Transcript Highlights:

• they could, depending on the circumstances, increase that lid accordingly and increase their budgets
• That's increased. is $1.5 billion per year. That's increased $137 million in this two-year period.
• And over the course of eight years, I have tried to attack this from increasing sales tax, increasing
• Increases due to public schools.
• on counties increasing any fees.

Bills: LB737 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB1216 , LB1256 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787 , LB365A , LB823 , LB900 , LB903 , LB940 , LB954 , LB1127 , LB1127A , LB1205 , LB1240 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR505 , LR507

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023-2024, CPI increased by 3.3%, and property tax collections increased by 13.9%.
• Florida's population is increasing and aging rapidly, and emergency medical services demand increases
• costs as ISO ratings increase.
• Local governments will have a few very hard choices before them: increased taxes, increased fees, or
• Increase taxes, increase fees, or cut services.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2020 through 2024, the CPI increased by 3.3% and property tax collections increased by 13.9%.
• Back to pre-COVID and then march them forward with, obviously, with population increase and increases
• To revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the
• To revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the
• Will sales tax increase? Will local governments be forced to raise fees? Will sales tax increase?

Transcript Highlights:

• We have seen participation in CCAP programs in particular increase significantly in recent years.
• And that number is increasing.
• As you heard today, identification rates in special education have increased significantly.
• a 120% increase for our students who are deaf or hard of hearing, a 92% increase in students with multiple
• disabilities, and a 67% increase in students with autism.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. For dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund proposal to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, add flexibility for regional occupational centers, support justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, and allow funds for teacher professional development, along with a reduction in required instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding, saying it did not address a clear implementation barrier, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Members and public commenters largely supported the expansion, with some urging additional technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee then discussed the reading difficulty screener proposal, which includes $40 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund for implementation costs and statutory changes that would delay formal screening until the 91st day for kindergarten and the 46th day for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align screening with sufficient exposure to instruction; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the investment but cautioned about the timing restrictions, and several members and public witnesses argued the proposed deadlines were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the structured timeline as a way to improve accuracy and reduce misidentification. On special education, Finance presented a proposal to increase the statewide base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund augmentation, plus COLA and a negative growth adjustment. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment and local cost pressures, and district and SELPA representatives described large local funding gaps and growing expenditures. The committee also reviewed school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance and the Office of Public School Construction describing $1.5 billion in proposed bond spending, existing balances for new construction and modernization, and the use of bond authority for natural disaster recovery, including projects related to recent fires. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the committee heard about the Student Teacher Stipend Program, the Golden State Teacher Grant, state operations funding for misconduct investigations and SB 848 implementation, and a $250 million proposal to extend the Teacher Residency Grant Program; CTC supported the proposals and highlighted new data systems and technical assistance, while public testimony broadly backed the investments and urged continued or additional funding for teacher recruitment, literacy screening support, and special education.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2020 through 2024, the CPI increased by 3.3%, and property tax collections increased by 13.9%.
• To revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the
• your garbage fees, increase your fire fees, and increase everything else that we can think of so that
• tax increase.
• to approve such an increase by a supermajority, unanimous vote, or referendum depending on the increase

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand homestead property tax relief, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses. Senator Avila presented the measure as a major property tax reform intended to provide relief to homeowners and restrain local government spending, while opponents argued it would shift costs to fees, services, and state appropriations and could harm local budgets, public safety, schools, and other services. Several senators also raised concerns about the ballot language and the lack of a completed fiscal analysis. The chamber considered and rejected multiple amendments. Senator Sharif’s income-based “circuit breaker” amendment failed, as did Senator Smith’s sunset clause amendment and Senator Berman’s amendment to rewrite the ballot statement for greater accuracy. During questioning, Avila said the revised language was meant to preserve flexibility for local governments and that future legislatures could set implementing procedures and, if necessary, prohibit certain local expenditures by general law. He also confirmed that the proposal would not affect refinancing or portability, and said the measure would not prevent local governments from continuing to fund many services such as libraries, parks, animal control, code enforcement, mosquito control, public housing, county health departments, and elections. Debate on final passage was extensive. Supporters described the proposal as overdue relief for homeowners and a way to force local governments to prioritize spending, while critics called it a risky tax shift that could reduce local revenue by billions and force cuts or higher fees. Some senators emphasized concerns about public safety funding, mental health and social services, and the accuracy of the ballot summary; others argued the measure would give voters a chance to decide on property tax reform. After debate, the resolution was rolled over for third reading and the Senate continued discussion, but the transcript provided does not include a final vote on the joint resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're asking for a $2 million increase for 2026 and a $6 million increase for 2027 to support state
• </c><00:08:00.319><c> for</c> for a 2 uh $2 million increase for for a 2 uh $2 million increase for 2026
• </c> requesting an increase in this as well. requesting an increase in this as well.
• </c> change items uh include a 20.7% increase change items uh include a 20.7% increase to<00:23:06.000
• </c><00:25:45.039><c> in</c> address the operating cost increase in address the operating cost increase

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> increased by 61%. increased by 61%.
• Just real quick on the uh some of the things that was increasing traffic is the 15-year-old that's increased
• Just real quick on the uh some of the things that was increasing traffic is the 15-year-old that's increased
• Just real quick on the uh some of the things that was increasing traffic is the 15-year-old that's increased
• </c> and in that also includes a a increase and in that also includes a a increase for<00:18:08.320><

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the minutes once quorum was established. The committee heard presentations from Transportation Cabinet officials Mike Hancock, Jeremy Slinker, and Sean McCarnieran on maintenance, vehicle regulation, general administration, highways, and related capital projects. Hancock emphasized that maintenance is the cabinet’s most visible public service, especially for snow and ice removal and routine roadway upkeep, and said rising costs have outpaced funding. He cited a 61% increase in highway construction costs since 2020 and said maintenance spending was $488 million in FY 2024 and $511 million in FY 2025, while the FY 2026 baseline request was $483.3 million. The cabinet’s additional maintenance request would add $23.6 million in FY 2027 and $38.6 million in FY 2028, with expected impacts on litter pickup, mowing, vegetation management, and pothole repair if not funded. The cabinet also outlined five maintenance-related capital projects: additional funding for Ballard County maintenance/salt storage, Hopkins County maintenance/salt storage, Whitley County maintenance/salt structure, and the District 2 office and materials lab, plus reauthorization of the Breckinridge County maintenance and salt facility. Hancock also asked for budget language allowing the cabinet to use unexpected restricted and federal funds more quickly, similar to existing authority for federal earmarks. McCarnieran described the governor’s inclusion of funding for the ASHTOWare system, employee health exams, priority IT projects, and a District 7 office renovation request, noting that some items were not funded because they ranked low among competing projects. He also said the governor’s budget included a $7.5 million annual maintenance pool for the cabinet’s 1,200 facilities and requested additional restricted fund authority for Trimark and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel. Slinker focused on the Department of Vehicle Regulation, saying recent investments in staffing and equipment had reduced wait times and improved customer service in driver licensing offices. He requested $535,600 to keep temporary contract workers in place for the rest of the year, warning that without it regional office operations would have to be reduced. He said the surge in demand was driven by new 15-year-old licensing requirements, vision testing, and Real ID implementation, but believed the volume was beginning to level out. He also outlined FY 2027 and FY 2028 plans totaling $20.38 million and $19.85 million, including six new regional offices and a shift away from temporary workers toward state positions. Additional requests included $106,000 for debt service on the new driver’s license modernization system and operating costs of $5 million in FY 2027 and $2.5 million in FY 2028 to support the transition from the old system. Members asked about the cabinet’s funding sources, and officials said the road fund is the primary source, supported by motor fuels tax, usage tax, driver-related receipts, and some restricted funds; they stressed that the requests were not for additional general fund dollars. Questions also covered employee health exam reimbursements, the annual Trimark/Cumberland Gap contract, and the District 7 renovation request. No votes were taken on the budget items during the meeting, beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rate may increase or decrease by the same percentage as the increase or decrease in the county's
• The rate may increase or decrease by the same percentage as the increase or decrease in the county's
• It also does not mandate a single local tax increase.
• Dealers have a consistent policy to oppose taxes that increase the cost for consumers or increase the
• Deers have a consistent policy to oppose taxes that increase the cost for consumers or increase the cost

Bills: HB2559 , HB2135 , HB2133 , HB2442

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, local government funding, housing programs, community development, financial assistance, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, permanent legislation, local government, tax authority, sales tax, use tax, real estate excise tax, REET

Transcript Highlights:

• This has led to an increase in turnover and vacancies.
• The remaining $122,000 is to increase our OPS staff.
• The remaining 122,000 is to increase our OPS staff.
• And we ask that you increase hearing officer pay by 17%.
• And we're just asking for incremental increases over time.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee first took up confirmation of five water management district appointees: Ted Everett and Jerome Pate to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano to the Big Cypress Basin Board of the South Florida Water Management District, and Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senator McClain moved confirmation, the roll was called, and the committee recommended all appointees favorably. Members then received the Governor’s Florida First budget presentations for environmental agencies. The environmental package totaled about $5.8 billion and emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, resilience, land conservation, state parks, hazardous waste cleanup, wildlife management, wildfire response, and citrus support. DEP highlighted more than $1.4 billion for water resources, including $810 million for Everglades restoration, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state parks, and $221 million for contamination cleanup. FWC, Agriculture, and Citrus funding priorities were also outlined. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a reduction at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and beach renourishment funding for storm damage. The committee also heard the General Government portion of the budget, which totaled about $2.9 billion and covered DBPR, Lottery, Financial Services, Management Services, Revenue, PERC, and the Gaming Control Commission. DBPR requested funds for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, fleet replacement, and IT retention. FGCC sought new enforcement squads and an IT licensing/enforcement system. The Lottery proposed marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding. DMS emphasized building modernization, fleet telematics, 911 and radio upgrades, cybersecurity, a local government cybersecurity grant program, and data interoperability. PERC described a sharp increase in labor cases and elections after SB 256 and requested staffing, election administration, and hearing officer pay increases. DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation. Revenue requested operational and IT funding and support for fiscally constrained counties. Questions focused on DBPR’s condo and HOA initiatives, cybersecurity grant reductions, and the My Safe Florida Home program’s abandoned grants and matching requirements. No additional votes were taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It hasn't increased at all.
• How much increase?
• It is holding them at a maximum. increase, or an average increase of 10 percent.
• Annual project awards have increased 27%.
• Project development dollars per FTE have also increased. has also increased to 36% adjusted for inflation

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• As the senator noted, prime sponsor rates have not been increased since 2005.
• Of the increase, the first $25 collected...
• So costs have increased $50 in four years for the...
• Costs have increased $50 in four years for the... I suppose, right?
• I suppose they've increased that way, and thanks to inflation.

Summary: The committee heard briefings and public testimony on three transportation bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise WSDOT monetary thresholds for doing repairs in-house and for contracting work intended to support small, veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses, increasing the regular repair limit from $60,000 to $100,000, the emergency repair limit from $100,000 to $160,000 with annual inflation adjustment, and the contracting threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. The sponsor and WSDOT supported the bill as an efficiency measure; the fiscal note indicated no fiscal impact. Washington Federation of State Employees also supported it, saying the higher limits would let highway maintenance crews do more work in-house while preserving the existing work split with contractors. Substitute Senate Bill 6225 would authorize new and expanded transportation general obligation bonds, including $1.1 billion for highway projects in the Move Ahead Washington account, $400 million for listed highway projects with cost increases, and a $500 million increase to the SR 520 bond authorization, while also ending issuance of certain older unissued bond authorizations after June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about debt service, bond capacity, and how the money would be allocated; staff said the projects would be handled through the budget process and that the bill was intended to provide flexibility. Labor and business groups supported the bill as a way to fund preservation and maintenance and provide predictability, while Transportation Choices Coalition said any bonding should be limited and paired with broader transportation funding reforms and protection for multimodal programs. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would allow certain qualifying U.S.-based battery electric vehicle manufacturers that have Washington service facilities and no prior franchise agreements to own and operate dealer licenses and sell directly, while also raising the dealer documentary service fee from $200 to $250 until the end of 2026 and directing part of the increase to an EV rebate program and the multimodal transportation account. Rivian and Lucid supported the bill as a compromise that would expand EV access and direct-sale options; Climate Solutions and the Port of Seattle also supported it, citing emissions reduction and affordability goals. Washington State Auto Dealers Association supported the compromise, saying it strengthens franchise protections while allowing limited direct sales. Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed the bill, arguing it creates special treatment and weakens the franchise system, and some urged added consumer protections, service requirements, or bonding. The committee took no final action and closed the public hearings after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've even included foster care rate increases.
• I mean, we increased the foster children reimbursement rate.
• Taken care of our employees with 50% increases.
• If it was a 10% increase one year and we didn't do that, it was a 20% increase the next year, we never
• The amendment and this percent increase have been discussed.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Simply put, we've experienced an increase in crime, and the increase has involved far too many repeat
• </c> an increase in crime and the increase an increase in crime and the increase has<00:03:50.599><c>
• </c> Minnesota has experienced a 98% increase Minnesota has experienced a 98% increase in<00:04:04.840
• </c><00:07:15.840><c> in</c> Nationwide but in increased in Nationwide but in increased in Minneapolis
• penalties increasing increasing increasing incarceration<00:10:47.519><c> um</c><00:10:48.279><c> and

Transcript Highlights:

• and 11.6 million to biennialize statewide salary increases.
• Item A is an increase of about $96 million.
• This reflects an increase of $818 million from 24-25.
• positions to increase customer service capability for our taxpayer service divisions, as well as increase
• That was an increase from last legislative session, special session, and an increase in the numbers,

Bills: SB 1 , SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• in fees and increases in other costs to the taxpayers?
• or not increase, so that we don't result in a tax shift.
• To revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the
• your garbage fees, increase your fire fees, and increase everything else that we can think of so that
• to approve such an increase by a supermajority, unanimous vote, or referendum depending on the increase

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment on property tax reform. The measure would increase the homestead exemption in stages, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses such as public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, employee benefits, and certain administrative costs. Supporters, led by Senator Avila, argued the proposal would provide meaningful property tax relief and push local governments to rein in spending, while opponents warned it would shift costs to fees, reduce local flexibility, and threaten funding for core services. Several amendments were offered and rejected. Senator Sharief proposed an income-based circuit breaker for property tax relief; Senator Smith offered a sunset clause; and Senator Berman proposed revising the ballot statement to better match the amended proposal and remove outdated references. Each amendment failed on recorded votes. During questioning and debate, senators pressed Avila on the ballot language, the effect on local services, whether the legislature could later restrict local spending by statute, and whether renters would benefit. Avila said the ballot language was not his and repeatedly stated he was presenting the governor’s proposal, while also saying local governments would need to prioritize budgets and that future legislatures could address implementation details. After the amendment votes, the joint resolution was read a third time and moved into final debate. Supporters said the proposal would give homeowners relief and force fiscal discipline at the local level. Opponents, including Senators Nathan, Bracey Davis, Smith, Polsky, and Errington, argued the measure was rushed, lacked a completed fiscal analysis or replacement revenue, and could harm police, fire, libraries, parks, housing, and other local services. They also criticized the ballot summary as misleading, especially regarding the staged homestead exemption increase. The transcript ends during debate, before any final vote on the joint resolution itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our benefit costs have increased.
• Our benefit costs have increased.
• Our benefit costs have increased.
• Our benefit costs have increased.
• increased by 600 kids.

Bills: HF957 , HF877

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, increases in operational or capital costs, which would be property tax increases, the cost of labor
• </c> increases the cost to our counties." increases the cost to our counties."
• ><c> the</c><00:32:20.360><c> cost</c> That has increased incredibly the cost That has increased incredibly
• </c> increased only to pad their profits. increased only to pad their profits.
• </c> purpose of the program is to increase purpose of the program is to increase the<00:51:27.000><c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed increase to the efficiency.
• And if we want to increase the funding for roads, we can increase both of them the same percentage.
• 08:20.000><c> the</c><00:08:20.160><c> highway</c> increase would not grow the highway increase would
• ><c> them</c> for roads, we can increase both of them for roads, we can increase both of them the<00:
• in any taxes and fees on EVs increase in any taxes and fees on EVs truly<00:10:22.480><c> increase</

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no net increase to appropriated levels this biennium.
• Subpart nine clarifies that increased amounts for the ZVIP program and federal EV charger reliability
• The amendment would result in a $986,000 increase to the state motor vehicle account.
• As a reminder, there's a $1.1 billion general increase. Bonds.
• As a reminder, there's a $1.1 billion general increase that's backed by the gas tax, vehicle-related

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in executive session to brief and act on three measures: proposed substitute Senate Bill 6005, the 2006 supplemental transportation budget; proposed substitute Senate Bill 6225, authorizing transportation bonds; and engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, relating to the Office of Independent Investigations. Staff first reviewed eight amendments to SB 6005, including technical corrections and several funding changes for ferry service, rail projects, transit electrification, and other transportation programs. The committee then adopted all eight amendments, rolled them into the bill, and advanced SB 6005 with a due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. For SB 6225, staff explained that the bill would authorize additional transportation bonds, including $1.1 billion in general bonds backed by gas tax and vehicle-related revenues, $400 million for potential cost increases on Move Ahead Washington projects, and a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authorization, while repealing some older bond authority. With no amendments offered, the committee advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The committee also considered engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, which would clarify the scope of authority of the Office of Independent Investigations and add public disclosure and privacy provisions. The committee moved the bill without recommendation to the Ways and Means Committee. Members concluded by thanking staff for their work on the budget and bond package before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the proposed conference amendment, the rent increase limit is 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less
• June 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, Commerce is required to calculate the maximum annual rent increase
• The options for delivery of a rent-increase notice in the proposed conference amendment are the same
• The proposed conference amendment also includes a July 1, 2040, expiration date for the rent-increase
• increase during the first 12 months unless an exemption applies.

Summary: The conference committee met on engrossed House Bill 1217 and received a staff briefing on the proposed conference striking amendment S-3395.2. Staff explained that the amendment would set rent increase limits under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act at 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, retain and modify various exemptions, update notice requirements, add a July 1, 2040 expiration date, and require the Department of Commerce to create an online landlord resource center. For manufactured/mobile home tenancies, the amendment would limit rent increases to 5% in any 12-month period, adjust exemptions and notice provisions, and align enforcement language with the RLTA changes. The amendment also removes certain miscellaneous provisions from the Senate version, including a social vulnerability assessment and a JLARC review requirement. Representative Lowe raised a procedural point of order about whether the landlord resource center could be added in conference, but the chair ruled the point not well taken under Joint Rule 18. Senator Gainer asked for clarification about the landlord resource center and the referenced RCW 43.31.605; staff explained it would direct landlords to existing Commerce resources, including the landlord mitigation program and related subprograms, and noted that the resource center language was originally in the House bill. A motion was made to reject prior amendments, adopt striking amendment S-3395.2, and give the bill a do pass recommendation. Senator Gainer and Representative Lowe spoke in opposition, citing concerns about the bill’s balance, the landlord provisions, and the speed of the process. The committee then voted 4-2 to recommend the conference committee report, and the meeting adjourned.