Video & Transcript : 'dumping' :
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 9th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a dump site from the 1950s, and I don't know if you realize when you hit a dump site like that
- , it becomes an archaeosite, which is interesting—literally a dump became an archaeosite—and it slowed
- slow out of the gate sometimes as well, which then slowed down— The project hit a site, there was a dump
- Speaker and gentlemen, I don't know if you hit a, if you realize when you hit a dump site like that,
- it becomes an archaeosite, which is interesting, literally a dump became an archaeosite, and it slowed
Bills:
HB111 , HB61 , HB43 , HB156 , HB70 , SB3 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HB247 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and spent much of the session on memorials and recognitions. Members honored former Senator Clint Hardin with a certificate and extended condolences, with several representatives sharing personal remembrances of his work on autism coverage, second chances for formerly incarcerated people, rural issues, and bipartisan dealmaking. The chamber also recognized Council of Governments Day, 4-H Day, NMSU Day, scouting groups, and several student and community guests, including youth from 4-H, NMSU CAMP, folklórico, and the La Cueva boys soccer team.
The House received messages from the governor and Senate, including authorization for House Bill 320, the Industrial Carbon Reduction Act, and Senate passage of several bills. Committee reports were adopted on a long list of measures, including House Bills 145, 158, 180, 49, 164, 256, 287, 60, 120, 166, 306, 124, 314, 185, 253, 195, 259, 295, 296, 338, and others, along with several joint resolutions and memorials. The chamber also ordered certain bills germane and referred them to committees, and enrolled and engrossed multiple memorials.
On third reading, House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, passed 65-0. The House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70, updating the Public Regulation Commission and hearing officer structure, passed 66-0 after brief debate. House Bill 247, which modernizes capital outlay procedures and limits reauthorizations, was then taken up; the sponsor explained it would send unspent general fund capital outlay money to a Capital Development and Reserve Fund and tribal project balances to the tribal infrastructure fund. An amendment was offered to redirect the reserve fund money to the state road fund, and debate began, with members discussing road conditions and the purpose of the reserve fund.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill also responds to troubling practices such as hospital dumping and efforts to remove residents
- This is known as hospital dumping and it's a common tactic that nursing homes use to get rid of undesirable
- In one case, a high-needs nursing home resident was dumped at an unlicensed board and care facility,
- In one case, a high-needs nursing home resident was dumped at an unlicensed board and care facility without
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue.
AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language.
AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill also responds to troubling practices such as hospital dumping and efforts to remove residents
- This is known as hospital dumping and it's a common tactic that nursing homes use to get rid of undesirable
- In one case, a high-needs nursing home resident was dumped at an unlicensed board-and-care facility;
- In one case, a high-needs nursing home resident was dumped at an unlicensed board-and-care facility without
Committee:
House Health
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (8-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- while, and it seems like I remember either a Scooby-Doo or a Looney Tunes cartoon where the plane dumps
- c><00:20:37.840><c> where</c><00:20:38.000><c> the</c><00:20:38.159><c> plane</c><00:20:38.480><c> dumps
- </c><00:20:38.799><c> the</c> Tunes cartoon where the plane dumps the Tunes cartoon where the plane dumps
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the prior meeting’s minutes. Senator Williams then presented a discussion draft involving KCNA and COOT/Kentucky Wired governance changes. He said the proposal would make the COOT executive director the KCNA director, place the education CIO as chair of a new board of constitutional officers, terminate existing KCNA employees at inception, and return KCNA funds to the general fund. He described the measure as a temporary holding pattern focused on customer connectivity until an audit is completed next summer. Senator West asked whether the bill would change existing Kentucky Wired contracts, and Williams said the contracts would remain in place and COOT would simply handle the work without an extra layer of bureaucracy. No vote was taken; the item was for discussion only.
The committee then heard a presentation on geoengineering and related legislation from Rep. John Hodgson, Sen. Rollins, and retired meteorologist Randy Baker. They described geoengineering as attempts to alter climate or weather, including solar radiation modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and cloud seeding. The presenters distinguished these activities from ordinary jet contrails, crop dusting, ground-level emissions, and airport fog control, and said the proposed Kentucky bill would exclude those ordinary activities. They argued Kentucky lacks a current prohibition on weather modification, said the bill would protect farmland, crops, animal agriculture, aquaculture, and human health, and cited public concern, federal uncertainty, and similar legislation in other states. They also said cloud seeding is used in some western states but remains scientifically unproven and potentially harmful.
Members asked about enforcement, federal preemption, and whether other states’ actions could affect Kentucky. The presenters said high-altitude spraying would be difficult to hide, that satellite imagery could detect large releases, and that the bill was intended as an assertion of state sovereignty even if federal law later changed. They also said there were no known active geoengineering projects in Kentucky. The discussion remained informational, with no committee vote or final action taken on either topic.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 18th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Every dump has different disposal standards and requirements.
- We don't know why we can't dump whole animals with carcass with offal, carcass, and all, but we cannot
- dump all fuller parts in the same dump.
Committee:
House Water & Natural Resources Committee
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Aug 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And if the rain dumped on top of us quicker than we thought, you're going to retrofit cabins with some
- It's where a large cloud just dumps an excessive amount of rain in a very short period of time.
- the disaster, and within two weeks, they were having debris removed off their streets and out to the dump
- There are people dumping trash, and there's a lot of trash along private properties that caused more
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- We’d ask that the pejorative term “dumping” when discussing exports either be removed from the bill or
- defined to clarify that most exports... ...dumping when discussing exports either be removed from the
- This is a big problem, and maybe we don’t want to use the word “dumping,” but we are, in fact, sending
- So now we move the goalposts once again, and instead of getting rid of all those tires that we dumped
- Does dumping more services into a home make the home more safe for the child if they're spent and all
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- another issue where we dealt with called Love Canal in New York, where we had a lot of chemicals dumped
- </c> the solution, you know, to it just dump the solution, you know, to it just dump it<01:36:09.440>
- 25.600><c> were</c> had a lot of chemicals where were were had a lot of chemicals where were were dumped
- into the river into a canal and dumped into the river into a canal and and<01:36:30.080><c> over</c>
- in those in those streams being dumped in those in those streams from<02:49:11.279><c> the</c><02:49
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- in the manufacture of aluminum, a byproduct of manufacture of aluminum was fluoride, and they were dumping
- And they were dumping it in the ocean. And environmentalists started complaining about this waste.
Summary:
The Arizona Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the 4-H pledge led by the Yuma County 4-H Ambassadors, followed by recognition of guests for National Ag Day, World Hearing Day, a visiting doctor of the day, food truck business owners, and members of Sandy Corps VFW Post 1433 for its 100th anniversary. Senators also presented proclamations honoring World Hearing Day and the VFW post’s century of service. The chamber then handled routine business, including a temporary committee appointment and the reading of messages and committee reports into the journal.
The floor then took up a series of third-reading bills, mostly transportation and public safety appropriations. SB 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1088, 1154, 1156, 1157, 1204, 1207, 1245, 1250, 1455, 1457, and 1461 all passed, with several members explaining votes in support of road projects, tribal road needs, veteran services, border security, or workforce health care training, while opponents argued many appropriations should come from other funding sources or were unnecessary, especially the public safety and border-related measures. SB 1798 also passed with bipartisan support after senators praised it as a FAFSA awareness and student opportunity measure.
One bill failed: SB 1019, relating to bottled water systems and water fluoridation, was defeated 14-11 after extended debate over public health benefits versus concerns about fluoridation safety and informed consent. After the votes, HB 2110 was withdrawn from the Education Committee and referred to Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. The Senate then announced committee meetings for March 23 and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026, at noon.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- in the manufacture of aluminum, a byproduct of manufacture of aluminum was fluoride, and they were dumping
- And they were dumping it in the ocean. And environmentalists started complaining about this waste.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 5, 2026 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And this bill is going to make sure that they know North Florida is not another place to dump it.
- Chair Salzman: Well, having dumped... I'm sorry. Just kidding.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 02/03/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- the larger solar arrays, they now are on trackers, which means they rotate back and forth, then they dump
- But for the large facilities on the ground, once it snows, they can go whoop, and they dump the other
Committee:
Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Summary:
The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote.
The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved.
Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/11/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Through the work of classes from 1991 to 1997, they uncovered a conspiracy of toxic dumping, Mafia involvement
- He spearheaded hearings and investigations, which uncovered a vast organized crime ring dumping toxic
- INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH UNCOVERED A VAST ORGANIZED CRIME RING DUMPING TOXIC MATERIALS ACROSS THE STATE
Summary:
The Senate opened with routine business, including approval of the prior journal and several messages from the Assembly to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills. The chamber then took up a budget extender, Senate Print 10262/Assembly Bill 11295, which would appropriate $2.9 billion to keep state government operating through May 14 while budget negotiations continued. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in reaching a full budget and criticized the lack of clarity on major policy issues, conference committees, school aid timing, and a proposed $1 billion utility ratepayer relief plan, arguing the state’s spending and affordability problems were worsening. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were in the final stretch and that the extender was necessary to maintain government operations. The extender passed 59-1 after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.
The Senate also considered a major election-law bill, Senate Print 88A, providing for automatic voter registration and pre-registration through DMV, Medicaid, and NYCHA-related transactions. Senator Walczyk’s proposed amendment to require voter ID was ruled nongermane, and his appeal was rejected. The bill prompted extended debate over whether the process would protect against non-citizen registration or instead remove barriers for eligible voters. Supporters, including Senator Gianaris, said it would streamline registration and help eligible but unregistered New Yorkers participate; Senator Zellner said it would strengthen the process. Opponents, including Senators Walczyk, Borrello, Helming, Rhoads, and Martins, warned it would shift responsibility away from bipartisan boards of elections, create administrative errors, and risk improper registration. The bill ultimately passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar, with senators explaining votes along party lines.
The chamber also adopted or advanced several resolutions and recognized guests. Senator Gallivan’s Police Week resolution drew remarks honoring fallen officers and law enforcement families, with Senators Chan, Rolison, Weik, Ryan, and Myrie speaking in support. Senator Sepúlveda’s resolution commemorating Dominicans in Albany was also discussed, with praise for the Dominican community’s contributions to New York and supportive remarks from Senator Chan. In addition, the Senate heard introductions for guests from Allen A.M.E. Church and the creators of the documentary “Teenage Wasteland.”
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 15th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- requirement that the producer responsibility organization manage collected materials to address the dumping
- warming, and disposal of these materials is expensive and, when not done responsibly, can lead to dumping
- status quo already imposes high and less visible costs to our communities through landfill fees, dumping
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
Keywords:
textile responsibility, recycling, sustainability, environmental impact, consumer protection, waste reduction, environment, retail, bags, pollution, consumer products, plastic, environmental policy, postconsumer waste, microplastics, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, litter reduction, public health
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- requirement that the producer responsibility organization manage collected materials to address the dumping
- warming, and disposal of these materials is expensive and, when not done responsibly, can lead to dumping
- status quo already imposes high and less visible costs to our communities through landfill fees, dumping
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several waste and recycling bills. House Bill 2212 would require microfiber filters on commercial and industrial washing machines, with Ecology authorized to consider residential machine rules later if cost thresholds are met. Supporters, including the sponsor, students, environmental advocates, and scientists, said washing machines are a major source of microplastics and that filtration is a practical way to reduce pollution before it reaches waterways and human bodies. Opponents, including appliance manufacturers, laundromat operators, business groups, and Ecology staff, raised concerns about technical feasibility, worker safety, cost, and the lack of third-party certification for commercial systems. Ecology said the science is emerging and the proposal would create new agency work and costs. No vote was taken.
House Bill 2233 would tighten the state’s carry-out bag laws by banning reusable film plastic bags, raising the paper bag pass-through charge to 20 cents, and extending certain requirements to manufacturers, distributors, and third-party sales platforms, while preserving protections for food assistance cardholders. Supporters argued the current thicker-bag approach has not reduced plastic waste, that plastic bags contribute to litter and microplastics, and that a stronger ban would better protect waterways and wildlife. Opponents from grocery, retail, hospitality, paper, and business groups argued the bill would raise consumer costs, create checkout and food-safety problems, and add operational complexity; some also said the state should wait to see the effects of the recent fee increase. Several local government and environmental witnesses supported the bill. No final action was taken.
House Bill 1420 would establish an extended producer responsibility program for textiles and apparel, requiring producers to form a producer responsibility organization to manage collection, reuse, repair, recycling, and related infrastructure. The sponsor described the bill as a response to textile waste, overconsumption, and landfill impacts, and said the proposal had been refined through extensive stakeholder work. Supporters from environmental groups, local governments, Ecology, counties, Goodwill, and circular-economy organizations said textiles are a growing waste stream and that producer responsibility could improve collection, reduce dumping, and support repair and reuse. Opponents from business, retail, hospitality, apparel, and medical-device groups raised concerns about complexity, consumer and compliance costs, governance, supply-chain reporting, and possible unintended coverage of uniforms or medical products. The hearing also included a State Board of Health health impact review noting likely increased awareness and collection but limited evidence on large-scale reuse and recycling outcomes. No vote was taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We basically dump boatloads of money into agencies, into the county, and we don't look at implementation
- We basically dump boatloads of money into agencies, into the county, and we don't look at implementation
- We basically dump boatloads of money into agencies, into the county, and we don't look at implementation
- 23.040><c> legislature</c><01:10:24.040><c> we</c><01:10:24.280><c> basically</c><01:10:24.760><c> dump
- </c> the legislature we basically dump the legislature we basically dump boatloads<01:10:26.159><c> of
Keywords:
Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, March 27, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, Russia, which represents more than a third of the market, has been subsidizing and dumping
- </c><03:54:47.040><c> these</c> been subsidizing and dumping these been subsidizing and dumping these
- It's had a negative impact impact impact uh<03:55:00.880><c> from</c><03:55:01.199><c> dumping</c><03
- that's not only, you uh from dumping that's not only, you know,<03:55:03.279><c> affected</c><03:55:
- </c><04:10:22.160><c> into</c> over 40 wolves being dumped into over 40 wolves being dumped into Colorado
Keywords:
House resolution, committee assignment, standing committee, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, committee membership, committee seniority, Mr. Menefee, Mr. Riley of New York, House organization, congressional procedure, internal rules, legislative administration, HJR75, H.J.Res. 75, Congressional Review Act, CRA, Department of Energy, DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, energy conservation standards
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 4th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the act, and distributing the revenue attributable to the surcharge to the recycling and illegal dumping
- solid waste disposal to support grants available under the recycling circular economy and illegal dumping
- Clarifying that food recovery, composting, and composting, and and illegal dumping act.
- reduction initiatives are eligible for grants under the recycling, circular economy, and illegal dumping
- act, distributing the revenue attributable to the surcharge to the recycling and illegal dumping fund
Bills:
HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HB2 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26
Summary:
The House convened with quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and then moved through a series of memorials, recognitions, and announcements. House Memorial 49, declaring February 4, 2026 UNM Day, was taken from the Speaker’s table, explained, and debated at length. Members from both parties and several guests praised the University of New Mexico for its role in education, health care, research, public service, and workforce development, with special recognition of President Garnett Stokes, interim provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Health Sciences leaders and students. The memorial highlighted UNM’s enrollment, degrees awarded, scholarship support, patent activity, and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center. It passed 70-0.
House Memorial 48, declaring February 4, 2026 Valencia County Day, was also brought forward and passed unanimously. Supporters described Valencia County’s history, culture, economic growth, and traditions, including the annual matanza, Route 66 heritage, and major employers and development projects. Members from the county and local officials were recognized, and the memorial emphasized both historic communities and current business and infrastructure expansion. House Memorial 50, declaring Lincoln County Day, was introduced by title and placed on the Speaker’s table, but not taken up for final passage during this segment.
The chamber also recognized the Artesia Bulldogs football team for winning another state championship, Del Norte High School’s class of 1966 on its 60th anniversary, and a number of guests tied to nursing, education, and local community service. Several members used announcements to highlight nurses, school programs, and local events, including a Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus invitation and a reminder that the day was the final day to file bills with the clerk. The session closed with continued announcements and guest introductions, reflecting a day focused heavily on community recognition and celebratory memorials rather than substantive legislation beyond the memorial votes.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Apr 27th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Sorry, dumping this. If you look at example four, which is short, every time..."
- “Sorry, dumping this.
Summary:
The meeting focused on ethics guidance for legislators’ official newsletters and social media posts about a major tax bill that has since become a ballot measure. Members and staff debated whether existing board guidance, which allowed comments on legislation previously before the legislature, should also apply to social media and to the current biennium rather than only the immediately preceding session. Several members argued that legislators should be able to state how they voted on the bill and discuss it as part of their legislative record, while others stressed that using state resources to advocate for or against a ballot measure is prohibited and that posts could become an indirect appeal to voters.
The discussion also covered whether there should be a bright-line cutoff tied to the primary election date, after which official communications should stop discussing the bill if it is now a ballot measure. Staff and members raised concerns about tone, tenor, and proximity to the election, and whether official social media, caucus communications, and newsletters should be treated differently. One motion to extend the prior rule to the full biennium and apply it to social media failed.
A second motion then passed establishing the primary date as a date certain for monitoring these discussions, with the understanding that official communications should be more limited after that point. Members noted that personal social media and campaign resources remain separate from official legislative resources. The meeting then moved toward adjournment of the public portion, with no public testimony offered, before a brief break and executive session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Sorry, dumping this. If you look at example four, which is short, every time..."
- “Sorry, dumping this.
Summary:
The meeting focused on whether legislators and legislative staff may use official resources, including newsletters and social media, to comment on a bill that has since become a ballot measure. Members discussed older ethics guidance allowing comments on legislation previously before the legislature, but questioned whether that rule still applies to modern social media posts and to ballot measures, especially when the language is strong or could be seen as an indirect appeal to voters. Several members argued that once a bill becomes a ballot measure, using state resources to advocate for or against it is prohibited, while others emphasized the importance of allowing officials to explain their votes and speak to their legislative record.
The group debated possible guardrails, including whether comments should be limited to the bill itself, whether tone and timing should matter, and whether the rule should apply only to members not subject to election-year restrictions. One motion proposed extending the prior ethics guidance from the immediately preceding legislative session to the full biennium and applying it to social media, but that motion failed. Members then shifted toward a brighter-line approach tied to the primary election date, with discussion that after the primary officials should not use state resources to talk about a bill that became a ballot measure or is subject to ballot challenge.
A second motion to use the primary date as the cutoff for monitoring these discussions was made, seconded, and passed. The chair then noted that officials are still free to speak on personal or campaign accounts, and to respond to questions, but the board’s guidance would help distinguish permissible official communications from campaign-like advocacy. The meeting then moved toward adjournment of the public portion, with no public testimony offered.