Transcript Highlights:

• The ecosystem services work group and the trust land performance assessment, both funded previously by
• cut, with the frequency of timber harvests, or the amount of timber jobs that would be necessary to perform
• of those, in statute, it's required to go to the Board of Natural Resources for them to do that evaluation
• By June of 2035, Ecology would need to submit a report evaluating the pilot process with recommendations
• reports during the settlement negotiations and claims process and directs the Department of Ecology to evaluate

Bills: HB2170 , HB2544 , HB2578

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we have is essentially a sufficiently large sample to evaluate our trends, even if we know that
• So what we have is essentially a sufficiently large sample to evaluate our trends, even if we know that
• We are supporting currently several evaluations regarding what works in improving recruitment.
• Denver publishes performance measures for homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations.
• Baltimore tracks investigative workload and the performance of civilian investigators.

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those forecasts are tracking well and are performing well.
• While we might have been evaluating large storage options, like 200-plus thousand acre-feet, at the beginning
• The ultimate impacts of that would depend on market performance.
• of all the analysis we received, as well as some of the sample goals and policy perspectives for evaluating
• of all the analysis we received, as well as some of the sample goals and policy perspectives for evaluating

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• within this area, the subject area, which are more effective to kind of get an understanding and an evaluation
• And that past performance, notwithstanding that we've got changes in costs and labor and other factors
• analysis through LEO2 that had talked about the Encampment Resolution Fund having some of the lowest performance
• evolving agency staff to become licensing specialists, and lead our departments in continuously evaluating
• the reorganization proposal itself, it's, of course, difficult for the legislature to do a full evaluation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Commission performs a preliminary study of each of these 10-year site plans and determines whether
• So, Commission performs a preliminary study of each of these 10-year-side plans and determines whether
• So it's something we need to look at and evaluate. May I have a follow-up or a second question?
• at major capacity congestion relief projects, we're an integral part of the data collection and evaluation
• like major capacity congestion relief projects we're an integral part of the data collection and evaluation

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• It suggested that the task force would evaluate any pilot programs for energy storage that was written
• I was suggesting that the task force should evaluate the use of indexing storage credits.
• I was suggesting that the task force should evaluate the use of indexing storage credits.
• But again, we've not evaluated that.
• But again, we've not evaluated that.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be the new baseline, so they would be performing against that standard.
• That wraps up the first performance component.
• So that wraps up the first kind of performance component.
• I do want to talk about, you mentioned 80% performance or the budget that was moving forward. 80% performance
• I know the agenda mentions that it's 11% performance.

Summary: The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration. The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work. A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program. The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have successfully transitioned from initial planning into active operational evaluation.
• We have about $4.71 million remaining to complete this evaluation process through next summer.
• So the big part of this current addition of staff are policy analysts and program evaluators.
• There might be directives to do an evaluation of a particular program.
• There might be directives to do an evaluation of a particular program.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• that this legislation would prohibit us from identifying networks or incentives, even for high-performing
• that this legislation would prohibit us from identifying networks or incentives, even for high-performing
• ... ...us from identifying networks or incentives, even for high-performing either physicians or clinics
• The director has to evaluate and say yay or nay on whether our board members are acceptable.

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Committee for Insurance met with a quorum and first took up three bills in executive session. House Bill 2902 was amended with a committee substitute that removed the commission language while keeping provisions on software and key-emulating devices, and members confirmed it still included a Class D felony penalty. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass, with one member voting no. House Bill 1789, dealing with delivery network companies and insurance coverage during the delivery availability period, was also amended and adopted; the substitute clarified that the availability period is not commercial activity and that auto insurance applies until a driver is actually engaged in delivery. The committee then voted the bill do pass, with one no vote and one present. House Bill 1647 was amended to remove it from the collateral source rule section and clarify that it applies only to civil actions for damages and property claims; the substitute was adopted and the bill voted do pass, with several no votes recorded. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1894, which would implement federal nondiscrimination requirements for licensed health care providers in Missouri insurance law. The sponsor said the bill is about patient choice, fairness, and access, especially in rural areas, and does not expand scope of practice or require coverage of new services. Supporters from chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would ensure equal reimbursement for the same covered services and improve access to local providers. Opponents from the insurance industry argued the bill would interfere with network design, reduce negotiating leverage, and require equal payment regardless of provider type or credentials; they also said current federal law already governs network adequacy and that the bill’s rulemaking language was standard but the reimbursement mandate was the main concern. The committee also heard House Bill 3314, which updates Missouri’s insurance guaranty association laws. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill would clarify coverage for cyber policies, ensure coverage follows the policyholder in insurance business transfer or corporate division transactions, and allow limited pre-liquidation information sharing from the Department of Commerce and Insurance to guaranty associations so claims can be handled faster after insolvency. Witnesses said the bill is technical and intended to modernize the system without expanding coverage or increasing taxpayer exposure. Members asked about the $300,000 property and casualty claims cap, the definition of high-net-worth individual, oversight of guaranty associations, and confidentiality concerns; supporters said the cap is longstanding, high-net-worth means over $25 million, and the department’s existing oversight and confidentiality protections are sufficient. The hearing closed after a final supportive statement from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill directs FDOT to conduct a study to evaluate emerging technologies in railroad crossing safety
• What changed in 2012 is that the HVAC industry was illegally performing these replacements.
• issued a declaratory statement clarifying, based on their exclusion of piping, that they could not perform
• refrigerant, and they fall under the EPA regulations Section 608, meaning that refrigerant work must be performed

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• teaching resident depending on the district's or charter school's staffing needs and the resident's performance
• remedial action if the secretary has reasonable grounds to believe the member is willfully failing to perform
• remedial action if the secretary has reasonable grounds to believe the member is willfully failing to perform
• Gonzales, an act relating to public funds requiring state agencies to submit an accountability and evaluation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, data collected for one program may not provide enough information to evaluate eligibility for
• A scalable infrastructure and architecture, providing high-performance systems that are highly available
• While Cal HHS does not have the Resources to perform all of the duties that would have been included
• These services include retrofits such as insulation and high-performance windows. energy-efficient equipment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• STATEMENT ESTABLISHED OBJECTIVES, RISK CONSTRAINTS INVESTMENT OPTIONS AND BENCHMARKS TO MEASURE PERFORMANCE
• OUR INITIAL SCREEN EXPOSURE FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF THE LAW WE IDENTIFY 33 COMPANIES WITH A TOTAL EVALUATION
• RISK OF BEING BROADLY EXPOSED TO THE EQUITY MARKET AT A TIME WHEN RISING GEOPOLITICAL RISK MARKET PERFORMANCE
• BROADLY EXPOSED TO THE EQUITY MARKET AT A TIME WHEN RISING GEOPOLITICAL RISK MARKET PERFORMANCE AND

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, recent amendments affirm the County Board of Supervisors' authority to conduct performance
• evaluations... ...closing recent amendments affirm the County Board of Supervisors' authority to conduct
• performance evaluations of chief public defenders to ensure that they remain accountable under a county's
• established performance evaluation process.
• Officers' actions were not legally justified or otherwise performed in bad faith.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• These engaging performances make local music accessible to audiences of all ages.
• And then, on top of music, musical performances—think of it, you know, then some smaller pieces of pie
• , including dance performances, photography exhibits, plays, and commissions on historical exhibits.
• , including dance performances, photography exhibits, plays, and commissions on historical exhibits.
• , including dance performances, photography exhibits, plays, and commissions on historical exhibits.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them everything that they needed: names, contacts, details, a roadmap to find the baby and simply perform
• But often there's a reason we bring in social work to evaluate or consult.
• Not only that, but a prior neuropsychological evaluation on both parents showed that they were unfit
• This principle is simple: the state shouldn't have to wait for harm to occur before evaluating a newborn's

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from March 4, 6, and 11, 2026, and then heard Senate Bill 1256, a DOGE Task Force code cleanup measure requested by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to remove outdated statutory language about a 1990 report. The committee advanced SB 1256 to the floor with a due pass recommendation without opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 776, which would require the Department of Health and Welfare to rapidly verify and prioritize reports involving newborns and infants under one year old when there is a documented high-risk history, such as prior child abuse convictions, prior termination of parental rights, or prenatal substance exposure. Representative Tanner and multiple supporters framed the bill as a response to the death of “Baby Benji,” arguing it would not automatically remove children but would ensure quicker safety checks and better coordination with CPS, hospitals, and law enforcement. Several witnesses, including a hospital social worker, foster and adoptive parents, a psychologist, a police officer, and the child’s adoptive sibling’s mother, described delayed responses and said the bill could prevent future deaths. Opponents, including several committee members during debate, raised constitutional and due process concerns, arguing the bill could expand government authority, rely on prior history in a way they viewed as problematic, or amount to a reaction to a single tragic case. Supporters responded that the bill only speeds up existing child welfare procedures and does not authorize forced entry or automatic removal. After discussion, the committee adopted the motion to send HB 776 to the floor with a do pass recommendation by roll call vote of 12-4-4.

Transcript Highlights:

• Library boards set policy, oversee budgets, and hire and evaluate directors while remaining accountable
• Under the current law, one governing body hires and evaluates and holds the director accountable.
• It's just the level that the audit is performed at. All right, Senator Grow.
• it is if you could avoid your own personal income tax return being amended and then subsequently evaluated

Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills. House Bill 749, dealing with forced annexation and septic-system replacement in unique annexation situations, was presented as a property-rights compromise that would let a city pay for a new system or allow the homeowner to install one at their own expense. The committee moved HB 749 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and the motion carried. House Bill 661, which would allow small waste haulers to compete in counties with franchise agreements, also received a due pass recommendation and passed the committee. House Bill 715, which would require city council involvement in hiring or firing directors of city-owned libraries, drew strong opposition from library professionals and associations who warned it would politicize libraries and create conflicting lines of authority; supporters argued it would add accountability for taxpayer-funded positions. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to send HB 715 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1354, a major accessory dwelling unit (ADU) bill that would prevent cities over 5,000 population from banning ADUs, require by-right allowances for internal and detached ADUs, limit local restrictions on size, setbacks, parking, fees, and owner-occupancy rules, and extend HOA restrictions to ADUs unless owners consent in writing. Supporters, including AARP Idaho and the Idaho Home Builders Association, said it would expand housing options, help aging Idahoans and family caregivers, and increase supply. Opponents, including the Association of Idaho Cities, APA Idaho, and community association representatives, argued it was too preemptive, would strain infrastructure and parking, and should preserve more local control. The committee voted to send SB 1354 to the 14th order for possible amendment after a failed motion to hold it in committee. House Bill 733, a tax administration bill, would shift partnership audit handling to the partnership level rather than requiring amended returns from each individual partner, aligning Idaho with federal practice and other states. The sponsor and a CPA representative said it was a process change only, intended to reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency for both taxpayers and the Tax Commission. The committee sent HB 733 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved the minutes from February 26 and March 5 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• section on dredging and filling and the requirements that the dredging and turbidity monitoring be performed
• preserves the spirit and legacy of the Florida Community Trust, the FTC, by consolidating the project evaluations
• Plus, we’re expanding the individuals on that particular council so they could evaluate projects more
• Plus, we're expanding the individuals on that particular council so they could evaluate projects more

Bills: S0912 , S1196 , S1422 , S1510 , S7034

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: battery collection, battery stewardship, environment, recycling, hazardous waste, waste management, regulation, environmental protection, facilities, hazardous materials, coral reefs, natural resource, climate change, coastal flooding, solar facilities, wastewater treatment, nutrient reduction, land conservation, water conservation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several environmental bills and one appointment. SB 1422, as amended by a strike-all focused on coral reef protection and designating coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, was reported favorably after support from Audubon Florida was noted. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a DEP rule ratification related to minimum flows and levels for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and associated recovery strategy; witnesses from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates criticized the plan as too delayed and too dependent on a single future water project, while committee members raised questions about funding and utility responsibility. Despite concerns, the committee approved the bill as a committee bill, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next heard SB 1510, as amended, which made technical changes to DEP-related provisions including B-MAP notice and timing, septic system requirements in Florida Springs areas, biosolids, fees, land acquisition, and rulemaking procedures. The main public testimony came from the Florida Springs Council, which opposed the 60-day delay for B-MAP effectiveness as harmful to spring restoration, while DEP and others supported the measure. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 1196, a targeted siting bill restricting new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of large federally authorized water impoundment areas, with an amendment narrowing the practical effect to Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Supporters, including the City of Miramar, argued it would protect water resources and communities; opponents from the Florida Waste-to-Energy Coalition argued it would limit local waste-disposal options and could force more landfilling. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which would require battery stewardship organizations and related recycling plans to keep batteries out of the waste stream. Industry and recycling representatives supported the bill, citing growing battery volumes and fire risks at recycling facilities. The committee also recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. All measures were approved favorably except that Senator Smith voted against SPB 7034; the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The law provides that a law enforcement officer may not board any vessel or perform a vessel stop without
• It gives the commission the ability to evaluate all of it, not just saying, okay, if... ...there's harm
• So we're leaving it to the subject matter experts to say, okay, yes, they're going to evaluate all of
• So they evaluate all of these factors and not just look at it from a standpoint of vessel activity.

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• point between those two locations is a site where we could potentially invest in a thousand-seat performing
• The city of Vancouver brought have in our area for performing arts centers.
• self-supported assessment advisory group, which I'll refer to as the group, which was tasked with evaluating
• I've spent the last seven years working on the development of a 1,250-seat performing arts center here
• in Southwest Washington. ...of a 1,250-seat performing arts center here in Southwest Washington.

Summary: House Finance heard testimony on several tax and local government bills. HB 2278 would remove the July 1, 2027 expiration on the additional $3-per-room-night tourism promotion area lodging charge; supporters from destination marketing organizations said the revenue has produced strong returns for tourism and events, while questions were raised about how the local ordinances would continue. HB 2583 would lower the population threshold for cities to impose a higher lodging tax and expand authority for public facilities districts; the sponsor and Vancouver supporters said it would help fund a proposed performing arts center and other tourism investments, while hospitality, short-term rental, and some local advocates raised concerns about stakeholder input, equity, and whether the bill was too broad. HB 2224 would change how a city forming a single-city fire protection district handles levy reductions and would exempt part of one levy from the local tax limit; city and firefighter groups supported it as a needed tool for fire and EMS funding, while hospital districts and tax opponents warned about prorationing, governance, and higher taxes. HB 2325 would create a statewide tourism self-supported assessment program funded by participating tourism businesses; supporters from tourism, hospitality, wine, and brewing groups said it would provide a competitive, industry-driven statewide marketing program, while members questioned impacts on specific communities and the need for broader local benefits. HB 2431 would expand from 15 to 50 days the amount of fundraising activity allowed in nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places, and the Grange supported it as a practical way to keep community halls open. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session and advanced three bills. HB 2584, a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm equipment sold to eligible farmers, passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2610, which modifies the property tax exemption for nonprofit homeownership development, also passed 14-0 with one excused. HB 2615, which codifies the voluntary disclosure tax program and authorizes temporary tax amnesty, likewise passed 14-0 with one excused. The chair also announced a deadline for amendments on items to be acted on the following day.