Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:00.000><c> new</c> ports to continue to develop new ports to continue to develop new markets
• :44.159><c> the</c><00:30:44.399><c> full</c> economic development targeting the full economic development
• </c> development organizations and higher ed. development organizations and higher ed.
• So, moving on broadband development.
• Modifies and development program.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tax have on tourist development taxes in Orange County?
• tax and the tourist development councils.
• And the tourist development councils. It would preserve the status quo.
• Now they have the tourist development funds coming into the county.
• They're working with developers through tax rebates and grants to develop that property.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> one spot per unit unless the developer one spot per unit unless the developer can<00:28:23.120><
• </c> might be a stretch if you're developing might be a stretch if you're developing a<00:31:07.559><
• ><c> an</c> parking I mean the developer has an parking I mean the developer has an incentive<00:31:55.600
• </c><01:14:32.920><c> or</c> mall or a multif family development or mall or a multif family development
• lot was, you know, developed in conformity with the neighborhood.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in public areas housing developments in public areas housing developments Park<00:14:55.600><c>
• </c> council state Council on development council state Council on development disabilities<00:23:12.520
• > ensure</c> for develop for developers to ensure for develop for developers to ensure consistency<00
• </c><00:45:47.640><c> an</c> tasks the first task is develop an tasks the first task is develop an accurate
• I hope that it passes. develop essential reforms for how state develop essential reforms for how state

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee will come to order.
• What the gist of the bill is that if the state is going to be funding a new economic development to come
• aerospace companies, that these agreements cannot be honored in Florida if you get any economic development
• I'm a housing developer on the other end, so I'm looking forward to getting home.
• I'm a housing developer on the other end, so I'm looking forward to getting home.

Summary: The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four member bills. The first, CS/HB 1387 by Rep. Overdorf, would create the Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act and require secret-ballot union recognition for companies receiving state economic development funds. Questions focused on whether the bill was pro- or anti-union and on its fiscal impact; the sponsor said it was neutral and expected no fiscal impact. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with several speakers arguing it would interfere with private-sector labor relations and discourage companies with existing labor agreements from investing in Florida, while a few supporters backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with several members voting no. The committee then unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 1211 by Rep. Albert, which streamlines senior management service governance in the Department of Military Affairs, updates military leave benefits for state employees serving in the Florida National Guard, expands emergency financial assistance eligibility for guardsmen, and repeals an unfunded statutory program. An amendment aligning senior management positions under state statute was adopted without objection. The committee also unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 741 by Rep. Owen, a Department of Commerce bill updating outdated statutes, including provisions on military installation revertor clauses, rural community definitions, community development block grant language, and E-Verify/unauthorized employment provisions; the sponsor said there would be little or no fiscal impact. Finally, CS/CS/HB 1093 by Rep. Spencer, dealing with advanced air mobility, was amended to focus on infrastructure and funding for vertiports and charging systems and to remove liability, siding, and preemption provisions. Support came from industry and legal groups, and the bill was reported favorably unanimously. Before adjournment, the chair noted that budget recommendations for fiscal year 2026-27 had been submitted to the appropriations chair. The ranking member offered closing remarks, saying it was his last year in the House and thanking members for their collegiality. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now you've heard the first reading of the bill, and it is referred to the Committee on Economic Development
• It is referred to the Committee on Economic Development.
• Now you've heard the first reading of the bill, and it is referred to the Committee on Economic Development
• , again, maybe 5 minutes if we can get everyone to stay around, including the chair of Economic Development
• </c> economic development. Thank you, Mr. economic development. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• like to turn it over once again to my testifier, Nicole Newton, from the planning and economic development
• I'm the director of planning and economic development with the city of St. Paul.
• 03:38.640><c> economic</c> um, from the planning and economic um, from the planning and economic development
• </c> development director in the city of St. development director in the city of St.
• </c> development with the city of St. Paul. development with the city of St. Paul.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• measure that would allow R.D. 108 the hydropower authorization to continue to seek opportunities to develop
• measure that would allow RD108 the hydropower authorization to continue to seek opportunities to develop
• our sponsor, Gerbach Sahota, president and CEO of the California Association for Local Economic Development
• We represent over 950 economic developers.
• These reforms will significantly improve the ability for local governments to support economic development

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• stores and providing a civil penalty, referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development
• connection with a residential lease, referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development
• HB 3532 by Gates, relating to multi-family residential developments owned by public facility corporations
• HB 3533 by Gates, relating to multi-family residential developments financed, owned, or operated by public
• Gates relating to the multi-family residential developments financed, owned, or operated.

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1530 is a research and development ecosystem bill.
• SB 1530 is a research and development ecosystem bill.
• This is to help a lot of our small towns with their biggest challenge when it comes to development, which
• Again, I think in a lot of our communities across the state, there is a need for new development and
• , by that municipality, and it is subject to a vote of 60... the state, there is a need for new development

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on economic development, infrastructure, and education policy. SB 1530, described as a research and development ecosystem bill, would encourage universities, businesses, and industry to partner to strengthen Oklahoma’s high-tech economy; it passed 29-0. SB 1847, a measure aimed at helping Oklahomans avoid nursing home placement and reduce costs, also passed 29-0. SB 1990 would require the Incentive Evaluation Commission to send its annual report to the Secretary of State and expand its review of incentives to include broader comparative analysis and strategic economic goals; it passed 28-0. The committee also considered SB 2060, the Build Act, which is intended to help small towns finance upfront infrastructure costs for development. Members raised concerns about independent boards, debt, assessments, zoning authority, and accountability, and the author said an adopted amendment was meant to preserve city and county control over planning and infrastructure protections. The bill passed 22-5. SB 1992, a Department of Commerce cleanup bill, passed 27-2. Later, the committee took up SB 1579, a taxpayer bill of rights, which passed 26-0. SB 1778, agreed-upon reading legislation language that cleans up formulas and clarifies the SRA formula and related reading provisions, also passed 28-0. The chair noted upcoming longer Appropriations and J-CAB meetings and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you can't really just pick and choose how you develop it.
• We're trying to develop and have developed extremely competent, effective, and knowledgeable investigators
• We've developed an incredibly eclectic, high-performing team.
• It's really to develop new capacity to... ...from their various vantage points, it's really to develop
• test methods for our testing lab, develop regulations, solicit public input on this area, build track

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several CalVet budget updates first. CalVet reported progress on the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, explaining that DGS is revising the earlier feasibility study to reflect a smaller footprint and lower grading costs, with updated numbers expected by the end of April. Members and public commenters emphasized the project’s importance and asked whether additional budget authority or trailer bill language was needed; CalVet said it may need more spending authority but wanted to return after the revised study is complete. The committee also reviewed the Yountville skilled nursing facility replacement project, where CalVet said construction is nearing completion, a certificate of occupancy was received, and the new 240-bed facility will replace Holderman Hospital while older buildings will be repurposed for lower levels of care. CalVet also defended eliminating about 178 vacant positions at Yountville and West Los Angeles as a fiscal and staffing efficiency measure, saying current care levels can still be met and that retention and hiring efforts are improving. The committee then took up the Department of Cannabis Control’s enforcement and legal affairs proposal. DCC described the size of the illicit cannabis market, said enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, and asked for additional sworn staff, a new Redding-area field office, and more analysts to focus on distribution networks, organized crime, environmental harms, and high-priority public safety cases. Finance supported the proposal as a targeted investment, while the LAO had no additional comment. Members asked about funding impacts and local co-location options, and DCC said the request would be funded from cannabis excise tax revenues and could help shift sales into the legal market. Public testimony from the cannabis industry strongly supported more enforcement against illicit retail and said it would help legal operators compete. DCC also presented its hemp enforcement and regulation proposal tied to AB 8. The department said the law closes loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthens enforcement across agencies, and prepares for hemp to enter the cannabis regulatory framework in 2028. DCC requested staff for a civil enforcement unit, field-testing equipment, lab capacity to detect synthetic cannabinoids, a track-and-trace specialist, and a policy specialist. Members asked about enforcement in informal retail settings and consumer confusion, and DCC said the biggest problems have been smoke shops and online sales. Public commenters from the legal cannabis industry supported the proposal, saying intoxicating hemp has harmed the regulated market and created public safety risks. The Cannabis Control Appeals Panel then requested ongoing funding of $3.4 million to support 12 positions and its quasi-judicial appeals function. The panel said that with provisional licenses largely phased out, more annual licensees now have appeal rights and the workload is beginning to increase, with two cases currently on the docket. The LAO recommended limiting funding to three years and requiring a workload and comparative analysis before making the funding permanent, while Finance supported ongoing funding as consistent with the panel’s permanent statutory role. Members questioned the panel’s compensation and workload, noting that the five-member body is paid at a high statutory rate despite historically meeting only quarterly, though panel staff said the work now includes substantial case preparation and monthly hearings. Finally, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced two proposals: $2 million ongoing for the Contractors State License Board’s IT needs and $251,000 plus one limited-term position for the Board of Pharmacy to implement Proposition 34-related licensing policy and reduce barriers to licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you can't really just pick and choose how you develop it.
• We're trying to develop and have developed extremely competent, effective, and knowledgeable investigators
• We've developed an incredibly eclectic, high-performing team.
• It's really to develop new capacity to address the gap that we've seen.
• It's really to develop new capacity to, from their various vantage points, it's really to develop new

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have no control over human population growth and the associated development on the same land that
• We have no control over human population growth and the associated development on the same land that
• Concern about development.
• Concern about development.
• , concern about development.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 895, which would require data centers using water for cooling to use non-consumptive closed-loop systems or secure water from a municipality or other water user so they do not draw more from the system than can be sustained. Representative Raybould presented the bill, and Representative Mickelsen moved it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee approved that motion by voice vote. The bulk of the meeting focused on Idaho Fish and Game’s advanced hunting technology rule package, including restrictions on transmitting trail cameras, thermal optics, night vision, drones, and related technologies. Fish and Game staff and Director Jim Frederick described a lengthy public process, survey results showing broad hunter opposition to many technologies, and the commission’s effort to balance hunter opportunity, fair chase concerns, and enforceability. Several committee members objected to the rule package, arguing it conflicted with state law, changed substantially from the original proposal, and should have been handled by legislation rather than rulemaking. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to hold the docket until an odd-numbered day the following week, effectively delaying action. The committee then heard House Bill 910, which would create a statutory framework for the Department of Lands and Parks and Recreation to jointly manage recreation opportunities on endowment lands while protecting existing uses and maximizing revenue to the endowment. The bill drew questions about approval authority, existing MOUs, impacts on grazing and other current uses, and whether it would expand recreation development. Supporters said it would streamline management and generate revenue; opponents worried it would promote more recreation on endowment lands and create conflicts. The committee approved the bill on a 9-6 roll call vote. It also sent Senate Bill 1303, updating renewable energy language in a state fund statute, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 124, recognizing wildlife crossing projects, to the floor with due pass recommendations. House Bill 878, dealing with firefighter pay and fire suppression fund issues, was sent to House General Orders. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Memorial 111 on protecting federal public lands from disposal; after testimony and debate over public access, fragmented parcels, and federal land management, the committee had not yet reached a final disposition in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Develop and through them very quickly.
• Develop, offer, or make service charges.
• You're going to be developing these plans for everyone.
• You're going to be developing these plans for everyone.
• You're going to be developing these plans for everyone.

Committee: Joint Technology

Keywords: Technology - Room 216, 18 March, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reality is many of the current large AI developers that we can all think about already have these
• This entire bill development has been very, very technical.
• We need real guardrails on the development of data centers in order to protect Washington ratepayers
• To be clear, this bill is not a data center ban, nor does it seek to slow their development.
• I'm the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Development for the City of Spokane, speaking in support

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2515, which addresses emerging large energy use facilities, especially data centers. Staff explained that the bill requires utilities to adopt tariffs or policies for data centers, adds reporting and sustainability requirements, sets renewable energy targets, and creates a sales tax exemption for certain eligible data center equipment in eastern Washington. The House sponsor said the bill is intended to protect ratepayers, grid reliability, water resources, and Washington’s climate goals as data center growth accelerates. Tribal representatives and several environmental and labor witnesses urged restoring provisions removed from the House version, especially authority to curtail data center load during energy emergencies and to refuse service if reliability or affordability would be harmed; they also asked for stronger water reporting and protections for salmon. Utility, business, and data center industry witnesses supported the bill’s general framework but raised concerns about implementation, costs, and some of the added requirements, while some opposed the tax exemption and the loss of earlier protections. No final action on 2515 was taken during the hearing portion shown. The committee then heard and acted on several bills in executive session. It passed Substitute House Bill 1302, which allows municipal utilities to waive connection charges for industrial symbiosis projects. It also passed House Bill 2338 on community-scaled weatherization projects after rejecting an amendment, and House Bill 2367 on eliminating preferential treatment for a coal-fired plant after rejecting an amendment. Substitute House Bill 2496 on tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council was amended and then passed, while amendments to change public meeting and tribal summary provisions were rejected. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2426 on PCHB efficiency and appeals, House Bill 2606 on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, Engrossed House Bill 2575 on reducing reporting obligations, and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215 on Climate Commitment Act compliance for fuels were also advanced, with some amendments adopted and others rejected. The committee then reopened public hearing on House Bill 2416, which would treat a Spokane waste-to-energy facility differently under the Climate Commitment Act by allocating no-cost allowances in the second compliance period and requiring a decarbonization and waste-reduction plan. Spokane city officials, labor, environmental groups, and Ecology generally supported the bill as a balanced approach that protects ratepayers while allowing the facility to decarbonize, though Avista raised a concern about language implying a utility compliance obligation. After that, the committee resumed testimony on House Bill 1170, which requires large AI providers to offer provenance tools and disclosures for AI-generated or altered images, video, and audio. Supporters said the bill would help workers and consumers identify synthetic media and prevent impersonation and misinformation, while industry and civil liberties witnesses argued the bill is technically difficult, uses new definitions, and may be unworkable or premature compared with California’s evolving approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Step 2 is a multi-year process to develop comprehensive service development plans, which will identify
• To support this planning, we also have developed the California Rail Infrastructure System at Caltrans
• The service development plans that are going to be begun, hopefully later this year, if FRA can remain
• We've been working with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development and other entities
• We've got two development opportunities at the end of each of our main line.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Around 10 to 15% of children with STEC infection go on to develop HUS.
• In the U.S., about 300 children annually develop this horrific disease.
• In 2006, my 7-year-old son developed STEC HUS and was hospitalized for 56 days.
• What does impact existing development mean? Uh, Ms. Fernandez.
• What is impact existing development? What is impact existing development?

Bills: SB1082 , SB1200 , SB1335 , SB1336 , SB1559 , SB1761 , SB1762 , SB1785 , SCM1007

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: petting zoos, animal encounters, public health, handwashing, supervision, sanitization, safety regulations, civil penalties, water supply, groundwater, Phoenix, certificates, long-term storage credits, water conservation, municipal provider, replenishment obligation, water banking, annual report, Arizona Water Banking Authority, water supply management

Transcript Highlights:

• January 30th meeting of the Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee.
• The objectives of these roles include content development, education, technical expertise, and training
• They coordinate their development.
• They coordinate their development with agencies and ensure they reflect best practices.
• And so we have funded and helped them develop those in a number of counties around the state.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2579, which would create a Public Media Broadcaster Program and a Digital Equity Program funded by a 20-cent-per-line monthly tax on wireless, prepaid wireless, VoIP, and landline service. Staff explained that 80% of the revenue would support public media grants, 20% would support digital equity grants, and a small share could be used for administration. The prime sponsor, Rep. Chris Stearns, and many public media, community media, and digital equity supporters testified that public radio and television provide emergency alerts, local news, education, training, and community connection, especially in rural and underserved areas, and that federal funding cuts have made state support more urgent. Several witnesses described how public media helped with emergency communications, youth training, Indigenous programming, and access to local information. Opposition came from CTIA and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes. CTIA argued the tax would add to already high wireless taxes in Washington and would be regressive because low-income residents rely heavily on wireless service. Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes objected to the bill as another tax increase and said it would worsen affordability. One supporter said an amendment would be offered to address a misunderstanding in the fiscal note. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then received a cybersecurity and critical infrastructure briefing from state emergency management and cybersecurity officials. They described Washington’s layered cybersecurity model, the role of state agencies, the Fusion Center, WOTEC, the National Guard, and the Emergency Management Division, and the growing threat from ransomware, supply-chain attacks, and AI-enabled attacks. Members asked about volunteer cyber response capacity, the most vulnerable sectors, and whether the legislature should fund more real-time threat monitoring and intelligence sharing. Officials said the state is working to establish a volunteer cyber incident response team and that the main gap is real-time monitoring across participating local and private networks. The committee also heard updates on the December 2025 flooding response and wildfire resilience. Emergency management officials reported widespread flooding, landslides, power outages, evacuations, rescues, and infrastructure damage, but said mitigation investments helped prevent worse outcomes. They identified gaps in statewide alerting, search and rescue coordination, and local emergency management capacity, and said a statewide alert system like Oregon’s would require ongoing funding. In the wildfire update, DNR and partner agencies described increasing wildfire risk, the use of aircraft, AI-enabled detection cameras, and common operating pictures, and ongoing work on hazard and risk mapping, community wildfire preparedness, and home hardening. Members asked about predictive technology, sediment removal, and other mitigation tools, and officials said they are working with universities and federal partners to improve prevention and response.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section three creates the technical advisory board that would help develop that plan, and that's with
• </c><00:18:49.120><c> that</c> advisory board is to uh develop that advisory board is to uh develop that
• </c><00:21:29.600><c> um</c> plan that they developed um plan that they developed um back<00:21:32.080
• Um Texas developed land loss issues.
• But they developed their strategic plan shortly after BP back in 2010.

Committee: Joint Ports and Marine Resources

Keywords: Ports and Marine Resources - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 11:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It can develop quickly and be life-threatening. Nitrate comes from sources like... ...syndrome.
• It can develop quickly and be life-threatening.
• The bill directs the Utilities and Transportation Commission and the Department of Commerce to develop
• From a rural economic development perspective, that's concerning to us.
• respond to cumulative impacts and how they can be adequately addressed before development.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people. The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.