Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a data scientist. That is a very concerning number from a public health standpoint.
• I'm a data scientist. That is a very concerning number from a public health standpoint.
• EPA, I can tell you in my current role at South Coast AQMD that timely data, access to that timely data
• Data flow is critical.
• This air monitoring data answers a lot of questions.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a range of industry data on types of emissions and the concentrations, and then you can see
• , Washington knows less about its geologic formations and aquifers than states... ...data.
• , pipeline transport data, as well as reservoir data across the West.
• Without that data, we risk designing a system around assumptions rather than reality.
• Without that data, we risk designing a system around assumptions rather than reality.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The data that we used to conduct this analysis included license sales data.
• Um, it also included harvest registration data.
• This only includes two years of data.
• So uh keep that in mind as we're data.
• I think it really helps us have<00:20:41.920><c> data</c> have data have data to<00:20:43.120><c> guide

Transcript Highlights:

• I just don't have that data here. So you do have the data? Mr.
• Oh, I would love to see that data.
• But it also needs to be data-driven.
• But we certainly have some data.
• Just watch every place the data center is.

Bills: SB241 , SB145 , SB241 , SB145 , HB2

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• But we don't have that data because we only have the data that's reported either through deaths or through
• So we don't see this as an anomaly, but I have to get you hard data.
• We can then sort of get you some imputed data as well.
• Did you have any data regarding how many employees?
• It was before the internet came along to manage call volume and data.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the ...of the terminals, the needs of the vessels, and the conversions, and kind of outlined data
• Now when you look at the 2024 data and we're getting ready to... ...turnover much lower than that.
• The next thing that's happening is we're continuing the data analysis.
• analysis on a regular basis, so they're using data analytics and making data-informed decisions when
• analytics and making data-informed decision when it comes to their workforce.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on its capital program and workforce efforts. WSF leaders reviewed the long-term fleet and terminal strategy, explaining that the system has built relatively few new vessels over the past two decades, now operates a smaller fleet than planned, and must keep aging boats in service longer than typical marine operators. They said the agency is moving ahead with hybrid-electric conversions, new vessel construction, and terminal electrification to support a 26-vessel long-range fleet plan and reduce emissions and operating costs. On new vessel construction, WSF announced the award of a contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group for up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries. Officials said the first vessel is a new design, with about a year of production design work before steel cutting, and that the first boat is expected to cost about $400 million overall, including shipyard work, owner-furnished equipment, engineering, and contingency. Members raised concerns about the decision to build in Florida, transport risk, cost escalation, tariffs, liquidated damages, and whether the contract adequately protects the state. WSF said it will maintain on-site oversight, that the shipyard bears transit risk until delivery at Eagle Harbor, and that the contract includes incentives for early delivery and liquidated damages for late delivery. The committee also discussed the Wenatchee conversion, which WSF said is nearing completion and will enter service soon as the prototype for converting the Jumbo Mark II class to hybrid-electric operation. Officials said the project took longer and cost more than originally planned because it was the first conversion of its kind, required preservation and propulsion upgrades that would have been needed anyway, and revealed unforeseen conditions during work. Members questioned the cost-effectiveness of the conversion and asked for more detailed emissions and savings data. WSF said the three Jumbo Mark II vessels account for roughly a quarter of system diesel use and emissions, and that lessons learned from Wenatchee should reduce costs on future conversions. Siegel consultants then presented a workforce update, saying earlier studies found overtime and staffing problems were driven by seasonal staffing patterns, limited recruiting sources, weak career progression, and a difficult workplace culture. They reported substantial improvement since 2021, including a larger workforce, better retention, more diverse hiring, improved respect from supervisors, and better access to career pathways such as paid pilotage and advancement from entry-level positions. They said challenges remain around communication, HR access, scheduling, accountability, and labor forecasting, and outlined ongoing initiatives including a culture campaign, quarterly pulse surveys, succession planning, and improved workforce data analysis. The meeting then moved to terminal projects, beginning with a presentation on Fauntleroy Terminal and its planning and environmental review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not like a new auto manufacturer comes in, or one crypto or one data center.
• It's not like a new auto manufacturer comes in, or one crypto or one data center.
• I did not know what a data center was. I did not know this tied local hands.
• I did not know what a data center was. I did not know this tied local hands.
• It may be good on the data center part in West Memphis. It may be positive.

Committee: All HOUSE RULES

Summary: The committee first considered House Resolution 1016, presented by Rep. Marcus Richmond, which sought permission to file a bill aimed at consumer protection in certain housing arrangements where buyers purchase an interest in an entity rather than the property itself. Richmond said the measure was intended to improve transparency, prevent deceptive real estate practices, and ensure disputes would be handled in Arkansas or federal courts rather than private tribunals. Members raised concerns about overlap with existing law, possible effects on homeowners associations, arbitration clauses, hunting clubs, religious organizations, and the bill’s 25-acre exemption. After discussion, the committee voted down the resolution. House Resolution 1006, by Rep. Bart Schultz, proposed increasing the homestead tax credit by $75, from $600 to $675, using a fund created for property tax relief. Schultz argued the increase was supported by the annual report on the fund and was timely because of higher costs for gas and groceries. Members asked about using special language instead, whether the increase could be made retroactive later, and whether the governor had included it on the call. The committee approved the resolution. The committee then heard House Resolution 1007, presented by Sen. Brian King and Rep. James Eaton, which would have changed how turnback sales tax revenue is distributed to counties, with the first $150 million of sales tax revenue going into a fund for county infrastructure and each county receiving an equal share. Supporters said it would help counties with roads, jails, water, sewer, and other critical needs, while opponents questioned whether taking revenue off the top would harm other state services and whether the issue was urgent enough for a fiscal session. The resolution failed. House Resolution 1008, by Rep. Jim Wooten and Sen. King, sought changes to the LEARNS Act and school choice funding, including performance-based eligibility and reporting requirements. Wooten argued the program was financially unsustainable and that accountability was needed; members questioned whether the proposal would create a larger emergency and whether it should instead be handled through budget language. The resolution failed after a point of order interrupted the closing remarks. Finally, House Resolution 1009, presented by Rep. Ron McNair and Sen. King, aimed to restore local control over crypto mines and data centers, citing concerns about water use, electricity demand, Chinese ownership, and litigation tied to prior legislation. Members questioned whether the issue was truly emergent and whether the resolution was the right vehicle. The resolution failed. House Resolution 1015, by Rep. Howard Beatty, proposed amending the prior IDA bill to address concerns raised by constituents, including board accountability and removing eminent domain authority. Supporters said it would improve the bill before next session, but the resolution also failed. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been collecting data on in-custody deaths since July 1, 2024.
• I would say that, yes, we're still waiting to see how the data plays out and how admissions come in,
• And again, these are DOJ data.”
• If I cut programs, those recidivism data I just read off are not going to be what they are now.
• So, just to predict future populations, what we do is we utilize historical trend data, including data

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't reiterate too much of the data that Representative Reedy shared.
• Do you have any data around...
• I'm just wondering if you have any data around that delayed driver conversation.
• I do think that we are able to, as we stand today, provide data.
• We do deal in data in my office, and we are very close with Highway Patrol and crash data. Okay.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any requirements for data collection or reporting in this bill?
• on the retention component, the diagnostic data versus the screening data?
• I just want to use the right data point, and that's really the key. because I recognize the severity
• So, I want to use the right data point that we can make a good decision on.
• So, if that is a better data point, that's something I'm certainly open to.

Bills: SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that through data.
• We don't have the data. 2025. What was that number? Total number. We don't have the data for 2025.
• So we've kept that capacity at about 16 to 20 in any given data.
• But House correction, we could have that data we can shoot from this.
• I mean, we do have that data shared and published in some older reports in 2023.

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on how parole, probation, the Department of Correction, sheriffs, and community providers coordinate reentry and supervision. Chair Angela Gomez described the board’s mission, its discretionary parole process, and the work of its transitional services, life sentence, victim services, and field services divisions. She highlighted 2024 activity including 2,810 institutional release hearings, 141 life-sentence hearings, 100 victim access release hearings, 18,238 victim notifications, 53 pardon petitions, 70 commutation petitions, 41 early termination applications, and supervision of about 2,993 committed parolees. She also emphasized the board’s shift toward evidence-based practices, individualized conditions, graduated sanctions, and more service-oriented supervision, including GPS guidelines and community-based interventions. Members focused heavily on data questions and the practical overlap among agencies. Senator Brownsberger and others asked for clearer breakdowns of releases, active supervision, average length of supervision, and distinctions between parole, mandatory release, revocations, and interstate compact cases. The board explained that some figures combine in-state and out-of-state cases, that roughly 400-plus people on supervision are lifers, and that annual revocations can remain technically supervised until final hearings. Members also asked for more detailed outcome data on employment, housing, treatment, and program retention, as well as a clearer breakdown of people who refuse parole versus those who decline after a grant. The board said it could provide follow-up data and noted that many refusals are driven by pending cases, desire to avoid supervision, or preference for serving time inside. The discussion also covered collaboration with UMass, including risk assessment research, training on best practices, and real-time support for medication and drug-testing issues through community pathways. The board and commissioners described shared housing and reentry resources such as MASH, community justice resource centers, sheriff-run programs like Rocky Hill and HOPE, and other placements that help stabilize people after release. Several speakers stressed that housing is the biggest gap and that agencies are trying to keep people in the community with employment, benefits, treatment, and safe housing. The commission also received an update on the Mattis-related clemency/parole cohort: 210 individuals were identified, 144 were immediately eligible for hearings, 100 hearings had been completed, 10 were scheduled, and some had postponed or were still being calculated for eligibility. The meeting ended with plans for a March 9 public hearing and a request for follow-up data and continued site visits before the commission moves into recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those risks are not limited to firearm owners whose data is exposed. And even burglary.
• Those risks are not limited to firearm owners whose data is exposed.
• Once sensitive data is released, it cannot be unreleased.
• WOTEC is the agency response. data submitted to WOTEC.
• The Census Bureau would just release new data today that shows...

Summary: The committee first heard staff and sponsor testimony on House Joint Resolution 4210, which would remove constitutional limits on the length of regular legislative sessions and instead let the legislature set adjournment dates by statute. Rep. Breonna Thomas and supporters said the measure would give lawmakers flexibility to set a sustainable schedule and improve working conditions, while opponents argued it would concentrate more power in the legislature and could lead to a year-round session. No vote was taken on the resolution during the hearing. Members then heard House Bill 2520, which would clarify that county governing bodies may hold emergency special meetings outside the county seat or remotely during true emergencies and may act at such meetings even if the public cannot first listen in. Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the bill was prompted by the Skagit Valley flooding and was meant to help local governments respond quickly in disasters. Testimony was split: counties and some others supported the clarification, while open government advocates urged tighter language defining “emergency” and limiting the bill to state or federally declared emergencies. The hearing was closed without a vote. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2499, in proposed substitute form, concerning conservation district supervisors. The substitute would let conservation districts opt into the general election system under Title 29A, remove the landowner requirement, keep a farm-operator requirement for some seats, extend terms from three to four years, and require financial disclosure filings in some circumstances. Supporters argued the bill would modernize elections, increase transparency, and improve voter access; opponents warned it could be costly for small districts, reduce participation, and create unintended consequences. No final action was taken in the hearing portion shown. In executive session, the committee voted 7-0 to report House Bill 2408, a cleanup bill removing obsolete references to the Office of Financial Management, with a due pass recommendation. It also voted 5-2 to report House Bill 2435, creating a legislative office of Indian affairs, with a due pass recommendation; some members supported the bill as improving government-to-government relations with tribes, while others wanted a fiscal note before fully supporting it.

Transcript Highlights:

• , because that was the closest fiscal year data that we had available.
• The rules before us today, or that we are putting forward today, is based on more current data.
• And so... ...is based on more current data.
• So I'm wondering if maybe some of the data there wasn't correct.
• So I'm wondering if maybe some of the data there wasn't correct.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5816, which would add juice grapes to Washington’s Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act. Staff explained that the bill would allow juice grape producers to form an accredited association to negotiate with processors under the same timelines used for pears, and the prime sponsor said the measure was intended to help growers obtain fairer prices. A grape grower testified that Washington producers face a small number of buyers, little real negotiation, and prices far below New York’s, arguing the bill would give growers a way to bargain collectively. The public hearing closed with 47 people noted in support and one in opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production and use in Washington. Staff described the bill as directing WSDA to establish the program, adopt rules by 2028, and report to the Legislature, with costs shown in the fiscal note. The prime sponsor and several supporters, including Atlas Agro, a port representative, labor, NRDC, WSDA, the League of Women Voters, and the Washington State Potato Commission, said the bill could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local manufacturing and jobs, stabilize fertilizer supply and prices for farmers, and help Washington compete for federal clean hydrogen tax credits. WSDA said the program was implementable with consultation and that the Climate Commitment Act could be a funding source, though it noted rulemaking costs. The committee then held a work session on commercial shellfish fee assessments after the Department of Health adopted major fee increases for shellfish licensing and certification. Shellfish growers and association representatives said the increases—described as ranging from roughly 233% to 789% overall, with some individual licenses rising much more—would hit small and family farms hardest, could force closures, and were based on a fee structure they said is outdated and not tied well to production. DOH explained that the program has long relied on general fund support, that federal shellfish safety requirements must be maintained, and that the new fees are intended to move the program toward full cost recovery after years without increases. The department said it had used a phased approach, reopened rulemaking to look for a fairer structure, and would continue working with industry and the Legislature; no vote was taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• and that we can utilize that data to continue to protect our state.
• and that we can utilize that data to continue to protect our state.
• </c> keeping track of from a data keeping track of from a data perspective.<00:26:30.799><c> Is</c><00
• and that we that we can have that data and that we can<00:26:57.919><c> utilize</c><00:26:58.320><c>
• ><c> to</c> can utilize that data to continue to can utilize that data to continue to protect<00:27:00.559

Summary: State Rep. Samakab Hussein and other Minnesota lawmakers held a press event focused on allegations of ICE misconduct in St. Paul and surrounding communities, using the case of Nasra Ahmed, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen, as the central example. Hussein and others said Ahmed was detained for two days, denied clear explanation and legal representation, and suffered trauma and injuries; Ahmed described being taken from a predominantly Somali neighborhood, called a racial slur, and physically restrained, while her father said the experience was unacceptable for any citizen or resident. Several lawmakers, including Reps. María Isa Pérez-Vega, Mahmud Nur, Dave Pinto, and St. Paul City Council Member Anika Buouie, said they were drafting or supporting legislation and local responses to provide behavioral health, mental health, and emergency assistance for affected families and businesses. They also said they were hearing from teachers, faith leaders, and community members about fear, disrupted work and school attendance, and broader economic harm, and that St. Paul’s city council would pursue a letter to Gov. Walz seeking an eviction moratorium. The speakers alleged that ICE actions were unlawful, racially targeted, and in some cases in violation of a recent federal court order limiting certain tactics. They urged people to document incidents, call 911, and use an attorney general portal to report constitutional-rights violations so data could be collected. No formal vote was taken at the event, but the lawmakers said they were working with county and state officials and referenced ongoing lawsuits and possible future court orders.

Transcript Highlights:

• In your data... ...in an integrated system.
• You have good eligibility and data systems ready.
• We can provide you some data on the longer term.
• data that really I would just like to see that.
• Thank you all again for traveling here to Arkansas to give us this good data.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting focused on a presentation by the Alliance for Opportunity on its audit of Arkansas’s workforce and public assistance systems. Rachel Barkley, Mason Bishop, and Les Ford described a fragmented structure in which workforce programs, human services programs, and education/training programs operate in silos. They cited Arkansas data showing about 202,000 prime-age adults not engaged in the workforce, more than a million people on Medicaid/CHIP, and over 10% of the population on SNAP, while noting the state’s low labor force participation rate. They also said Arkansas has built some useful infrastructure, including integrated eligibility systems and data-sharing capacity, but argued that these tools are not yet being used to create a coordinated path to work. The presenters said local workforce boards administer only a small share of workforce dollars, mainly WIOA Title I funds, and argued that one-stop centers are funded largely by WIOA and Wagner-Peyser while other programs contribute little to service delivery. They said site visits showed frontline staff often had to “Google” community resources because they lacked referral tools, and that customers and employers alike must navigate multiple doors and agencies. They emphasized that administrative costs, duplicated staffing, separate buildings, and multiple case management systems reduce the amount of money reaching training and direct services. They also noted that most training dollars were going to limited offerings such as CDL training, and that human services employment-and-training funds were largely going to administration or subgrantees rather than direct participant support. As a solution, the presenters recommended a “one door to work” model built around three areas: a consolidated administrative structure, integrated service delivery, and integrated finances. They proposed creating a single state workforce agency that could include some public assistance functions, using a statewide eligibility and intake system, expanding case management through tools like Hope Hub, and adopting a unified cost-allocation model similar to Utah’s. They said these changes could be pursued through legislation, executive action, and federal waivers, and argued that savings would come mainly from reduced management, buildings, and duplicated systems rather than frontline layoffs. Committee members asked about costs, staffing, rural access, business engagement, and whether other states had adopted similar models. The presenters pointed to Utah, Louisiana, and Virginia as examples or partial examples, and said they would provide additional data, including a final report at the end of the month and follow-up information on Utah outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we used to get the data and it came out as multifamily or single-family.
• And we used to get the data and it came out as multi-family or single-family.
• We've actually able to get the data for multifamily of five units or more.
• So we haven't seen really the effects of the new law yet, but we've got the data to track it.
• I don't know if we have any data on vacancy. I'll see what I can find for you.

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The committee held a work session on land banking and shared homeownership models, with members and staff discussing ways to use public land and nonprofit partnerships to expand permanently affordable housing. Commerce’s Dave Anderson outlined recent policy changes that may support these models, including ADUs, middle housing, lot splitting, condominium reforms, church land housing, and public land transfer policies. He described community land trusts and limited equity housing cooperatives as ways for households to build some equity without owning land outright. Representatives asked about statewide numbers and implementation, and Commerce said it is preparing a guidebook for local planners. Pierce County staff described the Pierce County Community Development Corporation’s rapid acquisition fund, public-to-public land transfers, and land banking loans. They said the county used general fund and 1406 sales tax dollars to acquire properties, preserve a manufactured home park through resident ownership, and assemble public surplus and underutilized sites for future affordable housing. Committee members asked about the entity’s advantages over private developers, funding sources, coordination with housing authorities, and whether similar models exist elsewhere. The presenter said the main advantage is the ability to receive public property transfers at no cost and hold land while development plans are assembled. Amy Manning of the Spokane Regional Land Bank said land banks help move vacant, blighted, or underutilized properties into affordable housing and community use, but holding costs and taxes can make projects harder to finance. She described EPA brownfield assessments, Commerce planning grants, donated properties, and work with the City of Spokane on surplus and underutilized land. Victoria O’Beynion of the Northwest Cooperative Development Center then testified on limited equity cooperatives, especially in manufactured housing communities, saying they preserve affordability, support resident governance, and can build modest equity over time. She cited growth in cooperative acquisitions since 2020 and said recent legislation allowing manufactured homes in cooperatives to be titled as real property has improved access to traditional financing. The committee then shifted to maximizing existing housing stock. Dave Anderson reviewed the state’s recent housing laws and said implementation is still unfolding, with local code updates and planning cycles taking years. He noted growth in ADUs, room rentals, and multifamily production, but also concerns about short-term rentals and corporate ownership of single-family homes. Members asked for follow-up data on implementation timelines, vacancy, corporate ownership, and eviction patterns. Sightline’s Katie Gould presented on mobile dwelling units, arguing that RVs and tiny houses on wheels are a low-cost, fast-to-install housing option that is often blocked by zoning, and described cases where people were forced into precarious or illegal arrangements. AARP’s Kathy McCall closed by emphasizing aging in place, housing cost burdens on older adults, and the need for more accessible, lower-cost options such as ADUs, missing middle housing, and manufactured home community preservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I'm wondering if you have any data about how folks...
• And we used to get the data, and it came out as multifamily or single-family.
• We've actually been able to get the data for multifamily of five units or more.
• I'm curious about whether you have data on vacant homes.
• I don't know if we have any data on vacancy. I'll see what I can find for you.

Summary: The committee met for work sessions on land banking/shared homeownership and on maximizing existing housing stock. Members first heard an overview from Commerce on alternative homeownership models, including community land trusts, limited equity cooperatives, condominiums, accessory dwelling units, middle housing, church land for housing, and public land transfers. The discussion focused on how these models can help households build equity while keeping housing permanently affordable. Committee members asked about statewide counts of co-ops and land trusts, and Commerce said it does not track all of those entities directly. Pierce County staff then described the Pierce County Community Development Corporation’s rapid acquisition fund and its role in acquiring, holding, and transferring public land for affordable housing. They said the county used general fund and affordable housing sales tax dollars to buy properties, preserve a manufactured home park through resident ownership, and create a pipeline of sites for future development. Members asked about the advantages of a public development authority, funding sources, the use of surplus and underutilized public property, and how the model works with housing authorities. Spokane land bank staff followed with testimony that land banks can reduce blight, preserve affordability, and help nonprofits acquire land quickly, but that holding costs and taxes can make the work harder without state support. They also described brownfield assessments, donated properties, and work on Black homeownership and public surplus properties. The committee then heard from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center on limited equity cooperatives, especially in manufactured housing communities. The witness said Washington now has about 43 limited equity co-ops and that recent subsidy funding and legislation have accelerated resident purchases of manufactured home communities. Members asked how residents benefit from capped equity, how values are affected, and whether the model improves access to lending; the witness said the model stabilizes costs, allows modest equity gains, and that a recent law allowing manufactured homes in co-ops to be titled as real property should improve access to traditional financing. The committee also discussed House Bill 1974 from the prior session and possible updates to land banking legislation. In the second work session on maximizing existing housing stock, Commerce reviewed recent housing laws and implementation timelines, including ADUs, middle housing, condo liability reform, SEPA changes, tiny homes, and co-living. Members raised concerns about the long implementation horizon, vacancy data, corporate ownership of homes, and the need for better support for small landlords and first-time ADU owners. Sightline then testified on mobile dwelling units, arguing that RVs, tiny houses on wheels, and similar units are a low-cost, quick-to-install housing option that is often blocked by zoning; the witness said many Washington residents already live in these units, often informally. Finally, AARP discussed housing options for older adults, including ADUs, missing middle, manufactured home communities, co-living, universal design, and village-style support models, emphasizing aging in place and the need for more accessible, affordable housing choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a lot of data saying there was a decrease in it or even charges in that sense.
• They'll say, well, the data went down.
• A lot of that data is showing that people are from Arizona, so we're having to work with Arizona.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, we were looking at that data and we wanted to mention some of
• We are trying to figure out what's going on, but we just don't have the data.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Or if we knew the same demographic data for the complainants in those cases?
• that it's still worth looking at what the disparate impact and the data tells us regarding what cases
• So we are giving taxpayer money, partisan data, nonpartisan data to this organization that can and transfer
• Perhaps is it for the data? And he went silent.
• And it was data. And again, I have evidence of what he is doing on the city.

Bills: SB108 , SB318 , SB507 , SB511 , SB533 , SB1026 , SB1386 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to get, if I'm able to get in there and look at all the classified data.
• You know, AI is an overused word in the sense most of it is just high-end data analytics.
• Microsoft Cloud to amalgamate that data.
• And they ask for that data.
• Do you know how appetizing it is for our adversaries to have this data?

Committees: Senate Subcommittee on Cybersecurity , Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.