Transcript Highlights:

• I talked to a gentleman the other day at a small company.
• Just a small, and that's just a small operator.
• And I will note that if you're in a small county under 75,000, We'll note that if you're in a small county
• Business owners take a small amount of money each month on each employee they have... ...take a small
• I didn't, I do represent a small county.

Bills: S0216 , S0246 , S0356 , S0388 , S0470 , S0488 , S0490 , S0528 , S0584 , S0594

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered ten bills, beginning with SB 594 on local housing assistance plans. Senator Burton explained that the bill would make residents of mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities eligible for SHIP rental assistance and, in some cases, repair or rehabilitation funds, recognizing that many own their homes but rent the lot. Supporters from AARP and the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners said the bill would help seniors and low-income residents remain housed. The bill was reported favorably by a roll call vote. Members then approved two Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measures: SB 488, the agency package updating Florida’s motor fuel tax compliance with IFTA, allowing online filing and private license plate agencies to act as agents, raising the crash-damage reporting threshold, expanding email communications, and updating tank vehicle compliance; and SB 490, a related public records exemption for email addresses collected for renewal notices. Both were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also passed SB 246, creating a specialty license plate for the UFC Foundation, despite concerns raised that the foundation is based out of state and that the plate was politically motivated; the bill was approved on a split vote. The committee gave favorable reports to SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility, which would tighten job-search requirements, require more frequent eligibility verification, and add reporting on fraudulent claims. The bill drew substantial opposition from labor and policy advocates who argued it would add barriers for unemployed workers, especially in rural and skilled-trades jobs, and that the state’s unemployment system remains difficult to navigate. Supporters said the bill was aimed at fraud prevention and ensuring claimants remain eligible. SB 356 on utility terrain vehicles generated extensive debate over safety, local control, and whether UTVs should be allowed on certain roads; supporters emphasized rural utility and law enforcement benefits, while opponents cited manufacturer warnings and crash risks. The sponsor ultimately temporarily postponed the bill. The committee also reported favorably SB 528 on manufacturing, which expands the Department of Commerce’s manufacturing responsibilities, codifies the chief manufacturing officer position, and creates workforce development grant support; SB 584 on commercial driving schools, which authorizes DHSMV agreements with county tax collectors to help enforce school regulation; and SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflower specialty plate from $15 to $25 to support the Florida Wildflower Foundation. The final bill, SB 470 on the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate, was introduced as a measure to broaden eligibility for the existing plate and stabilize funding for law enforcement memorial efforts, but no final action on that bill was reached in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair and members of committee, Patrick Conner, NFIB, representing Washington's small
• for the entire year. threaten the small window of time that farmers have to produce their income for
• I didn't know there was a specific exemption for certain small businesses.
• No small feat.
• And so if you are workers of a small business with half a million dollars or less of annual revenue,

Bills: SB5437 , SB6152 , SB6058 , SB5944 , SB6039 , SB6117

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: noncompete, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant, nonsolicitation, employment contract, worker mobility, labor law, wage suppression, trade secrets, confidentiality agreement, franchise, independent contractor, employee mobility, economic growth, entrepreneurship, job mobility, restraint of trade, customer solicitation, post-employment restrictions, FTC noncompete rule

Transcript Highlights:

• So is your affordable housing primarily under 60% AMI, although in small instances you can go to 80%?
• And we identified that residential is really almost the smallest part of our work, small but important
• So a fairly small increase since 2022.
• The pictures on what's on my right-hand side of the screen show the small-unit single-family product
• We are a small community of just over 13,000 residents situated on Liberty Bay, west of Seattle.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Civic Commons on the Starter Home Production Plan, developed under the Covenant Home Ownership Act to address Washington’s shortage of starter homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. Speakers said housing prices have far outpaced incomes, and argued that incremental fixes have not worked. They described a statewide, systems-based plan centered on smaller, standardized homes, off-site construction, pre-approved plans, new financing tools, a developer network, and a temporary cross-sector crisis task force to coordinate implementation. Committee members asked about the role of silos, target income ranges, geographic applicability, and pre-approved plans; Civic Commons said the effort is intended to support households roughly from 60% to 120% of area median income and to work across urban and rural contexts. The Department of Labor and Industries then reported progress on factory-built housing regulation. L&I said it has prioritized residential plan reviews, reducing turnaround times from months to about two days, and has created a new plans examiner supervisor position. The department also said it is formalizing third-party review and inspection rules, building a customer-tracking database, and reviewing national standards from the Modular Building Institute for possible alignment with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans and the need to balance speed with code compliance and safety. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. Labor representatives said off-site fabrication can help housing delivery only if it preserves worker safety, fair wages, apprenticeship opportunities, and compliance with labor laws. They raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and underground-economy risks in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor licensing and training. Committee members responded that the state needs both housing production and good jobs, and that apprenticeship and workforce development remain important. The committee also heard from several cities about local housing code changes. Olympia described an affordable housing emergency ordinance that prioritizes affordable projects in the permitting queue, while noting that staff capacity and cross-department communication are critical. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, said it eliminated single-family zoning, expanded ADUs and MFTE, and has seen more duplexes, ADUs, and smaller-lot development, though it still faces neighborhood opposition and infrastructure-related barriers. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances just before the deadline, after a lengthy process involving density, parking, and staffing challenges. Poulsbo said it proactively adopted multiple housing code changes, including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, a manufactured home overlay, and six shared pre-approved ADU plans with neighboring jurisdictions; it also highlighted a senior housing project using city land and public funding. Across the city testimony, speakers emphasized that zoning changes help but are only one part of the housing puzzle, and several urged more support for local staff, standardized plans, and broader reforms to permitting and infrastructure requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robinsdale is full of small one- to one-and-a-half-story homes on small lots.
• Robinsdale is full of small one- to one-and-a-half-story homes on small lots.
• Robinsdale is full of small one- to one-and-a-half-story homes on small lots.
• Robinsdale is full of small one- to one-and-a-half-story homes on small lots.
• </c> to one and a half story homes on small to one and a half story homes on small Lots<00:09:20.880>

Transcript Highlights:

• to get into small farming and to succeed. I think we've asked to double the amount that we can.
• We have long roots within how the agriculture industry works in our small rural communities.
• A small fraction of the need is for us to be able to turn on the tap.
• And that's just a small part of the problem.
• This relatively small investment would substantially help many graduates of Texas Tech.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> entrepreneurs or small businesses with. entrepreneurs or small businesses with.
• </c><00:31:09.600><c> business</c> also required by the uh small business also required by the uh small
• </c> Wyoming SBIR STR initiative, small Wyoming SBIR STR initiative, small business<00:31:23.120><c>
• And if they small It's difficult.
• And how does a small ridiculous.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1196 streamlines small energization projects by allowing applicants...
• Some IOUs cancel small energization applications without the applicant's consent, prompting even more
• Small tweak to this joint reliability power assessment, bringing before you all...
• Small, medium, and large, branded and unbranded in every single market.
• We do see a very small decline in gasoline consumption, but we are at 13 billion gallons a year.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $63,750 is a small $63,750 is a small amount of money to the House of Representatives, but it's very
• And I think the fact of transportation is a very small part, while it's critical, it's a very small part
• And I think the fact of a transportation is a very small part.
• While it's critical, it's a very small part of the overall cost.
• HB 1268 would provide... ...our small Texas businesses.

Bills: HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB39 , HB 102 , HB 126 , HB290 , HB300 , HB2143 , HJR2 , HB147 , HJR6 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 20 is a very small change in the law.
• </c><00:49:51.280><c> businesses</c> protecting consumers small businesses protecting consumers small
• c> and</c><00:50:41.280><c> small</c><00:50:41.520><c> businesses</c> motans and motans and small businesses
• These small businesses are terrified of talking about this.
• </c><01:08:27.799><c> businesses</c> personhood of those small businesses personhood of those small businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• Our dealership has served Washington RVing customers for decades and operates in a small rural community
• We're a small dealership.
• We are a small dealership.
• So we're looking to measure it from the pin box, which adds just a small amount. Now, I understand.
• edits that they thought were appropriate to make sure that we are as inclusive as possible for our small

Bills: HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2552

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: HB 2467, fifth-wheel travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer, travel trailer, RV, recreational vehicle, trailer length, vehicle length limits, oversize vehicle, truck and trailer, tractor-semitrailer, semi-trailer, kingpin, Washington RCW, Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway safety, commercial trucking, towing, motor home

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be talking about a small ranchers.
• ><c> table</c><00:32:36.720><c> my</c> Another another too small table my Another another too small table
• Small small tables abound. This is just Small small tables abound.
• </c> most the majority of our farms are small most the majority of our farms are small holders<00:57:
• </c> the federal level but it's very small. the federal level but it's very small.

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you think it might be a burden on a small business?
• </c> women who have small women who have small children<01:04:54.319><c> are</c><01:04:54.640><c> all
• </c> as a starter home who had a small child. as a starter home who had a small child.
• c><02:00:39.520><c> in</c><02:00:39.760><c> increasing</c> small but important role in increasing small
• Um, addresses that in a very small way.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• And then some of that small number who were out of compliance, who had asked for guidance on getting
• Why can't the DOE deal with them individually if there's such a small number? Senator Laine.
• </c> there's such a small number? there's such a small number? Senator<00:10:12.600><c> Laine.
• </c> the non-compliant list was very small. the non-compliant list was very small.
• That's what I emailed you about, but you have this language in a different or some small language in

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• In return, we have asked them to give us a small point. Have asked us to give them.
• Small government, government works close to the people. ...to small government, government works close
• While the president characterizes these surging costs as a small price to pay, I must ask: small to whom
• In District 26, the price doesn't feel small. It feels like an anchor drowning them.
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026. surging costs as a small price to pay. I must ask, small to whom?

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Small. Vice Chair Sariñana? Here. Chair McQueen? Here. So we have a quorum?
• Designated special carve-outs for tribal communities as well as our small businesses.
• It will cause small businesses to suffer because they will have to pay additional energy costs.
• Chair, Representative Small. Very good question, because I go through Corona a lot.
• Representative Small? Yes, to table. Bye. Representative Small? Yes, to table.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 748 streamlines the approval process for single-family homes and small-scale multifamily housing,
• This was a local theater putting on a small show, and I ended up at a fake website.
• I'm pleased to present AB 643, a bill that contains a small number of technical... older to opt out of
• I'm pleased to present AB 643, a bill that contains a small number of technical I'm pleased to present
• This bill establishes the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to strengthen the state's small

Transcript Highlights:

• As a former small business owner myself, I think that is our job here in the legislature: to do things
• As a former small business owner myself, I think that is our job here in the legislature: to do things
• It allows small businesses to share infrastructure, manage costs, and grow responsibly.
• It creates unnecessary challenges for our small and medium-sized wineries across our state.
• I know your children are small. So in that theater, would that be affected by this?

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on several alcohol-related bills. HB 2128 would expand the sports entertainment facility liquor license to cover publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons engage in sports, amusement, or recreational activities, such as the Leavenworth Adventure Park. The prime sponsor and supporters said it would modernize the license while keeping LCB safety controls in place; one member questioned whether it amounted to an expansion of alcohol access. A fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, and the public hearing was closed without action. The committee then heard HB 2207, which would create a bonded beer warehouse license and make related changes to bonded wine warehouse law. The sponsor said it would help a Ridgefield logistics warehouse store beer the same way it can already store wine and spirits, while supporters from the Washington Brewers Guild said it would give breweries parity with wineries. Distributors and other opponents raised concerns about direct-to-consumer shipping, public access to warehouses, and federal tax-and-trade restrictions; the sponsor said amendments were being considered to address some of those issues. The hearing was closed without action. HB 2536 would allow wineries to hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses, or beer and/or wine restaurant licenses, at additional winery locations. The sponsor and winery representatives said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let wineries operate tasting rooms and restaurant-style spaces more flexibly, while opponents argued it could broaden alcohol access and create tied-house concerns. HB 2476 would remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for theaters seeking a spirits, beer, and wine theater license; the sponsor and theater operators said existing alcohol control plans and other safeguards would remain in place, and the change would help theaters compete and attract patrons. The committee also heard HB 1701, which would allow multiple liquor licensees to operate within a shared facility and was described as a way to support a mixed-use winery/brewery/restaurant project; the sponsor said he was willing to remove the Public Records Act exemption again, and distributors urged transparency and guardrails. In executive action, the committee took up HB 2229, revising the Professional Engineers Registration Act. After adopting Amendment CLA 407 to restore current law on the board’s name, the committee voted to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. Several members supported the bill as a modernization of registration and continuing-education provisions, while some members voted no, citing concerns about changes to board membership requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our utility poles—you could already do the small cell by right on any of the public infrastructure.
• Our utility poles—you could already do the small cell by right on any of the public infrastructure.
• So what specifically are you talking about for holdups on the siting of small cell? Yes.
• The small cell was where I was curious because I have not heard that issue before.
• I think my first four years, we only had small cell bills. Yeah. We had a lot of them.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee held an informational hearing on the state of broadband affordability in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the committee was examining how broadband prices, access, and affordability are affecting households, especially after the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and amid concerns about federal resistance to state broadband regulation. She noted the committee’s continued interest in policy options for 2026 and referenced prior legislation, including AB 353, that would have required affordable home internet as a condition of doing business in California. Industry witnesses from U.S. Telecom and CTIA argued that broadband and wireless prices have generally fallen in real terms even as inflation and other household costs have risen, citing competition, infrastructure investment, and faster speeds as the main drivers. They said California’s higher costs are tied to permitting delays, taxes, copper theft, and legacy obligations such as COLR requirements, and they urged the Legislature to preserve market incentives, reduce fees and regulatory burdens, and support infrastructure deployment. They also discussed fixed wireless access, federal BEAD funding, and Universal Service Fund reform, arguing that more entities benefiting from networks, including tech platforms, should contribute to support programs. Consumer and public-interest witnesses presented a different view, saying California still has a serious affordability and adoption problem, especially for low-income households. Sunny McPhee of the California Emerging Technology Fund said broadband adoption has improved dramatically over time, but about 500,000 households remain offline or underconnected and many low-income households still pay above the FCC affordability benchmark. Ernesto Falcon of the CPUC Public Advocates Office said California’s market is losing its competitive edge, with prices higher than in other states and meaningful price pressure coming mainly from fiber competition at the gigabit tier. He said roughly 4.8 million Californians are limited to one gigabit option and estimated that more competition could save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Both witnesses emphasized the need for stronger transparency, targeted subsidies, and a permanent affordability solution, including extending and refining the CPUC broadband Lifeline pilot and advancing SB 716. Public commenters, including representatives from cable providers, nonprofits, and digital equity organizations, largely supported SB 716 and a permanent broadband affordability program. Several urged the committee to remove a cap on the Lifeline program, expand the CPUC pilot, and invest in digital navigators, outreach, and enrollment assistance. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after the chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I happen to believe those are really good purposes, helping a lot of struggling very, very small mom-and-pop
• I happen to believe those are really good purposes, helping a lot of struggling very, very small mom-and-pop
• 28.480><c> uh</c> running, functioning well, uh serving uh running, functioning well, uh serving uh small
• > businesses,</c><00:27:30.080><c> uh</c><00:27:30.640><c> many</c><00:27:31.039><c> immigrant</c> small
• businesses, uh many immigrant small businesses, uh many immigrant businesses<00:27:32.080><c> and</c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very important because it really is educating our small and medium-sized communities on what they
• The Chosen, when it started, was a very, very small project.
• In fact, we were so small that we did not qualify for the incentive in its current state.
• Most shows don't do that; they typically start very small and grow to be big.
• Remember, most of our downtown businesses are mom-and-pop, family-owned businesses that are small.

Bills: SB22 , SB 22

Committee: Senate Finance