Transcript Highlights:

• That was a request to go into the rate preservation fund, but again, rate preservation fund is so that
• to finish out fiscal year 25 and so they didn't need to that was a request to go into the rate preservation
• fund but again rate preservation fund is so that we don't have to go and change rates to the providers
• As you're well aware, there were some changes made to the rate preservation fund and how the agency can
• That is not a rate preservation fund type of deal. That's just more utilization in the system.

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget presentations and questions from several health and human services agencies, with members repeatedly emphasizing that agency numbers had been posted since October and that questioning should stay focused and brief. The Office of Juvenile Affairs said its $5.45 million request would support 162 employees receiving a pay adjustment, and members asked about juvenile care conditions and staffing. The Department of Human Services discussed major changes to child care subsidy funding, including a reduced subsidy request, a $11.5 million child care teacher recruitment/retention request, and planned eligibility and reimbursement changes; it also reviewed SNAP administrative cost shifts under federal law, the state’s SNAP error rate, and the risk of large future state costs if the error rate is not reduced. DHS also addressed TANF reserves, the DDS waiver wait list, the Greer Center buildout, the Advantage waiver supplemental, and meal service options for waiver members. OCCY described a largely personnel-driven budget, requests for more oversight staff, and workload pressures in juvenile competency evaluations. The Office of Disability Concerns reported a flat budget and said it relies mainly on mediation and informal resolution rather than enforcement. OSU Medical Authority said its Tulsa expansion, VA skybridge, and c-section suites remain on schedule, that psychiatric residency funding is being phased in over several years, and that it is working to reduce contract labor and evaluate service lines. J.D. McCarty Center reported its new ABA outpatient clinic is on time and on budget and is nearing full capacity. OMMA said its lab is following required standards, its FTE count is below budgeted levels because hiring depends on lab accreditation and other unknowns, and dispensary numbers continue to decline as the market matures. Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services said it needs about $1.4 million to avoid a maintenance-of-effort penalty and discussed aging campus capital needs and staffing vacancies. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority then outlined a very large budget requirement driven by utilization growth and the shift to value-based care, saying FY26 is currently stable but FY27 would likely require additional appropriations if the request is not fully funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• My original question is: Are you committed, as a trustee of the institution, to preserving and advancing
• Yes, my personal value and belief would be to preserve My personal value and belief would be to preserve
• because he's worried that the value we place right now and have been at the university on historic preservation
• because he's worried that the value we place right now and have been at the university on historic preservation
• It partners with the historic preservation, the historic museum, the art museum, archaeological digs,

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We hope to continue to work to try to craft policies that support development while still preserving
• Development while still preserving the local government's ability to properly manage for this growth.
• I've got a farmland preservation area, 200,000 acres.
• I was on the county commission when we put the farmland preservation area in.
• My intent is not to go into my own farmland preservation area. That's not my intent.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1134, which would extend the use of qualified private providers in the building permit process to residential solar energy systems and certain single-trade inspections, and would allow computer-based plan review tools. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long solar permitting delays and lower costs. A late amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted, and after some discussion about local permitting problems and the need to work with municipalities, CS/SB 1134 was reported favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no. The committee then took up SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would limit fee collection if verification is not completed. Members discussed whether the bill should include more flexibility and whether private providers are appropriate for this function, but the committee ultimately reported CS/SB 784 favorably. SB 1738, allowing counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in while maintaining current levels of service, was also reported favorably without significant opposition. Next, SB 1080 on local government land regulation was presented as a measure to speed up development permit and order approvals, limit repeated information requests, prevent hearing delays, and impose penalties for noncompliance. Local government testimony argued it would rush planning and weaken public input, while supporters called it common-sense streamlining. After debate, the bill was reported favorably, with several no votes. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members raised concerns about county budget timelines. Finally, the committee considered SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, programs, or policies, while carving out compliance with state and federal law and defining DEI-related terms. The amendment removed retroactivity and delayed the effective date, but members from both parties raised concerns about vague definitions, impacts on women- and minority-owned business programs, local commemorations, and the loss of attorney’s fees for prevailing counties. Public testimony was sharply divided, with many speakers opposing the bill as an attack on local control and inclusion, and a few supporting it as a merit-based standard. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition in debate and was not yet reported in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is from Public Law 88-577, the 1964 Wilderness Preservation System Act.
• :00:59.320><c> 196</c><00:01:00.160><c> 4</c><00:01:00.600><c> Wilderness</c><00:01:01.600><c> preservation
• </c> 577 the 196 4 Wilderness preservation 577 the 196 4 Wilderness preservation system system system
• Representative Scraba said that one thing he likes about the fact that we've got the sale is that it's preserving
• but he comes from the tradition that says wilderness is doing something and should be valued and preserved

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Historic South Downtown, officially Pioneer Square, Chinatown International District Community Preservation
• We are the first state-created Community Preservation and Development Authority responsible for elevating
• methods allow skilled brick layers to reinforce these structures, making them safer while preserving
• We are the first state-created Community Preservation and Development Authority responsible for elevating
• Programs like transportation vouchers, before- and after-school services, and preservation of affordable

Bills: HB1069, HB2091, SB6355, HB2104, SB6003, HB2441, HB2124, HB2610, HB2338

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• substitute for Senate Bill 924, a bill to be entitled an act relating to coverage for fertility preservation
• by young cancer patients that in the course of their diagnosis have to choose between fertility preservation
• The financial burden of fertility preservation is very often cost prohibitive.
• And this legislation ensures a state health insurance plan cover standard fertility preservation services
• to be entitled an act relating to state group insurance program coverage for standard fertility preservation

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to the special order calendar and took up a long series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills before final passage. Among the measures approved were bills creating an expedited DNA testing grant program for local law enforcement, adding aggravating factors in capital cases involving gatherings for religious, school, or government activities, requiring state health coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, authorizing indemnification for commuter rail providers, prohibiting abandonment of migrant vessels in Florida waters, and creating new specialty license plates. The Senate also passed bills on Alzheimer’s awareness, relocating the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter schools, sex offender registration, utility worker protections, juvenile justice, student mental health reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School, school readiness, sexual images involving children, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county property appraiser employees. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and Brownfields. Debate was especially extensive on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered but failed 13-23 after arguments over election-related communications and the scope of existing law. The certified recovery residences bill also drew notable debate, with supporters emphasizing housing as essential to recovery and opponents raising concerns about implementation and local control. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes, including the capital aggravating factors bill, charter schools, and the Office of Faith and Community measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">also how we how we maintain </font> <font color="aaaaaa">and preserve
• We are one of </font> <font color="aaaaaa">and preserve our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">infrastructure
• by law to invest </font> <font color="aaaaaa">in maintenance and </font> <font color="aaaaaa">preservation
• of existing </font> <font color="aaaaaa">in maintenance and </font> <font color="aaaaaa">preservation
• This this we're </font> <font color="aaaaaa">preservation is being done our </font> <font color="aaaaaa

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and preserve the integrity of<00:08:30.400><c> our</c><00:08:30.520><c> health</c><00:08:31.000><c>
• </c><00:59:11.800><c> the</c> protect patient access, preserve the protect patient access, preserve the
• To preserve as many active children.
• To preserve as many active trials<01:41:39.200><c> as</c><01:41:39.320><c> possible</c><01:41:39.880>
• preserve preserve as<02:14:57.080><c> much</c><02:14:57.320><c> of</c><02:14:57.360><c> the</c><02:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government so that they may tend to the preservation
• Hampshire be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of the law that they may be preserved
• </c><00:04:40.320><c> of</c><00:04:40.479><c> peace,</c><00:04:41.360><c> the</c> tend to the preservation
• of peace, the tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion<00:04:42.000><c> of</c><00:04:42.240>
• </c><03:48:20.080><c> local</c> think that this would preserve local think that this would preserve local

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• required by law, aligns the language with existing statutes, improves consistency across programs, and preserves
• required by law, aligns the language with existing statutes, improves consistency across programs, and preserves

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Commerce Committee first approved the minutes from February 11. It then heard House Bill 543 from Representative Furman, which updates PERSI Choice language to comply with the federal SECURE Act 2.0 by allowing after-tax Roth contributions in the 401(k)-type plan. The committee asked whether it was a conformity bill, and then moved HB 543 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. Next, the committee considered an Idaho Division of Veterans Services rule docket that removes obsolete rules governing domiciliary care, which the agency no longer provides. The administrator explained that the service has been discontinued and that similar assisted-living services are available elsewhere, just not through the division. The committee approved the rule docket. The committee also reviewed Department of Commerce grant program rules under the governor’s zero-based regulation initiative. The department said the rewrite was non-substantive, removed outdated or duplicative language, aligned definitions with statute, and made clarifying changes, including to the definition of rural community. Representative Furman asked about language allowing matching-fund requirements to be “may” rather than mandatory; staff explained this would let the department reduce or waive match requirements in hardship or disaster situations. The committee approved docket 28-0203-2501.

Transcript Highlights:

• 324 by Senator Janaris: An act to amend the Election Law in relation to enacting the Democracy Preservation
• An act to amend the Election Law in relation to enacting the Democracy Preservation Act.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Elections Committee met on January 12 at 3:48 p.m. with Chair Kristen Gonzalez presiding and a quorum present. Seven bills were on the agenda, and the committee moved through them quickly, generally with motions, seconds, and voice votes. Most bills were reported to the Rules Committee, with some members voting no or no recommendation on certain measures. The committee advanced S.324, the Democracy Preservation Act; S.568, establishing portable polling locations for early voting, which Senator Walczyk questioned because the Assembly has not advanced a companion bill; S.1035, requiring mandatory training for election commissioners and key staff, which Senator Borrello opposed as an unfunded mandate and staffing burden for counties; S.10306, allowing voter registration at any residence with which a voter maintains a continuous connection and intent to remain; and S.1085, prohibiting voter suppression, with Senator May noting it addressed conduct she said occurred in the 2006 elections and had been introduced years earlier by Senator Cousins. The committee also reported S.8604, moving the presidential primary to the first Tuesday in March, and S.8646A, a new bill sponsored by Chair Gonzalez on New York Election Officer Protection. Gonzalez said S.8646A had been developed recently with advocates, including the Brennan Center for Justice, and amended to align more closely with a model Peace Act. After the final bill was approved, the chair thanked members for a quick and productive meeting and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• in preserving our beaches ensuring<02:14:32.000><c> that</c><02:14:32.239><c> they</c><02:14:32.880>
• review um and historic preservation review um and concerning<02:49:02.160><c> the</c><02:49:02.399><
• Next, Jessica Puff, State Historic Preservation Division, or the chair?
• House Bill 1087, House Draft 1, relating to historic preservation reviews.
• If not, Vice Chair, for the vote, please. preservation reviews I recommend we move preservation reviews

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. On HB 211 relating to stream maintenance, DLNR supported the intent but requested amendments to clarify that responsibility for removing abandoned property rests with the entity that has jurisdiction or ownership of the stream, and asked for appropriations to help cover cleanup costs. Members discussed existing county authority to clean streams and then seek reimbursement from private owners, and the City and County of Honolulu’s written testimony was noted as arguing the bill conflicts with a federal court stipulation requiring notice and storage of personal property before disposal. On HB 502 relating to land use, OPSD and the Land Use Commission supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the short timeline and the need for rule changes, with OPSD recommending a more permanent county plan-based district boundary amendment process instead of a temporary one. The Department of Agriculture asked counties to make concurrent revisions to ordinances and rules affecting agricultural land partitioning. Testimony also noted the bill is aimed at legacy agricultural subdivisions and would require Land Use Commission rulemaking. On HB 510 relating to declaration of water shortage and emergency, DLNR and the Board of Water Supply strongly supported the measure, saying it would give CWRM a more timely tool to respond to emergencies outside designated water management areas and would require rulemaking, permit classifications, and criteria for declaring shortages. In response to opposition concerns from the Land Use Research Foundation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, DLNR said the rulemaking process would allow public input and that permit classifications could help balance agricultural and other water uses. On HB 511 relating to public lands, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported removing the survey requirement before setting aside public lands between state agencies, saying it would speed Act 90 transfers and save time and money, though one testifier cautioned against misuse of agricultural lands. No votes were taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish
• 56.319><c> to</c> deal more kindly with one another and to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve
• 58.000><c> the</c><00:07:58.240><c> pale</c><00:07:58.639><c> blue</c><00:07:58.879><c> dot,</c> preserve
• and cherish the pale blue dot, preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the<00:08:00.000><c> only</c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintain compliant electronic records would also promote greater clarity and consistency while preserving
• Just as importantly, it preserves accountability by ensuring electronic records remain compliant and
• continuing to work with stakeholders on concerns raised in paragraphs B and E, and continuing to preserve
• And continuing to preserve, I know, very important, the merit principle.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Parks and Recreation to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation
• . to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation, learning, exchange
• 8,000 small and mid-sized family farmers in California and has worked for more than 45 years to preserve
• AB 1912 ensures that all hunters can defend themselves from threats in remote wilderness while preserving

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to parks, wildlife, water, and veterans. AB 1592 would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to partner with the California Indian Heritage Center support organization; supporters said it would help move the long-planned center forward with Native-led governance. AB 2216 would expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area and update its authority to better support watershed-scale conservation, climate resilience, workforce, tribal grants, and related projects. AB 1702 would expand state parks access for veterans, National Guard, reservists, and active duty service members by broadening eligibility for the Distinguished Veterans Pass and creating a discounted parks pass. AB 1673 would allow county fish and game commissions to use certain revenues to reimburse sheriffs for fish and wildlife enforcement and wildlife-conflict prevention, especially in rural counties with limited state enforcement presence. The committee also considered AB 1912, which would allow archery deer hunters to carry concealed firearms while hunting, aligning deer hunting rules with those already in place for other big game archery hunts. Supporters argued it would improve hunter safety in remote areas without harming wildlife enforcement, while opponents were not present. AB 1987 would dedicate revenues generated from state wildlife areas back to those areas for operations, maintenance, and habitat management; supporters said the areas are underfunded and need a stable funding source. All of these bills received due pass recommendations and were later approved by the committee, with AB 2216 passing 11-1 and the others passing 12-0. The most contested measure was AB 2630, which would give the State Water Resources Control Board emergency-style authority to make measurement and reporting changes for water diversions and use, with a five-year sunset. The author and supporters said the board needs flexibility to update the CalWATRS reporting system quickly as technology and conditions change. Water agencies, farm groups, and business groups opposed the bill, arguing it would bypass public input and could allow repeated emergency regulations affecting compliance and operations. After extended debate, the committee passed AB 2630 on an 8-4 vote. The committee also approved two consent items, AB 1804 and AB 2260, both unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parks and Recreation to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation
• . to develop the California Indian Heritage Center as a place for cultural preservation, learning, exchange
• 8,000 small and mid-sized family farmers in California and has worked for more than 45 years to preserve
• AB 1912 ensures that all hunters can defend themselves from threats in remote wilderness while preserving

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It improves compliance and strengthens the workforce pipeline and preserves, in the process, local control
• It improves compliance and strengthens the workforce pipeline and preserves in the process local control
• Pipeline and preserves, in the process, local control.
• That preservation and local control is critical to communities like ours.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began by welcoming a new Senate Page, Caleb Williams of Shelley, who introduced himself and answered a few light questions about his plans after graduation. The committee then approved minutes from February 10, 12, 16, and 17, 2026, by voice vote. The main action item was Senate Bill 1317, which would create regional service centers to help school districts and charter schools share special education-related staff and services, especially in rural areas. The sponsor and department staff said the bill is intended to reduce duplication, improve compliance with IDEA, strengthen recruitment and retention of specialists, and preserve local control. Testimony from superintendents, teachers, parents, advocates, and others was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing high costs for contracted services, staffing shortages, and the benefits of shared regional models. Senator Zito raised concerns about the $1 million fiscal note, the use of real property, and the lack of clarity about how many centers would be created and where they would be located. After discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1317 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion passed with Senator Zito voting no. Following that, the committee received informational presentations on two Idaho education programs: District 91’s PASS program in Idaho Falls, a tiered behavior-support model for young students, and Kootenai Classical Academy’s classical education model, including its curriculum, character education, and strong literacy results. The meeting adjourned at the scheduled hard stop.

Transcript Highlights:

• including wild animals, birds, and fish, are the property of the state of Idaho and they will be preserved
• Adopted in the final months of the Clinton administration, the rule aimed to help preserve remaining
• Those protections preserve wildlife corridors for grizzly bears, elk, and wolves.
• The rule of balance preservation and sustainable use.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee received an update from Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on agency performance, funding, access programs, wolf management, nonresident deer and elk tag sales, and a planned elk depredation response in the Big Willow area. He reported strong results on fish stocking, public access acreage, website traffic, and staff retention, while noting a slightly elevated violation rate and ongoing challenges with wolf harvest due to a federal trapping injunction. Members asked about elk translocation sites, survival, depredation claim funding, and public communication; Fredericks said the department would follow up on some funding questions and emphasized that the elk project is intended to reduce agricultural damage through a mix of translocation and removal. The committee then heard an American Falls FFA presentation on the 2001 roadless rule and its rescission, staged as a mock court case. Students presented arguments that the rule protects watersheds, wildlife habitat, tribal interests, and recreation economies, while the defense argued rescission would improve forest health, wildfire response, and economic opportunity through more flexible management. Committee members praised the students’ preparation and presentation. Later, the committee considered several measures. RS 33185 was held over at the sponsor’s request. RS 33168, asking state agencies to apply the Supreme Court’s Sackett wetlands standards, and RS 33194, recognizing county consultation authority in federal projects, were both introduced. House Bill 587, providing spending authority for the Department of Agriculture’s grazing improvement program, received testimony in support from the Western Landowners Alliance and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HCR 26, expressing support for wildlife crossings where locally supported, also received supportive testimony from the Idaho Wildlife Federation and Idaho Sportsmen, Access and Opportunity; despite some opposition and recorded no votes from several members, it passed the committee and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Changes to the program should be considered cautiously to preserve investment certainty and policy intent
• Tolio, and that made a number of changes to that program but preserved the same basic scope in that it
• It preserves some of the existing provisions in terms of what member producer fees can be used for by
• this new organization, and it also preserves Ecology's ability to adopt rules and enforce program requirements

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2436, a technical fix to Washington’s oil tanker escort tug requirements in Puget Sound waters. The bill would require escort tugs to have either horsepower equal to 5% of the tanker’s deadweight tonnage or 3,000 horsepower, whichever is greater. Rep. Lekanoff and the Washington State Board of Pilotage Commissioners said the change aligns statute with existing rules and industry practice and supports protection of the Salish Sea and southern resident killer whales. No opposition was raised, and the hearing was closed without action at that point. The committee then heard House Bill 2322, which changes Clean Fuels Program rules and tax incentives for alternative jet fuel. Supporters, including Rep. Dent, Sky Energy, 12, and the City of Moses Lake, said the bill would provide certainty for large-scale sustainable aviation fuel investment by changing the trigger for tax incentives and clarifying that certain renewable electricity, including hydro, can count as zero carbon. Ecology opposed the bill’s treatment of electricity accounting, saying it would weaken incentives for new renewable generation and could reduce the clean fuels program’s emissions benefits. U.S. Oil asked for additional clarification or changes to allow Pierce County participation or define “blender.” No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. In executive session, the committee passed several bills. Substitute House Bill 2343, dealing with discharge permits for publicly owned animal facilities, passed 21-0. Proposed second substitute House Bill 1420, creating a textile and apparel coordinating organization for a needs assessment, passed 12-9. House Bill 2426, allowing Pollution Control Hearings Board appeals to be heard by a single member or alternative panel by agreement, passed 19-2. Substitute House Bill 2271, expanding post-consumer recycled content requirements for certain plastic products, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2215, adjusting Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier thresholds, passed 12-9. Substitute House Bill 2421, restricting 6PPD and certain substitutes in tires, passed 11-9 with one excused after an amendment to exempt rural eastern Washington was rejected. Action on House Bill 2301 and House Bill 2296 was deferred to a later meeting due to time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• strengthens alignment with Washington's greenhouse gas reduction goals at the facility level, it does not preserve
• And so I think what's most important for the state of Washington is to preserve the ability to treat
• I think what's important is that whatever we do, even if we link, that we preserve our flexibility here
• working with you to ensure policy changes affecting EITEs under the CCA must, at the very least, preserve

Bills: HB2537, HB2245, HB2296

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, 904, all