Transcript Highlights:

• And while I'm encouraged to see the PUC tackling this issue with the regulatory tools we have, it's our
• Pearson said he wanted to provide a little bit of additional context about the regulatory process.
• mean, I've heard bills in here before that would have got kind of close to taking some of their regulatory
• got kind of close to taking some of got kind of close to taking some of their<00:24:40.240><c> regulatory
• away or their regulatory effect away or different<00:24:42.159><c> things</c><00:24:42.480><c> we've

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 76, as amended by the adopted A1 amendment, and the chair moved the bill to be re-referred to the general register. The bill would limit the amount investor-owned utilities can charge ratepayers for executive compensation, capping recoverable pay for the top 10 executives at the governor’s salary. Representative Greenman argued the measure would protect customers from paying for lavish executive pay and said it would not affect what executives are paid, only what can be recovered from ratepayers. She cited recent Public Utilities Commission action and ongoing rate cases as evidence the issue is real and recurring. Supportive testimony came from a Minneapolis resident describing financial hardship and rising utility bills, a local worker who said customers have no choice of utility provider and should not fund monopoly executive pay, and advocates from the Energy and Policy Institute and Utility Reform Now, who said ratepayers should not subsidize excessive compensation and that the bill is a targeted reform. Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy opposed the bill’s premise by defending the current regulatory process. Their representatives said the PUC already reviews executive compensation in rate cases, generally allows only limited recovery, and has used that process for decades. Xcel also emphasized its affordability programs and said executives help secure savings and investments for customers. Members discussed whether the legislature should set a bright-line rule or leave the issue to the PUC. Representative Greenman said the bill is needed because the PUC process can take years and the legislature should establish a clear standard for all investor-owned utilities. Some members supported the bill as a response to an affordability crisis and the lack of consumer choice, while others said the legislature should focus on broader energy-cost issues and existing regulatory tools. The committee did not take a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was moved for re-referral to the general register.

Transcript Highlights:

• Folks were concerned about crime and regulatory issues.
• Regulatory issues being a rather large bucket.
• ..about predictability and the impact on employers navigating an already uncertain economic and regulatory
• group of stakeholders and has really worked to try and resolve the issues around affordability, regulatory
• Regulatory burdens and public safety issues, and we appreciate her for doing that.

Bills: HB2038, HB2297, HB2382, HB2487, HB2018

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Transcript Highlights:

• public safety resources always stretched to the max, we respectfully ask that the state provide regulatory
• public safety resources always stretched to the max, we respectfully ask that the state provide regulatory
• oversight or, to the max we respectfully ask that the state provide regulatory oversight or funding
• legislature is taking important steps to address the lack of housing, but there are still local regulatory
• We have found success under our current regulatory framework in housing individuals who want services

Summary: The Housing Committee held work sessions on federal Continuum of Care homelessness funding and on state step-housing siting rules before moving into public hearings on House Bill 2266 and House Bill 2489. Commerce staff said HUD’s late and restrictive Continuum of Care funding notice put about $120 million a year in Washington operating support for existing homeless housing projects at risk, but a lawsuit led by the Attorney General forced HUD to restart renewal funding. Commerce also reviewed how local governments are implementing step-housing requirements, including model ordinances, planning updates, and ongoing compliance reviews under recent state law. House Bill 2266 would require cities and counties to allow step housing in all nonindustrial zones, apply the same permitting and environmental review as other residential uses, limit design review to administrative processes, and remove certain local standards and conditions on existing buildings and affordable housing. Supporters, including Plymouth Housing, Disability Rights Washington, King County, the Attorney General’s Office, and Catholic Community Services, argued the bill would reduce discriminatory barriers, protect people with disabilities, and make it easier to site shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. Several city representatives and the Association of Washington Cities opposed or sought amendments, saying the bill was too broad and could limit local authority over operational agreements, safety plans, spacing, community engagement, and funding conditions; some asked for clearer carveouts for emergency shelters and related uses. House Bill 2489 would bar local governments from enforcing public-space anti-camping or similar laws unless adequate alternative shelter space is available, with “life-sustaining activities” and “adequate alternative shelter space” defined in detail. Rep. Gregerson said the bill would create a statewide floor and prevent punishment for survival conduct when no real shelter option exists. The ACLU, service providers, and shelter operators supported the bill, citing displacement from fragmented local ordinances, enforcement costs, and the need to align enforcement with actual shelter availability. Testimony also described low-barrier shelter operations and examples of people stabilizing once housed. The hearing on HB 2489 began with staff explanation and initial testimony; no votes were taken on either bill in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, at the end of the day, I think the problem is that content-wise, it just creates a lot of regulatory
• Yeah, so rather than creating a separate regulatory framework that focuses narrowly on artificial intelligence
• Yeah, so rather than creating a separate regulatory framework that focuses narrowly in artificial intelligence
• In Virginia, the governor vetoed the bill with concerns about the rigid regulatory framework, how fast
• While CCIA's members are committed to responsible AI development, this bill creates a regulatory dragnet

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three AI-related bills. HB 1170 would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and include latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated or altered content; supporters said it is needed to combat deepfakes and disinformation, while opponents raised First Amendment, technical feasibility, and compliance concerns, and the Attorney General’s Office said the bill needs clearer provider definitions and enforcement language. HB 2157 would regulate high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions such as employment, housing, health care, and parole by requiring risk management, impact assessments, disclosures, and a private right of action; the sponsor said it is needed to address algorithmic discrimination and consumer protection, while industry and civil liberties groups warned it is overbroad, burdensome, and constitutionally problematic, and the AG’s Office supported the concept but asked for changes to enforcement and the right-to-cure provisions. HB 2225 would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on manipulative engagement, and safeguards for minors and self-harm; the sponsor, governor’s office, AG’s Office, researchers, and several families testified in support, citing harms to youth and real-world suicides, while industry groups supported narrower protections but objected to the private right of action and scope. No votes were taken during the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• the principle that invasive species management should be guided by state expertise, established regulatory
• based, keeps rules regarding indemnification in place, and clarifies adherence to state law and regulatory
• based, keeps rules regarding indemnification in place, clarifies an adherence to state law and regulatory
• simply ensures that imported water deliveries operating under California's existing invasive mussel regulatory

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, soft costs are those regulatory costs that come into play that might add costs to financing, add
• Well, soft costs are<00:01:54.720><c> those</c><00:01:55.480><c> regulatory</c><00:01:56.280><c> costs
• </c><00:01:56.840><c> that</c><00:01:57.120><c> come</c> are those regulatory costs that come are those
• regulatory costs that come into<00:01:57.600><c> play</c><00:01:58.480><c> that</c><00:01:59.640><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner of Financial Institutions to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the FinTech regulatory
• Commissioner of Financial Institutions to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the FinTech regulatory
• Commissioner of Financial Institutions to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the FinTech regulatory
• 800, which passed last year, and adopted the 2021 updates to the Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to promote the very law enforcement we're going to need in order to— order to run a responsible regulatory
• Two schemes: a regulatory regime for very low-level use, and medically over— seen and prescribed compassionate
• If this session we were to pass a very strict regulatory framework— regulatory regime, which in effect

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• The 65% design will allow us to begin looking at some permitting and regulatory pieces, which will be
• The 65% design will allow us to begin looking at some permitting and regulatory pieces, which will be
• 29:13.279><c> and</c> begin looking at some permitting and begin looking at some permitting and regulatory
• 15.440><c> will</c><00:29:15.760><c> begin</c><00:29:16.399><c> or</c><00:29:16.559><c> will</c> regulatory
• pieces um will begin or will regulatory pieces um will begin or will be<00:29:16.960><c> complete</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge the committee to reconsider this approach, align consequences with the current regulatory construct
• We urge the committee to reconsider this approach, align consequences with the current regulatory construct
• approach, align consequences with the approach, align consequences with the current<00:12:59.600><c> regulatory
• </c> current regulatory current regulatory construct,<00:13:01.600><c> work</c><00:13:01.640><c> with
• Uh, it looks like we were really efficient with our time today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and I serve the role of chief science and regulatory officer at the American Beverage Association
• I eventually found my way into the regulatory science world and I've been there for 20 years, in the
• </c><00:02:46.959><c> the</c> eventually found my way into the eventually found my way into the regulatory
• 48.080><c> world</c><00:02:48.319><c> and</c><00:02:48.560><c> I've</c><00:02:48.800><c> been</c> regulatory
• science world and I've been regulatory science world and I've been there<00:02:49.280><c> for</c><00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar. Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar. The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not hold the regulatory, like we are not a regulating authority.
• We do not hold the regulatory, like we are not a regulating authority.
• But I totally, Hold the regulatory—like, we are not a regulating authority.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities equity subcommittee met, approved the prior minutes, and heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Cater Center (Care Coordination Assistance, Training, Education, and Resources for Kids). Presenters Toria Haffey and Patty Loza explained that Cater provides training and technical assistance to MassHealth’s Cares for Kids providers serving children with medical complexity, with a focus on enhanced care coordination, family partnership, racial/cultural/linguistic equity, community resources, education systems, shared plans of care, and transition support. They described five e-learning modules, flexible one-on-one and group technical assistance, case review support, and informal virtual “cafes” for providers. They also noted the program has been operating for about two to three years and currently works with five hospital-based providers, including Boston Children’s, BMC, Tufts, NeighborHealth, and Baystate. Committee members asked about the number of families served, the relationship to MassHealth, and whether the model could be expanded beyond Boston-area providers. The presenters said Cater does not track enrollment numbers because that is handled by providers and MassHealth, and they agreed there is room to broaden reach and improve data collection. Members suggested connecting Cater with regional disability and case management networks, the Health Equity Compact, ACOs, and DDS-related contacts. Questions also focused on funding stability amid federal Medicaid cuts and workforce shortages in family engagement roles; Cater said the work remains a priority for MassHealth, though funding is a concern, and acknowledged staffing gaps, especially for family partners with lived experience. After the presentation, the committee discussed a NIH strategic plan for disability health research that had been circulated for future review. Because members had not yet read it, they agreed to place it on the agenda for the next meeting. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not hold the regulatory, like we are not a regulating authority.
• We do not hold the regulatory, like we are not a regulating authority.
• But I totally, Hold the regulatory—like, we are not a regulating authority.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Equity Committee meeting of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities began with roll call, approval of the prior minutes, and a presentation from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s CATER Center (Care Coordination, Assistance, Training, Education, and Resource Center). Staff described CATER’s role in providing training and technical assistance to MassHealth Cares for Kids providers serving children with medical complexity, including e-learning modules, coaching, case review support, and informal virtual drop-in sessions. They emphasized a family-centered, racially and culturally equitable approach, and noted that the program is funded through a MassHealth contract and has been operating for about two to three years. Committee members asked about which providers participate, how many families are served, how CATER coordinates with other regional or grassroots programs, and whether the model could be expanded beyond Boston-based hospitals. The presenters said they currently work with five providers, including Boston Children’s, BMC, Tufts, NeighborHealth, and Baystate, but do not track enrollment numbers because that is handled by providers and MassHealth. Members also raised concerns about workforce shortages, funding stability amid federal Medicaid cuts, and the need to share the curriculum and connect with other networks such as ACOs, DDS contacts, case management organizations, and the Health Equity Compact. The presenters said the work remains a priority and that they are open to growth and broader partnerships. After the presentation, the committee agreed to have the CATER slides and curriculum circulated to members. The only other agenda item was a lengthy NIH strategic plan for disability health research, which members had not yet reviewed; they agreed to defer discussion to a future meeting and add it to next month’s agenda. No votes beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after thanking the presenters and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill really is about regulatory nursing and making sure we align with the national standards and
• This bill really is about regulatory nursing and making sure we align with the national standards and
• that we're going on in our state, especially those underneath the certification for the Federal Regulatory

Summary: The Rules Committee considered a long series of House bills and substitute House bills, moving nearly all of them from the white sheet to the floor calendar. Topics included health care transaction notice requirements (HB 2548), waste-to-energy compliance and utility rates (HB 2416), language access for state programs (HB 2475), repeal and transition away from the Community Protection Program for developmental disabilities services (HB 1390), nursing regulation and ARNP standards (HB 2339), lump-sum payment increases for small monthly payments (HB 2124), roadway fatality risk data collection by the Traffic Safety Commission (HB 2192), statewide low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), local government tax resources and flexibility (HB 2442), permanent property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers (HB 2133), retirement benefit bargaining for Department of Corrections employees (HB 1069), collective bargaining rights for non-academic employees at Western Washington University (HB 1570), medically tailored meals in Medicaid (HB 2211), aviation funding for wildland fire response (HB 2104), port worker retirement and wage/benefit authority (HB 2179), overdose data sharing (HB 2168), real estate transaction exemptions for public-benefit acquisitions by public entities, tribes, and conservation groups (HB 2624), security measures for legislators and other elected officials (HB 2333), voter registration challenge procedures (HB 1916), limits on restraint and isolation in schools (HB 1795), jail search policies for transgender and intersex individuals (HB 1604), Attorney General investigators for wage theft and fraud (HB 2156), Transportation Improvement Board updates (HB 1823), tax treatment for land transferred to government entities (HB 2140), expanded shared leave uses for hate crime and immigration enforcement-related situations (HB 2411), collective bargaining protections if federal enforcement changes (HB 2471), labor standards for clean energy/urban area property tax exemption projects (HB 1210), employer notice and enforcement rights during I-9/immigration audits (HB 2105), tax increment financing dispute resolution for special purpose and junior taxing districts (HB 2451), AI-generated content disclosure and enforcement (HB 1170), tourism marketing assessment authority (HB 2325), defective license plate replacement fees (HB 2114), the Blue Envelope Program for neurodiverse drivers during traffic stops (HB 2323), and pre-clearance provisions under the Washington State Voting Rights Act (HB 1710). Most motions passed on voice votes with little or no opposition; one notable dissent came on HB 2105, where Senator King raised concerns about the bill’s private right of action. The committee also noted Senator Conway’s likely final Rules Committee meeting and thanked him for his service before adjourning with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 198 establishes the regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosks and protects consumers
• The key differences are transaction limits, the regulatory structure, and the use of blockchain analytics
• But the bill will close a regulatory gap and ensure investment advisors managing assets less than $100

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 198 establishes the regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosks and protects consumers
• The key differences are transaction limits, the regulatory structure, and the use of blockchain analytics
• But the bill will close a regulatory gap and ensure investment advisors managing assets less than $100

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In that capacity, I serve as the regulatory conservation associate with the group.
• The pending rule reduces the overall regulatory burden by reducing the total word count and the number
• It reduces the overall regulatory burden by reducing the total word count by 313 words.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a silent roll call, notice of an upcoming tour of the Veolia water treatment plant, and approval of the February 9 and February 11, 2026 minutes. Members also recognized a departing page, Kaelin, who briefly shared her plans to serve an LDS mission and later attend college for an agribusiness degree. The committee then heard House Bill 652, presented by Representative Stone on behalf of a fourth-grade homeschool student from Twin Falls, Betty Grandi. The bill would designate hunting as Idaho’s official state sport. Grandi testified that she researched the issue, surveyed her community through her newspaper, and found hunting to be the clear favorite. She argued it reflects Idaho’s history, outdoor traditions, conservation values, and family recreation. The committee praised her presentation and unanimously voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to pending Idaho Department of Lands rules. Andrew Smith presented changes to mine land reclamation rules, saying the revisions were the product of negotiated rulemaking, public meetings, and comments, and would reduce word count and restrictive language while adding definitions and reorganizing requirements. Will Teeteman of the Idaho Conservation League supported periodic review of reclamation plans but objected that the rule did not clearly reflect statutory five-year review language; the committee nonetheless approved the docket. Marty Menzinger then presented navigable waterways rule changes, describing outreach, no fee increases, and reductions in word count and restrictive terms; the committee approved that docket as well. Finally, Lawson Tate presented right-of-way easement rule changes, including removal of nominal fees, updated compensation language tied to appraised value, emergency-work definitions, and longer temporary permits; after questions about appraisal costs and selection, the committee approved the rule. The meeting adjourned after all pending items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that capacity, I serve as the regulatory conservation associate with the group.
• The pending rule reduces the overall regulatory burden by reducing the total word count and the number
• It reduces the overall regulatory burden by reducing the total word count by 313 words.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Resources and Conservation Committee opened with roll call, announced an upcoming Thursday tour of the Veolia water treatment plant, and recognized page Kaelin for her last meeting before leaving for an LDS mission and later college. The committee then approved the minutes from February 9 and 11, 2026. The committee heard House Bill 652, presented by Representative Hall’s staffer Grayson Stone and fourth-grade homeschool student Betty Grandi, proposing hunting as Idaho’s official state sport. Grandi described her research, a community poll through her newspaper, and reasons tied to Idaho history, outdoor traditions, conservation, and wildlife. The committee praised her testimony and unanimously sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered several Idaho Department of Lands pending rules. For mine land reclamation rules, the department described negotiated rulemaking, public outreach, and changes that reduced word count and added definitions; an Idaho Conservation League representative raised concerns that the rule did not mirror a statutory five-year review requirement, but the committee still adopted the docket. The committee also approved navigable waterways rules, which reduced regulatory burden, added definitions, incorporated the International Fire Code, and made no fee increases. Finally, it approved right-of-way easement rules, which reduced word count, removed nominal fees, clarified compensation based on appraisal or Land Board discretion, expanded emergency work definitions, and extended temporary permits from 10 to 20 years after committee questions about appraisal selection and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond regulatory clarity, this bill is also about supporting Kentucky agriculture.
• Beyond<00:54:56.079><c> regulatory</c><00:54:56.640><c> clarity,</c><00:54:57.119><c> this</c><00:54:
• 57.280><c> bill</c><00:54:57.520><c> is</c> Beyond regulatory clarity, this bill is Beyond regulatory
• stable segments of the industry by creating a predictable The industry by creating a predictable regulatory
• House Bill 265, an act relating to regulatory authorizations by the Commissioner of Insurance.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal legislative and regulatory activity has significantly accelerated since the adoption of West
• State administrative costs and regulatory burdens could be limited by allowing the existing food and
• restrictions and highlights the importance of legislative clarity in coordination with federal regulatory
• upon... ...upon FDA, and I want to make sure I've got the right people, upon FDA or whoever the regulatory
• And in public statements lately, the FDA has repeatedly shied away from commitments to take regulatory

Keywords: 994, senate, all