Transcript Highlights:

• Number one: the legislature should consider requiring general contractors to post a notice on all job
• Number one being, the legislature should consider requiring general contractors to post a notice on all
• We're also required to issue either the notice of assessment or determination of compliance within 60
• And that, unfortunately, was significantly disrupted by this funding lapse.
• And that unfortunately was significantly disrupted by this funding lapse.

Summary: The committee heard a report on the Underground Economy Task Force in Washington’s construction industry. Labor and Industries said the task force, created by a 2024 budget proviso, met 11 times and developed consensus recommendations to improve enforcement against worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums. Consensus items included defining and regulating construction labor providers, improving interagency data sharing, increasing penalties for repeat offenders, expanding L&I authority over successor accountability, reviewing agency penalty rules, and exploring tracking of cash payments. Majority-but-not-consensus ideas included posting subcontractor notices at job sites, setting an independent-contractor threshold that would trigger L&I review, holding direct contractors liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, and reviewing reporting requirements. Testifiers from labor, business, and the Attorney General’s Office generally supported stronger enforcement and transparency, while business representatives cautioned against overregulation and said any new rules should avoid burdening legitimate contractors or restricting lawful cash payments and independent contracting. L&I said the final report would be distributed by December 31 and the task force work group would be reconvened. The committee then reviewed the wage recovery work group report. L&I explained current wage complaint procedures and said the work group, made up of labor and business representatives, reached five consensus recommendations: allow L&I to prioritize wage complaints strategically, permit aggregation of related complaints, raise the minimum penalty under the Wage Payment Act from $1,000 to $1,500 and create a penalty matrix, improve employer awareness with materials for new hires, and establish a wage recovery fund. The fund would be seeded by penalties, would not require new employer assessments, and would allow limited early payments to eligible workers facing hardship, with a proposed cap of $2,500 and a later review of the program. Business and labor representatives both supported the overall framework, though business raised concerns about fraud safeguards and recovery of funds if a claim is later found invalid. Members also received an overview of Washington’s apprenticeship system. L&I described the state’s apprenticeship agency structure, the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, and the difference between Washington’s state apprenticeship standards and the federal Office of Apprenticeship system. The presentation highlighted current participation levels, program approval and objection processes, and strong post-completion outcomes, including median annual earnings above $100,000 and an estimated $7.80 return for every public dollar invested. Committee members asked about how apprentices apply, how sponsors work with L&I, and whether recurring objections could be addressed earlier in the process. Finally, the committee heard updates on wildland firefighter respiratory protection, federal cuts to NIOSH, and economic and federal policy impacts on unemployment insurance and workforce services. L&I said wildland firefighters face significant smoke exposure and cancer risk, but current rules do not require respiratory protection for that work because of technical and operational challenges; the agency is watching efforts in other jurisdictions and at the federal level. On NIOSH, L&I warned that federal staffing and grant cuts could weaken occupational safety research, training pipelines, and programs affecting Washington workers, including firefighter cancer tracking and Hanford exposure assessments. ESD reported rising UI claims, a stable unemployment rate, and pressure on the trust fund, while also describing technology and process changes that have improved claims handling. ESD also said HR1 will significantly increase demand on WorkSource services through new work-search requirements for SNAP and Medicaid recipients, creating an unfunded mandate that the agency is preparing to implement with partner agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we do have a jail in Clay County that has given notice, so to speak.
• But I noticed that the lapse of general revenue for the last three years is $1.
• And it just makes me nervous when I see $1 in lapse on GR over a three-year period.
• You've got the lapse in the GR, and I really appreciate that. It's extraordinarily.
• I noticed a trend. There is. I notice a trend. There is a trend. There is a trend.

Summary: The Budget Committee heard the Department of Mental Health’s FY 2027 budget presentation, with Director Valerie Hoon outlining a $4.4 billion department budget, including $1.7 billion in general revenue, and describing the department’s roles in substance use, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities services. Early questioning focused on marijuana-related mental health impacts, but the main discussion centered on the department’s new decision items, funding sources, and expected wait lists. The director explained several increases tied to Medicaid growth, mental health youth services, outpatient competency restoration, crisis residential services, developmental disability waivers, and provider tax adjustments, along with offsets such as reduced wraparound funding at the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center and cuts to some youth and self-directed DD services. A major portion of the hearing focused on competency restoration for people found unfit to stand trial and currently held in county jails. Members pressed the department on the cost, effectiveness, and legal implications of keeping people in jail while awaiting services, noting a reported wait list of roughly 524 to 538 individuals and average holds of about 14 months. The department said it currently has eight outpatient competency restoration beds in the community, is seeking funding for 50 additional outpatient slots, and also operates jail-based restoration for about 40 people at a time. Members repeatedly asked for breakdowns of violent versus nonviolent cases, success rates, cost per person, and the split between state and federal funding, while the department explained that Medicaid can cover only the treatment portion, not residential housing or other non-billable costs. The committee also discussed broader capacity constraints in state hospitals and developmental disability services. Hoon said Fulton, Center for Behavioral Medicine, and FTC North are full, with 183 vacancies across the department, and that the department is working on a new Kansas City hospital that would add 150 beds, though completion is now expected closer to 2029 or 2030. In the developmental disabilities section, the department warned that the governor’s recommendation would create wait lists for in-home waiver services and crisis residential services, and members questioned proposed reductions to self-directed services rates and other provider payments. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed before finishing the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the lapse may need that coverage.
• </c><01:16:11.840><c> to</c> public hearings with adequate notice to public hearings with adequate notice
• </c> got a notice of our insurance company. got a notice of our insurance company.
• </c><02:52:56.880><c> they're</c> not clear about is what notice they're not clear about is what notice
• </c> getting a little off the but notices getting a little off the but notices that<02:53:19.439><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In regard to this, this is coming from a GR lapse.
• feds have lapsed $64,000.
• Well, I appreciate that you noticed.
• Well, I appreciate that you noticed.
• I believe there's sufficient lapse.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if it had even been working, the notices were being ignored anyway.
• It just, yeah, from reports, but the contract lapsed during the time frame.
• We do have a statewide website, which is a repository for all public notice.
• our statewide public notice website, we get a ton of traffic.
• This one is much more focused, but it is still a public notice issue.

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on Senate Bill 123, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a legislative process for removing judges for cause. Senator Morris said the bill was needed because of uncertainty in the current Constitution about whether impeachment applies to judges, given the Judiciary Commission’s role in judicial discipline. He argued the measure would provide a clearer, higher-threshold accountability mechanism, and the committee adopted a technical amendment renumbering provisions and later clarified that the bill uses a majority vote in the House and two-thirds in the Senate, consistent with impeachment-style thresholds. Much of the hearing centered on testimony from Anna Carter and her family, who supported the bill after the murder of Jacob Carter in New Orleans. They described his death and other cases they said showed judges releasing dangerous offenders despite repeated violations, missed electronic-monitoring check-ins, and other warning signs. They argued the bill would create a last-resort accountability tool when judicial decisions or supervision failures lead to preventable harm. Several committee members expressed sympathy and said the testimony highlighted serious problems in the justice system, though some also suggested the bill should address district attorneys, electronic-monitoring oversight, or broader systemic issues. Opposition came from members who warned the proposal was overly broad, could become a political tool, and might conflict with existing constitutional provisions governing impeachment and judicial discipline. They argued the Judiciary Commission and Supreme Court already provide a disciplinary framework and that the bill could chill judicial independence or create due-process concerns. The ACLU’s Sarah Whittington also opposed the bill, noting technical inconsistencies in the draft, questioning why impeachment had not been tried first, and arguing the measure singled out judicial discretion while leaving other elected officials’ discretion untouched. The committee took no final vote on the bill during the hearing, but did adopt the technical amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see the notices listed there. Mr. Odom, on the amendment.
• someone is distracted while crossing the road, even if they're not really at fault, they're not noticing
• Lapses of insurance. You're asking for them to come up, Representative?
• It provides relative to lapses and motor vehicle liability security, and we do have a set of amendments
• Again, this is actually looking at the fees with our violations for lapses of insurance.

Bills: HB309, HB487, HB503, HB590, HB606, HB679, HB693, HB695, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB746, HB777, HB846, HB849, HB856, HB868, HB873, HB875

Keywords: pedestrian safety, cellphone usage, crosswalk regulations, traffic laws, distracted walking, red light, traffic signal, traffic-control signals, traffic violation, traffic safety, road rage, shoulder lane, turn lane, passing stopped vehicle, overtaking at intersection, intersection safety, motor vehicle, driver fine, citation, Louisiana traffic law

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 with a quorum present and first deferred three local bills at the sponsor’s request: HB 590, HB 679, and HB 873. The committee then advanced HB 503, which cleans up prior local language for Golden Meadow by removing a reference to electric golf carts and updating the definition of utility terrain vehicles; the technical amendment set was adopted and the bill was reported with amendments. HB 720, dealing with tacit dedication of roads and preserving historic public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably after members agreed to continue working on the amendment language before floor debate. The committee spent substantial time on HB 309, which originally made it a crime to walk in a crosswalk while looking at a cell phone. After amendments converted the proposal to a $25 civil fine and added a rebuttable presumption of liability for damages, members from both parties raised concerns about enforceability, tourism and urban pedestrian patterns, free-will and overreach arguments, and the lack of data tying the conduct specifically to crosswalk crashes. The author argued the measure was intended to promote situational awareness and reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities, but after opposition testimony the bill was voluntarily deferred. Members then reported HB 856, which expands DOTD’s use of indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity construction contracting and adds the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, after technical amendments clarified the contracts are for construction-phase work. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who use shoulders or turning lanes to bypass red lights, was reported with a technical correction after police support testimony. HB 846, prohibiting license plate coverings or films that obscure plates, was reported favorably after law enforcement support and discussion of clear frames versus obscuring covers. HB 733 and HB 875, both tied to OMV fee and lapse-of-insurance recommendations from the Legislative Auditor, were reported with amendments adjusting grace periods and offense timing. The committee also took up HB 695 on consensual non-commercial towing permits. After extensive questioning about whether the bill applied to multiple vehicles, interstate travel, OMV implementation, and the practicality of an honor-system QR code permit, the sponsor agreed to amend the bill to cover multiple vehicles and then voluntarily defer it for further work with OMV and State Police. HB 777, requiring a driver’s license renewal knowledge exam, was amended at the department’s request and then voluntarily deferred for further review. HB 868, prompted by a fatal trailer accident involving a farmer’s wife, would require trailers to meet safety-chain and braking standards consistent with manufacturer specifications or federal standards; after concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, HB 707 moved the LPG Commission’s marketing functions to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and was reported with a technical amendment, HB 693 on legislative district highway signs was voluntarily deferred after amendments, and HB 746 on local oversized trucking permits opened a broader discussion about parish-by-parish permit disparities, with the sponsor proposing a one-year moratorium on new local standards while stakeholders work toward a more uniform system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Gray responded that the lapse is within the broader budget picture and that the lapse is actually
• going to be more, as he remembered the lapse issue.
• Uh lapse out of this year's uh budget.
• and the rest of departments take notice. and the rest of departments take notice. the<00:18:35.520><c
• A member asked whether that meant all the money due to lapse would lapse.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those funds are going to lapse because they lapsed, and we would have to encumber them by June 30th this
• </c> not lapse. not lapse.
• &gt;&gt; lapsed? &gt;&gt; lapsed?
• Those funds are going to lapse because<00:49:28.000><c> they</c><00:49:28.240><c> lapsed</c><00:49:28.720
• Uh, the $100 million that's about to lapse in six months—why is it lapsing? >> Cash. >> No, no, no.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> was a mistake and and can we notice was a mistake and and can we notice where<00:35:48.960><c> in
• Okay, and this non-lapsing part, it wouldn't normally lapse, right?
• So, to the extent that they can spend faster or more, there'll be less lapses, fewer lapses.
• lapses fewer lapses so there'll be less lapses fewer lapses so um<01:28:29.840><c> I</c><01:28:29.920
• lapse lapse amount<01:45:12.840><c> any</c><01:45:13.239><c> remaining</c><01:45:13.440><c> funds</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• so now they have all of the engineering work done and no money to do the work because they let it lapse
• budget and the money was in the previous budget and it<00:22:36.000><c> had</c><00:22:36.159><c> lapsed
• </c> the work because they let it lapse the work because they let it lapse unintentionally.<00:22:45.120
• And you know what, I think next time if we have late bills again, we're going to put that notice out,
• to put that notice out, I think.<00:39:20.000><c> Uh</c><00:39:20.400><c> but</c><00:39:20.800><c> uh

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:08:22.080><c> even</c> don't I'll just use the word lapse even don't I'll just use the word lapse
• </c><01:08:29.600><c> should</c> the numbers right now, the lapse should the numbers right now, the lapse
• </c> 1st or a January 1 date, but I noticed 1st or a January 1 date, but I noticed that<03:23:50.720>
• </c> lapsing ability. Uh no change to that. lapsing ability. Uh no change to that.
• I I noticed that a number of these I I noticed that a number of these Senate<04:43:30.638><c> I</c><04

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 met to review revenue estimates and begin working through the HB 1 detail change sheet. New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre reported stronger-than-expected lottery performance, raising the current-year return estimate to $27 million and the next biennium estimate to $200 million, with the increase attributed to improved scratch ticket sales and sports betting not hurting revenue as much as expected. Members questioned the assumptions behind the higher estimates, including the impact of $50 scratch tickets and whether the figures accounted for future conversion from historical horse racing (HHR) machines to video lottery terminals (VLTs). McIntyre and committee members discussed machine counts, per-day revenue assumptions, and the likelihood that VLT conversion would increase revenues over time, though the timing and pace of conversion remained an open question. The committee also discussed several gaming-related policy items in HB 2, including changes to kino hours and local option games of chance, and noted that the Senate and House differed on how gaming revenues would be allocated between charities, education, and general funds. Members emphasized that revenue projections should remain conservative because operators, not the state, would control the pace of machine conversion. Representative Sweeney noted that operators could earn more per machine under the VLT model, and McIntyre said the new facilities and expansions were largely concentrated near the Massachusetts border. The committee then moved to the HB 1 detail change sheet. It agreed to Senate position on the Department of Safety’s road toll bureau and international registration program changes, which were described as a zero-cost realignment of positions, and held the Department of Corrections section for later discussion. On the judicial side, members approved a technical footnote fix, but held a new contract counsel item for involuntary mental health admissions and deferred discussion of the public defender program increase. The committee also noted no change for the PE development authority, moved safety rest area funding from HB 2 into HB 1 with no additional cost, and flagged the tourism development fund and other judicial items as issues that may depend on overall available revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• I noticed today as we were walking in in the annex that there were signs and partitions saying that you
• So yes, noticed today as we were walking in in noticed today as we were walking in in the<00:13:35.440
• If we don't have anything to say, then it lapses.
• </c><00:15:58.160><c> say,</c><00:15:58.560><c> then</c><00:15:58.800><c> it</c><00:15:59.040><c> lapses
• </c><00:16:00.079><c> But</c> anything to say, then it lapses. But anything to say, then it lapses.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 04:28 Election and Swearing In of Constitutional Officers 04:35 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 06:51 HR 1 08:08 HR 2 08:40 HR 3 17:11 Impeachment Petitions reported 18:33 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 20:27 Stand at Ease 20:54 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:30 Adjournment 33:05, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5869 relates to notice of hazards on construction sites.
• The substitute removes certain provisions, including provisions that update L&I notice and communication
• The substitute revises the third-party election demand notice process to allow L&I or a self-insurer
• What we are doing is noticing that we had created a pilot.
• That pilot... ...is noticing that we had created a pilot.

Bills: SB5847, SB6067, SB6136, SB6014, SB5972, SB5869, SB5874, SB6058, SB6039, SB5944, SB6188

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, injured workers, medical provider network, occupational health, occupational medicine, medical care access, L&I, Department of Labor and Industries, self-insured employers, state fund claims, utilization review, provider credentialing, provider network, treatment guidelines, evidence-based medicine, claims management, claims managers, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Summary: The committee opened with a public hearing on Senate Bill 6136, which would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates for each risk class and disclose when rate increases are capped below those indicated levels. The sponsor and business groups said the bill would improve transparency about how reserves and investment earnings are used to hold down rates, while L&I said the information is already developed internally and the bill would mainly require publication. The bill drew broad pro testimony from hospitality, retail, business, and construction groups; no one testified in opposition. The committee then moved into executive session on several bills, adopting substitutes and passing multiple measures, including SB 5292, 6014, 5972, 5869, 5874, 6058, 6039, 5944, and 6180, with most sent to Rules and SB 5292 sent to Ways and Means. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical care by allowing treatment outside the medical provider network in certain circumstances, limiting employer steering, requiring faster utilization review, and allowing providers to deviate from L&I treatment guidelines when medically appropriate. Supporters, including labor representatives, injured-worker attorneys, and construction workers, argued the bill would reduce delays, restore individualized medical decision-making, and better reflect the Murray decision. L&I said it supports reducing delays but warned the bill would make major, untested changes to the medical provider network and treatment-guideline system. Business and self-insured employer groups opposed the bill, saying the current guidelines preserve balance, and raising concerns about vague language, penalties, and the 15-mile provider rule. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve access and medical independence, and public testimony was then closed. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6067, which would change workers’ compensation time-loss benefits so the employer-paid health insurance portion is covered at 100% rather than the current 60% to 75% level. The sponsor and labor witnesses said injured workers should not lose health coverage because of a workplace injury and argued the bill would help families maintain care and encourage kept-on-salary or light-duty options. Opponents from self-insured employers, NFIB, and retail groups said the bill does not guarantee the added benefit will actually be used for health insurance, could be diverted to attorney fees, and would significantly increase costs and rate pressure. L&I said the bill would require IT changes and estimated substantial ongoing benefit costs, while the sponsor and supporters said the policy would better protect injured workers’ health and financial stability. The chair closed public testimony after the final panel and ended the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• way of background, the incorporation of a city or town involves a multi-step process, including a notice

Bills: SB6132, SB6181, SB6154, SB6189, SB5903, SB6037, SB5983, SB5995, SB6016, SB5820, SB6064, SB6077, SB6101, SB6013, SB6066

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit

Summary: The committee heard several local government bills. Senate Bill 6181 would let county legislative authorities in certain large western Washington counties file city incorporation petitions without first gathering resident signatures, if the proposed area is fully within an urban growth boundary and has more than 25,000 people. Senator Conway and Pierce County officials said the change would give dense unincorporated areas like South Hill another path to a public vote on incorporation, while opponents argued it bypasses the 10% signature threshold and that the bill lacks details on boundaries and other incorporation issues. No action was taken during the hearing. Senate Bill 6132 would give the Port of Moses Lake additional bonding authority tied to a tax increment financing area so it can finish a rail project and preserve federal funding. Senator Warnick and port representatives said the bill is narrowly tailored to one port and needed because costs have risen. Senate Bill 6154 would let local governments seek exceptions from hydraulic project approval timelines and allow emergency culvert repair dollars to be redirected to higher-priority fish passage projects elsewhere in a watershed. Thurston and Snohomish county officials, along with city public works staff, supported the bill as a way to maximize fish habitat benefits and manage limited resources, while one remote commenter objected to the underlying fish habitat rationale. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6189, which extends from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028 the deadline for certain cities and counties to create an additional public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities. Olympia, Tumwater, and regional supporters said more time is needed to complete feasibility, financing, and interlocal work for a regional aquatic center. In executive session, the committee did not act on SB 5820 or SB 6064, but advanced SB 6037, SB 5983, SB 5995, SB 6013, and SB 6066 with proposed substitutes or amendments as applicable, sending them to Ways and Means, Rules, or Transportation as noted.

Bills: HB4, HB1, HB2, HB18, HB19, HB20, HB4, HB1, HB 2, HB20, HB19, HB18, HB 4, HB 1, HB 2, HB 18, HB 19, HB 20

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council

Transcript Highlights:

• You will be given a six-hour notice window to return, so do not beyond that, I've also asked Chairman
• located and returned, you must be prepared to return to the chamber within six hours of receiving notice

Bills: HB4, HB1, HB2, HB18, HB19, HB20, HB4, HB1, HB 2, HB20, HB19, HB18, HB 4, HB 1, HB 2, HB 18, HB 19, HB 20

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council

Transcript Highlights:

• HB5380 permits counties to adopt criteria after public notice in which the county commission... may take
• This is why I'm in support of this bill, as it does more than just give property owners notice.
• These include requirements such as providing notice and holding public hearings.
• Texas courts absolutely require strict compliance with these mandatory notice requirements.
• One aspect of this bill is to provide notice.

Bills: HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• We do oppose this bill, but I think there has to be a balance between two things. you've noticed is,

Bills: HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm noticing you have a slide that has quite a bit of solar and battery on there.
• A short-term lease situation requiring a floodplain notice just adds paperwork with no real value to
• The notice requires a clause informing the tenant that most renter's insurance policies do not cover
• Homeowners will be notified by requiring notice to be sent to the last known owner of the property if
• Generally, we favor just accepting filings. since it's a notice and working on it on the back end.

Bills: SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 1495, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2154, SB 2167, SB 2184, SB 2211, SB 2268, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was noticing you have a slide that has quite a bit of solar and battery on there.
• In a short-term lease situation, requiring a floodplain notice just adds paperwork with no real value
• The bill also clarifies that when flood notices are required, such as in a long-term lease, they can
• The disclosure notice may be included in a paragraph of the lease or as an addendum to the lease.
• We favor just accepting filing since it's a notice and working around it on the back end.

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, voting favorably on SB 1612, SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789. SB 1612 was reported favorably with objections to the local and contested calendar, while SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789 were reported favorably, with SB 1642 and SB 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council; SB 1642 would add an executive director to the Texas Department of Insurance structure; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards and clarify PUC authority and remedies. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from CEO Pablo Vegas on the updated long-term load forecast, which showed a much higher unadjusted growth projection driven largely by data centers. ERCOT described an adjusted forecast using historical delays and lower realized build rates, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, and the importance of SB 6 for demand response and flexibility. The committee then heard and left pending SB 2629, which would allow condominium and property owners’ association meetings and voting by electronic means; SB 2702, which would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies without a separate TCEQ license; SB 2167, which would let TDLR pause new license applications tied to human trafficking emergency orders or pending SOAH cases; SB 2349, which would exempt short-term leases and certain leasebacks from flood disclosure requirements; SB 2121, which would tighten the data broker registry law; and SB 2443, which would authorize TDLR electronic delivery of notices and other documents. Testimony generally supported these bills as cleanup, modernization, or workforce-streamlining measures, with some members expressing caution about electronic meetings and emphasizing in-person accountability. The committee also heard SB 2902 on coerced debt and identity theft, with testimony from a law professor and family violence advocates supporting stronger protections for survivors and suggesting a police report as an additional proof option. SB 512, a refiled bill restricting money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2145 on allowing certain TIF boards to meet virtually in narrow circumstances, SB 2268 on extending Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in some cases, SB 1495 creating an EV supply equipment advisory board, SB 2154 regulating delivery network companies under a statewide framework, SB 2184 lowering the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18, SB 2211 on combining data centers, power generation, and produced-water desalination projects, and SB 647 on title theft protections and clerk authority to refuse fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after brief testimony and questions, with members focusing on reliability, regulation, and safeguards against fraud.