Transcript Highlights:

• The Port Madison Reservation is located in the central Puget Sound region of Washington State on the
• The reservation is approximately 7,700 acres.
• In addition to the Port Madison Reservation, the Suquamish Tribe maintains roughly 200 acres of trust
• land within Kitsap County off reservation.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on two major corridor projects before moving to public hearing and executive session. In the Yakima area, WSDOT, Yakima County, and Ecology described the Interstate 82/east-west connector work as a coordinated effort to add capacity, improve interchanges, and address the Boise Cascade mill site contamination that sits in the project footprint. County and Ecology witnesses said the county is ready to remove wood waste and contaminated material, but the project is stalled pending a draft work plan and a de minimis consent decree; several senators pressed for faster action and clearer direction from Ecology. The committee then heard an update on the SR 3 Belfair freight corridor, where WSDOT said environmental review is complete and the next major step is an access hearing this summer, followed by right-of-way acquisition and construction likely in late 2027 or early 2028. Local and tribal partners emphasized the project’s importance for freight mobility, housing growth, emergency access, and regional economic development. The public hearing was on engrossed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill that largely tracks provisions from prior legislation but also adds or changes several tax and account provisions. Staff explained that the bill clarifies fuel tax and peer-to-peer tax distributions, treats trade-in value differently for recreational vessel and luxury vehicle taxes, provides a six-month motor home exemption and penalty waiver for the luxury vehicle tax, allows lease payments to be made over time, exempts tribal members and nonresidents, creates a Preserve Washington account, changes some transfer timing, and repeals the luxury aircraft tax. Testimony was mixed: aviation groups supported repealing the luxury aircraft tax; trucking and some citizens opposed fuel tax and diesel tax increases; Sound Transit, transit advocates, labor, and ferry interests asked for amendments such as 75-year bonding authority, mobile driver’s licenses, ferry funding, and bike education funding. Alaska Airlines and Delta also supported adding mobile ID language. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills, including SHB 1823, SHB 2114, E2SHB 2251, SHB 2323, SHB 2410, EHB 2588, 2SHB 1923, and HB 2495, all with due pass recommendations after adopting amendments where applicable. The committee adopted a striking amendment to E2SHB 2251 adjusting Climate Commitment Act account distributions and a striking amendment to EHB 2588 limiting the ferry district changes to Whatcom County and removing the voter-approval tax provision. It also adopted an amendment to 2SHB 1923 that added further conditions for passenger-only ferry districts, including whale-protection and fare-related provisions. Senator King voted no on E2SHB 2251, objecting that the bill reduced the transportation share of Climate Commitment Act revenues. The chair announced one more executive action meeting would be held Wednesday morning, with amendment requests due the prior day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reserves a little bit of the money for the smaller things so that Alabama production people could
• </c><00:05:52.000><c> It</c><00:05:52.240><c> reserves</c><00:05:52.639><c> a</c> um production package
• It reserves a um production package.
• It reserves a little<00:05:52.960><c> bit</c><00:05:53.120><c> of</c><00:05:53.199><c> the</c><00:05:

Bills: SB79, HB379, SB253, HB278, HB438, HB233, SB79, HB379, SB253, HB278, HB438, HB233

Keywords: sex-based terminology, gender identity, male, female, man, woman, boy, girl, single-sex spaces, women's rights, privacy, safety, fairness, anti-discrimination, vital statistics, birth certificate, intersex, DSD, differences in sex development, transgender

Transcript Highlights:

• The cash reserves that we've had Are being depleted rapidly.
• So, we are depleting those cash reserves.
• that the legislature likes us to keep 1.5 times our revolving account, what we're using in it, and reserve
• And we open up after We reserve seating or spots for the brand new judges.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we keep spending our reserves, I mean, until we're crazy.
• Yeah, we keep saying, we're going to run out of money because our reserves are going to be down to a
• The reserves are for a reason. We're running out of money now, and we're going to...
• They're reserves for a reason.

Summary: The committee first took up House Joint Resolution 169, which would cap spending growth and was described by supporters as a taxpayer protection measure. Representative Taylor opposed it, arguing the legislature was already considering too many tax-related measures at once and lacked a broader strategy. The sponsor said the resolution was about limiting spending, not taxes, and offered a committee substitute that added fees and surcharges into the baseline and addressed tax credits. After discussion, the substitute was adopted and the committee voted the House Committee Substitute for HJR 169 do pass, with Taylor and Strickler voting no. The committee then heard House Bill 2819, which would allow rounding of cash transactions now that pennies are no longer being produced. The sponsor explained a committee substitute added safe-harbor language to protect merchants from lawsuits over rounding errors. Members asked about the rounding rules and confirmed the bill remained permissive rather than mandatory. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2819 do pass unanimously. House Bill 2746, sponsored by Representative Williams, would create a property tax map feature on the Department of Revenue website showing current levies and assessed values to improve transparency. Supporters said it would help homeowners compare assessments and understand property tax differences, while opponents and agency witnesses raised concerns about the large startup cost, estimated at about $7 million, the need to gather data from many counties, and the fact that some counties already provide similar information. The Department of Revenue and State Tax Commission witnesses said the data would be difficult to compile statewide and that local participation and data standards vary widely. The bill was heard, but no vote was taken in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2329, which would gradually reduce the assessment ratio for personal property from about 33 1/3% to 18% over three years. The sponsor argued the tax is burdensome, especially for working families and businesses, and said it would encourage a broader shift away from personal property taxation. Supporters echoed that it is a highly visible and unpopular tax. Opponents, including a county assessor, warned the bill would sharply reduce local tax bases, especially in rural counties, and likely force levy increases on real property or cuts to schools and other districts. The hearing ended without a committee vote on HB 2329.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we keep spending our reserves, I mean, until we're crazy.
• Yeah, we keep saying, we're going to run out of money because our reserves are going to go be down to
• The reserves are for a reason.
• We're running out of money now, and we're going to They're reserves for a reason.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Protect districts' operating reserves by ending spend it or lose it policies.
• On the next page, number five, school district: School District Operating Reserves.
• NMSBA requests that school district reserves be preserved and protected without penalty, as they are
• a significant challenge For every district, a possible solution might be to establish a statewide reserve

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, for the taxes collected on an authority or on the reservation, or even for the police departments
• I mean, but how hard is it to get onto the reservation to do the transport?
• If they're living on the reservation, is it addressing what is it?
• If they come into Gallup for help and they live on the reservation, they're told to go back to the Navajo

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I'm happy to answer any questions and reserve the right to close. Members, any questions?
• We'll reserve your right. Thank you, sir. The chair calls. Thank you. The chair calls Dr.
• I'm happy to answer any questions and reserve the right to close. Thank you, ma'am.
• We'll reserve your right to close, and we'll proceed to public testimony. Thank you.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Summary: The House Committee on Elections met with a quorum present and heard several election-related bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The first measure, SB 447, would allow the City of Mission to move its municipal elections from May to November on a one-time, permanent basis. Supporters, including Mission’s mayor, said voters had already approved the change by a wide margin and argued it would improve turnout and reduce costs. The bill was left pending after no objection. The committee then heard SB 2217, which was described as a transparency measure to standardize election data reporting and reconciliation across counties. Testimony focused on a technical issue involving discrepancy thresholds for electronic voting system reconciliation, with one witness urging the bill be aligned with existing law’s “more than 3” standard rather than a 1% threshold, and another suggesting a definition fix. The bill was left pending. Members also heard SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period by combining early voting and election day into one uninterrupted period, with a committee substitute making it a pilot and permissive. Supporters said it could simplify administration and improve security, while opponents warned it would increase costs, require more staffing and equipment, delay results, and create logistical problems for counties. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 505 would let certain election stakeholders request explanations of irregularities from election officials and, if unresolved, escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for audit or possible conservatorship. Supporters framed it as a tool for accountability and transparency, while opponents called it overly broad and vulnerable to abuse. The bill was left pending. The committee also took up HB 311, which would expand online voter registration to first-time registrants and direct state agencies to develop a pathway for Texans without a driver’s license to register online. Supporters argued it would modernize the process, reduce errors, and save money, while opponents said first-time applicants still need a wet signature and raised concerns about signature verification and implementation. Due to the late hour and floor deadline, testimony was cut off, the names of remaining witnesses were read into the record, and the bill was left pending before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I'm happy to answer questions and reserve the right to comment. Closed.
• We reserve your right. Thank you, sir. The chair calls Dr. Laura Presley. Thank you. Thank you.
• Questions, I reserve the right to close.
• If not, we'll proceed to public testimony, and you reserve your right to close, Ms. Swanson.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753, HB311

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I'm very deliberate in what I choose to say, I believe in what I say, and I also reserve the
• There's such a seamless integration between our active duty Reserve and Guard personnel and the Air National
• I can't speak to the context from which you've read, I always do try and speak honestly and again reserve
• The Department of the Air Force is approximately 700,000 active duty guard and reserve and civilian personnel

Keywords: Department of Defense, nominations, Matthew Lohmeyer, Justin Overbaugh, global security, military readiness, NATO, Russia, China, defense infrastructure

Summary: The meeting was primarily focused on discussing nominations for key positions within the Department of Defense, specifically for roles such as the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Senators expressed urgent concerns about global security threats, the need for robust military readiness, and the emphasis on effective collaboration with NATO allies amidst rising tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Several senators highlighted the challenges facing military infrastructure and defense capabilities, suggesting a critical need for improvements and investment in these areas to ensure national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• It found, again without reservation, that TDCJ's most optimistic timeline of fully air-conditioning the
• We reserve the death penalty for the most heinous, yet we're sentencing people to death every summer
• Just to testify, I would love to reserve the right to close.
• If there are none, I ask my right to reserve and close. Members, are there any questions?

Bills: HB1826, HB2854, HB3006, HB4614, HB5261, HB5639

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity

Transcript Highlights:

• And I respectfully reserve my right to close. Members, any questions for Representative Flores?
• We'll reserve your right to close. Chair now calls Gary Howell, Travis County Fire Marshal.
• Uh, the chair will reserve your right to close. Oh, I think. The registered. Hang on just a second.
• I respectfully reserve the right to close. The Members, are there any questions for Chairman Bell?

Transcript Highlights:

• services department is in attendance and can speak to the needs for this legislation, and I respectfully reserve
• I reserve my right to close. The chair now calls Gary Howell, Travis County.
• The chair will reserve your right to close. I think a couple of them registered a long ago.
• I respectfully reserve the right to close. Members, are there any questions for Chairman Bell?

Bills: HB386, HB1449, HB1701, HB2142, HB2675, HB2857, HB3063, HB3171, HB3641, HB3732, HB4045, HB4370, HB4491, HB4505, HB4626, HB5267, HB5356

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, um, Representative Martinez, we'll, uh, reserve your right to close.
• And I'll reserve your right to close. Um, chair calls Aaron Kinsey.
• I'm happy to take any questions and I'd like to reserve my right to close.
• If not, I'll reserve the right to close. We'll go to testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The testimony in committee related to the fact that the original bill reserved that wholesaler provision
• that the committee related to the fact that the original<00:04:21.560><c> bill</c><00:04:22.560><c> reserved
• </c><00:04:23.280><c> that</c><00:04:23.759><c> wholesaler</c> original bill reserved that wholesaler
• original bill reserved that wholesaler provision<00:04:24.880><c> exclusively</c><00:04:25.520><c> for

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for taking the time to hear this bill, and I respectfully reserve the right to close
• And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions and, uh, would like to reserve the right to close.
• I'm happy to answer any questions and respectfully reserve the right to close.
• I do have witnesses on this bill and would reserve the right to close if you don't have any questions

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I respectfully... reserve the right to close. So, thank you, Representative Collier.
• Here's my only reservation: I'm like furious...
• We have your right to reserve.
• Chairman, we reserve your right to close. Call witnesses. The chair calls Sarah Jennings.

Bills: HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd just like to reserve to close. Okay, we'll do that. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Chairman.
• The Chair calls Deborah Simmons, and we'll reserve the right to close.
• All witnesses, we'll reserve for you the right to close. The Chair calls Adrian Shelley. Thank you.
• Additionally, there is also a body of research out of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• But we have to build a reserve in America and there are private entities that are doing that right now
• that I'm aware of but also the US government we have a reserve. but we don't have a reserve for industry
• . we've got to be able to create a reserve that we can share with share with our allies to make sure

Keywords: U.S. foreign policy, Mexico relations, Japan relations, border security, trade agreements, drug trafficking, ambassadorial nominations, intergovernmental communication

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on critical discussions concerning U.S. foreign policy, particularly relationships with Mexico and Japan. Notable attention was given to border security, trade agreements, and implications of drug trafficking. Ambassadorial nominees discussed their strategies to strengthen ties with these nations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in addressing mutual challenges, particularly concerning security and trade. The committee engaged in extensive dialogue, highlighting the urgency of improving intergovernmental communications to deter drug trafficking and support democratic governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• thing is, when we had the last meeting in 2021, we actually had the board approve taking the excess reserve
• remember reading that bill and looking at it, and if I remember correctly, the bill asked that any reserve
• that was available for projects be... able to go into a reserve fund and be used locally.
• All the payment, the bond, the way the money is used to pay the bonds, the reserve, the money that's