Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs
• Chair McDonald and Landry, Associate Commissioner, and John Williams, the Director of Legislative Affairs
• And I'm thinking particularly of elderly folks, for whom the idea of, oh, you can just do it through
• </c><01:20:52.800><c> I'm</c> are on Medicaid um and are elderly.
• I'm are on Medicaid um and are elderly.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Raymond Contreras of Lighthouse Public Affairs, on behalf of Abundant Housing Los Angeles, Habitat for
• are struggling the most, and many of these mobile home parks, certainly in San Jose, are de facto elderly
• are struggling the most, and many of these mobile home parks, certainly in San Jose, are de facto elderly
• Raymond Contreras with Lighthouse Public Affairs, on behalf of Abundant Housing, a proud co-sponsor,
• Raymond Contreras of Lighthouse Public Affairs, on behalf of SPUR, Abundant Housing Los Angeles, and

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with SB 1003, which would create pro-housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts to help local governments fund infrastructure needed for housing developments. The author and supporters argued that infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while the chair expressed support and said the bill would be taken up later when quorum was available. SB 1014 followed, proposing new disclosure requirements for local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 days of application, with supporters saying it would reduce late surprises and opposition from several cities citing implementation concerns with the 30-day timelines. The committee then took up SB 802, a Sacramento-region bill requiring a joint powers authority to coordinate housing and homelessness services. Senator Ashby and former Mayor Darrell Steinberg argued that Sacramento’s fragmented system has failed for years and that a JPA would improve accountability, coordination, and use of state funds. The bill drew broad support from local officials, service providers, business groups, and advocates, while some county and city representatives registered opposition or neutral concerns about state-mandated local governance. Several committee members said they were persuaded by the need for regional coordination, though some raised concerns about local control; the chair noted the bill would be moved when quorum allowed. The committee also heard SB 1092 and SB 1093, both focused on mobile home park residents after disasters or park sales. SB 1092 would give residents a right of first opportunity to match a sale offer for a park, with supporters saying it protects vulnerable seniors and preserves affordable housing, while park owners and their representatives argued it would devalue property and raise constitutional and financing concerns. SB 1093 would require more transparent communication, access to property, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after a disaster; supporters cited the long uncertainty faced by Palisades residents, while opponents warned about liability, safety, and burdensome review requirements. Members split along similar lines, with some emphasizing property rights and market impacts and others stressing the need to protect residents and preserve scarce affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• far as teaching the course, our trainers will all be trained through the Registry, through Consumer Affairs
• I used mine this winter to bring a snowblower over to a neighbor who was an elderly neighbor and couldn't
• This allows for a lot more sensibility at events for our elderly and our disabled residents.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills covering motor vehicle sales, registration, title processing, dealer regulation, and several local matters. Chair Cyrro noted that Senate Bill 2414 had been postponed at the sponsor’s request, though public testimony would still be accepted. The hearing then heard testimony on measures including S. 2367, which would make an insurer primary for losses caused by an insured driver in a rental car; H. 3698 and related bills on codifying registration of 25-year-old imported Japanese kei vehicles; H. 3701 on requiring lienholders to release titles within seven days; H. 3690 on capping dealer documentation fees; and H. 3641 on requiring education for class two motor vehicle dealers. Testimony also addressed e-titling and e-signatures, peer-to-peer car sharing, temporary license plates, duplicate plates, general registration plates for motor vehicle distributors, and a bill to ban tinted license plate covers. Supporters of the rental-car insurance bill argued Massachusetts is an outlier compared with 47 other states and said the change would improve fairness, competition, and consumer understanding without raising premiums. Dealers and industry groups generally supported e-titling/e-signature modernization and the inspection-related bill, but urged safeguards to preserve title, registration, and insurance verification. The Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association opposed the doc-fee cap, saying documentation fees are a disclosed cost-recovery tool that varies by dealership. Representatives and advocates for kei vehicles said the RMV’s 2024 reversal showed the need to codify the rules in law, while opponents of the RMV’s approach described it as arbitrary and harmful to owners and importers. Supporters of the dealer-education bill said it would curb unregulated “curbstoning” and help ensure proper title handling and consumer protection. Several local and specialty bills also drew testimony. Hatfield officials supported a local bill allowing golf carts on certain town roads under strict safety rules, and Representative Ayers testified for a bill banning tinted license plate covers to aid toll collection, law enforcement, and vehicle identification. Senator Lovely and other advocates supported the “Easy ID” license plate proposal, saying it would improve vehicle recognition in crime and child-abduction investigations. The committee took no votes during the hearing and adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm assuming there are not a lot of elderly patients there, so could you speak a bit to the issue
• Also, we do care for some of our more vulnerable elderly populations within our facility.
• He has lost his ability to manage his affairs, maintain housing stability, protect his property, preserve

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committees held an informational meeting focused first on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). OHA Director Sajal Hathi introduced the hospital’s incoming permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, and praised interim superintendent Jim Deagle for stabilizing operations, restoring CMS compliance, and helping drive a culture change centered on safety, accountability, and transparency. Deagle and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amit Bavon described OSH’s role as the state’s highest-level forensic psychiatric hospital, the patient populations it serves, its partnerships with courts, counties, jails, hospitals, and advocates, and recent leadership changes across the hospital. They also reported improved accreditation and regulatory status, including Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and said the hospital is now using daily safety huddles, incident review meetings, stronger escalation procedures, and revised seclusion/restraint practices to reduce risk and improve oversight. Members pressed hospital leaders on past seclusion practices, asking how prolonged seclusions could have occurred under federal standards. Leaders said they could not explain past decisions but emphasized that current leadership has changed processes, training, reporting, and oversight so that seclusion and restraint are reviewed in real time and cannot be normalized. Questions also covered staffing, falls, and future planning. OSH said it is generally staffed to budget, though it still has RN and mental health technician vacancies and is working on recruitment, training, and better staffing distribution. Hathi said the hospital is building a public dashboard with key performance and safety metrics, including workforce data, and described the long-term goal as a consistently safe, disciplined, high-functioning institution that responds quickly to mistakes and remains accountable to the public. The committee then shifted to an informational overview of civil commitment. Oregon Judicial Department representative Chanah Newell explained the civil commitment process, including who can initiate it, the role of community mental health providers and courts, the five-day timeline to hearing, and the standards for danger to self, danger to others, and inability to meet basic needs. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised statutory language and new provisions allowing a second diversion period, but cautioned that the data are too early to show clear trends. Testimony from NAMI Oregon’s Chris Bonif and psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Lopez argued that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospital commitments because the broader community system lacks enough treatment, housing, and less restrictive alternatives. They urged the legislature to focus on upstream services, supported housing, and possible outpatient commitment tools so people can receive treatment before reaching crisis. The meeting ended with acknowledgment that additional reports and follow-up discussions are expected, including on residential treatment capacity and related behavioral health system reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm assuming there are not a lot of elderly patients there, so could you speak a bit to the issue
• Also, we do care for some of our more vulnerable elderly populations within our facility.
• He has lost his ability to manage his affairs, maintain housing stability, protect his property, preserve

Summary: The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committee met for informational presentations on the Oregon State Hospital and civil commitment, followed by a planned tour of the hospital. Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital leaders reported that Sean Murphy will become the next permanent superintendent on July 13, with Sarah Castle to follow as permanent chief nursing officer on July 20. They described recent leadership turnover, a major organizational restructure, and efforts to build a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Officials said the hospital regained Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and they highlighted daily safety huddles, incident review processes, stronger escalation procedures, and improved management of seclusion and restraint. Committee members pressed hospital leaders on past prolonged seclusion practices, falls, staffing, and the need for better public reporting; OHA said it is building a public dashboard of key safety and workforce metrics. The committee then heard a civil commitment overview from the Oregon Judicial Department. The presenter explained that civil commitment is a separate legal process from criminal cases, usually beginning with a hospital hold, investigation, court review, appointed counsel, and a hearing within five days. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised standards for danger to self, danger to others, and basic-needs commitments, plus a second 14-day diversion option. She cautioned that the new law has only been in effect since January and that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from the data, though there has been a recent uptick in commitments and a decrease in diversions. Testimony from NAMI Oregon and a forensic psychiatrist emphasized that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospitals because community services, housing, and outpatient supports are insufficient. They argued that the state needs more less-restrictive alternatives, including better use of assisted outpatient treatment or outpatient civil commitment, and more supported housing so people do not cycle between homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. A family member described a relative remaining psychotic in jail for more than 120 days before ending up back at the state hospital, urging faster intervention and better collaboration among courts, counties, hospitals, and state agencies. Committee members and witnesses also discussed workforce shortages, the expansion of secure residential treatment beds, and the need for broader system reforms beyond the hospital itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is multigenerational housing at its best, and to comfortably house elderly family members, each
• This is multigenerational housing at its best, and to comfortably house elderly family members, each
• Raymond Contreras with House Public Affairs on behalf of Abundant Housing Los Angeles, Circulate, Planning

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• store... be located in a food desert as determined by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
• period to reclaim their homestead after a tax sale, but this period may not be sufficient for the elderly
• Ensuring a longer redemption period for elderly homeowners would provide them with greater security.

Bills: HB485 , HB1367 , HB1370 , HB1827 , HB1879 , HB2032 , HB2133 , HB2357 , HB3581 , HB3830 , HB4060 , HB4085 , HB4270 , HB4979 , HB5217 , HB5268 , HB5478 , HJR96 , HJR97 , HJR119 , HJR195 , HJR209 , SB4 , SB23 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB 4 , SB 23 , SJR 2

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• yet, but there are a couple of other committees meeting at the same time, BNC and I believe State Affairs
• The elderly population in the United States is expected to double to more than 70 million by the year
• As you already heard, many people think that dementia is restricted to elderly people, but in fact, there

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , SB 5 , SJR 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs. We are in Conference Room 325.
• Reconvening the hearing of the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.
• :03:57.040><c> get</c><00:03:57.280><c> back</c><00:03:57.439><c> to</c><00:03:57.680><c> the</c> Affairs
• uh and we will get back to the Affairs uh and we will get back to the first<00:03:58.079><c> item</c
• The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs is reconvening.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 4000, the Judiciary’s biennium budget bill for FY 2026-2027. Judiciary Director of Policy and Planning Brandon Kimura testified in strong support, outlining operating requests of about $6.17 million in FY 26 and $6.25 million in FY 27, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $9.9 million in capital improvements. He described funding needs for specialty courts, preparations for the Wahiawa District Court, an additional district court judge and staff for Kona, cybersecurity upgrades, the Criminal Justice Research Institute, statewide priority items, and restoration of several essential staff positions. He also said the Judiciary was seeking an additional $2 million for the Children’s Justice Center relocation lump sum because updated estimates had risen to about $8 million. The committee also discussed potential impacts from uncertain federal funding and asked for written follow-up on those risks and on the capital request, including coordination with Budget and Finance. Several organizations and individuals testified in support of the Judiciary budget, including the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi, and legal service providers. Mioko Eto asked for an additional $1 million for civil legal service providers, explaining that the current funding is spread across multiple providers and that the need remains high. David Copper of Legal Aid supported the request, citing statewide demand, 105 staff, 7,100 cases closed in the past year, and 15,000 calls received, while noting that many people seeking help cannot be served because of capacity limits. He also said recent federal funding disruptions and proposed cuts could affect legal services and related programs. Committee members asked about the Criminal Justice Research Institute’s mission; Kimura said its primary statutory role is to build a database focused on pre-trial reporting and data analysis, though it is also working on probation and mental health-related projects. No vote or final action on HB 4000 was taken in the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Show your mercy to the weakest among us, the children, the poor, the elderly, the homeless.
• investment managers; SB 1684, school liability, bowling, serious injuries; SB 1685, School Latino Affairs
• President, your Committee on Military Affairs and Border Security, having under consideration Senate
• President, your committee on military affairs and board of security having under consideration set of
• Military Affairs and Border Security Committee, that I've had to vote no on.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 27 present, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced guests, including representatives of the Arizona Fair Association, Mohave County fair staff, a constituent guest, a physician candidate shadowing a senator, Father David Myers, and the Doctor of the Day. The chamber also received messages and read a long list of bills placed on second reading. The Committee of the Whole considered three measures. SB 1268, a veterans property tax exemption cleanup bill, was explained as clarifying that the exemption applies to a veteran’s primary residence and, if jointly owned, still counts as 100 percent; it received a do pass recommendation. SB 1051, requiring hospitals to collect and report patient immigration-status information for accounting purposes, drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would improve accountability for hospital spending and taxpayer costs, while opponents argued it would intimidate patients, discourage care, burden hospitals, and target immigrants unfairly. Despite repeated points of order and appeals over germaneness and remarks, the bill advanced on a 16-13 vote. SB 1316, creating a rural health transformation fund process with public hearings and JLBC involvement, was presented as a transparency measure for roughly $167 million in federal rural health funds; supporters favored legislative input, while opponents said it added bureaucracy and could delay care. It advanced 17-13. The Committee of the Whole reported all three bills do pass, and the Senate adopted the report. HB 2792 was substituted for SB 1268 as an identical measure and passed with the emergency clause by a 29-1 vote. SB 1123 and SB 1145 also passed, and SB 1125, dealing with child safety and communication with tribal nations regarding group homes, passed unanimously 30-0. SB 1316 passed 17-13, and SB 1051 passed 17-13 after a lengthy floor debate in which supporters framed it as a fiscal/accountability measure and opponents called it harmful, anti-immigrant, and likely to deter medical care. The Senate then announced committee meetings for the next day and adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Show your mercy to the weakest among us: the children, the poor, the elderly, the homeless.
• investment managers; SB 1684, school liability, bowling, serious injuries; SB 1685, school Latino Affairs
• President, your Committee on Military Affairs and Border Security, having under consideration Senate
• President, your Committee on Military Affairs and Border Security, having under consideration Senate
• President, your committee on military affairs and board of security having under consideration set of

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we will have Libby Gozo with the Department of Legal Affairs, Attorney General's Office, for their
• Like she said, I am Libby Gozo, the Legislative Affairs Director for the Office of the Attorney General
• He's the chief legal officer of this state and the head of the Department of Legal Affairs.
• We are requesting rate and trust fund authority from the Legal Affairs Revolving Trust Fund.
• So I'm thinking about populations and reading research about all these elderly people that we have in

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms. The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns. No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to Senate and Governmental Affairs.
• It comes from the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs with committee amendments.
• It comes from the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs favorably.
• It comes from the Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs favorably.
• It comes from the Committee on Local Municipal Affairs favorably.

Bills: SR126 , SR129 , SCR71 , SCR72 , SCR73 , SCR12 , HB221 , HCR54 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR102 , HCR104 , HCR58 , SB480 , SB514 , HB12 , HB66 , HB145 , HB167 , HB175 , HB196 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB256 , HB291 , HB325 , HB326 , HB352 , HB401 , HB430 , HB433 , HB434 , HB448 , HB456 , HB476 , HB481 , HB487 , HB492 , HB549 , HB579 , HB608 , HB621 , HB624 , HB626 , HB632 , HB637 , HB656 , HB722 , HB745 , HB749 , HB804 , HB818 , HB821 , HB833 , HB864 , HB867 , HB874 , HB893 , HB909 , HB951 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB979 , HB985 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1005 , HB1007 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1038 , HB1050 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1059 , HB1077 , HB1080 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1112 , HB1153 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1193 , HB1204 , HB1218 , HB1242 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB538 , SCR3 , SCR23 , SCR38 , SCR24 , SB102 , SB133 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB200 , SB217 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB330 , SB449 , SB489 , SB521 , SB45 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB274 , SB304 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB436 , SB54 , SB72 , SB129 , SB164 , SB232 , SB287 , SB322 , SB374 , SB375 , SB386 , SB409 , SB447 , SB458 , SB222 , SB399 , SR119 , SCR58 , SCR65 , SCR9 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR41 , HCR47 , HCR63 , HCR69 , HCR31 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , HB54 , HB137 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB321 , HB396 , HB512 , HB552 , HB578 , HB638 , HB663 , HB708 , HB717 , HB718 , HB1009 , HB1082 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1198 , HB1246 , HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB259 , HB267 , HB288 , HB308 , HB403 , HB405 , HB414 , HB417 , HB478 , HB546 , HB548 , HB555 , HB557 , HB609 , HB670 , HB672 , HB740 , HB779 , HB786 , HB796 , HB812 , HB848 , HB915 , HB917 , HB921 , HB930 , HB933 , HB1095 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1129 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1187 , HB1195 , HB1230 , HB17 , HB36 , HB41 , HB47 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB354 , HB399 , HB571 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB750 , HB759 , HB789 , HB844 , HB850 , HB870 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1241 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB382 , SB441 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer from guest minister Troy Brigadio, and recited the pledge. The chamber then handled journal approval, committee and House messages, and a large number of resolutions and bills, with many items lying over or being referred to committees. Several Senate resolutions were adopted by voice or machine vote, including commendations for World Preeclampsia Awareness Day, Kathy Holloway, Jensen LeBlanc, and River Bend Station, and the Senate also recognized Senator Mike Reese’s new role as president of McNeese State University. The body spent much of the meeting concurring in or rejecting House amendments to Senate bills. Concurrences were approved on measures including SB 102, 133, 151, 165, 169, 170, 200, 280, 291, 303, 330, 396, 410, 425, 427, 436, 489, 521, 45, 156, 181, 203, 304, and 399. The Senate rejected House amendments on SB 217, SB 300, SB 274, and SB 379, sending those matters toward conference or further work. One notable floor debate occurred on SB 449, where Senator Moore objected to concurring in amendments affecting the North Orleans Belt Railroad; after discussion about corruption concerns and public bid laws, the chamber rejected the amendments 26-9. The Senate also took up numerous House bills on final passage, approving measures on local governance, public safety, education, tax policy, and infrastructure. These included HB 87 on Livingston Parish Gas Utility District per diem, HB 115 on abolishing the police chief office in Edgefield, HB 162 on a neighborhood improvement district fee, HB 195 allowing pepper spray on campus, HB 214 and HB 217 on optional ad valorem tax exemptions for rehabilitated blighted property, HB 233 on jury compensation, HB 354 renaming a bridge as the Caleb Easterling Memorial Bridge, HB 283 on protections for assaulted school employees, HB 290 recreating the Department of Treasury, and HB 319 adjusting civic education commission membership. Several of these passed unanimously or with only a few dissenting votes, and members frequently moved to reconsider and record objections after final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• CDSS to categorize different types of abuse that occur in our residential care facilities for the elderly
• relating to the state's licensure of professions and vocations within the Department of Consumer Affairs
• SB 1057 impacts the most vulnerable in our community, the elderly.
• Because SB 1057 allows convicted criminals to serve as a home health aide for an elderly person who lives
• of these crimes to serve as health aides or nurse assistants in people's homes, particularly the elderly

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and heard a prayer and pledge before moving through a long concurrence calendar and later Senate bill items. Early procedural actions included rereferrals of several bills to committees, approval of journal dispensation and adjournment-memory requests, and multiple unanimous-consent motions. The chamber also took up a brief moment of silence honoring Dolly Parton before returning to business after caucus recesses and a vote change on AB 1775. On concurrence, members acted on a wide range of Assembly bills covering housing, health, education, environmental regulation, elections, corrections, wildfire relief, tribal issues, alcohol regulation, and consumer protections. Many were described as technical, clarifying, or support measures and passed overwhelmingly or unanimously, including bills on behavioral health licensing, common course numbering, medical supervision sunsets, tribal child welfare, wildfire mortgage relief, Prop 65 oversight, water quality, and tied-house alcohol rules. A few measures drew some opposition, such as AB 1645, AB 1775, and AB 2348, but still concurred. The Assembly also adopted an urgency measure on AB 2663 to extend the Cocktails to Go program in time for New Year’s Eve. The chamber then considered numerous Senate bills. These included SB 608 on youth sexual health and contraceptive access, SB 633 on recycled plastic verification, SB 675 restructuring the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, SB 747 on civil rights accountability against government officials, SB 772 on housing infrastructure grants, SB 891 and SB 1379 on missing and murdered Indigenous people and custody-death transparency, SB 1077 on CalFresh shutdown contingency planning, SB 1105 on limits for joint law-enforcement operations, SB 1114 on protecting sensitive state data, SB 1125 on water rate assistance, SB 1208 on returning stolen cryptocurrency to victims, SB 1213 on zero-emission vehicle pricing transparency, SB 1237 on pay data enforcement, SB 1276 on child sexual exploitation and AI-generated content, SB 1322 on tribal housing grants, SB 1388 on affordable housing insurance, SB 1393 on fisheries management, SB 329 on drug treatment facility complaint timelines, SB 758 on nitrous oxide sales restrictions, SB 828 on fireworks licensing disclosures, SB 909 on public works enforcement fees, and SB 920 on gambling fee transparency. Most passed with strong margins; some drew notable opposition, including SB 675, SB 747’s urgency vote, SB 1105, SB 1114, SB 1125, SB 1237, SB 1379, and SB 1388. The transcript ends amid debate on SB 920, with Assembly Member DeMaio raising budget concerns before the record cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the level of care nursing staff for programs for all-inclusive care for the elderly can step forward
• So for the level of care nursing staff for programs for all-inclusive care for the elderly can step forward
• This proposal will improve access to community-based care for our medically fragile elderly patients
• voice to the segment of the population I think might be a little bit overlooked, which is the frail elderly
• Raymond Contrairas with Lighthouse Public Affairs, on behalf of Fullwell, regarding CalAIM.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• respiratory diseases, cardiovascular harm, and cognitive impairments, particularly in children and the elderly
• My name's Kyle Turk, head of Government Affairs for the Natural Products Association.
• My name's Kyle Turk, head of Government Affairs for the Natural Products Association, which was founded
• I would invite Jennifer Pennock, who is with us by way of Teams, associate director of Government Affairs
• pollution disproportionately affects communities of color, low-income communities, children, the elderly

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• But even as we work to strengthen these resources, recent job cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs
• But even as we work to strengthen these resources, recent job cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs
• But even as we work to strengthen these resources, recent job cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs
• I rise today to speak directly about the nation's preeminent anti-poverty program for the elderly and
• and the nation's preeminent elderly and the nation's preeminent anti-poverty<00:26:33.720><c> program

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Southwest Regional Manager for Government Affairs for Google, which is the parent company of
• I am the Southwest Regional Manager for Government Affairs for Google, which is the parent company of
• managers do not know the law, some of them may do things that harm park residents, who often are elderly
• The individuals that live in many of these parks are some of our most vulnerable populations, from elderly

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and acted on multiple bills. HB 2192, a child influencer bill, would require compensation for minors featured in monetized content to be placed in trust, create a process for minors or adults to request takedown of content, and add restrictions on sexualized depictions of minors. The sponsor and Google supported it as model legislation; members raised questions about compliance, age 13 access to earnings, and removal rights at 18. It passed 9-0 with 2 present. HB 2501, an agency bill conforming Arizona’s appraisal management company definition to federal law, also passed unanimously 11-0. HB 2693, which revises bona fide association rules to allow self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements through statewide chambers or business leagues, passed 8-1 after an amendment; one member cited possible federal preemption in opposing it. HB 2010, the digital goods disclosure bill requiring clearer “buy/purchase” language and prorated refunds when access changes, passed unanimously after amendment, with supporters calling it a consumer protection measure and retailers warning about compliance burdens and possible preemption. The committee then considered HB 2279, which would exempt commercial river outfitters in Grand Canyon National Park from liability for injuries or deaths arising from inherent risks of river trips, while preserving liability for gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Supporters said it aligns Arizona with other western states and reflects existing federal oversight; opponents argued it could violate Arizona’s anti-abrogation clause and improperly define inherent risk. The bill passed 7-4. HB 2690, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring more work-search actions, weekly reporting, and pre-claim data cross-checks, drew strong opposition from advocates who said it would add red tape and harm eligible claimants; supporters said it would reduce fraud and encourage work. It passed 7-4. HB 2310, clarifying that qualified marketplace contractor agreements may be terminated unilaterally by the contractor, passed 10-0. The committee also approved HB 2555, requiring retail businesses with physical locations to accept cash for purchases of $100 or less and prohibiting cash fees, after an amendment exempting rentals and mobile home vendors; supporters emphasized access for unbanked consumers and small purchases, while one member objected that businesses should self-govern. It passed 10-0. HB 2199, which requires RV park managers to complete education on landlord-tenant laws similar to mobile home park managers, passed 7-0 with 3 present after testimony from homeowner advocates and park groups in support. Finally, HB 2459 was introduced at the end of the meeting; it would allow landlords to pass through utility charges actually imposed by providers and add an administrative fee for submetering, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Waco, who are involved with the IRS's volunteer income tax assistance and tax counseling for the elderly
• We heard powerful testimony in State Affairs from Dr.
• the intended recipients and the children that rely on it, and that it protects our most vulnerable elderly
• I move to suspend the posting rules to allow the Committee on State Affairs to meet upon adjournment

Bills: SCR4 , SCR18 , SCR43 , SB227 , SB269 , SB330 , SB434 , SB437 , SB438 , SB463 , SB528 , SB584 , SB604 , SB663 , SB668 , SB682 , SB747 , SB841 , SB912 , SB968 , SB1013 , SB1020 , SB1044 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1143 , SB1164 , SB1169 , SB1200 , SB1236 , SB1244 , SB1299 , SB1325 , SB1335 , SB1369 , SB1410 , SB1418 , SB1422 , SB1455 , SB1468 , SB1495 , SB1534 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1612 , SB1624 , SB1667 , SB1734 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1760 , SB1784 , SB1860 , SB1862 , SB1864 , SB1896 , SB1898 , SB1920 , SB1940 , SB1952 , SB1998 , SB1999 , SB2004 , SB2032 , SB2052 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2121 , SB2127 , SB2141 , SB2145 , SB2161 , SB2167 , SB2196 , SB2207 , SB2216 , SB2246 , SB2323 , SB2332 , SB2395 , SB2429 , SB2431 , SB2439 , SB2443 , SB2581 , SB2601 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2705 , SB2717 , SB2798 , SB2873 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3034 , SCR4 , SCR38 , SB39 , SB227 , SB240 , SB330 , SB401 , SB407 , SB467 , SB506 , SB512 , SB527 , SB584 , SB618 , SB619 , SB636 , SB648 , SB663 , SB715 , SB732 , SB758 , SB801 , SB843 , SB847 , SB870 , SB957 , SB1013 , SB1020 , SB1065 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1181 , SB1183 , SB1257 , SB1283 , SB1299 , SB1325 , SB1349 , SB1395 , SB1433 , SB1455 , SB1490 , SB1558 , SB1574 , SB1624 , SB1626 , SB1640 , SB1717 , SB1718 , SB1727 , SB1734 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1789 , SB1832 , SB1845 , SB1868 , SB1920 , SB1924 , SB1964 , SB2004 , SB2018 , SB2031 , SB2037 , SB2052 , SB2073 , SB2075 , SB2080 , SB2111 , SB2117 , SB2154 , SB2161 , SB2196 , SB2206 , SB2253 , SB2268 , SB2322 , SB2323 , SB2349 , SB2533 , SB2540 , SB2570 , SB2623 , SB2626 , SB2658 , SB2660 , SB2692 , SB2705 , SB2717 , SB2722 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2753 , SB2788 , SB2877 , SB2900 , SB2920 , SB3031 , SB5 , SB260 , SB1786 , SB1 , HJR4 , HB135 , HB 1109 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR38 , SCR4 , SCR18 , SCR43 , SCR46 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB1257 , SB240 , SB1727 , SB870 , SB618 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1860 , SB2037 , SB1924 , SB2253 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB1299 , SB841 , SB668 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB2431 , SB1490 , SB1868 , SB2314 , SB434 , SB2046 , SB1667 , SB2127 , SB1975 , SB1760 , SB1734 , SB1335 , SB2246 , SB2439 , SB1624 , SB1244 , SB1468 , SB2717 , SB1612 , SB1262 , SB604 , SB2395 , SB1832 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB2207 , SB1784 , SB1524 , SB528 , SB437 , SB269 , SB1137 , SB968 , SB636 , SB747 , SB1325 , SB1455 , SB2056 , SB1940 , SB2052 , SB1579 , SB2068 , SB3034 , SB1920 , SB1558 , SB1236 , SB1044 , SB884 , SB463 , SB227 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB1717 , SB2141 , SB2323 , SB2200 , SB2332 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB1138 , SB2458 , SB1864 , SB2201 , SB1862 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB1898 , SB2662 , SB2161 , SB2964 , SB2881 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2743 , SB2533 , SB2073 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB2702 , SB2629 , SB2443 , SB2349 , SB2167 , SB2145 , SB2121 , SB758 , SB648 , SB647 , SB512 , SB438 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB1495 , SB2705 , SB2366 , SB1422 , SB1369 , SB1013 , SB682 , SB2692 , SB2570 , SB2797 , SB2111 , SB1896 , SB1164 , SB1020 , SB663 , SB2371 , SB1152 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2798 , SB330 , SB646 , SB843 , SB1998 , SB1418 , SB2788 , SB1169 , SB2873 , SB1754 , SB1534 , SB1718 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB1143 , SB1756 , SB912 , SB2119 , SB2032 , SB527 , SB1580 , SB1952 , SB2601 , SB2322 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB407 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB3031 , SB2877 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2920 , SB2929 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1183 , SB2742 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB2117 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1964 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB39 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2722 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2623 , SB2658 , SB1574 , SB2900 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB401 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB467 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB2031 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB31 , SB2880 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB2351 , SB410 , SB659 , SB816 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB482 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB843 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1299 , SB1349 , SB1868 , SB2037 , SB2349 , SB2788 , SB39 , SB1183 , SB1717 , SB1832 , SB2743 , SR429 , SR432 , SCR38 , SB39 , SB240 , SB618 , SB870 , SB1183 , SB1257 , SB1717 , SB1727 , SB1832 , SB2743 , SB2 , SB3058 , SB3059 , HB6 , HB14 , HB43 , HB 100 , HB136 , HB149 , HB204 , HB206 , HB307 , HB467 , HB685 , HB 1130 , HB1393 , HB1644 , HB2027 , HB2118 , HB2176 , HB2468 , HB2488 , HB2525 , HB2596 , HB2890 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3114 , HB3204 , SCR4 , SCR18 , SCR43 , SB269 , SB330 , SB434 , SB437 , SB438 , SB463 , SB528 , SB604 , SB663 , SB668 , SB682 , SB747 , SB841 , SB912 , SB968 , SB1020 , SB1044 , SB1138 , SB1143 , SB1236 , SB1244 , SB1325 , SB1335 , SB1369 , SB1418 , SB1422 , SB1455 , SB1468 , SB1495 , SB1534 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1612 , SB1624 , SB1667 , SB1734 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1760 , SB1784 , SB1860 , SB1862 , SB1864 , SB1896 , SB1898 , SB1920 , SB1940 , SB1952 , SB1998 , SB2032 , SB2052 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2121 , SB2127 , SB2141 , SB2145 , SB2161 , SB2167 , SB2196 , SB2207 , SB2216 , SB2246 , SB2323 , SB2332 , SB2395 , SB2431 , SB2439 , SB2443 , SB2581 , SB2601 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2705 , SB2798 , SB2873 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3034 , SB227 , SB584 , SB1013 , SB1137 , SB1169 , SB1200 , SB1299 , SB1410 , SB1999 , SB2004 , SB2429 , SB2717 , SB3058 , SB3059 , HB6 , HB14 , HB43 , HB 100 , HB136 , HB149 , HB204 , HB206 , HB307 , HB467 , HB685 , HB 1130 , HB1393 , HB1644 , HB2027 , HB2118 , HB2176 , HB2468 , HB2488 , HB2525 , HB2596 , HB2890 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3114 , HB3204

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, messages from the House, and several recognitions, including county day delegations from Fayette, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Austin, and others, as well as a recognition of Rob Keppel for his career with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 429 designating October 2025 as RET Syndrome Awareness Month and SR 432 honoring Rob Keppel. A doctor-of-the-day introduction and a public announcement about free skin checks were also made. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1152, creating the offense of continuous manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, passed after suspension of the rules. SB 1868, regulating kratom and related substances, was amended to prohibit smokeable kratom products and kratom pills and to clarify THC variants such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, then passed. SB 1349, creating offenses for transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law, drew debate over a failed amendment that would have added election misinformation and foreign meddling; the bill ultimately passed unanimously. SB 2037, expediting review of LNG environmental permits, passed after amendments clarifying fees and deadlines, with opposition focused on its energy-policy implications. SB 1164, addressing emergency detention and court-ordered inpatient mental health treatment, passed after a drafting-error correction and discussion of the bill’s basis in recommendations from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The Senate also advanced SB 2743 on prosecution of certain election offenses, which would allow a court process to disqualify a local prosecutor who repeatedly refuses to prosecute election cases and appoint the Attorney General; it passed to engrossment amid questions about evidence and local discretion. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit members, supporters, volunteers, and donors from disclosure by public agencies, passed unanimously. SB 2349, exempting certain short-term leases and temporary tenancies from floodplain notice requirements, passed unanimously. SB 2788, adding PSAT and pre-ACT scores for Texas Success Initiative exemptions and clarifying dual-credit eligibility, passed unanimously after amendment. SB 843, creating a TEA database of school district bonds, taxes, and bond-related projects and adding charter schools, passed after amendments on funding and scope. Finally, SB 1832, allowing parents to transfer a student who was victimized by a public school employee to another campus, passed to engrossment after extended debate over whether the bill should also cover private schools and how it would interact with school choice and ESA policy. SB 39, revising the admission rule in commercial motor vehicle collision cases, was laid out and debated over its effect on negligent entrustment and related evidence, with the author emphasizing that the bill preserves the bifurcated trial structure and does not alter other admissibility rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Daniel Heimbaugh, Government Affairs Program Manager for Energy Northwest.
• The funeral of a popular elderly couple was scheduled for indoors in cramped quarters.
• I'm a government affairs manager for the City of Kent, and I strongly support this bill.
• And all of these people are elderly.
• This bill comes to you by way of the State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections Committee.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.