Transcript Highlights:

• See if I can do this technology the right way.
• I also want to thank the State House singers for being willing partners in this three-way swap.
• Members, earlier today the committee on ways and means reported favorably on House Bill 952, which is
• The bill is referred to the committee on ways and means pursuant to House Rule 35A pending its entry
• a runaway child enticing or harboring a runaway child with<00:36:25.280><c> the</c><00:36:25.440><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee has been very united in a bipartisan way and doing everything we can to help military
• So we've lost a significant number of providers that way.
• We work very hard to try to find a way to say yes for everybody.
• Not a whole lot, but more are on the way.
• Oh, by the way, is good of the order. I just have a quick comment, if I may, Senator Wagner.

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> call of many challenges thrown our way call of many challenges thrown our way we<00:44:11.000><c
• operations at our harbors.
• , ensuring uninterrupted operations at our harbors.
• operations at our harbors.
• , ensuring uninterrupted operations at our harbors.

Transcript Highlights:

• And today’s bill is a bill to honor the arts through woodworking in Lake County at Two Harbors in the
• They're actively encouraging participation from the residents of Two Harbors and the surrounding area
• For the presentation, you do have a beautiful area up there in Lake County and Two Harbors.
• As schools and rural areas face budget constraints, this also allows our FFA members to find ways to
• For FFA members, agriculture is more than an industry; it's a passion, a way of life, and a legacy.

Bills: HF2411 , HF2471 , HF1440 , HF1393 , HF1631 , HF1259 , HF280 , HF1281 , HF1459

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'll point out Gig Harbor and Sumner today and show just this map of the city of Gig Harbor.
• We're actively working with Gig Harbor on an interlocal agreement.
• But that's the way it is.
• I think that would... ...go a long way to helping address this problem as well.
• And short of finding a way around that, we have to be as efficient as possible.

Summary: The committee held a work session on local government issues, beginning with an update from the State Building Code Council on four legislatively mandated code amendments now in CR-102 rulemaking: temporary emergency shelters, reduced minimum dwelling unit size, multiplex housing up to three stories and six units, and single-exit apartment buildings up to six stories. Council staff also described a separate embodied-carbon appendix proposal that remains under public review, with testimony both supporting and opposing it. Members asked about the rationale for some of the code limits, including the restriction on connecting multiplex buildings. The committee then heard a panel on annexations from MRSC, Pierce County, and the Association of Washington Cities. Witnesses reviewed annexation methods, including petition, election, and interlocal agreement approaches, and said larger annexations are increasingly using interlocal agreements because they can address infrastructure, revenue sharing, and public process concerns. They described barriers such as inconsistent local standards, the cost of infrastructure, referendum risk, census requirements, and the difficulty of persuading residents and local officials to support annexation. Members asked about the five-year restriction on residential zoning changes in one annexation method and whether a hearing examiner could reduce political pressure on local decision-makers. A second panel discussed subdivision reform. The Master Builders Association urged raising the short-plat threshold within urban growth areas to 30 lots as a simpler first step, citing permitting delays and added housing costs. The City of Spokane described implementation problems with recent housing laws, including uncertainty about how to review plats under HB 1110, lot-splitting administration, and added notice requirements for unit lot subdivisions. AWC said there was broad agreement that subdivision decisions should be more administrative, but public hearings remained a point of disagreement. The committee also heard from FutureWise, the Washington State Association of Counties, and Lewis County on county development regulation and enforcement, with witnesses emphasizing underfunded code enforcement, inconsistent standards between counties and cities, and the need for better coordination, incentives, and possibly stronger enforcement tools. No votes were taken; the chair said the committee would continue working on possible solutions in future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was talking to some members of the business community in Grays Harbor County after last session about
• We'd like to see a way forward, and we have a proposal for that.
• My name is Darren Rains, and I'm here on behalf of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.
• What we have concerns with is the way that House Bill 2373 funds this response.
• And I wanted to clarify, it seems like there's been multiple ways to read the bill.

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on three bills. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with unanimous agreement of the parties, to use alternative board compositions for appeals, including a single member or other qualified environmental adjudicators, so long as one member is a Washington-licensed attorney and the panel has environmental law expertise. The bill sponsor and supporters from business and conservation groups said it was a narrow, consensus-based change intended to improve efficiency and predictability. ELUHO’s director supported the concept but flagged technical issues in the bill language about attorney and Growth Management Hearings Board member qualifications. HB 2416 would provide no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act to Spokane’s waste-to-energy facility, which is not currently covered until the second compliance period. Supporters, including Spokane officials, labor, and local partners, said the facility protects a sole-source aquifer, provides waste disposal and electricity for about 13,000 homes, and faces large compliance costs that could raise rates and threaten jobs. Opponents from environmental groups and Ecology argued the bill would give the facility preferential treatment, subsidize most of its emissions through 2050, and fail to ensure real emissions reductions; AWB raised concern about market impacts if new allowances are added. No vote was taken. HB 2373 would require electric utilities to offer monthly bill discount programs with tiered income levels, expanded outreach and enrollment, and updated reporting on low-income energy assistance. The sponsor said the bill is meant to make assistance more consistent and accessible statewide, while utilities and rural co-ops warned it could create unfunded mandates and significant rate increases for non-low-income customers, especially in smaller systems. Supporters from community action agencies, Commerce, and some utilities said monthly assistance is needed because energy burdens are rising and current programs are patchwork, though several urged pairing the bill with state funding or amendments. The committee heard extensive testimony but took no final action on any of the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• it would be a great experience for other people to be able to complete their public service in that way
• and Thank you. opportunity to defend the rest of the statute, which includes harboring and transporting
• challenge has been, and I get alerts on my phone anytime there's an arrest related to these, but the way
• But the way it currently reads is it says everything all at once.
• The way it is now, the temporary rules expire sine die, but the pending rule most of the time doesn't

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So specifically, in order to understand what this bill does, we have to look all the way back to 2012
• So specifically, in order to understand what this bill does, we have to look all the way back to 2012
• They will get safe harbor if they... ...is deemed to be inappropriate.
• They will get safe harbor if they follow the guidelines and procedures under 1201.1.
• And that way I can make sure that my rights are protected. I have no damages, but yet here I am.

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have figured out a way to do this.
• is that not only Marbella but my other clients would like to rely on the basically de minimis safe harbor
• to divide it up smaller so it makes sense this is just the minimum if you a facility, so there's no way
• We've shown that this safe harbor is more or less a mile.
• And the idea of this one-mile safe harbor has been in place since the beginning of the recharge program

Committee: House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water considered several water and energy measures. Senate Bill 1202, which requires the Arizona Department of Water Resources director to include additional information on each groundwater basin in the five-year water supply and demand assessment, was described as similar to a bill vetoed in a prior session. After brief discussion, it was passed with a do pass recommendation by a 6-3 vote. Senate Bill 1418, dealing with small modular nuclear reactors, would limit county regulation in certain cases, expand siting definitions, raise the megawatt threshold for plant regulation, and allow replacement of existing thermal units with SMRs without a new certificate in specified circumstances. Members noted it contained language from previously vetoed bills, but it also passed 6-3 with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Concurrent Memorial 1007, which urges Congress to divest the federal government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the San Carlos Irrigation Project Electric System and provide funding for a system study and improvements. Testimony from the sponsor and Arizona Municipal Power Users Association emphasized the system’s unreliability, aging infrastructure, and support from multiple local and federal entities for transferring control. The memorial passed unanimously, 9-0, with a do pass recommendation. Finally, Senate Bill 1785 would codify in statute a Department of Water Resources policy on the area of impact for recovery wells associated with underground storage facilities, generally reflecting a one-mile safe harbor unless a hydrologic study shows a different impact area. Supporters said the bill would provide certainty for permit applicants and align statute with long-standing department practice; DWR testified neutral and said it would like to work on technical language changes. The bill passed with a do pass recommendation by a 7-3 vote. House Senate Bill 1287 was held for additional information and no action was taken on it.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I'll start off and then we'll go one way I'll start off and then we'll go one way and<00:13:29.920
• </c><00:21:51.080><c> and</c> first term was on ways and first term was on ways and means<00:21:52.919
• </c><00:25:10.200><c> and</c> second term on ways and second term on ways and means<00:25:12.840><c>
• </c><00:32:44.840><c> and</c> uh third term second time on Ways and uh third term second time on Ways
• And in some ways, you're not able to mirror it the same way while maintaining the same tax structure

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Ways and Means Committee orientation led by Chair John Janigian. Members went around the room introducing themselves, with several returning legislators and several freshmen describing their backgrounds in business, education, public service, finance, transportation, journalism, military service, and nonprofit work. Janigian explained his own legislative history and professional background, and other members, including Bill Bolton, Fred Doucette, Mary Ford, Jim Tierney, Scott Brier, Thomas Oppel, Mary Murphy, Representative Spar, Susan Elberger, Dennis Malloy, Jordan Ulery, and Julius Soti, briefly described their prior experience and reasons for serving on the committee. The chair then outlined the committee’s role. He said Ways and Means is responsible for revenue estimates that Finance will use to determine how much the state can spend over the next biennium, and that the committee would spend the next five to six weeks developing its best revenue estimate, due around February 15. He also explained that the committee hears from state agencies and departments about how taxes are created, collected, and performing against expectations, and that it reviews bills affecting state revenue, including tax increases, tax decreases, tax removals, and fee-related measures. Janigian noted that the committee had five bills at the time of the meeting and expected more to be referred. He explained that most would be first-committee bills, though some second-committee bills could come over if they involved taxes or fees after passing policy committees. He used marijuana-related legislation as an example of a bill that might first go to another committee and later reach Ways and Means if it had fiscal implications. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and members were told how to participate in hearings and follow-up questions during regular committee work.

Transcript Highlights:

• KH, Deputy Director of Transportation for Harbors.
• </c> Department of Transportation Harbor Department of Transportation Harbor improvements<00:27:58.919
• for Harbors this is one<00:28:09.200><c> of</c><00:28:09.320><c> the</c><00:28:09.399><c> bills</c><
• I want to note that the Department of Transportation, specifically the harbor division, has their own
• I want to note that the Department of Transportation, specifically the harbor division, has their own

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard a 10 a.m. agenda covering a range of transportation, liability, harbor, and bicycle-related bills. Testimony was mixed on several measures: HB 263, which would exempt full-time college students from vehicle weight tax, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and others; HB 135, authorizing general obligation bonds to purchase property on the North Shore of Oʻahu, had support; HB 860, granting immunity to the state or county for repairs on roads with disputed jurisdiction, drew support from DOT, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu but opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice; and HB 996, which would abolish joint and several liability for government entities in highway-related civil actions, also drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice and support from the Attorney General’s office and DOT. The committee also heard HB 1167, an emergency appropriation for motor carrier enforcement, and HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study before reducing speed limits within 10 mph of the current limit; both had support from DOT and related groups. HB 1156 and HB 960, both related to harbor financing and capital advancement contracts, were supported by DOT, with DOT explaining that higher bond and contract ceilings were needed because project costs have increased since the limits were set decades ago. HB 142, exempting certain nonprofit community-based transportation providers from motor carrier regulation, and HB 914, creating a water carrier inflationary cost index mechanism and allowing PUC exemptions, also received support from multiple stakeholders, with the Consumer Advocacy Division noting that the inflationary adjustment issue was already active in a rate case. The committee also took testimony on several electric bicycle and micromobility bills. HB 486 would restrict where electric bicycles may operate, prohibit unsafe operation and removal of speed-limiting devices, and fund a safety education campaign; it drew opposition from the Hawaii Bicycling League and several individuals, with one supporter. HB 435 would redefine and classify electric bicycles, raise the minimum operating age, and add registration and use rules; it was supported by DOT and the Hawaii Bicycling League, with one individual opposing. HB 958 would regulate motorized bicycles and electric micromobility devices, require helmets for minors, and fund a coordinated education campaign; it drew support from the City and County of Honolulu, Council Member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, but opposition from Moped Doctors and others, who argued the bill could harm the moped industry and that more study was needed. After testimony, the committee recessed and then reconvened for decision-making. In decision-making, the committee deferred HB 263 and HB 996. It passed HB 135, HB 860, HB 1167, HB 1259, HB 1156, and HB 960 with amendments, generally adopting HD1 versions, making technical changes, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000 for the amended measures. The chair explained that HB 263 was deferred because a blanket tax exemption for one class could create inequities and a tax credit might be a better approach. HB 996 was deferred because the chair said the state’s long-standing policy of ensuring safe roads and maintaining accountability for highway design and maintenance remained important. For HB 960, the chair said the current contract caps were too low for modern harbor projects and that higher limits would improve flexibility and efficiency. The committee also noted Representative Cochran was excused for the remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So specifically, in order to understand what this bill does, we have to look all the way back to 2012
• So specifically, in order to understand what this bill does, we have to look all the way back to 2012
• They will get safe harbor if they...
• They will get safe harbor if they follow the guidelines and procedures under 1201.1.
• And that way I can make sure that my rights are protected. I have no damages, but yet here I am.

Committee: Senate Labor & Industrial Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Steering Policy and Scheduling, to whom was referred the House bill relocating certain harbor
• lines in New Bedford Harbor, House No. 4109, reports recommending that the matter be scheduled for consideration
• Second reading of the bill: An act relocating certain harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor, House No. 4109

Summary: The House took up several committee reports and local bills, first adopting a resolution commending Hope and Comfort, Inc. for Hygiene Insecurity Awareness Week and then approving an extension for the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to report on pending House documents. The chamber also advanced two local matters to third reading: a bill relocating harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor and a bill authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer. The House then acted on a series of bills on final passage or engrossment. It adopted the emergency preamble and passed a sick leave bank bill for Paul Starvowski of the Department of Correction, enacted a bill expanding the select board in Weston, and enacted a bill exempting certain affordable housing and branch library space in Dorchester from public enforcement. It also passed to engrossment a bill allowing Acton to increase the residency limit for police and fire personnel. Several Bridgewater-related bills were amended and advanced: a bill establishing an annual stipend for the Bridgewater City Council was amended to require local acceptance before taking effect and then passed to engrossment as amended; a bill on temporary absence of the town manager was also amended and passed to engrossment as amended; and a sick leave bank bill for Kathleen Rodericks was amended to add an emergency preamble and strike Section 2 before passing to engrossment as amended. Finally, the House enacted the Paul Starvowski sick leave bank bill, adopted an order to meet the following Thursday at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wouldn't have connected with my community in such a meaningful way because of Riverwatch.
• She said if there are ways that we can continue to fund these kinds of opportunities, Mr.
• I maybe live closer to this area in Two Harbors than you do, Senator Hauschild.
• There's a lot of really nice little places in Two Harbors, and it's a wonderful area to check out.
• There's a lot of really nice little places in Two Harbors, and it's a wonderful area to check out.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, if the Irishman up front wasn't so astute with voice recognition, one of my daughters
• So, members, leaving the harbor is scary, but I am so looking forward to the next opportunities.
• :27.240><c> members</c> So, members So, members leaving<00:13:29.440><c> the</c><00:13:29.520><c> harbor
• </c><00:13:29.920><c> is</c><00:13:30.000><c> scary,</c> leaving the harbor is scary, leaving the harbor

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm speaking on my own behalf, although I'm a town council member in Bay Harbor Islands.
• Jay Harbor? No? Okay. I apologize. We just are... Or info only? Jay Harbor? No? Okay, I apologize.
• And just because someone feels a certain type of way is not blocking the ability for folks to attain
• But you must know that there have been other creative tactics to get around Live Local, to find ways
• But you must know that there have been other creative tactics to get around Live Local, to find ways

Summary: The committee heard five housing- and resilience-related bills. HB 793 would create an International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support aerospace research, workforce development, and commercialization; it was amended with a clarifying change and passed unanimously. C.S. for HB 411 would extend an affordable housing property tax exemption to certain nonprofit projects on leased land through a housing finance authority, such as Habitat for Humanity projects; it also passed unanimously. HB 701 would require local housing assistance plans to allow mobile home owners on leased land to seek help with lot rent, and it passed unanimously after an amendment and testimony from mobile home advocates and AARP in support. The committee also considered C.S. for HB 393, which expands the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to help eligible condominiums fund hurricane mitigation projects, including roof-related work, with added eligibility and inspection requirements. The bill drew support from condo and housing groups and passed unanimously with committee substitute. The final and most extensive measure, HB 943, would significantly revise state land-use and development rules to promote affordable housing by limiting local restrictions, changing zoning and approval standards, adjusting parking and impact fee rules, and expanding accessory dwelling unit and mixed-use provisions. It generated extensive testimony, with many local officials, city and county groups, and preservation advocates opposing it as overly broad and preemptive, while housing and business groups supported it. HB 943 was amended several times during the meeting, including changes related to church-owned property, parking, historic landmarks, manufactured homes as accessory dwelling units, and fair housing language. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill was a work in progress and that additional changes would be made. After debate from members emphasizing both the need for more housing and the need to preserve local control, the committee approved HB 943 on a 14-1 vote, with Rep. Casello voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:22.319><c> and</c> dear's budget for the Senate Ways and dear's budget for the Senate Ways
• We just bought a parcel of there just above Malia Harbor, and it's going to wrap all the way around.
• We just bought a parcel of there just above Malia Harbor, and it's going to wrap all the way around.
• We just bought a parcel of there just above Malia Harbor, and it's going to wrap all the way around.
• It's a brand-new Harbor agent position. It was a Harbor agent F-5.

Transcript Highlights:

• Golf Course, and RV parks, and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks Golf Course
• Golf Course, and RV parks, and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks Golf Course
• Golf Course, and RV parks, and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks Golf Course
• Golf Course, and RV parks, and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks Golf Course
• Golf Course, and RV parks, and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks Golf Course

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee approved the February 13 minutes and then heard several committee reports. The executive committee report noted that audit and special reports were scheduled for presentation, one requested report remained outstanding, and staff was asked to review selected Benton County circuit court case transfers. The committee also received and adopted reports from the counties and municipalities committee, the education committee, and the state agencies committee. Those reports covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, education audit reports, and state agency findings such as duplicate vendor payments, collateral issues, record-keeping problems, and vehicle log deficiencies. In each case, the committee voted to file or adopt the reports, with some reports deferred for follow-up or for officials to appear at a later meeting. A major portion of the meeting focused on the City of Pine Bluff’s 2024 financial audit. Auditors said the city received a clean opinion overall, but management letter findings identified serious issues in the mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and the finance department. The Parks and Recreation finding involved $179,629 in manual receipts that could not be traced to city deposits, missing receipts from several facilities, $48,415 in unallowable purchases, $13,000 in questionable purchases, altered invoices, unapproved vendors, and missing equipment; those matters were referred to the prosecuting attorney, attorney general, Governmental Bonding Board, and Arkansas State Police. The finance finding cited weak cash-receipting and bank-reconciliation procedures and late or missing deposits. City officials, including the mayor, finance director, and parks director, testified that the problems predated the current administration and said they had taken corrective steps. They described hiring a forensic audit firm, creating or updating standard operating procedures, improving receipting and deposit processes, adding procurement oversight, and moving Parks and Recreation to electronic or system-based receipting. Committee members questioned the officials about oversight, nonprofit relationships, and whether theft or system failures were to blame. After discussion, the committee voted to file the Pine Bluff report. The next meeting was announced for June 4-5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill to establish that in the case of specified types of mortgage modifications referred to as safe harbors
• are referred to that in the case of specified types of mortgage modifications referred to as safe harbors
• Does any member wish to change the way their vote is recorded?
• Does any member wish to change the way their vote appears on the standing committee report form?
• Does any member wish to change the way their vote appears on the standing committee report form?

Bills: SB6178 , SB5831

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the end, we cannot cut our way out of this financial situation.
• But in the end, we cannot cut our way out of this financial situation.
• Luke's and Lake View in Two Harbors, we will say if St.
• </c><00:52:48.520><c> and</c> an ambulance service in Two Harbors and an ambulance service in Two Harbors
• fair and and competent way so that when fair and and competent way so that when we<01:23:43.800><c> put

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy