Transcript Highlights:

• It's for $30,000 in spending authority.
• This is for $5 million in spending authority.
• This is worth $379,000 in spending authority.
• This is worth $379,000 at Spending Authority.
• This is for $40,000 in spending authority.

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm here under the county of Maui.
• So, we're required to have a member from each county, and right now we have three from County of Hawaii
• So, we're required to have a member from each county, and right now we have three from County of Hawaii
• to use the county 2% funds.
• </c><00:13:59.839><c> in</c> think in I started the county in think in I started the county in 2007<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard two gubernatorial nominations and one resolution. Governor’s Message 585 nominated Stanley Ruidas to the Game Management Advisory Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR supported the nomination, citing his prior service as GMAC chair from 2020 to 2022 and his work on hunting and wildlife management issues. Ruidas said he hoped to continue as chair and focus on bringing meetings to hunters across the islands and advancing island-specific wildlife management plans. The committee later recommended advice and consent on GM585, and the motion passed unanimously. Governor’s Message 550 nominated Alexandra Kelly Polo to the Legacy Land Conservation Commission for a term ending June 30, 2028. DLNR and several supporters, including the County of Hawaii and community advocates, praised her experience with land acquisition, conservation easements, and county open-space efforts. Kelly Polo said her work has helped protect thousands of acres on Hawaii Island and emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources and working with community groups. The committee recommended advice and consent on GM550, and the motion passed unanimously. The committee also considered SCR 19/SR 100, which requested DLNR to convene a Kīua Bay advisory working group. DLNR and the Hawaii Tourism Authority offered written support, and members said the working group could help address long-standing issues in the area. The committee recommended passage with technical and nonsubstantive amendments, and the motion was adopted unanimously. In a separate joint portion of the meeting, the committees also advanced SCR 75/SR 58, supporting historic preservation staffing for Lahaina rebuild efforts, with both technical and substantive amendments, and later advanced STR 24 with an amendment to include the 100th Infantry Battalion alongside the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, we're going to wait for the first author to come.
• At this time, we're going to wait for the first author to come.
• With that, we do have one of our awesome authors here today. Let's see, it's go.
• The highest percentage of jobs created in my county are low-wage jobs.
• Food banks, like the one that we operate, counties, schools, not...

Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• This audit obviously focuses on San Diego County, but I believe that it is of importance.
• But SANDAG has really had a loss of public trust and confidence in San Diego County.
• But SANDAG has really had a loss of public trust and confidence in San Diego County.
• And so these are the questions that continue to linger in San Diego County.
• Testifying here in support of this audit request is San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HE THEN BECAME ONE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE, COUNTY ENGINEER THE NEXT 25 YEARS.
• I'VE LIVED IN HERNANDO COUNTY SINCE 2000.
• AUGUSTINE WHERE I GOT MY MASTERS DEGREE AND MOVED TO HERNANDO COUNTY.
• WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO, MY BACKGROUND CURRENTLY IS I AM A COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN HERNANDO COUNTY.
• AND I SEE THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY MOVING FORWARD.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• La Paz County Industrial Development Authority board member. subsidence but I don't believe it's been
• planning and zoning commissioner LaPaz County Industrial Development Authority board member ...zoning
• commissioner, La Paz County Industrial Development Authority board member, Water Alliance of La Paz
• the county general fund.
• I'm the Maricopa County Assessor.

Summary: The committee first heard an informational presentation on transportation fuel supply in Arizona from Gordon Shemp of Nemecu Analytics. He described Arizona’s dependence on pipeline deliveries, limited terminal inventories, and the resulting vulnerability to outages and price spikes. He also discussed recent refinery closures in California, increased imports from overseas, and a proposed Kinder Morgan project that could add east-to-west capacity into Phoenix. Committee members asked about fuel formulations and how many fuel types move through the system; Shemp said the project would not change destination fuel specifications and that multiple fuel products already move through the pipelines. The committee then took up House Bill 2758, which would allow groundwater transport from the McMullen Valley basin to an initial AMA and related uses, with provisions for eligible entities, transportation fees, and water improvement programs. Supporters, including Stan Barnes, Jim Downing, and Barry Arons, argued the bill follows the 1991 transfer-basin framework, provides needed water augmentation for urban Arizona, and includes local benefits and guardrails. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin, Devonna Sater, and Ed Curry, said the bill would worsen groundwater decline, subsidence, and well failures in Salome and Wenden and favored rural communities being used to solve urban water shortages. The committee approved HB 2758 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also considered HB 2078, which clarifies that certain aggregate mining reclamation notice requirements apply only to new reclamation plans and new aggregate operations, not existing mines. The sponsor said the bill fixes confusion from prior legislation, and the committee passed it 5-0. HB 2031, extending the deadline for applying for a certificate of grandfathered right in the Wilcox AMA from 15 to 27 months, also passed after some members argued the extension was needed for affected applicants while others said it would delay needed protections. HB 2102, allowing county improvement districts in certain basins to use eminent domain for a well and standpipe site and to operate domestic water delivery systems, and HB 2103, allowing gifts and fee revenues to support water hauling and local water improvement programs, both passed 4-3 despite opposition that they were only partial fixes. Later, HB 2117, which increases the annual distribution cap for conservation district education centers and shifts Environmental Special Plate Fund disbursements to the Natural Resource Conservation Board, passed 5-2 after supporters called it a technical cleanup and one member objected to changing the administering entity. HB 2261, revising agricultural property tax valuation terminology and requiring income-based valuation for agricultural real property, passed 4-3 after assessors and county representatives warned it would remove agricultural improvements from the tax rolls and shift costs to homeowners, while farm groups said it would clarify and stabilize agricultural taxation. Finally, HB 2262, transferring the Resource Analysis Division from the State Land Department to the Arizona Geological Survey and changing related geospatial advisory duties, was presented with State Land Department concerns that the bill left several duties and funding questions unclear; the transcript ends before any final action on HB 2262.

Transcript Highlights:

• The lead in cookware law is specific and does not affect Ecology's authority to adopt rules under Safer
• However, general authority peace officers are authorized to investigate any crimes in the state, so I
• A county prosecutor would be authorized to prosecute a crime that occurred in their jurisdiction.
• The judge at Pierce County Superior Court ordered $1 million in fines.
• I'm here on behalf of the Washington State Association of Counties.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He included 19 counties in regions 1, 2, 6, and 7.
• He included 19 counties in regions 1, 2, 6, and 7.
• The USDA acted within its lawful authority to modernize management.
• This comes to us from the Association of Counties.
• But what we're seeking is spending authority, continued spending authority, for the department to be

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee heard an update from Idaho Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on agency performance measures and current issues. He reported strong access numbers, website traffic, and personnel retention, but noted a slightly elevated violation rate and ongoing work on a website overhaul. Fredericks also described the new nonresident deer and elk tag draw, which he said was successful and drew more than 40,000 applications, and he reviewed wolf management, including reduced harvest due to a federal injunction on trapping in grizzly bear areas. He also outlined a planned elk depredation response in the Big Willow drainage, involving removal of about 100 resident elk through a mix of translocation and lethal control, with meat donated to food banks. Committee members asked about translocation sites, survival, public communication, access agreements, depredation funding, and endowment land access. The committee then heard an American Falls FFA Ag Issues presentation on the 2001 federal roadless rule and its 2025 rescission. Students presented arguments for and against the change in a mock court format, focusing on forest health, wildfire risk, tribal consultation, timber and mineral access, recreation, and ecosystem protection. Committee members praised the students’ preparation and presentation. In legislative business, the committee held RS 33185 at the sponsor’s request, introduced RS 33168 related to Clean Water Act standards and the Sackett wetlands case, and introduced RS 33194 to recognize county expertise in federal consultation. The committee also advanced House Bill 587, which would provide spending authority for the Idaho Department of Agriculture to carry out grazing improvement work tied to prior legislation, after testimony from the sponsor and a Western Landowners Alliance representative in support. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 26 supporting wildlife crossings where locally supported, with testimony from the Idaho Wildlife Federation and Idaho Sportsmen, Access and Opportunity in favor. The motion to send HCR 26 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed despite several dissenting votes, and the meeting adjourned after the bill was assigned for floor carry.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the caseload cap, there's 12-month authorization.
• My name is Megan Dunn, Snohomish County Councilmember.
• One or two of the counties we serve.
• I serve as the Pierce County Executive.
• I am a San Juan County council member here today on behalf of the county and our shared constituents.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:03.519><c> in</c> area that includes 22 counties in area that includes 22 counties in southern
• well as Scott County.
• > County</c> currently the assistant County currently the assistant County Administrator<00:41:17.880
• </c> time and resources for both the county time and resources for both the county and<00:42:26.559><
• </c> organizations whether they be County organizations whether they be County Employees<01:18:43.920

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• County. County.
• ><c> County.
• </c> in Fleming County. in Fleming County.
• County, the county in education in Faget County, the county in which<02:49:57.439><c> I</c><02:49:57.680
• </c> County and Faget County specifically County and Faget County specifically when<02:56:02.479><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The new appropriations proposed by Governor Ferguson total $396 million, with the remaining bond authority
• Another $2 million to support land banking initiatives where the city of Tacoma and Pierce County lead
• I guess I have a question from Pierce County here, representing South Dakota.
• I'm Axel Swanson with the Association of Counties. Welcome back.
• Chair Trudeau, Ranking Member Schessler, I'm Axel Swanson with the Association of Counties.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to... ...requires the Parkway Authority to read every plate.
• I think we heard from Parkway Authority that even though this amendment would not require them to look
• Samuel, Chief Financial Officer for the Parkways Authority. Welcome back, Samuel.
• So how do you let the Parkways Authority know you're going to drive your wife's car?
• In addition, the bill authorizes penalties not more than twice those authorized for the applicable offense

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Infrastructure Committee first returned to engrossed House Bill 4419, which would require the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings and give notice before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges, and would allow legislative auditing of related revenues and sinking funds. The committee debated two amendments related to E-ZPass transponders: one from the Senator from Jefferson to clarify that the Parkway Authority would not be required to read every plate failed on a 4-4 tie, and one from the Senator from Wetzel to codify a restriction on transferring single-fee transponders between vehicles was rejected after discussion with counsel and the Parkways Authority about current policy, convenience for users, and possible effects on the bill. The committee then approved a motion to send HB 4419 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to Finance, and a separate motion to send it to Finance passed. The committee also considered engrossed House Bill 4563, on which Senator Randolph moved for a second reference to Finance because of fiscal concerns. After discussion of the newly filed fiscal note and the bill’s potential revenue impact, that motion failed by a 4-5 division vote. The committee then voted to report HB 4563 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 4538, which increases fines and penalties for failing to obey traffic control instructions or speeding in construction and work zones, and also references penalties tied to distracted driving provisions. Counsel noted the bill’s possible overlap with existing vehicular homicide penalties and that it had no fiscal note. Jason Pizzitella of the Contractors Association testified in support, emphasizing work-zone safety and recent fatalities, while senators from Fayette, Randolph, and Jefferson also supported the bill and discussed the need to protect workers and drivers. The committee adopted a motion to report HB 4538 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and to make sure that we have authority and to make sure that we have the<00:53:42.359><c> authority
• </c> not not have clear statutory authority not not have clear statutory authority to<00:54:29.079><c
• Feed lot funds and it Returns to County Feed lot funds and it Returns the<00:54:53.079><c> County</c
• </c><00:57:01.079><c> and</c> public facilities Authority and public facilities Authority and currently
• Because the counties, I'll just give you a specific Lake of the Woods County, would have to ship their

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an extender of a local tax out on Suffolk County that I believe was an oversight; it should have
• An act to amend the Tax Law in relation to authorizing distributors of cannabis products to file annual
• attorney in the County of Rockland.
• Sponsor, Senator Cooney, title and act to amend the tax law in relation to authorizing distributors of
• attorney in the County of Rockland.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee met with a light attendance and acknowledged committee members, clerk Joyce Andrea, and central staff from IGO and finance. The chair noted an 18-bill agenda, with 17 repasses and one new bill, S.8555, described as a local tax extender for Suffolk County that had been overlooked the prior year. Once three members were present, the committee proceeded with normal motions and seconds. The agenda included a range of measures on alcohol and cannabis regulation, public officers law, executive law, tax law, state law, and highway naming. Bills reported included S.315 on a temporary New York craft beverage permit, S.349 on expanding the definition of agency, S.566 on Address Confidentiality Program eligibility for election officials, S.1130 on renter protections tied to housing subsidies or public assistance, S.1787 on a veteran suicide awareness flag, S.2640 on including veterans in the definition of military status for discrimination purposes, and several cannabis-related bills including S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.6283. S.1418A, concerning attorney’s fees in certain proceedings, was referred to finance. Most bills were reported unanimously, though several had one nay or one without recommendation, including S.2271, S.234, S.2447, S.3261, S.5277, S.6181, and S.8555. The committee also reported S.2364 designating the Honor and Remember flag as an official state flag, S.55 renaming a highway in New York City, and S.8276 regarding qualifications for an assistant county attorney in Rockland County. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and noting the committee would meet again in a few weeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Families in Dona Ana, Chavez, San Juan, McKinley, Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Eddy counties.
• These are the counties flagged as the highest need.
• It's got its own county and you've got probably the highest need.
• And maybe someone's getting that in one county but not in another.
• identified, it could be one county.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the state and regulatory authority for the state and county<00:33:57.040><c> agencies.
• </c> duration of emergency authorization. duration of emergency authorization.
• </c> the county zoning and DG CHAR rights. the county zoning and DG CHAR rights.
• So, I really do support at this time Maui County transitioning to Maui County.
• So, I really do support at this time Maui County transitioning to Maui County.

Bills: SB3253, SB2401, SB3169, SB17, SB3014, SB3032, SB1432, SB2002, SB2972, SB3247

Keywords: conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, biodiversity, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F, state funding, public purpose, habitat restoration, predator-free sanctuary, ecosystem restoration, Zealandia, wildlife refuge

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on SB 5253 SD2 relating to conservation and SB 2401 relating to regional shoreline mitigation district, with the chair emphasizing short testimony limits and the need to finish before session. On SB 5253, DLNR said it stood on its written testimony and answered questions about the bill’s proposed nonprofit endangered species sanctuary. Members asked whether existing entities or agreements, such as land trusts, private landowners, and DLNR safe harbor agreements, could accomplish similar conservation goals without creating a new entity. DLNR said similar work already exists, but it was not aware of a comparable sanctuary model in the state. A member also questioned language suggesting for-profit businesses in the sanctuary, and DLNR said the intent appeared to be sales of outreach or similar materials, though it agreed that such activities could be handled by a nonprofit. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2401, which would create a regional shoreline adaptation/mitigation framework. The Department of the Attorney General said it had concerns about inconsistent use of the terms “mitigation” and “adaptation,” warning of possible title-subject issues. DLNR said it was neutral on the terminology and more concerned with the substance, and noted that the bill would not waive permits; any plan would still require environmental review and applicable state and county permits. DLNR also supported OHA’s recommendation to consider impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices during regional planning, and said the bill’s language on temporary shoreline protection measures could help address the gap between emergency permits and longer-term planning while avoiding a hardening-only approach. The Office of Planning supported the regional planning concept but noted it is not a regulatory agency and would need to work with DLNR and the Land Board. OHA supported the bill’s planning-based approach but recommended amendments to require assessment of impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices during plan development and to clarify that environmental review would still apply at the project level. Testifiers from the Ka‘anapali Steering Committee strongly supported the bill, saying it would provide a regional framework for ongoing erosion problems while preserving full regulatory authority and normal permitting, and they proposed amendments to standardize terminology, create a limited pathway for temporary shoreline protection, and address ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Members discussed the meaning of “mitigation” versus “adaptation,” the scope of shoreline hardening, and whether the bill would help the legislature take a broader, more holistic view of shoreline decisions. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Liberty County is located midway between Beaumont and Houston.
• Morris, Red River, and Titus counties.
• If you've traveled here from Hopkins County...
• Hayes County has the most of any county in bird-friendly cities. two dozen international dark skies areas
• I'm proud to represent Brown County and House District 68.

Keywords: legislation, testimonies, committee meeting, public interest, bills

Summary: The committee meeting was conducted with several discussions surrounding various proposed bills, addressing both public interests and legislative concerns. Specific bills were presented, and members debated the implications of each, emphasizing their potential impact on the community and state regulations. Notably, several testimonies were heard from stakeholders, which enriched the conversation and provided different perspectives on the bills being reviewed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Liberty County is located midway between Beaumont and Houston.
• If you've traveled here from Hopkins County...
• Hayes County has the most of any county in friendly cities.
• Speaker, members, today is Brown County Day at the state capitol.
• I'm proud to represent Brown County and House District 68.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Warren County.
• Louis County, or St. Charles County, for a few years now.
• Louis County, or St. Charles County, Not apply to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or St.
• Louis County, and St. Charles County?
• Louis County, and St. Charles County.

Keywords: 959, house, all