Representative Liz Lee's bill, House File 1392.
• House file 2233 is re-referred prevails.
• </c> Representative Fininky's bill, House Representative Fininky's bill, House File<00:43:22.160><c>
• House File 695 is a bill that allows people to have water for free.
• The next bill on our agenda is the Stevenson bill, House File 1289.

Bills: HF1392, HF2233, HF695, HF2228, HF1289

Keywords: consumer protection, restitution, attorney general, consumer enforcement, unclaimed funds, victim compensation, settlement funds, special revenue fund, general fund, restitution account, consumer fraud, state treasury, eligible consumers, distribution of funds, tax subtraction, income tax, refund, unpaid compensation, Minnesota Department of Revenue, consumer redress

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> time our housing shortage has doubled. time our housing shortage has doubled.
• House File 3895 is a necessary response to the housing affordability crisis.
• </c> housing. Thank you. housing. Thank you.
• </c> their housing. Thank you. their housing. Thank you.
• housing.

Bills: HF4319, HF3295, HF3589, HF3587, HF3588, HF4295, HF3571, HF3895

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• What it's doing is creating a task force for housing to try to look into why our housing costs have skyrocketed
• What it's doing is creating a task force for housing to try to look into why our housing costs have skyrocketed
• President, builds the exact same house, we're pretty close to the same house, without solar, without
• Same house.
• We raised our kids in this house.'

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6170, SB6176, SB6182, SB6335, SB5647, SB6047, HB2367, HB2606, SB5998, SB6005, SB6003, SB6129, SB6225, SB6228, SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reeves' house to play piano. I also hope folks remember... ...Mrs. Reeves' house to play piano.
• What it is doing is creating a task force for housing to try to look into why our housing costs have
• What is the cost that is driving housing?
• President, builds the exact same house—pretty close to the same house—without solar, without battery
• Same house.

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6170, SB6176, SB6182, SB6335, SB5647, SB6047, HB2367, HB2606, SB5998, SB6005, SB6003, SB6129, SB6225, SB6228, SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then moved to a resolution honoring piano teachers. Senate Resolution 8698 was adopted after remarks from Senator Conway and others describing the role of piano teachers in music education, family life, and community service. Members of the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then took up the operating budget and considered a long series of amendments. Several amendments focused on housing costs and local planning, utility and energy policy, ballot measure costs, state spending growth, tort liability, and paid family and medical leave. Some amendments were adopted, including a study of utility cost impacts from climate laws, a grid-related funding amendment, a tort liability oversight/reporting amendment, and a workgroup on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Others were rejected, including proposals to create a housing task force, cap state spending growth, fund ballot initiative costs, restore local planning grants, and change paid family and medical leave usage rules. Debate on the budget amendments was often partisan and detailed, with supporters arguing for fiscal restraint, cost transparency, and relief for taxpayers and local governments, while opponents emphasized existing work, program solvency, and the need to preserve services. The Senate also heard amendments on zero-based budgeting, federal education tax credit opt-in language, reproductive health funding, food assistance work requirements, and support for the Pediatric Interim Care Center; some were defeated and some were adopted. Roll-call votes were taken on certain amendments, and the transcript ends during consideration of Amendment 0787, which would restore funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5647 expands a real estate excise tax exemption for self-help housing to include any type
• Senate Bill 5647, providing a real estate excise tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing

Bills: SB6194, SB5963, SB5909, SB5826, SB5988, SB5872, SB5879, SB5834, SB5835, SB5905, SB5832, SB6177, SB5970, SB5994, SB6047, SB5647

Keywords: SB 6194, Washington Medicaid, medical assistance, fee-for-service, managed care, rural hospital, Indian reservation, tribal hospital, federally recognized Indian reservation, Indian Health, hospital reimbursement, Medicaid payments, inpatient services, outpatient services, psychiatric unit, health care access, rural health, tribal health, safety-net hospital, RCW 74.09

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held public hearings on several bills before moving into executive session. Substitute Senate Bill 6037 would change how city-created fire protection districts affect city property tax levies, replacing the current dollar-for-dollar reduction in a city’s actual levy with a reduction in the city’s statutory maximum rate; testimony was largely supportive from the Association of Washington Cities, fire officials, and the City of Everett, while the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts opposed it over prorationing concerns. Senate Bill 6194 would extend cost-based Medicaid reimbursement to a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Toppenish Hospital; hospital and community representatives supported the bill as a health equity measure, citing financial losses and service cuts, while no opposition was heard. Senate Bill 5963 would automatically make Passport to Careers students income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and route Passport funds into the state financial aid account; student advocates supported it as a way to improve access for former foster and homeless youth. Senate Bill 5909 would require public baccalaureate institutions to review and report low-enrollment undergraduate programs and consider discontinuing programs with fewer than 10 graduates on average over five years; Eastern Washington University supported the bill as accountability and efficiency reform, while faculty and student representatives from other universities opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and potentially politicized. Senate Bill 5826 would require public college student health centers to provide access to medication abortion or referrals and related web information; testimony was sharply divided between supporters framing it as essential student health access and opponents raising moral, safety, and budget objections. In executive session, the committee received staff briefings on a number of bills and then took action on most of them. It advanced Senate Bills 5872, 5879, 5834 (with a substitute amendment adopted), 5835, 5905 (with a substitute adopted), 5832, 6177, 5496, 5970, 5994, 6047 (with a Trudeau amendment adopted and rolled into a substitute), and 5647 (with a substitute adopted) to the Rules Committee with due pass recommendations, generally subject to signatures. The committee also heard briefings on other measures, including fee authority for opioid treatment accreditation, pension trust fund expense authority, LEAP website changes, restrictions on single-family home ownership by certain entities, a permanent senior center property tax exemption, timber tax distribution changes, capital project administration guidelines, and a real estate excise tax exemption for affordable housing. The meeting ended after caucus and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their in prison for five or six years.
• [laughter] >> Friends in the house who are listening.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Friends in the house who are listening.
• &gt;&gt; Friends in the house who are listening.
• </c> &gt;&gt; because the individual serving prison &gt;&gt; because the individual serving prison &gt

Bills: HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93, HB63, HB19, HB80, HB41, HB20, HB60, HB100, HB71, HB91, HB93

Keywords: paternity, child custody, joint custody, parental rights, family law, domestic violence, shared parenting, Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, human trafficking, victim restitution, civil action, criminal prosecution, labor servitude, sexual servitude, class A felony, class B felony

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:32.799><c> House</c> written testimony and support. House written testimony and support.
• Uh we have moving on to House Bill &gt;&gt; Okay.
• Seeing none, moving on to House<00:40:52.880><c> Bill</c><00:40:53.200><c> 2298</c> House Bill 2298 House
• Seeing none, moving on to House Bill 1518.
• Any other Alliance on Prisons.

Bills: HB2264, HB2336, HB2298, HB1518

Keywords: protective orders, military, law enforcement, judicial coordination, victim safety, community safety, federal military installations, disaster response, emergency services, state funding, transportation department, public safety, Hawaii, education, high school diploma, veterans, wartime practices, armed services, HB1518, Hawaii SNAP

Summary: The committee opened by announcing that it would hear testimony but would not take decisions on the day’s bills, with action deferred to a later decision-making agenda. The first measure, HB 2264, would require notification to military security forces when a protective order is issued involving a military-affiliated person. Support came from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Hawaii National Guard, and DBEDT’s Military Affairs office, all emphasizing better coordination and faster notice to help protect victims and support command oversight. Family Court Judge Jesse Hall supported the intent but asked for deferral, explaining that a prior fax-and-email notification system had broken down and that the military had not re-engaged with the court. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the bill but recommended narrowing it so it applies only when the respondent is actually marked as military-connected and delaying the effective date to January 1, 2027 to allow implementation. In questions, members discussed the current breakdown in communication, the number of military-marked TROs statewide, and whether the bill would be necessary if the old system were restored; the military witness said she would try to reestablish contact with the court. The committee then took up HB 2336, which would authorize the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense for services at federal military installations and charge an administrative fee. DOT and the Military Affairs office supported the measure, describing it as a way to speed projects, combine state and federal resources, and strengthen infrastructure that also supports disaster response and the economy. Members questioned why the bill was needed if similar arrangements had existed before, and whether Title 23 federal highway funds could be used; DOT responded that the bill would help expedite projects and supplement, not supplant, federal funding, while each project would still require review of the appropriate funding source. The committee also heard HB 2298, which would allow the Department of Education to award high school diplomas to qualified people whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Hawaii Office of Veterans Affairs, and DOE supported the bill, and DOE said implementation would have only a minimal printing cost. Finally, the committee heard HB 1518, which would require DHS, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to create a pre-release SNAP application process for inmates nearing release by January 1, 2028. DHS said it was already working on a pilot and stood on its testimony; the County of Hawaii, the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the ACLU of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the measure, arguing it would improve reentry outcomes and would not cost the state additional money. No votes or final committee actions were taken on any of the bills during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> opportunity to testify today on house opportunity to testify today on house file file file 500<00
• </c><00:46:33.760><c> that</c> legislative body in the house that legislative body in the house that
• We're going to take House File 718.
• House File 718, um, two-year bill.
• House File 718, um, two-year bill.

Bills: HF500, HF718, HF1096, HF1246, HF1469

Keywords: nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, workforce development, job training, economic stability, low-income, career pathways, education funding, Summit Academy, employment, STEM programming, GED preparation, Neighborhood Development Center, NDC, small business, entrepreneurship, business training

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Bills: HB146, HB322, HB469, HB1183, HB1481, HB1509, HB1510, HB1511, HB1514, HB1515, HB1516, HB1520, HB1522, HB1524, HB1531, HB1535, HB1548, HB1550, HB1559, HB1573, HB1574, HB1590, HB1593, HB1601, HB1603, HB1615, HB1628, HB1643, HB1644, HB1645, HB1648, HB1663, HB1667, HB1671, HB1678, HB1679, HB1682, HB1688, HB1691, HB1692, HB1695, HB1696, HB1697, HB1716, HB1721, HB1724, HB1725, HB1728, HB1730, HB1733, HB1737, HB1738, HB1739, HB1740, HB1741, HB1742, HB1752, HB1753, HB1764, HB1768, HB1769, HB1777, HB1782, HB1790, HB1799, HB1810, HB1823, HB1824, HB1832, HB1839, HB1840, HB1844, HB1845, HB1850, HB1851, HB1858, HB1860, HB1864, HB1870, HB1873, HB1875, HB1877, HB1878, HB1880, HB1881, HB1886, HB1888, HB1890, HB1892, HB1893, HB1898, HB1921, HB1934

Keywords: judiciary, Hawaiian language, Ōlelo Hawaiʻi, language access, cultural preservation, voter registration, automatic registration, state agencies, electoral participation, opt-out system, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 4077 is simple and overdue.
• </c> House File 4077 puts people first. House File 4077 puts people first.
• </c> houses going in. houses going in.
• House File 3809 as amended is about improving safety in multi-family housing while maintaining strong
• House File 3809 as amended is about improving safety in multi-family housing while maintaining strong

Bills: HF4077, HF3809, HF3639, HF4478, HF3363, HF3874

Keywords: municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations

Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register. Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets. Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hey, my neighbors, I hear my neighbor wants to sell their house. I love that house.
• Fair Housing.
• in our housing market.
• House Bill 2240.
• House Bill 2240.

Bills: HB2477, HB2501, HB2465, HB2512, HB2240, HB2624, HB2536, HB2476

Keywords: real estate, appraisal, consumer protection, business operations, regulatory compliance, HB 2501, real estate disclosure, seller disclosure notice, residential property, home heating oil tank, oil tank insurance, pollution liability insurance agency, PLIA, heating oil contamination, remediation assistance, Washington real estate, property sale, buyer disclosure, seller obligations, oil heat

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee heard public hearings on several real estate, consumer, and business bills. House Bill 2477 would create a specific statute of limitations for claims against appraisers and related entities arising from appraisal reports, and limit liability to clients and intended users; the sponsor and appraisers testified that it would align Washington with other states, reduce recordkeeping burdens, lower insurance costs, and help attract new appraisers. House Bill 2512 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to exclusive groups unless the property is also publicly marketed; supporters framed it as a transparency and fair housing measure, while opponents argued it could limit homeowner privacy and off-market sales. House Bill 2240 would modernize self-storage rental agreements by allowing electronic execution, setting notice and acceptance rules, and clarifying procedures after termination or non-renewal; storage industry witnesses supported the clarity, while an advocate for unhoused people raised concerns about property loss and notice access. House Bill 2465 would require a Department of Health water-safety guide for short-term rentals with pools or similar facilities; the sponsor and hospitality industry supported it as a low-cost consumer safety measure, while cities raised implementation concerns that the sponsor said would be addressed by amendment. House Bill 2501 would update a seller disclosure notice to reflect the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency’s shift from a heating oil insurance program to a loan and grant/remediation program, and House Bill 2624 would exempt public entities, tribes, and nonprofit land conservancies from the “unsolicited real estate transaction” requirements adopted last year; conservation groups and DNR said the exemption was needed to preserve existing appraisal and grant processes. The committee also took executive action on two bills. House Bill 2536, allowing wineries to hold a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license or a beer and/or wine restaurant license at one location, was reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 14-1 vote. Substitute House Bill 2476, which narrows a proposal to remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for spirits, beer, and wine theater licenses by restoring the cap except for theaters that admit only patrons 21 and older, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 13-2 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing developments.
• I think the reality of the housing situation in South Florida is there’s not enough housing for the residents
• And that allows us to build housing that's accessible to people who are first starting out with housing
• affordability by increasing housing supply.
• affordability by increasing housing supply.

Bills: S0218, S0380, S0936, S0948, S0962, S0984, S1020, S1180, S1434, S1444, S1612

Keywords: land use, disaster recovery, local government, federal assistance, Hurricane relief, legal notices, public accessibility, government transparency, digital publication, government agencies, temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, affordable housing, land development, starter homes, local government regulations, housing shortage

Summary: The committee took up a series of land use, housing, local government, and public notice bills, along with a firefighter cancer bill and a bill on temporary door locking devices. SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention was explained as clarifying access to death benefits and a one-time cancer payment for firefighters; it was reported favorably. SB 1612 required local governments to accept electronic payments online; it also passed favorably. SB 1180 created a recall framework for elected community development district board members and, through a strike-all amendment, also addressed synthetic turf enforcement and expanded compact urban mixed-use district definitions; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. SB 936 allowed temporary door locking devices above the finished floor and directed the Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code; it passed favorably. The committee also considered SB 380 on legal notices, which would let certain local government entities publish notices on their own websites or other designated sites instead of relying on newspapers in more cases. The Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and newspaper representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would fragment public notice access and make notices harder to find and verify, while supporters said it would modernize and reduce costs. The bill’s amendment clarified which agencies were covered, and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 962 on affordable housing narrowed prior zoning preemption language so working farms and farm operations would not be unintentionally captured by Live Local-style rules; it passed favorably. SB 1444 on state preemption and religious expression, private clubs, and minor home construction drew support from religious freedom advocates and opposition from cities and counties, which warned of vague terms and overbroad preemption; it was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 218, which would limit the reach of last session’s hurricane recovery land-use preemption to counties actually damaged by hurricanes and restore normal local land-use authority in unaffected counties. SB 1434 on infill redevelopment would streamline zoning and subdivision approvals for environmentally impacted parcels in certain urban counties to encourage housing on contaminated or underused land; counties and local-government groups opposed it as an overbroad preemption and raised concerns about the environmental threshold and density provisions, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1020 on chickees prohibited local ordinances from blocking chickee construction if setback requirements are met and made unauthorized attempts to circumvent the building code a misdemeanor; it passed favorably. Finally, SB 948 on local government land development regulations and orders, as amended, proposed a statewide starter-home framework with lot-split and zoning changes to increase housing supply; local-government and planning groups warned it would function as a rigid statewide zoning code and could drive overdevelopment, while housing advocates supported it as necessary state action. The committee reported the bill favorably after extensive debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first step, we have House Bill 2228.
• The next bill is House Bill 2381.
• Next up is House Bill 2418 concerning permit review processes.
• Moving on to House Bill 2273. Vice Chair Zahn? Yes, Madam Chair.
• The adopted amendments be incorporated into Substitute House Bill 2183, and Substitute House Bill 2183

Bills: HB2228, HB2273, HB2381, HB2418, HB2388, HB2183, HB2224, HB2267, HB2174, HB1529

Keywords: building code, safety regulations, construction, scissor stairs, state standards, embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, environment, performance-based codes, building regulations, residential construction, energy efficiency, sustainable design, permit review, project permits, land use, zoning, development regulations, residential development

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in executive session to consider several bills, with HB 2267 and HB 2388 removed from consideration and HB 1529 also removed later due to a technical issue. Staff briefed measures on scissor-stair regulations (HB 2228), embodied carbon in buildings (HB 2273), performance-based building code pathways (HB 2381), permit review processes (HB 2418), county heat response plans (HB 2183), fire protection districts (HB 2224), crash prevention zones (HB 2174), and city use of county road resources (HB 1529). Members discussed amendments on several bills, including changes to heat plan language, permit waiver timing, and building code provisions. HB 2228, as a proposed substitute, was advanced 7-0 after members said the scissor-stair concept could improve housing design while maintaining fire safety. HB 2273, which would require embodied-carbon rules and reporting for buildings, passed 4-3 after supporters emphasized reducing construction emissions and opponents said the industry was not ready. HB 2381 passed 4-3 after adopting Amendment REN 056 and rejecting REN 057; supporters said the bill would create a performance-based compliance option, while opponents objected to making the appendix mandatory for local adoption. HB 2418 passed 7-0 after adopting Amendment 420 and a proposed substitute that removed vesting language, clarified completeness review, and allowed permit-timeline waivers. HB 2183 passed 4-3 after adopting four amendments that updated terminology, addressed grid reliability during heat events, removed subsidy language, and shifted plan development authority to county legislative authorities working with local agencies. HB 2224 passed 6-1 after a substitute revised levy and taxing-limit language for fire protection districts, with the sponsor saying stakeholder concerns had been addressed. HB 2174 passed 6-1 after a substitute renamed the concept crash prevention zones, set a $73 traffic infraction penalty, and created a dedicated account for the funds; members supported the safety goal but raised liability concerns for local governments. The committee adjourned after completing its work for the day and week.