Transcript Highlights:

• What we hear, to your question, Senator, what we hear repeatedly from residents is that, unanimously
• Last, we'll hear from Catherine Sheldon. Please go ahead.
• Seeing none, that ends the hearing on this bill, 6181, and we will open the hearing on Senate Bill 6154
• Seeing none, that ends the hearing on Senate Bill 6154.
• So that concludes the hearing on this bill, and this concludes the public hearing portion of the committee

Summary: The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181, sponsored by Senator Conway, would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file a city incorporation petition without collecting resident signatures if the area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Supporters from Pierce County said the current signature requirement makes incorporation too difficult for large urban unincorporated areas like South Hill, while opponents argued the signature threshold is an important test of community support and raised concerns about boundaries, taxes, and the adequacy of the bill’s details. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area to help finish a rail project; the port said rising costs and a pending federal grant made the extra flexibility necessary. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6154, which would give local governments more flexibility in how they use hydraulic project approval permits for culvert replacement. Counties and cities testified that many emergency culvert repairs are expensive and that some sites provide little fish habitat benefit, so they want the option to redirect equivalent resources to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in the watershed. A few commenters supported the bill as a practical way to improve habitat and flood resilience, while one remote witness objected to the broader legal framework for salmon habitat projects. Senate Bill 6189 would extend from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for creating an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities; Olympia, Tumwater, and regional partners said they need more time to complete feasibility and coordination work for a proposed aquatic center. In executive session, the committee took action on several bills. It adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 6037 to Ways and Means, adopted a substitute and passed Senate Bill 5983 to Rules, and passed Senate Bills 5995 and 6013 to Rules without amendments. For Senate Bill 6066, the committee adopted an amendment into a new substitute and passed the bill to the Transportation Committee. The committee did not take action on Senate Bills 5820 or 6064.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Appropriations Committee will come to order for the purpose of public hearing.
• Today's hearing will be live streamed and is recorded for TVW.
• Hopefully you can hear me and see my picture.
• Can you hear us? I hadn't asked me to unmute yet. Can you hear us?
• And we'll work to get back to you after the hearing.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee heard staff briefings and testimony on four bills. House Bill 2124, a Department of Retirement Systems request, would raise the minimum monthly pension benefit that can be paid as a lump sum from $50 to $250, with future inflation adjustments by the director; staff said it would cost about $11,000 in administrative changes and have no actuarial impact on the pension funds. House Bill 2125 would remove a biennial restriction on using pension fund interest earnings for certain administrative and compliance expenses that protect the funds; DRS said it would have no fiscal impact and would continue existing practice. Seth Miller of DRS supported both bills as efforts to reduce complexity and improve consistency across retirement systems. House Bill 2179 would create a retroactive exemption from PERS membership for certain port district employees who are instead covered by federal railroad retirement or union-sponsored defined benefit plans. Staff said audits found a small number of affected employees, with a one-time administrative cost of about $18,000, and noted possible legal concerns because retroactive changes can implicate vested retirement rights. Testimony from the Washington Public Ports Association and the Port of Ponderay supported the bill as a narrow clarification needed to avoid dual coverage and large retroactive liabilities; the Port of Vancouver also supported it as a fix for building trades workers covered by union plans. House Bill 2160 would change SEBB eligibility rules for school employees, creating a presumption of coverage on day one for returning employees who previously worked 630 hours in prior years, effectively shortening the lookback period and extending it across SEBB employers. Supporters, including substitute teachers, WEA, SEIU, and other school workers, said the bill would reduce disruptive gaps in coverage, help workers and families maintain continuous insurance, and improve recruitment and retention. Opponents, including school administrators, business officials, and school directors, argued it would be an unfunded mandate that could significantly increase district costs and administrative complexity, especially because districts would have to track hours and rebut presumptive eligibility. The Health Care Authority explained that eligibility is determined by local benefits administrators using worksheets and appeals, that the current two-year presumption was built from earlier benefit rules, and that the bill could increase costs and create issues for retirees who currently manage hours to stay below the 630-hour threshold. The committee took no votes and adjourned after public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am shocked to learn that today in this hearing.
• Did that bill get a committee hearing?
• But you're not hearing from Visa and MasterCard today. Mr. Courageous?
• Hearing none, thank you very much. I appreciate you being here.
• The chair hears none, and the bill is left pending. Thank you.

Bills: HB245 , HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair will now hear excuses for absent members.
• SB 617 by Shortner relates to hearing public testimony at hearings regarding water rights for the Committee
• SB 617 by Shortner relates to hearing public testimony at hearings regarding water rights for the Committee
• The chair hears none, and the resolutions are adopted. Thank you.
• SB 617 by Shortener relates to hearing public testimony at hearings regarding water rights for the Committee

Bills: HJR99 , HB1399 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HCR35 , SB14 , HB 12 , HB1522 , HB422 , HB675 , HB204 , HB748 , HB912 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HCR35 , HCR123 , HCR124 , HR57 , HR87 , HR111 , HR228 , HR230 , HR322 , HR624 , HR625 , HR626 , HR627 , HR628 , HR630 , HR631 , HR634 , HR635 , HR636 , HR637 , HR638 , HR639 , HR640 , HR645 , HR646 , HR648 , HR649 , HR651 , HR652 , HR653 , HR654 , HR664 , HR665 , HR668 , HR675 , HR676 , HR678 , HR679 , HR680 , HR683 , HR686 , HR688 , HR689 , HR694 , HR695 , HR697 , HR698 , HR699 , HR472 , HR622 , HR632 , HR633 , HR643 , HR655 , HR657 , HR660 , HR661 , HR662 , HR663 , HR667 , HR670 , HR674 , HR681 , HR682 , HR696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm delighted to bring forth HB 105 to you. opening the hearing on House Bill opening the hearing
• We will close the hearing on 390 and we will open hearing on 393.” “Oh, this. Oh.
• Seeing none, we'll close the hearing<01:28:52.159><c> on</c> hearing on hearing on 513<01:28:54.320><
• And we didn't hear, if I could mention, we didn't hear 454 because watch wasn't here.
• </c> had nine hearings and Oh, I'm sorry. had nine hearings and Oh, I'm sorry.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The speaker then asked to hear a little more. Mr.
• So you'll hear me not referring to it as kratom.
• You would definitely hear it from the programmers.
• Is that what I'm hearing?
• I didn't have any hearing. I didn't have any hearing. I'm a senator. That's where I'm at.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are the primary areas I've been hearing are the primary areas I've been hearing from.<00:21:35.760
• But I did hear you and I want to acknowledge hearing you, but I also want to acknowledge hearing what
• But I did hear you and I want to acknowledge hearing you, but I also want to acknowledge hearing what
• But I did hear you and I want to acknowledge hearing you, but I also want to acknowledge hearing what
• </c><00:40:17.359><c> It</c> even had a hearing in the Senate. It even had a hearing in the Senate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, the Chair brings up House Bill 34 and moves...
• Hearing none, it's so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee hearing.
• This is our last committee hearing of the year.
• Are there persons in this hearing room in support of this measure?
• Any persons here in the hearing room in support of this measure? Any UCLA fans in the hearing room?
• Other persons in this hearing room in support of this measure?

Summary: The committee heard a series of Senate bills on environmental, climate, recycling, wildfire, outdoor access, and clean transportation policy. SB 958 would clarify CEQA treatment of impacts tied solely to increased building height, and SB 1230 would increase penalties and create CalRecycle support tools for repeat commercial illegal dumping. SB 1341 would revise how processing fees are calculated for bag-in-a-box wine under California’s recycling program. All three measures received due-pass recommendations to Appropriations, with roll calls showing majority support and the bills left open for absent members. Members then took up SB 1300, which would create a more permanent legislative role in California’s international climate cooperation and establish a climate secretariat at UC; SB 1370, which would codify and streamline wildfire fuel-reduction permitting with added safeguards, geographic and size limits, and pesticide-related amendments; and SB 1260/1268, which would codify the Outdoors for All initiative and the Deputy Secretary for Access position at the Natural Resources Agency. Each drew support from environmental, utility, business, and local-government witnesses, while SB 1370 also drew opposition from environmental and advocacy groups concerned about reduced CEQA review and herbicide use. The committee discussed amendments at length, especially on SB 1370, and all three measures advanced with due-pass recommendations. The committee also heard SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transparency Act, requiring baseline pricing disclosure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks tied to state incentives and directing agencies to explore alternative financing. Support came from clean-air, business, and environmental groups, and the trucking/manufacturing opposition moved to neutral after amendments; the bill advanced on a due-pass vote. Finally, SB 1075, the Clean Air Promise, sought to strengthen AB 617 implementation and clarify community emission reduction planning, but it generated substantial opposition from air districts, business groups, and others over enforceability, funding, and the distinction between formal SERPs and community L-SERPs. The author described additional pending amendments to narrow L-SERP provisions, and the bill also received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today's hearing builds on that work.
• Can everyone hear me all right? Great.
• Can everyone hear me all right? Great.
• Can you all hear me all right?
• The three things I would just offer, my takeaway from the hearing myself, My takeaway from the hearing

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HAP) program, focusing on how state homelessness dollars are spent, what accountability measures are in place, and whether those measures are helping or hindering results. The chair framed the discussion around the state’s large homelessness population, the roughly $5 billion invested in HAP since 2018, and the need to balance transparency, performance, and administrative burden as the Legislature considers future funding and possible trailer bill changes for Round 7. Testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Housing and Community Development described HAP’s evolving accountability structure, including regional planning, system performance measures, housing element and pro-housing requirements, encampment policies, and public dashboards. LAO noted that added requirements have lengthened the application and award timeline, while HCD emphasized that the program is increasingly directing funds toward evidence-based housing solutions and that public reporting has improved transparency. HCD also said HAP has helped move more than 90,000 people into permanent housing statewide and that the department is working to reduce duplicative reporting and improve speed. Local officials from Oakland, Alameda County, and Riverside County largely supported HAP but urged the Legislature not to overcorrect with punitive or overly burdensome accountability rules. They argued that homelessness is driven by broader housing shortages and outside factors, that one-time funding should be stable and predictable, and that metrics should focus on program-level outcomes rather than system-wide homelessness counts alone. Several witnesses described HAP as essential to keeping shelter, interim housing, and permanent housing programs operating, with Riverside citing a 19% reduction in unsheltered homelessness and Alameda citing over 6,000 people moved into permanent housing through HAP-funded programs. Members asked about point-in-time count reporting, fraud safeguards, federal funding threats, and whether accountability requirements should be streamlined. Some members emphasized the need for faster disbursement and stable metrics, while others raised concerns about data consistency across counties and the impact of federal cuts to vouchers and supportive housing. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational, with members indicating follow-up discussions and future budget negotiations on HAP accountability and funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• This joint hearing was scheduled prior to that proposal.
• I'm pleased to be joining the Budget Subcommittee to hold this joint hearing.
• I very much look forward to hearing all the testimony today. Thank you.
• Yeah, I mean, I'll look forward to hearing the panel discussions later.
• They want to hear what we want?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear us? Yeah, yeah. Superintendent, you're muted.
• So if you can hear me, please take yourself off mute and say hello.
• I do hear your point, and we will try to find a balance.
• I take concern just hearing what Senator Lanier just said.
• They've been hearing for years. "Don't come to New Mexico."

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objections, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, Senator Wilson is excused. Senator Nobles: No, next bill.
• Hearing no objections, so ordered. House Bill 2104 is on third reading and final passage.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, the Senate now stands adjourned.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate considered and passed several House bills. HB 2624, relating to consumer protections for unsolicited real estate transactions for public purposes, was amended with a striking amendment from the Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee and then passed 30-18, with Senator Dozier voting no and saying the bill still needed work. HB 2104, which makes permanent aviation assurance funding for wildfire response by removing a sunset clause, passed 47-0 with two excused after Senator Short urged support based on its wildfire-fighting value. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Substitute HB 2334, which addresses cash transactions and rounding to eliminate the need for pennies, adding language that customers with exact change must be able to pay exact change. The bill passed 45-2, with Senator Frame describing it as permissive guidance for businesses and Senator Dozier supporting it humorously; Senator Gainer voted no. HB 2436, concerning requirements for oil tankers operating in restricted waters and clarifying tugboat horsepower standards to match current practice, passed 46-1 after support from Senator Lovelett and Senator King. Finally, Engrossed HB 2575, reducing certain reporting obligations under environmental or energy laws, passed 47-0 with two excused. Senator Schumaker said it would save administrative costs for the Department of Commerce and utilities and free up money for low-income energy assistance. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing me out, because people deserve better.
• So you're going to hear about RCOC and how we use the CEDAR.
• And Amy, the beauty of having such a large community present in this hearing is to hear in real time
• So let's hear what you have.
• No parents should have to hear those words from their child.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and committee members for hearing this bill.
• Chairman and members for hearing this bill.
• Chairman and members, for hearing the bill.
• Madam Vice Chair, members, thank you for hearing the bill.
• Now, we are not going to hear Representative Olson's bill.

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing of the Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee will come to order.
• </c> yourself for the record oh um we'll hear yourself for the record oh um we'll hear your<00:04:01.239
• Otherwise, we'll hear from the mayor of Maple Grove.
• Members, for hearing the bill, Senate File 167.
• </c> requests um I hope that when we do hear requests um I hope that when we do hear these<01:14:29.719

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, so ordered.
• Hearing none, thank you.
• And to now hear this story...
• And to now hear this story and to hear that there are victims, I'm honestly not surprised because at
• The appropriations special hearing in Hearing Room 1 will start at 9 a.m. and be done by 8 p.m.

Summary: The House convened, took attendance, approved the prior journal, and recognized a number of guests and proclamations, including a proclamation supporting freedom, life, and liberty for the people of Iran. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several Senate bills. SB 1166 and SB 1252 were reported do pass without controversy. SB 1184 drew debate over a floor amendment that would have added the pride flag to the list of flags HOAs and condo associations could not prohibit; the amendment was rejected on a 21-32 division vote, and the bill was then reported do pass. The House also entered an additional Committee of the Whole to amend SB 1092, adopted a floor amendment setting an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, and reported the bill do pass as amended. On third reading, SB 1020, a special license plate bill benefiting the Arizona Space Commission and related space education efforts, passed 35-21 with several members explaining votes in support of space industry development and in opposition because a proposed community college scholarship plate was not included. SB 1247, an emergency measure relating to health care institutions, passed 55-1 and cleared the two-thirds threshold for its emergency clause. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to HB 2307, then later passed HB 2307 unanimously as an emergency measure relating to dangerous and incompetent defendants. The chamber also considered a bill repealing Cesar Chavez Day and replacing it with a different observance tied to the farm worker movement. Members on both sides spoke at length about sexual abuse allegations involving Cesar Chavez, the importance of standing with survivors, and the need to honor farm workers and the broader movement rather than one individual. The bill ultimately passed 48-8 with the two-thirds emergency requirement. The House then received announcements, including caucus and committee meeting notices, a remembrance of Christian Petillo, and a congratulatory note for the University of Arizona men’s basketball team, before adjourning until March 31, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did I hear a Monday in there, Mr. President? Okay, sorry. Mr.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered. Senator Riccelli. Thank you so much, Mr. President.
• Hearing no objection, so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, Senator Dhingra is excused.
• Hearing no objection, the Senate now stands at ease.

Bills: SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, suspended rules to allow committee work and additional floor resolutions, and referred committee and gubernatorial appointment reports as designated. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments in third reading. Megan Matthews was confirmed as director of the Washington State Office of Equity by a 45-2 vote, and Robert A. Zupon, Denise E. Gideon, Andrea Buchanan, Michelle R. Smith, and Edison A. Valerio were each confirmed to various community and technical college boards of trustees by large bipartisan margins. The chamber then considered Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation revenue and policy measure. After rejecting the Transportation Committee’s original striking amendment and adopting a narrower floor striking amendment, senators debated the bill’s changes, including repeal of the luxury aircraft tax and replacement with higher aircraft fuel taxes, registration fees, and an annual excise tax, along with technical corrections and safety-related transportation provisions. Supporters said the bill was a workable compromise that would sustain transportation funding and support future aviation investments; opponents argued it would raise costs on small aircraft owners and general aviation. The bill passed final passage 33-15. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8703 honoring Senator Steve Conway for his 34 years of legislative service. Multiple senators spoke in praise of his leadership on labor, pensions, veterans, and district advocacy, as well as his institutional knowledge, mentorship, and personal integrity. Senator Conway then offered a personal statement thanking colleagues, staff, family, and constituents, and saying he would continue advocating for working people after leaving the Legislature. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing this bill, and thank you, David, for the thorough briefing.
• And we will suspend the public hearing on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6110, and open up the public hearing
• So let's hear from that individual, Vice Chair Donaghy.
• open the public hearing on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6262.
• That concludes the public hearing on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6262.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, we'll hear from Jack Loop, Sean Colmire, and Jeffrey Thomas.
• Madam Chair, we'll hear from Jeffrey Thomas, if he's here.
• You can't do anything in these hearings. And there's no due process.
• Madam Chair, we'll hear from Shannon and Daniel.
• Can you hear me? Yes. Wonderful.

Bills: HB2735 , SB5868 , SJM8006

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: family law, constitutional floor, legal standards, child custody, divorce, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges, caseload, docket backlog, judicial workload, elected judge