Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2624 regards solicited real estate transactions. It passed the House 57 to 38.
• A fiscal note is available on the original House bill.
• House Bill 2334, cash transactions pennies.
• And we do have public testimony on House Bill 2624. Bill Clark and Elaine O'Neill.
• And that concludes testimony on House Bill 2624.

Bills: HB1269 , HB2624

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: pawnbroker, fees, interest rates, consumer protection, financial regulation, real estate transactions, nonprofit, land conservancies, unsolicited offers, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading: House File 2781. Introduction of bills.
• The first bill on the calendar for today is House File 341. The clerk will report the bill.
• </c> The next bill on the calendar for today is House File 1355. The clerk will report the bill.
• House File 1998 is an Office of Justice Programs bill.
• The next bill on the calendar for today is House File 1792. The clerk will report the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I would like to open the public hearing for Substitute House Bill 2236.
• Substitute House Bill 2236 concerns the State Housing Finance Commission.
• First on your list is House Bill 2353, which is, as a reminder, the bill that increases the pre-designed
• And the next bill on your list is House Bill 2470, which is the bill that relates to providing school
• Moving on to 2420, Vice Chair, I move the proposed substitute House Bill 2420.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held public hearings on several bills. On Substitute House Bill 2236, staff explained changes to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage loans for multifamily housing, clarifying it is not a retail mortgage lender, extending bond counsel terms, removing a notice requirement before bond issuance, and repealing outdated statutory provisions. Representative Zahn and commission staff said the bill modernizes the agency and would help finance affordable housing without using state general funds. Testimony was generally supportive, with questions focused on higher interest rates, down payment assistance, and equity for borrowers of color; the commission said it works with banks, administers programs such as Covenant Home Ownership, and aims to support both homebuyers and developers. The chair then closed the hearing on SHB 2236. The committee next heard House Bill 2273 on reducing embodied carbon emissions in buildings and building materials. Staff described requirements for the State Building Code Council to adopt phased embodied-carbon standards for large projects, with reporting, a public database, and Commerce educational resources; the fiscal note showed operating and capital costs. Representative Duerr said the bill responds to rising energy demand and could help lower building costs while supporting innovation, including Washington wood products. Supportive testimony came from environmental justice advocates and an architect, who said embodied carbon reductions are already feasible and often cost-neutral. Opponents, including the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill could raise costs, create sourcing and delay problems, and should not exempt schools. The hearing on HB 2273 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5188, which would let the Public Works Board issue loans for broadband infrastructure repair and replacement. Staff said the bill expands the existing broadband service expansion program to cover repair and replacement of middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, with Commerce fiscal impacts noted. The Association of Washington Cities testified with concerns that the bill could signal further use of the Public Works Assistance Account, which has already seen sweeps and could affect future water, sewer, wastewater, and solid waste funding. A question from Representative Dye raised whether the program should instead be tied to the Curb Board; staff and the witness agreed to continue that discussion. The hearing was then closed. In executive session, the committee took up House Bill 2353, House Bill 2420, and House Bill 2470. HB 2353, which raises the predesign threshold for capital construction projects from $10 million to $15 million and indexes it to inflation, was reported out of committee 18-0 with one excused. The committee then adopted and reported out the proposed substitute for HB 2420, which increases the small works roster contract limit and changes the effective date to January 1, 2027, also by an 18-0 vote with one excused. Staff also briefed members on a proposed substitute for HB 2470 concerning school construction assistance for on-base schools, but no vote was taken in the transcript. The chair announced another hearing and executive session for Friday and asked members to submit amendments by the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in strong support of House Bill 2153.
• Speaker Pro Tem, House Bill 2153 is about certainty.
• Speaker Pro Tim, House Bill 2153 is about certainty.
• All those opposed to House Bill 2153, please stand.
• House Bill 2153.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, I'm going to open up the subcommittee on House Bill 1598.
• I move ITL on House<01:15:10.800><c> Bill</c><01:15:11.199><c> 1120.</c> House Bill 1120.
• House Bill 1120.
• Bill 1619 as we are opposed to House Bill 1619 as introduced.<03:34:33.520><c> Um,</c><03:34:33.840>
• We were in strong support of House Bill 685 last year.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Capitol, on a number of House bills.
• </c><02:03:43.520><c> Bill</c><02:03:44.000><c> 302</c> Next bill is House Bill 302 regarding medical
• Uh on this agenda we have House Bill 969 Uh on this agenda we have House Bill 969 relating<02:47:01.439
• We have one bill on the agenda, House Bill 735, House draft 2, Senate draft 1, relating to wastewater
• We are voting to pass House Bill 735, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1. I vote aye.

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Read the House bill.
• Please read the House bill. Please read the House bill a third time.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, page introductions, and recognition of guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy basketball team and a student intern. The chamber then took up executive appointment reports from the Ethics and Elections Committee and related committees, which covered a large slate of gubernatorial appointees to state boards and commissions. Senators were given the opportunity to separate nominees for individual votes, and several members spoke in support of or opposition to specific appointees based on qualifications, ideology, and prior public service. The first major confirmation vote covered most of the 186 appointments on the report, with debate centered on three nominees highlighted by Senator Polsky: Ilya Shapiro, Thomas Zachary Smith, and Dr. John Lattell. The report was adopted 31-0 after those objections, and Jeffrey Aaron was then considered separately for the Public Employee Relations Commission. Senators Smith and Polsky opposed Aaron’s confirmation, citing his role as legal counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and alleged involvement in the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds to political entities; Chair Gates defended Aaron as a lawyer representing a client and noted no disciplinary or law-enforcement action against him. Aaron was confirmed 26-10. The Senate next confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after debate focused on her prior leadership at the Department of Children and Families, Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage issues, Hope Florida-related concerns, and a women’s shelter inspection dispute. Supporters emphasized her work stabilizing Medicaid funding and her responsiveness to agency problems, while opponents argued she had overseen serious failures and lacked suitability. The confirmation passed 32-5. Taylor Hatch was then confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families after committee members noted serious operational concerns at DCF, including SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, forensic audit issues, and questions about Hope Florida, but also cited her commitment to child welfare and willingness to address problems; the vote was 33-4. After the confirmations, the Senate recessed and later returned for a lengthy tribute to outgoing Senate President Kathleen Pasadomo. Senators from both parties offered personal remarks praising her leadership, diligence, toughness in committee, mentorship, and resilience after personal loss, while also joking about her reputation as a strict rules chair and “bill killer.” The session concluded with the recognition of her service and presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're going to convene conference committees on several House bills and Senate bills.
• First is House Bill 794, HD1, SD1, relating to state bonds.
• ,</c><00:14:37.680><c> House</c> uh moving on to the next bill, House uh moving on to the next bill,
• H House see. Moving on to the next bill.
• Next, we're voting on House Bill 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is clearly an HHS bill. It's clearly a housing bill. It is not a tax bill.
• This is clearly an HHS bill. It's clearly a housing bill. It is not a tax bill.
• This is clearly an HHS bill. It's clearly a housing bill.
• This is clearly an HHS bill. It's clearly a housing bill.
• It is not a tax clearly a housing bill. It is not a tax bill. bill. bill.

Bills: HF4234 , HF3697 , HF1183 , HF4738

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 10, House Bill 1, and House Bill 2.
• Bill 10 and House Bill 1 and House Bill Bill 10 and House Bill 1 and House Bill Two.<00:26:40.320><c>
• </c> House Bill sent down from the Senate. House Bill sent down from the Senate.
• House Bill 2 is the policy that makes the numbers in House Bill 1.
• Bill One and House Bill Two.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item is House Bill 794.
• Not hearing any, House Bill 794 is adopted. Next item is House Bill 795.
• Next item is House Bill 448.
• Next item is House Bill 667.
• Next item is House Bill 727.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The committee met in decision-making only and first took up HB 300, the Senate majority budget package. The chair described the bill as a response to economic uncertainty and reduced revenue forecasts, and outlined a wide range of appropriations and staffing changes across state agencies, including agriculture, education, health, public safety, housing, labor, natural resources, and corrections. The package emphasized one-year funding for many new programs, vacancy reductions, and investments in services such as preschool, mental health, wildfire mitigation, cybersecurity, public access, and workforce development. HB 300 was recommended to pass with amendments and was adopted unanimously, with members voting yes and no reservations noted only as procedural responses. The committee then acted on HB 794 and HB 795, both recommended to pass with amendments by changing the defective date to 2050; both measures were adopted without discussion. On the 101 agenda, HB 400, the Judiciary budget bill, was recommended to pass with amendments. The bill included vacancy reductions, security funding, permanent staffing for several court and justice programs, and support for civil legal services, immigration-related services, and technology licenses. HB 400 was adopted. HB 410 was also adopted with amendments and a defective date change to 2050. On the 102 agenda, the committee passed several bills either unamended or with targeted amendments. HB 3, HB 134, HB 177, HB 237, HB 648, HB 713, HB 735, HB 1391, and HB 1462 were passed unamended. HB 214 passed with amendments expanding eligibility for retired employees to fill labor-shortage or succession-planning positions, including certain management positions excluded from collective bargaining; one member raised concerns about school resource officers and community fit, which the chair said could be addressed in the committee report. HB 441 passed with amendments to direct cigarette tax funds to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a discussion about whether e-cigarettes should be included. Other measures passed with amendments included HB 448, HB 667, HB 727, HB 740, HB 806, HB 1020, HB 1345, and HB 1365, generally involving date changes, blank appropriations, or technical language. HB 1391 was adopted with a reservation from Senator Kim. The meeting concluded with HB 1462 adopted unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please support House Bill 583.
• I respectfully ask you to support House Bill 583.
• Just please support House Bill 583.
• I am supportive of House Bill 583.
• So House Bill 583 is part of Just a couple quick comments as we wrap this up: House Bill 583 is part

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out House Bill 5320.
• to lay out House Bill 5662.
• House Bill 3525 will be left pending.
• House bill it's the chair intent to leave House Bill 5672 pending. Is there any objection?
• The chair lays out House Bill 2694.

Bills: HB1523 , HB2109 , HB2694 , HB3525 , HB3898 , HB4646 , HB5188 , HB5219 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5655 , HB5659 , HB5662 , HB5672

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that we support this bill because we believe it's going to increase the production of housing
• I think that we support this bill because we believe it's going to increase the production of housing
• Additionally, we passed a bill last year, House Bill 2447, that mandates that cities have objective design
• Additionally, we passed a bill last year, House Bill 2447, that mandates that cities have objective design
• Number one, and that has been a topic of conversation for a number of these housing affordability bills

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1566, which would prohibit municipalities and counties from maliciously delaying licensing, permits, or approvals, with expedited court review and AG enforcement. The sponsor and supporters framed it as an affordability and property-rights measure aimed at stopping intentional government delay, while local government representatives and some members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, enforcement, and whether ordinary administrative delays or incomplete applications could be swept in. The sponsor said the county language would be fixed to match the city language in a floor amendment. The bill was moved and passed out of committee on a 7-3 vote, with one present and one absent. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1787, which would require written notice and individualized determinations for municipal or county exactions, allow appeals, and provide judicial review. The sponsor and supporters argued it would curb excessive or unrelated conditions imposed on development and align Arizona law with constitutional takings principles. Opponents from cities and counties said existing law already requires nexus and proportionality, and warned the bill would create a duplicative process, confusion, and a more punitive, winner-take-all system. After testimony from property owners and advocacy groups on both sides, the bill passed on a 7-2 vote, with one present and one absent. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1478, a largely technical liquor-regulation cleanup bill that clarifies interim permits, updates terminology, and makes other conforming changes. Stakeholders described it as a consensus measure developed by industry participants and the Department of Revenue, and the bill received broad support. It passed unanimously, 10-0, with one absent. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1431, which would bar municipalities from dictating certain home design features and from requiring some shared amenities that lead to HOAs. Supporters said it would reduce housing costs and preserve homeowner choice, while opponents argued it would weaken local control, reduce design quality, and limit crime-prevention and neighborhood-character standards. Testimony focused heavily on aesthetics, HOAs, and affordability, but no final vote on SB 1431 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will report House Bill 296 favorably. And we will move to House Bill 823. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Members, this bill is... House Bill 823. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• House Bill 1038 does not change that.
• House Bill 1038 does not change that.
• I believe it was House Bill 519 in 2024.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2105 next House Bill 2105 next.
• We're now going to go to House Bill 2979. Mr.
• We're here in support of House Bill 2979.
• House Bill 2979 will not go to the floor. Thank you. We're now going to go to House Bill 2996. Mr.
• Members, by a vote of seven to zero, House Bill 2996 passes. We will now go to House Bill 2174.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the March 9, 2026 minutes and held HB 29 and HB 2939 at the sponsor’s request. It then took up HB 2016, which would bar late-filing penalties when a taxpayer’s income tax liability is zero; after an amendment narrowed the bill to income tax filers, the Department of Revenue was neutral on the bill but supported the amendment, and members debated whether removing the penalty would reduce incentives to file. The committee adopted the amendment and returned HB 2016 with a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2289, which updates the property-value examples used in bond/override election pamphlets and truth-in-taxation notices from older low values to a $300,000 home example. The sponsor and Arizona Tax Research Association said the update would better reflect current home values and improve voter understanding, while some members argued the bill could confuse voters or that the second example should be closer to the current median home price. The committee passed HB 2289 on a 4-3 vote. Several bills related to school district bonding and agricultural property classification were then considered. HB 4103 would prohibit school districts from calling bond elections if enrollment is below 50% of capacity; supporters said districts should use or monetize excess space before seeking more debt, while school administrators and several senators argued it would block needed maintenance and local voter choice. HB 2104 and HB 2105 would give agricultural property owners a temporary reprieve from repeated reclassification and inspections after winning an appeal, with farm groups supporting the measures and county assessors opposing them as limiting oversight; both bills passed 4-3 after amendments. The committee also passed HB 2256 on a 7-0 vote, which creates a process for salvage auction dealers to obtain abandoned titles when insurers do not complete salvage title transfers, and HB 2979 and HB 2996 unanimously, addressing credit union regulatory timelines and clarifying that certificates of insurance do not alter policy coverage. Finally, the committee heard HB 2174 on insurance modeling organizations and HB 2477 on AZ 529 plan updates, with HB 2174 discussed at length over regulatory treatment of models and HB 2477 described as a conformity bill expanding K-12 and credentialing uses and rollover options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yesterday's housing policies do not meet today's housing needs.
• Yesterday's housing policies do not meet today's housing needs.
• Minnesota housing producing more units Minnesota housing says<00:05:23.720><c> new</c><00:05:23.960>
• What other bills do you have floating out there on this housing topic?”
• You know, in 2023 you authored a bill providing a historic $1 billion investment in Minnesota housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Schueter, would you please go ahead and read in House Bill 215? 250. House Bill 250.
• I'd like to start off with House Bill 529. House Bill 529. All right. That's Mr. Schueter.
• House Bill 529 will stay here in committee. What's your next bill, Representative Beham?
• Sorry, House Bill 88. House Bill 88, Ms. Smith, at your convenience. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The nays and the bill fails to be reported favorably. House Bill 639. Ms.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1071, which creates a public records exception for certain aerospace facility and activity records, including blueprints, plans, technical data, operational documents, and security information tied to federally regulated work and contracts with the U.S. Department of War or intelligence agencies. The sponsor and several members emphasized protecting Louisiana aerospace and defense-related work, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 181, as amended, which authorizes the legislative auditor to review confidential income tax records to help LDH verify Medicaid eligibility, and, after amendment, SNAP eligibility as well. Supporters said the bill would help identify ineligible recipients, reduce fraud, and improve the state’s error rate to avoid federal penalties; opponents argued tax returns are outdated and unreliable for current eligibility, could create false flags, and might burden or discourage eligible low-income residents. After extensive debate, the committee adopted Amendment Set 2633 and reported HB 181 favorably by a 10-6 vote. Later, the committee considered HB 250, which removes the requirement that immediate family members of appointed board or commission members disclose certain employment information, while leaving existing ethics prohibitions in place. The Ethics Board said the bill would not change substantive conflict-of-interest rules, only the disclosure requirement, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 544, authorizing a citizen’s advisory referendum election, was briefly explained as a nonbinding, petition-driven local ballot question process, but the sponsor deferred it for further consideration and the committee deferred the bill. The committee also heard HB 1036, which clarifies when a group is considered a “committee” for campaign finance purposes by using a more objective spending threshold rather than the current “primary purpose” standard. Ethics officials said the change would give clearer investigative guidance without changing other disclosure rules, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 210 was amended to address retroactivity concerns in a prior ethics-related provision affecting school board and local governing authority members employed by entities with contracts or business before June 5, 2024; the amendment grandfathered earlier situations while requiring disclosures going forward, and the bill was reported favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is House Bill 2157. Emily?
• I didn't propose substitute for House Bill 2225. It is H-3146.1. House Bill 2225.
• I didn't propose substitute for House Bill 2225. It is H-3146.1. House Bill 2225.
• Next bill is House Bill 2186, Vice Chair. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• With that we close the hearing on House Bill 2397 and we will open the hearing on House Bill 2417 18.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on several technology and economic development bills. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for House Bill 2157 on high-risk AI, House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2351 on emergency responder protections, and House Bill 2186 on federal fund acquisition for economic development. Members discussed the competing approaches in the two proposed substitutes for HB 2225, including enforcement, disclosures, minor protections, and crisis-response requirements. The committee then voted to adopt the proposed substitute for HB 2225 and report it out with a due pass recommendation, with a 7-3 vote and three excused. It also passed HB 2186 out of committee with a unanimous due pass recommendation after discussion about reducing fiscal impact. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2397, which would require timely reimbursement within 60 days for state agencies and local jurisdictions mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services mobilization plan. Fire officials and fire finance staff testified in support, describing reimbursement delays of six to ten months that strain local budgets and can discourage participation in wildfire deployments. Testifiers said the bill would improve cash flow and staffing stability, while also noting the need for technical clarification on when the 60-day clock starts and possible staffing needs at the State Patrol. No one testified in opposition. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2417, which would add victim-rights protections to the Washington Code of Military Justice, aligning state military justice procedures with the federal Uniform Code of Military Justice. The prime sponsor and military legal experts testified that the bill closes a gap so victims serving in the Washington National Guard receive the same notice, participation, and fairness protections regardless of whether they are in state or federal status. Veterans’ advocates also supported the bill, saying it would improve trust, reporting, and accountability. The bill was scheduled for future executive action, and the meeting adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, that concludes the testimony on House Bill 2374. ...testimony on House Bill 2374.
• substitute House Bill 2771?
• By your motion, proposed substitute House Bill 2771 is adopted. House Bill 1823 has been adopted.
• House Bill 2111, Vice Chair Bernbaum to move House Bill 2111. Thank you. I move House Bill 2111.
• House Bill 2111 has been moved. The second of House Bill 2111 be adopted.

Bills: HB2307 , HB2374 , HB2379 , HB1823 , HB2111

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match