Bills: SB2256 , SB2053 , SB2090 , SB2169 , SB2245 , SB2519 , SB2765 , SB3055 , SB3102 , SB3118 , SB3144 , SB3248 , HCR43 , HCR69 , HCR188 , HB2300 , HB1605 , HB2094 , HB1166 , HB1970 , HB1969 , HB2050 , HB2165 , HB2271 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB1972 , HB2208 , HB2310 , HB1801 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB1976 , HB2246 , HB2319 , HB1541 , HB2606 , HB2343 , HB1853 , HB1840 , HB1785 , HB1952 , HB2551 , HB2171 , HB1661 , HB1802 , HB1663 , HB1838 , HB1960 , HB1815 , HB2599 , HB1769 , HB2315 , HB1860 , HB1891 , HB2104 , HB2158 , HB389 , HB1510 , HB2089 , HB2090 , HB2099 , HB1516 , HB1548 , HB1481 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2275 , HB1658 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2276 , HB2335 , HB1656 , HB2207 , HB2289 , HB1854 , HB2581 , HB20 , HB2296 , HB1707 , HB2297 , HB1890 , HB2241 , HB2474 , HB1740 , HB2472 , HB1688 , HB2345 , HB2546 , HB1574 , HB1546 , HB2218 , HB1163 , HB1523 , HB2021 , HB1524 , HB2020

Keywords: Brother Joseph Dutton, Kalaupapa, historic recognition, observance, Hawaii history, salvage vehicles, vehicle title transfer, electronic signatures, insurance, administrative efficiency, child custody, mental health, evaluations, licensed counselors, family court, SB2245, Hawaii ethics, revolving door, state employee ethics, cooling-off period

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a chance to secure our future and prevent cuts to health care in years to come.
• Faculty carry heavier teaching loads, often on short-term contracts, without the pay or security that
• I would have to stay home to care for him and would only have my Social Security for support.
• This body also failed to pass a bill that would have prevented the seizure of Social Security income
• This body also failed to pass a bill that would have prevented the seizure of social security income

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a chance to secure our future and prevent cuts to health care in years to come.
• Faculty carry heavier teaching loads, often on short-term contracts, without the pay or security that
• I would have to stay home to care for him and would only have my Social Security for support.
• deposit. ...from parents who do not care about anything but a Social Security deposit.
• Throughout my career, I witnessed families struggle to secure services such as housing and food.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some violations, including certain violations of the Women's Economic Security Act, retaliation, and
• Act, retaliation, and more are Security Act, retaliation, and more are so<00:04:11.680><c> time</c><
• Commission on Civil Rights recommended eliminating subminimum wages for people with disabilities.
• Some violations, including certain violations of the Women's Economic Security Act, retaliation, and
• </c> the Department of Homeland Security the Department of Homeland Security conference<00:48:19.040>

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 10:45.600><c> the</c><00:10:46.000><c> Public</c><00:10:46.320><c> Service</c><00:10:46.640><c> Commission
• </c> provides the Public Service Commission provides the Public Service Commission with<00:10:47.279>
• <00:43:14.079><c> property</c><00:43:14.880><c> used</c><00:43:15.119><c> to</c><00:43:15.280><c> secure
• </c><00:43:15.599><c> a</c><00:43:15.760><c> loan</c> personal property used to secure a loan personal
• property used to secure a loan in<00:43:16.319><c> the</c><00:43:16.480><c> event</c><00:43:16.640><

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with Senate Bill 21104, and we're going to recognize Commissioner Jay McDaniel with the Gaming Commission
• Office Investigations, the Mississippi Office of<00:19:14.000><c> Homeland</c><00:19:14.480><c> Security
• , and our Forensics of Homeland Security, and our Forensics Lab.<00:19:16.640><c> Um,</c><00:19:17.200
• Chair. >> Commission, we appreciate you. &gt;&gt; Commission, we appreciate you.
• &gt;&gt; Commission, we appreciate you. &gt;&gt; Appreciate<00:24:34.480><c> you.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The use of a secure electronic ballot return portal would greatly increase the security of ballots being
• It's about balancing access and security.
• briefings that we receive from Homeland Security.
• briefings that we receive from Homeland Security.
• Records related to actual security breaches are not shielded.

Bills: SB6081 , SB5902 , SB6034 , SB6035 , SB5892 , SB5973

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: SB 6081, Washington privacy, sex designation, gender marker, nonbinary, transgender, vital records, birth certificate, death certificate, fetal death, stillbirth, driver license, ID card, Department of Licensing, public records exemption, confidential records, record sealing, data sharing, government records, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• money, the treasurer just writes the money directly to these based on the percentages, there's a commission
• that oversees it, okay, an appointed commission.
• other thing that could happen is you could pressure the governor to reappoint new people to that commission
• When we have that uncertainty in D.C., it is good to have some security and consistency here at the state
• When we have that uncertainty in D.C., it is good to have some security and consistency here at the state

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee first met in executive session and voted 8-0, with one member absent, to do pass House Bill 3405. Members described the bill as clarifying how pass-through entity tax information and credits are handled, with supporters saying it would reduce confusion and administrative burden while preserving the tax credit. In public hearing, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2457 and House Bill 1782, both related to food pantry tax credits. HB 2457 would extend the food pantry/soup kitchen/homeless shelter credit to 2032, add food banks as eligible entities, and raise the cap from $1.75 million to $4 million, while keeping the credit at 50 percent. HB 1782 would remove the sunset from the food pantry tax credit. Supporters said food banks and related charities need stable, predictable funding to address rising hunger and food waste; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 3518, which would redirect the existing athletes and entertainers tax into a dedicated fund and require distribution to arts, humanities, libraries, public broadcasting, and historic preservation, while extending the sunset to 2060. The sponsor and supporters argued the money was intended for these purposes and that current appropriations fall short of the statutory split, creating instability for cultural and educational organizations. Witnesses from arts groups, libraries, and humanities organizations cited economic impact, statewide reach, and the need for long-term planning; some members raised concerns about oversight, general revenue impacts, and the long sunset, but no vote was taken on HB 3518 in this transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calculations of excess treasurer commission were not prepared or distributed in a timely manner.
• Calculations of excess treasurer commission were not prepared or distributed in a timely manner.
• On the treasurer's commission, I have done that.
• I quit my full-time job and the security I had to focus on my hometown.
• I quit my full-time job and the security I had to focus on my hometown.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the February 12 minutes and then received updates on delinquent municipal water and sewer reports, noting substantial progress in bringing cities back into compliance. Several items were deferred at the request of local officials, including Fargo’s municipal accounting code report, Jericho’s misuse of street funds matter, Biggers, Holly Grove, Gilmore, and several private water and sewer reports lacking proper responses. The committee also filed a number of reports with no questions or with resolved findings. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on repeat audit findings and management responses. The City of Strong’s mayor described corrective steps on undeposited funds, improper use of solid waste funds, unsupported spending, IRS payroll tax issues, accounting controls, restricted fund transfers, and budget overruns; the committee commended the city’s efforts and filed the report. Calhoun County’s report, involving improper county spending for an appreciation banquet and altered receipts in the collector’s office, was also filed after discussion about educating local officials on constitutional spending limits. Other reports filed included Salem, Briarcliffe, Compton Water Association, and Montgomery County Regional Public Water Authority, while several private water reports were deferred or referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The committee reviewed a major regional solid waste management districts report, with significant findings for Pulaski County and Faulkner County involving unapproved payroll items, missing documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, lack of competitive bids, and weak internal controls; Benton County had fewer issues, and several districts had no findings. On motion, the Pulaski County report was deferred so district representatives could answer questions. The committee also heard from Nevada County, where unauthorized withdrawals and interlocal landfill agreement problems were discussed; the county judge said the issues were being corrected, and the report was filed. Later, the committee heard from the City of Grubbs about long-standing IRS debt and from Cross County Rural Water System about overdue audit posting and water quality problems; both witnesses described corrective efforts and ongoing funding or infrastructure projects, and the committee filed the reports after extensive discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The additional amount is, if we were to go ahead and secure it, and it's, The additional amount is if
• we were to go ahead and secure, and it's not, this won't happen, but there will be a small amount that
• process is basically about the electricity attributes, so it doesn't rewrite the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• process is basically about the electricity attributes, so it doesn't rewrite the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• safety rules. waste Israel with regards to ...rewrite the Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety rules

Bills: SB47 , SB195 , SB196 , SB197 , SB198 , SB78

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, soil conservation, water resources, training services, outreach programs, environmental protection, animal care, veterinary services, spay and neuter, Las Vegas, community funding, animal welfare, animal shelter

Transcript Highlights:

• That scale of event brings new security challenges, and one of the most serious is the misuse of drones
• I think it's in the national security interest. So, thanks. Questions for the bill sponsor?
• So a drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• A drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• And so it's no different than anything else used in the course of the commission of a crime.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That scale of event brings new security challenges, and one of the most serious is the misuse of drones
• I think it's in the national security interest. So, thanks. Questions for the bill sponsor?
• So a drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• A drone used in the course of the commission of a crime.
• And so it's no different than anything else used in the course of the commission of a crime.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Crime and Public Safety first heard House Bill 397, a companion to HB 1882, which would create a youth police initiative tax credit to support the Youth Police Initiative program. Representative Tiffany Price and supporters described the program as a way to build trust between at-risk youth and law enforcement through a week-long, relationship-based experience. Testifying in support were a youth participant, Kansas City Police Department Commander Kari Thompson, and others who said the program improved behavior, mentorship, and community trust. Members raised questions about the tax credit structure, eligible entities, and how the program would operate, but no opposition testified. The committee then heard House Bill 2055, which would fix a language issue in Missouri’s hands-free cell phone law so municipalities can enforce mirror ordinances in their own municipal courts. Representative Jeff Vernetti and several law enforcement witnesses said the current statute prevents local enforcement and forces cases into overburdened county or state systems. Supporters argued the change would improve efficiency and roadway safety while preserving the law as a secondary offense. No one testified in opposition. House Bill 2587, sponsored by Representative Jones, followed and would update Missouri law on unmanned aircraft to address drone threats near critical infrastructure and large public gatherings, including upcoming World Cup events in Kansas City. The sponsor and law enforcement supporters said the bill would allow trained officers to detect, track, and mitigate dangerous drone activity using federally authorized tools, while protecting lawful recreational drone use. Some members and the Missouri Chamber raised concerns about the scope of “mitigation,” possible use of force, and the need to avoid conflict with federal rules, but supporters said the bill includes guardrails and notice requirements. After the hearings, the committee adopted a committee substitute combining HB 1882 and HB 3097 and voted the combined substitute do pass by a 16-0 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• to prepare the state for the coming challenges... that will impact so many issues, including food security
• commitment to offshore wind that was allocated in the portion That's going towards the California Energy Commission
• Remind me again the timing—the **Little Hoover Commission** evaluation of the governor's reorganization
• The **Little Hoover Commission** process was actually already published, and the plan went into effect
• we want to thank Assemblymember Jackson (member_20229), Michael, Nicole, and budget leaders for securing

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means that reciprocity in the U.S. security should be considered in all dealings with China and
• and economic security issues can be taking place.
• We both served on the China Commission. We held a lot of hearings about human rights.
• as part of their broader civil-military fusion strategy to threaten our economic security.
• . interests and national security interests?

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy

Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.

Transcript Highlights:

• families, for our soldiers who protect our borders, and for our civic leaders who govern for all and secure
• had a task force that returned from the southern border where the efforts positively impacted the security
• In this vital role, our headquarters established the joint task force that synchronized security, aviation
• We also plan to meet with the Director of Security Intelligence and the Acting Cyber Chief.
• There, each year, over 80,000 soldiers are mobilized, trained, and kept ready to meet national security

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with ceremonial opening proceedings, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of calendar actions, including discharging and substituting identical companion bills from committee and restoring several bills to the Third Reading Calendar after reconsideration. The chamber also took up a supplemental budget calendar and a controversial supplemental budget extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning the delay in final budget negotiations, the size of the extender, table targets, and unresolved policy issues such as auto insurance reforms, SEQRA, New York for All, and CLCPA changes. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were ongoing and that the extender was a clean measure to keep state government functioning. The budget extender bills were then passed, with Senator Weik voting in the negative on one of them. The Senate also adopted a resolution memorializing May 4, 2026, as 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day, and hosted Major General Scott Naumann and other Fort Drum leaders and soldiers for remarks on the division’s deployments, readiness, economic impact, and requests for continued state support on items such as microreactors, health care, DMV services, dining facilities, airports, and mineral-related development. The Fort Drum resolution drew extensive bipartisan praise from Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Minority Leader Ortt, Senator Scarcella-Spanton, Senator Ashby, Senator Walczyk, and others, who emphasized the division’s military history, its role as a major employer and economic driver in Northern New York, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. Several senators highlighted individual soldiers in attendance and their service records, while the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and adopted. The Senate also recognized a visiting child author, Thomas Ortiz, who was introduced for publishing a book encouraging kindness and friendship. After the ceremonial segment, the Senate returned to regular business and passed a series of bills on the calendar, including measures affecting environmental conservation, executive law, public service, education, public authorities, real property tax, criminal procedure, election law, and civil rights. Some bills drew negative votes from a bloc of senators, particularly on the environmental, criminal procedure, election, and civil rights measures, but all listed bills were ultimately passed. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• conducts innovative research and development to anticipate and solve the most critical national security
• Or quantum networking for critical infrastructure security?
• And then there's also the security, like the digitized stuff that you're getting out the door.
• There are a lot of security risks with that as well.
• Logistics, optimization, security, using the base quantum mechanics to provably secure technologies and

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• One theme that I think runs throughout our work is the notion of economic security.
• Housing stability and food security improved significantly among participants.
• has set for me. ...the income limit that Social Security has set for me.
• Half of them improved and maintained their housing security.
• Social Security payments have worked for many, many years.

Bills: HB21 , HB211 , HB223 , HB323 , HB524 , HB530 , HB636 , HB762 , HB21 , HB211 , HB223

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• This definition was amended to any person employed by any department, institution, commission, board,
• We were going to leave that to Court Administration and to the Prosecution Commission for this.
• We left, we were going to leave that to Court Administration and to the Prosecution Commission for this
• So if you get a chance, I think you should reach out to the Commission and thank them for what they’re
• I would argue that our SC-250 Commission has blown them out of the water when it comes to all of the

Keywords: 977, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work on strategic security engagement at OpenAI, where I sit across our global affairs and security
• , using these models to secure their own code and systems.
• We track all of that with short- and long-term security monitoring.
• But this isn't just a network security problem or a network security challenge.
• For us, this is our own security operations centers.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how frontier AI is changing cybersecurity, with testimony from OpenAI, Anthropic, Palo Alto Networks, California OES/Cal-CSIC, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Witnesses said AI is making attacks faster, cheaper, and more scalable, while also giving defenders new tools for vulnerability discovery, incident response, and patching. Several recent incidents were discussed, including AI systems autonomously reaching real production systems during testing, and AI-assisted cyber activity against critical infrastructure, especially water systems and operational technology. OpenAI and Anthropic described their internal safety and evaluation processes, including pre-release testing, layered safeguards, monitoring, and restricted access programs for vetted defenders. They discussed the recent Hugging Face and related incidents as lessons in safer testing, stronger isolation, and the need for independent review. Both companies emphasized that the same capabilities that can find vulnerabilities can also be used offensively, and said they are working to put advanced cyber tools into the hands of trusted defenders, including California agencies and utilities. State officials from Cal OES said California is expanding its cyber posture through CalSecure 2.0, the California Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook, MS-ISAC membership, and a secure portal for reporting under SB 53. They said the state is working with CDT, local governments, and critical infrastructure partners to improve cyber hygiene, information sharing, and incident response, especially for water districts and other resource-strapped entities. Palo Alto Networks described the scale of current threats and the value of machine-speed defense, virtual patching, and attack-surface monitoring. Lawrence Livermore warned that open-weight models pose distinct risks because they can be downloaded, modified, and used without developer oversight, and argued that the U.S. should not cede leadership in that space to China. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with calls for continued collaboration and follow-up briefings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Heather McVey, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, in support.
• </c> of uh Kapalama Neighborhood Security of uh Kapalama Neighborhood Security Walk<00:43:38.560><c>
• Next we have Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission in support. >> Okay. Please identify yourself.
• All I have here is a commission. >> Uh, aloha. Good afternoon.
• Michael Glory Jr., Vice Chair of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.