Transcript Highlights:

• The state can go further by using off-take agreements, for example, with lithium producers in Imperial
• And nondescript industrial buildings like this one here on the right, which was very recently leased
• They were able to grow that initial foothold over time, ultimately leasing three additional buildings
• Last year, Fremont not only led all of Silicon Valley in total leasing activity, but we accounted for
• 70% of the entire Bay Area region's industrial leasing activity for manufacturing — 70% in one city.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Administration provides a variety of services to agencies, secures leases for office
• Works, with 69 FTP, includes design and construction, facility services, business operations, state leasing
• The Department of Health and Welfare was talking about one of their options was to end the lease with
• the Bridger lease and relocate 88 employees to different buildings.
• foot, and that's a triple-net lease.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations for the Department of Administration and the Permanent Building Fund. For Administration, analysts reviewed the agency’s divisions, staffing, dedicated-fund structure, recent budget growth, and the governor’s and JFAC’s recommended changes. The department requested shifts of utility costs from the general fund to dedicated funds, three new positions and funding for Medicaid procurement and contract management, transfers of some positions between divisions, and one-time IT replacement funding. Members also discussed office-space utilization, vacant buildings and land at Chinden and elsewhere, and the department’s efforts to consolidate space and reduce general fund reliance. Director Bailey said the department has reduced or repurposed positions, closed duplicate printing operations, is exploring digital workflows and AI tools, and is trying to move toward a fully dedicated-fund model. He also explained the decision to remove GLP-1 weight-loss coverage from the state health plan due to rapidly rising costs, while noting diabetes coverage remains in place. Committee members questioned the need for higher-level procurement staff for Medicaid contracts, the role of Deloitte and the Department of Health and Welfare in the process, and the status of the MMIS procurement, which Bailey said is currently stayed by the courts after a legal challenge from the second-place vendor. He said the delay will affect MMIS implementation and, in turn, the timing of the broader managed care rollout. Members also asked about vacant state office space, the possible sale of older buildings, and whether agencies such as ITD and Health and Welfare could be moved into state-owned space to reduce lease costs. Bailey said the department is actively working on those facility-planning questions and that agencies at Chinden are paying rent for occupied space. The committee then reviewed the Permanent Building Fund budget, which finances state construction, repairs, and deferred maintenance through dedicated revenue sources and interest earnings. Analysts highlighted the fund’s multi-year project structure, the large deferred maintenance program funded in prior years, and a proposed one-time transfer of $33.75 million in canceled capital project balances to the general fund. They also described a possible redirection of fiscal year 2027 interest earnings to the general fund and a recommended new capital project for an Idaho National Guard readiness center. Administrator Barard reported that the Division of Public Works is managing 595 active projects, with most FY 2025 projects under construction, in design, or complete, and said the division continues to face labor shortages and rising construction costs. Members asked about canceled projects, including the North Idaho reentry center, the Carnegie Library purchase, the ISU pedestrian crossing, the Idaho State Police Lewiston facility, and other projects; staff said some are unlikely to return soon, while others may come back once land or other prerequisites are secured. The committee concluded the hearing and announced it would meet the next day for the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of the State Public Defender.

Transcript Highlights:

• We went to them and figured out an agreement, and I am happy to tell you today that three years later
• the security for a long-term lease.
• We also think that the state, counties, and cities should work together to actually lease the spaces
• leases and then sublease to smaller entities like, thank you. longer leases and then sublease to smaller
• That is, it seems like in some projects they haven't reached agreements with the community as to what

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The meeting began with introductions from members of the Joint Transportation Committee and a presentation from the Association of Washington Cities and the public works directors of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland. The cities described the Quad Cities region as one of the fastest-growing in the state and outlined shared transportation priorities that align with the committee’s focus on safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They emphasized Vision Zero efforts, complete streets, ADA accessibility, regional trail and bike/pedestrian planning, and coordinated long-range transportation and land-use planning to manage growth. The city officials also discussed major funding and delivery challenges, including rising construction costs, project phasing, pavement preservation, right-of-way acquisition, and delays caused by state and federal permitting and review processes. They highlighted regional cooperation through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Good Roads, and local funding tools such as impact fees, transportation benefit districts, REET, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants. Specific projects discussed included Richland’s SR 240/Aaron Drive complete streets project and downtown connectivity work, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard improvements and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street corridor, I-182 bridge/interchange work, and a new north-south bridge study, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain corridor project, which officials said was awarded under budget and is scheduled to begin construction. Committee members asked questions about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens to pavement preservation projects. The city officials said new development is generally meeting sidewalk standards, but older infill areas remain a gap; that state right-of-way transactions can take much longer than expected; that apprenticeship requirements are common but harder for smaller contractors and local labor markets; and that low-bid contracting leaves little room to screen for performance history. They also said complete streets requirements are usually manageable on major projects but can be difficult to absorb in smaller preservation work. The committee then shifted to a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development, presented by Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark. The study examined TOD conditions in 33 cities in Snohomish, King, Pierce, Clark, and Spokane counties near rail and bus rapid transit stations. Freemark said Washington’s housing affordability crisis is severe, especially near transit, and found that high-cost cities have seen more development near stations but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and worsening affordability relative to income. He identified barriers including high debt costs, land costs, infrastructure costs, zoning and parking rules, and limited subsidies for affordable housing. He recommended more neighborhood infrastructure funding near stations, stronger affordable housing investment, and better use of public land, noting that HB 1491 and related legislation are already changing some local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is basically take the lease payments for the Pacific Power property.
• And what we're now doing is subsidizing the lease rates.
• All this amendment does is say, hey, let's make the lease rates match the underlying lease and cover
• We've put this... ...agreement here on the floor, Mr. President.
• Because we've had good bipartisan agreement on keeping families together.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just that they have an underlying lease purchase agreement that's connected with them.
• <01:06:38.319><c> purchase</c><01:06:38.640><c> agreement</c><01:06:39.039><c> that's</c> lease purchase
• agreement that's lease purchase agreement that's connected<01:06:39.680><c> with</c><01:06:40.000><c
• </c> participation, and real estate lease participation, and real estate lease purchase<01:07:59.920>
• </c><01:09:08.080><c> purchase</c> moral obligations and lease purchase moral obligations and lease purchase

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of like keeps land in perpetuity to lease rather than do that.
• kind of like keeps land in perpetuity to lease rather than do that.
• kind of like keeps land in perpetuity to lease rather than do that.
• Why don't we lease rather than do that.
• </c><00:31:02.480><c> and</c> solution to the extending of leases and solution to the extending of leases

Bills: SB2350 , SB2349 , SB2407 , SB3320

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have this transfer agreement, and that hospital that we foster that transfer agreement with is
• </c> fact there is a transfer agreement fact there is a transfer agreement process<01:33:18.719><c> uh
• partnership agreement that partnership agreement<01:33:29.840><c> is</c><01:33:29.960><c> not</c><01
• we Foster that transfer agreement that we Foster that transfer agreement with<01:35:00.719><c> is</c
• </c><01:48:08.599><c> that</c> if we can come up with an agreement that if we can come up with an agreement

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• clarifies the intent of solid waste credit for eligibility purposes and corrected a previous DEP-EPA agreement
• clarifies the intent of solid waste credit for eligibility purposes and corrected a previous DEP-EPA agreement
• adding a clean marine manufacturer facility designation, which gets them a discount of 10% on annual lease
• clean marine manufacturer for a facility designation, which gets them a discount of 10% on annual lease
• And it also adds parking for boat hauling. on annual lease fees for facilities.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources considered several environmental and infrastructure bills, most of them sponsored or presented by Senator McLean, along with measures on stormwater, wastewater, brownfields, marine facilities, and a confirmation package. SB 492 on mitigation banking would allow mitigation credits to be purchased outside an impact area when local credits are unavailable, with distance-based multipliers and a statutory credit release schedule; Senator Smith raised concerns about how far credits could be moved from the impacted ecosystem, while supporters said the bill would preserve net environmental benefit and provide predictability. The bill was reported favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. SB 800 would update Florida’s battery recycling program and require manufacturers to support more robust recycling and disposal information, prompted by testimony from waste, recycling, and industry groups describing truck, landfill, and facility fires caused by batteries. SB 1228 would advance a spring restoration project for Kentucky Springs and the Santa Fe spring flows by allowing JEA to amend a compliance plan to deliver more than 35 million gallons per day of reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it was reported favorably without debate. SB 796 would create a general permit for distributed wastewater treatment systems to help local governments address failing septic tanks, and SB 736 would update the Brownfields program with technical changes, revised definitions, and a change allowing smaller ownership interests to participate in cleanup efforts; both were reported favorably after supportive testimony. SB 810 on stormwater management required annual inspections of local government waterways and drainage works before hurricane season, motivated by flooding after recent storms. Senators Harrell and Smith questioned who would be responsible for inspections and repairs, the scope of structures covered, and the fiscal impact, and the sponsor said the bill would be refined to better define responsibilities and possibly narrow the scope to higher-risk infrastructure. The bill drew opposition from the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Stormwater Association, but also strong support from senators who emphasized the need for better preparedness; it was reported favorably. SB 1162 on water access facilities would add a clean marine manufacturer designation, provide a lease fee discount, and include parking for boat-hauling vehicles and trailers in the grant program; it was reported favorably. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of five Florida Inland Navigation District appointees, and Senator DeSantis? no, Senator DeCeglie recorded affirmative votes on SB 492, SB 800, and SB 1228 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, gentlemen, they're focused on that mineral leasing program. Mr.
• It's a point of bipartisan agreement and a point of pride that we did here on the committee.
• They can pick up lost property taxes, lost income from leasing the facility to the federal government
• And so this lost income from no longer leasing the facility to the federal government...
• And so this lost income from no longer leasing the facility to the federal government, Mr.

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HB2 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and then moved through a series of memorials, recognitions, and announcements. House Memorial 49, declaring February 4, 2026 UNM Day, was taken from the Speaker’s table, explained, and debated at length. Members from both parties and several guests praised the University of New Mexico for its role in education, health care, research, public service, and workforce development, with special recognition of President Garnett Stokes, interim provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Health Sciences leaders and students. The memorial highlighted UNM’s enrollment, degrees awarded, scholarship support, patent activity, and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center. It passed 70-0. House Memorial 48, declaring February 4, 2026 Valencia County Day, was also brought forward and passed unanimously. Supporters described Valencia County’s history, culture, economic growth, and traditions, including the annual matanza, Route 66 heritage, and major employers and development projects. Members from the county and local officials were recognized, and the memorial emphasized both historic communities and current business and infrastructure expansion. House Memorial 50, declaring Lincoln County Day, was introduced by title and placed on the Speaker’s table, but not taken up for final passage during this segment. The chamber also recognized the Artesia Bulldogs football team for winning another state championship, Del Norte High School’s class of 1966 on its 60th anniversary, and a number of guests tied to nursing, education, and local community service. Several members used announcements to highlight nurses, school programs, and local events, including a Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus invitation and a reminder that the day was the final day to file bills with the clerk. The session closed with continued announcements and guest introductions, reflecting a day focused heavily on community recognition and celebratory memorials rather than substantive legislation beyond the memorial votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The form of easements, right-of-ways, leases, or licenses.
• Act to allow the Shivwits Band to lease land held in trust for up to 99 years.
• The bill also amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to allow the band to lease their lands for up to 99 years
• The bill also amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to allow the band to lease their lands for up to 99 years
• The bill also amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to allow the band to lease their lands for up to 99 years

Transcript Highlights:

• corrections, a structural organization of the department, powers, duties, Office of State Resources leasing
• The structural organization of the department, powers and duties, Office of State Resources, leasing
• House Bill 297 by Representative Mandy Landry, leases to expand lease termination to include stalking
• Senate Bill 77 by Senator Miller, Civil Code, provides relative to leases and movable property, effects
• against third persons, delivery of lease goods, and effects of lease by non-owners transferring property

Bills: HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , HR46 , HR48 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , SB128 , SB149 , SB174 , SB191 , SB205 , SB213 , SB218 , SB220 , SB229 , SB238 , SB243 , SB375 , SB379 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB781 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB171 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB149 , HB733 , HB875 , HB868 , HB901

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and received official notice from the Secretary of State certifying Dana Henry and Paul Sawyer to fill vacancies in the chamber. Both members were sworn in. The House also received Senate messages on several concurrent resolutions and a large slate of Senate bills, and it adopted a number of House resolutions recognizing groups and individuals, including agriculture, athletic trainers, GoFar Louisiana, homeschooling families, veterans, and several community honorees. Committee reports and bill referrals were also announced throughout the morning hour. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to floor action on House bills, many of them memorial highway designations and policy measures. The House gave final passage to bills naming roadways and bridges for Officer Trevor Abney, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, and American Legion Post No. 14, and it also passed bills extending Tax Commission assessment fees, creating a transfer-on-death securities registration act, increasing lender origination fees, expanding assessor certification committee membership, and strengthening protections for eligible adults against financial exploitation. Other bills passed included measures on teacher certification appeals, removing Evangeline Parish from a juvenile justice district, re-creating the Department of Education, and repealing a $25 impaired-driving fine. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 68, which would create a new offense for disturbing worship services and impose a mandatory 30-day jail term for certain misdemeanor conduct, with higher penalties for related offenses. Supporters argued the bill was intended to deter disruptions and reduce the risk of escalation in houses of worship, citing heightened security concerns and incidents in churches nationwide. Opponents questioned the bill’s vagueness, the mandatory minimum sentence, the distinction between misdemeanor and felony treatment, and whether existing law already covered the conduct. The bill remained under discussion as members continued to raise constitutional, enforcement, and policy concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2027, when TCEQ is not required to issue this permit until Bastrop and Austin Water... come to an agreement
• healthcare practitioner, rather than only physicians, and a patient to enter into direct... patient care agreement
• of higher education for emergency repairs and short timeline projects from the 90-day notices on leases
• Public property lease to a non-governmental entity. Third reading.
• House Bill 5435. to require lease terms for public property lease to a non-governmental entity.

Bills: HB4 , HB20 , HB40 , HB46 , HB 101 , HB 112 , HB 117 , HB 121 , HB 127 , HB146 , HB150 , HB186 , HB229 , HB426 , HB521 , HB541 , HB549 , HB632 , HB713 , HB796 , HB 1052 , HB 1106 , HB 1135 , HB 1234 , HB 1306 , HB1403 , HB1523 , HB1532 , HB1690 , HB1960 , HB2035 , HB2217 , HB2399 , HB2488 , HB2517 , HB2594 , HB2655 , HB2686 , HB2731 , HB2757 , HB2820 , HB2963 , HB3005 , HB3053 , HB3073 , HB3225 , HB3320 , HB3333 , HB3336 , HB3441 , HB3483 , HB3516 , HB3520 , HB3697 , HB3748 , HB3793 , HB3848 , HB4099 , HB4134 , HB4144 , HB4158 , HB4233 , HB4236 , HB4285 , HB4350 , HB4359 , HB4464 , HB4580 , HB4690 , HB4730 , HB4848 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5196 , HB5294 , HB5381 , HB5435 , HB5437 , HB5509 , HB5606 , HB5646 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5663 , HB5666 , HB5672 , HCR40 , HCR59 , SB867 , SB2919 , SJR5 , SJR27 , SB4 , SB6 , SB7 , SB9 , SB13 , SB15 , SB23 , SB27 , SB30 , SB40 , SB57 , SB66 , SB140 , SB268 , SB293 , SB331 , SB413 , SB447 , SB457 , SB467 , SB506 , SB510 , SB512 , SB571 , SB650 , SB763 , SB777 , SB785 , SB800 , SB850 , SB863 , SB865 , SB973 , SB974 , SB1191 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1494 , SB1522 , SB1540 , SB1567 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB1723 , SB1760 , SB1838 , SB1923 , SB1946 , SB1957 , SB1964 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2217 , SB2221 , SB2321 , SB2337 , SB2368 , SB2373 , SB2407 , SB2431 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2900 , SB2965 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3059 , SB3070 , SB1 , SB17 , SB21 , SB260 , SB379 , SB509 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB2525 , HB5246 , HB 100 , HB 101 , HB 119 , HB227 , HB252 , HB322 , HB346 , HB654 , HB705 , HB718 , HB721 , HB824 , HB 1094 , HB 1234 , HB 1306 , HB1506 , HB1523 , HB1629 , HB1690 , HB1868 , HB1960 , HB1973 , HB2012 , HB2035 , HB2037 , HB2078 , HB2128 , HB2213 , HB2240 , HB2348 , HB2520 , HB2598 , HB2686 , HB2694 , HB2820 , HB3005 , HB3057 , HB3092 , HB3112 , HB3171 , HB3181 , HB3185 , HB3333 , HB3388 , HB3516 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB3623 , HB3629 , HB3642 , HB3686 , HB3697 , HB3749 , HB3793 , HB3812 , HB3815 , HB3848 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4211 , HB4214 , HB4233 , HB4285 , HB4350 , HB4361 , HB4463 , HB4464 , HB4466 , HB4559 , HB4630 , HB4748 , HB4765 , HB4848 , HB4894 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5093 , HB5196 , HB5320 , HB5437 , HB5624 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5652 , HB5654 , HB5655 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5664 , HB5665 , HB5666 , HB5670 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5677 , HB5679 , HB5682 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694 , HB5695 , HB5698 , HB5699 , HCR46 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HB748 , HB5652 , HB3395 , HB180 , HB 1306 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB1629 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB4690 , HB4464 , HB3623 , HB2520 , HB2213 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB3619 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB346 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5674 , HB3185 , HB2348 , HB 1135 , HB 101 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5658 , HB4144 , HB3642 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB4158 , HB4630 , HB1523 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB2820 , HB186 , HB 119 , HB4466 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4995 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB3686 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB718 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB4765 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB 1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HB 121 , HB3336 , HB5294 , HB5646 , HB4236 , HB 1052 , HB5509 , HB5435 , HB3520 , HB3320 , HB2517 , HB2488 , HB5663 , HB2731 , HB3073 , HB2655 , HB2399 , HB541 , HB4099 , HB 111 , HB1532 , HB3483 , HB2963 , HB4580 , HB3748 , HB713 , HB632 , HB426 , HB4730 , HB 127 , HB5690 , HB5689 , HB5655 , HB3385 , HB2757 , HB4359 , HB5381 , HB20 , HB 123 , HB549 , HB5606 , HB2217 , HB2594 , HB796 , HB 1057 , HB3664 , HCR141 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR46 , HCR111 , HCR83 , HCR84 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3045 , SB3071 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB 121 , HB426 , HB541 , HB713 , HB 1052 , HB1532 , HB2217 , HB2488 , HB2517 , HB2655 , HB2757 , HB2963 , HB3073 , HB3697 , HB4099 , HB4144 , HB4158 , HB4236 , HB4285 , HB4848 , HB5435 , HB5437 , HB5509 , HB5646 , HB5666 , HB14 , HB 1240 , HB796 , HB1523 , HB5294 , SR559 , SR587 , SR614 , SCR53 , SJR59 , SB10 , SB22 , SB25 , SB34 , SB36 , SB38 , SB261 , SB777 , SB924 , SB1188 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1448 , SB1621 , SB1862 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB8 , SB12 , SB37 , SB441 , SB1566 , SB2878 , HB300 , HB2011 , HB5246 , HB 101 , HB 119 , HB227 , HB252 , HB346 , HB654 , HB718 , HB721 , HB824 , HB 1306 , HB1629 , HB1868 , HB1960 , HB1973 , HB2012 , HB2035 , HB2037 , HB2213 , HB2348 , HB2520 , HB2598 , HB2686 , HB2694 , HB2820 , HB3005 , HB3092 , HB3112 , HB3185 , HB3333 , HB3388 , HB3516 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB3623 , HB3629 , HB3642 , HB3686 , HB3815 , HB3848 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4214 , HB4350 , HB4361 , HB4463 , HB4464 , HB4466 , HB4559 , HB4630 , HB4765 , HB4894 , HB4904 , HB4995 , HB5196 , HB5320 , HB5624 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5652 , HB5654 , HB5655 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5664 , HB5665 , HB5670 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5677 , HB5679 , HB5682 , HB5695 , HB5698 , HCR46 , HCR76 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HB 1094 , HB3171 , HB3793 , HB4233 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694

Transcript Highlights:

• Subtracting the training and leased space cost, the just staff-only cost would be about $4.6 million
• </c><01:14:33.840><c> cost,</c><01:14:34.720><c> um</c><01:14:34.960><c> the</c> training and leased
• State Patrol owns the building, but the Department of Admin's going to charge them lease space, right
• It's just like them lease space, right?
• </c><01:37:32.640><c> turn</c> how those bargaining agreements turn how those bargaining agreements turn

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is contractual agreements.
• What would end up happening if that's on a lease?
• They leased it for a period of 99 years.
• the lease is up, don't bother staying.
• Everyone has a 99-year lease.

Bills: SB17 , SB1569 , SB2420 , HB5138 , HJR161 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HCR76 , HCR127 , SB906 , SB1229 , SB855 , SB703 , SB1025 , SB888 , SB1119 , SB1080 , SB929 , SB1355 , SB2231 , SB1877 , SB1998 , SB552 , SB17 , SB1569 , SB2420 , HB2697 , HB3801 , HB3488 , HB3477 , HB3466 , HB3469 , HB2594 , HB2564 , HB2298 , HB5331 , HB5646 , HB5247 , HB5323 , HB4384 , HB3896 , HB4014 , HB3627 , HB3594 , HB2524 , HB510 , HB561 , HB 1181 , HB3963 , HB5111 , HB2785 , HB1661 , HB200 , HB1803 , HB249 , HB721 , HB851 , HB 1128 , HB1904 , HB30 , HB1916 , HB541 , HB5560 , HB3071 , HB5627 , HB5435 , HB2688 , HB3045 , HB3483 , HB4213 , HB4226 , HB783 , HB175 , HB4735 , HB5155 , HB5057 , HB4813 , HB5339 , HB5196 , HB5033 , HB3486 , HB4211 , HB74 , HB4730 , HB4743 , HB4463 , HB4139 , HB4752 , HB4486 , HB4437 , HB4426 , HB4396 , HB4263 , HB3487 , HB3418 , HB2266 , HB2229 , HB2189 , HB5224 , HB5195 , HB3947 , HB3358 , HB3370 , HB3745 , HB3697 , HB2001 , HB1968 , HB3371 , HB3909 , HB4944 , HB2284 , HB4506 , HB3317 , HB4166 , HB3913 , HB1768 , HB4603 , HB2494 , HB3099 , HJR138 , HB133 , HB3832 , HB1988 , HCR34 , HB3421 , HB3892 , HB5138 , HJR161 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HCR76 , HCR127

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received the invocation and pledges, and heard several announcements and recognitions before moving into floor action. Members honored the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, recognized educator Jessica Lopez, and paid memorial tribute to Jennifer Maddenly, along with recognitions for Jeanette Valdez Duran’s food pantry work, TAMACC’s 50th anniversary, and Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement from WFAA. The House also granted permission for committees to meet while the House was in session, set a local consent calendar, and suspended posting rules for a Public Health Committee hearing on SB 2721. The chamber then considered a long series of Senate and House bills, with many passing on record votes. Measures addressed local law enforcement authority (SB 906), veterans highway designation (SB 1229), foster care medical billing (SB 855), massage therapy trafficking safeguards (SB 703), tax ballot language (SB 1025), occupational licensing for people with convictions (SB 1080), lien deadlines (SB 929), liquor sales complaints (SB 1355), higher education application fee waivers (SB 2231), utility data access (SB 1877), pediatric preceptorships (SB 1998), and several House bills on bond forfeiture notice, health workforce coordination, indigent civil commitment representation, consumer transaction cancellations, bird dispersal rules, theft venue for digital property, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, in-state tuition for military-related programs, utility capital recovery, energy waste advisory oversight, gas utility rate recovery, psychedelic therapy study, teacher retirement funding transparency, pension changes, tax payment plans, and voter registration security. Some measures drew notable debate or amendments, including HB 5247, where a ratepayer-credit amendment failed, and HB 2298, HB 4014, HB 510, HB 561, HB 1128, HB 1904, HB 30, HB 200, HB 3045, and HB 5111, which all passed after recorded votes with varying margins. A major point of contention was SB 2420, the app store age-verification bill, which prompted extended debate over whether the bill should also require app developers to verify users’ ages. Representative Bryant offered an amendment to preserve developer verification obligations, arguing the bill would otherwise shift responsibility away from app makers; the author opposed it, saying the bill’s approach was more workable and raised concerns about First Amendment issues. Multiple points of order were raised and withdrawn during the debate, and the amendment discussion remained unresolved in the excerpt. The House also postponed further consideration of SB 17, SB 552, and SB 2420 at different points, and recessed for lunch after completing a large block of third-reading votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the tenants off the lease.
• </c> the whole the whole term of the lease the whole the whole term of the lease and<01:31:03.840><c>
• <c> they</c><01:31:05.159><c> cannot</c> and when the lease ends they cannot and when the lease ends
• Lease terms are a private contract between a landlord and tenant, intended as short-term agreements,
• prior to signing a lease.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• LAND MUST BE USED IN PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTS OR AGRI-TOURISM OWNED BY THE LANDOWNER OR LEASE
• THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WHILE RETAINING THE BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE BILL WHICH INCLUDED A PROPERTY LEASED
• IS REPORTED FAVORABLY, NEXT TAB 4, SB 1512 ON PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION AND ASSESSMENT LIMITATION ON LEASE
• BUT I HAVE TO CONFESS HAVING BEEN DISAPPOINTED THAT WE DIDN'T GET THE TAX ON LEASES FINALLY ON.
• OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER ACTUALLY HAVING BEEN ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SUPPORTERS OF REDUCING THE TAX ON LEASES

Transcript Highlights:

• But now we're going to expand and try to ask for lease money in Albuquerque. Mr.
• Chairman, Senator, we're not asking for lease money for Albuquerque.
• And that 6 million is made up of smaller agreements that we're working with, like our New Mexico 94,
• I had no idea how much they were spending on leasing heavy operating equipment.
• They don't own it clear and free; they lease it. They have liabilities, payroll, and equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• is very much a gray area as far as laws around manufactured housing because as you know they they lease
• But we do see that the great majority of housing authorities do have PILOT agreements with their... .
• ..but we do see that the great majority of housing authorities do have PILOT agreements with their...
• Residents of manufactured home communities who lease similar lots and are provided similar amenities
• So in housing court, I had four lease violations. I was losing weight. I was falling down.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hearing on a wide range of housing bills focused on manufactured housing, condominiums, public housing, tiny homes, and protections for elderly and disabled residents. Chairs Haggerty and Cyr opened by emphasizing the importance of these housing types and the need to hear from many speakers. Testimony on manufactured housing was especially extensive and sharply divided. Supporters of bills such as H. 1475, S. 990, and H. 1513 argued that out-of-state corporate owners are buying communities, raising rents and fees, reducing services, and exploiting legal gray areas. Residents and lawmakers from affected communities like Taunton, Middleborough, Attleboro, and Oak Point described steep rent disparities, fear of displacement, and the need for stronger protections, while Representative Hawkins urged an omnibus approach and said the bill would create a local board to ensure compliance with existing law. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Association and Hometown America’s counsel, argued that current law already provides protections, that the bills would create uncertainty or unfairly restrict owners, and that H. 1475 was intended to clarify the post-Blake legal landscape. The committee also heard testimony on condominium reform through S. 980, with owners describing lack of transparency, surprise assessments, and limited accountability, and urging updates to Chapter 183A and more owner rights. Public housing bills also drew support from housing authority advocates. MassNAHRO backed S. 955, H. 1517, H. 1512, H. 1550, and H. 1551, saying housing authorities need more flexibility to preserve and expand affordable housing. Witnesses supported tax relief for replacement public housing units and streamlined procurement rules, arguing these changes would help projects move faster and make better use of capital funds. Committee members asked questions about PILOT agreements, tax treatment of new developments, and whether state and federal public housing would be treated similarly. The committee also heard from Senator Lovely and advocates for S. 1007/H. 1525, which would prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents in housing. Supporters described the bills as a long-needed response to harassment in senior and public housing, calling for building-level plans, staff training, and AG oversight; Jerry Halberstadt said the measure should be strengthened with enforcement and tenant advocacy support. Pamela and other witnesses described severe personal impacts from bullying and management retaliation. Another major topic was S. 1474/H. 1474 on movable tiny houses as permanent dwellings and accessory dwelling units. Supporters, including Representative DeCoste, Vera Struck, Kaylee DeCrease, and Abundant Housing Massachusetts, said tiny homes are a safe, affordable, sustainable option for seniors, workers, and others facing the housing shortage, and urged the committee to legalize them and align state rules with emerging standards. They also discussed tax classification and the need for a clear building code and DMV category. Finally, H. 1476 on pet-friendly elderly housing drew support from animal welfare groups, who said the bill would restore and modernize a prior pet program, expand access across state-aided housing, limit pet deposits, and reduce pet surrender caused by housing barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• or lease term.
• ><c> really</c><06:40:39.440><c> expires</c> residential lease never really expires residential lease
• </c><06:41:49.520><c> and</c> intention to not renew the lease and intention to not renew the lease and
• </c><06:41:51.440><c> shall</c> specifies that the end of a lease shall specifies that the end of a lease
• </c> health, safety concerns, lease health, safety concerns, lease violations,<06:45:06.798><c> and</

Transcript Highlights:

• But each member has a proprietary lease that entitles them to the exclusive possession of the unit of
• The community land trust owns the land, and the cooperatives lease the land from the land trust.
• Since 1979, pharmacists can prescribe and diagnose through collaborative drug therapy agreements.
• We are all under a collaborative drug therapy agreement with our medical director or our chief medical
• I'm under the impression that there's reliance on a collaborative drug therapy agreement, which is not

Bills: HB2453 , HB2590 , HB2445 , HB2386 , HB2585

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary