Transcript Highlights:

• It does give our weights and measures program the authority to inspect and test the quality of gaseous
• My name is Kelsey Hulse and I'm here this morning on behalf of Douglas County PUD in strong support of
• Douglas County PUD is continuing to ...both gaseous and liquid fuel types.
• Douglas County PUD is continuing to expand our hydrogen fueling infrastructure, including additional
• And it authorizes an electric utility to remove a device not meeting the specific requirements.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee first held a public hearing on SB 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act to broaden the definition of motor fuel to include gaseous fuels and electricity and remove the separate alternative fuel definition. Staff and the Department of Agriculture said the change would let WSDA inspect and test hydrogen and other newer fuels; Commerce and Douglas County PUD supported the bill as needed for hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and the hearing closed with the chair noting broad support. The committee then heard SB 6223, which would authorize community-scale weatherization projects under the low-income weatherization program. Supporters from community action, Spark Northwest, Commerce, and Washington Conservation Action said the bill would let the state weatherize multiple homes at once, improve health and safety, reduce energy burdens, and help meet climate and grid goals more quickly. Staff said the bill has a fiscal note for rulemaking and administration. The hearing ended with strong support and no opposition testimony. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes and passed SB 5982, SB 6050, SB 5965, SB 6010, SB 5984, SB 6076, and SB 5652 to the Rules Committee or Ways and Means, depending on the bill. Amendments were adopted on SB 5965 to adjust carryout bag provisions, while amendments on SB 6010 were not adopted. SB 5982 would update CETA-related utility definitions and reporting, SB 6050 addresses distributed energy resources and utility rules, SB 5965 revises carryout bag requirements, SB 6010 concerns EFSEC tribal consultation, SB 5984 regulates AI companion chatbots, SB 6076 streamlines procurement for certain clean energy projects, and SB 5652 concerns environmental and health mitigation in large port districts. The committee also noted it would not take action that day on SB 5975 and SB 5466.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two authorizes the peer Section two authorizes the peer committee to review new administrative
• We are trying to move away from the county court system, but the county courts that are there remain.
• Jones County back in 2008.
• Jose Williams of Hinds County.
• Wing Cox of Marshall County.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that affect land that's not farmland but in the county?
• Tom Henson, I am out of Teton County.
• Do you know if that's statewide or just your county?
• plat, but ours is specific to our county.
• And as the planner from Blaine County indicated, a number of our counties do have provisions that would

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Authority these include counties<00:03:58.200><c> cities</c><00:03:58.799><c> townships</c><00:03:59.840
• ><c> school</c> counties cities townships school counties cities townships school districts<00:04:00.519
• collects</c><00:04:47.240><c> the</c> the county the county then collects the the county the county then
• Hennepin County is one that's completely organized into only cities, and then Koochiching County and
• and Lake of the Woods cucha Ching County and Lake of the Woods County<00:25:42.480><c> are</c><00:25

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lake City Levy Authority, Representative Altendorf, is in prop two property tax exemptions for the
• It includes a four-year extension of the local homeless prevention aid, which goes to every county in
• Um the Lake City Levy Authority<00:03:29.040><c> Representative</c><00:03:29.560><c> Altendorf</c><00
• :03:30.080><c> is</c><00:03:30.200><c> in</c> Authority Representative Altendorf is in Authority Representative
• </c> to every county in the state. to every county in the state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed House Bill 4801, defining permissible expenditures from municipalities and counties, second
• Engrossed House Bill 4819 relating to use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5063, to permit the county commission to appoint a county
• Engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 5063 to permit the county commission to appoint a county
• House Bill 5638 clarifies the authority and responsibilities of the State Chief Information Security

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The county comes to them, one department of the county, and says, well, since you're doing work, we're
• I'm from Clark County Fire Rescue in Clark County and in Cowlitz County.
• 11, and code cities have broad authorities, but there's a large number of cities and counties that may
• County, Snohomish County—are going to be able to even implement this if they want to do it.
• County.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2140 would exempt land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax when removed from open space classification in certain circumstances. Staff explained the current use property tax system and said the bill would likely have minimal but indeterminate revenue effects, with about $30,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Representative Lowe said the bill was intended to fix a niche problem where a farmer loses a small frontage strip to a county and is then charged back taxes despite no change in land use. FutureWise testified in support of the bill’s intent but asked for small language changes to ensure transferred land remains compatible with agricultural or open space use. The public hearing on HB 2140 was then closed. HB 2326 would allow a fire protection district that is partially overlapped by another district’s EMS levy to impose its own levy on the portion not already covered, subject to voter approval in the affected area. Staff said the bill would have no state general fund impact and about $28,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Fire district and fire chief representatives testified in support, describing situations in Clark County and Kittitas County where most residents cannot vote on an EMS levy because a small overlapping area already has one. Opponents, including Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill would add to property tax burdens. The hearing on HB 2326 then closed. HB 2334 would require rounding of cash transactions to the nearest five cents as pennies are phased out of circulation, while leaving non-cash payments unchanged. Staff said the bill would apply to the final total after taxes and fees, with an indeterminate but minimal state revenue impact and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The prime sponsor said the bill was needed because the federal government ended penny production without giving states guidance. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the concept but requested amendments for clarity, consumer protection, SNAP compliance, and flexibility while pennies remain in circulation; one witness opposed the bill as another tax burden. The hearing on HB 2334 was then closed. The committee then heard HB 2100, a proposed statewide payroll expense tax on large operating companies to fund a new Well Washington Fund for higher education, health care, cash assistance, energy, and housing. Staff said the proposed substitute would apply to employers with at least 250 employees and $7 million in annual payroll, exclude certain public and health care entities, and generate substantial revenue, with the fiscal note estimating about $7.6 billion to the general fund and $4.2 billion to the new fund in the 2027–29 biennium under the revised threshold. Supporters, including poverty, housing, labor, education, disability, and faith advocates, said the bill would help offset federal cuts and protect vulnerable residents. Business, retail, hospitality, construction, and technology groups opposed it, warning of job losses, higher costs, reduced competitiveness, and broader impacts on consumers and employers. The prime sponsor said the bill was a response to federal divestment and that the state needed a progressive revenue source now; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:36.800><c> Senator</c> Highway in Palaski County. Senator Highway in Palaski County.
• My only concern that I brought up in committee is I represent Casey County and Lincoln County, and there's
• </c> committee is I represent Casey County committee is I represent Casey County and<00:36:48.800><c>
• That is the authority in Kentucky law.
• One thing that Campbell County has done just a very fine job on is having one of the finest county fairs

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for state use of authorized payment Require a certain report and provide for certain legislative authority
• absolute authority for these 50 years.
• They are interstate and inter-county.
• They are interstate and inter-county.
• It gives it the authority.

Summary: The House convened with 65 members present, approved the journal, and received Senate Bill 1221, which was referred to the Commerce and Human Resources Committee. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including House Bills 502, 512, 494, 531, and 542, while House Bill 570 was re-referred to Judiciary, Rules and Administration. The House also introduced a number of new bills and resolutions, including measures on justifiable homicide, copyright/piracy repeals, court-rule review, LLC formation, short-term rentals, unauthorized workers, inspection requirements, the FAST Act, rangeland improvement, virtual education, income tax changes, the parental choice tax credit, indigent eligibility, patient immigration status, and a constitutional amendment on state-owned land. House Concurrent Resolution 26 supporting wildlife crossings was filed for printing. On the floor, House Concurrent Resolution 24 honoring the firefighters and engineer affected by the Coeur d'Alene brush fire incident passed 68-0, and House Bill 515 on school notification procedures for serious bullying incidents passed 68-0 after debate over whether it should also apply to private schools. House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on fire protection charges in the wildland-urban interface, passed 46-22. House Joint Memorial 9, urging Congress to reaffirm FLPMA for federal land exchanges, passed 69-0. House Bill 518, authorizing the Attorney General to take on human trafficking investigations and prosecutions when requested by local law enforcement, passed 68-0 with support from members who said it would strengthen anti-trafficking efforts. The House then returned House Bill 522 to committee due to a clerical error after the sponsor described it as a drone-restriction bill aimed at prison security. House Joint Memorial 10, supporting the use of natural sugar in school meal programs and aligning with the MAHA movement, passed by voice vote. House Bill 504, aimed at stopping lottery syndicates from bulk-buying tickets, passed 62-6. Announcements followed on legislative receptions, an ICAC presentation, Disability Advocacy Day, a Medicaid listening session, and committee meetings, and the House adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And livestock deputies in numerous South Texas counties.
• We serve as trusted partners to government authorities. health authorities and producers, not only here
• Cameron County, Willis County, we have a total of 34 veterinarians with a population of about half a
• And we do not want, you know, every producer in every county in the state using it.
• -Mexico border from Maverick County. to the Rio Grande Valley.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lucie County Sheriff's Departments. Three thousand individuals in my little counties.
• My state and my county, the backing that we've so long desired.
• And that's not a problem that's unique just to Pinellas County.
• Just to Pinellas County, that's something that's happening all across our state.
• They need additional authority, and they need additional funding.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and adoption of the special order report for the day. The chamber then moved into a special-order agenda focused almost entirely on immigration-related measures, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. The memorial was adopted 85-27 after brief debate, with supporters arguing Florida should help maximize federal immigration enforcement and opponents saying Congress, not the state, should fix immigration policy. The House next took up Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses for illegal entry and reentry by adult unauthorized aliens and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members debated constitutional concerns, due process, racial profiling, fiscal impacts, and whether the bill intruded on federal immigration authority. Several amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to extend protections to Venezuelans with TPS, to remove the mandatory death penalty, to protect certain long-term immigrant workers and teachers, to expand exemptions for Haitians and humanitarian parole recipients, and to create a task force on best practices for immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive locations. A final amendment to strip the bill as unconstitutional was also rejected. The bill then passed 85-29. The final measure discussed was Senate Bill 2C, which creates a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establishes grants and incentive bonuses for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, repeals the fee waiver for undocumented students beginning July 1, 2025, and appropriates more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as a broad enforcement package, while questions from members focused on the impact on current students who receive in-state tuition and whether the bill would remove incentives for those already enrolled. The transcript ends during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> country, Hawaii has both the authority country, Hawaii has both the authority and<00:12:30.560><
• This measure authorized. And checks. This measure authorized.
• County, Hawaii County for the past um County, Hawaii County for the past um going<02:16:45.679><c> on
• Certain federal, state, or county funded, authorized, or implemented infrastructure and improvement projects
• :52.160><c> funded,</c> federal, state, or county funded, federal, state, or county funded, authorized

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on HB 1875, which would expand Hawaii’s existing protections to include gender-affirming health care, clarify permitted disclosures of protected health information, and bar certain adverse actions by malpractice insurers and health carriers against providers of lawful reproductive or gender-affirming care. The Insurance Division of DCCA supported the bill with a technical amendment, suggesting language tied to actuarial analysis rather than the phrase “actuarially sound.” The Office of Information Practices also provided comments. Most testimony was strongly in support. State agencies and advocacy groups, including the Hawaii State Youth Commission, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Stonewall Caucus, ACLU of Hawaii, PFLAG Oahu, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the bill would protect patient privacy, reduce chilling effects from out-of-state litigation, and help retain providers in a state already facing shortages. Several testifiers said gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and life-saving, and emphasized that Hawaii should protect its own health care decisions from outside political pressure. A few individuals testified in opposition, arguing the bill was unnecessary or that it protected providers more than opponents of the bill, but these views were not echoed by most of the testimony. The chair repeatedly reminded testifiers to keep comments brief and maintain decorum. The transcript provided does not include a final committee vote or disposition on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Representative Wilson, from the 82nd District, Whitley County and parts of Laurel County.
• and parts of Laurel Whitley County and parts of Laurel County<00:24:35.240><c> Sarah</c><00:24:35.600
• </c> jurisdiction Circ judge in Kenton County jurisdiction Circ judge in Kenton County and<00:42:29.880
• Giving me more authority to give them resources is fine, and giving the defendants more authority and
• Giving me more authority to give them resources is fine, and giving the defendants more authority and

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:20 Discussion of 25RS HB 479 00:03:22 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 479 00:04:51 Discussion of 25RS HB 574 00:21:49 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 475 00:23:41 Discussion of 25RS HB 291 01:04:38 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 291 01:05:42 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first took up House Bill 479, which would require one hour of dementia training for DCBS workers. Representative Derrick Lewis and the Alzheimer’s Association said the bill was a straightforward, bipartisan effort to address dementia awareness and improve worker training, with no fiscal impact. Members spoke in support, including remarks about personal family experiences with dementia and the importance of recognizing symptoms early. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 574, the “Baby Maya” child protection bill, sponsored by Representatives Dossett and Lewis. The bill would require reporting when a child is born to a parent who previously had children removed for neglect or abuse, create a rebuttable presumption allowing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make an initial safety determination, authorize emergency custody procedures, and name the measure the Baby Maya Law. Sponsors said it was intended to add guardrails after the Baby Maya case and stressed that it would not automatically remove children or add new mandatory-reporter penalties. Members asked about hospital involvement, HIPAA, and information-sharing; the Cabinet commissioner said the agency would be open to better data-sharing with hospitals, but currently has no such system. The bill passed 12-1 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 291, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, with a committee substitute. The bill would expand sentencing alternatives for primary caregivers convicted of nonviolent offenses, allowing judges to consider family status and use options such as counseling, parenting classes, and related services. Supporters argued it would keep families together, reduce harm from parental incarceration, and save money; one witness cited a report estimating $4 million in direct incarceration savings and broader economic benefits. Another witness, Amanda Hall, gave emotional testimony about the long-term harm of parental incarceration and said access to help would have been better for her family than prison. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 12-1 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:49.399><c> and</c> about $147 million grants to County and about $147 million grants to County
• Chair, I think if you go to the counties, there is specific data on how much the counties pay.
• > data how much the counties pay it's data how much the counties pay it's based<00:51:11.960><c> on</
• for the bill author<00:57:34.400><c> or</c><00:57:34.599><c> is</c> author or is author or is testifier
• </c> thanks brilliant Bill author thanks brilliant Bill author representative<00:59:41.680><c> Nash</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a former county commissioner.
• </c> Zoning as a county Zoning as a county unit<00:08:55.399><c> we</c><00:08:55.560><c> don't</c><00
• Dolan from Blue Cross please introduce yourself. co-authors yourself Senator kle and co-authors yourself
• </c><00:32:20.039><c> in</c> members and serving all 87 counties in members and serving all 87 counties
• </c> Commerce would also retain the authority Commerce would also retain the authority to<01:07:39.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we're deleting section 8B, which is the authority for the mandatory raises for county court
• So, if a county wants to, a county court judge may get a raise if they're authorized by the county.
• The county, if you go down to section four, would deal with the county.
• </c> &gt;&gt; That would be the county. &gt;&gt; That would be the county.
• </c> too much uh to the counties. too much uh to the counties.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• The Department of Licensing is authorized to conduct disciplinary matters.
• The Department of Licensing is authorized to conduct disciplinary matters.
• This would create no greater or less regulatory authority.
• For the record, I'm Brandy Donaghy, Snohomish County.

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:

• to county or municipality what the law really is.
• And we have heard from our local waste management folks are Palm Beach County, solid waste authority
• Next, we have just McCarty. >> With Miami-Dade County speaking against.
• Also Bay County, Florida. Some of the concerns could thank you.
• Robert Reyes, Monroe County Board of County commissioners waiving in support.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It further adds emergency trigger mechanisms that authorize the Secretary of State to seek a receiver
• </c> we're going out to the legal authorities we're going out to the legal authorities in<02:29:59.960
• I mean, that's a big portion of your county, your town, or school budgets.
• I mean, that's a big portion of your county, your town, or school budgets.
• Counties cannot technically find reasonable rates through the commercial insurance market.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:17.480><c> and</c><00:05:17.600><c> the</c> authority was never provided and the authority
• for the residents of our county.
• I'm offering authoring this proposal.
• With this authority, agencies will have more consistent authority to assess, pause, and investigate their
• </c> any questions or comments to the author any questions or comments to the author or<00:52:42.080>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all