Transcript Highlights:

• That was a major piece of legislation.
• Is the state courts legislative package.
• But legislation alone is not enough.
• We have 31 states that have introduced similar legislation.
• If you read the legislative analysis of the bill or the the legislator analysts report on the bill, it

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The original legislation created an exemption for smaller horse events where the entry fee The legislation
• And so what our legislation will do is increase those fees for these And so what our legislation will
• Once the roll is established, we will adopt our rules for the legislative session. Soria? Oh.
• On behalf of our over 9,000 members, Humane VMA strongly supports AB 928 legislation.
• By today's hearing, we heard some of these critical pieces of legislation.

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:10.440><c> Lithium-ion</c> battery legislation. Lithium-ion battery legislation.
• ,</c><00:47:27.040><c> including</c> included state legislators, including included state legislators
• I support this legislation for three reasons.
• </c> with what this legislation provides. with what this legislation provides.
• </c> that we as legislators that we as legislators can<01:47:31.520><c> have</c><01:47:32.040><c> information

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also their legislative chair.
• <c> to</c><00:06:23.039><c> your</c> legislation and subject to your legislation and subject to your
• So it's for up to one year legislation.
• We support this legislation.
• ><c> to</c><01:46:06.159><c> promoting</c> legislation is critical to promoting legislation is critical

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to comment on some of the history of this particular legislation.
• I would like to comment on some of the history of this particular legislation.
• I would like to comment on some of the history of this particular legislation.
• I would like to comment on some of the history of this particular legislation.
• The state was facing litigation over this exact type of legislation.

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the legislative team who were instrumental in putting this together and thank you, Department
• We have, if we are given a legislative mandate, we have to do those things.
• So I don't anticipate too many conflicts coming up with legislative or priorities.
• And you know, it's always difficult to say no frankly to any sort of legislative request.
• We do from a legislative perspective and a gubernatorial perspective.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 28 is legislation relating to overtime for certain employees, domestic workers.
• This is legislation related to exemptions from jury service upon request.
• This legislation would establish the Distributed Energy Resource Task Force. My apologies.
• This legislation would establish the Distributed Energy Resource Task Force. Report sunset.
• As a reminder, this legislation permits developers to co-locate battery storage on solar sites.

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Representative Mae Peshlakai, and I am proud to tell you about Legislative District 6 and the people
• And now I am a representative for the constituents of Legislative District 6.
• First, it is the largest legislative district in the country.
• On a clear day, you can see for miles and miles in Legislative District 6.
• So this morning, Myron Soci, legislative district 6, 7 of 15 counties, 8 of 22 tribal nations.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee began with a series of presentations highlighting tribal communities as part of rural economic development. Representative Mae Peshlakai described Legislative District 6, emphasizing its large geographic size, the eight tribal nations within it, and the cultural and scenic importance of the Navajo Nation and other tribes. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis then presented on the Gila River Indian Community, focusing on its history, Hohokam heritage, water rights, the MAR-5 aquifer recharge project, cultural traditions, and the importance of collaboration with state lawmakers. Members praised the presentations and noted the need for greater attention to tribal issues in the legislature. The committee then took up SB 1016, with a strike-everything amendment that moved the property-owner petition requirement earlier in the process for municipal improvement districts and allowed certain notice and protest requirements to be waived. Supporters, including the mayors of Camp Verde and Clarkdale, said the change would improve transparency, reduce financial risk for small towns, and help rural communities build needed infrastructure such as wastewater systems, water lines, and housing-related improvements. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and passed SB 1016 on a 5-0 vote, with one member present and one absent. Next, the committee considered SB 1401, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act, using a strike-everything amendment that would allow municipalities to create expedited plan review and permitting for qualified workforce housing projects and exempt project proceeds from the state portion of the prime contracting sales tax. Habitat for Humanity representatives said the measure would lower carrying costs and help build more affordable homes, while one member noted the tax exemption would reduce general fund revenue but supported the bill as a targeted tradeoff to address housing shortages. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1401 by a 5-1 vote. The meeting concluded with Representative Myron Sosec’s presentation on barriers to economic development on the Navajo Nation and other tribal lands. He discussed lower workforce participation, higher unemployment and poverty, limited access to capital, trust-land financing barriers, dual taxation, infrastructure deficits, and delays caused by federal and tribal review processes. He also highlighted Navajo economic strategies such as loan guarantees, renewable energy development, and tourism investments, and urged state action on tax reform, matching funds, and annual tribal field hearings. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today to testify on the importance of this legislation, Now, while we've heard some concerns
• With me today to testify on the importance of this legislation, Entitlement permits.
• This is critical legislation. We are here in strong support of AB 1621.
• And despite legislative progress in recent years, particularly with the enactment of AB 2234, Revis,
• That makes legislative action more, not less, important.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 25, 2026, hearing eight bills, with several measures focused on housing, water, and local government administration. AB 1621 by Assemblymember Wilson sought to speed post-entitlement housing permits by setting clearer timelines, limiting repeated plan checks, and restricting field changes that conflict with approved plans. Supporters from the building, apartment, business, and housing sectors said the bill would reduce delays and costs, while county and city representatives opposed it unless amended, warning it could limit local enforcement of building and environmental codes and create problems for incomplete applications. The bill passed after a roll call vote, with the committee noting it would continue working with local government groups on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1712, which would help Santa Fe Springs sell its small, financially strained water system to a larger regulated provider without requiring a municipal election, using a protest process instead. The author and city officials said the system faces contamination, major deferred maintenance, and rate increases that could otherwise triple; water industry representatives supported the bill and no opposition was heard. AB 2080, sponsored by county treasurers, would make county delegations of investment authority to treasurers ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burden and avoid technical lapses. AB 2640 would allow local governments to offset reductions in reimbursement for disallowed state mandate claims against other unpaid mandate reimbursements; Shasta County testified in support, describing a large audit disallowance and long-delayed state payments. Both bills passed. The committee also approved consent items AB 1622 and AB 1834. AB 2180, which would codify a framework for proportional water rates under Proposition 218 based on the Dreher decision, drew broad support from water agencies and local government groups, but opposition from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Association of Realtors, who argued the bill was premature while the Supreme Court reviews related case law. Despite that opposition, the bill passed on a 6-2 vote, and the remaining bills were advanced with roll calls left open for additional votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation does not promote or endorse use.
• The concern raised nationally is not with the natural leaf kratom, which this legislation seeks to preserve
• Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program. I'll turn it back to Director Weaver.
• Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program.
• Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program. I'll turn it back to Director Weaver.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee opened by welcoming a BYU-Idaho agribusiness class visiting the committee, then took up a rule docket, 020601-2501. Senator Lakey moved to approve the docket except for section 112, new subsections 01 through 05, which were rejected because the incorporated-by-reference documents lacked a specific date, creating a conflict with the Administrative Procedures Act. The motion carried. The committee then printed two RSs. RS 33272, presented by Senator Nichols, would create standards for kratom products, preserving access to natural leaf kratom while prohibiting adulterated or artificially enhanced products, requiring limited third-party testing, setting an age restriction, and clarifying supply-chain responsibilities. RS 33226, presented by Senator Lakey, is the Idaho Direct to Consumer Act, aimed at reducing regulation on small-scale homemade food and non-alcoholic beverage sales, including direct farm and ranch sales, while keeping basic labeling, recordkeeping, and food-safety education requirements. Both RSs were moved to print without opposition. The Idaho Department of Water Resources, speaking through the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, gave an agency update on district support, conservation programs, and budget requests. Staff described funding distributed to the 50 conservation districts, CREP and water-quality work, and the Water Quality Program for Agriculture (WQPA), which has seen strong demand and funded many projects statewide. In response to a question, Director Weaver said WQPA is not included in the governor’s budget. The Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts then emphasized the value of locally led, voluntary conservation, citing education, infrastructure, and wildfire-related projects, and said districts return $2.82 in local benefit for every state dollar invested. No further actions were taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am deeply grateful for your partnership in bringing this legislation forward.
• I am deeply grateful for your partnership in bringing this legislation forward.
• It made me determined to work on legislation that would make sure no one else had to feel that sting
• The legislation has no fiscal impact. The legislation has no fiscal impact.
• It's consistent with the intent of the legislation.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not seeing the teeth in this legislation, so maybe you can help me find that.
• The good news is the stuff that comes out of here is usually pretty good legislation.
• think we should be legislating like that.
• think we should be legislating like that.
• I think this is good legislation.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard two related proposals from Representative Razor and Representative Hill dealing with restroom and changing-room access in public and government buildings. RS 33092 would prohibit knowing, willful entry into opposite-sex restrooms or changing rooms, with exceptions for maintenance, medical aid, law enforcement, emergencies, single-user facilities, and similar situations. RS 33183 would create a broader public-accommodations framework requiring separate facilities by biological sex and adding a private right of action and civil penalties, with supporters saying the measures protect privacy, safety, and dignity for women and girls and opponents warning they could criminalize mistaken entry and create costly litigation. Members questioned how the laws would be enforced, including how law enforcement would determine biological sex, what evidence would be used, and whether the bills would burden police, prosecutors, and courts. Supporters argued the laws would be straightforward, rely on common-sense enforcement, and act as deterrents; critics said existing assault, peeping, and related laws already address harmful conduct and that the proposals could punish people merely for being in the wrong place. Representative Hill said the issue had become more pressing in recent years and described constituent complaints involving YMCA facilities and a shower incident; Representative Razor cited a Sandpoint example and said the bills were needed because existing law lacked teeth. The committee voted to introduce both RS 33092 and RS 33183. RS 33092 passed on a roll call vote 10-3, with Representatives Mickelson and Church voting no and one member absent or not voting. RS 33183 was then introduced by voice vote after further debate. The committee also voted to hold House Bill 510 and RS 33245 subject to the call of the chair because the sponsor could not attend, with the chair noting the sponsor intended to revise HB 510 and later introduce RS 33245 separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are heavily concentrated in a few legislative districts in Central Puget Sound.
• Speaking of the governor, he issued a statement saying that he couldn't support the legislation in its
• On the interest tax and income tax in the coming legislative session, so let's start with a good point
• I do think that it's also our responsibility as legislators to hear when the views of our constituents
• Springer says what he thinks future legislators might do, I mean, you know, unless his middle name is

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders, joined by Speaker Laurie Jinkins and House Finance Chair April Berg, introduced a “Millionaire’s Tax” proposal and framed it as a way to reduce Washington’s reliance on sales tax and B&O tax while raising revenue from the state’s highest earners. They said the bill is a starting point and will continue to change through negotiations with the governor, business groups, local governments, and lawmakers. The leaders also said the proposal is intended to support education, health care, public safety, and tax relief measures such as sales tax exemptions on hygiene products, an expanded working families tax credit, a larger small business tax credit, and an early end to the B&O surcharge. The governor had already said he could not support the bill in its current form, which the sponsors said surprised them because they had spoken positively with him the day before. They said the bill will not be the same by the time it reaches his desk and that they expect continued talks to address his concerns, including more money for small business relief and the working families tax credit. They also defended the bill’s structure, saying it mirrors the state capital gains tax, uses Washington’s capital gains definition, and includes credits intended to prevent double taxation for pass-through businesses and others already paying B&O or related taxes. Much of the discussion focused on criticism from Republicans and outside groups that the proposal amounts to a marriage penalty or could drive away high earners and tech businesses. Democratic leaders rejected those concerns, saying the tax applies only to income above $1 million, that the first million is taxed at zero, and that the state would still compare favorably with other income-tax states. They said about 30,000 taxpayers would be affected and estimated the bill would raise roughly $3.5 billion, with about 5% dedicated to county public defense costs. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate public hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Ways and Means, with the House expected to hear the Senate version later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to echo Representative Pellett's thanks to the chair for giving this legislation a hearing.
• I'd also like to acknowledge and thank Representative Support passage of this legislation.
• I want to echo Representative Pellett's thanks to the chair for giving this legislation a hearing.
• I'd also like to acknowledge and thank Representative support passage of this legislation.
• And if that's what the intent of the legislation was.

Bills: HB1542, HB2527

Keywords: senior housing, independent living, 55 and older, older adults, elderly, retirement housing, retirement community, resident rights, tenant protections, consumer protection act, unfair or deceptive practices, housing discrimination, assisted living distinction, Department of Commerce, Washington RCW, housing provider, community living, security cameras, resident meetings, anonymous complaints

Transcript Highlights:

• THE BILL ADDRESSES PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGER CONTRACTING PRACTICES BUILDING UPON THE LEGISLATION PASSED
• I WOULD EXPECT AND I'M IN THE BUSINESS MYSELF IF I KNOW THIS LEGISLATION IS COMING JULY 1, 2026 I AM
• BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US AS LEGISLATORS WOULD SIT HERE AND SAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO LEGISLATE AND MAKE
• AND WE AGREE WITH THE UNDERLYING INTENT OF THIS LEGISLATION.
• LEGISLATORS, THEY MADE $432 BILLION. MAYBE THEY ONLY MAKE $430 BILLION.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to the committee for allowing me to come speak about this legislation and the important work
• But the issue that I see as a legislator or senator is that there is an asset, this water board, that
• Members, it was 10 years ago that I prepared and sponsored legislation... ...prepared and sponsored legislation
• Legislation. Senator, may I please? Hold on, Senator Roberts. Thank you so much, Senator.
• But yet this piece of legislation that you knew every Democrat Legislation that you knew every Democrat

Bills: SB330

Keywords: water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have worked on this legislation, the federation has, for over a year.
• I ask you to resist any further changes to this legislation, but I want every senator to know that I
• My family is a prime example of why we need this legislation passed.
• Under this legislation, if she is denied, she must first turn to United Health, who then sends her to
• There is no meaningful recourse for a consumer contained in this legislation.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Brady and Joseph Anderson Safety Act is the definition of common-sense legislation.
• We'd appreciate desperately your approval and support of this legislation.
• I'm the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.
• This legislation... Excuse me.
• The legislation is a small but meaningful way to show gratitude.

Bills: HF1355, HF78, HF1846, HF1225

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Wagman from ATV Minnesota, who is joining via Zoom, and he'll discuss the broader impact of this legislation
• Wagman from ATV Minnesota, who is joining via Zoom, and he'll discuss the broader impact of this legislation
• This legislation is essential for communities like Ely and greater Minnesota towns and cities that rely
• This legislation is essential for communities like Ely and greater Minnesota towns and cities that rely
• </c> expect to increase the legislation expect to increase the legislation requires<00:09:41.640><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one legislative matter and two nominations listed.
• The legislation does not increase the mandatory minimums. or throw barriers to research.
• This legislation is a bipartisan solution. It's a bipartisan solution to fentanyl epidemic.
• There's been a continuous delay of the piece of legislation that could be saving thousands of lives.
• And so I don't see this as an invasion of the legislative authority of our respective states.

Bills: SB331

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, drug trafficking, public health, research regulations, law enforcement, S-331, Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, fentanyl crisis, public testimony, drug legislation, bipartisan support

Summary: In this committee meeting, the focus was primarily on S-331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis. The bill's key components include making permanent the class scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, confirming existing sentencing penalties, and easing registration requirements for scientific research on Schedule I substances. Numerous parents shared heartbreaking testimonies about their losses due to fentanyl, which fueled an urgent call to pass the legislation without alterations. The committee members engaged in passionate discussions highlighting the urgency of the situation as overdoses continue to claim American lives.