Transcript Highlights:

• We really need to build out that new system.
• It is funded from the State Lands Maintenance Fund, which is revenue from renewable uses of the state
• leveraging funds on state trust land.
• , Commissioner of Public Lands, Attorney General, State Auditor and State Treasurer, is there an ongoing
• In fact, a good deal of that money is sent directly to the State Investment Council to make long-term

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure restricts the use of restrictive housing in state-operated and state-contracted correctional
• </c> use of restrictive housing in state use of restrictive housing in state operated<00:11:40.880><c
• /c> about 5% of the states Pres population about 5% of the states Pres population are<00:13:59.959><c
• It also authorizes the State Highway Safety and Modernization Council to select new areas for additional
• The bill authorizes the State Highway Safety and Modernization Council to select new areas for additional

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• information or state elections office, excuse me, the county elections.
• This exemption is to give flexibility to small school districts from the State Building Code Council
• to exempt certain parts of the energy code.
• Like other state trustee agencies, there’s ample precedent. It had good bipartisan sponsorship.
• Like other state trustee agencies, there’s ample precedent. It had good bipartisan sponsorship.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so we're building the state water plan off of the 17% response rate.
• OK, so we're building the state water plan off of the 17% response rate. Is that a overstatement?
• What is the regulation that our country has or a state could have to make certain that we don't build
• Commissioners courts and county judges all across the state work every day to build our local economies
• Commissioner's courts and county judges all across the state work every day to build our local economies

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has traditionally been something where the state auditor's offices have been able to provide that
• information or state elections office, excuse me, the county elections.
• This exemption is to give flexibility to small school districts from the State Building Code Council
• to exempt certain parts of the energy code.
• Like other state trustee agencies, there's ample precedent. It had good bipartisan sponsorship.

Summary: The Committee on Rules considered a gubernatorial package poll, a consent calendar package poll, and a series of individual polls. The gubernatorial nominations on the lavender sheet were advanced to the confirmation calendar, and the measures on the pink consent calendar package were advanced to the consent calendar, with Senator Peterson noting the consent package was a bipartisan set of bills expected to be unanimous. The committee then advanced numerous bills from the white sheet, including SB 6002 on limits for automated license plate readers and privacy protections; SB 6178 on restrictions related to assignment of post-loss property insurance benefits; SB 5892 on protecting voter registration data and sensitive personal information; SSB 5490 on search policies for transgender and intersex individuals in local jails; SB 5177 on professional development that considers historically marginalized and underrepresented groups; SB 6039 on electronic communications for L&I; SB 5874 on waiving penalties for minor unemployment insurance reporting errors; SB 5863 on preserving Lakeland Village records and artifacts until 2030; SB 5972 on binding arbitration for certain correctional officers; SB 5941 on energy code flexibility for small school districts; SB 5203 on wildlife habitat connectivity and related reporting/funding; SB 6014 on confidentiality for pregnancy accommodation complaints; SB 5993 on limiting interest on new and unpaid medical debt to 1%; SB 5831 on the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act; SB 5928 on wildfire risk model disclosure and insurer consideration of mitigation efforts; SB 5912 on reinstating the indigent defense task force; and SB 5825 on technical cleanup of the Washington Leadership Board statute and private fundraising authority. Most motions passed by voice vote with little or no opposition. Senator Short spoke against SB 5892, arguing voter data access had traditionally been handled through auditor or county elections offices and that the bill moved in the wrong direction; supporters responded that it protected sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and birthdates while preserving access to voting history. The meeting concluded after the chair asked for further business and, hearing none, adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we should all be investing in more state audits.
• And I think in this building, you embody that pressure.
• and anything shown in our state.
• Hi, Rebecca May with the Contractor State License Board.
• State your name. Thank you, Madam Chair and members.

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services are classified by codes, billing codes, usually CPT codes or HIPIC codes. might be most suitable
• codes billing codes<01:44:07.320><c> usually</c><01:44:07.679><c> CPT</c><01:44:08.360><c> codes</c>
• or hipic codes codes usually CPT codes or hipic codes but<01:44:10.800><c> so</c><01:44:11.159><c> the
• > and</c> other states five other states and other states five other states and legislation<02:09:47.880
• </c> most States uh in the United States most States uh in the United States don't<02:53:42.120><c> have

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently have 33 certified VSOs throughout the state.
• State approving agency. run by uh OK, Kathy.
• I think you and the code.
• They will be interred in a state cemetery with the same.
• availability as as as much of the state as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the town council. the town council.
• The state doesn't fund building aid anymore.
• </c><01:07:21.599><c> The</c> additional state building aid. The additional state building aid.
• This the state doesn't fund building<01:07:59.920><c> aid</c><01:08:00.240><c> anymore.
• of educa state assuming the state board of educa state board<01:12:44.880><c> of</c><01:12:45.040><c>

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1331, which would allow the town of Derry to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment. The prime sponsor and several supporters argued the change would increase local control, streamline overlapping town and school functions, and potentially help align school spending with Derry’s tax cap. Supporters also said Derry is large enough to warrant a structure more like Manchester or Nashua, and one witness cited a 2018 nonbinding Derry ballot question that passed 597 to 547 in favor of seeking authorization for this change. Opposition came from NEA New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle, who said the association and the Derry Education Association opposed the bill because schools are not simply another municipal department and because Derry voters had already rejected merging the district into town government. She argued the state should respect local control and the community’s prior decision. Committee members asked about the scope of the proposed charter change, the role of the school board, and the reported prior vote, and the sponsor clarified that the amendment would be limited to this specific purpose rather than opening the entire charter. The hearing then moved to House Bill 1374, which would change the procedures for withdrawing from a cooperative school district. Representative Mary Murphy said current law gives other cooperative towns too much control over a withdrawing town’s decision, and her bill would remove the requirement for approval by the other towns while raising the withdrawing town’s approval threshold to a supermajority. She pointed to Francis Town’s 2024 withdrawal vote and said the bill was intended to protect students and local decision-making. The sponsor asked for an ought to pass recommendation, and committee members asked follow-up questions about the prior withdrawal vote and the number of voters involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• expect us to build.
• Those dollars need to get to those projects so we can not only build those homes, but build them faster
• We need to get to those projects so we can not only build those homes, but build them faster and get
• Using this year's budget to build resilience would allow the state to weather this kind of shock without
• benefit that's state-funded, state-administered emergency medical health services.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• , of the Doña Ana County Council.
• And you're correct in stating, you know, the state did a great job; they put out the strategic water
• state-specific approach going forward?
• The state and with the state government was the US Department of Agriculture announced a $1.13 billion
• It's just going to make it worse for those states, not just ours, but many red states that also have

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 39-508-05, Idaho Code, relating to the State Hazardous Waste Management Planning Committee,
• repealing Section 39-508-06, Idaho Code, relating to the State Hazardous Waste Management Plan, and repealing
• Every city or county in this state possesses only the authority that the state delegates to them.
• They didn't ask for some state amendment or a state action. They took care of it.
• state that took it up.

Summary: The House convened with 64 members present, approved the previous journal, and received Senate Concurrent Resolutions 117, 118, and 119 for first reading and committee referral. Standing committee reports moved several measures forward, including House Bills 500, 533, 555, 551, and 526, House Joint Resolution 7, and House Joint Memorial 11, while a number of newly introduced bills were read and referred, including bills on environmental cleanup and hazardous waste provisions, property tax administration, emergency response programs in schools, city annexation, IT services, campaign finance, and digital content funding. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 557, which would preempt local ordinances imposing anti-discrimination requirements beyond state law. Supporters argued it would create statewide uniformity, protect religious freedom, and prevent local ordinances from creating litigation or conflicts over business and private-space access. Opponents argued it was an overreach that would weaken local control, ignore the ability of cities to address local concerns, and send a hostile message to LGBTQ residents and businesses. The debate included references to the Sandpoint YMCA situation, the Hitching Post case, and broader arguments about state versus local authority. House Bill 557 passed the House on a roll call vote of 53 ayes, 16 nays, and one absent excused, with the title approved and the bill transmitted to the Senate. The House also unanimously held House Joint Memorial 12 and House Concurrent Resolution 5 on the third reading calendar for one legislative day, then moved to announcements and adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the- As I stated public public. resources.
• This reduction is a natural response to that state-funded workload coming to a close and our state-funded
• So all of our state grants to date have been one-time funding.
• As we at CWOP build more cases and build more evidence, we'd be able to move cases to the state that
• are going to need to be staffed, as well as build private cases that'll be able to build the PAGA fund

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• </c> state passed and enacted the state state passed and enacted the state active<00:26:08.480><c> duty
• Is this state dollars? federal dollars? Is this state dollars?
• Our state leadership has met with those who are trying to form and kind of build that to a larger organization
• Our state leadership has met with those who are trying to form and kind of build that to a larger organization

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think a fair assumption would be that we're now matching the State income tax code to the federal
• BUT I THINK A FAIR ASSUMPTION WOULD BE THAT WE'RE NOW MATCHING THE STATE INCOMES TAX CODE TO THE FEDERAL
• conceivable ZIP code in our state who, without this, would rely strictly on emergency rooms for care
• It meant the state would come in and build sewers and water and roads and help the local governments
• IN INFRASTRUCTURE, IT MEANT THE STATE WOULD COME IN AND BUILD SEWERS AND WATER AND ROADS AND HELP THE

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and support and build their communities. and support and build their communities.
• </c> and we have to build a lot of housing. and we have to build a lot of housing.
• When we don't build enough homes, opportunities leave the state. That's why the U.S.
• Cities build housing.
• </c> Met Council. Met Council.

Bills: HF3902 , HF3895

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing tax credit, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, qualified projects, taxpayer contributions, greater Minnesota, zoning, housing, local government, multifamily development, affordable housing, land use, urban development, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Recovery building permits to dat<00:09:34.360><c> 206</c><00:09:35.120><c> building</c><00:09:35.519
• the state DNA of the state and the state legislator<01:05:04.839><c> support</c><01:05:05.640><c> and
• </c> state same county department same state state same county department same state agencies<01:10:24.880
• One is you're supposed to build a workforce for whatever industry you're building.
• </c><01:31:48.639><c> the</c> You're Building second is you build the You're Building second is you build

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , repealing Section 39-508-05, Idaho Code, repealing Section 39-508-05, Idaho Code, relating to the State
• the State Hazardous Waste Management Plan; repealing Section 39-508-07, Idaho Code, relating to the amendment
• They didn't ask for some state amendment or a state action. They took care of it.
• state that took it up.
• And the state... ...stance on this because it really was the state that took it up.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:08.640><c> agencies,</c> collaboration with state agencies, collaboration with state agencies
• It builds on it. fraudrevention work. It builds on it.
• States I would look at it this way.
• </c> suspension, state specific regulations. suspension, state specific regulations.
• </c> divide it and Senate council go ahead. divide it and Senate council go ahead.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And obviously for the state, our tax code system is a voluntary compliance system.
• In our home state.
• So you're hitting those in-state businesses more than the out-of-state.
• So you're hitting those in-state businesses more than the out-of-state.
• They referenced NAICS codes, North American Industry Classification Service codes.

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.