Transcript Highlights:

• And in the Buy Clean, Buy Fair bill that we passed a couple years ago, it very clearly stated that products
• And in the By Clean, Buy Fair bill that we passed a couple years ago, it very clearly stated that products
• While Buy Clean, Buy Fair, the work group is ongoing, it doesn't engage projects beyond state-funded
• of Commerce is already creating to advance Washington's understanding of embodied carbon with Buy Clean
• Department of Commerce is already creating to advance Washington's understanding of a body carbon with by clean

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held public hearings on several bills. On Substitute House Bill 2236, staff explained changes to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage loans for multifamily housing, clarifying it is not a retail mortgage lender, extending bond counsel terms, removing a notice requirement before bond issuance, and repealing outdated statutory provisions. Representative Zahn and commission staff said the bill modernizes the agency and would help finance affordable housing without using state general funds. Testimony was generally supportive, with questions focused on higher interest rates, down payment assistance, and equity for borrowers of color; the commission said it works with banks, administers programs such as Covenant Home Ownership, and aims to support both homebuyers and developers. The chair then closed the hearing on SHB 2236. The committee next heard House Bill 2273 on reducing embodied carbon emissions in buildings and building materials. Staff described requirements for the State Building Code Council to adopt phased embodied-carbon standards for large projects, with reporting, a public database, and Commerce educational resources; the fiscal note showed operating and capital costs. Representative Duerr said the bill responds to rising energy demand and could help lower building costs while supporting innovation, including Washington wood products. Supportive testimony came from environmental justice advocates and an architect, who said embodied carbon reductions are already feasible and often cost-neutral. Opponents, including the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill could raise costs, create sourcing and delay problems, and should not exempt schools. The hearing on HB 2273 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5188, which would let the Public Works Board issue loans for broadband infrastructure repair and replacement. Staff said the bill expands the existing broadband service expansion program to cover repair and replacement of middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, with Commerce fiscal impacts noted. The Association of Washington Cities testified with concerns that the bill could signal further use of the Public Works Assistance Account, which has already seen sweeps and could affect future water, sewer, wastewater, and solid waste funding. A question from Representative Dye raised whether the program should instead be tied to the Curb Board; staff and the witness agreed to continue that discussion. The hearing was then closed. In executive session, the committee took up House Bill 2353, House Bill 2420, and House Bill 2470. HB 2353, which raises the predesign threshold for capital construction projects from $10 million to $15 million and indexes it to inflation, was reported out of committee 18-0 with one excused. The committee then adopted and reported out the proposed substitute for HB 2420, which increases the small works roster contract limit and changes the effective date to January 1, 2027, also by an 18-0 vote with one excused. Staff also briefed members on a proposed substitute for HB 2470 concerning school construction assistance for on-base schools, but no vote was taken in the transcript. The chair announced another hearing and executive session for Friday and asked members to submit amendments by the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• provides the basis for DEQ's application of water quality criteria, anti-degradation protections, and the Clean
• under 40 CFR 131.21, Idaho water quality standards adopted by the states are not effective for federal Clean
• So this rulemaking is going back in and doing some housekeeping and cleaning up of the current water
• standards where there are areas where a particular water quality standard is not yet effective for Clean
• It was administrative, just trying to clean the rule language up, so we're having a cleaner rule package

Summary: The committee met to review several Idaho Department of Environmental Quality rule dockets. It first considered docket 58-0102-2501 on water quality standards, which DEQ described as an administrative cleanup to align state rules with EPA disapprovals of prior temperature and arsenic-related provisions. Members asked why EPA rejected parts of the earlier rule, and DEQ explained that EPA wanted stricter temperature criteria rather than the variability language Idaho had proposed. The committee voted to approve the docket. The committee then heard docket 58-0106-2501 on wastewater rules. DEQ said the rulemaking was part of zero-based regulation and aimed to streamline, clarify, and reduce burden, including updates to gray water, material modification, wastewater system definitions, and sludge disposal/use plans. Aquaculture commenters raised concerns that municipal wastewater standards might be applied to fish production facilities, and DEQ responded by adding clarifying language and references specific to aquaculture. A separate testimony issue arose from a participant who could not be heard on the webinar, and the committee voted to hold the docket at the call of the chair for reconsideration at a later meeting. The committee next approved docket 58-0105-2501, DEQ’s annual hazardous waste incorporation by reference, which updates federal hazardous waste regulations through July 1, 2025 and adds Part 271 for state program authorization. DEQ said no comments were received and that the change helps maintain state primacy and avoid conflicting state and federal requirements. It also approved docket 58-0106-2501 on solid waste management rules, another zero-based regulation cleanup that removed duplicative language, updated definitions and applicability sections, and deleted a violations section already covered in statute; members discussed how strikeouts indicate moved versus deleted language and how definitions should be cross-referenced to Idaho Code. Finally, the committee approved docket 58-0101-2501 on air quality rules, an annual incorporation by reference of federal air regulations through July 1, 2025. DEQ highlighted EPA actions affecting Idaho, including updates to SIP-related provisions, sulfur dioxide standards, modeling guidance, NSPS/NESHAP changes, and a Congressional Review Act disapproval affecting certain hazardous air pollutant sources. Members asked where to access the federal regulations, and DEQ said they are available online through the CFR and linked references in the rule materials. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leone, could you put a clean... I can do that. I can also print you... Ms.
• Leone, could you put a clean... Could you take a clean one for you all?
• We'll have a moment to look at it in a clean fashion. Let's do that. So you're going to print.
• We'll have a moment to look at it in a clean fashion, and we'll come back for the moment.

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the financial assistance that WIFA, through its board, is authorized to award to counties from the clean
• from the clear assistance that WIFA through its board is authorized to award to counties from the clean
• The funding mechanism that would be specifically used here is the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
• These do not contain the same cleaning framework that septic tanks do and have become, as of 1976, illegal
• Funding to address these cesspools exists and is available via the Clean Water State Revolving Fund,

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee heard three bills related to water policy and all were given do pass recommendations. HB 2029 would require disclosure information for applicants to the Water Conservation Grant Fund, and an amendment broadened the disclosure requirements from only certain water users to all eligible entities. WIFA testified neutral on both the bill and amendment, noting it already collects much of the information; the committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 8-0. HB 2096 would allow counties to receive WIFA financial assistance, including forgivable principal, for cesspool remediation, closure, or replacement when there is a risk to water or public health. WIFA and county representatives from the County Supervisors Association and Gila County supported the bill, explaining that counties need clearer authority to accept loans and grants for cesspool cleanup, especially in rural areas with thousands of aging cesspools and flood-related contamination. Members discussed impacts in Gila County and other areas, and the bill passed 8-0. HB 2116 would appropriate $1 million from the State General Fund in FY 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association supported the measure as preparation for possible Colorado River litigation, while members emphasized that the funding is a placeholder and that they hope litigation will not be necessary. The committee passed the bill 8-0 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Isaac Castam, on behalf of Clean & Prosperous Washington.
• this week, when discussing the proposed, the 30% rate increases possible, which in part is driven by clean
• My 12-year-old female relative gave me an emphatic lecture on how important climate change and clean
• This information is needed to legally... ...and the clean air is.
• state's most powerful tool to cut climate pollution and invest in communities, healthy forests, and clean

Bills: HB2251 , HB2254 , HB2385

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health insurance, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for HB Representative Grow: 6509 is a claims bill that provides 1.2 million in relief of the Estate
• Special Master found this as an uncontested claim arising Representative Grow: from a settlement agreement
• FDOT supports the claim. That is the bill, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
• Witness: The assumption the bill prevents crime is based on a claim most people know is not based on

Transcript Highlights:

• It should be noted that, of these purchases, items totaling $7,600 were paid by county claim, and the
• and the average fuel cost for the review period, an estimated $2,157 in fuel expenses paid by county claim
• It should be noted that, of these purchases, items totaling $7,600 were paid by county claim, and the
• and the average fuel cost for the review period, an estimated $2,157 in fuel expenses paid by county claim

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• finance Senate Bill 1232 by hand. cockrilling to certain health care transaction fees and payment claims
• Identifier on payment claim to Health and Human Services Senate Bill 1233 by Hancock relating to information
• Senate Bill 1239 by Middleton relating to choice of law and assignment or acquisition of claims and demands
• dissolution of public utility agency to local government Senate Bill 1244 by Schwartner, Arlington and claims

Bills: SJR36 , SJR3 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , SJR55 , SCR18 , SCR19 , SCR22 , SB27 , SB29 , SB35 , SB1151 , SB1152 , SB1153 , SB1154 , SB1155 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1160 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1168 , SB1169 , SB1170 , SB1171 , SB1172 , SB1173 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , SB1177 , SB1178 , SB1179 , SB1180 , SB1181 , SB1182 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1185 , SB1186 , SB1187 , SB1188 , SB1189 , SB1190 , SB1191 , SB1192 , SB1193 , SB1194 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1197 , SB1198 , SB1199 , SB1200 , SB1201 , SB1202 , SB1203 , SB1204 , SB1205 , SB1206 , SB1207 , SB1208 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1211 , SB1212 , SB1213 , SB1214 , SB1215 , SB1216 , SB1217 , SB1218 , SB1219 , SB1220 , SB1221 , SB1222 , SB1223 , SB1224 , SB1225 , SB1226 , SB1227 , SB1228 , SB1229 , SB1230 , SB1231 , SB1232 , SB1233 , SB1234 , SB1235 , SB1236 , SB1237 , SB1238 , SB1239 , SB1240 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1243 , SB1244 , SB1245 , SB1246 , SB1247 , SB1248 , SB1249 , SB1250 , SB1251 , SB1252 , SB1253 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1256 , SB1257 , SB1258 , SB1259 , SB1260 , SB1261 , SB1262 , SB1263 , SB1264 , SB1265 , SB1266 , SB1267 , SB1268 , SB1269 , SB1270 , SB1271 , SB1272 , SB1273 , SB1274 , SB1275 , SB1276 , SB1277 , SB1278 , SB1279 , SB1280 , SB1281 , SB1282 , SB1283 , SB1284 , SB1285 , SB1286 , SB1287 , SB1288 , SB1289 , SB1290 , SB1291 , SB1292 , SB1293 , SB1294 , SB1295 , SB1296 , SB1297 , SB1298 , SB1299 , SB1300 , SB1301 , SB1302 , SB1303 , SB1304 , SB1305 , SB1306 , SB1307 , SB1308 , SB1309 , SB1310 , SB1311 , SB1312 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1315 , SB1316 , SB1317 , SB1318 , SB1319 , SB1320 , SB1321 , SB1322 , SB1323 , SB1324 , SB1325 , SB1326 , SB1327 , SB1328 , SB1329 , SB1330 , SB1331 , SB1332 , SB1333 , SB1334 , SB1335 , SB1336 , SB1337 , SB1338 , SB1339 , SB1340 , SB1341 , SB1342 , SB1343 , SB1344 , SB1345 , SB1621 , SJR57

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 14 was continuing the governor's efforts in cleaning up our rules.
• We are now focusing on our Idaho statutes to clean up and have our agencies go through their laws.
• This simply removes and updates sections of code relating to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund.
• It simply removes and updates sections of code relating to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee considered and advanced four RS drafts to print. RS 33228, presented by Senator Cook, would establish a rural health transformation oversight committee to manage and monitor Idaho’s rural health transformation funds; he explained the only change from a prior version was committee composition, increasing legislative appointees to three senators and three House members, plus one nonvoting gubernatorial appointee, while still requiring at least three rural appointees. The committee asked a few questions about the membership changes, then moved and approved the RS for printing. Senator Blaylock presented RS 32891 as a code cleanup measure with no policy change, updating and removing obsolete provisions related to the Petroleum Clean Water Trust Fund, including outdated board appointment and distribution language. The committee had no substantive questions and voted to send it to print. Senator Galloway then introduced RS 3301C1, which would make technical corrections to foster care law, remove the two-month hearing requirement for youth ages 18 to 23 in extended foster care, and expand expedited placement to include kin as well as relatives; she said the changes would help place children more quickly and had no fiscal note. The committee approved that RS for printing as well. Finally, Senator Wintrow presented RS 33161, which directs the Department of Health and Welfare to study and make recommendations on Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities, specifically whether the program should allow participants to keep working beyond age 65 without losing coverage or facing a steep cost increase. She described the issue as affecting a relatively small number of people but one that could create a major affordability cliff for workers with disabilities, and said the bill would require a report by December 1. After questions about how the proposal relates to Medicare and whether other states do similar things, the committee moved and approved the RS for printing. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• versus what they actually claim, so we can see that delta and, with that information, we can decide
• they that they could claim versus what they actually<00:28:39.840><c> claim.
• So we can see that delta actually claim.
• To claim the other criteria are met.
• after claiming the credit.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Claims bills will still come before us as a Legislature.
• I would ask you to find me a single lawyer who will bring a claim like that.
• There's, I don't know a single person who would bring a claim like that.
• Yes, are frivolous claims brought? They can be.
• What about if a rapist brings a claim? What about a sex trafficker?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report for the day. The chamber took up House Bill 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill removes strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is completed at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, led by Rep. Cross and others, argued the bill relies too heavily on buyer-beware principles and does not adequately notify future buyers or renters. The bill passed 87-24 after debate. Members then considered House Bill 145 on suits against the government. Rep. McFarland said it updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident, with a later automatic increase, while preserving the liability shield and improving access to compensation for people harmed by government negligence. The bill also aligns the statute of limitations with private claims and allows entities to settle above the cap. After brief debate, the House passed the bill 104-7. The House next debated CS/HB 289 on wrongful death for an unborn child, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow claims involving unborn children and their parents. The bill prompted extensive questioning and debate about damages, definitions, medical care, surrogacy, and whether the measure could affect abortion access or expose doctors, friends, family members, and surrogates to lawsuits. Multiple amendments sought to carve out protections for mothers, health care providers, abortion care, perinatal professionals, surrogates, and victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking, but each was defeated. The final vote on the bill itself was 33-78, so the motion failed and the bill did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:31.519><c> boating</c><00:15:32.160><c> and</c><00:15:32.399><c> I</c> clean drinking water
• </c><00:29:46.559><c> and</c> facility to shut down and clean and facility to shut down and clean and
• </c><00:31:10.080><c> uh</c> our uh incredible workers to clean uh our uh incredible workers to clean
• for you know 20 that has been clean for you know 20 years<00:46:06.000><c> between</c><00:46:06.880>
• This aquifer is deep, clean, and old, with water at a minimum of a thousand years old.

Bills: HF1531 , HF4017 , HF3399 , HF4146 , HF4019 , HF3677

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: crossbow, crossbow hunting, archery season, deer hunting, bear hunting, turkey hunting, fishing, common carp, rough fish, game and fish, wildlife management, hunting license, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, sunset clause, expiration removal, archery equipment, outdoor recreation, infectious waste, pathological waste

Transcript Highlights:

• our audit of CSU and UC's implementation of Title IX and their efforts to prevent and investigate claims
• our audit of CSU and UC's implementation of Title IX and their efforts to prevent and investigate claims
• by Senator Archuleta; Item 3, Audit 117, Employment Development Department unemployment insurance claims
• Submitted by Senator Archuleta; 117, EDD unemployment insurance claims by Assembly Member Addis; and
• sharing by Senator Archuleta; 2026-117, Employment Development Department unemployment insurance claims

Committee: House Joint Legislative Audit

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and it authorized ISDA and Fish and Game and OSC to work together in the compensation of validated claims
• It has a claim submission deadline.
• something that was fairly clear in rule so that it was clear to the industry that might have depredating claims
• forward, if that category of possible depredations gets satisfied, where the claimant can make a valid claim
• forward if that category of possible depredations get satisfied where the claimant can make a valid claim

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• arrest or detention because Senator Leek: applicable statutes and jury reference legal duty, some have claimed
• insurance can pre-approve and pay in advance and have 12 months to Senator Davis: file a reimbursement claim
• for health insurers or health maintenance organizations, which are Senator Davis: HMOs, to submit claims
• Committee Substitute Senate Bill 944, a bill to be entitled an act related to insurance overpayment claim
• I don't think the DEP will act on baseless claims.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ICE claims they need to be aggressive to keep us safe.
• They claimed anyone could get access to medical care that they need.
• </c> agents left, then returned, claiming agents left, then returned, claiming that<08:11:52.160><c>
• These<08:13:01.120><c> claims</c><08:13:01.600><c> are</c><08:13:01.920><c> nothing</c><08:13:02.320>
• They've shared with me their testimonies about lack of clean drinking water, lack of air conditioning

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > have</c> Our incoming president has called January 6th, quote, “a day of love,” and others have claimed
• Various parties, including representatives of victims of terrorism, have asserted legal claims against
• </c><06:54:44.240><c> against</c> have asserted legal claims against have asserted legal claims against
• </c><06:54:50.120><c> this</c><06:54:50.360><c> property</c><06:54:50.718><c> is</c> make such claims
• this property is make such claims this property is blocked<06:54:51.200><c> under</c><06:54:51.520><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so people who claim to have their best interest and do have their best interest at heart but maybe
• And so people<00:18:43.679><c> who</c><00:18:44.080><c> claim</c><00:18:44.480><c> to</c><00:18:44.640
• ><c> have</c><00:18:44.799><c> their</c><00:18:45.039><c> best</c> people who claim to have their best
• people who claim to have their best interest<00:18:45.520><c> and</c><00:18:45.760><c> do</c><00:18:
• </c> I'm no attorney, don't claim to be.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard testimony on the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and mental health settings. Representative Lisa Willner and Brenda Rosen of NASW Kentucky argued for “guard rails” on AI chatbots so they cannot present themselves as licensed therapists or replace school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. They said AI can support licensed professionals, but warned that chatbots cannot reliably recognize nonverbal cues, escalate crises, or provide accountable care, and they cited examples of harmful chatbot interactions, including a suicide case and a chatbot telling a user to “Please die.” The witnesses also raised concerns about data privacy, commercialization of sensitive mental health conversations, and the use of personal clinical content to train AI models. They said minors should require parental consent and suggested transparency about how a chatbot is trained and who created it. They distinguished between unvetted consumer chatbots and AI tools that have been scientifically validated or approved as digital therapeutics, noting that some evidence-based tools may be useful for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Committee members asked whether regulation should be handled by the legislature or by professional boards, and whether a multi-state model would be preferable to 50 different state approaches. The witnesses generally favored expert-led standards and said a board or panel of experts could review and approve mental health chatbots, but members cautioned that boards can become too restrictive and that legislation should preserve flexibility and avoid discouraging children from seeking help. The discussion ended with a request for the witnesses to restate their proposed policy ideas, including privacy protections, bans on commercialization, limits on training AI with clinical content, transparency requirements, and informed consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• And anything that can be fixed or cleaned up, y'all have always done that.
• You have equipment. cleaned up, y'all have always done that.
• They're using ag to clean up the mess that's caused by the storms. So...
• But I was shocked at how clean that road was. It was amazing what you did.
• And I know that... how clean that road was. It was amazing what you did.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard the House Fiscal Division’s FY 2027 budget presentations for the State Treasury, Public Service Commission, Department of Civil Service, and Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Treasury’s recommended budget was about $15 million with 74 positions, funded largely by self-generated revenue. Treasury staff highlighted strong investment returns, record unclaimed property recoveries, a new ACH option to speed and reduce the cost of payments, a School Transparency portal that helped uncover questionable school spending, and a new online portal that has sped up processing of cooperative endeavor agreements and related payments. Members praised the transparency work and faster payments, and asked about bond ratings, CEA oversight, and the public accessibility of the transparency site. The Public Service Commission’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $11.5 million, entirely self-generated, with most spending on personnel; commissioners said salary and market adjustments were needed to address heavy attorney and auditor turnover. Civil Service’s FY 2027 budget was presented at $28.7 million, with major funding from interagency transfers and general fund, and officials explained recent pay-plan and special entrance rate changes intended to improve recruitment and retention across state agencies. Members asked how those compensation changes were developed and whether market studies supported them. The Agriculture and Forestry budget was presented at $91.4 million, with major funding from statutory dedications, general fund, and federal dollars, and the commissioner described severe pressure on farmers from low commodity prices, drought, freezes, wildfires, storm damage, and labor shortages. The Agriculture and Forestry discussion was the longest and most detailed. The commissioner said the state is working to expand markets, reduce costs, and help farmers through federal assistance, while also seeking more equipment and fuel for wildfire response after a severe fire weekend and ongoing drought conditions. Members raised concerns about storm-damaged timber, soil and water conservation funding, and the loss of federal dollars that depend on local technicians. The commissioner explained the wildfire suppression subfund, the role of severance taxes, and the limits of current firefighting equipment and staffing. He also discussed the seafood sector, especially shrimp and crawfish, saying imported seafood, currency changes, tariffs, and H-2B worker shortages are hurting Louisiana producers and processors. He said the department is testing imported seafood for antibiotics, wants more authority to hold contaminated product, and is pursuing legislation to support seafood promotion and testing. Members also asked about wood chips, rail transport, timber severance reporting, and incentives for wood pellet use, and the commissioner said the department is exploring new markets, including overseas buyers for wood and agricultural products. No formal votes or bill actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, agency testimony, and member questions and comments. The tone throughout was supportive of the agencies’ work, with repeated praise for Treasury’s transparency efforts, Civil Service’s compensation reforms, and Agriculture and Forestry’s advocacy for farmers, foresters, and seafood producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't burn as clean. So you can either find a chipper or have it rot down naturally.
• They have the research on dioxins and wood that's not clean, releasing contaminants into the air, and
• that's not clean releasing contaminants into<00:20:51.200><c> the</c><00:20:51.360><c> air</c><00:20
• </c><00:26:53.279><c> untreated</c> material to be burned as clean untreated material to be burned as
• clean untreated wood<00:26:54.000><c> or</c><00:26:54.240><c> brush</c><00:26:54.559><c> no</c><00:26

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then adopted the consent calendar without objection. On the regular calendar, it took up a Health and Human Services Medicaid rule on laboratory services. Committee members questioned why an expired rule was still needed and whether any fees, fines, or appeals had occurred during the lapse. DHHS staff said there were no fees or fines, the service remains in the state Medicaid plan, providers continued to be reimbursed under the billing manual, and there had been no known appeals. The committee then approved the rule. The next item was a Natural Resources rule package covering wood processing mills, wood concentration yards, forestry health, forest fire, and administrative fines. Representative Leon pulled the item from consent and objected to the rule’s repeated 5-inch diameter limit for burnable material, arguing that the statute authorizes permits for camp or cooking fires but does not clearly authorize a diameter limit, and that larger wood can be responsibly burned or otherwise managed in forested properties. DNCR’s forest protection chief responded that the 5-inch limit is intended to reduce smoldering and wildfire risk, align with DEES air rules defining brush as 5 inches or less, and keep backyard burning consistent with air-quality regulations. He said larger material can be handled through other permitting processes and that the rule is meant to educate the public and prevent unsafe burning. Members continued to debate whether the rule exceeded statutory authority and whether it was practical for landowners managing larger wooded parcels. One member suggested narrowing the 5-inch restriction in the category 4 permit language, while another noted the statute appears to speak in terms of small or large amounts of material rather than a specific diameter. The discussion ended without a final resolution in the excerpt, with the committee still considering possible amendments to the Natural Resources rules.