Video & Transcript : 'pass/fail' :
Page 212 of 500
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 87 as amended do pass as amended. House Bill 102 do pass.
- House Bill 117 as amended do pass. House Bill 203 as amended do pass as amended.
- House Bill 243 do pass as amended. House Bill 244 do pass.
- You're failing yourself, you're failing the system, and we're wasting money with almost 6. 000 plus projects
- I now move that House Bill 487 do now pass.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker Pro Tem, the Committee of the Whole recommends that SB 1166 do pass, SB 1184 do pass as amended
- , and that SB 1252 do pass.
- The Committee of the Whole recommends that SB 1166 do pass, SB 1184 do pass, and SB 1252 do pass.
- Do pass, SB 1184 do pass, and SB 1252 do pass. Majority Leader Carbone, yes, Mr.
- Hearing none, the question before you is that Senate Bill 1092 as amended do pass.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- exam, and pass state and federal background checks.
- Representative McIntyre: nay, do not pass. Representative Entenman: aye.
- Representative Graham votes nay, do not pass.
- Representative Lee votes nay, do not pass. Representative Lee votes nay, do not pass.
- Representative Rood votes nay, without recommendation or do not pass.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on HB 2337, which would repeal the planned 2027 requirement that certain family-member long-term care providers complete annual continuing education. Rep. Barnard said the bill was intended to reduce burdens on relatives caring for one loved one and to avoid forcing them into courses that are often not relevant to the person they support. Supportive testimony from family providers and disability advocates emphasized that family caregivers already receive individualized training from doctors and therapists, that the available course library is often geared toward aging-related care rather than developmental disabilities, and that mandatory CE could create compliance barriers and risk losing caregivers. Opponents, including SEIU 775 representatives and family caregivers who support the current system, argued that continuing education improves care quality, helps caregivers stay prepared as needs change, and should remain mandatory; they also said the state had already responded to prior concerns by expanding the course catalog and allowing repeat courses for credit. No action was taken on HB 2337.
The committee then heard HB 2311, a technical bill making administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment and Accountability and Oversight Board. The bill would extend co-chair terms, allow more than four meetings per year, shift consultation on workforce investment effectiveness to the Student Achievement Council, and eliminate the requirement for a public data dashboard. The bill sponsor and supporters from WASAC, Microsoft, and the United Faculty of Washington State said the changes would improve board operations and oversight, while also raising broader concerns that WEA funds have been used to supplant general fund support for higher education. Testimony noted the dashboard had not been funded and that WASAC already tracks related metrics through other tools. No vote was taken on HB 2311 during the hearing.
The committee then moved to executive action on HB 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying information in WASFA records. An amendment by Rep. Levitt was adopted to allow the Student Achievement Council to share applicant information with entities beyond higher education institutions under binding data-sharing agreements. The committee then adopted the amended substitute bill and voted it out of committee. The final roll call was 9-8 in favor, and Substitute HB 2132 was reported out with a do pass recommendation. The committee also announced that executive action on HB 288 and HB 2148 would be delayed and that no action would be taken on those bills that day.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Transcript Highlights:
- exam, and pass state and federal background checks.
- Representative McEntire: nay, do not pass. Representative Entenman: aye.
- Representative Rude: nay, do not pass. Representative Salahuddin: ...
- Representative Rude: nay, do not pass. Representative Salahuddin: aye.
- Representative Lee votes nay, do not pass.
Committee:
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Keywords:
training requirements, caregiving, family member, individual providers, home care, workforce education, investment accountability, administrative changes, oversight, education policy, nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation, education, pay it forward program, tuition, student loans, financial aid
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, please do not pass this through.
- </c><01:07:32.799><c> away</c> gassed have actually some passed away gassed have actually some passed
- You passed this. You passed this.
- You passed this. You passed this.
- pass pass unamended<02:11:41.000><c> chair</c><02:11:41.239><c> and</c><02:11:41.480><c> vice</c><02
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Commerce
Summary:
The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided.
The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs.
Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Apr 22nd, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It has been passed out and published online, and these amendments are technical in nature.
- It's already been passed. I think it's on its way to the House now.
- It's already been passed. I think it's on its way to the House now.
- itself up, hopefully, if both of these bills pass.
- So if that's a cost of business that they have to pass on, I certainly don't like it.
Summary:
The House Committee on Commerce met on Wednesday, April 22, with a quorum present and heard several bills. HB 1195, relating to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission, was amended with technical changes and a fee-related amendment tied to student athlete agents, then reported favorably. Members asked about criminal penalties and whether the bill would affect prison athletic events; the author said he would follow up on those questions. HB 798, the Broadband and Cable Price Notice Act, was amended to clarify definitions, federal compliance, notice requirements, and severability, then reported favorably after extensive debate over whether providers already give adequate notice, whether a separate notice is necessary, and whether the bill would be preempted by federal law. Charter Communications testified in opposition, saying the bill was duplicative and would add costs, while the author argued it was needed to ensure clear, conspicuous notice of price increases and cancellation rights.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County and Regional Government Apr 14th, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Failed. We show Clara Atfield registered for herself and against the bill. Next is Gwen Marotta.
- I remember a Texas that was the first state in the nation to pass a state DREAM Act to celebrate and
- If passed, HB 5580 will damage the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
- It is a big word to pass.
- The things that I passed out... ...here.
Committee:
House S/C on County & Regional Government
Keywords:
transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/11/2026 - Senate Director Nominations
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of those questions she would have been asked her, why she failed to disclose her service on the
- Why she failed to disclose her service on the board of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, a highly
- We've already seen from the prior nominee, the failed nominee for OEO, that they allowed many highly
- to enforce mitigation measures like mask guidance, and, I'm quoting, 'failed the course miserably,'
- Wildfire, and the legislature does too, so it passed legislation last year that requires us to take a
Summary:
The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote.
Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations.
Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of those questions she would have been asked: Why she failed to disclose her service on the board
- Why she failed to disclose her service on the board of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, a highly
- We've already seen from the prior nominee, failed nominee, for OEO, that they allowed many highly partisan
- to enforce mitigation measures like mask guidance, and, I'm quoting, 'failed the course miserably,'
- Wildfire, and the legislature does too, so it passed legislation last year that requires us to take a
Committee:
Senate Director Nominations
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate will be in a brief recess. ...come from the House, passed and engrossed.
- The question comes on passing the bill to be enacted.
- I hope members will join me in passing this, and have you called?
- Members, having voted in the affirmative two in the negative, the amendment, the bill passed.
- House Number 422, reported the House passed to be engrossed.
Summary:
The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn.
A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee.
The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 57 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You may recall that this early literacy bill passed the House just a few months ago on a unanimous 155
- Several states have already passed legislation to restrict early literacy to evidence-based methods,
- Question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. The Chair recognizes Ms. Barber of Somerville.
- And finally, Often go neglected until they fail.
- On this matter, 151 members voted in the affirmative, zero in the negative, and the bill is passed to
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed several student and community guests, including ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, visitors honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci, Scottish visitors celebrating Scotland’s World Cup appearance, Top-Notch Scholars students from Lawrence, and the King Philip Regional High School baseball team after its first state championship. The chamber also adopted several routine resolutions and orders, including extending the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a condominium-related petition. The House then rejected concurrence with the Senate on the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and instead voted to appoint a committee of conference.
The major policy action was on Senate Bill 3064, the Mass Ready Act, a large climate resilience and environmental bond bill. Members speaking in support emphasized flood protection, clean water, PFAS remediation, municipal vulnerability preparedness, coastal resilience, parks, trails, housing, and agricultural and food-system investments. The bill was described as authorizing roughly $3.8 billion in general obligation bonds, with discussion of specific funding for the Clean Water Trust, PFAS remediation, coastal infrastructure, biodiversity, healthy homes, and farmland preservation. A consolidated amendment was adopted, and after debate the House passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote.
The House also took up the conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said the measure would require evidence-based reading instruction, move away from three-cueing approaches, support educator training and apprenticeships, and improve student literacy outcomes statewide. The conference report was accepted on a roll call vote of 152-0. Later, the House considered amendments to the Mass Ready Act, including one proposal to increase PFAS remediation funding that was ultimately withdrawn, and adopted another consolidated amendment before passing the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 151-0. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned to an informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 57 Jun 17th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You may recall that this early literacy bill passed the House just a few months ago on a unanimous 155
- Several states have already passed legislation to restrict early literacy to evidence-based methods,
- Question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. The chair recognizes Ms. Barber of Somerville.
- And finally, Often go neglected until they fail.
- Question now is on passing the bill, the bill having been ordered to a roll call.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed student ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, and adopted several resolutions honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci. Members also agreed to extend the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee on House No. 5505 and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a condominium-related petition to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
The chamber then dealt with Senate No. 2619, the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act. The House did not concur with the Senate’s position and instead appointed a committee of conference. It also took up Senate No. 3064, the major climate and infrastructure bond bill known as the Mass Ready Act, which Ways and Means reported with a House amendment. After debate emphasizing resilience, clean water, PFAS remediation, coastal protection, agriculture, and municipal preparedness, the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading.
Later, the House considered and overwhelmingly approved a conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said it would require evidence-based reading instruction, restrict three-cueing methods, expand educator training, and support paid teaching apprenticeships. The report was accepted 152-0. The House then returned to S. 3064, adopted a consolidated amendment, and passed the bill to be engrossed by a vote of 151-0, before adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 57 Jun 17th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You may recall that this early literacy bill passed the House just a few months ago on a unanimous 155
- Several states have already passed legislation to restrict early literacy to evidence-based methods,
- Question comes on passing the bill to be engrossed. The Chair recognizes Ms. Barber of Somerville.
- And finally, Often go neglected until they fail.
- Question now is on passing the bill, the bill being engrossed, rule having been ordered.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, I move we send House Bill 760 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
- Chairman, I move we send House Bill 760 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
- House Bill 760 will be sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
- In fact, the bill to create DOGE as an interim committee failed. It was created separately.
- The bill to create DOGE as an interim committee failed.
Committee:
House Revenue and Taxation
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- And just for clarification, I thought we passed time served?
- Because the system is failing us.
- If it's a split, the max they can get is five, you know, unless we pass this bill.
- We have to pass a law to say that local governments can work together.
- If we don't pass it, they can't pass it.
Bills:
HB43 , SB81 , SB178 , SB138 , SB89 , SB183 , HB27 , HB188 , HB199 , HB190 , SB117 , HB43 , HB27
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, custodial sexual misconduct, sexual misconduct, inmate abuse, prisoner exploitation, correctional staff, jail staff, detention center, probation officer, parole officer, Department of Corrections, Department of Youth Services, sheriff, county jail, municipal jail
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (03/07/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- They basically wanted something that would give the ability to pass an ordinance that would deal with
- They basically wanted something that would give the ability to pass an ordinance that would deal with
- They basically wanted something that would give the ability to pass an ordinance that would deal with
- They basically wanted something that would give the ability to pass an ordinance that would deal with
- They basically wanted something that would give the ability to pass an ordinance that would deal with
Summary:
The committee worked through a draft bill amending animal cruelty and protective custody provisions, focusing on how animals may be seized, cared for, and returned, and on what rights owners have when animals are taken. Members discussed adding language requiring officers to inform a charged person in writing of the right to petition for a veterinarian of their choice, clarifying that any documents presented for signature must be fully and honestly explained, and revising language so confiscated animals cannot be altered without notarized owner authorization. They also considered a new prohibition on using confiscated animals for fundraising or donations, ultimately preferring the term “financial gain” over “profiteering.”
The discussion also covered protective custody procedures, including adding “municipal animal control officer” to the list of officers involved, allowing return of animals to the owner or caretaker if no charges have been filed or no warrant establishing probable cause has been sought or issued, and clarifying the distinction between criminal seizure and temporary protective custody. The commissioner’s comments led to several proposed deletions or revisions, including removing language viewed as redundant or inconsistent with protective custody, and striking references to live racing provisions that are no longer relevant.
Members further addressed lactating animals, agreeing to add language that confiscated lactating animals should not be separated from their nonweaned offspring. They also discussed a proposed confidentiality provision requiring people assisting in investigations or taking possession of seized animals to sign a binding nondisclosure agreement, though members noted similar protections may need to be duplicated in the temporary custody section as well. The conversation was largely about drafting and legal clarity, with no final vote or formal action recorded in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Last session, the House overwhelmingly passed Rep.
- I would just comment that, you know, looking forward, prospectively, pass this biennium, if there's a
- We've got school districts that have had CADs that have failed the comptroller's property value study
- And then, additionally, the enhanced TIA, there are many districts that pass this through and use it
- Okay now and those are the schools that were failing is that yes okay We have to be failing to qualify
Committee:
House Public Education
Keywords:
public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) May 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator King moves that Senate Bill 1113 do not pass, but the substitute be adopted and that it do pass
- Senator King moves that Senate Bill 2221 do not pass, but the substitute thereof do pass and be printed
- , do pass and be printed.
- thereof do pass.
- do pass and be printed.
Bills:
HB12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696 , HB12 , HB149
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/13/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> 2231 as amended be recommended to pass 2231 as amended be recommended to pass and<00:35:39.160><
- </c><00:48:06.319><c> this</c> minnesotans of not passing this minnesotans of not passing this bill<00
- Passing the two bills you've heard today are a great start.
- </c> I'm in support of support uh of passing I'm in support of support uh of passing this<01:02:23.559
- </c> right guess what the business fails right guess what the business fails people<01:42:22.000><c>
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- How does us passing this bill help your business plan going forward?
- We would urge the committee to pass SB 5971.
- It'll be difficult for me to come because I feel like I failed you, and I don't really want to eat your
- It's difficult for me to come because I feel like I failed you, and I don't really want to eat your food
- I won't go in... difficult for me to come because I feel like I failed you and I don't really want to
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.