Video & Transcript : 'Washington State Energy Code' :

Page 361 of 500
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • the state.
  • The primary goal of code enforcement is compliance.
  • Also, since 2019, the state law...
  • and in many cities in the state of California.
  • We know this is important to our state.
Summary: The committee heard a long agenda focused heavily on housing, local government, Brown Act teleconferencing, and public agency administration. Early bills included AB 39, which would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization; AB 76, which clarifies Chula Vista’s university innovation district housing requirements; AB 259, AB 409, and AB 467, which extend or modernize Brown Act teleconferencing provisions for local agencies, community college student bodies, and Los Angeles neighborhood councils; and AB 428, which would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance. Supporters emphasized climate planning, housing access, public participation, safety, and cost savings, while several bills were amended to address stakeholder concerns. Most of these measures advanced on bipartisan votes, generally 6-1 or 7-0, and were left open for additional members to add on later. The committee also heard AB 632, which would strengthen local enforcement tools for serious code violations, fire hazards, illegal cannabis operations, and unsafe housing by allowing unpaid administrative fines to be converted into money judgments and liens. Local government and code enforcement groups supported the bill as a way to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element reporting and require broader reporting of demolitions and replacement housing compliance; supporters argued preservation is essential because many unsubsidized affordable homes are at risk. AB 761 would allow Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a future sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board, rather than separate approval from each member jurisdiction, to preserve transit funding for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. These measures also moved forward, with the committee noting amendments and sending them to the next committees of referral. Another major item was AB 810, which would require special districts and joint powers authorities to migrate public-facing websites and email addresses to .gov or CA.gov domains by 2031. The author argued the change would reduce fraud and improve public trust, especially after emergency-related scams, while opponents from special districts and IT organizations said the transition would be costly and difficult for smaller agencies. Several school-related opponents withdrew after amendments, and committee members discussed possible aliases and tribal-government language. The bill passed 7-1 to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. Finally, AB 1206 proposed a pre-approved design catalog for single-family homes and small multifamily developments, modeled on a prior ADU bill, to speed rebuilding and reduce design costs; supporters from Habitat for Humanity and housing advocates said it would help both wildfire recovery and broader housing production, and the bill drew at least one opposed-unless-amended position as the committee moved into further discussion.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC-AEN Informational Briefing 10-16-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> policy changes that uh affect the state. policy changes that uh affect the state.
  • We've been to Washington, DC, many times saying Hawaii is a state.
  • </c> state and we're really pushing that. state and we're really pushing that.
  • Being an<01:45:42.960><c> island</c><01:45:43.520><c> state</c> an island state an island state transportation
  • </c> not tracking it at the state level. not tracking it at the state level.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Government

Senate Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • government and state institutions, because this is the state constitution.
  • states.
  • states.
  • , as a citizen of our state.
  • a resident of that state.
Summary: The committee first heard SB 1036, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring five weekly work-search actions, weekly reporting, cross-checks against data sources for fraud or ineligibility, and employer reporting of refusals to return to work or accept suitable work. The sponsor argued the bill would reduce fraud and improve program integrity, while DES said it was neutral but warned of system-update costs, added workload, and more appeals; some members raised concerns about apprenticeship programs and administrative burden. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next, the committee considered SB 1054, a strike-everything amendment to make city and town emergency measures subject to referendum. Supporters, including Payson’s mayor, former mayor, and council members, said local governments had abused emergency clauses to push through tax increases and bond measures without voter input. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposed the measure, arguing it would undermine true emergency powers and slow city responses. The committee adopted the amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee then heard SCR 1022, which would increase the House from 60 to 90 members beginning in 2033, with a later amendment delaying implementation to 2043. Senator Mesnard said the change would improve representation by reducing the number of constituents per member and nesting three House districts within each Senate district; some members and a public witness supported the idea, while others questioned cost, feasibility, and the effect on legislative power. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the resolution do pass as amended on a 5-2 vote. Finally, the committee quickly passed SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses based on the number of emergency calls or the value of stolen/damaged property, with exceptions for malicious or false calls, and SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic format with fees limited to material costs. Both measures received unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief testimony, and the committee also began hearing SB 1439, a strike-everything amendment creating a Conservative Grassroots Network specialty plate, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We must continue to develop in-state.
  • SB 1329 protects our climate goals and helps solar energy providers supply renewable energy...
  • Climate goals and helps solar energy providers supply renewable energy at affordable prices.
  • development of solar energy in the state of California instead of seeing those developments go to other
  • states and having Californians pay for that energy without creating the jobs.
Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Mar 20th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some of those states include New Jersey, Colorado, New York, and Washington State.
  • are brought—experts are brought from out of state into our state.
  • There is such a thing as state land, but then there is also state trust land.
  • This is state trust land.
  • And the Energy Committee.
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session 26-06-25

Michigan Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for this opportunity to serve the people of the state of Michigan.
  • Senate 1.081 to amend the drain code of 1956.
  • House Bill 4727, a bill to amend the states and protected individuals code.
  • House Bill 4729, a bill to amend the Mental Health Code.
  • Senate Bill 433, a bill to amend the Revised School Code.
Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and attendance showing a quorum. Several senators were excused, and the chamber received communications including House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The Senate also took up introductions and referrals of several bills, including Senate Bills 1078-1082 and House Bills 4727, 4728, 4729, 4959, 1545, 5254, 5255, 6071, 6072, and 6073, with most being referred to committees or, for some medical-debt and consumer-protection bills, sent to the Committee of the Whole by suspension of the rules. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered Senate Bills 535, 536, 1011, 1041, 1042, and 1043. SB 535, 1041, 1042, and 1043 were amended, while SB 536 and 1011 were reported without amendment; all were recommended for passage. The Senate then concurred in the amendments and advanced the bills to third reading. On final passage, SB 433 passed 35-0; SB 535, 536, and 1011 each passed 35-0; and SB 1041, 1042, and 1043 each passed 20-15. Floor remarks focused on SB 1011 as a way to lower small-business health insurance premiums, and SBs 1041-1043 as anti-price-gouging measures during emergencies. Later, the Senate discharged Senate Bill 913 from the Appropriations Committee, suspended the rules, and moved it through Committee of the Whole and to final passage the same day. SB 913, which amends the Michigan Trust Fund Act, passed 20-12 with 6 excused after Senator Albert argued in opposition that it would continue $75 million annual funding to the MEDC and amount to corporate welfare. The Senate then adjourned until Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 20th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, in any case, state law governs.
  • Those items are fully addressed in Idaho State Statute.
  • law or other relevant federal law. by relevant state law or other relevant federal law.
  • those requests. that are not covered in state law and how we process those requests.
  • Are we—did you just state 15-01-20-2501? Did you include both of those at once? I'm sorry.
Keywords: 989, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Housing Committee Jun 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • building code and to issue code interpretation. local agencies implementation of the state building
  • code and to issue code interpretations.
  • Both the State Fire Marshal and Division of the State Architect maintain successful code interpretation
  • Local code amendment triggers for adaptive reuse projects vary dramatically across the state, and there
  • And then also allowing for an interpretation from the CBSC on the state building code.
Summary: The committee began without a quorum and operated briefly as a subcommittee while the chair outlined public comment procedures and the consent calendar. The first major item was AB 1751, a townhome/homeownership measure by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Wicks. The author accepted amendments to strike the bill’s wage provision and to limit unit size and project size, but declined other proposed amendments on downzoning, demolition protections, and site restrictions. Supporters, including the New California Coalition and California Conference of Carpenters, argued the bill would expand attainable homeownership and create more townhome sites; opponents and “opposed unless amended” witnesses raised concerns about renter protections, demolition/displacement, density impacts, and local control. Several labor groups and local government representatives were neutral or supportive of the amended bill, while the committee members discussed the tension between housing production and worker protections. The committee ultimately passed AB 1751 as amended to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. The committee then heard AB 750, which expands HCD’s Portfolio Reinvestment Program to more at-risk affordable housing developments needing rehabilitation. The author and supporters from the California Housing Consortium and California Housing Partnership said the bill would help preserve deed-restricted housing facing expiring affordability restrictions and disrepair, especially when paired with anticipated bond funding. Members asked about the program’s prior funding and how it works to keep units affordable through rehabilitation rather than state takeover; the author emphasized the goal was preservation of existing affordable housing stock. AB 750 passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a roll call vote and was held on call for absent senators. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Next, the committee heard AB 306, which would create a more workable statewide appeals and code-interpretation process at the California Building Standards Commission for local building code decisions. The author and supporters from AIA California and the Housing Action Coalition said the bill would reduce inconsistent interpretations across 540 jurisdictions, improve transparency, and support housing innovation while preserving local authority over local matters. Members discussed how the bill would interact with local amendments and alternative methods and means, and the committee moved the bill to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote. AB 2612, directing HCD and the Building Standards Commission to develop standards for plug-in photovoltaic systems in new construction, also advanced to Appropriations after supportive testimony and brief questions about safety standards and stakeholder consultation. AB 1070, which orders a study on allowing 3- to 10-unit missing-middle housing under the Residential Code and requires a one-time report on code-related cost pressures, passed to Appropriations after building officials removed opposition. Later, AB 2181, a narrow bill concerning hotel and motel valuation and density bonus potential, passed to Local Government after testimony from Unite Here and others about protecting hospitality jobs and preventing speculative appraisals. Finally, AB 1237, clarifying safety rules for private in-unit pools in hotels and condominiums, passed to Health after the author described added safety measures such as pool covers, alarms, emergency devices, certified operators, and AEDs.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 71 Mar 23rd, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chapter 65, Title 67, Idaho Code, by the addition of a new Section 67-6541, Idaho Code, to establish
  • It won't raise taxes on a state level.
  • What this does is expand the types of energy that these royalties can be used for, so this is for energy
  • definition to other sustainable energy resources.
  • align with the goals of the great state of Idaho.
Keywords: 989, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Mar 5th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Katie Durkan with Washington Federation of State Employees.
  • My name is Katie Durkin with Washington Federation of State Employees.
  • We are currently servicing vehicles in Washington State.
  • So they would have to obtain a vehicle dealer license in order to operate in Washington State and pay
  • First, Honda shares the goal of Washington State to bring electric vehicles to the market.
Keywords: 904, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Rules Feb 11th, 2026 at 09:27 am

Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Secretary of State. Good morning.
  • The President of the United States is claiming authority to take over state elections.
  • or of this state.
  • In April of 2025, the League of Women Voters of the United States declared the United States in a constitutional
  • Chairman, I'm Chair, Secretary of State.
Bills: SB264 , SB261
Committee: Senate Senate Rules
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And find out what five states, like we'd have to think about what five states make the most sense.
  • Pick the states.
  • Three states for sure that are going to help us with the administration and that have some Washington
  • Pick the states.
  • Three states for sure that are going to help us with the administration and that have some Washington
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%. Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them. The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 65 Mar 17th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • resolution stating findings of the legislature and supporting advancement of state energy sovereignty
  • resolution stating findings of the legislature and supporting advancement of state energy sovereignty
  • This section of code that is being repealed relates to the State Trust Fund for Outdoor Recreation Enhancement
  • This particular section of code that's being repealed deals with the State Hazardous Waste Management
  • The legislation consolidates all state laws on hazardous waste into a single chapter of code, a much
Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Early in the day, members received committee reports and messages from the Governor and House, including the transmission of several bills and resolutions. The chamber also advanced a number of measures to later orders of business, and several bills were held on the calendar or referred to committees for further action or possible amendment. The Senate then considered and passed a series of bills on third reading. Among them were Senate Bill 1227 on generative AI in education, which passed after debate over teacher control, local control, and parent transparency; House Bill 603 on camping at the Capitol Mall, which passed after debate over free speech, public safety, and sanitation; House Bill 688 updating airbag and counterfeit airbag laws; House Bill 645 creating a voluntary portable benefits framework for independent contractors; House Bill 738 allowing LLCs to use a commercial registered agent’s address; House Bill 521 correcting background-check statutory placement; House Bill 615 clarifying disturbing-the-peace protections for houses of worship; House Bill 695 correcting a fee reference from possession to restitution; House Bill 568 repealing obsolete Department of Lands provisions; House Bill 774 repealing outdated fish and game penalty language; House Bill 762 revising charter school admissions preferences for foster and military children; House Bill 661 extending solid-waste competition rules to counties; House Bill 733 adopting a partnership audit procedure aligned with federal law; House Bill 749 revising city annexation rules to address hardship and property-rights concerns; House Bill 662 expanding milk testing provisions and Department of Agriculture dispute resolution; House Bill 664 eliminating differential speed limits for heavy trucks; and House Bill 716 revising transportation-funding distributions and increasing bridge inspection funding. Most of these measures passed by substantial margins, often using the same roll-call vote by unanimous consent, and titles were approved without correction. One bill, House Bill 684, was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. The Senate also received committee reports on additional bills and gubernatorial appointments, then moved into the Committee of the Whole, where it began reviewing several measures and adopted amendments to Senate Bill 1297 and Senate Bills 1352, 1353, and 1354, with motions to report those bills back as amended without recommendation.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 111 May 4th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> 22 states that have OSHA approved state 22 states that have OSHA approved state plans. plans. plans
  • </c> states to come up with their own state states to come up with their own state plan<01:04:27.359>
  • </c> a state with an OSHA approved state a state with an OSHA approved state plan.<01:05:09.039><c> Now
  • </c> create a state an OSHA approved state create a state an OSHA approved state plan,<01:08:23.279><
  • </c> state-by-state requirements. state-by-state requirements.
Keywords: 981, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/10/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Natural resources, energy and water.
  • Applied those Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code.
  • , or to provide certainty and tax relief and conform our state tax code with federal law.
  • Those forms currently do not comply with the current tax code.
  • This applies the Trump tax cuts to the Arizona tax code.
Keywords: 1182, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Labor & Workplace Standards Feb 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • state or local governments.
  • state or local governments.
  • groers league in yakima washington i'm testifying to ask for a fix for seasonal agriculture in the state
  • , as well as Jason Hewitt from the Washington State Association of UA Plumbers, Pipefitters, HVACR Service
  • I'm Jason Hill at the Washington State Association of U.A. Plumbers and Pipefitters.
Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several labor-related bills. SB 6197 would change plumbing license suspension rules from three infractions in three years to five infractions in five years, remove the advisory board recommendation requirement, and require L&I enforcement updates; the sponsor said the bill was narrowed after stakeholder talks, though one transition-timing issue remained unresolved. SB 6134 would require the Employment Security Department to notify striking workers applying for unemployment benefits that they may later owe overpayments if they receive retroactive wages; the sponsor and a testifier said the bill would prevent workers from being paid twice. SB 5292 would replace the PFML program’s statutory look-back premium formula with a forward-looking actuarial method while keeping the 1.2% cap and adding a four-month reserve requirement; labor, business, and policy witnesses offered support or concerns about the reserve. SB 6106 would exempt tribes and tribally owned businesses from the state WARN-style notice law and protect affected workers’ names and addresses from public disclosure; ESD and business groups supported it, while agricultural witnesses asked for a future fix for seasonal agriculture. The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. It adopted amendments to ESSB 5847, which expands access to medical care in workers’ compensation, including allowing certain outside-network providers and authorizing additional claims managers; the bill was reported out 7-2 as amended. SSB 6014, a cleanup bill correcting a date typo and protecting sensitive L&I records from public disclosure, passed unanimously. SSB 6039, allowing L&I to use electronic communications while offering a non-electronic option first, also passed unanimously. ESSB 6058, giving L&I discretion to prioritize wage complaints, was amended to align with the House companion and then passed unanimously. SB 6136, requiring publication of actuarially indicated workers’ compensation rates and disclosure when rates are set below them, passed unanimously. On SB 6188, which would expand L&I’s asbestos-certification rulemaking authority, the committee rejected an amendment that would have restored current-law limits and instead passed the bill without amendment. Members supporting the bill said it would let Washington strengthen asbestos protections if federal standards weaken, while opponents argued it could create conflicting requirements and unnecessary regulatory expansion. The bill was reported out 6-3. The committee adjourned after announcing the votes and noting it would reconvene the next day.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • uses 7 times more energy than it actually produces, causing us to rely heavily on other states to fill
  • So this is the first step in introducing a new energy source to the state of Florida, very similar to
  • Again, this is the first step in introducing an energy source to to our state. >> But the experiment
  • And again, it it we're looking at to, you know, diverse in our energies sources here in state of Florida
  • our state parks is being what they are to the state of Florida.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Feb 4th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Twenty-four states are a party to the agreement, including Washington.
  • Agriculture producers in the state of Washington have never had it harder than they do right now.
  • Agriculture generates more than $17 billion in revenue for Washington State, highlighting its vital role
  • Paul, Joel, on behalf of the members of the Washington State Association of Counties, we're testifying
  • I'm the co-chair of the state and local tax section of the Washington State Bar, and I teach tax at UW
Summary: House Finance held public hearings on several tax and property-related bills. HB 2584 would create a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying farm machinery and equipment purchased by eligible farmers, with supporters arguing it would ease financial pressure on farmers, encourage investment in more efficient and environmentally friendly equipment, and help rural economies. County officials opposed extending the exemption to local sales taxes, warning of cumulative revenue losses for local governments. HB 2376 would consolidate the state school property tax levy and expand property tax relief for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans by raising income thresholds, increasing exemption amounts, and simplifying the income calculation; county assessors and local officials supported the bill as a way to help residents age in place, while opponents argued it would raise taxes for others and weaken the 1% cap. HB 2610 would broaden the nonprofit homeownership development property tax exemption to allow limited interim rental or community use without losing the exemption, and testimony from affordable housing groups supported the change as a practical way to keep projects moving and reduce costs. HB 2615 would codify the Department of Revenue’s voluntary disclosure program and create a temporary tax amnesty period for certain unpaid business taxes; supporters said it would bring businesses into compliance and generate revenue, while one sponsor noted technical issues still needed to be resolved. In executive session, the committee advanced four bills. HB 2194, allowing a county and city within it to concurrently impose a cultural access program sales tax, passed 10-5. Substitute HB 2257, a broad tax code cleanup and technical changes bill, passed unanimously 15-0 after members said it clarified ambiguities from prior legislation. HB 2528, which would remove voter-approval requirements for certain cities to impose a local real estate excise tax, passed 11-4 despite objections that it reduced voter control over tax increases. HB 2175, exempting certain nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from sales tax on repair parts, also passed unanimously 15-0. The chair announced that HB 2584, HB 2610, and HB 2615 would be scheduled for executive action the following day, with no amendments allowed.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Conference Committee on Budget May 4th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Conference Committee on Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • Workman's compensation, state road fund is the state and ops.
  • Division of Energy Wood Energy Tax Credit, Senate, to $1 million. Missouri State Parks, Bruce R.
  • Division of Energy, Wood Energy Tax Credit. Please, Senate, to $1 million.
  • Division of Energy, I got 15% on it. 10. We stated 10. I wrote 10 on.
  • Page 66, State Treasurer's Office. We did a... State Treasurer's Office.
Keywords: 959, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Conference Committee on Budget May 4th, 2026

Conference Committee on Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • In response to that, the governor stood on the stage during the State of the State and promised two things
  • Workman's compensation, state road fund is the state and ops.
  • The State of Missouri at the State Fair is going to be given up property for the road relocation of the
  • Division of Energy Wood Energy Tax Credit. Division of Energy, Wood Energy Tax Credit.
  • So there is a cost to the state as it relates to this, or I know there to be a cost to the state.
Summary: The conference committee spent most of the meeting working through House Bill 2, the education budget, with repeated debate over how to close the remaining gap in the foundation formula. Members discussed fund swaps involving the blind pension fund, capital commission fund, lottery proceeds, state school money, and classroom trust funds, with several senators arguing the committee should fully fund the formula if possible and warning against leaving schools with a shortfall. The committee also reviewed child care subsidies, Parents as Teachers language, school safety and assessment-related items, Title I reallocation language, and a compromise on flexibility percentages for certain education lines. Several members raised concerns about language restricting virtual Parents as Teachers visits and about child care subsidy language tied to enrollment-based payment and prospective payment, while others defended the compromise as a way to balance provider concerns and budget limits. House Bill 3, covering higher education, was also reviewed. The committee largely accepted Senate positions on appropriations, with a compromise on the St. Louis Community College nursing program and a new proposal directing the Department of Higher Education to develop a new funding model by December 1, 2026. That language drew concern from some members, who said the timeline was too aggressive and asked for more flexibility, but supporters said prior work on performance funding justified the deadline. The committee then moved through House Bill 2004, transportation, agreeing to a mix of Senate positions and compromises on items such as safety operations, low-volume roads, port funding, and road improvements, including a larger-than-expected appropriation for Clarendon Road tied to a State Fair relocation plan. House Bill 5, general administration and IT, generated the most controversy over new language directing a plan for state IT modernization and cloud migration; several members objected that it was too prescriptive, resembled a resolution, and could favor a specific vendor, but the chair said the goal was accountability and oversight. The committee left some House Bill 5 items open for further negotiation, then later returned to finalize several dollar amounts and a shorter conference proposal on the IT language. The committee also worked through House Bills 7, 8, and 9, mostly adopting Senate positions with a few compromises. House Bill 7 covered economic development and tourism items, including Main Street, Missouri One Start, broadband, Juneteenth, and the Great American State Fair, with some items set aside for later or moved to other bills. House Bill 8 focused on public safety and veterans’ funding, including school safety apps, fentanyl testing, crime lab workload, DNA testing, veterans’ programs, and Highway Patrol fleet and fuel items; members debated whether to keep fleet and fuel funding separated or rolled together, and several items were set at compromise levels. House Bill 9, covering mental health and corrections, was handled more briefly, with most items following Senate positions and a few compromises, including probation and parole funding and a reduction on one appropriation. The committee then recessed and later resumed with House Bill 2010, beginning work on another budget bill with a mix of Senate, House, and compromise positions on early line items, but the transcript cuts off before that bill is completed.