Transcript Highlights:

• It’s difficult to have an auditable—well,” “The waters a lot.
• Thank you, Chair Mena, Ranking Member Waters, and committee members.
• Good afternoon, Chair Waters, myself. Good afternoon, Chair, Ranking Member Waters, myself.
• Good afternoon, Chair, Ranking Member Waters, myself.
• Waters. Thank you, Madam Chair. Rep. Stearns, thank you.

Summary: The committee opened with member introductions and then heard House Bill 2123, which would change Washington’s foreign-national certification requirements for election contributions and political advertising. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would only require certifications for campaigns or sponsors exceeding a $5,500 threshold, with an amendment raising that threshold to $6,000, which would largely limit the requirement to ballot measure activity. Prime sponsor Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon said the current paperwork burden makes campaigns harder without solving a real problem, and that his proposal would preserve protections where federal law does not already cover ballot measures. Testifiers supporting the bill, including campaign treasurers, said the certification requirement is burdensome and ineffective; one witness raised concern that a related repeal provision might unintentionally allow foreign participation in state elections, and staff/leadership indicated follow-up would occur. The hearing on HB 2123 was then suspended and later reopened with additional supportive testimony from campaign professionals and others before the committee moved on to other bills. The committee then took up House Bill 2210 on ranked-choice voting for local elections. Staff said the bill would replace the current top-two primary structure with a top-five process for jurisdictions using ranked-choice voting, allow counties and other local governments to adopt the system through 2032, and set ballot, tabulation, rulemaking, and public education requirements; Seattle would be exempt because it is already moving toward ranked-choice voting. Rep. Gregerson, the sponsor, framed the bill as a temporary tool to protect free and fair elections amid federal uncertainty and potential Voting Rights Act changes. Supporters from Fair Vote Washington, the Washington Bus, Sightline Institute, and others argued ranked-choice voting can improve representation, reduce vote splitting, and help young, military, overseas, and underrepresented voters. Opponents, including Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, county auditors, and several citizens, said the system is confusing, costly, harder to audit, and may increase ballot rejection or lower participation, especially among communities of color and voters with limited English proficiency. The committee heard extensive debate but took no final action during the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2411, which expands the state shared leave program to cover employees who are victims of hate crimes or whose absences stem from immigration enforcement actions affecting themselves or family members. Rep. Osman Salahuddin said the bill responds to real cases where state workers faced detention or family separation and could not use shared leave under current law. OFM, the Office of Equity, and the Washington Federation of State Employees supported the bill, describing it as a humane, low-cost way to help employees remain employed during traumatic disruptions. A Republican member asked whether the change would apply to people not legally present or working under a visa; witnesses said they believed it would not, or would be extremely unlikely, and would follow state hiring documentation requirements. The hearing then closed on HB 2411. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2281 on government-to-government consultation with tribes regarding state actions affecting tribal traditional cultural places. Staff said the bill would require mutually agreed consultation processes, timely notice, meaningful consultation before action, and a heightened legal standard requiring the state to show a compelling interest and least restrictive means if it would burden tribal cultural practices; tribes could sue in superior court. Rep. Chris Stearns said the bill is intended to protect Native identity, sacred sites, and religious practices from further loss, while tribal leaders and faith advocates strongly supported it as enforceable protection for sacred places and sovereignty. Some business and industry groups said they supported the goal but worried the bill’s broad definitions and cause of action could create permitting uncertainty, project delays, and significant costs, especially for clean energy and industrial projects. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2206, which would adopt the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; supporters said it would streamline absentee voting for overseas and military voters, while opponents argued it could allow never-residents or duplicate registrations and raised constitutional concerns. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Waters made the motion, and I'm going to entertain it. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?
• Seconded by Senator Waters. All in favor of consent? I. Any oppose? Seeing none.
• Seconded by Senator Waters. All in favor of consent? I. Any oppose? Seeing none.
• And Senator Waters has one, too. Okay. And so has this been moved? I've seconded it. What?
• And Senator Waters<00:25:48.000><c> has</c><00:25:48.159><c> one,</c><00:25:48.320><c> too.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dedication and Management of water rights placed in the Texas Water Trust Fund were further Committee
• AG 4646 by average be relating to the transfer of ownership rights for the Woodlawn and Water Supply
• AG 4657 by Barry ruling the establishment of local government water redevelopment fund for the Committee
• AG 4896 by Garcia Bear relating to the rules and reports related to the brackish water on ground.
• Water production zones are for the Committee of Natural Resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• The irony of this situation is that Lucy was doing what you love to do, be on the water.
• There are more boats on the water than ever before and with them more distractions.
• If you have been out in the water ever in what I call the chaos of Miami-Dade Rep.
• Lopez: County waters and even Monroe County waters where we traverse regularly. Fernandez is right.
• This will finally put a little bit of sensibility and responsibility on the water.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1900 by Leani relating to providing water to voters near a polling place, refer to the Committee on
• HB 1918 by Wally learning to cast a water sewer utility rate increases or for the Committee on Natural
• HB 2091 by Martinez relating to the proposition of financial assistance by the Texas Water Development
• A 2109 by Vandi relating to the removal of the proposed reservoir project for the state water plan or
• HB 2347 by Zwiener relating to the adoption of water conservation program by certain counties for the

Transcript Highlights:

• These Clean Water Act denials haven't been because of legitimate water quality impact concerns.
• </c><00:21:57.039><c> quality</c> protections of legitimate water quality protections of legitimate water
• FK already analyzes water concerns.
• It's also water, the quality of air.
• </c> requirement under the Clean Water Act. requirement under the Clean Water Act.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, December 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water and Land Committee, same recommendation.
• It's to It's for that water to be there.
• And these are waste waste water space.
• Same recommendation for Water Land. Thank you, sir.
• </c> Water Land. Water Land. Thank<01:10:20.480><c> you,</c><01:10:20.560><c> sir.

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• My left eye is watering today anyway, so if I lose it, you'll understand why.
• Water and sewer has to be available. Schools have to be available.
• Water and sewer has to be available. Schools have to be available.
• If there was some water, whatever, whatever, some environmental impact, then the environmental impact
• Members, stormwater and water quality issues have been rising for many, many years, and we're always

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns. The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• My left eye is watering today anyway, so if I lose it, you'll understand why.
• My left eyes watering today anyway, so if I lose it, you'll understand why.
• Water and sewer has to be available. Schools have to be available.
• Water and sewer has to be available. Schools have to be available.
• If there was some water, whatever, whatever, some environmental impact, then the environmental impact

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Should we be using produce water?
• I would love for us to get those new sources of water for industrial uses.
• It's 100% paid for by the developer, not ratepayers We're closed loop water system.
• Again, that water system is a closed loop water system.
• You know, for water operators.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:34.800><c> carrying</c> sites, place names, and waters carrying sites, place names, and waters
• Now, all the water and the air is all being destroyed.
• </c> millions acres of land, forest, water. millions acres of land, forest, water.
• Now,<00:53:33.760><c> all</c><00:53:33.920><c> the</c><00:53:34.240><c> water</c><00:53:34.640><c> and
• and the air is all Now, all the water and the air is all being<00:53:36.079><c> destroyed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As trees planted by streams of living waters, may we extend our roots, ourselves, our energy, our work
• Joseph was told he'd been working in 6 to 8 feet of water, but he was found in 20t of water with his
• He was pulled from the water with no pulse and not breathing. Again, no one on site, no CPR.
• </c><00:22:38.400><c> when</c> makes loud noise under the water when makes loud noise under the water
• So, I didn't like four feet of water.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In July We had 31 inches of rain, 42 houses underneath the water, 31 cars so.
• With this being a water session, water heavy session and myself having filed about a dozen water bills
• My constituents already have to fight Austin and San Antonio for the water we have.
• Water It is that simple.
• Let's get our water protected with that. I close.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ashley Myers, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Water Companies.
• I'm the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Water Companies.
• Currently, the water and sewer industry is facing a serious workforce shortage.
• When someone's upset about their water bill, that's where you see that conflict.
• For you, were these people assaulted because they worked for the water company?

Bills: HB316, HB353, HB 1160, HB1414, HB1422, HB1443, HB1713, HB1789, HB1902, HB2073, HB2666, HB2695, HB316

Keywords: motor fuel, criminal offense, metering device, organized crime, Texas Penal Code, trespassing, school safety, day-care centers, education, trespass, public safety, utility employees, criminal penalties, assault, harassment, public duties, safety, law enforcement, driving offenses, license regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• You take this bottle of water that's in front of me here.
• If you only had one bottle of water to go around for 100 people, that bottle of water is going to be
• Water Control District, Indian River County.
• Cola, Water and Sewer District, Franklin County.
• This legislation is especially critical because it finally gives the utility use. water.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're providing free water at entertainment events in this bill.
• will be bottled water at $10 a bottle.
• for water will be bottled<00:35:43.040><c> water</c><00:35:43.280><c> at</c><00:35:43.599><c> $10</c
• We worked bottled water at $10 a bottle.
• </c> the basic public health need of water. the basic public health need of water.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so we are clarifying reporting requirements, establishing water reporting, requiring energy and water
• You know, uh, are we water use in operations by 15%. Um water use in operations by 15%.
• Uh access to energy and water audits.
• </c> requirements establishing water requirements establishing water reporting<01:22:14.719><c> requiring
• </c> improvements, for example, or water improvements, for example, or water conservation<01:23:15.840

Bills: HF3477, HF3480, HF3781, HF3357, HF3737, HF3664, HF3621

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, immigration enforcement, economic impact, Operation Metro Surge, study, appropriation, local government, Legislative Commission on Legislative Security, legislator security, elected official security, staff security, statehouse security, capitol security, legislative district safety, political violence prevention, threat assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have either a chilling system that uses refrigerant from a water, you know, a water closed-loop
• </c> systems, but they are don't use water. systems, but they are don't use water.
• you know a refrigerant um from a water you know a water<00:26:59.520><c> clos</c><00:26:59.840><c> loop
• clos loop system which is a maybe water clos loop system which is a maybe less<00:27:02.240><c> water
• </c><00:27:08.159><c> that</c> using groundwater or river water that using groundwater or river water

Bills: HF3296, HF3802

Keywords: energy conservation, data centers, electric sales, energy optimization, utility regulations, energy regulation, certificate of need, renewable energy, power production, energy efficiency, Minnesota statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:07.520><c> and</c> authority and the board of water and authority and the board of water and
• and Soil Resources water storage grants.
• We'd have cleaner water.
• We'd have cleaner water. less asthma. We'd have cleaner water.
• </c> local governments for their storm water local governments for their storm water management<01:43

Bills: HF3556

Keywords: community solar, energy, solar power, renewable energy, Melissa Hortman, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 69, Waste and Storm Water Infrastructure Study, sponsored by Water. >> Senate File 69 having
• </c> Senate file 69 waste and storm water Senate file 69 waste and storm water infrastructure<00:28:33.760
• Senate File 84, voluntary water conservation program sponsored by Water. >> Senator Hicks. >> Mr.
• </c><01:40:27.679><c> So</c> water. So maybe I'm out of order. So water. So maybe I'm out of order.
• </c> it will come out of water account one. it will come out of water account one.

Keywords: 916, all