Transcript Highlights:

• A pretty small window of time.
• take away the value of that degree program.
• or any doctoral programs is getting $17,000.
• programs is getting $17,000.
• This is not a new, unproven program.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard extended discussion of the chair’s House budget substitute, especially House Bill 2 for elementary and secondary education and House Bill 3 for higher education. The chair said the operating budget leaves roughly $300 million in reserve, explained several cuts and restorations, and described proposed changes to child care, including cutting enhancement payments and keeping attendance-based rather than enrollment-based subsidy payments. Representative Fogle objected to the child care cuts and the proposed language limiting the department’s move to prospective payment and enrollment-based reimbursement; State Budget Director Dan Hogg testified that the governor’s office still intended to move to payment on enrollment in May if the budget language did not block it, while prospective payment remained under review because of federal funding concerns. The chair also explained a restriction on Parents as Teachers services for children already in public pre-K, and members debated whether that would reduce duplication or improperly limit services. The chair further proposed a new competitive Title I innovation grant program funded by a reallocation of some Title I dollars, with questions raised about what services would be reduced to offset it. The bulk of the meeting focused on a major higher education funding overhaul in House Bill 3. The chair and vice chair proposed replacing the current base-plus model with an FTE-based formula that would distribute the same overall state funding according to student credit hours, with community colleges funded on a 12-hour FTE, four-year undergraduate students on a 15-hour FTE, and graduate enrollment discussed as a separate issue. They said the goal was to make funding follow students rather than institutions and to reduce long-standing disparities between schools. Several members supported the idea as overdue and more transparent, while others warned it was being done too quickly and could harm institutions with high-cost programs, research missions, or smaller enrollments. Concerns were raised about possible closures, accreditation problems, and unintended effects on workforce programs such as nursing, engineering, and technical training. The chair and vice chair said there was no intent to force consolidation, but acknowledged that some institutions would gain and others would lose under the new model. Members also questioned how the formula would treat research and doctoral funding, especially at the University of Missouri, and whether graduate programs were properly counted. The chair said some special-purpose lines were retained, but a large portion of MU’s research and doctoral funding was folded into the broader pool and redistributed through the FTE model. Several members asked for clarification on whether graduate hours were counted at nine credits, and the chair said he was not certain and would seek follow-up from staff or the department. Community college representatives were discussed as having unanimously opposed the recommendation, and the chair noted that the institutions were briefed only shortly before the hearing. No votes were taken during the exchange, and the committee appeared to be gathering testimony and concerns ahead of markup and future action on the budget bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• execution ability that we're all seeing today and I'm blessed to be a part of in a little bit in a small
• That's really, really small in the grand scheme of things, right?
• And when I go talk to my team members in Tioga and Kildeer and Watford City and everywhere around those
• And when I go talk to my team members in Tioga and Kildare and Watford City and everywhere around those
• The small operators come in and they innovate and they find and they discover.

Committee: House Finance and Taxation

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397 and a proposed amendment creating a development incentive well program for North Dakota oil and gas production. Representative Dockter explained the amendment as a way to encourage exploratory and innovative drilling in light of the state’s financial outlook and the growing share of stripper wells. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and DMR geologist Timothy Nashim presented background on the Bakken and Three Forks formations, with Nashim describing research showing that Middle Three Forks second-bench development can add reserves in some areas but not others, and that roughly 600 additional wells in the strongest area could yield about 250 million barrels of oil. Continental Resources representatives William Houser and John Argo supported the amendment. They said the bill would give a temporary oil extraction tax exemption for certified development incentive wells, limited to 36 months or 300,000 barrels, and would also update tax treatment for gas used in enhanced oil recovery and on-site electric generation. They argued the measure would encourage new technology and testing in existing spacing units, complementing House Bill 1483, which they said focused on geographic expansion into non-Bakken and non-Three Forks areas. Argo said Continental still invests heavily in North Dakota but is shifting rigs elsewhere because of economics, and he urged incentives to spur exploration and preserve the basin’s long-term future. North Dakota Petroleum Council executive director Ron Ness also supported the concept, calling it a targeted, low-risk way to encourage innovation and future barrels. Committee members asked about royalty treatment, the difference from House Bill 1483, pressure maintenance, and how the program would be administered. DMR said the amendment should clarify that the operator bears the burden of proving a well qualifies and that only one incentive well per stratigraphic interval should be certified. No vote was taken; the committee paused to work on revised language and indicated the bill would likely need further adjustment, possibly in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• </c> program 3 years. program 3 years.
• </c> this program. this program.
• </c> city and county combined. city and county combined.
• </c> in the Twin Cities area. in the Twin Cities area.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> final resolution of how that program final resolution of how that program will<00:18:31.760><c>
• That's not small change for a small school district in central Minnesota.
• </c> small projects to some of to to many. small projects to some of to to many.
• c> for</c><01:25:49.199><c> a</c><01:25:49.440><c> small</c> That's not small change for a small That's
• It is about small operations and small businesses and school districts and local units of government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not create any new regulatory program.
• essentially the program.
• It's a fairly moderate program.
• And so we have a small number of producers who typically do a good job.
• This is a really stringent program.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee began by approving the March 10, 2026 minutes and then recognized a departing page, Isabel Frasheiser, who thanked the committee and described plans to study agribusiness and political science at Montana State. Members praised her work and presented her with a gift. The committee then moved to two hemp-related bills, with extensive testimony from the Idaho Farm Bureau, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and Boise Police Officer Cameron Colos. House Bill 879 would clarify that retail establishments offering certain hemp products for human ingestion or inhalation are subject to Idaho’s existing Industrial Hemp Research and Development Act. Supporters said the bill is meant to provide clarity and oversight for retail hemp products, while excluding non-viable whole hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil, which they said are already recognized as safe and contain no THC. Several senators questioned whether the bill could create a pathway for marijuana-like products or vaping products, and the department and law enforcement testified that Idaho law already requires zero THC in retail products and that the bill is intended to help address mislabeled or out-of-state products. The committee voted to send HB 879 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with one senator noting he would continue reviewing the issue before floor debate. House Bill 772 would change how negligent violations are treated for industrial hemp grown for grain or fiber. Supporters said the bill would protect good-faith farmers from negligent-violation penalties when crops exceed THC limits because of factors outside their control, while leaving the underlying THC standard unchanged. Testimony from ISDA explained that the bill does not alter the 0.3% total THC limit or the requirement that crops be remediated before leaving the field; it only changes whether a violation is considered negligent. A former federal drug prosecutor testified against the bill, warning about broader marijuana legalization efforts and expressing concern that hemp provisions could be used to support future cannabis production. After discussion, the committee voted to send HB 772 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with some members reserving the right to revisit their positions later. The committee then adjourned and noted it would be subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2172 modifies the process for route jurisdiction transfers and abandonments for state highways, city
• to transit agencies for pilot programs to provide free or reduced transit fares to students enrolled
• in degree- or certificate-seeking programs at community and technical colleges.
• Commitment Act have the resources to administer the legislation and the programs included in that.
• Some cities and places have TBDs; some places don't.

Summary: The committee took up a series of transportation-related bills and proposed substitutes, with most measures advancing after discussion and roll-call or voice votes. House Bill 2092, creating a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, was amended by a proposed substitute that broadened membership and duties, and it passed 20-6. House Bill 2114, allowing fee waivers for replacement defective license plates, passed unanimously. House Bill 2172, clarifying route jurisdiction transfers and abandonments for highways and local roads, also passed unanimously after a substitute requiring agreements or legislative action for longer highway abandonments or those involving bridges. House Bill 2251, which restructures Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, drew the most amendment activity. Two amendments were adopted to adjust forest carbon language and clarify Ecology administration funding, while amendments to redirect revenue to transportation infrastructure and to split excess revenue differently failed. The bill then passed 18-8 as amended. House Bill 2374, which redefines e-bikes and electric motorcycles and creates a work group on enforcement and safety, passed unanimously after a substitute added stakeholder representation and asked the work group to explore civil infractions and penalties. House Bill 2410, creating a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and increasing a safety fee, passed 25-1 after a substitute changed appointment authority, membership, and other council provisions. House Bill 2552, authorizing WSDOT and a regional transit authority to use MATOC contracting, was amended to add apprenticeship, prevailing wage, and notification requirements and then passed 16-10. House Bill 2588, expanding ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries, passed 16-10 amid concerns about taxing authority and voter input. House Bill 2718, setting timelines and processes for permit streamlining and originally including contractor ratings, had the contractor-rating section removed by amendment and then passed unanimously. House Bill 2722, increasing the vehicle weight threshold for transportation benefit district fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, passed 17-9. House Bill 2727, creating an educational transit access grant program for community and technical college students, passed 21-5 after supporters emphasized student access and equity, while some members raised rural access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our safe at home program to place.
• We have created a program in month.
• We've also state's largest city.
• We've discovered that these program.
• </c> government for additional programming government for additional programming have<00:18:05.840><c

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:15 Office of the Secretary of State 00:01:59 Office of the Attorney General 00:12:40 Department of Agriculture 00:22:44, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement heard presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Agriculture. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office had no major new budget or authority requests, but he updated members on voter-roll maintenance, ongoing litigation over a law preventing voting in multiple states, the Safe at Home program for domestic violence survivors, human trafficking outreach, reduced spending, and new anti-fraud measures for business registrations and electronic service of process. Members then discussed Adams’ remarks, especially his criticism of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. One senator objected that the organization should not be shut out of the legislative process, citing First Amendment concerns. Adams responded that he was not seeking to ban anyone from speaking, but wanted lawmakers to remember the harm he believes the group’s litigation does to election integrity and bipartisan reform. Representative Jackson praised Adams and his staff for their work. Deputy Attorney General Rob Duncan outlined the office’s work, including criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, body armor grants, administrative hearings, domestic violence and violent crime initiatives, election security, child support services, and the new Office of Data Privacy. He said the child support program transition from CHFS had created budget shortfalls and that the office would seek additional funding next session. In response to questions from Representative Lockett, Duncan said he did not yet have exact cost figures but expected funding needs and noted barriers related to personnel, budgeting, and integration. The committee also heard from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell, who highlighted the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s 25th anniversary, the new Office of Economic Development, and the role of Miss Kentucky in promoting agriculture. He said the department would seek recruitment and retention funding, possible staffing for EV station inspections, and continued support to make the agriculture economic development fund permanent.

Transcript Highlights:

• We came up with a different design to share power with another city building.
• number of rate-paid programs.
• The resource adequacy program is a reliability-based procurement program, so it assigns capacity requirements
• We made a recent change to the resource adequacy program.
• We have a number of programs, and... Yeah, we have a number of programs.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would require investor-owned utilities to provide clearer front-end information and follow more consistent timelines for post-entitlement energization applications tied to housing projects. The author and supporters from the Housing Action Coalition and Mission Housing said utility delays can hold up approved housing, add costs, and create uncertainty, and they argued the bill would align utility processes with recent state efforts to streamline local permitting. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed the bill, saying existing CPUC timelines and the ongoing energization rulemaking already address the issue, that the bill could be duplicative or premature, and that some proposed timelines were too short. The committee discussed the bill’s relationship to the CPUC’s September 2024 decision, and AB 1026 was ultimately approved on a 15-0 vote, with the consent calendar also passing. The second half of the hearing was the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 and 2022 heat emergencies, emphasizing that California has since added significant resources, improved planning, and created backstop programs such as the strategic reliability reserve. They said the summer 2025 outlook is cautiously optimistic, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a projected surplus, though wildfire and extreme heat remain risks. The agencies also described major changes in planning and operations, including more battery storage, updated resource adequacy rules, expanded transmission planning, and reforms to the interconnection queue. Members asked about data center load, Diablo Canyon’s future, the strategic reliability reserve, demand response, wildfire mitigation costs, affordability, and regional market expansion. Witnesses said data center demand is a major variable but can be managed through better forecasting, flexible service arrangements, and siting in areas with existing capacity; they also said firm clean resources remain valuable while planning continues around Diablo Canyon’s scheduled retirement. On affordability, they said the agencies try to balance reliability with least-cost procurement, and that new resources can lower market prices even as they require upfront investment. CAISO also highlighted the value of the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the planned day-ahead market, saying regional coordination improves both reliability and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The HANS program, which is a free in-home visiting program, should update their educational materials
• </c> panel is only seeing a a small panel is only seeing a a small percentage<00:41:34.800><c> of</c>
• program.
• </c> because it is a voluntary program. because it is a voluntary program.
• </c> cuts to programs that really are needed. cuts to programs that really are needed.

Committee: Joint Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you authorizes the use of the shared leave program for employees who are victims of hate
• The next bill before you is substitute House Bill 2475 concerning language-accessible public programs
• The next bill before you is substitute House Bill 2420 relating to small works roster contract limits
• receives an official copy of a death certificate for a deceased candidate for an elective office of a city
• receives an official copy of a death certificate for a deceased candidate for an elective office of a city

Bills: HB1759 , HB2417 , HB2632 , HB2249 , HB2574 , HB2309 , HB2235 , SGA9066 , SGA9246 , SGA9268 , SGA9267

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: designation, commemoration, December 12, local observance, cultural significance, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service

Transcript Highlights:

• , your corporate city limits.
• , your corporate city limits.
• your corporate city limits.
• of your city limits, your corporate<00:14:36.000><c> city</c><00:14:36.240><c> limits.
• small force.

Bills: HB450 , HB469 , SB298 , HB450 , HB638 , HB469 , SB298

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: HB450, judges, judicial office, constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, age limit, mandatory retirement, judicial eligibility, supernumerary judge, judicial retirement, state judicial retirement benefits, election law, appointment, voter approval, ballot measure, Judiciary Committee, ambulance services, balance billing, health insurance, emergency transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill relates to small business.
• So the land piece for each manufactured house is relatively small.
• Those are small businesses in the local areas that have done business with the labs.
• These are small businesses that we just imposed.
• I think I have a county commissioner on there and someone from the city. I also...

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Overly sweeping or overly vague or aimed at everyday users or small creators.
• covered entity in the second program compliance period.
• can be the equivalent of large cities, and they can take—does that mean co-located?
• also a member of Local 270 Spokane City employees.
• also a member of Local 270 Spokane City employees.

Bills: HB2338 , HB2367 , HB2426 , HB2606

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• What we've seen a big change in is our student ridership program.
• MetroLink has been a beneficiary of that with our SCORE program, our state of good repair program.
• or an afternoon program.
• funding from the state's cap-and-trade program.
• Like other agencies have been discussing, we've also been rethinking our pass programs, our Go Pass program

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs deliver more than just meals.
• The City of Mission was founded in 1908.
• City of Eddyburg in the gallery, can you please stand up?
• The city of Edinburgh earned for the fourth time in a row City designation by the National Civic League
• award as a 2020... for All-American City.

Transcript Highlights:

• Claire Sullivan on behalf of the City of Burbank and the City of Vernon in strong support.
• zoning. ...really challenging, given that very small zoning.
• And this is something that cities, city building departments and city attorneys, and, as I mentioned,
• Allowed under the National Organic Program.
• Joining me today to testify in support are Bill Soroy, program director for the Diridon Station Program

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and 50% for small businesses.
• </c> eligible small businesses. eligible small businesses.
• Uh, to participate in this program, states must first make an election to be part of the program and
• . participate in this program, states must participate in this program, states must first<00:47:53.839
• </c> before, it's taken away from programs before, it's taken away from programs that<01:54:58.239><c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is happening in our cities and districts too.
• The purpose of HB 689. 689 is to protect people in small enclosed spaces or moving vehicles.
• Our comprehensive public safety program deploys the appropriate response for each situation, including
• Yes, it's a small percentage of the mental illness, but It's, there's, there's much more than that.
• For example, drug task force operations often encounter small time dealers who exclusively sell in small

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• poverty programs.
• One of our largest programs is the Women, Infants, and Children Program.
• As you can see on this diagram, we had about 251 small-scale farmers participating in this program.
• As you can see on this diagram, we had about 251 small-scale farmers participating in this program.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• “City contracts or for services.
• </c> get a job and they go on fur program get a job and they go on fur program same<00:55:13.559><c>
• So we actually look at these diversionary programs or re-entry programs as being great in addressing
• So often these types of units are going to be very small — additional ADUs or small conversions of an
• </c> um and and it's just a rebate program um and and it's just a rebate program for<01:59:33.199><c>

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on several bills. HB 576, relating to restrictions on the transfer of real property under chapter 201H, drew support from HHFDC and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, which said the bill would waive transfer restrictions that conflict with DHHL’s program implementation. HB 421, relating to contractors, drew opposition from the Contractors License Board and DCCA/RICO, who said the measure would weaken owner-builder restrictions meant to prevent circumvention of contractor licensing laws; Hawaii Roter and the Grassroot Institute supported it. Members questioned whether the bill would still bar resale within a year and whether subcontractors would still need licenses. HB 367, relating to building permits, received support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Grassroot Institute, with comments from DLNR; testimony urged the bill to be expanded to include zoning permits as well as building permits to avoid confusion, especially on Kauaʻi. HB 826, relating to housing, received mixed testimony. HHFDC and several local and advocacy groups supported it, while the Sierra Club raised concerns about converting agricultural lands to residential use, possible impacts on food security, property values, taxes, and the need to account for public trust and traditional practices. HB 525 also drew support from HHFDC and three individuals, with no opposition noted. HB 252, relating to managing agents, was supported by the Hawaiʻi Council of Community Associations and opposed by the Community Associations Institute and several individuals, who argued that commercial management experience is not the same as condominium management and preferred language tied to industry certifications and a later effective date. HB 709, relating to trespassing, was opposed by the Honolulu Police Department, which said officers would have difficulty verifying ownership or tenancy in the field, that the bill could require a separate enforcement team, and that the sheriff’s division is better suited to handle evictions. Hawaiʻi Realtors and the Grassroot Institute supported the measure. Finally, HB 431 HD1, relating to housing, received broad support from the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities, HHFDC, DHS, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, OHA, county housing offices, and multiple nonprofit and political groups. Supporters emphasized the bill’s funding for housing and supportive services, with the homelessness office describing the measure as unprecedented and saying it could help the state cut homelessness in half over the next few years.