Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you could you could do that as well. you could you could do that as well.
• well well for<00:56:05.359><c> for</c><00:56:06.520><c> um</c><00:56:07.760><c> uh</c><00:56:08.559>
• </c> in the rest of the northeast about well in the rest of the northeast about well I<01:03:02.720><
• Well, you know, they they access.
• </c><01:28:02.280><c> Well,</c> well. Okay. Representative Eva. Well, well. Okay.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 74, which would require agencies issuing certain real-property-related permits to track and report how many permits they issue and how long the process takes. Representative Carol McGuire introduced the bill and said the goal is to gather data on permit timing and fees, especially for DES and DOT permits involving wetlands, alteration of terrain, driveway permits, and similar approvals. Supporters argued the state needs better visibility into permitting delays and whether statutory deadlines are realistic; they also noted the bill had passed the House on a voice vote with no debate. Adam Crapo of the Department of Environmental Services said DES is generally supportive of the reporting concept but warned that the agency’s data are spread across many separate, partly manual databases. He said DES can already do this for some land resources permits through its new system, but not across all of its more than 90 permit types without additional help. DES estimated it would need two part-time positions to compile the reports, especially for waste management and water programs, and said otherwise existing permitting staff would have to do the work, potentially slowing permit processing. He also said the agency is already working to simplify rules and move more permits onto a new online platform, but could not meet the bill’s 2026 reporting deadline with current staffing and systems. Committee members questioned whether delays are often caused by incomplete applications rather than agency inaction, and Crapo said that is frequently the case. He said DES already tracks timelines to some extent for management and statutory compliance, but not at the individual-permit detail the bill would require. He also said some letters and records are captured in One Stop, but not all are. Members expressed support for the bill’s transparency goals while also worrying about added workload and possible slowdowns. The discussion then moved to DOT, where Susan Clawson said DOT is neutral on the bill because it recently implemented Salesforce and now has good data for reporting; DOT’s fiscal note reflects software-related costs, but the agency can already track the required information in its system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, okay, Representative C...
• Well, okay, Representative C...
• Well, okay, Representative C...
• Well, okay, Representative C...
• Well, okay, Representative C...

Bills: HF1051 , HF16

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• to welcome them as well.
• ><c> well.
• </c> going to ask for a roll call as well. going to ask for a roll call as well.
• So, I want to wish Max well. Um, school. So, I want to wish Max well.
• Well done. And happy pride, Well done. Well done. And happy pride, everyone.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd love to have her speak to this as well.
• And so they continue to follow up as well, as well as respond to any actions that are taking at the federal
• Well, I will say that I think it is timely.
• Well, I will say that I think it is timely.
• They’re doing it really well now.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• as the Senate, as well as interested stakeholders.
• We're partnering with our local EDCs as well, right?
• Well, thank you. Appreciate the panel. Thank you for this.
• And thank you to all our panelists here as well.
• Okay, thank you for that context as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you, and good afternoon, Mr. Chair, members.
• Well, good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members.
• Well, thank you.
• I'll elaborate on that question as well.
• I'll elaborate on that question as well.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and one resolution focused on recycling, housing affordability, air quality, coastal protection, wildfire resilience, and nuclear policy. AB 2559, by Assembly Member Ward, would require local governments to return refundable construction and demolition permit deposits if compliance documentation is submitted within three years of final inspection; supporters said it would prevent homeowners and developers from losing deposits due to mismatched local deadlines, and it passed unanimously as amended to Appropriations. AB 1704, by Assembly Member Gonzalez, would require CARB to assess the cost of lower-embodied-carbon building materials and pause the embodied-carbon program if cost parity is not reached; supporters framed it as a housing affordability safeguard, while environmental groups argued it would delay implementation of a key climate law. The bill passed on a party-line vote to Appropriations. AB 2349, by Assembly Member Solache, would create regional air quality incident response centers for emergency monitoring and coordination; it drew strong support from air district and local government representatives and passed unanimously to Appropriations. ACR 149, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy, highlighted coastal access, habitat protection, and climate adaptation; it passed the committee, though some members voted no. AB 1960, by Assembly Member Bennett, would let Cal Fire fund community-level wildfire hardening projects through the Wildfire Prevention Grants Fund; members raised questions about funding and implementation, but it passed to Appropriations. AB 2254, the Coastal Monarchs Protection Act, would require coastal local governments to add monarch overwintering protections when updating local coastal plans; supporters cited steep monarch declines and economic benefits, while local government groups opposed the mandate as duplicative and burdensome, and it passed to Water, Parks and Wildlife. AB 2253 would restrict deceptive recycled-content claims and mass-balance accounting practices; supporters said it would protect consumers and real recyclers, while business groups argued it would conflict with recognized accounting systems and EPR programs. The transcript also included AB 1757, which would create a limited carve-out from California’s nuclear moratorium for microreactors; supporters said it could provide clean, local power and support data centers, while opponents warned of cost, waste, and safety risks. The committee ultimately rejected AB 1757 on a divided vote, then granted reconsideration, and the discussion continued without a final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, well, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr.
• The other, you had a question as well.
• Well, we do. Yeah, yeah. Okay.
• We are working very well.
• He said, well, and we were talking.

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several wildlife-related bills. HB 2197, concerning camping near watering facilities, was amended to change the distance standard and remove language tied to domestic stock access; supporters said it would help protect ranch and wildlife water sources, while one member opposed it over expanded criminal penalties. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote. HB 2497 would establish a statutory right to lawfully hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and limit restrictions on those activities. Supporters described it as an affirmation of existing rights and wildlife heritage, while opponents argued it would weaken Game and Fish authority and conflict with the 2010 voter rejection of similar language. After a technical amendment, the committee approved the bill 5-3. The committee also advanced HB 2147, which requires landowner deer permits under certain conditions to address crop damage and wildlife conflicts; Game and Fish said population management hunts are already being used, while opponents warned against privatizing wildlife. HB 2158, which would classify bears, cougars, mountain lions, and wolves as predatory animals, drew strong opposition from Game and Fish and conservation groups over science-based management and endangered species concerns, but was still recommended do pass 5-3. HB 2159, allowing landowner permits for Mexican gray wolves and a compensated trapping program, was likewise opposed as conflicting with federal law and the Endangered Species Act, but was approved 5-3. The committee then began HB 2162, which would require at least one Game and Fish commissioner to be a cattleman or rancher; Game and Fish opposed it, saying ranchers already have representation through the appointment process, and testimony continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it's not a short time frame.
• Very well, Mr. Chairman.
• Well, thank you. That's terrific.
• Well, let's pick literacy.
• Well, Mr.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, dual eligibles are not right now served very well.
• Well, Medicaid is not working for Americans.
• Kennedy and your family as well.
• Well, let me start the list.
• Well, my job is to uphold the Constitution.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It is well beyond the comprehension of, in my opinion, well over half the student population.
• It is well beyond the comprehension of, in my opinion, well over half the student population.
• It is well beyond the comprehension of, in my opinion, well over half the student population.
• </c> Well, thanks, Mr.
• Well, thanks, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• as revenue solutions as well.
• Random question, well, not random.
• “Well, we had the senior pilot one.
• I'm going to go back to the, well, actually the same people, well, actually the people that we've lost
• Well, first, LAO...

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I'll say other things later.
• Well, it's interesting.
• Once again, President Simpson as well, because the three of you worked very, very well together.
• And that's part of you as well.
• Well, thank you, Madam President.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:52.319><c> other</c> well other well other questions<00:16:54.399><c> all</c><00:16:54.560><c>
• </c><00:24:45.360><c> start</c> I all right so we might as well start I all right so we might as well
• Well, thank you, Senator.
• Well done, very well done. Excellent. You brought in some great help.
• well thank you I will add to that and well thank you I will add to that and say<00:43:10.079><c> you<

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something we did last year as well.
• This is something we did last year as well.
• But it's extremely important for us to make sure that when people well.
• Well, of course I want to do that. That sounds much easier.
• Well, I said this is all based on user-driven prioritization.

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a work session with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) focused on campaign and candidate disclosure, customer support, training, and technology improvements. PDC staff described the agency’s mission, its citizen-initiative origins, and efforts to make filing and public access easier through a redesigned website, virtual trainings, recorded tutorials, newsletters, and outreach to filers, auditors, parties, and local jurisdictions. They reported heavy customer-service activity in fiscal year 2025, including thousands of email and phone inquiries, and emphasized same-day assistance, proactive reminders, and hands-on help for first-time and complex filers. The CIO outlined the agency’s technology approach, including guided filing workflows, accessibility features, mobile-friendly applications, built-in help prompts, and continuous improvement timed to filing cycles. He highlighted recent changes such as warnings when a contribution may affect reporting periods, improved mini-reporting guidance, and the transition from Secure Access Washington to login.gov/WA.gov, which the agency is working on early to avoid disrupting filers. He also noted that system changes go through controlled review and that the agency is beginning to use AI agents in code review. Members asked about whether the PDC’s requirements discourage candidates, accessibility issues, treasurer support, donation limits for entities, and the role of AI. PDC staff said candidate numbers have grown, especially in local election years, and that the agency tries to keep filing manageable through direct assistance, discontinuation options, and mini-reporting for small campaigns. They said treasurer training is an important and growing part of their work, with more online and lunch-and-learn offerings, and that they are considering a treasurer-specific class. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the meeting adjourned after questions due to floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And some would say, well, my school...
• You're welcome to come down to the well.
• Representative Jones has left the well. Representative Jones has left the well.
• Well, it's great to be back at Boy State.
• We have a lot of houses that are on wells.

Committee: All BOYS STATE

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we see, we go to Wisconsin and Atlanta.
• We sometimes have to do that as well.
• Well, first and foremost, the hospital in an ambulance.
• So I thank all of them for coming here today as well.
• Well, it's a care plan, right?

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis as well? I mean, all—I mean, it's, I can't even. Louis as well?
• We sometimes have to do that as well.
• So I thank all of them for coming here today as well.
• Well, it's a care plan, right?
• Well, first off, has there been, with this bill, I think it's a step.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a substitute for House Bill 1962, then voted House Committee Substitute for HB 1962 do pass by 16-0. The substitute was described as making changes related to an epinephrine-related database and pricing. The committee then adopted a substitute for House Bill 2371 and voted House Committee Substitute for HB 2371 do pass by 16-0; the sponsor said the bill would codify existing Medicaid/state-plan coverage for a blood pressure-related issue and make the private insurance language consistent. House Concurrent Resolution 28 was also voted do pass by 16-0. The committee then heard House Bill 3457, “Maddie’s Law,” which would create an electronic medical-record alert for medically complex children so hospitals can quickly access individualized emergency care plans. Representative Burns presented the bill as a response to the death of a child named Maddie, and multiple family members and advocates testified in support, describing repeated emergency-room delays, the burden of carrying binders of records, and the need for one-click access to care plans. Questions focused on how the alert would work with existing systems, whether QR codes or bracelets might help, whether the bill should also apply to adults, and how the voluntary language fits with the goal of ensuring the information is available. An SSM Health lobbyist testified for information purposes, explaining that the STARS program is a voluntary EMS care-plan system started in 2014 and now includes about 1,800 children in Missouri and Illinois; he said the sponsor was willing to work on the language. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3401, which would require hospitals to develop workplace violence prevention plans, multidisciplinary committees, risk assessments, training, reporting, and incident review processes, while keeping the bill flexible for different facilities. The sponsor and several health care groups cited high rates of threats and assaults against emergency and hospital staff and argued that violence is a preventable workplace risk that contributes to burnout and staffing shortages. Witnesses from emergency physicians, nurses, the Missouri Hospital Association, and other medical groups supported the bill, with some suggesting the signage language be broadened or simplified. No votes were taken on HB 3457 or HB 3401 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the victim is still dead.
• Well...
• Well, thank you for that.
• So it includes fireworks as well.
• So it includes fireworks as well.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• So I do want to note that as well.
• And they start thinking about, well, how can we do this?
• .the reliability of those boilers as well.
• You know, well, clean firm is what we’re really...
• And that’s something that Quebec has to deal with as well.

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers. Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget. Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as visitation.
• We'd like to adopt that at the veterinary school as well.
• And so we do really well right now.
• And so we do really well right now.
• And so we do really well right now.

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.