Transcript Highlights:

• for hearings and public hearings<00:34:33.760><c> and</c><00:34:33.919><c> all</c><00:34:34.079><c>
• So, I I don't hearings and all that.
• are hearing.
• are hearing.
• are hearing.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we'll hear Okay, very good. And then we'll hear from<00:01:45.000><c> Mr.
• I didn't hear that so on and so forth. I didn't hear that specifically<00:58:17.359><c> addressed.
• </c> just don't think people when you hear just don't think people when you hear like<01:15:11.280><c
• We hear you loud and clear.
• </c><01:23:55.080><c> or</c> engagement, not simply a hearing or engagement, not simply a hearing or

Bills: HF3564

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the motion is adopted.
• Is there objection hearing done? It is so ordered.
• The objection hearing is so ordered.
• Hearing none, the motion is adopted.
• Hearing none, so ordered.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and considered several pending bills. The main discussion was on Senate Bill 1232, where the committee adopted a substitute that removed national provider identifier requirements, added an all-payer claims database study on facility fees, narrowed the facility-fee ban, created a telehealth exception when the patient is physically located in the facility, expanded the definition of facility fee, and added a 90-day notice requirement. The author noted the Texas Hospital Association had effectively neutralized the bill, though some nonprofits still opposed it. The substitute was adopted and then reported favorably by a 6-1 vote. The committee then took up multiple House bills, including HB 37, HB 388, HB 879, HB 913, HB 1115, HB 2809, and HB 116, each of which was moved out favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HB 37, HB 388, HB 913, HB 2809, and HB 116 were reported with unanimous or near-unanimous support, and HB 879 and HB 1115 were also advanced without recorded opposition. Senate Bill 1782 was also reported favorably on a 7-0 vote, with a brief remark that it involved a criminal offense and would be sent to the floor. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 2919 and then reported the substituted bill favorably by a 6-1 vote. After completing the agenda, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is just for an introductory hearing for educational purposes.
• However, it didn't get a full hearing.
• And this is just for an introductory hearing for educational purposes.
• However, it didn't get a full hearing.
• So, again, another introductory hearing to have a full discussion. Thank you.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Testimony for this hearing will be in person.
• Again, welcome to the Local Government Committee's first hearing of 2026.
• Assemblymember Wilson will be absent from today's hearing.
• Again, welcome to the Local Government Committee's first hearing of 2026.
• Assemblymember Wilson will be absent from today's hearing.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard AB 748 by Assemblymember Harabedian, a bill to expand California’s pre-approved housing plan program beyond accessory dwelling units to single-family and small multifamily developments under 10 units. The author said the measure builds on the earlier AB 1332 model, is intended to reduce time and cost in plan review, and gives local governments flexibility to choose designs while preserving permitting fee revenue. He also noted the bill had been worked to remove local government opposition and that similar pre-approved approaches have been used in Altadena and by Los Angeles County after recent fires. Support testimony came from Habitat for Humanity California, which said the bill would streamline the costly and labor-intensive early design and plan review phase and help affordable builders, nonprofits, and small developers move more quickly to permits. A representative from Abundant Housing Los Angeles and SPUR also spoke in support. No opposition witnesses appeared. Committee members expressed support, with Assemblymember Ward offering to coauthor and move the bill. The committee voted 7-0 to pass AB 748 to the Appropriations Committee, and the roll was briefly held open for an absent member before being closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs met with a quorum present and took up a series of pending bills, most of them election, ethics, political communications, alcohol, or business-regulation measures. Several bills were amended with committee substitutes before being voted out, including SB 2363 on unlawful publishing of another person’s vote, SB 2044 on political communications/electioneering, SB 2713 on discrimination and membership in professional or trade associations, SB 2337 on proxy advisor transparency, SB 946 on credit discrimination/social credit scores, SB 2334 on storage of alcoholic beverages by an airline permittee, and HB 1130 on cavern-entity liability. Authors generally described the substitutes as clarifying or narrowing changes, such as removing exceptions, adding an affirmative defense, striking the word “organization,” or making technical and definitional revisions. The committee also advanced SB 2633 on a local option alcohol election, SB 2637 on bots and automated social media posts, SB 2781 on civil penalties related to political contributions and lobbying, SB 2782 on discovery requirements for sworn complaints before the Texas Ethics Commission, SB 3059 concerning the Alamo, SB 1861, SB 1367, SB 945, and SB 2043. In several instances, members recommended bills for the local and uncontested calendars after favorable action. The discussion was largely procedural, with brief bill descriptions and substitute explanations; no extended public testimony is reflected in the transcript. Most measures were reported favorably to the full Senate, typically by recorded roll call votes of nine or ten ayes and zero or one nay. SB 2363, SB 2713, SB 1861, SB 946, SB 1367, and SB 945 each received one negative vote, while SB 2781, SB 2782, SB 3059, HB 1130, SB 2334, SB 2337, and SB 2043 were reported out unanimously or near-unanimously. After completing the agenda, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the minutes are adopted.
• Hearing none, all recommendations are adopted.
• Hearing none, all recommendations are adopted.
• Hearing none, these recommendations are adopted.
• Hearing none, the new recommendations are adopted.

Summary: The Sunset Advisory Commission met for its final meeting of the biennium, established a quorum, and approved the December 11, 2024 minutes. Members then voted on staff recommendations for several agencies, including the Angelina and Netties River Authority, Lower Netties Valley Authority, and Trinity River Authority of Texas, adopting all recommendations for those entities without modification. The Texas Ethics Commission received the most discussion. Members adopted a modified recommendation to exempt lobby compensation thresholds from inflation adjustments and another modification to round inflation-adjusted amounts. The Commission also adopted a series of new recommendations addressing TEC customer service staffing, late filing penalties, post-election reporting penalties, waiver of penalties when notice cannot be produced, review of the substantial compliance standard for corrected reports, review of the definition of principal purpose for campaign finance reporting, more prominent public posting of delinquent penalties, and clearer training and guidance on lobbying registration and filing requirements. The Commission also adopted two previously omitted Texas Department of Criminal Justice recommendations, 6.5 and 6.6. The Commission then took its required final record vote to forward all recommendations adopted during the biennium to the 89th Legislature; the motion passed with nine ayes. Sunset staff provided a status update on implementation of 2023 Sunset recommendations, reporting that the State Auditor found 89% of selected management actions fully implemented and that Sunset staff found 68% of 163 statutory and related changes fully implemented, with the remainder mostly in progress. The meeting also noted the recently completed evaluation of the Texas Lottery Commission and ended with closing remarks from the chair and vice chair before the Commission recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing and hearing no further debate, the clerk will open the roll.
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, the clerk will open the roll.
• You hear stories that people are more productive from home, but then you also hear stories like I have
• Seeing and hearing no further debate. Assembly Member Rogers. Seeing and hearing no further debate.
• So at a time when we hear nothing but address affordability, when prices of basic... ...when we hear

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you truly hear the city of Lawrence in any news, and you don't want to hear that anymore, this
• And we hear so often that a lot of them, like you said, are taking on these adjunct professors, hear
• I don't hear from you at all. I don't hear from cities and towns at all. I hear from students.
• I hear from schools. I don't hear from you.
• So I'm hearing you say trash, which I hear the gas transportation is almost like utilities, but I got

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> believe they're even holding a hearing believe they're even holding a hearing on<00:24:27.279><c
• </c> hear the reliability is very bad. hear the reliability is very bad.
• "Uh, there's not a public hearing.
• </c> submitted to the hearings bureau. submitted to the hearings bureau.
• </c> &gt;&gt; I didn't hear that. &gt;&gt; I didn't hear that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a transportation work session and executive session, with the chair explaining the format change to allow fuller discussion and possible expert input before votes. The committee first took up House Bill 209, which would have allowed a new vehicle purchased in the model year or before to be inspected in the second year after purchase. Members said the bill was rendered unnecessary by the broader repeal of vehicle inspections, and the committee voted 16-0 to deem it inexpedient to legislate (ITL), with consent. The same outcome followed for House Bill 212, which would have allowed a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle failed an emissions control test, and House Bill 533, which concerned civilian employees and commercial truck inspections. In both cases, members said the inspection repeal made the bills unnecessary, and in the commercial truck bill there were also concerns that the language did not fit federal requirements and referenced state inspection laws rather than federal ones. Both bills were voted ITL 16-0 and adopted by consent. House Bill 298, dealing with vehicle identification number-related issues and antique vehicle authenticity, also received an ITL recommendation 16-0. Members said the proposal raised fraud concerns and could affect the value and authenticity of antique vehicles, and several said the bill needed more work before any future consideration. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 150, which would define electric vehicle charging stations and establish annual testing fees for the Division of Weights and Measures. That bill drew the most discussion: Representative Sykes described a personal experience with a malfunctioning charging station and a large, unclear bill, arguing that consumer protection regulation is needed. Representative Miller said the fee structure seemed high compared with other inspections and that third-party inspectors were not allowed, though he acknowledged some need for consumer protection. Senator David Watters, the sponsor, said the bill should be improved and suggested a lower annual fee and a fund-based approach to build an inspection program over time. Cheryl, the director of Weights and Measures, testified that the division needs authority, staffing, licensing categories, and expensive test equipment to oversee EV chargers, and that current rules do not adequately cover this emerging technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to hear first House Resolution...
• That will close the hearing on 3997. We'll now hear House Resolution 4061 by Representative Mackie.
• That will conclude the hearing on 4061.
• That will conclude our hearing on House Resolution 4113.
• That will conclude our hearing on House Resolution 4113.

Committee: House Consent and Procedure

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several House Resolutions authorizing use of the House chamber for youth civic and recognition programs. House Resolution 3997 would allow the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ CYCLE program to hold a mock legislative hearing and floor discussion on July 16; House Resolution 4061 would allow the YMCA Youth and Government program to use the chamber for mock sessions across three weekends; and House Resolutions 4062 and 4113 would reserve the chamber on April 17, 2026, for separate Glory Awards presentations involving local schools. Sponsors described each event as educational, well-supervised, and respectful of the chamber, and committee members asked brief questions about attendance and scheduling overlap. The committee then moved into executive session and voted do pass on the resolutions. HR 3997 passed 7-0, HR 4061 passed 8-0, HR 4062 passed 8-0, and HR 4113 passed 8-0. The committee also took up House Bill 1940 on consent and voted it do pass 8-0 after brief discussion about why it had not advanced elsewhere, with the sponsor noting it had repeatedly passed committee and floor consideration in prior years. House Bill 2395 drew the most discussion. One member argued it was not appropriate for the consent calendar because it made substantive policy changes and raised fiscal concerns, while the sponsor explained that the bill mainly standardizes septic system testing by replacing perk tests with soil analysis and does not create a new program. After questions about fees and the consent process, the committee voted 7-1 to do pass HB 2395 on consent, with one dissenting vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those no, the ayes have it.
• Hearing none, Senator King. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Hearing none, the question before the committee is the motion to move Senate Joint Memorial 8002 from
• Hearing none, the motion to advance Senate Bill 5865 from the white sheet to the floor calendar.
• Hearing none, the motion is to advance in gross-substute.

Summary: The committee first approved moving Senate Bills 5067 and 5758 from the X-file to the white sheet. It then advanced a long series of measures from the white sheet to the floor calendar, including SB 5067 on impaired driving (lowering the per se BAC threshold from 0.08 to 0.05), SJM 8002 opposing Medicare privatization, ESSB 5061 on annual prevailing wage adjustments for public works contracts, SB 5855 restricting unlawful face coverings by law enforcement, SB 5865 updating garnishment forms for variable pay schedules, and SB 5081 clarifying remote vehicle starting on streets. Also advanced were ESSB 5268 on 12 months of community custody for unlawful firearm possession, SB 5272 on school event safety and interference penalties, SCR 8406 on civic health, SB 5000 making “the Evergreen State” the official nickname, SB 5500 modernizing Working Connections Child Care reimbursement rates, ESSB 5105 addressing digitally altered sexually explicit depictions of minors, and SSB 5156 on elevator standards. Additional measures moved forward included SJM 8006 asking the state Supreme Court to reinstate and expand the limited licensed legal technician program, SB 5325 designating the Columbia Plateau cactus as the state cactus, SB 5286 creating a community partnership policing program for Medical Lake and Eastern State Hospital while recognizing the existing Lakewood/Western State Hospital partnership, and SB 5937 concerning smart access systems in residential properties under the Landlord-Tenant Act. Several members briefly explained their bills, with some noting bipartisan support, prior committee approval, or existing budget provisos. The only recorded substantive opposition came from Senator King, who said he had concerns that SB 5067 might not achieve its intended safety outcomes. Most other motions were adopted by voice vote with no further debate. The meeting ended after a brief clarification that one motion should have been to the second-and-third-reading calendar, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to open the public hearing. Then we'll open the public hearing.
• </c> a few minutes before the hearing began. a few minutes before the hearing began.
• Hear no objection. All in a voice vote? Hear no objection.
• </c> hearing? None. Thank you. Thank you. hearing? None. Thank you. Thank you.
• Hearing none. The bill will be calendar? Hearing none.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to a hearing. Thank you, Representative Ehart.
• the hearing?
• But if it does, if you'd like to have a hearing, I will remove my motion.
• I will tell you this. hearing, I will remove my motion. I will tell you this.
• Many of their hearings are exempted because there are victims in the room.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 10 and 11, then moved House Bill 872 to the top of the agenda. Representative Tanner presented HB 872, which would remove the requirement that constitutional amendments or initiatives on a general election ballot be separated onto a new page or form. He said the change would save counties time and money, citing an Ada County estimate of about $110,000 in printing costs, and noted support from the Secretary of State. Some members raised concerns about voter confusion and ballot readability, but after discussion about ballot fatigue and the Secretary of State’s review role, the committee voted to send HB 872 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then introduced RS 33-694, a resolution to honor Idaho Olympic athletes, after brief discussion about whether it should receive a full hearing or move directly ahead. RS 33-224 was also introduced; Representative Harris explained it would change the number of county commissioner appointees submitted to the governor based on county population, to help smaller counties find qualified candidates and reduce turnover. RS 33-175, the annual codifier bill making technical corrections and cleanup changes to Idaho code, was introduced and sent to second reading without substantive debate. Next, Representative McCann presented RS 33-699, which would allow public meetings to be recorded but carve out exceptions for certain sensitive settings, including Department of Corrections facilities, juvenile matters, executive sessions, and parole hearings, to protect victims, juveniles, and security concerns. Members discussed possible issues with manipulated recordings and orderly conduct at meetings, but the committee ultimately sent the RS to second reading with a due pass recommendation. Finally, RS 33-618 was held at the call of the chair, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do not register until you hear the bell. The House will now proceed to register.
• Hearing none, so ordered. Representative, call it in. You're recognized. Mr.
• Do not vote until you hear the bell.
• Hearing no objection, the House is at recess. Floor session is now convening.
• Hearing none, so ordered.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Timothy Beger. Members also introduced several guests and groups in the gallery, including rare disease advocates, community leader Roberto Apodaca Revelez, Lucid Motors representatives, and a pediatrician visiting for Pediatrics Day at the Capitol. Attendance was recorded at 55 present, 0 absent, and 5 excused. In Committee of the Whole, the House considered HB 2022, HB 2122, and HB 2138. HB 2022, dealing with election procedures, was amended to extend the overseas military voter deadline fix and clarify that party observers may be present at all voting locations; it received a do pass recommendation. HB 2122, a technical reciprocity correction for engineers, also received a do pass recommendation. HB 2138, a cleanup bill clarifying that firefighters are covered under workers’ compensation alongside police officers, was amended and recommended do pass. On third reading, the House passed HB 2022 as an emergency measure by 56-0, HB 2046 on probation by 56-0, and HB 2116 appropriating $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund by 56-0. Members speaking on HB 2116 emphasized protecting Arizona’s Colorado River water rights and described the fund as a bipartisan effort. The chamber also heard commemorative remarks recognizing Notre Dame Prep’s hockey championship, proclaiming February 2 as Mexican American Heritage Day, and honoring Mary Green as an early Black pioneer in Arizona. After recess, the House received committee and first-reading reports, announced several temporary committee replacements, and then adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Further remarks?
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 session with roll call, presentation of colors by the Washington State Patrol Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, a signed national anthem by River Ridge High School students, and an invocation. The chamber welcomed new Senator Victoria Hunt and heard ceremonial remarks about the nation’s 250th anniversary and the challenges of governing during budget constraints. The Secretary of State certified the November 2025 election results, and newly elected Senators Emily Alvarado, Victoria Hunt, Deborah Krishnadasan, Tina Orwall, and Vandana Slatter were sworn in. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8660 to notify the Governor that it was organized and ready to conduct business, confirmed the committee appointed for that purpose, adopted Senate Resolution 8663 making minor Senate rule changes, and confirmed the 2026 standing committee memberships. The Senate then handled first-reading referrals and supplemental introductions, including measures referred to committees and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407 establishing cutoff dates for the 2026 session. Senator Riccelli supported the cutoff schedule as necessary to complete work within the 60-day session, while Senator McCune opposed it, arguing the Legislature should prioritize budgeting earlier and take a different approach to fiscal planning. After debate, the resolution was adopted. The Senate also received House messages transmitting House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407, and both were adopted by the Senate, with 4406 calling for a joint session and 4407 addressing the status of bills and measures. The chamber received additional messages from the Governor, Secretary of State, and Senate offices, including transmittals of several engrossed and substitute Senate bills and provisional certifications of initiatives. Senators Hunt and Torres reported back after escorting the Governor’s message, noting his readiness to work with the Legislature and a lighthearted Seahawks-49ers challenge. The session concluded with reminders about the upcoming joint session and a Rules Committee meeting, and the Senate adjourned until 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we sure appreciate hearing from Senator Hagen-Booe, and we also want to hear from Representative
• And I got to hear Becky when she was 12 give public testimony at Chairman Dutton's hearing, where she
• So now, you will get to hear from Becky. Thank you. Thank you.
• Next, you will hear from Linda Whitman.
• They want to hear from you. Yeah, that's. It. Okay, thank you.

Keywords: special education, funding gap, dyslexia, House Bill 2, Senate Bill 568, House Bill 3928, disability penalty

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on special education funding, with significant discussions around House Bill 2 (HB2), Senate Bill 568 (SB568), and House Bill 3928 (HB3928). Key speakers advocated for increased funding to close the estimated $1.7 billion annual gap that affects special education in Texas public schools. Several witnesses, including educators and students affected by dyslexia, provided personal testimonies about the impact of insufficient funding and the disability penalty, which penalizes schools financially for identifying students needing special education services. The committee demonstrated a strong commitment to advocate for changes that would improve special education resources and training for teachers, thereby ensuring that all Texas children receive the educational support they need to thrive.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the time set for the hearing on the House Revenue and Taxation Committee, and House Revenue Tax
• Chairman, I'm sure that that's probably more than you wanted to hear.
• We have budget hearings and so forth.
• “Seeing none, we will close our public testimony portion of the hearing.
• You're going to hear the same people.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered that the Secretary may read.
• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, Senator Anthon is recognized to close the debate. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing no correction in the title, the title is approved.

Summary: The Senate convened with all 35 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, received committee reports, and heard several introductions and page swearing-in ceremonies. Messages from the Governor and House were read, and multiple bills were advanced through first and second reading, including measures on education civics instruction, irrigation districts, state symbols, county jail prisoner costs, foreign laws, police dogs, hospital districts, driver training, agriculture license plates, and forest products commission procedures. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1254, which amends the Chiropractic Practice Act to clarify that certain certified chiropractors may prescribe limited products such as vitamins, minerals, fluids, and epinephrine for administration in their offices. The Senate also passed House Bill 533, removing the vehicle registration sticker requirement; supporters cited cost savings and modern plate-check technology, while opponents raised law-enforcement concerns. Senate Bill 1258 also passed after debate over a new distillery license for qualifying agricultural producers, with supporters framing it as a rural business and agritourism measure and critics warning about liquor-law carve-outs. The Senate further passed House Bill 502, which moves Idaho Forest Products Commission rules and related provisions into statute, and House Bill 555, a rewrite of solid waste facility law shifting more regulatory authority to the Department of Environmental Quality and updating landfill oversight. Votes on these bills were largely bipartisan, with HB 502 passing unanimously and the others passing by comfortable margins. The chamber then moved to miscellaneous business, announced a deadline for amendments, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been a balanced hearing. Or listening session, excuse me. Yeah, Jerry, we did.
• We think a really easy way to do that is to hold hearings.
• We had a good hearing.
• And we hear time and again, we just need a tax to fix this. But it never stops.
• , but they are hearing opposite bills in the House Appropriations Committee last night.

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus heavily on affordability and to criticize a newly unveiled Democratic income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun, Drew Stokesbary, and others argued the bill would function as a broader income tax, harm small and medium-sized businesses, include a marriage penalty, deny loss carryforwards, and ultimately raise costs for Washington residents. They also said the proposal would do little to offset regressive taxes and would not meaningfully improve affordability. In response to questions, they said the bill was a non-starter for Republicans and warned it could contribute to business and household outmigration. Republicans also highlighted a range of other bills they said would increase costs or worsen public safety, including proposals related to insurance, tires and 6PPD, textiles, local taxes, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. They criticized housing-related bills on homelessness and camping near schools and parks, saying they could limit local control and expose cities to lawsuits. On public safety, they said Democratic leaders were not advancing Republican-backed bills on sexually violent predators, family safety, and related issues. Braun also said his bill on oversight of NGOs and suspected fraud had a good hearing and remained a priority, while Republicans said they were watching fraud-related bills and a SNAP-related bill on restricting purchases of unhealthy foods. The leaders said they were holding listening sessions on the initiatives because they believe the legislature must give them precedence, and they said they invited both supporters and opponents to participate. They also discussed Senate Bill 602 on automated license plate readers, saying it had bipartisan support in committee but still faced concerns from cities, counties, and law enforcement. On the governor’s statement that he could not support the income tax proposal as written, Republicans said it showed there may be room for negotiation within the Democratic side, but they doubted Republicans would be included in those talks. No votes were taken during the media availability.