Transcript Highlights:

• and labor and material shortages<00:12:55.040><c> as</c><00:12:55.279><c> the</c><00:12:55.519><c> primary
• </c><00:12:55.839><c> drivers</c><00:12:56.240><c> of</c> shortages as the primary drivers of shortages
• as the primary drivers of housing<00:12:56.720><c> prices.
• the sicker you make the homes because now we have air exchangers even burping the homes so you can open
• the sicker you make the homes because now we have air exchangers even burping the homes so you can open

Bills: HF3545 , HF4004

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's because some properties are held in trust, so it opens the potential number of properties which
• the I guess the trust so it opens the I guess the potential<00:44:08.839><c> number</c><00:44:09.040
• </c><00:44:38.480><c> it</c><00:44:38.680><c> to</c> revocable trust would that open it to revocable
• That's the primary difference with this bill as opposed to the previous one.
• </c> that property that's that's the primary that property that's that's the primary difference<00:53

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the chief fiscal officer of the world's fourth largest economy, SCO holds primary responsibility for
• It's usually, we hold enough in that actual fund to pay open claims.
• A primary concern is that the proposed exemption isn't specifically well targeted toward these small
• We'll be opening the first application round in July of this year.
• Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't have open up to public comments on this item. Any public comments?

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, would any of you like to make any opening remarks? Senator Hinojosa?
• Thank you, and I'm open to questions. Thank you. Chairman Nichols, welcome. Good morning.
• So invited testimony is now closed, and open public testimony is called.
• Invited testimony is now closed, and open public testimony is called.
• I think I'm open to all solutions.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to open the public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2525, and Kelly, if you will please brief
• I would like to open the public hearing on Senate gubernatorial appointment 9-314.
• I think it opens doors of opportunity.
• Again, it's an open loop. We're pulling water again at 68 degrees.
• This is an open-loop system, so it's a non-consumptive system.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee first waived the five-day notice rule and held a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2525, which would establish a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. Staff explained the bill was narrowed from the original version and would require WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards and a list of rare and lost apple varieties, with a null and void clause and fiscal note available. Representative Gloria Mendoza testified in support, describing Washington’s apple history and the effort to identify and preserve old apple trees still found on farms and trails around the state. Members asked questions about how the program would locate trees and preserve historic varieties, but no vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard several gubernatorial appointments to higher education boards. Representative Deborah Inteman was nominated to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Bryce W. McKibben to the Pierce College Board of Trustees, former Senator David Frockt to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, and former Senator Christine Rolfes to the Olympic College Board of Trustees. Each appointee described their background in higher education, public service, and community college or university advocacy, and members asked about attendance, board service, and how they would help bridge legislative and institutional priorities. The committee also held a work session on Central Washington University’s geothermal and decarbonization efforts, with staff explaining the university’s open-loop geothermal system, planned geo-eco plants, and climate action goals tied to state clean building and decarbonization mandates. CWU officials said the project is intended to reduce emissions, support campus heating and cooling, and serve as a living laboratory for students. In executive session, the committee moved to report a panel of gubernatorial appointments, including the higher education appointments heard that day, with a recommendation that they be confirmed. The motion passed by voice vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to open public testimony on Senate Bill 2986.
• Senate Bill 1032 opens up the Governor's University Research Initiative, also known as...
• With public testimony open on Senate Bill 1032, is there anyone?
• Okay, we'll open up public testimony on Senate Bill 2683 the chair. Mr.
• That, before we open up public testimony on... Senate Bill 2683.

Bills: SB2972 , SB1909 , SB2815 , SB735 , SB2233 , SB800 , SB1069 , SB2683 , SB2986 , SB2058 , SB2310 , SB2055 , SB1032

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• That product is for owner-occupied primary homes.
• That product is for owner-occupied primary homes.
• That product is for owner-occupied primary homes.
• That product is for owner-occupied primary homes.
• The primary problem that we wanted to address was the availability of insurance to AOAOs, especially

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees held an informational briefing on efforts to expand insurance capacity in Hawaii’s property market, especially for condominium and homeowners coverage. The Insurance Commissioner reviewed the background: a legislative task force, the governor’s emergency proclamation in August 2024, and Senate Bill 1044 in May 2025 led to new condo insurance products. He said the work over the past two and a half years was producing positive results and introduced representatives from HPIA and HHRF/HHR to provide updates. HPIA’s board chair and its administrator described the organization’s history, structure, and current products. HPIA said it was created in 1991 as a residual market for homeowners insurance, now writing four residential products: HO2 homeowners, renters, HO6 condo unit owners, and dwelling fire. They reported policy counts have grown again as admitted-market carriers tightened underwriting, and they discussed financial pressure from reinsurance costs, though those costs had declined in 2025 after different purchasing decisions. They also said the market has become more favorable overall, with some capacity returning and deductibles beginning to ease. Members focused much of their questioning on HPIA’s proposed higher dwelling limits. HPIA explained that the current $450,000 limit for homeowners and dwelling fire was set in 2023, but agents are now asking for a higher limit in the $650,000 to $750,000 range because construction costs have risen and many policies are not being submitted when the limit is too low. HPIA said it has the authority to raise the limit through a filing with the Insurance Division and expects more submissions if the cap increases. They also discussed the shift in the book of business from roughly 70% lava-zone coverage to closer to a 50/50 split between lava and non-lava risks. HPIA outlined strategic initiatives: a new policy administration system that went live October 1 and now allows online payments, online claims reporting, and electronic notices; a filed request to raise the homeowners and dwelling fire limit to $650,000 effective March 1 for new business and April 1 for renewals; an increase in the HO6 condo unit owners limit from $5,000 to $100,000; and a planned commercial property all-other-perils-excluding-hurricane condo product targeted for filing by January 31. No votes were taken, and the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the permission of the primary sponsors, I move to be added as a co-sponsor to a number of bills
• With the permission<00:40:10.320><c> of</c><00:40:10.400><c> the</c><00:40:10.640><c> primary</c><00:
• the primary sponsors, I move<00:40:12.079><c> to</c><00:40:12.240><c> be</c><00:40:12.400><c> added<
• </c><00:47:19.920><c> sponsor</c> &gt;&gt; With the permission, the primary sponsor &gt;&gt; With the
• permission, the primary sponsor move<00:47:20.480><c> to</c><00:47:20.560><c> be</c><00:47:20.640><c

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:13.839><c> co-sponsor</c> and I am joined by primary co-sponsor and I am joined by primary
• With nothing further, I would yield to my primary co-sponsor for further discussion. Yes, Mr.
• The primary difference between this and the KY DOGE committee is that the focus of this committee is
• The primary difference between this and the KY DOGE committee is that the focus of this committee is
• </c><00:41:12.839><c> difference</c> representative uh the primary difference representative uh the primary

Keywords: Consideration of HB 491 02:14 Consideration of HB 738 07:58 Guest presentation by Taiwan Consul General Elliott Wang 25:20 Consideration of HCR 50 36:37 Consideration of SB 19 49:29, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 491 by Representative Steve Riley. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute, then heard that the bill would raise the threshold for certain capital project and equipment purchases from $200,000 to $500,000, remove a requirement for a special board meeting when replacing a board of regents member, allow certain employees or contractors to perform capital construction work up to $500,000, remove limits on retired police officers working at postsecondary institutions, and speed release of pension information to employers. Members asked about reporting and oversight of the higher threshold, and the witness said the records are maintained by institutions and available upon request. HB 491 passed on a 19-0 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 738 by Representative Griffey, relating to state personnel and the constitutional officers. The bill would give independently elected constitutional officers more flexibility to hire unclassified employees and set salaries for classified employees up to the midpoint without Personnel Cabinet approval, while leaving pay scales, appropriations, and funding limits unchanged. Representative Griffey and witnesses from the auditor’s office said the measure was intended to reduce red tape, address salary compression, improve pay equity, and help recruit and retain staff; they also said it would allow offices to fill policy roles needed for audits and other work. Members questioned the fiscal note, salary caps, and whether the bill would affect future budget requests. The bill passed 18-1, with one pass, and the chair noted it would move favorably to the House floor. After those bills, the committee briefly welcomed Taiwan’s consul general, Elliot Wang, and Representative Adam Bowling spoke about Kentucky’s relationship with Taiwan, including trade, investment, and prior assistance during disasters. Wang described Taiwan’s economic ties with the United States, ongoing trade and investment developments, defense and education cooperation, and people-to-people exchange programs, noting Kentucky was the first state to sign an education cooperation MOU with Taiwan in 2021.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 870 protects California's primary water delivery system by creating a fund that, upon appropriation
• So we want this to be opened up.
• I am committed to continuing this work, and I am open to any changes the committee feels are necessary
• We will open the roll on Senate Bill 950 to add on. The motion is do pass to the Senate floor.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start of the meeting. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and rescheduled for the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures were taken up with waived presentations, brief public testimony, and then moved to suspense without objection. Several bills received author presentations and discussion. SB 872 by Senator McNerney proposed a long-term funding mechanism for Delta levee and State Water Project canal repairs, with strong support from water agencies, environmental groups, and regional coalitions emphasizing flood risk, water reliability, and protection of state assets; the bill was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize, but not require, blue emergency lights on parole vehicles; supporters from the parole officers’ union cited officer safety and the death of parole agent Joshua Bird, and it too was moved to suspense. SB 950 by Senator Richardson would require coverage of FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; the committee noted the estimated premium impact was minimal and voted 7-0 for due pass to the Senate floor, while asking the author to consider a sunset amendment. The committee also heard testimony on SB 1123, where the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association opposed the measure on policy grounds, but it was still sent to suspense. SB 1069 and SB 1138 drew support from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and Silicon Valley Clean Energy, respectively. The remaining suspense-file bills on the agenda were largely taken up in sequence with no opposition or committee questions and were moved to suspense without objection, and the meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 870 protects California's primary water delivery system by creating a fund that, upon appropriation
• So we want this to be open.
• I am committed to continuing this work, and I am open to any changes the committee feels are necessary
• We will open the roll on Senate Bill 950 to add on. The motion is do pass to the Senate floor.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It leaves open-carry rules and all existing exceptions for law enforcement, authorized security, et cetera
• A boating bill and presidential primary. Okay.
• The bottom floor is not a courtroom, correct, but yet they don't want to open that up.
• and committee, so I'm all for the Second Amendment and carrying your weapons and concealed weapons, open

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to get my primary right page, I apologize, Mr. Chairman. I apologize, Mr. Chairman.
• So, committee, further discussion, or I'm open to motions at this point. Senator Adams: Mr.
• Yeah, so it is simply the intent is to open this up as a tool that applies to...
• The intent is to open this up as a tool that applies to county land that is not part of the city limits

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is open for questions. See no questions. I wash down.
• This upgrades the technology for the Department of Commerce, who is the primary agency responsible for
• Open for questions. Member does yield a question. Not seeing any questions.
• It's open for questions and moved for adoption. Remember, does yield to questions?

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Keywords: Oklahoma Youth Expo, OYE, 4-H, FFA, agriculture, agricultural education, youth expo, livestock show, junior livestock, scholarships, youth leadership, Oklahoma City, rural communities, ag mechanics, engineering contest, farm youth, student recognition, ceremonial resolution, house resolution, livestock competition

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed those on opening day, and they were pretty milquetoast.
• I am glad to hear that you're open to this maybe being caucus policies, because I have some of the same
• Women's Open.
• And it is one of the primary protections that we rely on to ensure that the voices of all our Indigenous

Bills: SR1 , SM1 , SM6

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: alcohol consumption, Senate rules, legislative conduct, ethics, New Mexico Senate, redistricting, gerrymandering, election integrity, Congress, voter rights, political polarization, Nancy Lopez, Roswell bypass, US Highway 285, U.S. Highway 285, Highway 285 bypass, road naming, highway naming, memorial, transportation department

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go ahead and open the hearing on HB 2089 with a briefing from Tracy Taylor.
• And we are going to open the public hearing on HB 1960.”
• It's much too open to interpretation.
• Our primary issue with the bill before us today is that we don't think it necessarily hits the mark.

Summary: House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding. Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, with that we'll close the hearing on House Bill 2317 and we'll open up House Bill 2099, expanding
• We're very open to that.
• ECAP preschool program in a way that directly benefits JBLM-connected military families because it opens
• aware, Rainier RHC recently received citations for failure to provide active treatment, one of the primary

Bills: HB2099 , HB2317 , HB2318 , HB2350

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: military families, early childhood education, access, assistance program, education equity, HB2317, early learning, child care licensing, day care, preschool, Head Start, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Washington State, RCW 43.216, child care center, family home provider, family child care, outdoor nature-based child care, school-age child care

Transcript Highlights:

• when you have finished and the chair dismisses you and/or your panel, please log off from Teams and open
• When you have finished and the chair dismiss you and or your panel, please log off from teams and open
• with ESRD become eligible for Medicare and most of them choose to enroll in the program as their primary
• five-year-old who had already been on our wait list for 10 months, and I had to tell them we still had no openings

Bills: H4353 , H4425 , H4453 , H4623 , H4770 , S2587 , S2737

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid, reimbursement rates, healthcare providers, service delivery, accreditation, Medicare, end-stage renal disease, healthcare access, patient coverage, renal failure, MassHealth, asset limit, personal vehicle exemption, vehicle value, healthcare, autism, ABA services, assistive technology, children

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we welcome together an open minds and shared purpose.
• As a workforce board, Our primary job is to ensure that residents in our region have access to quality
• And we, Davis Chronicle of Study, when we did that, that's when the pipeline, the prison pipeline opened
• the first panel from UCLA, being able to incentivize businesses to actually pay interns and sort of open

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're open for questions. Uh, Representative Mirbal Moya. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• wellness programs into a single platform, hopefully one application, regardless of carrier, and make it open
• Chair, members of the committee, um, NMSA has HMO plans, so our plans are open access plans.
• streams that flow through IDEA and instead, they want to push that money out to states through the primary