Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our traditional kapuna caregiver program our traditional kapuna caregiver program is<00:19:44.720
• Capa caregiver program for some reason I Capa caregiver program for some reason I thought<00:23:30.520
• 31:47.880><c> know</c> within our program providers you know within our program providers you know and
• </c> individual that had the WEA um program individual that had the WEA um program now<00:36:34.440><
• C-1 is our congregate program, and C-2 monies are the home-delivered meals program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on Kupuna Care funding, distribution, utilization, and the status of program rules. The Office of Aging explained that state Kupuna Care funds are distributed using the same federally approved interstate funding formula used for Older Americans Act funds, with eight weighted factors tailored to Hawaii’s conditions: older adults, greatest economic need, low-income minority status, disability, language barriers, geographic isolation, inverse population density, and older adults living alone in poverty. The department said the formula is based on census and American Community Survey data, with current county shares listed as Kauai 7.45%, Honolulu 69.61%, Maui 11.7%, and Hawaii County 17.88%. Officials said the formula is being reviewed with current data and will need federal approval and then public hearing before final adoption. Members questioned how the program works in practice, noting that the statute and eligibility language can sound like direct individual benefits even though services are delivered through area agencies on aging, ADRCs, and contracted providers such as meal and adult day care programs. The Office of Aging said ADRCs determine eligibility and then refer clients to authorized providers, who must meet service standards in their contracts. The chair pressed repeatedly for long-delayed rules, saying the Legislature had expected them years earlier and that clear rules are needed to ensure funds are spent properly and to avoid conflicts of interest. The department acknowledged the delay, said draft rules were written in 2023 after earlier commitments to finish sooner, and said it paused while federal Older Americans Act rules were being updated; it now expects to send the rules to the Deputy Attorney General, then out for public hearing, with a goal of completion in 2025. The department also reported utilization data for the last two fiscal years. In 2023, it expended about 93% of its allocation and served 5,473 older adults at an average annual cost of $1,358; in 2024, it expended about 97% and served 5,520 older adults, with the average cost down by about $200, which officials said may indicate fewer services per person. Eligibility was described as age 60 or older, U.S. citizen or qualified alien, with cognitive impairment or disability and functional deficits, and the statewide profile showed many participants were homebound, living alone, or below poverty. The most-used services were transportation, case management, and home-delivered meals. The chair also asked about the former Kupuna caregiver program; officials said the programs are now combined under Kupuna Care, with most funding going to adult day care to provide respite for working caregivers. County representatives then described local conditions, especially on Hawaii Island. Hawaii County officials said the county covers about 5,000 square miles, has about 208,000 residents, and roughly 24% are age 65 or older. They identified three main challenges: staffing shortages and retention problems among providers, shortages within the county department itself, and the loss of adult day care capacity, with only one center remaining on the island and none on the west side. They said these constraints limit service delivery even as demand grows. At the same time, they highlighted successes such as serving people in the community before they need higher levels of care, providing caregiver counseling and training through adult day care, serving 467 individuals locally, and ensuring the Resource Center answers calls from caregivers seeking help.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have access to pathways and programs have access to pathways and programs that<00:02:13.440><c>
• > promoting</c> to award grants to programs promoting to award grants to programs promoting hands-on<
• </c> implement and manage the funding program implement and manage the funding program through<00:02:
• &gt;&gt; We code a 30-second autonomous program &gt;&gt; We code a 30-second autonomous program that<
• </c> programs that support that methodology. programs that support that methodology.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to the trustee programs, one of my favorites is the music incubator program.
• The next one is the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.
• And it gets a little frustrating sometimes because you work through this program, what we call programming
• So that happened early in the program.
• our child care programs.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The pilot program is just getting underway.
• </c><00:18:18.559><c> this</c> the emergency ambulance aid program this the emergency ambulance aid program
• Rebecca will come up and talk about the pilot program up there with chase cars.
• We've made some pretty good progress toward getting this program started.
• </c> licensed programs licensed programs we<01:32:24.880><c> have</c><01:32:25.159><c> new</c><01:32:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the adult workforce diploma program.
• You mean you don't have concerns about the program? No, no, no, no.
• I'm fine with the program and I'm fine with ending the sunset. Okay. All right.
• And so if we don't fund it, the program goes away.
• It's the same program, but it's being funded and has been funded through the budget.

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1196, sponsored by Sen. Mike Henderson, which combines two workforce-related measures: an expansion of Fast Track grant income eligibility and a new Workforce Pell Grants framework for short-term, non-credit training programs. Henderson said the Fast Track income caps would rise from $40,000 to $50,000 for individuals and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers, and that the Workforce Pell provisions would help community and technical colleges offer stackable credentials in areas like welding, commercial driving, advanced manufacturing, and health care support. He also explained the emergency clause was needed so Missouri could begin drawing federal funds starting July 1. Witnesses from the Missouri Community College Association, Graduation Alliance, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and public higher education testified in support. One witness supported the Workforce Pell and stackable-credential portions but said he did not favor raising the income thresholds. Committee members discussed technical cleanup language and whether the Department of Higher Education had been consulted on the bill’s structure. In executive session, the committee adopted two House committee amendments: one incorporating additional workforce language, including Representative Wilson’s Fast Track Workforce Grant provisions and moving the Workforce Development Board under the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, and another repealing the sunset on the adult workforce diploma program. The amendments were rolled into a House committee substitute, which the committee then voted do pass by a roll call of 12 ayes and 1 no, with Rep. Titus voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Created this program is Doctor Lowe.
• Super excited about our partnership with Doctor Lowe and his Live program.
• Number four is to evaluate our curriculum and program.
• Most of the classes we offer through our virtual program are math-based.
• This live program includes six courses, each a semester long.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs can operate in two ways.
• We have spent more than four years talking about this program.
• We have spent more than four years talking about this program.
• So we're essentially back here, again, trying to fix programs that won't work.
• me, the environmental programs, because this one. specifically for the reliability programs, because

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on clean energy, electrification, and grid planning. AB 1813 (Ward) would revise California’s community renewable energy program to better support community solar and storage, especially for renters and low-income customers, by tying credits to avoided costs and requiring at least 51% low-income participation. Supporters said the current CPUC program is unworkable and has stalled development; utilities raised concerns about cost shifts, CCA impacts, and the bill’s late substantive amendments. The bill was discussed but no vote was recorded in the excerpt. AB 2313 (Berman) would create a gas service line replacement alternative program allowing customers facing planned gas line replacement to instead choose electrification and receive an incentive. Supporters argued it would reduce long-term gas infrastructure costs and give customers more choice, while opponents warned it could divert money from safety-related gas replacement work, create affordability issues, and conflict with the recently approved SB 1221 pilot. Committee members pressed the author on safety, funding sources, and renter impacts; the author said the bill includes emergency replacement exemptions and is intended to lower costs for remaining ratepayers. AB 1975 (Schultz) would require the CPUC to develop a grid utilization metric and consider expanded grid management programs to better use existing distribution infrastructure and reduce the need for costly upgrades. Supporters said better utilization could save ratepayers billions and help integrate batteries and flexible load; utilities generally opposed rigid utilization targets but were open to further discussion. The committee passed AB 1975 on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 2612, on plug-in photovoltaic systems, passed 9-0 to Appropriations after supporters said it would expand access to low-cost solar and utilities requested clarification that they would participate in the standards process. AB 1849 (Pappin) would direct CARB to study the need for decarbonized gaseous fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors and for grid reliability. Supporters framed it as a technology-neutral assessment for sectors like industrial heat and backup power; opponents argued it was biased toward a preferred fuel pathway and duplicated existing state studies. After a lengthy exchange over the lack of a statutory definition for “decarbonized gaseous fuels,” the bill passed 10-0 to Appropriations. AB 2088 (Pappin) would authorize investor-owned utilities to own and operate thermal energy networks, with safeguards for safety, workforce, and ratepayers. Supporters described TENs as efficient, low-emission heating and cooling systems that can use geothermal energy or waste heat; the bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Orana NASA government relations program Orana NASA government relations program specialist<00:13
• We are willing to run the program.
• we are willing to run the the program we are willing to run the program<00:26:33.440><c> uh</c><00:26
• </c> dozen units so all of our other programs dozen units so all of our other programs are<00:47:25.400
• of the programs and the circumstances of the programs and the projects<01:10:54.600><c> that</c><01:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as we toward your program and your dietary program and all those sorts of things, with the education
• program, Or how are you working with our public school system and maybe other types of programs that
• For educational programs.
• Our young people who are made eligible through the courts program and are released onto the program are
• accepted and released onto the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• program.
• </c> the Schools program. the Schools program.
• </c> PSEO program. PSEO program.
• </c> program itself. program itself.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:33.160><c> be</c> uh to the adult education program be uh to the adult education program be
• </c> program in civics. program in civics.
• There are 26 adult education programs, and there's a staff of 41 overseeing that.
• There are 26 adult education programs, and there's a staff of 41 overseeing that.
• There are 26 adult education programs, and there's a staff of 41 overseeing that.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also expands the work by updating programs. It also expands the work by updating programs.
• The changes that are made will help our young people access programs and use the programs that are offered
• The changes that are made will help our young people access programs and use the programs that are offered
• It works on identifying what are high-demand programs.
• , student emergency assistance grant program, Career Connect Washington, guided pathways.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate considered Substitute Senate Bill 6184, which updates and clarifies statutes governing the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs in the Department of Commerce. Supporters said the bill streamlines existing law, expands eligible housing and services for unhoused youth, supports reunification when appropriate, and removes county-based limitations so the program can continue statewide. Several amendments focused on parental notification and agency placement were offered, including proposals to move the program to DCYF and to require more direct notice to parents or law enforcement, but all were rejected after debate over safety, abuse concerns, and the role of DCYF. The bill then passed final passage by a vote of 30 yeas to 18 nays. The Senate next took up Substitute Senate Bill 5931 concerning the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board. An amendment was offered to restore a public-facing data dashboard for transparency and accountability, but the sponsor withdrew it after discussion. The bill was described as making administrative changes without fiscal impact, and it passed final passage overwhelmingly, 47 yeas to 2 nays. After the two bills were disposed of, the Senate announced a Rules Committee meeting following adjournment and then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11th, the 31st Legislative Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We certainly have many people who leave our programs and go on to state-operated programs.
• We certainly have many people who leave our programs and go on to state operator programs.
• Thank you for having visited our programs. No problem.
• Okay, up next we have Tammy Mello with the Key Program.
• Okay, up next we have Tammy Mello with the Key Program.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing focused on accessibility-related legislation, with the chairs emphasizing ASL and CART accessibility and asking testifiers to speak slowly and clearly. The committee heard testimony first on H.223/S.130, a bill to establish a livable wage for community-based human service workers by reducing the pay gap with state employees. Providers’ Council, Communities for People, the Key Program, and BAMSI all supported the bill, describing persistent wage disparities, high vacancy and turnover rates, and the impact on continuity of care for children, youth, and families. Witnesses said the bill would help recruitment and retention and stabilize services across the Commonwealth. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.224/S.160, the ACE Act, which would create a dedicated funding source to improve accessibility in the creative economy. Arts organizations and advocates, including Community Access to the Arts, Abilities Dance Boston, Jacob’s Pillow, the Multicultural Arts Center, Northampton Community Music Center, Mass Creative, Open Door Arts, and Monkey House, described barriers such as inaccessible buildings, lack of ASL interpretation and captioning, inadequate lifts and backstage access, and the high cost of renovations. Testifiers said the bill would help smaller and historic institutions make physical and programmatic improvements and allow people with disabilities to participate as artists, workers, and audiences. The committee also heard testimony on H.4180, which would require DDS to consider neuropsychological evaluations when determining eligibility for intellectual disability services. Parents and advocates argued that IQ cutoffs alone can miss significant functional needs, especially for autistic adults and others with complex developmental profiles, and urged broader access to DDS supports. Additional testimony supported S.101 on closed captioning and telecommunications in public areas, and S.158 on requiring restaurants to have some chairs with arms to better accommodate physically disabled and older patrons. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after hearing from the scheduled witnesses and noting a few signups that were not present.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a very good program, though. Thank you all for your testimony.
• This bill would not increase state spending or create new aid programs.
• Our School of Nursing paused expansion of its BSN program.
• , expanded programs, student support services.
• Programs were cut, and graduate enrollment fully halted in other programs.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2070, which would create state funding parity for Western Washington University by tying appropriations to a per-student funding ratio. The prime sponsor and Western officials said Western has long been the lowest-funded public four-year institution on a per-student basis, leading to budget cuts, reduced student services, and delayed graduation. Students, faculty, and university leaders testified in support, while some members questioned whether the bill should instead address a broader higher-education funding formula for all institutions. Central Washington University also supported the bill but suggested a broader approach. No vote was taken on HB 2070. The committee then heard House Bill 2671, which would expand eligibility for state financial aid to certain nonprofit out-of-state branch campuses operating in Washington if they meet specified accreditation, duration, and authorization requirements. Rep. Timmons said the bill is intended to help students in an accelerated nursing program at Northeastern University in Seattle access aid and support workforce needs. Northeastern’s dean testified in support, saying the bill would align financial aid law with prior changes to degree-granting statutes and would not increase state spending. The hearing on HB 2671 was then closed. House Bill 2617, dealing with the higher-education “fund split,” drew extensive testimony. The bill would gradually shift more of employee compensation increases and central services costs to state funding, and would require a study of essential student services. The sponsor and many university, faculty, staff, and student witnesses argued that the current funding practice shifts costs to tuition, contributes to layoffs, program cuts, larger classes, and reduced student support, and creates instability across public higher education. Community and technical college representatives also said underfunding COLAs harms operations and students. The committee then moved to executive session on Senate Bill 6258, which would authorize the Washington Medical Commission to create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntary license relinquishment; the committee approved it 14-0 with a due-pass recommendation, with three members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• team, the mathletes, the school bands and choir, and the theater programs.
• program could survive and it took place last summer thanks to us.
• </c><00:09:06.320><c> to</c> budget cuts killed a summer program to budget cuts killed a summer program
• </c><00:09:10.920><c> enabled</c> are new to America the program enabled are new to America the program
• </c><00:10:17.079><c> now</c> raise revenue for these programs now raise revenue for these programs now

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: State Representative Bjorn Olson opened by discussing House File 733, which he said would roll back restrictions placed on electronic pull tabs and charitable gambling two years earlier. He argued the 2023 changes hurt charities, veterans groups, and local communities by reducing revenue for donations to fire departments, youth activities, and veterans services. Olson said the bill had just been heard in the Veterans Committee and had been sent on to Commerce, and he expressed optimism about advancing it further. Several charity and gambling representatives testified in support of the bill. Amanda Jackson of the Spring Lake Park Lions Club said the new rules stripped entertaining features from electronic pull tabs and reduced revenue, citing a drop in January EAB sales from $947,000 in 2024 to $816,000 in 2025. She described how Lions Club gambling funds local equipment, eyeglasses, clothing, school programs, food shelves, and shelters. Rachel Keller of the Bloomington Kennedy Activities Foundation and Tim Angstrom of the Bloomington American Legion said reduced gambling revenue would hurt school support, student needs, and community programs; Angstrom said the Legion had funded a $3,000 English program and other local services. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities said the group was also working on sports betting legislation, but that any sports betting revenue would not make up for the losses from the electronic pull tab changes. She said the 2023 law took effect January 1 and that no current game on the market fully matches the features now required, forcing manufacturers and charities to adapt. In response to questions, Olson said the bill’s path would depend on further House and Senate action, and he suggested a possible compromise could involve restoring some playability features while continuing to seek tax relief for charities.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> addressing areas that relate to program addressing areas that relate to program integrity<00:03:
• </c> proposal relating to enhancing program proposal relating to enhancing program integrity<00:07:36.479
• </c> proposal related to enhancing program proposal related to enhancing program integrity<00:10:48.560
• Then I guess I assistance program.
• </c> counties are financing these programs counties are financing these programs already?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fulfilled</c><00:10:06.920><c> this</c> The 14c program never fulfilled this The 14c program never fulfilled
• It is day store using this program.
• </c> programs paying subminimum wage. programs paying subminimum wage.
• </c> work, our day support service program work, our day support service program continues<00:37:58.480
• </c> take me to any one of these day programs take me to any one of these day programs and<01:19:12.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can create a program in Louisiana.
• Well, this is different because what this does is this allows LED to develop a grant program, a program
• can create a program in Louisiana.
• dedicated to these programs in 2020.
• dedicated to these programs in 2020.

Bills: HR3, HR80, HB4, HB172, HB189, HB623, HB944, HB1185, HB1199, HB1222, SB105, SB125, SB461

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• bridge program, and the local road wetland improvement program.
• bridge program, and the local road wetland improvement program.
• bridge program, and the local road wetland improvement program.
• bridge program, and the local road wetland improvement program.
• . program. program.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• and programs deemed appropriate.
• Under the program, the commission must award grant funds to tribes to implement the program and provide
• program support for specified activities, including creating comprehensive tribes to implement the program
• Other than the traffic safety coordinator program?
• All 39 counties have to have a six-year transportation program and an annual program under the statute

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills related to transportation, utilities, housing permitting, and port financing. Substitute Senate Bill 6309 would give regional transit authorities, such as Sound Transit, more flexibility to apply for permits before acquiring property, exceed certain local height/setback limits when needed for rail systems, and use development agreements to vary local standards; the sponsor and Sound Transit testified that the bill would speed delivery of light rail and bus rapid transit, and an amendment was described to allow permits on property not yet owned if the transit authority remains responsible for obtaining property rights. Substitute Senate Bill 6076 would streamline procurement rules for public utility districts on clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution projects by raising self-performance and contract thresholds, allowing limited noncompetitive procurement in certain reliability or specialized-technology situations, and extending some provisions until 2045; supporters from PUDs, labor, and industry said the changes are needed because of rising costs, long lead times, and grid reliability demands, while committee members asked about the size of the threshold increases and the scope of the bidding waivers. Substitute Senate Bill 5729 would prohibit local governments from charging applicants for third-party plan review when a licensed local staff professional of the same discipline has already reviewed the materials, while still allowing third-party review at the applicant’s cost in certain cases; the sponsor said the bill was narrowed from a broader version and was intended to prevent duplicative fees, and builders supported it as a permitting streamlining measure. Senate Bill 6132 would create a narrow debt-limit exception for the Port of Moses Lake to support a rail project and preserve federal funding eligibility; the port and economic development supporters said the project is ready to bid and needs additional borrowing capacity because of inflation, and the sponsor clarified that the bill is intended to apply only to that port. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5374 would require tribal governments to be included in transportation planning coordination under the Growth Management Act and create a tribal traffic safety coordinator grant program; the sponsor emphasized severe pedestrian fatality disparities for Native people and said the bill is about consultation and safety, while county representatives supported the policy goal but asked for clearer cross-references to existing GMA consultation and dispute-resolution processes. The committee also took up Substitute Senate Bill 6070/6076-related testimony and, at the end of the hearing, announced that bills would be executed the next day and amendment requests should be submitted as soon as possible.