Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee, Mike Mo, Wyoming State Liquor Association.
• Chairman, members of the committee, once again, Mike Mojo, State Liquor Association, we support this

Bills: SF0007 , SF0008

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: theft, penalties, larceny, criminal offense, felony, Wyoming, absconding, law enforcement, criminal justice, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that OFM, HCA, DOH, and the Liquor and Cannabis Board and OSPI all agree and firmly believe
• I will say that OFM, HCA, DOH, and the Liquor and Cannabis Board and OSPI all agree and firmly believe

Bills: SB6215 , SB6160 , SB6313 , SB6049 , SB6164 , SB5046 , SB5842 , SB6035 , SB5853 , SB5888

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: fraud prevention, identity theft, consumer protection, security measures, legislation, government efficiency, state agencies, reporting, bureaucracy, transparency, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, student privacy, employee confidentiality, public disclosure, data protection

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that OFM, HCA, DOH, and the Liquor and Cannabis Board and OSPI all agree and firmly believe
• I will say that OFM, HCA, DOH, and the Liquor and Cannabis Board and OSPI all agree and firmly believe

Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for Senate Bills 631 and 5046. It then held public hearings on several measures. Senate Bill 6215 would require the state auditor to compile an inventory of audited state programs and an annual statewide high-risk list focused on fraud prevention; the sponsor said it would improve transparency, while the State Auditor’s office raised concerns about cost, scope, record retention limits, and the bill’s timeline. Senate Bill 6160 would eliminate or modify dozens of agency reporting requirements across state government; OFM and the sponsor described it as a government-efficiency measure, while some senators noted they wanted to preserve certain reports. Senate Bill 6313 would create a Capitol Centennial Stewardship Account to support repairs, remodeling, interpretive facilities, and public engagement at the Capitol ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2028. Senate Bill 6049 would exempt certain employee engagement survey responses and Healthy Youth Survey records from public disclosure; OFM, students, and other supporters argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage honest participation, while the record showed substantial opposition sign-ins. Senate Bill 6164 would exempt information submitted to Washington Technology Solutions for digital experience platform services from disclosure; WOTEC and some media representatives supported it as a narrow privacy measure, while one coalition opposed it as overly broad. Senate Bill 5046 would designate November 22 as Kimchi Day, which the sponsor framed as a cultural recognition bill, with little opposition noted in testimony. In executive session, the committee considered Senate Bills 6035, 5853, and 5888. It adopted a proposed substitute for SB 6035, which concerns an electronic ballot portal and tribal voting access, and sent it to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute for SB 5853, which shifts administration of a statewide emergency notification system for elected officials from the Secretary of State to the Military Department, and sent it to Ways and Means. Finally, it passed SB 5888, which removes Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women’s Commission, and sent it to Rules. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiola for legislation to authorize municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend hours of liquor

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed several guest groups, including a fourth grade class from Howard Manning School and the 2026 Hopedale Junior and Senior High School girls basketball team, recognized as Division 5 state champions. The House then adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including honors for Girl Scouts Gold Award recipients and the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club on its 150th anniversary. Members also approved a House order extending the Education Committee’s reporting deadline on House No. 5454, concurred with a Senate petition on wake-surfing fines for motorboat operators, and suspended Joint Rule 12 on a Fiola petition to allow municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot extending liquor license hours and permitting public consumption in designated districts. That Fiola matter was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several local bills for consideration, including measures for Berkeley and Bolton liquor licenses, Newton municipal charge liens, and a Marion land transfer; the House ordered these bills to a third reading. On final action, the House adopted the emergency preamble for House Bill 5375, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, and passed House Bill 3929 on third reading, which changes the minimum age requirement for original appointment as a police officer in Worcester. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Thursday at 11 a.m., observed a moment of silent tribute for Charles “Charlie” Van Dini of Plymouth, and then adjourned to meet Thursday next at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiola for legislation to authorize municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend hours of liquor

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed a fourth grade class from Howard Manning School in Middleton, along with other guests. The chamber then adopted several congratulatory resolutions, including honors for Girl Scouts and Eagle Scout Gold Award recipients and the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club on its 150th anniversary. The House also concurred in a Senate petition concerning fines for motorboat operators engaged in wake surfing near shorelines, referring it to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Members suspended rules to advance several local matters, including a petition by Representative Fiola to authorize municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot program extending liquor license hours and allowing public consumption in designated districts; that matter was referred to the Committee on Equity. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee recommended and the House ordered to third reading several local bills involving additional alcohol licenses in Berkley and Bolton, municipal charge liens in Newton, and a land transfer in Marion. The House then adopted the emergency preamble and passed House No. 5375, financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. It also passed to be engrossed House No. 3929, which changes the minimum age requirement for original appointment as a police officer in Worcester. The chamber adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11 a.m., observed a moment of silent tribute for Charles “Charlie” Van Dini of Plymouth, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Along these lines, liquor bottles, especially miniatures, aka nips, and all types of non-carbonated bottles
• represents all the Massachusetts-owned independent markets, bodegas, wine shops, package stores, and liquor
• The Massachusetts-owned independent markets, bodegas, wine shops, package stores, and liquor stores all

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions. The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the utilities, such as the three items you have today, um, you've had a few of those with the Liquor
• of those have today, um you've had a few of those with<00:22:08.280><c> the</c><00:22:08.520><c> Liquor
• </c><00:22:09.760><c> This</c> >> With the Liquor Commission.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee first approved the March 16, 2026 minutes, then took up several Department of Transportation property actions. The committee approved a Greenland access point sale for a cell tower site to Wakefield Investments for $132,800 plus a $1,100 administrative fee, and approved disposal of two Epsom parcels to the town at no cost, with the town assuming demolition of the former depot and the committee waiving the fee. It also approved a Milton access point sale to Jeremy West Champney and Cameron McDermott for $90,000 plus the fee, with conditions requiring permits and other approvals. During the DOT items, members asked about appraisals, access restrictions, and where the administrative fee goes; staff said the fee generally offsets agency administrative costs and may go to a dedicated fund or the general fund depending on the project. The committee then considered three Department of Environmental Services requests for utility easements to bring power to dams so gates can be operated more efficiently and potentially remotely. It approved an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Pine River Dam in Wakefield, an easement with New Hampshire Electric Co-op for Sunset Lake Dam in Alton, and an easement with Eversource for Suncook Lake Dam in Barnstead. Members discussed whether to waive the $1,100 administrative fee on these items, with some questioning the fee’s purpose and where it is deposited. The committee ultimately approved the DES items as requested, including the fee waivers, while asking staff to research the fee’s history, sufficiency, and use for a future report. Finally, the committee received informational items from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development. Members briefly discussed a property at Bloody Point in Newington and the related Sullivan Bridge demolition, and DOT staff said the property had been tabled previously and is now being worked on with Fish and Game for a possible transfer of management and future water access use. No votes were taken on the informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're located in a city, you can get a liquor license and dispense your own product that you make
• If you're located in a city, you can get a liquor license and dispense your own product that you make
• If they were in the Caldwell city limits, there are currently 14 available liquor licenses in Caldwell

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Management, the Division of Human Resources, the Office of Information Technology Services, the State Liquor
• Management, the Division of Human Resources, the Office of Information Technology Services, the State Liquor
• Management, the Division of Human Resources, the Office of Information Technology Services, the State Liquor

Summary: The Senate convened with 27 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge, approved the corrected journal, and then moved through committee reports, messages from the House, and first and second readings of several bills. Among the measures introduced or advanced were appropriations bills, child custody and visitation bills, a digital identification bill, a virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention bill, and bills on public outdoor target ranges, hearing loss screening, and small claims procedure. The chamber also re-referred or held several resolutions and bills, including SCR 125 and SR 121 for printing, and later took a short recess for caucus and announcements. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1347, a transparency bill requiring more reporting from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association on federal housing and homelessness funds; supporters said it would improve oversight of subrecipients and outcomes, while opponents argued it duplicated existing HUD and IHFA reporting. The Senate also unanimously passed SB 1369, which rewrites Idaho’s civil venue statute and allows certain lawsuits to be filed either where the defendant resides or where the cause of action occurred, and SB 1358, which lets returning school administrators count prior administrative service toward the teacher career ladder if they meet performance requirements. SB 1379 passed 28-7 to raise the Project Choice vehicle registration fee by $5 to help recruit and retain Idaho State Police troopers, with supporters citing public safety and opponents warning about taxpayer burden and impacts on local law enforcement. The Senate then passed HB 635, requiring the Professional Standards Commission to report suspected criminal conduct in education cases to law enforcement; HB 532, standardizing identity requirements for DMV transactions; HB 520, standardizing hearing-notice requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act; and HB 541, expanding the definition of a child for electronic enticement offenses to cover some 16- and 17-year-olds when the offender is at least five years older. Later, the chamber passed HB 581, allowing the Legislature to formally notify the Supreme Court when it believes a court rule conflicts with statute or substantive rights, despite separation-of-powers concerns raised by one senator, and HB 599, changing distribution of digital curriculum funds to a needs-based process. The Senate also approved HB 544 on military leave, HB 642 on death benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children of fallen public safety officers and firefighters, HB 560 allowing county election workers to be drawn from the jury pool, HB 697 separating election-crime offenses into distinct code sections, HB 698 closing a loophole for out-of-state felony convictions, HB 503 transferring the Soil and Water Conservation Commission to the Department of Water Resources, and HB 676 on geothermal water applications, which began debate on Boise’s geothermal system before the transcript ended. Most final votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, with the main recorded opposition on SB 1347, SB 1379, and HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I guarantee there's going to be a percentage of people who drive to the liquor store a little too
• If you want recreational, you can go to the state liquor store and fill up a tractor trailer full of
• But I guarantee there's going to be a percentage of people who drive to the liquor store a little too
• If you want recreational, you can go to the state liquor store and fill up a tractor trailer full of
• But I guarantee there's going to be a percentage of people who drive to the liquor store a little too

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would define a new category of ready-to-drink liquors beverages containing no more than 7%

Bills: SB268 , SB262 , HB237 , SB90

Committee: Senate Tourism

Keywords: mixed spirit beverages, alcohol regulation, licensing, excise tax, distribution agreements, retail sales, wholesalers, SB262, White Hall, Lowndes County, pari-mutuel wagering, simulcast, historical racing, historical horse racing, dog racing, horse racing, charitable bingo, off-track betting, OTB, gambling

Transcript Highlights:

• An act authorizing municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend hours of liquor licenses and
• The legislation to authorize municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and regulate cannabis production, processing, and testing to the Department of Agriculture from the Liquor
• It would retain the licensing and regulation of the retail side of the industry with the Liquor and Cannabis

Bills: HB2721 , HB2616

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: commercial interior designer, interior design licensure, registered interior designer, NCIDQ, Washington State Board for Architects, professional regulation, title protection, firm registration, seal and signature, continuing education, building code, nonstructural interior design, space planning, interior architecture, design profession, public safety, occupational licensing, architects, engineering scope, permit review

Transcript Highlights:

• and regulate cannabis production, processing, and testing to the Department of Agriculture from the Liquor
• It would retain the licensing and regulation of the retail side of the industry with the Liquor and Cannabis

Summary: The Consumer Protection & Business Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 2616, described as an agriculturally resilient markets act, would create a broad package of agriculture-related policies and appropriations, including a strategy to expand state purchasing of Washington-grown food, temporary packaging and emissions exemptions for certain agricultural uses, changes to labor notice rules for agricultural and dairy layoffs, several grant and study programs, a transfer of cannabis production/processing/testing oversight to the Department of Agriculture, and an appropriation for the tree fruit leadership program. Representative Christine Reeves said the bill was intended as a state-level “farm bill” to address farm losses, food security, and regulatory burdens, and she emphasized stakeholder input and the need to support family farms and farmworker well-being. Testimony on HB 2616 was overwhelmingly supportive, with growers, commodity groups, dairy and potato representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders arguing that Washington farms face low margins, high regulatory and labor costs, refrigeration and processing challenges, and competition from foreign producers. Several speakers said the bill’s exemptions, grants, and studies would help keep farms viable and preserve local food production. Committee members asked about stakeholder outreach, the role of Washington State University and commodity commissions, the impact of federal versus state policy, and possible ways to reduce compliance burdens. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair noted the bill was after cutoff and would not move this year, but that stakeholder meetings would continue over the summer. The committee then heard House Bill 2721, which would create a registration system for commercial interior designers, expand and rename the Board of Architects, set education, examination, and experience requirements, define the scope of practice, require seals and technical submission attestations, and establish penalties and a fee account. Supporters from interior design organizations said the bill would recognize a profession already performing code- and safety-related work in commercial spaces, align Washington with other states and national model law standards, and remove barriers to ownership and advancement, especially for women. Testifiers also said the bill would clarify responsibility for life safety, accessibility, and non-structural interior construction in schools, health care, and public buildings. The committee heard only supportive testimony, but members raised questions about how the profession compares with architecture, the impact of delaying the bill until 2027, and demographic diversity in the field. The chair closed the hearing noting the bill would not advance this session and that further interim work would be needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• our tobacco inspectors were out every day in the field inspecting smoke shops and mini-marts and liquor
• So are you finding a lot of this product in like... tobacco shops is that what kind of liquor stores

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that age range is not drinking nearly as much liquor as before.
• So anyway, Sonia, let's bring liquor and treasure in at the request of the committee member.
• as before we can blame Brody much liquor as before we can blame Brody for<00:47:34.319><c> that</c><
• So anyway, so well Sonia, let's<00:47:59.200><c> bring</c><00:47:59.440><c> liquor</c><00:47:59.839><
• and treasure in at let's bring liquor and treasure in at the<00:48:00.960><c> request</c><00:48:01.200

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program oversees those cannabis beverages you see at liquor stores, the edibles you see at grocery
• I just observe that we don't have any kind of potency cap in the liquor market, for example.
• I just observe that we don't have any kind of potency cap in the liquor market, for example.
• </c><01:13:10.639><c> Market</c> of potency cap uh in the liquor Market of potency cap uh in the liquor
• So maybe there is some analogy within the liquor market that's sort of the thinking approach.

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiala for legislation to authorize municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot to extend hours of liquor

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am director of the Idaho State Lottery and also the Idaho State Liquor Division.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the Liquor of the Liquor Commission<04:05:01.680><c> and</c><04:05:02.399><c> and</c><04:05:02.640
• </c> estimates that came from The Liquor estimates that came from The Liquor Commission<04:05:14.880>
• It's my understanding that a few days ago another division was looking into and discussing the liquor
• And I think you said 5% of the Liquor Commission sales are allocated to that fund, and so the question
• Commission as as to we always The Liquor Commission as as to we always have<04:14:44.760><c> these</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee’s Division 3 held a public work session on the Behavioral Health budget on February 27, 2025. The chair opened by explaining the schedule, materials, and deadlines for the budget process, and noted there would be no motions or votes in the division that day. Division of Behavioral Health Director Ktia Fox and DHHS CFO Nathan White then walked the committee through the division’s mission, structure, and budget materials, describing the division’s four bureaus: Mental Health Services, Children’s Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Homeless Services, along with the policy unit. They emphasized the division’s role in oversight, technical assistance, quality assurance, contracting, and the continuum of care from prevention and early intervention through crisis and residential services. Much of the discussion focused on major programs and funding lines, including the 988 Lifeline contract with Headrest, a technical assistance contract with UNH, Medicaid pass-through payments to New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff, crisis response services, cold-weather homeless responses, housing supports, and the children’s system of care. Members asked about the UNH contract, the 988 program, crisis stabilization centers, and the peer certification program; Fox explained that the peer certification is a training-and-credentialing pathway for people with lived experience to enter community-based behavioral health work, not a volunteer program. The committee also discussed the “Choose Love” program, which Fox said was created after the Sandy Hook tragedy to build resilience and strength-based emotional regulation in schools and communities. On the children’s side, Fox described the system of care account as the place where many contracted services are budgeted, including community mental health centers, care management entities, rapid response services, and residential programs. Members asked about temporary staffing, and Fox said roughly $500,000 in temporary staff costs shown in the current year would not be spent next year because the money came from a nonlapsing appropriation in HB 1573 for oversight of children’s residential services. She also said provider rate increases were a prioritized need but were not funded in the governor’s current budget, and that the Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center was not funded, resulting in about a $1 million reduction. The session ended while the division was still moving through the children’s behavioral health slides, including questions about the Fast Forward high-fidelity wraparound program and medication management.