Video & Transcript : 'flood disclosure' :
Page 170 of 387
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- deleting the current statutory language that requires Form 10 be filed with individuals' financial disclosures
- The amendment 300312 historically, financial disclosure filers would choose to report income assets based
- The Amendment 30312, historically, financial disclosure filers would choose to report income assets based
- Historically, financial disclosure filers would choose to report income and assets based on either a
- During the implementation of electronic filing, the filing disclosures and the option to report based
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills.
Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package.
The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-12 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- deleting the current statutory language that requires Form 10 be filed with individuals' financial disclosures
- The amendment 300312 historically, financial disclosure filers would choose to report income assets based
- The Amendment 30312, historically, financial disclosure filers would choose to report income assets based
- Historically, financial disclosure filers would choose to report income and assets based on either a
- During the implementation of electronic filing, the filing disclosures and the option to report based
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Mar 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This lack of disclosure falls within the pattern I described earlier, in which the authority advocates
- That would be looking through their disclosure documents.
- That would be looking through their disclosure documents.
- We looked at 125 disclosures from 125 different firms, and we identified 12 instances we were concerned
- That needs to be on their disclosure form. I see.
Summary:
The Assembly Transportation Committee held an oversight hearing on California High-Speed Rail, focusing on the authority’s supplemental project update report and the newly released 2026 draft business plan. Committee leaders emphasized transparency, the project’s funding challenges, and the need for clear answers on costs, schedule, and scope. The High-Speed Rail Authority said the project has made major progress in the Central Valley, including substantial construction completion, right-of-way acquisition, and railhead development, and highlighted over $14 billion in savings from a rebased project plan, plus an additional $2 billion in savings in the draft business plan. The authority also said it expects to begin laying track by the end of the year and continues to pursue private-sector partnerships and clean-energy opportunities.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Inspector General both raised concerns about whether the current funding plan is sufficient and whether the authority has clearly identified the timing of future expenditures versus revenues. The LAO said the project likely still faces a funding gap for Merced-to-Bakersfield once financing costs and the loss of $4 billion in federal funds are considered, and warned that cap-and-invest revenues are volatile and may not be well suited for borrowing without additional safeguards. The Inspector General said the authority still has not provided a precise funding plan, estimated the project is about two years away from lacking funds on hand to stay on schedule, and urged lawmakers to focus on financing costs, procurement timing, schedule risks, and distinguishing true cost cuts from scope changes.
Members questioned the authority about proposed statutory changes, including CEQA and permitting streamlining, court resources, third-party process changes, sales tax exemptions on materials, and expanded land-use/value-capture tools. They also pressed the authority on the loss of federal funds, the withdrawal of litigation over those funds, and whether the project’s revised savings depend on moving station locations away from downtown Merced and Bakersfield and on other scope changes such as more single-tracking and blended operations south of Palmdale. The authority said it is still committed to Merced-to-Bakersfield, believes the business plan shows a path to completion with sufficient funding, and will work with the Legislature on any needed changes before the final plan is submitted.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- This lack of disclosure falls within the pattern I described earlier, in which the authority advocates
- That would be looking through their disclosure documents.
- That would be looking through their disclosure documents.
- We looked at 125 disclosures from 125 different firms, and we identified 12 instances we were concerned
- That needs to be on their disclosure form. I see.
Committee:
House Transportation
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And if she's listening, she actually full disclosure, we act with all transparency here, Madam Chair.
- There has been a real trend in a lot of disclosure by students in the application process, both voluntary
- disclosure and required disclosure related to substance use, mental health issues, and process, both
- voluntary disclosure and required disclosure related to substance use, mental health issues, and other
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House bill proposes mandating environmental reviews for large-scale feedlot facilities Apr 9th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- inconsistent and often below-cost milk prices and are being squeezed out by larger operations that can flood
- squeezed out by larger operations that squeezed out by larger operations that can<00:07:52.920><c> flood
- > market</c><00:07:53.680><c> with</c><00:07:53.800><c> cheap</c><00:07:54.200><c> cheaper</c> can flood
- the market with cheap cheaper can flood the market with cheap cheaper to<00:07:54.640><c> produce</c
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 04/08/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have since 2006 done 185,000 man days of state active duty in various things from battling floods
- > active duty in various things from active duty in various things from battling<00:27:17.720><c> floods
- </c><00:27:18.400><c> wildfires,</c><00:27:19.800><c> you</c><00:27:20.520><c> know,</c> battling floods
- , wildfires, you know, battling floods, wildfires, you know, just<00:27:21.120><c> yesterday</c><00:27
Summary:
The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants.
The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill.
The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee.
Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Literally in every storm, flood, or emergency that unfortunately all of us...
- Literally in every storm, flood, or emergency that unfortunately all of us in Louisiana are constantly
- you know, when you're talking about funding, you know, in the event of a post-hurricane or a post-flood
- Let's go back to the flood of 2016, or would you also have been able to react to, let's say, the explosion
Bills:
HB9 , HB10 , HB16 , HB44 , HB46 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB153 , HB164 , HB233 , HB242 , HB436 , HB455 , HB571 , HB594
Committee:
House Judiciary
Keywords:
HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, legal holiday, Acadia Parish
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- communication systems, and the goal of the code is to protect the school buildings against wind and flood
- buildings against protect the school buildings against wind<00:43:03.240><c> and</c><00:43:03.400><c> flood
- ><c> or</c><00:43:05.160><c> uh</c><00:43:05.320><c> possible</c><00:43:06.120><c> uh</c> wind and flood
- damage or uh possible uh wind and flood damage or uh possible uh collapse<00:43:06.760><c> from</c><
Committee:
Senate Labor
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (2-19-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- We had the flood issues. We had the shutdown issues.
- Um we had the flood<00:10:59.839><c> issues.
- :01.040><c> we</c><00:11:01.279><c> had</c><00:11:01.519><c> the</c><00:11:01.760><c> shutdown</c> flood
- Um we had the shutdown flood issues.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Aug 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- boots on the ground to thin and to do recovery and to prevent catastrophic fires and, of course, the floods
- Just recently, we had the floods that took place in Lalo, and those floods that really impacted us were
- fortunate to have the federal declaration that was given for us in the fires in Rio Doso and the floods
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Could we have figured out more comprehensive flood prevention?
- about the safety of children, this special session, the last special session, would have seen us do flood
- When they are used as polling locations, as shelters after fires and floods, when they receive public
- If God will send a flood because you tore down the confederate plaque.
Committee:
House State Affairs
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or other conveyance at a speed that creates an excessive wake on a flooded
- Again, Pinellas County Shore Acres, we were in a situation where folks are driving through flood waters
- At the age of 16, her phone flooded with messages from her friends about an altered depiction, and a
- At the age of 16, her phone flooded with messages from her friends about an altered depiction, and a
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week.
The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education.
Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- including things like 18-foot paved roads, built gendered bathroom facilities, and commercial-grade flood
- SOPA permits can also cost... ...and commercial-grade flood lighting as major operations.
- life-threatening disasters, and every year Californians are experiencing the impact of storms, fires, and floods
- And every year, Californians are experiencing the impact of storms, fires, and floods with increasing
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote.
The committee then approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0.
AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tax panel hears bill to create agricultural water quality property tax credit, HF363 3/19/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I understand soil type, depth to bedrock, weather, floods, droughts, climate projections, producer education
- understand soil type depth to bedrock I understand soil type depth to bedrock weather<00:24:36.000><c> floods
- </c><00:24:36.559><c> droughts</c><00:24:37.200><c> climate</c> weather floods droughts climate weather
- floods droughts climate projections<00:24:38.360><c> producer</c><00:24:39.120><c> education</c><00:
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- On the issue of what you can put in private ponds, the reason this matters is that in Arkansas flood
- matters in in private ponds reason this matters in in private ponds in in in Arkansas<00:14:08.399><c> flood
- ><c> came</c><00:14:09.399><c> in</c><00:14:10.000><c> and</c><00:14:10.279><c> Asian</c> Arkansas flood
- waters came in and Asian Arkansas flood waters came in and Asian carp<00:14:11.000><c> were</c><00:14
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 01:45
SB 245 Discussion 02:20
SB 245 Roll Call Vote 04:12
SB 112 Discussion 05:25
SB 8 Discussion 25:20, 958, all
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then took up Senate Bill 245, which would give the legislature more authority to review appointments to the Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission and clarify language about commissioners serving before confirmation. The sponsor said the bill was meant to allow a deeper background review and prevent unconfirmed appointees from voting on budget matters. The bill was adopted with a sub and title amendment, and Senator Boswell explained his yes vote as a way to ensure timely and proper confirmation votes in the future.
The committee then discussed Senate Bill 112, concerning fishing on privately owned lakes and ponds. Senator Boswell argued that landowners should be able to fish on their own property without a license and should control fish harvest on private waters, while still requiring permission for others to fish. Commissioner Rich Storm opposed the proposal, saying landowners already may fish on their property, warning that the bill could reduce fishing-license revenue and federal grant support, and noting the department’s work stocking fish, maintaining access, and funding conservation programs. Senator Webb said he was exploring possible compromise language, and other members raised concerns about pay lakes, youth access, and potential abuse of exemptions. Boswell ultimately withdrew the bill voluntarily, and the committee agreed not to vote on it that day.
Finally, the committee heard a discussion-only presentation on Senate Bill 8, focused on long-term energy policy and the role of the Public Service Commission. The sponsor said Kentucky needs a broader energy strategy to address growing demand from new industries such as large data centers, grid capacity limits, and the need for expertise and possibly different pay scales to recruit qualified staff. Members responded positively to the discussion, noting the importance of the PSC and the need for continued work on the issue, but no vote was taken.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-18-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- Particularly, I was in the mountains yesterday and my district gets flooded a little later than everybody
- /c><00:31:43.920><c> gets</c> yesterday and my my district gets yesterday and my my district gets flooded
- c> little</c><00:31:45.480><c> later</c><00:31:46.080><c> than</c><00:31:46.280><c> everybody</c> flooded
- a little later than everybody flooded a little later than everybody else.<00:31:47.080><c> But</c><00
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 28, which would create a framework for the $5 million in agricultural economic development funding included in the 2024 budget. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified that the bill is intended to support agriculture-focused economic development, especially processing and further processing projects, by giving the Department of Agriculture tools to identify opportunities, convene partners, and offer incentives. He emphasized the role of the new economic development division in the department and said the effort is meant to complement, not replace, the work of the state Economic Development Cabinet.
Shell and several senators described the bill as a rural development tool aimed at helping smaller communities attract projects that fit their scale. He cited examples such as poultry processing, grain and elevator operations, milling, and specialty crop ventures, arguing that local processing can create jobs, strengthen markets for farmers, and keep more value in Kentucky. Senators discussed the need for return-on-investment metrics and clawback provisions for unsuccessful projects, and Shell said the framework includes those concepts. He also said the department is working on opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and other markets that could bring more acres into production.
Members also raised questions about small-farm innovation, raw milk, and direct-to-consumer opportunities. Shell said raw milk testing and related consumer protection issues are more closely tied to the University of Kentucky and the department’s consumer/environmental protection functions than to the bill’s economic development focus, but he said the department can help expand small-farm programs such as Kentucky Proud, Buy Local, KOAP, CAP, food-as-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. The discussion also turned to beef processing and feedlot development, with Shell saying Kentucky wants a beef processor but first needs to prove it can feed cattle at scale; he said changing conditions in western states could create an opening for Kentucky if it can build the necessary supply chain.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee Jul 15th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- data protection have been around for decades now, as well as issues related to transparency and disclosures
- In 2025, Texas passed HB 149, which requires disclosure of AI systems to consumers and prohibits certain
- laws to guide the use of deepfakes in elections and political messaging, and really focused on disclosure
- To say that we do not have any suggestions about non-disclosure agreements.
- There are varying reasons for non-disclosure agreements.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Continuing Care Retirement Communities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- refund process, rental, the types of contracts that are out there, the refund process, any financial disclosure
- statements or other disclosure statements that are related to the community.
- They have full disclosure into our financial statements and how we run the buildings.
Summary:
The Special Commission on Continuing Care Retirement Communities held a public hearing focused on studying CCRCs in Massachusetts, including their financial viability, consumer protections, oversight, entrance fee and refund policies, advertising, and procedures for closure or ownership changes. Chair Rep. Tom Stanley and co-chair Sen. Pat Jehlen opened by explaining the commission’s mandate under Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 and asked speakers to keep testimony brief. Several commissioners and staff also emphasized the importance of hearing directly from residents, providers, and advocates.
Resident testimony largely centered on two themes: the need for stronger resident representation and the need for clearer, faster refund protections. Multiple residents urged the legislature to require resident seats on governing boards, including full voting rights on national or nonprofit boards, and to make board minutes and meetings more transparent. Several speakers described long delays in receiving entrance-fee refunds after leaving a community, with one family reporting an 18-month wait and financial hardship; they called for a one-year refund limit, vacancy-order systems, escrow or reserve protections, and state oversight or guarantee funds. One resident also argued that CCRCs should be more clearly defined in state law and possibly licensed or certified so only approved communities can market themselves as CCRCs.
Providers and operators generally described CCRCs as valuable models for aging in place and emphasized transparency, resident engagement, and the benefits of nonprofit ownership. Speakers from nonprofit communities said residents often serve on boards or committees, participate in budgeting and planning, and benefit from integrated care, amenities, and financial stability. A for-profit operator also said residents receive disclosure and input, while noting that CCRCs vary widely and that consumer education is important. Commissioners echoed several recurring issues at the end of the hearing, especially the need to define what a CCRC is and to address refund timelines and information sharing. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with notice that the next virtual meeting would be on June 23 at 10:00 a.m., and written testimony was invited by email.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences May 6th, 2026
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- a specific exemption that applies, and that the PRA is a strongly worded mandate for the broad disclosure
- The disclosure requirements of the PRA are liberally construed by the judiciary, and any exemption is
- produced in response to lawful public records requests unless covered by a statutory exemption to disclosure
Summary:
The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 6, 2026, with quorum present and unanimously approved the October 21, 2025 minutes. The Attorney General’s Office then provided its annual open government refresher, covering key points of the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including broad disclosure requirements, records retention, response timelines for public records requests, and rules for meetings, special meetings, emergency meetings, and executive sessions.
JLARC staff gave a 2026 legislative session update on tax preference bills. They highlighted 20 bills affecting tax preferences, including repeal of the coal-related sales and use tax exemption, changes to data center exemptions, new property tax exemptions for renewable energy facilities and land bank authorities, and a broad tax package in engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6346 that created multiple credits, deductions, and exemptions. Staff also presented the 2026 expedited tax preference review report covering 64 preferences, noting it is based on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies and is now available in an interactive searchable format.
The commission approved the 2026 public testimony questions without changes and then adopted the 2027–2036 tax preference review schedule, along with a new rolling 10-year schedule that will be updated each May. During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about how preferences are prioritized for full review versus expedited review, especially for older or high-revenue preferences without performance statements, and staff explained that legislative mandates, expiration dates, and workload constraints drive the schedule. The meeting also included a public and staff recognition of Commissioner Grant Forsyth’s 13 years of service and leadership, with remarks praising his collaborative approach and long tenure; the next meeting was set for August 4, 2026.