Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is due pass to Public Safety Committee. Calra. Aye. Calderon, aye.
• Motion is due pass to Privacy Committee. Callra. Aye. Callra. Aye. Macedo.
• Motions do pass to Privacy Committee. Callra. Aye. Callra. Aye.
• Florida was first, and Florida was one of the first to pass these bills.
• Motion is due pass as amended, adding an urgency clause to appropriations.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on domestic violence protections, pay equity enforcement, Jewish demographic data collection, court transparency, auto glass insurance practices, pet policy disclosure for renters, and civil rights accountability for federal officers. SB 99 would require courts and law enforcement to better recognize military protective orders in domestic violence cases; supporters from the Department of Defense and military organizations said it would close jurisdictional gaps for military families, and the bill passed to Public Safety. SB 1237 would increase penalties for repeat noncompliance with California pay data reporting laws; supporters said stronger enforcement is needed to address persistent wage gaps, and the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1387 would allow Jewish identity to be reported as an ethnic category in state demographic data; supporters said better data would improve policy and anti-discrimination efforts, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary or divisive, and it passed to Privacy. SB 932 would require assignees filing civil actions to identify the original party in the case caption; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed to Judiciary/Appropriations on call. The committee also took up SB 98, which would regulate auto glass insurance claims by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring clearer estimates and invoices, and limiting inducements to consumers. The sponsor and NICB said the bill would curb fraud and unsafe repairs, while independent glass shops and industry groups argued it could reduce consumer choice and favor insurer-aligned networks; the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies before collecting application fees and provide refunds if nondisclosure materially affected an applicant’s decision; supporters said it would save renters time and money, while rental housing representatives objected to a provision limiting eviction based solely on failure to sign a pet addendum. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 747, the No Kings Act, would create a California cause of action allowing people to sue federal officers for constitutional violations using standards similar to Section 1983. Senator Wiener and a witness who said he was unlawfully detained by Border Patrol argued the bill is needed because federal officers currently lack comparable accountability after the Supreme Court narrowed Bivens remedies. Law enforcement groups opposed the bill, warning that the qualified immunity language is unclear, could create a separate California standard, and might expose officers and governments to retroactive litigation; members discussed possible amendments on qualified immunity and retroactivity, and the bill was moved forward with an urgency amendment while negotiations continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my point in saying that is kind of a fundamental question on passing this bill if you think we should
• Every year Delaware fails to act, veterans choose those states over our state, taking their second career
• return on investment for a small cost to Delaware, I think that this is something that is necessary to pass

Summary: The House Revenue and Finance Committee met to consider House Substitute 1 for House Bill 386, which would create a temporary Delaware income tax deduction for qualified tip income from tax years 2027 through 2029. The sponsor described it as relief for service workers in restaurants, salons, and similar tipped occupations, with a deduction of up to $15,000, income-based phaseouts, a refundable credit for lower-income workers, and a sunset for later review. Committee members raised questions about the resident/non-resident language, the fiscal note, and whether the Department of Finance could implement the change; Finance said the department could administer it and expected only modest administrative costs, while the Comptroller’s office said the bill would reduce general revenue. After a brief recess to review updated language, the committee took public comment, but no one testified. A motion to release the bill failed to receive enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it to seek additional signatures. The committee then considered Senate Bill 219, which would phase in an increase in the military pension income exemption from $12,500 to $25,000 by tax year 2029. The sponsor argued the measure would help attract and retain military retirees, citing economic return estimates, workforce benefits, and support from all 21 Senate co-sponsors. Some members supported the bill as a way to reward service and bring in long-term residents, while others questioned whether the exemption should be income-based rather than available to all military retirees, including those with substantial second careers. The Department of Finance said it could operationalize the bill and that the non-resident language was unnecessary because the subtraction is already picked up in the non-resident code section. Public testimony from veterans’ organizations strongly supported the bill, emphasizing that the exemption can influence retirement decisions and help veterans and their families stay in Delaware. A motion to release the bill also failed to get enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it for signatures before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That resolution passes. We will now return to privileges of the floor for your introduction.
• a global alert on March 4 that the justice systems meant to uphold rights and the rule of law are failing
• Seeing no objections, this resolution passes. Ayes 40, noes 0.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is passed. Members, now we are going to see. We have three reports today, and Mr.
• During our examination of capital assets, the following discrepancies were noted: the district failed
• It sounds like Representative Beatty's got some school districts that are passing flying colors.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If passed, this bill will allow the facility owners to choose possibly less expensive public website
• information by recognizing the increasing role of online platforms in disseminating that information, but it fails
• If passed, it will further fragment and dilute important governmental communications to Florida residents

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, for instance, if a Girl Scout in my troop and my county failed to fill out your form, what would
• So I beg you, please to pass this bill. This is very, very important for all of Florida. Thank you.
• I urge you to pass this bill.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee heard House Bill 651, described by sponsors as the Florida Farm Bill and a comprehensive FDACS agency package. The bill combined technical agency updates with several policy provisions, including changes to water additive rules, labeling requirements for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, criminal penalties related to drones over agricultural land, mail theft, and retail fuel theft, updates to disaster recovery loan programs, an FFA scholarship, school infrastructure provisions, land purchase authority for converted agricultural land, and a Florida Farmer Financial Protection Act addressing ESG-related banking practices. A major portion of the discussion focused on the bill’s fluoride language, with supporters arguing for local choice and consumer consent and opponents warning about public health impacts and loss of local control. Members also questioned the C-4 registry language and whether it was duplicative or could affect organizations’ status. Public testimony was split. Opponents included Florida for All and the Florida Dental Association, with testimony arguing the bill protected agribusiness interests and that removing fluoride would harm dental health, especially for low-income families. Proponents included Heritage Action, Heartland Impact, and several individuals who argued the bill protected farmers from ESG-driven banking restrictions and supported informed consent and the removal of fluoride from public water. Several agricultural and advocacy groups also waved in support. During debate, some members praised portions of the bill such as housing for agricultural workers, drone penalties, and school-related provisions, but said they could not support the fluoride preemption or the C-4 language. Others supported the fluoride provision as a matter of individual and local choice. On final passage, the committee reported HB 651 favorably. The vote was 11-4, with Chair Esposito, Vice Chair Botana, Representatives Barnaby, Benaroch, Black, Mayfield, Mooney, Plasencia, Salzman, and Weinberger voting yes, and Representatives Alvarez, Bartleman, Henson, and Rainer voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• have basically three statutes that establish what we bargain under. 41.80 being the big one that was passed
• In terms of shared leave, I also just want to identify that the legislature has passed some laws recently
• Educational student employees passed legislation to establish a legal framework for bargaining in 2023
• , and operational student employees passed similar legislation in the most recent session.
• Interest arbitration allows the parties a final tool after all other methods of bargaining have failed

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met on May 8, 2026, to review goals and objectives for the 2027–2029 master collective bargaining cycle and to hear updates on higher education and Washington Management Service bargaining. OFM’s Jenny Sheehan outlined the state workforce, noting that most employees are represented, the workforce remains heavily governed by civil service rules and CBAs, and the state is entering bargaining under a constrained hiring and budget environment. She described the bargaining timeline, the role of the June revenue forecasts in determining whether targeted compensation increases can be funded, and the state’s goals of affordability, maintaining labor relations, supporting equity, and addressing non-economic issues such as AI use, leave, immigration-related workplace concerns, and union access in a hybrid work environment. Sheehan also reviewed the 2025–2027 bargaining cycle, including the prior WPEA ratification issue and the requirement that tentative agreements be submitted by October 1 for financial feasibility review and possible legislative funding. She said the 2025–27 agreements cost about $1.2 billion in general funds and $1.7 billion total, excluding the later-funded WPEA agreements. In response to a question, she explained that paid family and medical leave is not bargained over directly because it is governed by statute and ESD rules. She then presented on Washington Management Service bargaining, explaining that only certain WMS employees are eligible to bargain, that representation remains small, and that current WMS contracts are handled through addenda to existing agreements. She also described interest arbitration for certain groups, including ferries and public safety-related employees, and said arbitration awards still must be financially feasible and submitted by October 1. The committee also heard from Western Washington University and the University of Washington on higher education bargaining. Western described its locally bargained contracts, the importance of local bargaining for workload, tenure, grievance, and safety issues, and the impact of the state fund split on budget planning. Western said it has no state funding for student compensation and has requested inclusion of student employees in the wage base. UW outlined its large workforce and the different bargaining frameworks under RCW 41.56 and 41.80, emphasizing that state funding and tuition make up only a portion of its budget and that the fund split and health care cost increases significantly affect compensation planning. UW also highlighted its request for state funding for academic student employee compensation, saying rising costs are reducing the number of positions and affecting class sizes and the academic pipeline. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members discussed the upcoming bargaining and arbitration timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• disinformation and, more importantly, talking about the process of elections, which we have basically failed
• make sure that the estimate is neutral and it ties to what would actually be implemented if it was passed
• And so as these bills do not pass, that does afford us the ability to go out to other states that have
• it feels to me that the fiscal impacts are misplaced in this piece of policy, as whether or not we pass
• As you know, in 2022, King County voters passed a ballot measure that approved the use of ranked choice

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disinformation and, more importantly, talking about the process of elections, which we have basically failed
• make sure that the estimate is neutral and it ties to what would actually be implemented if it was passed
• And so, as these bills do not pass, that does afford us the ability to go out to other states that have
• it feels to me that the fiscal impacts are misplaced in this piece of policy, as whether or not we pass
• As you know, in 2022, King County voters passed a ballot measure that approved the use of ranked choice

Summary: The committee held a special hearing on a tentative amended, restated gaming compact between the State of Washington and the Squaxin Island Tribe. Washington State Gambling Commission Director Tina Griffin said the state and tribe had reached tentative agreement after collaborative negotiations, and explained the approval process: public comment and a commission vote with ex officio legislative members, followed by governor review, tribal submission to the Secretary of the Interior, and Federal Register publication before the compact becomes effective. Squaxin Island representative Ray Peters said the tribe supports the amendments, describing them as clarifications that improve casino regulation and align the compact with other state compacts while supporting jobs and funding for housing, health care, and other services. Commission staff member Johnny Bray walked through the compact changes, including restating several appendices, removing the CX2 addendum, and adding new appendices on limitations and electronic table games. He said the limitations appendix raises certain wagering and facility ceilings, including higher table-game and tribal lottery system limits, authorization for credit for qualified patrons, and screening requirements for high-limit areas. He also described the new electronic table games appendix, which allows wager limits up to $500 and a nine-to-one ratio of electronic games to gaming stations, along with additional responsible-gaming commitments. Members asked about the location of the tribe and whether higher limits could increase problem gambling; staff said the limits are ceilings, other tribes already have similar authorizations, and the tribe must screen patrons and implement protections. The committee then held a work session with Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and staff on the office’s fiscal note process. Tim Gallivan explained the office’s three-day turnaround, workload-based FTE estimates, use of assumptions and ranges, and how fiscal notes include both salary/benefit costs and broader operating costs such as enterprise support and administration allocations. He also described how litigation costs are estimated in coordination with the Attorney General, including when costs are known, estimated from comparable cases, or marked indeterminate. Members questioned whether fiscal notes can reflect policy disagreements and how assumptions differ across agencies, and discussed examples involving the Washington Voting Rights Act and ranked choice voting. Hobbs and staff said fiscal notes are based on bill language, not intent, and that early sponsor contact can help refine estimates. No votes were taken in the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In three years, if this were to pass, they would assess me in three years versus January 1 and next year
• We are setting up our cities to ultimately fail.
• Bartleman: When we are continuously cutting off the legs of their stools, when we are continuously passing
• We haven't talked about how we passed on the expense to the counties to pay for Medicaid expenses for
• This bill is okay but again, it's going to pass all this on which we are also not talking about to our

Transcript Highlights:

• all, representing the Fifth Legislative District, Issaquah, down to Enumclaw and out to Snoqualmie Pass
• This is kind of the west side of the pass near Skykomish, milepost 54.
• Moving up the pass, just on the east side of the pass, we have about a three-mile section of US 2 where
• And one thing I failed to mention when I was talking my slides, I said I was going to start from my right

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an organizational session and received a presentation from Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Ferries staff on recovery from the December atmospheric river storms. Committee members were introduced, and staff outlined a new process for submitting proviso and project requests through an online app, with members directed to work through their caucus policy staff. The chair also announced caucus meetings and noted staff changes for the session. WSDOT and WSF described emergency response operations, including statewide activations, damage assessment, and the use of emergency declarations to speed repairs. Staff explained how they pursue federal reimbursement through FHWA Emergency Relief and, separately, FEMA for debris removal, while noting that permanent repairs still require environmental clearances. They reported more than 50 emergency work orders, 16 emergency contracts, about 107 road sites closed at one point, and an initial damage estimate of roughly $30 million. Examples of storm damage and recovery included US 2 near Skykomish and Tumwater Canyon, US 12 near Naches, Highway 410, Highway 42 near Mount Baker, I-90 shoulder damage, and a major US 101 slope failure near Forks that will require longer-term geotechnical work. Members asked about environmental permitting, bridge impacts, flood coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, and whether emergency declarations allow broader actions; staff said the declaration mainly speeds stabilization and contracting, does not change tolling authority, and does not waive environmental requirements. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• These rules are implementing legislation that was passed during the 2025 session.
• I've had my license since 2018, passed every inspection, never had any fines, never had any problems
• It's no secret that it's difficult in the state of Oklahoma for growers to pass Houston mold testing
• What we want, the wording does match what's in Senate Bill 518 that was passed May 21st, 2025, to go
• this room right now, all of us have actually inhaled more aspergillus in this room than what would fail

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS IN 1999 AND BEGAN BEING IMPLEMENTED IN 2000.
• WITH THAT I'LL PASS IT TO DREW TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING AS WELL AS THE IMPROVEMENTS ON THE HYDROLOGICAL
• I FAILED TO MENTION AND FLORIDA BAY IF YOU DON'T GET WATER TO FLORIDA BAY IT GETS HYPER SALINITY AND
• GREAT QUESTION, BASICALLY EVERGLADES RESTORATION IS A NOMENCLATURE THAT WE USE BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS PASSED
• 2023 THE LEGISLATURE PASSED HOUSE BILL 1379 AND ONE OF THE BIG ASPECTS OF THAT BILL WAS TO PROVIDE MORE

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something that is needed, and we will be protected once this is passed. Thank you.
• I was in the eighth grade when the Voting Rights Act was passed.
• And I was in the eighth grade when the Voting Rights Act was passed.
• Please pass. You could do it. Come on. He said, 'Please pass HB 444.' So please. Okay.
• We urge committee members to release Bill 430 and pass it before the end of the session.

Committee: Senate Elections & Government Affairs

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would move to send 795 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
• I would move to send 794 to the floor of the due pass recommendation.
• I'd move to send House Bill 819 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
• Motion fails, 10 to 2.
• The motion is to send House Bill 819 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, Madam Chair, I would like to make a motion for a due pass. All right, a motion for a due pass.
• So once again, passing this, New Mexico to lead the way.
• I'm sure I'd like to make a motion with due pass.
• I would like to make a motion for a due pass, Madam Chair.
• Motion for a due pass by Representative Tarasas. I seconded it.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and heard two bills from Representative Martinez. House Bill 56 would appropriate $1 million to the Department of Veterans Services to expand behavioral health and suicide prevention efforts for veterans. Supporters, including the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Veterans Services, the Disability Coalition, New Mexico Professional Firefighters, the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, and NAMI New Mexico, said the funding would help veterans navigate a difficult system, improve outreach in rural areas, and address New Mexico’s high veteran suicide rate and related alcohol and drug deaths. Committee members asked about whether the program was new or an expansion of an existing effort, how services would be delivered, and whether outreach would reach homeless and rural veterans. The secretary explained that the bill would augment an existing Suicide Prevention Act program, use contracts with outside providers rather than direct services, and require two term employees for contract management and outreach. The committee voted 7-1 to give HB 56 a due pass and send it to the next committee. The committee then heard House Bill 55, which would create an income tax deduction for retirement income earned by first responders, similar to an existing benefit for military retirees. Supporters argued it would help recruit and retain firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders, and could encourage retirees to move to New Mexico and contribute economically. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal impact, the lack of a sunset, the narrow definition of first responder, and Taxation and Revenue Department concerns that the bill could reduce general fund revenue by about $6.1 million in the first year and might not attract retirees on its own. The sponsor said he had not yet met with Tax and Rev but would do so, and noted he was open to a sunset if it helped the bill move forward. Despite concerns, the committee voted 7-1 to pass HB 55 to the next committee, with members explaining their votes and emphasizing that the bill would receive further vetting in Tax and Revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I really encourage you to pass the bill and maintain these investments. Thank you. Thank you.
• So funding does go to that through either direct efforts or our pass-throughs to our partners.
• It'd be most unfortunate, and that's why I think I really suggest you don't pass this. Thank you.
• So I encourage us not to pass this even. Thanks. Thank you.
• I move that Substitute Senate Bill 5395 receive a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 29, 2026, to consider a gubernatorial appointment, three public hearings, and two executive-session bills. Kristen L. Frazier was introduced as the governor’s appointee to the Board of Tax Appeals. She described her background in legislative fiscal analysis, constitutional law, and tax adjudication, and said the board is working on faster residential review and settlement processes. Members praised her service and said the appointment would be voted on at a future meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5893, which would transfer $65 million from the Natural Climate Solutions Account to the Wildfire Response, Forest Restoration, and Community Resilience Account to fully fund wildfire response and forest health work. Committee staff explained the Climate Commitment Act funding source and the account history, and the Department of Natural Resources said the money would support forest health treatments, firefighting readiness, and partner pass-throughs. Forest industry representatives and DNR supported the bill, arguing wildfire work reduces emissions, protects communities, and prevents larger future costs; one member questioned why DNR had not submitted a decision package for the funding. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 6229, which would subject gains from the sale of qualified small business stock to Washington’s capital gains tax. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers, raise about $1.2 million in fiscal year 2027, and cost the Department of Revenue about $1.1 million over four years to implement. Startup founders, venture capital and tech industry representatives opposed the bill, warning it would discourage investment, founders, and job creation in Washington; a Budget and Policy Center witness supported it as a way to make the tax code less regressive and argued the exemption mainly benefits the wealthiest taxpayers. The committee also heard House Bill 1376, which would allow taxpayers to prepay capital gains tax up to six months early without interest on any later refund; staff said it had no revenue impact and a small administrative cost, and the lone public witness opposed it as penalizing success. In executive session, the committee received a briefing on the proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5395 on prior authorization transparency and AI use in health care, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5860 regarding school board compensation. The committee adopted the proposed second substitute for SB 5395 and voted it out of committee with a do pass recommendation to the Rules Committee, subject to signatures. Substitute SB 5860 was moved out of committee without recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• On SB 513 by DeRazzo, the motion is do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• On SB 809, DeRazzo, the motion is do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary. Ortega?
• On SB 261 by Wahab, the motion is due pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
• The motion is do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Ortega? Aye. Flora?
• The motion is due pass and be re-refered to the committee on appropriations. Ortega? Aye.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced several bills focused on worker protections, training access, wage enforcement, outreach, and workplace safety. SB 513 would require employees to have access to their training and certification records; supporters, including laid-off refinery workers and labor organizations, said employers sometimes withhold records during layoffs, while committee members called the practice unacceptable. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. SB 809 addressed misclassification of construction truck owner-drivers by offering employers amnesty if they reclassify workers as employees and adopt a two-check payment system; labor and construction trades groups supported it, and it passed 5-0 to Judiciary. SB 578 would codify the California Workplace Outreach Program, which funds trusted community organizations to educate workers about their rights. Supporters described the program as a proven way to reach low-wage, immigrant, and hard-to-reach workers, especially amid wage theft, retaliation, and immigration enforcement concerns. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 261 would strengthen collection of wage theft judgments by creating a public list of nonpaying employers and adding penalties after six months of nonpayment; county enforcement officials and labor advocates said it would help workers recover unpaid wages. It passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The committee also approved SB 369, which would require skilled and trained workforce standards for Salton Sea restoration projects, with supporters saying the work is hazardous and should use trained labor; it passed 6-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 20 sought to address silicosis in stone countertop fabrication by requiring training and certification protections for workers; supporters said the disease has caused deaths among mostly Latino workers, while industry groups supported the bill with amendments and requested implementation resources. It passed 6-0 to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of four additional bills and adjourned after all listed measures were moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, developers cannot build for affordable housing in their schools that fail to meet
• House Bill 293 draws from the changes passed in 2019.
• I did pass this bill out of committee last time, as I recall, but it ran out of time.
• We helped her get it passed.
• And so I would really, really urge you to pass this bill. Thank you. Any questions? I'm sorry.

Bills: HB293 , HB 1173 , HB3753 , HB4999 , HB5696 , SB2145 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5694 , HB5698 , HB293

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 293, Texas housing tax credits, low-income housing, affordable housing, private activity bonds, PAB, qualified allocation plan, TDHCA, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, state representative objection, housing development approval, municipal notice, county commissioners court, extraterritorial jurisdiction, LIHTC, bond-financed housing, homelessness, housing services, Texas Department of Housing, municipal programs

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we're passing out right now is what the substitute will look like, if that's okay.
• You also have to then Pass it. The voters have to vote for it.
• There being four ayes and three nays, Senate Bill 617 does pass.
• There being four ayes and three nays, Senate Bill 1059 does pass.
• substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed.

Bills: SB32 , SB464 , SB996 , SB1163 , SB1173 , SB1277 , SB1452 , SB1453 , SB1548 , SB1882 , SB1883 , SB2016 , SB 32

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school