Transcript Highlights:

• Kansas is a home rule state, and the authority to set energy codes is up to each municipality.
• Yes, we argue over which code... ...and which code we allow the authority having jurisdiction—whether
• I thought you meant not the homeowner, but I was thinking of the authority having jurisdiction, so thank
• And it's authored by the International Code Council. All this is publicly available.
• In fact, some of the most aggressive states that have had preemption are on the West Coast: California

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 1994 law authorizing cask storage also put the nuclear moratorium in place.
• The 1994 law authorizing cask storage also put the nuclear moratorium in place.
• The 1994 law authorizing cask storage also put the nuclear moratorium in place.
• I don't know if the author has that. Mr.
• I don't know if the author has that. Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• committee members, for the record, Major General David Mikolitis, Adjutant General, New Hampshire National Guard
• Major General David Mikolitis, Adjutant General, New Hampshire National Guard, Commissioner, Department
• Good. guard. Yep. But he did speak highly of guard. Yep.
• Those are tuition waivers for National Guard and foster children.
• We have a total of 213 authorized, permanent, and temporary positions.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the author has just—sorry, not author—your witness has arrived, so if she wants to come up and
• Seeing none, I'll invite the author to close. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So I just want to ask the author a couple of questions, too.
• So I will wait for some authors to return. I'm sorry, not authors. Some members return.
• File item 3, AB 277, was pulled by the author. File item 4, AB 318, was pulled by the author.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee met with quorum established after beginning as a subcommittee. The committee heard AB 790, which would require jurisdictions receiving state homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic violence. Supporters said current homelessness programs overlook this population; the bill was amended and passed unanimously on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which would dedicate a minimum share of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness programs. Supporters argued more stable funding is needed to address the housing crisis, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help; the measure passed 5-2 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Members then heard AB 349, which would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation. The author and sponsor described the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and rising costs for diapers and formula; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 779, which expands a domestic violence consultant pilot in child welfare offices statewide, also passed 6-0 after testimony that it would help keep families together safely and improve trauma-informed responses. AB 1335, which would remove a private CARF accreditation requirement for regional center employment programs and rely on state oversight instead, drew support from disability service providers but opposition from the chair over concerns about weakening quality checks; it failed on a 2-2 vote and reconsideration was denied. The committee also considered AB 1066, a bill to bar state-funded immigration legal services for people unlawfully present in the country who have certain serious felony convictions. Supporters framed it as a public-safety and fiscal-responsibility measure, while opponents said it would restrict due process and align California with mass-deportation policies. The bill failed on a 2-2 vote. Two bills, AB 277 and AB 318, were pulled by the author and not heard. After final roll calls on absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I guess the concern is, authorizing that.
• governing authority over use and disclosure of department records.
• Just remember, committee, we also have the authority to pull up a rule.
• And we do have that authority. Any member in here could ask for that.
• But we have that authority.

Summary: The committee reviewed several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare rule dockets under zero-based rule review. For the Idaho Reportable Disease Rules, department staff said the revisions mainly reduce duplication and shorten the chapter, while adding viral hemorrhagic fevers and lowering the lead-poisoning reporting threshold from 5 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Members questioned whether stricken language on records access, daycare restrictions, inspection authority, and reporting duties changed policy; staff and the state epidemiologist said the edits were mostly consolidations or removals of language already covered by statute or federal law, and that no substantive reporting requirements were intended to change. Concerns were also raised about limited time to review the large docket, public notice, and trust in the department’s explanations. The committee approved the radiation control rules, which were described as being reduced by about 70 percent, with incorporation by reference removed and a new requirement that out-of-state licensees register within 30 days. It also approved the docket on use and disclosure of department records, which staff said simply removes repeated references to the Idaho Public Records Act, HIPAA, and other governing authorities without changing what records are protected. The reportable disease docket drew the most discussion; after debate over whether the rule changes were merely cosmetic and how statutory changes affect rules, a substitute motion to hold the docket for one week was adopted on a 5-9 roll call vote, with the docket set for reconsideration on February 3. Later in the meeting, the committee received Your Health Idaho’s annual report. Executive Director Pat Kelly said the exchange remained financially self-sustaining, had no state funding, and continued to post record enrollment, with more than 144,000 Idahoans selecting plans during open enrollment 2026. He said most enrollees receive tax credits, but the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits drove affordability concerns, increased disenrollment, and shifted many consumers into lower-cost bronze plans. Members asked about plan changes, enrollment math, assessment fee revenue, and the effect of premium increases versus the loss of enhanced subsidies. Kelly said the exchange’s net premium increases were driven mostly by the subsidy expiration, and the committee adjourned after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of fact, I've got a part of my district that's called the Forgotten Coast because they don't
• The bill authorizes school districts to establish a menu of services to offer scholarship students, and
• We also had many authors from the stakeholders, private school operators, public school districts, families

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 executive appointments. After explanation by Ethics and Elections Chair Don Gates, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties losing population, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care measures. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health provisions in light of a new federal rural health grant and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, while also asking about eligibility and access to grant funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision for later conforming legislation and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators from both parties supported the bill while raising concerns about accountability, student oversight, and school quality. The bill passed 38-0. Afterward, the Senate waived rules so SB 250 and CS/SB 318 could be immediately certified to the House. The session ended with announcements, including Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and a reminder about the chamber group photograph, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of fact, I've got a part of my district that's called the Forgotten Coast because they don't
• The bill authorizes school districts to establish a menu of services to offer scholarship students, and
• We also had many authors from the stakeholders, private school operators, public school districts, families

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, doctor-of-the-day introduction, and several recognitions, including a Founders’ Day tribute to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a welcome to a nationally ranked student debater in the gallery. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 gubernatorial executive appointments; after explanation by the Ethics and Elections chair, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program, housing and transportation investments, education funding, and rural health care improvements. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health-care provisions in light of new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding amounts. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing the bill’s focus on rural infrastructure, health care access, and local flexibility. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates explained that the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, tightening enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees, requiring student identification numbers, improving reimbursement processes, and directing the Department of Education to develop a business plan for scholarship funding organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision from the bill, with that issue expected to move elsewhere. Senators discussed transparency, accountability, and protections against overpayments and unverified enrollments, while also noting the need to preserve support for school districts. The bill passed 38-0. After both bills passed, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House. The chamber also heard announcements recognizing Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and scheduled a group photograph for the following Thursday before adjourning until January 22 or upon the President’s call.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of fact, I've got a part of my district that's called the Forgotten Coast because they don't
• The bill authorizes school districts to establish a menu of services to offer scholarship students, and
• We also had many authors from the stakeholders, private school operators, public school districts, families

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Founders’ Day, a visiting debate student, and later Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol. The chamber then took up committee reports and confirmed a slate of 52 executive appointments by a 39-0 vote. On special order, senators considered SB 250 on rural communities. The bill, described as a “Rural Renaissance” package, would create an Office of Rural Prosperity, establish a Renaissance Grant Program, increase housing and transportation support, and direct new funding to rural education and health care. Two amendments were adopted to update rural health funding and hospital estimates. Members from both parties spoke in support, while raising questions about eligibility and access to grants for certain rural areas. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then debated CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. The bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, tightening payment and audit procedures, and creating a stabilization fund for scholarships. Three amendments were adopted to remove a district declining-enrollment provision from the bill, adjust private-school documentation timing, and clarify withdrawal form and parent-attestation procedures. Senators from both parties supported the measure while noting concerns about oversight, school quality, and future conforming legislation. The bill passed 38-0, and both SB 250 and CS/SB 318 were certified to the House before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The roll is open for co-authors.
• There are 66 co-authors added.
• I rise as a proud co-author of ACR 92.
• Members, I rise as a proud co-author as well.
• And so with that, I'm proud to be a co-author and urge an I vote.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with a prayer, a Father’s Day reflection, and a moment of silence for the victims of the Minnesota lawmaker shooting. Members then moved through guest introductions recognizing student legislative programs, Black conservation leaders, interns, and first responders, including an off-duty firefighter who saved a driver’s life. The chamber also heard multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Senator and Los Angeles Councilman Nate Holden, whose civil rights and housing discrimination work was highlighted, along with tributes to Stephen Golden Kranz, Emily Carpenter, and Doug Kranwinkel. On the Daily File, the Assembly adopted ACR 90, Assembly Member Gibson’s resolution recognizing Juneteenth. The measure drew strong support from multiple caucuses, including the Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ, Women’s, and AAPI caucuses, with members emphasizing Juneteenth’s historical significance, the legacy of slavery, and the continuing need to combat racism and inequality. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 92, Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez’s resolution declaring June 2025 as Electronic Dance Music Month in California. Supporters described EDM as a cultural and economic force rooted in diverse communities and praised its values of inclusion and unity; the resolution received 65 co-authors and passed by voice vote. Finally, HR 45, Assembly Member Castillo’s resolution for Animal Rights Awareness Week, was adopted by voice vote after 55 co-authors were added, with the author and a guest from Sierra Pacific Fur Babies speaking about animal rescue and welfare work. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until June 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F Color Guard will now present the colors. Mr.
• Sergeant-at-Arms, would you please open the doors and allow the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F Color Guard
• Our budget also invests in the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri National Guard, and the Missouri
• And our Missouri National Guard supported relief efforts in St.
• And our Missouri National Guard supported relief efforts in St.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> weeks because we were caught off guard weeks because we were caught off guard and<00:44:56.119><
• There's nothing about police authority or abuse of police authority in the delete-everything amendment
• or Abus of police Authority or Abus of police Authority<00:58:37.520><c> um</c><00:58:37.839><c> in<
• </c> is separate a separate authorizing is separate a separate authorizing statute<01:29:55.639><c> under
• </c> majority of of Prosecuting authorities majority of of Prosecuting authorities do<01:59:42.520><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:41.840><c> or</c> does not change any uh, authorities or does not change any uh, authorities
• So that's when we moved from, um, underneath the National Guard to the Governor's office.
• So that's when we moved from, um, underneath the National Guard to the Governor's office.
• Representative Filer, National Guard to the Governor's office.
• National Guard to the Governor's office.

Bills: SF0071, SF0088, SF0056

Keywords: homeland security, search and rescue, grants, emergency response, Wyoming, sex offender, child care facility, residency restrictions, public safety, criminal law, sex offenders, child care facilities, legislation, kratom, regulation, healthcare, age restrictions, manufacturing standards, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he would love to join as a co-author if the author would have him.
• Assembly Member McKinner also thanked the author.
• He thanked the author for the bill.
• He also asked to be a co-author on the bill.
• He also asked to be a co-author.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gis Saki, Chief Financial Officer, Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority.
• Gis Saki, Chief Financial Officer, Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority.
• </c> is a housekeeping measure to authorize is a housekeeping measure to authorize hcda<01:05:14.279>
• <01:20:47.280><c> in</c> Authority in Authority in opposition<01:20:50.400><c> thank</c><01:20:50.560
• The stadium authority will do well. The Halawa Redevelopment District to do this.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture, water, invasive species, and land-use bills. HB 299 and HB 1220, both relating to invasive species, drew broad support from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, C-GAPS, Sierra Club, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and others. Testifiers said HISC funding fills gaps between agency mandates, supports research and technology, and helps respond to both terrestrial and marine invasive threats. On HB 1220, C-GAPS described a marine anemone infestation in Kāneʻohe linked to aquarium release and said control and restoration would be difficult without the bill’s funding. A committee member asked for tracking information on the species, and the Division of Aquatic Resources said it maintains monitoring data and annual reports. No opposition was noted on either measure. HB 506, relating to conservation enforcement, also received support from DLNR and Malama Pu‘u Ma. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope and how the funding would be used. Members asked about a prior boat purchase mentioned in opposition testimony and about whether mainland vendors were being used; the department said it did not buy that boat and that procurement follows the normal state process, with total bid price including delivery, taxes, and other fees. The department explained that the bill’s funding is primarily for marine enforcement work in nearshore fisheries, including herbivore protection around O‘ahu. HB 915, relating to water use, had mixed testimony. DLNR supported alternative water sources and amendments to the water code, while the Department of Agriculture opposed the bill as drafted, saying its irrigation program is designed for non-potable agricultural use and is not structured for residential or mixed-use development. The Department of Health said it needed more information on its reuse guidelines and noted concern about removing the recycled water manager requirement, which it said helps ensure safe operation and maintenance of reuse systems. Members questioned the bill’s preemption language and whether county or state rules would be displaced, and Agriculture suggested county water agencies might be better suited for some of the proposed uses. HB 502, concerning land use, drew support from the Attorney General’s office, the Land Use Commission, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union, with the Department of Agriculture standing on its written testimony. The Attorney General warned that allowing important agricultural lands to be redistricted through a declaratory ruling process could conflict with the state constitution and recommended excluding IAL from the bill. The Land Use Commission said it has an inventory of IAL lands and did not believe the bill would affect them, and it agreed to the suggested protection. Supporters said the bill could help move lands with limited agricultural value into the rural district, reduce pressure on productive farmland, and better align land use with actual farming potential. HB 929, relating to the agricultural land conveyance tax, received comments from the Department of Taxation and opposition from Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Realtors; Farm Bureau said it supports preserving agricultural land but was concerned about unintended consequences and questioned whether speculative flipping of ag land is a current problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um of the what's known as the authorized um of the what's known as the authorized control<00:25:
• One, you require proper authority to One, you require proper authority to because they have this governance
• Number 18, you authority and the duty.
• </c> 13 is the um 600% of the RBC authorized 13 is the um 600% of the RBC authorized control<00:56:54.240
• </c><01:16:09.760><c> rails</c> but to continue with the guard rails but to continue with the guard rails

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Guard, St. Paul, Minnesota. Pledge of Allegiance.
• If there is no objection, we will let the author explain.
• I recognize the author of the bill, Representative Engen.
• I recognize the author of the bill, Representative Engin.
• Other recent emergency orders relate to George Floyd protests, authorizing the National Guard to help

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's even including some of our people in the National Guard.
• Some of our people in the National Guard. We want to ensure that we can have those conversations.
• We've already had conversations with the Nevada National Guard and actually have a meeting with General
• The National Guard will actually be able to help them to realize all of the other availability that they
• And also, We've had, as I mentioned, conversations with the National Guard on ways to also help them

Bills: AB328, AB397

Keywords: Juneteenth, education, economic commission, cultural affairs, racial healing, policy recommendations, African-American studies, higher education, fee waivers, Native American students, unaccompanied youth, academic progress, Nevada System of Higher Education, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:10:57.200><c> always</c><00:10:57.440><c> be</c><00:10:57.600><c> some</c><00:10:57.800><c> guard
• </c> think there should always be some guard think there should always be some guard rails<00:10:58.519
• This would add to that list of authorized uses.
• Brigadier General John Pogo pagor, commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, was killed in a
• I’m also in the Air National Guard and knew General puror very well, and then obviously a dear friend

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The flags will be escorted to the rostrum by the Sergeant at Arms color guard, Neil Kumar, and Christina
• The flags will be escorted to the rostrum by the Sergeant at Arms color guard, Neil Kumar, and Christina
• You tell us to render to all those in authority what is due to them.
• We have a healthy respect for those in authority, such as those in law enforcement, because of their
• Elsewhere, you instruct us to pray and give thanks for all that are in authority.

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2219, HB2245, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB2574, HB1544, HB1834, HB2156, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2179, HB2203, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2464, HB2495, HB2544, HB2551, HB2636, HB2192, HB2251, HB2262, HB2266, HB2298, HB2320, HB2323, HB2351, HB2401, HB2405, HB2442, HB2523, HB2593, HB2632, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2095, HB2157, HB2225, HB2274, HB2311, HB2325, HB2333, HB2476, HB2508, HB2552, HB1343, HB1634, HB1707, HB1906, HB1909, HB2196, HB2244, HB2339, HB2361, HB2384, HB2389, HB2410, HB2468, HB2475, HB2521, HB2548, HB2619, HB2637, HB2720, HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2125, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2245, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB1544, HB1834, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2495, HB2544, HB2551, HB2636, HB2192, HB2262, HB2298, HB2351, HB2401, HB2442, HB2593, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2095, HB2157, HB2225, HB2311, HB2325, HB2552, HB1343, HB1634, HB1707, HB2361, HB2389, HB2410, HB2468, HB2521, HB2619, HB2720, HB1295, HB1591, HB2092, HB2168, HB2176, HB2248, HB2255, HB2281, HB2438, HB2590, HB2610, HB2650, HB2685, HB1526, HB1960, HB2236, HB2364, HB2416, HB1073

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Transcript Highlights:

• The flags will be escorted to the rostrum by the Sergeant at Arms color guard, Neil Kumar, The flags
• will be escorted to the rostrum by the Sergeant at Arms color guard, Neil Kumar, and Christina Larry
• You tell us to render to all those in authority what is due to them.
• We have a healthy respect for those in authority, such as those in law enforcement, because of their
• Elsewhere, you instruct us to pray and give thanks for all that are in authority.

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB2125, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2245, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB1544, HB1834, HB2188, HB2206, HB2478, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1982, HB2006, HB2297, HB2322, HB2329, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2462, HB2495, HB2544, HB2551, HB2636, HB2192, HB2262, HB2298, HB2351, HB2401, HB2442, HB2593, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2095, HB2157, HB2225, HB2311, HB2325, HB2552, HB1343, HB1634, HB1707, HB2361, HB2389, HB2410, HB2468, HB2521, HB2619, HB2720, HB1295, HB1591, HB2092, HB2168, HB2176, HB2248, HB2255, HB2281, HB2438, HB2590, HB2610, HB2650, HB2685, HB1526, HB1960, HB2236, HB2364, HB2416, HB1073

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, received a Senate message that Senate Bill 5489 had passed the Senate, and then took up several House bills on second and third reading. The main debate centered on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2442, which would give local governments more flexibility to use certain local tax tools for public health clinics, housing, veterans’ assistance, and related purposes. Members offered and voted on multiple amendments, including proposals to require voter approval for tax increases and to strip out or narrow several tax authorizations; some amendments were adopted, including technical and limiting changes, while others were rejected. The bill ultimately passed the House 53-44. The House then passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1295, a literacy bill aimed at expanding evidence-based reading instruction and teacher training. Members described it as a long-overdue effort to improve reading outcomes, with supporters citing low grade-level reading proficiency and the need for scientifically based methods; a technical grammar amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 96-1. The chamber also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2636, creating a steering committee and JLARC review process to examine school district regulations and unfunded mandates, with broad support and no opposition in the final vote. Other measures passed included Substitute House Bill 2650, making administrative changes to local tax notification and effective-date procedures, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590, which exempts limited equity cooperatives from certain common-interest-community requirements to support affordable housing. House Bill 2610 also passed, allowing nonprofit housing providers to use property for interim community purposes without losing tax benefits, and Substitute House Bill 2343 passed unanimously to require publicly operated facilities to follow the same water-quality discharge rules as private facilities, prompted by concerns about nitrate contamination linked to a state game farm in Centralia. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating AI companion chatbots; amendments added public disclosure of crisis referrals, but a proposal to remove the private right of action failed. The bill passed 69-28 after supporters emphasized child safety and opponents raised concerns about litigation and privacy. The House then adjourned to caucus.