Transcript Highlights:

• Washington Realtors is dedicated to improving fairness in housing.
• As was stressed in the Senate hearing, the critical protections in the Fair Housing Act neither impact
• Those are already all covered in the Fair Housing Act, federal Fair Housing Act, and the local Washington
• At its core, this bill is about transparency and fairness in the housing market.
• At its core, this bill is about transparency and fairness in the housing market.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee heard public hearings on several bills related to real estate, self-storage, and consumer disclosures. House Bill 2477 would shorten the time to bring claims against appraisers arising from appraisal reports to two years from discovery or five years from signing, except fraud claims, and would limit liability to specified clients and intended users. The sponsor and appraiser witnesses said the bill would reduce long-tail liability, lower insurance and recordkeeping burdens, and help attract new appraisers; no opposition testimony was heard in the excerpt. House Bill 2512 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to exclusive groups unless the property is also publicly marketed. Supporters, including Washington Realtors, Zillow, Habitat for Humanity, Windermere, and others, said it would promote transparency, competition, and fair housing; opponents argued it could limit homeowner privacy and autonomy, and the Attorney General’s office said the Washington Law Against Discrimination already covers discrimination concerns and objected to placing enforcement in that statute. House Bill 2240 would modernize self-storage rental agreements by allowing electronic execution, deeming continued use after notice as acceptance, and setting notice and disposal rules after termination or nonrenewal; storage industry witnesses supported the bill as clarifying safety and notice procedures, while an advocacy witness opposed it as harmful to unhoused people and others who rely on storage units. House Bill 2465 would require a water recreation safety guide for short-term rentals with pools or similar facilities; the sponsor and hospitality industry supported it as a low-cost safety measure, while cities raised implementation concerns and asked for an amendment on where the guide would be posted. House Bill 2501 would update a seller disclosure notice to reflect the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency’s shift from a no-cost insurance program to a loan-and-grant remediation program, and it drew support as a technical correction. House Bill 2624 would exempt public entities, tribes, and nonprofit land conservancies from the 2025 “solicited real estate transactions” appraisal and notice requirements; conservation groups and the Department of Natural Resources supported it as necessary to preserve land acquisition and grant funding, and the sponsor described it as a cleanup bill. The committee then moved into executive session and took action on two liquor-related bills. House Bill 2536, allowing wineries to hold a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license or beer/wine restaurant license at one location, was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 14-1 vote. House Bill 2476, modifying the spirits, beer, and wine theater license, was amended via a proposed substitute that restored the 120-seat-per-screen limit except for theaters admitting only patrons 21 and older; the substitute was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 13-2 vote. Members discussed the balance between business flexibility and concerns about alcohol access in family settings and recovery communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal must be to deliver fair maps to voters, where a voter in East St.
• So we had an opportunity to employ fair redistricting policies, this exact legislative body in the last
• Plan that was fair in New Mexico to set an example for things going forward. It needs to be done.
• Having fairness in the normal capital would be a nice thing.
• And so, Senator, I think there is an assumption in what you're saying that uniform means fair.

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:

• Colleagues, I rise today to speak in strong support of S. 2947, an act regarding fair housing practices
• It's about dignity, fairness, and the promise that every person in Massachusetts should have an equal
• So I commend the gentleman for his incredibly thoughtful work on the topic of fair housing in this session
• Tarr, interagency coordination in fair housing enforcement.
• Third reading of the bill: An Act Regarding Fair Housing Practices in the Commonwealth, Senate No. 2947

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with recognitions of several young climate advocates visiting the State House and then adopted an adjournment in memory of Nancy Driscoll, with remarks honoring her long public service and family legacy. The chamber then took up Senate No. 2947, An Act Regarding Fair Housing Practices in the Commonwealth, after a Ways and Means redraft. Senators supporting the bill described housing discrimination against voucher holders and Black applicants, emphasized the need for stronger enforcement, transparency, and fair housing education, and noted the bill’s goal of increasing penalties and public reporting for discriminatory brokers. Several amendments were debated. Senator Tarr offered an amendment to require annual HUD-related compliance certifications from municipalities and public agencies, notification to the Attorney General of federal findings, corrective action plans, and possible enforcement consequences; it was defeated on a roll call, 6-30. Senator Kennedy’s gender-neutral language amendment changing “salesmen” to “salespersons” was adopted. Senator Payano’s amendment to require publication of license suspensions as well as revocations for discriminatory conduct was also adopted. Senator Edwards withdrew an amendment that would have expanded housing protections for returning citizens. Senator Keenan’s amendment to anonymize complaint summaries while preserving publication of revoked licensees’ names was adopted. After the Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll-call vote of 37-0, later clarified as 38-0. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of John Arizian and Nancy Driscoll.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are not many differences in the operating budget for the State Fair for fiscal year 27.
• The State Fair has never been in better shape, not only financially, but as an entity itself.
• Now, what will the State Fair look like in the future? That's what we're working on right now.
• Why aren't we the best state fair, the most innovative state fair in the country?
• We are considered one of the best fairs in the country already.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• began in February of 2024 in the Windham Civil and Family Division out in Newfane.
• When we're talking about fair or poor, if fair is the midpoint, then fair or good or great.
• But yes, if you—that fair or poor are 50%, and the other 50% would be in the other court quintiles.
• </c><00:51:47.960><c> Um</c> 85% fair fair or poor. Um 85% fair fair or poor.
• Allows fair opportunity for presentation of a case in light of existing time restraints, and issues rulings

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that way in case something comes up, it's a uniform definition of fair market value is what we're
• Because what I'm reading in the bill would allow for purchases that are up to 15% above fair market value
• If it is the same fair market value, why don't you look here, give preferential treatment in that sense
• And in my mind, that's not even fair to them because they're at a disadvantage with their disability.
• men more than fair and it is more than deserving to those men and women who put their lives in danger

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on April 7, 2026, with a quorum present. After housekeeping and announcements, the committee noted several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 603, HB 619, HB 763, HB 810, HB 222, HB 490, and HB 981. The committee also recognized a visiting Jack and Jill group before taking up legislation. The committee reported favorably HB 82 on DWI penalties, HB 670 on wood pellet manufacturing, HB 672 on brick manufacturing, HB 773 on state procurement preferences for prison enterprises and nonprofits serving blind, disabled, and veteran workers, HB 145 on extraordinary medical and dental expenses for injured police and firefighters, HB 430 on health insurance coverage for families of Lafayette Parish officers killed in the line of duty, HB 143 on the per diem for housing state inmates in parish jails, HB 874 on adding credentials to LA Wallet, HB 160 on penalties for domestic violence strangulation offenses, HB 445 on moving the STEM Advisory Council to Louisiana Works, and HB 781 on fleet vehicle registration. HB 82, HB 670, and HB 773 were amended before passage; HB 430 also received amendments narrowing coverage terms and age limits. Most of the discussion centered on fiscal impact and policy scope. Members questioned whether several bills created new costs or unfunded mandates, and sponsors repeatedly emphasized zero or already-budgeted fiscal notes. HB 773 drew the most debate, with members raising concerns about competition, preferential treatment, and the shift from a 15% cap to fair market value; the sponsor said the bill was intended to give blind, disabled, and veteran-serving nonprofits a fair chance to compete. HB 145 prompted questions from the Louisiana Municipal Association about exposure and whether the benefit should already be covered by workers’ compensation, while HB 430 was narrowed to Lafayette Parish after concerns about statewide costs. The meeting ended with all remaining bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:23:05.080><c> in</c> non-binary kids is not about fairness in non-binary kids is not about fairness
• Don't tell us this is about fairness in sports.
• </c><01:36:35.800><c> problem</c> fairness in sports there's no problem fairness in sports there's no
• It's just not fair, and we want to protect girls' sports in our schools.
• Vote for fairness and safety in girls' sports. Thank you.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What's fair, what's not fair, is we created the language in the legislature.
• What's fair, what's not fair, is Thank you. down here in this process of discussion, what's fair, what's
• not fair, is we created the language in the legislature.
• And so I think that is a critical component in fairness that we haven't talked about in terms of ballot
• Fair and neutral ballot summaries are essential in a true representative democracy.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3146, sponsored by Rep. John Simmons, which would expand legislatively written ballot summary statements from 50 to 100 words and create a revised process for court challenges to ballot language. Simmons said the bill is essentially the same as last year’s Senate Bill 22, minus the section the Supreme Court struck down, and argued it would preserve the General Assembly’s role while allowing the Secretary of State and courts to work through objections to ballot summaries. Supporters said the longer summary would better inform voters and that the back-and-forth process had worked in the recent Amendment 3 litigation. Members raised concerns that the bill would encourage misleading or argumentative ballot language, create extra procedural steps, and potentially let the clock run out before challenges are fully resolved. Rep. Woods and others argued the courts are needed to prevent “ballot candy” and dishonest summaries, while supporters countered that the legislature and Secretary of State should have primary authority and that courts should not act as a “super legislature.” The sponsor and supporters also pointed to the recent Amendment 3 process as evidence that the revised procedure can work and produce agreed-upon language. Testimony was split. Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, and a representative from the Secretary of State’s office testified in favor, emphasizing transparency, voter information, and the elected status of the officials drafting ballot language. Opponents included the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, League of Women Voters, Jobs with Justice, Missouri Right to Education, and private citizens, who argued the bill is unconstitutional, undermines separation of powers, and would allow misleading language to survive by dragging out litigation. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have heard from stakeholders that the federal rollback is a concern, particularly those in the fair
• We have heard from stakeholders that the federal rollback is a concern, particularly those in the fair
• We haven't seen, in terms of the other states that have codified this in Sula, any implications in terms
• in the future.
• This bill matters because it brings Delaware's fair housing law in line with long-standing federal standards

Committee: Senate Housing & Land Use

Summary: The Senate Land Use Committee met in hybrid format but did not have a quorum, so it did not approve minutes or take formal votes. The committee first heard House Bill 457, which would raise the appraisal threshold for certain DELDOT real property dispositions from $10,000 to $25,000 to match federal highway standards and reduce the time and cost of selling small surplus properties. There was little discussion and no public comment on that bill, and the chair indicated it would be circulated. The committee then took up House Bill 451, which would codify a disparate impact framework under Delaware’s Fair Housing Act. The bill was described as clarifying that housing policies or practices can violate the law even without discriminatory intent if they have an unjustified discriminatory effect on a protected class, using a burden-shifting test similar to federal law. The sponsor and DHSA said the measure was intended to preserve fair housing protections amid uncertainty at the federal level, and an additional amendment was discussed that would delay implementation for 180 days and require DHSR, with DSA and stakeholders, to conduct outreach, education, and training. Public testimony was divided. Supporters, including Housing Alliance Delaware, YWCA Delaware, and the Delaware Human and Civil Rights Commission, said the bill would protect against discriminatory outcomes, align state law with longstanding fair housing principles, and preserve recourse if federal enforcement changes. Opponents and housing-provider groups, including the Delaware Association of Realtors, Greater Wilmington Housing Providers, and the Delaware Apartment Association, argued the bill could create liability for neutral policies, rely on statistical outcomes landlords cannot easily measure, and increase litigation and costs; several asked for more time, a right-to-cure process, or further amendments. The committee adjourned without taking a formal vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today to speak in strong support of S-2947, an act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth
• It's about dignity, fairness, and the promise that every person in Massachusetts should have an equal
• By passing this bill, we affirm that everyone in Massachusetts deserves a fair shot at a place to call
• Tarr, interagency coordination in fair housing enforcement. Amendment number seven by Mr.
• Tarr, interagency coordination in fair housing enforcement.

Summary: The Senate began with recognitions, welcoming four young women from Quincy and Lawrence who were at the State House advocating on climate issues. The chamber then adopted an adjournment in memory of Nancy Driscoll of Attleboro, with remarks honoring her long public service at the State House and her family’s legacy of service. The main business was Senate No. 2947, an act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth. Senators Gomez and Payano spoke in strong support, describing housing discrimination against voucher holders and people of color, and explaining that the bill would expand enforcement authority, increase penalties for repeat violations, require annual complaint summaries, and mandate fair housing training for real estate licensees. Senator Lovely also supported the bill, citing her experience in real estate and the need for stronger fair housing education and enforcement. Several amendments were considered. Senator Tarr’s amendment to add HUD-related certification, notice, and corrective-action requirements for municipalities and public agencies was debated but defeated on a roll call vote, 6-30. Senator Kennedy’s gender-neutral wording amendment was adopted, as was Senator Payano’s amendment requiring publication of suspended as well as revoked licenses. Senator Keenan’s amendment to anonymize complaint summaries was also adopted. Senator Edwards withdrew an amendment on housing access for returning citizens, and other amendments were withdrawn. The Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was adopted, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call vote of 38-0. The Senate then adjourned to meet again the following Tuesday, also noting John Arizian and Nancy Driscoll in memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1223 would require state and county fairs to use competitive bidding standards in the awarding of
• A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times found widespread corruption in California's fairs.
• In order to address some of the corruption, lawsuits were filed by a fair midway operator against the
• It was found in the lawsuit against the San Diego County Fair that fair officials had changed the scores
• The Public Contract Code was written to guard against favoritism and promote fair competition in state

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and heard one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, after SB 1410 was pulled from the agenda. SB 1223 would require state and county fairs to use competitive bidding standards for contracts and prohibit sole-source contracting. The author and witness argued the bill was needed to close loopholes in the Public Contract Code after media reports and lawsuits alleged corruption and manipulated contract awards at certain fairs, including allegations that RFPs were written to favor a single bidder. No witnesses testified in opposition. Committee members expressed support, describing the issue as a matter of transparency and proper state contracting. A motion was made to pass the bill to the Appropriations Committee. The committee voted 4-0 in favor, with the bill placed on call for the absent member before the meeting concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:00.559><c> as</c> which is in for as long as the fair as which is in for as long as the fair
• </c><00:53:29.079><c> in</c> Improvements at the fair in Improvements at the fair in 200<00:53:31.720
• The fair itself drives $300 million in economic impact annually.
• In the case of the State Fair, we have our own police department. We don't have a fire department.
• </c> a point in history where the state fair a point in history where the state fair did<01:02:14.640

Bills: HF1833 , HF148 , HF1127 , HF1227 , HF1681 , HF1974 , HF1106 , HF1016 , HF2197

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• with</c><00:11:01.600><c> our</c> good job in in uh doing that with our good job in in uh doing that
• Um, it's a big deal in Alexandria to go to the fair and for the kids to show their animals.
• in Campbell and I think in other counties in our state as well, jurisdictions within the state that
• /c><00:37:51.520><c> uh</c><00:37:52.400><c> uh</c><00:37:52.640><c> in</c> answered in in this in this
• uh uh in answered in in this in this uh uh in this<00:37:53.040><c> discussion</c><00:37:53.440><c>

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:32 SB 155 Discussion: 03:00 SB 155 Roll Call Vote: 07:50 SB 45 Discussion: 08:39 SB 45 Roll Call Vote: 36:00, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and as in regards to the assessment versus the fair market value, I think it would be clearer in
• Uh, cross out excess value and put uh fair market value in there. >> Is there a second on that amendment
• market</c><00:37:14.720><c> value</c><00:37:15.040><c> in</c> put uh fair market value in put uh fair
• </c> in there. in there.
• put in HP45 in that the language that we put in HP45 in that paragraph<00:38:49.599><c> C</c><00:38:

Bills: SF0079 , SF0080 , SF0039

Committee: House Revenue

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, economic development, impact assistance, industrial facilities, tax exemptions, local control, electronic notice, compliance, tax collection, administration, tax exemption, long-term homeowners, property tax, seniors, residential property, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing Act passed in 1968.
• Without an examination structure, California's fair lending protections exist on paper, but not in practice
• California's fair lending protections exist on paper, but not in practice. Thank you.
• This helps in two ways.
• Members in opposition are lead witnesses in opposition.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in lost wages. in lost wages.
• neighborhood that we're in, which is in<00:56:42.080><c> Frogtown,</c> in Frogtown, in Frogtown, um<
• </c> lived in. lived in.
• </c> in here. in here.
• :24:00.720><c> in</c> In addition, Representative Frazier, in In addition, Representative Frazier, in

Bills: HF4477

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

Keywords: Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, House File 12 is about fairness, safety, and preserving girls' sports in Minnesota.
• A bill to bully trans and non-binary kids is not about fairness in sports.
• Don't tell us this is about fairness in sports. There's no problem.
• That principle, fair competition, is exactly why we have divisions in sports at all.
• "I oppose biological boys who are trans competing in girls' sports in school. It's just not fair.

Transcript Highlights:

• in your packets.
• in your packets.
• I also served on the HAP committee and invested a great amount of time in fair chase and sportsmanship
• How can anyone say this isn't fair? Thank you. Next up in person: Justin Russell. Good afternoon.
• Fair chase is one of the most important principles in hunting, and it is what separates ethical hunters

Summary: The Resources and Conservation Committee first took up Fish and Game Rule Docket 13-0104-2401, a broad cleanup and consolidation of licensing, tag, permit, and hunt-allocation rules. The department explained that the rule implements a new non-resident draw framework, moves licensing language into one chapter, adds or clarifies definitions, changes some controlled-hunt thresholds, expands landowner appreciation and permission hunt provisions to include turkey on smaller eligible acreage, and adds or revises provisions for refunds, exchanges, special big game tags, and bighorn sheep auction/lottery areas. Members questioned the non-resident draw structure, landowner tag sales, and the addition of Units 13 and 18 for bighorn sheep auction/lottery tags; department witnesses said those units were only being added as possible hunt areas if seasons are later set, not creating new hunts. After debate, a substitute motion to approve the docket as-is failed on a tie vote, and the committee then approved the docket with exceptions removing Sections 700.02 and 800.02. The committee then quickly approved Rule Docket 13-0117-2401, a repeal of the bait-for-big-game chapter because the content had been moved into another chapter. It next heard Rule Docket 13-0108-2401, which would revise big-game hunting rules, including weapon definitions and validation/tagging language, allow future electronic tagging, add a center-fire open-site season, update archery and muzzleloader provisions, revise motorized hunting restrictions, authorize certain predator hunting near feeding sites, create herd-health kill authorizations for disease management, and make permanent the temporary bait rule with a grizzly-bear reporting requirement. A major portion of the docket would restrict certain high-tech hunting tools—such as thermal optics, night vision, transmitting trail cameras, drones, and aircraft—during big-game seasons, with narrower exceptions for wolves and private land. Department staff said the proposal came from extensive public engagement and was intended to preserve fair chase while still allowing wolf management tools and livestock-protection measures. Public testimony on the technology rule was sharply divided. Supporters argued the restrictions were needed to protect fair chase, prevent unfair advantages, and preserve hunting traditions; several said the process was thorough and that other western states already restrict similar technologies. Opponents, including trappers, livestock interests, and some hunters, argued the rule would reduce wolf-management effectiveness, conflict with Idaho law requiring all methods of take for wolves, and limit tools useful for finding wounded or dead game and for chronic wasting disease response. After hearing testimony, the chairman moved to hold Docket 13-0108-2401 in committee, and that motion passed, so no final action was taken on the technology rule at that meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• in our state.
• So, In, you know, in this case with the community substitute. Um-hum.
• fairness in the process, but this is trying to increase that so You know, I have to agree with my colleague
• And in fact, you're going to hear her testimony in a minute.
• I just want to be in your next hourly life tweet. Fair enough. Fair enough.

Bills: HB148 , HB203 , HJR30

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington Realtors is dedicated to improving fairness in housing.
• the law against discrimination is misplaced, and that in fact the Fair Housing Act already prohibits
• As was stressed in the Senate hearing, the critical protections in the Fair Housing Act neither impact
• Those are already all covered in the Fair Housing Act, federal Fair Housing, and the local Washington
• At its core, this bill is about transparency and fairness in the housing market.

Bills: HB2477 , HB2501 , HB2465 , HB2512 , HB2240 , HB2624 , HB2536 , HB2476

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: real estate, appraisal, consumer protection, business operations, regulatory compliance, HB 2501, real estate disclosure, seller disclosure notice, residential property, home heating oil tank, oil tank insurance, pollution liability insurance agency, PLIA, heating oil contamination, remediation assistance, Washington real estate, property sale, buyer disclosure, seller obligations, oil heat