Bills: HB3840 , HB3431 , HB4422 , HB4117 , HB4300 , HB4298 , HB2984 , HB3344 , HB2979 , HB2980 , HB3662 , HB4107 , HB3082 , HB2997 , HB3083 , HB3055 , HB2951 , HB3469 , HB3173 , HB3287 , HB2947 , HB3784 , HB3901 , HB4275 , HR1031 , HB4359 , HB4115 , HB3467 , HB2978 , HB3026 , HB3032

Keywords: foreign ownership, land acquisition, military installation, critical infrastructure, affidavit requirements, state law, penalties, Attorney General, foreign ownership of land, foreign adversary, foreign government adversary, foreign government enterprise, foreign government entity, foreign terrorist organization, specially designated national, SDN, FTO, critical minerals, land ownership, real property

Transcript Highlights:

• Carrie Miller, Chancellor, Division of Early Learning for the Department of Education, and Ms.
• Molly Grant, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions.
• Molly Grant, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions.
• The Division of Early Learning distributes those funds to their 30 early learning coalitions across the
• The SR contract outlines termination for fraud.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 731, which would address coach and extracurricular sponsor compensation and change how student-athlete transfer eligibility is determined. The bill would allow local school boards to adopt policies letting booster clubs or similar associations support coaches and activity sponsors, and it would let superintendents treat certain coaches and athletic leaders as administrative personnel for compensation purposes. It would also shift eligibility decisions for transferred student-athletes to the governing athletic association and require clearer bylaws and timelines for those determinations. Members raised questions about booster club oversight, pay equity, the new athletic administrator language, and safeguards against abuse or unequal treatment, while supporters argued the bill would help retain coaches and better support student athletics. The bill was debated and then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received presentations from the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning and the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions on school readiness fraud prevention and mitigation. Speakers explained that Florida’s school readiness program pays providers based on verified attendance rather than enrollment, requires daily parent sign-in/sign-out records, and uses multiple layers of oversight including coalition anti-fraud plans, annual audits, programmatic monitoring, DCF inspections, and referrals to state fraud investigators when needed. They emphasized that Florida delayed implementation of a federal rule that would have required prospective enrollment-based payments, and said the state’s current system makes fraud difficult. Members asked about military and grandparent guardianship situations, audit findings, and the number of fraud referrals; presenters said fraud cases are relatively limited and that the existing controls and public enforcement act as deterrents. The meeting ended after members thanked the presenters and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This strategy of cut first, plan later, Fire first, analyze later, terminate, cut, freeze, ask questions
• Chairman. that you and Senator Bozeman did early on to get this legislation in place.
• Early results show that 33% of participants are new to VA services and 75% of participants who complete
• The importance of asking the right questions early and having someone listen cannot be overstated.
• I went on terminal leave a month before that, so this was two months post-deployment.

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in part because these records need to be retained after staff are terminated or leave employment
• This bill will allow the termination of classified employees for failure to comply with the proposed
• Terminated classified employees are able to appeal their termination pursuant to this Personnel Act and
• and early development services for kids, prenatal all the way to age five.
• Maybe a psychologist who's done particular work in dealing with traumatized children or early childhood

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they not have the ability to terminate now?
• And that could be cancer that is going to terminate their life. And they can choose.
• So any time that there is a termination within the hospital setting or.
• Mine was so severe that it was caught very early.
• The problem is you need to get a reduction early. You don't, you can't get a.

Bills: HB44 , HB2200 , HB1612 , HB2747 , HB2038 , HB3717 , HB1431 , HB3800 , HB3801 , HB3560 , HB3246 , HB44

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Transcript Highlights:

• Our folks get up early and they work hard.
• voting nursing home; Early Voting Program.
• House Bill by Representative Terri Landry, early learning centers.
• Ferry Terminal. House Bill 715. Agriculture.
• Ferry Terminal. Transportation.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires human review when an automated decision-making system assists in a discipline, termination
• flags workers, reports have indicated that firing paperwork is automatically generated to quickly terminate
• I want to stress why this bill is so important is because terminating an employee is never baseline.
• last year, which specifically requires the PUC to assess data center cost impacts to be delivered early
• Those contracts generally specify a scope of work, termination provisions, et cetera.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:43.680><c> so</c> contract modification or termination so contract modification or termination
• </c><00:54:15.880><c> Childhood</c> hb880 relating to Early Childhood hb880 relating to Early Childhood
• </c><00:54:22.000><c> intervention</c> reclassify certain early intervention reclassify certain early
• Early Childhood Services Parent-Child Development Center, Wahiawa, Waiʻanae Coast Early Childhood Services
• </c><01:24:27.679><c> Child</c> next is hb880 relating to Early Child next is hb880 relating to Early

Summary: The hearing began with HB 1113, which would create an intensive mobile team pilot program in the Department of Health for chronically houseless individuals with serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia. The Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division strongly supported the bill, and written support was also submitted by several health and harm-reduction organizations. Members asked about the program’s size and coordination with existing services; the testifier said the team would use a low-caseload, 24/7 mobile model, coordinate with police, ERs, hospitals, housing, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other case-management resources, and continue serving participants even if they cycle through jail or hospital. The committee amended the bill to change the participant language from a maximum of 40 to “at least 40,” blanked out the appropriations section, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and then adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments by unanimous vote in both committees. The next measure, HB 1140, would appropriate funds for DLNR to clean up homeless encampments on department lands. DLNR testified in support, saying it conducts about 22 to 24 cleanups per year and the bill would help it address homelessness statewide. Members asked whether the funds would be used to sweep people out of areas; DLNR said its practice is to give notice, allow time to leave, and then clean up what remains, with storage procedures for personal property. The department also said people still present are told to move to the county area across the road. DLNR confirmed the bill is not in the governor’s budget, though it is in the governor’s legislative package. The committee then heard HB 1486, which would make it disorderly conduct to remain or loiter within 20 feet of a bus stop without intent to use bus services. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal enforcement is not the right tool, could lead to arrests of people who are simply tired or unhoused, and could create a cycle of repeated low-level cases and constitutional issues around questioning and intent. HPD supported the bill, saying officers would generally try to get people to move first, but could also use field questioning, citations, or arrests depending on the circumstances; HPD said such incidents can be documented and later used in ACT or other mental-health interventions. A private resident testified in support, describing bus stops near her home as occupied overnight and burdening nearby residents and small businesses. Written support came from the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office, and one individual opposed the bill. Members also asked about neighbor-island impacts, property handling, and whether the bill could help connect people to services; HPD said it had not consulted other counties and would follow up. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 877, which would prohibit encampments within 100 feet of the property line of a K-12 public or private school or school facility. DLNR stood on its written testimony, and the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that the bill did not specify how violators would be removed, what would happen to property or the encampment, or whether the buffer zone applies only to public spaces. The AG suggested making violations petty misdemeanors and adding clearer definitions and due-process guidance. Members asked whether charter schools are included and whether private-property situations within the buffer zone should be clarified; the AG said public schools include charter schools and indicated the bill may need more specificity about private property and trespass situations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Election Officer may only be terminated Election Officer may only be terminated for<00:26:24.200
• </c> you know, the termination for cause. you know, the termination for cause.
• What would be a cause that would qualify for termination?
• </c> election officer may only be terminated election officer may only be terminated for<01:34:05.880
• The chief election officer may only be terminated for cause.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 287.7, shall, upon the effective date of the Immigrant Safety Act, terminate the agreement upon
• the earliest date permissible under the terms of the agreement, where the termination clause of the
• And so terminating an existing 287(g) agreement would not implicate any funding considerations.
• The exigent circumstances provision would allow for termination sooner than 90 days.
• Exigent circumstances provision would allow for termination sooner than 90 days.

Bills: SB100

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, lack of an available in-loading spare boat and a single terminal pair, as well as staffing challenges
• We did solicit input from the Cameron Parish Police Jury and the Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District
• summer this year, DOT anticipates that contract negotiations will continue through spring and into early
• The east terminal apron span was recently replaced in 2025, along with entirely new fender systems, both
• So if the terminal structure breaks down for some reason, then no number of inloading ferry boats will

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 with a quorum present and approved the September 10, 2025 minutes. The main item was the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including reliability issues with the aging Cameron No. 2 vessel, limited backup capacity, and staffing challenges. They also reviewed the competitive solicitation process that followed Labmar’s unsolicited proposal, noting that Labmar was the only proposer and that local entities, including the Cameron Parish Police Jury and Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District, had no objection to the concept. Staff and counsel outlined the statutory public-purpose factors the board had to consider and described the scope of a potential agreement, which would cover vessel operations, maintenance, facilities, communications, dry docking, and emergency response. Board members praised DOTD staff and the Cameron ferry workers for their long service and emphasized the need for more reliable service and better contingency planning. Senator Abraham asked procedural questions about the unsolicited proposal and the solicitation process. The board first voted that the privatization proposal would serve a public purpose, then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement; both motions passed without objection. The meeting also covered next steps. DOTD said negotiations would continue through spring and early summer, with a possible transition to Labmar in late summer 2026 if an agreement and funding are secured. Staff reported that two new hybrid ferries, the Holly Beach and the Cameron, are expected in May and August 2026, and that temporary docking and site improvements are underway. A feasibility study for terminal expansion estimated costs between $30 million and $50 million, with permitting and design likely taking at least a year and a half to two years. Members discussed the need for a multi-year funding plan, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terminate their chief financial officer.
• And so I don't know that it is an inability to get bonding, but certainly this termination, any termination
• We’re not talking about early entry today, but early entry is available to all schools.”
• , but Lisa did mention that early students who do early entry, and that's a student, a high school student
• did mention that early students who do early entry, and that's a student, a high school student who's

Summary: The committee met on the Minot State campus for a presentation from President Shirley and several university leaders on enrollment, academics, workforce initiatives, and partnerships. Shirley reviewed the university’s financial audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings in recent years, and highlighted Minot State’s major programs, specialized accreditations, and ties to Minot Air Force Base and NCAA Division II athletics. Members asked about education workforce shortages, athletic tuition waivers, dual credit incentives, and the university’s in-state tuition policy for all students. Shirley also discussed the university’s recruitment efforts, including the Hometown Pride and Academic Excellence scholarships, campus visit growth, and the Emerging Scholars dual-credit reimbursement program. A major focus was workforce development and new academic offerings supported by legislative Workforce Education Innovation Funds. Shirley described the new Innovation Engineering program, which was developed with industry input to train broadly skilled engineers for western North Dakota, and said it had already drawn more applicants than expected. Dr. Crystal St. Peter presented a new master’s program in counseling that integrates mental health and addiction counseling to address statewide provider shortages, with a hybrid format to reach rural students. Members asked about licensure requirements, internship hours, and job placement for graduates. Shirley also outlined a new nursing simulation center and health sciences space in downtown Minot, made possible by state support and the purchase of the former Trinity Health Center West building. The committee also heard about Minot State’s efforts to build pipelines into education and special education, including the Aspire program for rural high school students and an online paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Shirley said these programs, along with new articulation agreements and a large Bush Foundation grant, are intended to address teacher shortages and keep students in North Dakota. No formal committee votes or actions were taken during the presentation; the session consisted of informational updates and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for the um for early care and education. for the um for early care and education.
• </c> pre-K, early intervention. pre-K, early intervention.
• c> care</c><00:07:55.000><c> and</c> um in early in early childhood care and um in early in early childhood
• </c> and to early 2023. and to early 2023.
• early album an early professional of an early album an early childhood<01:31:58.280><c> professional

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:21.919><c> due</c> controlled settings was ended early due controlled settings was ended early
• </c> diagnose ectopic pregnancies or um early diagnose ectopic pregnancies or um early fetal<01:20:56.880
• </c><03:35:17.680><c> the</c> labor at that point terminating the labor at that point terminating the
• </c><03:35:43.040><c> that</c> whether you can terminate that whether you can terminate that pregnancy
• </c><03:57:52.319><c> her</c> baby could survive given how early her baby could survive given how early

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We narrowed the scope of the bill so it applies only to discipline or termination decisions.
• An employee should not be terminated solely based on the output of a computer system.
• So it applies only to discipline or termination decisions.
• An employee should not be being terminated solely based on the output of a computer system.
• They what, and we, early on, we amended that to a notification, the earlier bill that has been that..

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of labor, workplace, and pay equity bills. SB 703 on port trucking misclassification would require ports to collect and report data to help identify misclassified independent contractors; supporters said the bill would improve enforcement and protect workers, while trucking and retail groups said recent amendments addressed many concerns. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar including SB 275, SB 648, SB 355, and SB 693. Members then heard SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, which would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for employers to annually notify workers of labor and civil rights protections, with supporters arguing workers need clearer information amid federal uncertainty and opponents from the restaurant industry raising concerns. SB 7, dealing with automated decision-making systems in employment discipline and termination, would require notice and human review; labor groups supported it as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while employer groups objected to broad definitions and burdens on businesses. Both bills passed and were re-referred to Judiciary and Privacy and Consumer Protection, respectively. The committee also approved SB 238 on workplace AI/surveillance transparency, SB 442 on self-checkout staffing standards, and SB 464 on expanding public-sector pay data reporting tied to reparations and pay equity goals. Supporters of SB 238 emphasized transparency and privacy, while business and public-sector groups warned about security and administrative burdens; SB 442 drew support from labor and retail workers who said self-checkout reduces hours and increases safety risks, while grocers argued it would raise costs and reduce flexibility; SB 464 was backed as a way to better measure representation and pay gaps, though counties and local government groups said the bill needed narrowing to avoid covering county workers. Finally, SB 642 on equal pay reforms and a longer recovery period for wage claims passed 5-0 after labor advocates said it would help workers recover lost pay, while business groups opposed the 10-year lookback as too burdensome.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fire department was going to be terminated or removed.
• had not been established through the committee, and so they were done, I think, in early September,
• , cruise ship terminal, and the seaport... ...area, including the container ship terminal, cruise ship
• They include the container ship terminal, a cruise ship terminal... ...complex, diverse, and expanding
• They include the container ship terminal, a cruise ship terminal, seafood processing plants, residential

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on a wide range of credible service and retirement-related bills, with testimony largely focused on allowing public employees to buy back prior service time or receive more appropriate retirement classifications. Bills discussed included retirement buyback for Joint Base Cape Cod firefighters (H. 4317), clarification of call firefighter buyback rights (H. 2883/S. 1915), veterans’ buyback (H. 2957), a Bridgewater State University police death-benefit/heart-law issue (filed by Rep. Gallagher), unpaid parental leave buyback for municipal employees (H. 2946), school nurse creditable service (H. 2887/S. 1787), former private/parochial school teacher buyback (S. 1900/H. 2873), Massport police retirement classification (S. 1888), contract employee buyback (H. 2795), Retirement Plus late entry (H. 2792), CVTE/teacher-related buyback issues (H. 2762), Peace Corps/AmeriCorps creditable service (H. 2927), and institutional school teacher retirement fairness (H. 2757). Several speakers also referenced related bills for teachers and nurses that had been heard previously or were filed in parallel in the other branch. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bills. Speakers argued that the measures would correct inequities, recognize prior public service, and help recruit and retain workers in hard-to-fill public jobs. Firefighters described the unique federal-to-state transition at Joint Base Cape Cod and said some members were left out of earlier buyback opportunities. Veterans, teachers, school nurses, correctional educators, and Massport police all described service requirements, administrative gaps, or outdated statutory language that they said unfairly limited retirement credit or placed them in the wrong retirement group. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals were fiscally responsible because employees would pay the cost of the buybacks, and some noted that similar bills had been filed repeatedly in prior sessions. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions, mostly about why certain employees had been excluded under current law or how the retirement provisions would work. No opposition testimony was presented. The hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified, with the chairs thanking participants for their service and the committee voting to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• rights, post-termination reviews, and finalizing adoptions.
• </c><00:36:32.599><c> of</c> permanency matters termination of permanency matters termination of parental
• rights post-termination reviews parental rights post-termination reviews and<00:36:35.040><c> finalizing
• </c> permanency matters including termination permanency matters including termination of<00:59:01.079
• </c> section of two of uh terminating section of two of uh terminating parental<00:59:21.920><c> rights

Transcript Highlights:

• The department responded that it is early and that part of the reason for suggesting a pilot project
• The department said it is early.
• The Columbia River does not recognize Grand Coulee as a dam as a termination point.
• The Columbia River does not recognize Grand Coulee as a dam as a termination point.
• The Columbia River does not recognize Grand Coulee as a dam as a termination point.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2170, which would authorize DNR to enter ecosystem service and carbon contracts on state trust lands, and House Bill 2578, which would add tribal members and alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. For HB 2170, the Department of Natural Resources and supporters said the bill would diversify revenue, help meet climate goals, and allow DNR to participate in emerging carbon and ecosystem markets without necessarily eliminating timber harvest. Opponents, including counties, school districts, timber companies, loggers, and forest industry groups, argued the bill could reduce harvest levels, harm rural jobs and mill supply, and lower revenues for schools and other trust beneficiaries; several said any new authority should be limited to additive projects with stronger safeguards. Supporters included environmental groups and some local officials who said the bill would provide a more stable revenue stream and better align land management with climate and watershed benefits. The chair noted there are two related vehicles in committee, HB 1508 as the negotiated version and HB 2170 as the department version, and the public hearing on HB 2170 was closed after extensive testimony. For HB 2578, staff explained that the bill would add four tribal commissioner positions and four alternates to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, with representation from federally recognized tribes on both sides of the Cascades and staggered terms. Prime sponsor Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the measure would strengthen co-management and the state’s government-to-government relationship with tribes, while acknowledging there are other related bills and ongoing legal issues involving WDFW. The chair asked whether the bill would affect existing tribal consultation obligations, and Lekanoff said it would not replace government-to-government consultation; she also said she would follow up on how the governor would make appointments. The hearing on HB 2578 was then suspended so the committee could return to HB 2170 testimony. The committee also heard staff briefing and sponsor testimony on House Bill 2544, which would create a pilot process for the Upper Columbia River water rights adjudication. Staff said the bill would require Ecology to run the adjudication in two phases, starting with tribal and federal claimants and allowing time for settlement before bringing in other claims, with a report due by June 2035. Rep. Larry Springer said the bill is intended to establish a baseline of water use more efficiently in a process that can otherwise take decades. After the briefing and sponsor remarks, the committee began public testimony on the bill, with tribal representatives and other stakeholders queued to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are some of the early renditions before we got into...
• You can see the early renditions of the planning started to identify some breaking of the impervious
• The notification for the termination of the JPA was on May 13th.
• Talks about our Santa Teresa Intermodal Terminal.
• That's an intermodal terminal. Intermodal terminal. Yes. Intermodal terminal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't forget to be there early tomorrow to make sure you do your part of our bill. I will do that.
• This terminal is 10 years away and I...
• We do simulations for Texas City, Texas International Terminal.
• It's roughly since late August, early September. So, the last six months. Yes, sir. Okay.
• That's just mainly on a suspension of a work authorization or termination of a contract.

Bills: HB2007 , HB2863 , HB2921 , HB3331 , HB3332 , HJR144 , HB3514 , HB3528 , HB3720 , HB3751 , HB3859 , HB3947 , HB4148 , HB4346 , HB4880 , HB5603 , HB4337

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, vehicle title, revocation, hearing process, Transportation Code, county assessor-collector, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, vehicle regulation, transportation, steel industry, state fees, safety standards