Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Licensing at $459 million, and they are another agency that also has funding out of the
• Department of Licensing at $459 million, and they are another agency that also has funding.
• Department of Licensing at $459 million and they are another agency that also has funding out of the
• Department of Licensing: there's money spent toward expanding access.
• , drive tests for 16-year-olds that are looking to get their first license.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard a presentation from WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith on the agency’s mission, 2025 accomplishments, and 2026 priorities. Meredith emphasized preservation, safety, emergency response, ferry reliability, culvert replacement, and major projects such as the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge work, North Spokane Corridor, Confluence Parkway, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. She highlighted the state’s aging transportation assets, recent storm and flood damage, bridge strikes, and the need for additional preservation funding, including the governor’s proposed $1 billion investment in Washington State Ferries and continued work on the World Cup and future regional growth planning. Members asked about ferry service disruptions, rising IBR costs, staffing needs, aviation assets, and bridge-strike certainty tied to the Coast Guard’s upcoming decision on bridge clearance requirements. The committee then received a briefing on HB 2306, the governor’s supplemental transportation budget, which totals $16.7 billion and increases the enacted budget by about $1.2 billion, with most of the increase directed to WSDOT capital spending. OFM staff said the proposal is driven by preservation, maintenance, and ferry needs, and relies on about $3.1 billion in bonding against transportation revenues, while staying below the Treasurer’s coverage ratio. The proposal includes $2 billion for preservation, $164 million for paving this summer, $756 million for paving over 10 years, $250 million for maintenance, $150 million for preserving existing ferries, $15 million for Lower Columbia River dredging, and smaller investments for WSP communications, DOL access, and local road grants. Committee members asked about debt service, remaining bonding capacity, and the impact of office closures and ferry service reductions. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s budget, especially its preservation and ferry investments. Local officials and associations backed ferry funding, local road grants, pavement and bridge preservation, and the Columbia River dredging match. Several speakers urged more support for cities and counties, while rail and transit advocates asked for more rail capital funding and less highway expansion. One ferry advocate criticized the cost of hybrid-electric vessel maintenance compared with diesel, and another witness warned against a pay-per-mile tax. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair announced a short caucus before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• A handler license in the state is $1,600. And so we understand that, you know...
• A handler license in the state is $1,600. And so we understand that, you know...
• And then it can go to a processor who's also licensed.
• And that process is also licensed and inspected.
• Where you just go and get a license. Thank you. Any other comments or questions?

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now to move them to another facility, we don't have transport vehicles.
• Because this is a MVD Department of Motor Vehicle Thank you.
• If we put the designation on driver's licenses and real IDs, we are creating safety.
• President, and Senator, what is the anticipated life of these powered vehicles?
• But I would assume, and I know assumptions are not always correct, that a licensed physical therapist

Bills: SB273 , SB37 , SB100

Keywords: SB273, appropriations, general fund, hold harmless, local government finance, municipal revenue, county revenue, correctional facility, jail contract, private prison, detention facility, immigration detention, revenue bonds, clawback, child welfare, juvenile justice, protective services, school improvement, New MexiCare, aging services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we could we have a vehicle. we could we have a vehicle.
• Okay, this is a license. Got to start with the sentence, license John Hunt's rule of lure. Okay.
• It's easier just to say licenses.
• We're talking about our licenses. So a hot rod automotive shop isn't a license.
• They might be licensed by somebody else, but I don't know if there's any license.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we have had those their vehicle.
• </c> locked vehicle. It applies to the state. locked vehicle. It applies to the state.
• Uh, I just looked into your state about hunting license because I want to get a hunting license, deer
• more than the pistol licenses.
• pistol licenses more than the<03:41:35.200><c> pistol</c><03:41:35.520><c> licenses.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The fee for a nonresident motor vehicle permit would be two times the resident fee.
• The fee for a temporary resident motor vehicle permit would not be more than $10.
• vehicle permit.
• Section 37-443 is a lawful requirement for motor vehicle entry.
• motor vehicle in violation of this section commits a classified misdemeanor.

Bills: LB737 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB1216 , LB1256 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787 , LB365A , LB823 , LB900 , LB903 , LB940 , LB954 , LB1127 , LB1127A , LB1205 , LB1240 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR505 , LR507

Keywords: LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• identifying; 1205, motor vehicle; 1233, administrative; 1243, court-ordered treatment; SB 253, safe
• It's very unfortunate that we have hundreds of license plates for so many nonprofit organizations, and
• Usually these license plate bills go through Transportation and Infrastructure, and this one did.
• We did hear a couple of bills on Transportation and Infrastructure as far as the license plates, but
• usually we go through to vet these license plates so we know who the organizations are.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed Judges Day guests and other visitors, and read a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month. Members also made brief introductions of guests and the doctor of the day, Dr. Philip Williams. The chamber then moved through a long Committee of the Whole agenda, taking up numerous bills with committee and floor amendments, most of them receiving do-pass or due-pass recommendations after brief explanations and some debate. Notable discussion included HB 2444, where several members raised concerns about pharmacist-led care, patient safety, and rural health impacts, while the sponsor argued it would expand affordable access to care; HB 2726, which drew comments about a new sleep apnea device and whether it was a vendor-driven proposal; HB 2991, a bipartisan effort to address social media harms to children; and HB 4070, a bill framed as a “corporate death penalty” approach to combat sex trafficking. Other measures addressed kinship placement in child welfare, midwifery oversight, vulnerable adult protections, tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans, license plate omnibus language, and county and education-related issues. After the Committee of the Whole reported, the House adopted the report and assigned measures for engrossing. The chamber then proceeded to third reading votes on several bills. HB 2123, dealing with financial institutions and gold/silver legal tender, failed on a 24-28 vote after an excusal request was granted to one member with a financial conflict. HB 2270, concerning county authority and sheriff’s posse dissolution procedures, passed 50-3. HB 2324, creating a state fire marshal-related provision, passed 53-0, as did HB 2404 on mental health services. HB 2495 on sentencing failed 26-27. HB 2557 on patient records passed 37-16, HB 2574 on traffic violation appeals passed 52-0, HB 2594 on domestic relations and address confidentiality passed 44-9, HB 2611 on child welfare passed 51-0, HB 2681 on the county employee merit system passed 53-0, and HB 2697 also passed 51-0. The session continued into additional votes beyond the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on how these activities are conducted, a license issued to the organization by the Washington
• To operate bingo games, raffles, and amusement games without a license, a charitable organization or
• nonprofit organization would be able to conduct bingo games, raffles, and amusement games without a license
• There's an exemption for GPS coordinates now for employees that take vehicles home.
• The Public Records Act cross-references all of the business uses for driver's licensing, auto licensing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 1364 would raise from $5,000 to $15,000 the gross revenue thresholds for charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo, raffles, and amusement games without a gambling license, and would also raise related local tax thresholds; supporters said it is an inflation adjustment that helps volunteer nonprofits, while no opposition was heard before the hearing closed. HB 2632 would replace most uses of “alien” in state law with “non-citizen,” with exceptions for federal-law requirements and non-human uses; the sponsor described it as a dignity and accuracy measure rooted in refugee experience, while supporters and opponents debated whether it is respectful and clearer or instead unnecessary and potentially confusing. HB 2447 would designate the blunt-nosed six-gill shark as Washington’s official state shark; testimony from the sponsor, children, marine advocates, and scientists emphasized education, conservation, Puget Sound ecology, and local pride, and the hearing closed without opposition testimony. HB 2637 would exempt certain personal information from Public Records Act disclosure, including age, address, birthplace, precise location data, government identifiers, and consumer utility data; supporters framed it as privacy and safety protection, while opponents argued it would reduce transparency and could interfere with federal immigration enforcement. In executive session, the committee took action on three bills. HB 2235, concerning Public Records Act exemptions for concealed pistol licenses and permit-to-purchase firearm applications, was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. HB 2401, establishing the Boys and Men’s Commission, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote, with some members supporting the concept but expressing concern about funding. HB 2574, which addresses removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots and related vote-count procedures, was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote after members discussed the need to clarify election procedures in rare cases. The committee deferred action on HB 2520.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have contracts out right now to do security cameras and license plate readers at the entrance.
• Because if we had got that individual's license plate, probably would have found them in an hour.
• We have contracts out right now to do security cameras and license plate readers at the entrance.
• install electricity and Wi-Fi at the entrance sites just so that we can have the security cameras and license
• So if we get $200 million, you know, there's money for vehicles and there's money for energy efficiency

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance Committee and the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks, and Recreation considered Governor Hochul’s nomination of Kathleen “Kathy” Moser to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Moser described her background in conservation and public lands, and said her priorities would include improving access and belonging for all New Yorkers, maintaining health and safety, modernizing infrastructure, addressing climate change and sustainability, and strengthening partnerships with local governments, community groups, and the Legislature. Members questioned her on a range of park issues, including visitor fees, safety at swimming areas such as Lake Welch, security measures at parks, access for urban residents through nature buses and school transportation grants, maintenance and capital needs, event permitting, workforce recruitment and retention, and coordination around the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Moser said the department has targeted capital and safety investments at popular parks, is installing fencing, lighting, cameras, and license plate readers at entrances at selected sites, and is planning extensive 250th commemoration programming and historic-site renovations. She also discussed efforts to expand community stewardship, including partner groups, culturally specific amenities like cricket fields, and outreach through traveling exhibits and social media. Senators raised concerns and suggestions about renewable energy siting, cell service in rural areas, invasive species prevention, and local infrastructure needs. After questioning concluded, the committees voted to advance the nomination, and the motion was reported to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• , later model used vehicles that's going to come on the books.
• And yes, there'll be some reduction for older vehicles.
• Okay, well, if you have a type of game, if we license a type of game, then it should be taxed, right?
• It's just like a lottery ticket to be endorsed by a license by the Lottery Commission.
• And the games that were licensed, there wasn't any regulatory enforcement.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote. Members then moved through a series of personal privileges and introductions of guests, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university students, nursing students, interns, and other visitors recognized from across the state. On third reading, House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction, was debated as a taxpayer relief measure. Supporters said it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. The bill passed 94-50. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming bill aimed at cracking down on illegal “gray market” machines while creating a regulated local-option video lottery terminal system. Debate focused on enforcement, local control, consumer protection, revenue for education, veterans, and disability programs, and whether the bill effectively legalized gambling in a new form. A motion to send it to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill ultimately passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provides a little over $3 billion in additional authority for the rest of FY2026, including tax refunds, disaster response, St. Louis tornado relief, Medicaid-related spending, and Missouri Department of Transportation operations. Members discussed the size of supplemental spending, the use of federal and general revenue funds, and the first-time use of general revenue for the adult expansion Medicaid population. The House adopted an amendment reducing some unused Medicaid authority, then adopted the bill as amended and perfected it for printing. The session ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in support of House Bill 1862, which establishes the Ignition Interlock Driver's License.
• They take the vehicle from the scene and solicit signatures for repair or storage that a car owner may
• Another vehicle struck mine at a high rate of speed and both vehicles were totaled.
• For many Pennsylvanians, losing access to a vehicle isn't just an inconvenience.
• This chamber has provided two vehicles on two separate occasions for the House to pick up and act.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, communications, committee reports, and leaves of absence. The journal was approved 50-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 1505, which drew extended debate over school funding and adequacy/tax equity. Senators Coleman and Keefer argued the bill continued to pour money into districts like Allentown without accountability or improved results, while Senators Costa, Miller, Haywood, and Anthony Williams defended the funding as a response to historic underfunding and the Commonwealth Court decision. A motion allowing Senator Coleman a third speaking turn was adopted 27-23, and the bill ultimately passed 45-5. The Senate then considered House Bill 2400, the General Appropriation Act. Supporters, including Senators Martin, Dush, Phillips-Hill, Costa, Ward, Street, Hughes, and Pittman, emphasized that the budget was balanced without using the rainy day fund or raising taxes, reduced the governor’s proposal, increased education and child care funding, supported nursing homes, rape crisis centers, infrastructure, and workforce programs, and shifted money from lapsed or unused accounts to current priorities. Opponents, including Senators Saval and Muth, said the budget failed to address structural deficits and omitted new revenue options, emergency services funding, and other major issues. The bill passed 44-6 with amendments and was returned to the House for concurrence. The Senate also passed a series of other bills, including House Bills 2412, 2413, 96, 858, 1042, 1286, 1646, 1851, 1862, 2017, 2024, 2401, and 2559, with varying margins, and sent them to the House, some with amendments. House Bill 1042 drew a negative recommendation from Senator Costa over a late amendment involving second-degree murder/felony language, but after reconsideration and vote changes it passed 30-20 with amendments. House Bill 1862, creating an Ignition Interlock Driver’s License, passed 45-5 after support from Senator Judy Ward. House Bill 1248 passed 43-7 and designates Pennsylvania rye whiskey as the official state spirit, with Senators Bartolotta and Robinson speaking in support. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 216, after defeating Senator Haywood’s amendment to narrow the scope of a proposed Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study of managed care organizations; the resolution passed 31-19. Several other bills were held over in their order, and the Senate later moved toward a condolence resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:32.320><c> and</c> limited commercial driver's licenses and limited commercial driver's licenses
• 08:10.280><c> Bill</c><00:08:10.480><c> 169,</c><00:08:11.600><c> an</c><00:08:11.760><c> act</c> vehicle
• House Bill 169, an act vehicle titles.
• Senate Bill 158, an act relating to vehicle financial protection products. Mr.
• House Bill 293, an act relating to vehicle wheels.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's my understanding that the Guardians ad Litem drive their own personal vehicles to wherever they
• to um wherever they personal vehicles to um wherever they have<00:11:00.279><c> to</c><00:11:00.480>
• We have implemented fleet vehicles in some of our larger destinations geographically, so in the north
• They also had conversations with licensing rules that were proposed last session.
• with licensing um rules that<00:39:12.000><c> were</c><00:39:12.400><c> proposed</c><00:39:13.400><c

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge Nakason has been licensed to practice law in the state since 1995.
• Judge Nakason has been licensed to practice law in the state since 1995.
• </c> foreign practitioners, licensed foreign practitioners, licensed businesses,<00:44:10.079><c> law
• </c> motor vehicles. Senator Lee. motor vehicles. Senator Lee.
• </c> conference draft 1, relating to license conference draft 1, relating to license plates.<01:23:40.880

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:08:09.359><c> So,</c> driver's license replaced quickly.
• So, driver's license replaced quickly.
• </c> years ago I had to go and get my license years ago I had to go and get my license renewed<01:13:
• Every specialty license plate has a fee associated that goes to drives.
• Every specialty license plate has a fee associated that goes to drives.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it sounds as in 2006 was the last time that the licensing fees were increased.
• And the requirement is that they would have purchased a hunting license or a fishing license for each
• licenses.
• more than the in-state licenses.
• licenses.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• require coordination with the appropriate authorities that have regulatory responsibilities over licensed
• require coordination with the appropriate authorities that have regulatory responsibilities over licensed
• </c><00:33:09.640><c> without</c> building materials, vehicles without building materials, vehicles without
• Would it be vehicles?
• Because, as you know, if you look at Molokai, their vehicles—nobody can fix the vehicles; we send them

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard several measures and took testimony without questions on SB 2431 relating to health savings accounts and SB 2797 relating to consumer protection. For SB 2797, the DCCA Office of Consumer Protection offered comments, Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill over gift card fraud compliance costs and legal risk, and AARP Hawaii supported it. The committee also heard SB 2946 on foreclosures, where the Hawaii State Bar Association’s Collection Law Section and several lenders, associations, and individuals opposed the measure, while the Hawaii Bankers Association and others offered comments. SB 2961 on insurance drew comments from the Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurance Council, with NAMIC opposing and some individuals supporting. SB 2948 on insurance fraud received comments from the Insurance Division and support from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, with NAMIC and the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding also commenting. No votes were taken during the hearing portion, and the committee recessed after testimony. The committee then reconvened for decision-making on the 9:30 agenda. SB 2431 was passed with amendments, including DOTAX-requested changes, a five-year limit on credit carryforwards, removal of an aggregate cap, a rural definition, transparent reporting, technical amendments, and a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 2797 was also passed with DCCA-requested amendments, technical changes, and the same deferred effective date. SB 2946 was deferred because there was no testimony in support. SB 2961 was passed with amendments, but after Senator McKelvey raised concern that policy-limit language could undermine the bill, the committee removed two policy-limit amendments before adopting the recommendation. SB 2948 was passed with amendments deleting certain definitions, aligning penalties and public-records provisions, adding coordination and disclosure clarifications, and making technical changes; one no vote by Senator Awana was recorded, with the rest in favor. The committee also considered SB 3000 from a prior hearing and recommended passage with amendments clarifying the Attorney General’s authority, creating a special fund, and addressing concurrent actions, again with a deferred effective date and one no vote by Senator Awana. In a joint CPN/GVO agenda, SB 2258 relating to school agriculture procurement targets was passed with amendments after the Department of Education said it would need to follow up on whether changing the target period from calendar year to school year would create procurement or scheduling issues; the committee added technical changes, a deferred effective date, and routed the bill to Ways and Means, with a note that Education should also have received it. In a later joint CPN/AEN hearing, SB 2452 relating to climate-friendly insurers drew strong opposition from the Insurance Division and several insurance groups, who warned it could push insurers out of the authorized market and into the surplus lines market, raising costs; Senator Dela questioned whether the bill would worsen an already strained market, while the division said the legislature could make the policy choice but warned of market disruption. The hearing then moved to SB 2760 on invasive species, where DLNR, DAB, CGAPS, and the Oahu Invasive Species Committee generally supported broader inspection and quarantine authority, civil penalties, and longer interim-rule authority, while committee members asked about staffing, treatment capacity, and implementation for non-agricultural commodities such as building materials and vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• these fleets provided by zero emission vehicles. vehicles to 90% by 2030.
• So we are working on a plan to for all vehicles to zero emission vehicles used in the TNC fleets.
• Vehicle specifications, vehicle inspections, many other requirements, as well as minimum insurance levels
• They can't afford an electric vehicle.
• They use their own personal vehicles. And you also rent vehicles to them, right?

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not prevent nursing license.
• </c><00:15:30.399><c> or</c> providers that are licensed or providers that are licensed or registered
• </c> from getting their medical license from getting their medical license removed,<00:27:25.520><c>
• marriage license as well. Uh, what's the marriage license as well.
• </c> hazard to an approaching vehicle. Mr. hazard to an approaching vehicle. Mr.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A good example is we had one on abandoned vehicles and licenses. We had one.
• A good example is we had one on abandoned vehicles and license and stuff, and Senator Thomas was working
• So if 1307 is most likely the best vehicle for the petition language and the park board language, for
• I think 1297, if you take out those two conflicting sections, you've got a vehicle to potentially ask

Bills: HCR3025

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: law enforcement, first responders, heroism, community safety, condolences, 908, all

Summary: The State and Local Government Committee first heard House Concurrent Resolution 3025, a resolution honoring the police and first responders of Fargo. Representative Hendricks presented it as a straightforward tribute tied to a tragic incident, and several members and a representative of the Chiefs of Police Association and North Dakota League of Cities spoke in support. There was no opposition, and the committee closed the hearing and later gave the resolution a 6-0 do pass recommendation, with Senator Braunberger volunteering to carry it. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 3010, which would direct Legislative Management to study legislative responsibility to review existing law before proposing new law. Representative Kempinock said the idea was to reduce repetitive or duplicative bills and improve legislative education, but also noted that current efforts by Legislative Council and leadership had made the resolution largely unnecessary. Members generally agreed with the premise but questioned whether a study was needed, and the committee ultimately gave it a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with Senator Lee volunteering to carry it. Next, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 3003, which would raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments from 50% to 60%. Speaker Wise argued constitutional changes should be difficult and cited other states’ higher thresholds, while Eric Spencer of the Greater North Dakota Chamber supported the measure and emphasized how often North Dakota’s Constitution has been amended. Members discussed the irony of asking voters to raise the threshold by a simple majority and the broader issue of an overused constitution, but the committee still recommended it do pass on a 6-0 vote. The committee then spent considerable time on House Bill 1297 and related House Bill 1307 amendments dealing with approval voting, ranked-choice voting, and a Fargo-specific exemption. Members and witnesses from the Secretary of State’s office and the League of Cities debated whether Fargo should be exempted and how to avoid conflicts between the two bills. An amendment to strip approval voting from 1297 failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee gave 1297 a 4-2 do pass recommendation so the floor could decide the issue, with plans to reconcile 1307 afterward based on that outcome.