Transcript Highlights:

• just trying to, your line of sight is going to be a lot more limited in the city than it would on an open
• just trying to, your line of sight is going to be a lot more limited in the city than it would on an open
• Current law for most citizens requires trailers be attached using a lock pin of some type as a primary
• I have two people here that want to provide some quick opening comments, if that's okay with you, Mr.
• We're open to have the conversation.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 and first disposed of several local bills without controversy. House Bills 590, 679, and 873 were voluntarily deferred. HB 503, allowing certain utility terrain vehicles and golf carts in Golden Meadow, was amended and reported. HB 720, clarifying tacit dedication and public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably. HB 856, expanding indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting authority for DOTD and the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, was amended and reported. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who run red lights by using shoulders or turn lanes to pass stopped traffic, was amended and reported. HB 846, prohibiting obscured or covered license plates, was reported favorably. HB 733 and HB 875, both dealing with OMV reinstatement fees and lapses of insurance, were reported with amendments after discussion of audit findings and fee timing. HB 707, moving liquefied petroleum gas commission functions to Agriculture, was amended and reported. HB 693, creating legislator district signs, was amended and then voluntarily deferred. HB 777, requiring a driver's license renewal knowledge exam, was amended and voluntarily deferred for further work with the department. HB 746, concerning oversized trucking permits issued by local governments, was introduced but not advanced, with the author signaling a desire to work on the issue further rather than force a vote. Several bills drew extended debate over safety, enforcement, and government overreach. HB 309, which would have penalized pedestrians for looking at cell phones while crossing crosswalks, was amended from a criminal offense to a $25 civil fine but then voluntarily deferred after members raised concerns about enforceability, tourism, free will, and whether the bill targeted the right party. HB 695, requiring permits and QR-code documentation for consensual non-commercial towing of multiple connected vehicles, was heavily questioned over how it would work in practice, whether it applied to single or multiple vehicles, and how out-of-state travelers would know about the requirement; the committee asked the author to work with OMV and State Police and voluntarily returned the bill to the calendar. HB 868, removing the farm exemption from trailer safety-chain and attachment requirements after a fatal accident involving a trailer separation, was amended and reported despite concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment and the need to preserve flexibility for agricultural operations. The committee also heard testimony from law enforcement, the auditor’s office, the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and industry groups. Chiefs of police supported the red-light and license-plate bills as common-sense public safety measures, while the Legislative Auditor explained that the OMV fee bills were intended to align Louisiana’s reinstatement fees and grace periods more closely with other states and with audit recommendations. DOTD and the secretary supported the procurement bill as a tool to speed construction and maintenance work. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain supported the propane commission bill and urged caution on the farm trailer safety bill so that older and specialized equipment would not be unintentionally burdened.

Transcript Highlights:

• through the Surplus Lands Act reform and through SB 79 and many, many other pieces of legislation, opened
• From securing much-needed funding for housing programs and accelerating local approvals to opening new
• So with that, and that's the one primary witness then? Yes. Ma'am, you can begin.
• All right, at this time, are there any opposition witnesses, primary opposition witnesses?
• If I may have just a— You want to be the primary opposition witness?

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by establishing quorum and explaining that several two-year bills and bond measures would be heard, with witnesses limited to two minutes and “me too” testimony grouped together. The first bill, SB 222 by Senator Wiener, would streamline permitting for heat pumps, water heaters, and HVAC installations and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said it would lower costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians switch to efficient electric appliances. The League of California Cities opposed unless amended, raising concerns about a permit-fee cap and the feasibility of virtual inspections. Committee members largely supported the policy but flagged fee recovery, inspection liability, HOA authority, and possible electrical panel upgrade costs; the bill passed to Local Government on a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 677, also by Senator Wiener, which was narrowed to two remaining changes related to commuter rail definitions and mobile home exemption language, with a separate future cleanup bill for SB 79 promised later in the session. Local governments and counties said the amended bill still needed clearer definitions and implementation guidance, while several groups shifted to support after the amendments. The committee approved the bill 10-1 and sent it to Local Government. Next, SB 417 by Senator Cabaldon proposed a $10 billion 2026 affordable housing bond to fund construction, preservation, rehabilitation, supportive housing, and homeownership opportunities. Supporters emphasized the need to replace exhausted housing funds, leverage federal tax credits, and keep shovel-ready projects moving; opponents and some members raised concerns about state debt, the lack of a dedicated CalHome share, and whether the bond should include more homeownership or higher-education allocations. After extensive debate over bond indebtedness and housing need, the bill passed to Appropriations on an 8-1 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 492, a youth housing and youth center bond proposal. Senator Reyes described it as a way to fund transitional housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness and reduce long-term public costs. Witnesses from Covenant House California and the California Coalition for Youth supported the measure, citing the needs of foster youth and homeless young people, the benefits of transitional housing, and the high success rate of youth exiting to stable housing. The transcript cuts off during additional testimony, so no final action on SB 492 is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• that there's I guess what database shows that there's still<00:17:29.679><c> an</c><00:17:29.840><c> open
• title or not if if that still an open title or not if if that same<00:17:31.520><c> vehicle's</c><00
• So, it seems like the primary purpose of the resale is the boat, but the thing that hangs it all up is
• </c><03:16:43.920><c> as</c><03:16:44.239><c> these</c> point is going to leave it open as these point
• It's their primary transportation. >> Uh, one real quick thing, and thank you to Brandy for clarifying

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know it'll be a short hearing with one bill, but we are going to try to remain open.
• We know it'll be a short hearing with one bill, but we are going to try to remain open.
• Then, ask the DUA to end the capability disqualification once she became able to work again, opening
• As explained at our outset, our office handles a large volume of UI cases because it's the primary focus
• We were going to remain open, but I think all of us have met our obligation and responsibility from the

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hearing on House 5188, a late-filed bill to establish a special commission to study access to unemployment insurance in Massachusetts. Chairs and members noted the hearing was in hybrid format and limited to this one bill. Representatives Hadley Luddy and Joshua Tarski testified in support, saying they filed the bill after seeing many constituent cases involving delayed or difficult unemployment claims, especially for seasonal workers and others facing housing and financial instability. They argued a commission could review claim data, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to make the system more efficient, equitable, and transparent. Greater Boston Legal Services also testified in favor. Attorneys described representing many low-income workers whose claims were delayed for months after the launch of the new online DUA system, often leaving them in limbo while trying to pay bills. They cited examples where claimants were denied or delayed due to issues that could have been resolved more quickly, and said the new system has contributed to major backlogs. They reported that DUA’s non-monetary issue backlog more than doubled, separation issues tripled, and hearings appeals grew to more than 12,500 pending cases, with average appeal times far above required timelines. They said the commission could help identify root causes and systemic fixes, and suggested the bill might be improved by giving the commission more time to report. Committee members generally praised the bill’s intent and the filers’ collaboration. Several members shared their own experiences with constituent unemployment cases and emphasized that people should not have to contact legislators to get claims processed. Some asked whether the commission should include broader stakeholder representation, such as business groups, MassHire, staff, and people with direct claims experience, and whether its scope should be widened. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair concluded the meeting after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know it'll be a short hearing with one bill, but we are going to try to remain open.
• And we know it'll be a short hearing with one bill, but we are going to try to remain open.
• I appreciate the fact that you left it pretty wide open aside from kind of legislative representation
• Then ask the DUA to end the capability disqualification once she became able to work again, opening up
• As explained at our outset, our office handles a large volume of U.I. cases because it's the primary

Bills: H5188

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: unemployment insurance, labor, access, special commission, equity in claims, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that opened our eyes to say we need to fix the whole issue.
• And it opened my eyes that, oh well, gosh, we're not the only one.
• I opened my eyes that, oh well, gosh, we're not the only one.
• </c><02:57:44.640><c> teaching</c> three queuing as their primary teaching three queuing as their primary
• </c> three queuing as one of their primary three queuing as one of their primary teaching<02:57:51.680

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:30.199><c> right</c> we have some of those Grants open right we have some of those Grants
• And so that's a primary...
• And so that's a primary...
• And so that's a primary...
• And so that's a primary...

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the source of primary resistance out in the communities? I would say...
• What is the source of primary resistance out in the communities?
• The bill allows regulators to raise deposit fees every three years without a public vote, opening the
• Thank you for your time, and I'm open to any questions. Thank you very much, Mr. Dubuque.
• And people across the state have responded with open hearts.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">>> This scenario happened to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">me and my primary
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">>> This scenario happened to </font> <font color="aaaaaa">me and my primary
• Madam Chair, </font> <font color="aaaaaa">members of the SB 7004, is an </font> <font color="aaaaaa">open
• sunset sunset </font> <font color="aaaaaa">members of the SB 7004, is an </font> <font color="aaaaaa">open
• sunset sunset </font> <font color="aaaaaa">review for a public records </font> <font color="aaaaaa">open

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This partnership opened up billing reimbursement that paid for Minneapolis to deliver evidence-based
• Next, the third step, plan development: we discuss primary and secondary drivers to our desired state
• Next, the third step, plan development: we discuss primary and secondary drivers to our desired state
• Next, the third step, plan development: we discuss primary and secondary drivers to our desired state
• the permission of the parent, that you can, they can coordinate, and I think most parents would be open

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm open to that.
• But I'm open, you know, I'm always open to talking to people about ways to make things better or negotiate
• I'm open to that. I think Iowa's like. certain elevations. I'm open to that.
• But I'm open, you know, I'm always open to talking to people about ways to make things better or negotiate
• If I'm a homeowner and affordability is my primary concern, I may want to choose a product that doesn't

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Insurance Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2250, sponsored by Rep. Jacqueline Zimmerman, which would require insurers to cover full siding replacement when storm damage affects only part of a home and matching siding is not reasonably available. Zimmerman said the bill would codify existing Missouri case law, address homeowner complaints after hailstorms, and make clear that insurers must restore a reasonably uniform appearance. Committee members generally expressed support for the goal, while also discussing possible scope changes, such as limiting coverage to street-facing elevations, and possible disclosure requirements to better explain policy coverage to consumers. The Missouri Insurance Coalition testified in opposition, saying the bill could increase premiums for all homeowners and that consumers should be able to choose more affordable policies with less coverage. Coalition witnesses said matching siding issues are often cosmetic, that carriers already offer different policy options and riders, and that requiring full wrap coverage could create upward pressure on rates. They also noted that severe weather has made these disputes more common and said the Department of Commerce and Insurance and brokers can help consumers understand their policies. Committee members debated whether partial repairs truly make homeowners whole, and several compared the issue to blending paint on cars or matching repairs after hail damage. After the HB 2250 hearing ended, the committee established a quorum and moved into executive session on House Bill 3328. The committee adopted a House committee substitute that renamed the program the Stronger Home program, removed IBHS certification in favor of a non-biased third-party testing lab, and removed an adjuster cap. The committee then voted 9-0 to report the House committee substitute for HB 3328 do pass, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for the roll to be open for co-authors if possible. With that, I close.
• The clerk will open the roll for co-authors. Members, this is for co-authors.
• As a teacher for over years, I've seen firsthand how reading opens doors for students.
• Since celebrating Read Across America Day, I ask for the first roll to be open for co-authors, and I
• All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H711 secures progress like ours by making job performance and comprehensive evaluations the primary factors
• H711 secures progress like ours by making job performance and comprehensive evaluations, the primary
• Thanks to conscientious advocacy and open-minded legislators, we are on the brink of important changes

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its 13th hearing, chaired by Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Gordon, and heard testimony on a large slate of bills covering personnel and miscellaneous education issues. The first major topic was House Bill 711 and Senate Bill 327, the “So All Students Thrive” proposal, which would change reduction-in-force rules so districts could consider teacher effectiveness, student impact, staffing needs, and diversity-related factors alongside seniority. Supporters from Educators for Excellence, including teachers and a former school committee chair, argued that current seniority-based layoff rules can push out effective early-career educators and harm efforts to build a more diverse workforce. Committee members raised questions about tenure, union involvement, and how the bill would interact with the Educator Diversity Act and local contract negotiations; members generally said they shared the goal of diversifying the educator workforce and encouraged continued collaboration and feedback. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 658, which would require educator training on gifted and advanced learners. Parents, teachers, researchers, and advocates said Massachusetts lacks required preservice or professional development on gifted education, leaving many advanced students unchallenged and underserved. Witnesses described students who are bored, under-identified, or even discouraged in school, and argued that training would help teachers recognize and support gifted students, including students of color, multilingual learners, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Testimony also supported related prior bills on advanced learners and emphasized that the state should act on a 2019 DESE report recommending such training. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 736 and Senate Bill 435, which would establish de-escalation training for school transportation. The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council said the measure would improve safety for students and bus operators, fill a gap in current school bus driver certification requirements, and better support students with disabilities. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4720, concerning the Athol-Royalston Regional School District’s state bailout-related reserve requirements; the superintendent said the district has long maintained fiscal stability but is still forced to leave over half a million dollars unspent each year, limiting resources for a high-poverty student population. After testimony concluded, the chairs read the full list of bills on the agenda, thanked the committee and staff, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It only would allow for a police officer under 10 to make that stop as a primary.
• Representative Mayhew continued: “It only would allow for a police officer under 10 to make that stop as a primary
• Response: “The bill doesn’t contemplate it, but I would assume we would be open to conversation on that

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have to file, and from an insurance standpoint for the at-fault party, is there anybody that has primary
• ... ...is there anybody that has primary responsibility on who can subrogate to go after their loss with
• Are you open to that? Is there a copy of the substitution available?

Bills: SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307 , SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, terrorist threat, terroristic threat

Transcript Highlights:

• WHETHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE COMMITTEE PROCESS I ENCOURAGE OPEN AND CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AS WE WORK
• OFTEN COMBINED WITH FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENTS PRIMARY
• AN ACCESSORY DWELLING CAN BE ATTACHED TO A FREESTANDING HOMEON THE SAME LOT AS A PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so kind of the combination of two primary reasons make up two chunks of what you might be looking
• The public fence would be open, you know, business hours and for events and things like that.
• That's when we open up the, you know, you can park in the mall loop or the visitor parking.
• This facility will be for personnel only and will not be open to the public.
• This facility will be for personal only and will not be open to the public.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve about 5,000 people without homes across Bernalillo County with integrated primary care every
• I'll leave it open for any other committee, or excuse me, bill sponsor, who would also like to speak
• I'll leave it open for any other committee, or excuse me, bill sponsor, who would also like to speak
• And there's no packages being opened. There's nothing that anyone needs to see.
• And there's no packages being opened. There's nothing that anyone needs to see.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is on third read consent, and with that, I'm open to any questions. Thank you.
• This bill is on third read consent, and with that, I'm open to any questions. Thank you.
• This bill does contain a legislative finding clause, and with that, I'm open to any questions.
• And with that, I'm open to any questions. Members, any comments? Okay, seeing none.
• And with that, I'm open to any questions. Thank you, Representative Connolly.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long minority calendar covering a wide range of bills, with sponsors giving brief descriptions and members frequently raising concerns about constitutionality, cost, federal preemption, and policy impacts. Topics included medical intervention and vaccination/mask prohibitions, state treasurer investment rules, vacant state positions reporting, shooting range closure limits, congressional term limits, audit penalties, cellphone use while driving, procurement restrictions tied to China, air ambulance regulation, hospital immigration-status reporting, SNAP purchase restrictions, school assessment changes, school contract transparency, religious excusals from school, student contact information, fitness reporting, and several property tax, water, and agriculture measures. Members also discussed bills on AI-generated sexual material consent verification, DEI liability, hate-crime sentencing, commercial driver forfeiture tied to immigration status, speed-limiting devices for repeat speeding offenses, PFAS firefighting foam, name changes for sex offenders, abortion-inducing drugs, prisoner transition services, sexual extortion penalties, solar radiation management bans, and cultivated-cell food labeling and sales bans. Several bills drew explicit opposition or requests to pull them from consent, especially those affecting abortion access, immigration-related hospital reporting, school testing, religious release programs, DEI policies, and cultivated-cell foods. Members noted that some measures appeared duplicative, overly broad, or likely unconstitutional, and in multiple cases referenced prior vetoes or prior-year versions of the same bills. Supportive comments were also made on selected bills, including the PFAS foam prohibition, the assistive technology study committee, the digital goods consumer protection bill, and the prisoner transition services extension. The caucus also considered water and infrastructure measures, including brackish groundwater funding and studies, water augmentation authority bonds, Pima County water rates, groundwater transport rules, and HOA drought watering limits. Toward the end, members reviewed election-related memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers, a memorial urging withdrawal from the United Nations, and another urging defunding the IMF; all three were noted as being on consent and were pulled for further discussion. The meeting closed with announcements, including a note about a local missing-person concern and a caucus recognition program called the Affordable Arizona Award.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no questions, we will suspend the hearing on 2343 and open the hearing as I see it's prime sponsor
• standards in mind so thank you thank you seeing no questions we will suspend the hearing on 2343 and open
• So we will close that hearing and open the hearing for 2515 if we could get a briefing on the proposed
• So we will close that hearing and open the hearing for 2515 if we could get a briefing on the proposed
• So those would be opened up by the date certain.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people. The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.