Transcript Highlights:

• MOTCA operating account specifically are projected to be $373 million, while appropriations and transfers
• out $373 million, while appropriations and transfers out of the account are $415 million.
• It's also important to note that the problems we have today have been accelerated by historic transfers
• Since 2009, $370 million plus in revenue has been transferred away from MOTCA to support needs in the
• And these programs that Corinne talked about are kind of transferable.

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local government transfer vacant and abandoned property to municipalities.
• what would be the title, or who would hold the title to these properties, and how would they get transferred
• There can also be regional land banks uh formed through interlocal agreements. transferred to the land
• transferred to the land bank?
• little to no market value, where the private owner who's been paying his taxes would be happy to transfer

Committee: Joint Municipalities

Keywords: Municipalities - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:49:32.280><c> within</c> allow students to transfer within allow students to transfer within
• to another school to possibly transfer to another school has<05:50:28.080><c> information</c><05:50:
• transfer transfer application<05:51:12.760><c> only</c><05:51:13.360><c> these</c><05:51:13.558><c>
• they would be free to transfer back to they would be free to transfer back to uh<06:11:50.478><c> uh<
• </c><06:16:08.320><c> so</c> students who qualify for transfers so students who qualify for transfers

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 662, which would require discussion of abortion procedures and the viewing of certain videos in public school health education. Members argued the bill went too far by naming specific videos and involving the Attorney General in enforcement, and they said curriculum decisions should be left to educators. The committee voted ITL on HB 662 by a unanimous 18-0. The committee then considered HCR 6, a resolution calling for the removal of the superintendent of District 67. Members said the resolution targeted an individual and that the underlying dispute was already in court, so the matter should be left to the legal process. The motion to ITL passed 18-0. Next, HR 9, urging the Department of Education to emphasize STEM education, received broad support as a nonpartisan statement of priorities, and it also passed 18-0. HB 440, concerning educator licensing and shortages in Career and Technical Education, was amended to clarify that the bill applies to initial licensure only. After discussion about whether the amendment was necessary, the committee adopted Amendment 0188 unanimously and then voted OTPA on the bill as amended, 18-0. HB 222, which repealed the requirement for an MOU between charter schools and districts on services for students with disabilities, drew testimony that districts already provide substantial oversight through IEP processes and that the MOU requirement was burdensome and largely unenforced; the committee voted OTP 18-0. The committee then took up HB 719, which would repeal the right of first refusal for charter schools to purchase or lease unused district facilities. Supporters said the existing law had not generated complaints and could impede charter expansion, while opponents said the issue had not proven to be a problem and local control should be preserved. The committee voted ITL 17-1, with one member opposed and no minority report. The chair then postponed HB 184, a study committee bill on school start times, because it was scheduled for the next day, and the committee moved into a work session on bullying-related bills, discussing HB 108, HB 384, and HB 673 without taking final action in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, we will create clear statutory guidance for how to support policies that are transferred among
• We're going to clarify that the coverage following an insurance business transfer or corporate division
• My question isn't about the three targeted issues of this bill, which I support—the cyber, transferability
• I'm probably overthinking this, but if I've got a book of business that I want to transfer to another
• But that is some of the fear with IBT, insurance business transfer, or corporate division transactions

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Transferring these lands to the State of Idaho is not a realistic solution either.
• Transfers don't solve the problem.
• delegation, would say there are some lands that Idaho should manage, and they would support that transfer
• communicating with title companies, and also maintaining complete and accurate records for each transfer
• Maintaining complete and accurate records for each transfer.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on line seven, you see a line for transfers in or transfers out to other programs.
• On line nine, what you see in the governor's Budget is $106.7 million of cash transferred back into the
• With the total percentages there, does that include any transfers or is that separate? Mr. Bybee.
• So it does not include any of the budget surplus transfers that we made for the Transportation Department
• And at a different time, do we have a chart that lists true growth with all the transfers as well in

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LEAC recommended 52.2 million as a transfer. The Executive recommended 5 million as a transfer.
• LFC has an 89.7 million transfer from the Grow Fund on Row 157.
• So they're also transferring a substantial pot of money.
• It's just listed under your other state funds and transfers.
• LEAC recommended that 52.2 million as a transfer; 40 million remain flat appropriation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to provide a statewide electronic benefit transfer services system for the delivery of TANF and
• we had 14 that were eligible yesterday that went to the Board of Correction, I mean, the Post and Transfer
• So the Post-Rid and Transfer Board does screen them to get to this point.
• Board, seven of them were denied. one of them of the Board of Correction, I mean, the Post and Transfer
• So the Post-Rid and Transfer Board does screen them to get to this point.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance, and reduce $1,500 from the State Highway Dedicated Fund in personnel costs for a program transfer
• The request includes a $275 million general fund transfer.
• I move for a one-time appropriation and transfer of $1,298,600 from the General Fund to the Pest Control
• Include line item two, transferring $20,000 from operating expenditures to personnel costs.
• Transfer $20,000 from operating expenditures to personnel costs for fiscal year 2027 for the Office of

Summary: The committee first took up Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved increases for the Transportation Services Division, including deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, aeronautics facilities maintenance, replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs. It also adopted reappropriation language for capital facilities and aeronautics programs. The Division of Motor Vehicles budget was then approved for replacement items and IT hardware, followed by Highway Operations funding for roadside safety, tree removal, new and replacement equipment, IT hardware, and a small personnel transfer. The committee also approved Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition funding, including a large general fund transfer and language allowing accounting corrections and reappropriation authority. All of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was next. The committee approved two FY 2026 supplementals: one for quagga mussel treatment costs from the Invasive Species Fund and another for pest monitoring and control from the General Fund to the Pest Control Deficiency Fund. It then approved FY 2027 enhancements for replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget was also approved, including ongoing inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security hardware. However, a proposed reporting requirement on energy and utility rebates for the Liquor Division failed after the Senate did not support it, so that language was not adopted. The Secretary of State budget drew the most discussion. The committee approved a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal transfer for overtime, but rejected a substitute motion that would have imposed an additional base reduction. The Secretary of State testified that the office was already dealing with major filing backlogs and an earlier rescission, and that further cuts would slow business filings and election-related work. The committee then approved the original motion. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was approved for six new trial attorney positions, data migration and storage costs, IT replacement items, and health benefit funding. The meeting ended with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance, and reduce $1,500 from the State Highway Dedicated Fund in personnel costs for a program transfer
• The request includes a $275 million general fund transfer.
• I move for a one-time appropriation and transfer of $1,298,600 from the General Fund to the Pest Control
• Include line item two transferring $20,000 from operating expenditures to personnel costs.
• Transfer $20,000 from operating expenditures to personnel costs for fiscal year 2027 for the Office of

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved additional dedicated and federal funding for Transportation Services, Division of Motor Vehicles, Highway Operations, and Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition, including money for deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, replacement items, IT hardware, roadside tree removal, highway operations, and a capital transfer for right-of-way and construction. The committee also adopted several pieces of language, including reappropriation authority and accounting-correction language for ITD, and all of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was then reviewed. The committee approved a FY 2026 supplemental for invasive species/quagga mussel treatment and a separate deficiency appropriation for pest monitoring and control. It also approved FY 2027 enhancement funding for replacement items and IT hardware, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget followed, and the committee approved funding for inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, but rejected proposed language directing the division to report on energy and utility rebates after the Senate failed to support it. Next, the committee took up the Secretary of State’s budget. Members debated a substitute motion that would have reduced the office’s base budget and added a voter pamphlet appropriation, but that substitute failed. The original motion then passed, funding a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal personnel transfer, while leaving out the office’s IT replacement request. The Secretary of State testified that additional cuts would slow business filings and election-related work, noting the office had already absorbed a significant rescission. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was considered. The committee approved funding for six additional trial attorney positions, data migration and storage, ITS replacement items, and health benefit costs, with the agency explaining that its recent transition and high fill rate made the standard health-benefit calculation inaccurate. The meeting concluded with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, interfund loans and transfers can be made between school district funds.
• School districts are also permitted to make interfund transfers, subject to criteria defined in law,
• However, transfers are not allowed from a district's transportation vehicle fund to any other district
• Generally, interfund loans must be repaid with interest, and the transfer may not be used to balance
• financial oversight may also petition the superintendent of public instruction for permission to transfer

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 5109 would raise the mortgage lending fraud prosecution surcharge on recorded deeds of trust from $1 to $5 and remove the 2027 sunset on the surcharge and account. Committee staff said the change would generate additional revenue for county auditors and the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with prosecutors; King County and the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys testified in strong support, saying the current funding has eroded and the bill would better sustain mortgage fraud prosecutions. A question was raised about whether other budget funding could serve a similar purpose, but supporters said the dedicated surcharge/account structure was the best fit. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5500, which would require DCYF’s biennial child care report to include a current cost-of-quality study in addition to the market rate survey. Testifiers from Child Care Aware of Washington, child care providers, and the early education design team supported the bill, saying the market rate survey alone does not capture the true cost of providing quality care. Staff said the bill would have a small fiscal impact for DCYF. The committee then heard Substitute Senate Bill 5834 and Senate Bill 5835, both Department of Retirement Systems request bills: one would broaden use of pension fund interest earnings for fund-protection expenses beyond the 2025-27 biennium, and the other would raise the threshold for lump-sum payment of small monthly benefits from $50 to $250. Neither bill drew public testimony, and staff said the fiscal impacts were minimal. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5872, which would create the Pre-K Promise Account for ECAP funding and allow gifts, grants, and donations to be used solely to expand the program. Supporters including rural health coalitions, the Balmer Group, and Snohomish County said the account would help expand access to early learning, especially in child care deserts; DCYF estimated staffing costs to administer the account. Substitute Senate Bill 6007 would direct WSIPP to study DCYF’s child welfare screening tools and their effects on outcomes, with a reported cost of about $234,000; there was no public testimony. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6019 would clarify home care agency rate-setting and require that no more than 20% of Medicaid home care rates go to administrative costs, with DSHS saying there would be no fiscal impact. Labor and caregiver witnesses supported it as a parity and accountability measure. Finally, Senate Bill 6065 would allow school districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use transportation vehicle funds more flexibly, including temporary loans or permanent transfers with approval; a rural education representative supported the bill, and staff said OSPI would incur only modest administrative costs. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The GED, then we could transfer them into the high school diploma option program, and those credits that
• they earned through the GED would transfer.
• The American Council on Education does a transfer for subjects within the GED, and they actually give
• Although technical training won't transfer to a four-year school, that's a fact. I mean, I'm not...
• I've been a dean at a junior college, and it won't transfer.

Bills: HB266 , SB85 , SB166 , HB266 , SB85 , SB166

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• And I and you know I I mean we do have a very very large number of illegal immigrants in the country
• People that are living here illegally are not willing to give up their livelihood to cast a ballot.
• immigrants in the country and of illegal immigrants in the country and I<01:40:50.400><c> think</c><
• People that are living here illegally<01:42:06.560><c> are</c><01:42:06.800><c> not</c><01:42:06.960>
• not willing to give up illegally are not willing to give up their<01:42:08.159><c> livelihood</c><01

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The lines 8 and 10 relating to the tornado, that's a register reappropriation, once the transfer, once
• Would you mind going back to Line 7, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund Transfer?
• Would you mind going back to Line 7, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund Transfer?
• Would you mind going back to Line 7, the Missouri Housing Trust Fund Transfer?
• We're transferring, if you will recall, if you were here, we moved some FTE at ITSD in House Bill 5,

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:03.360><c> the</c> supported HB1707 to um transfer the supported HB1707 to um transfer the
• Thank you. vehicle title transfer process and vehicle title transfer process and allows<00:34:18.159>
• HB 1680, relating to vehicle transfers. Requires each county...
• HB1680 relating to vehicle<00:37:32.400><c> transfers.
• c> city</c><01:27:24.880><c> county</c> Transfers land from the city county Transfers land from the city

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1688, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for certain aircraft maintenance materials, parts, tools, and facility construction, received comments from the Department of Taxation and support from Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Kohala Coast Resort, the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony indicated the measure was intended to clarify an existing exemption rather than create a new one. The bulk of the hearing focused on HB 2386, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms and a water carrier inflationary cost index. The Department of Transportation said it would change its testimony to support the bill, citing a 2020 working group recommendation, while the PUC and DCCA offered comments. Matson, the Maritime Group, Hawaii Harbors Users Group, and Young Brothers supported the measure, arguing it would modernize regulation, improve predictability, and help maintain reliable interisland shipping. Hawaii Farm Bureau offered comments, while Hawaii Food Industry Association, Maui Brewing Company, Lani Kai Brewing Company, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii opposed it, arguing automatic rate increases were not the solution and that underlying costs and efficiencies should be addressed first. The chair noted the bill was essentially the same as one previously considered, and asked questions about how Hawaii’s water carrier regulation compares with other states. The committee also heard HB 1691, which would allow electronic signatures for certain motor vehicle title transfers after total-loss insurance settlements and remove the notary requirement for that narrow transaction. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and one individual supported it, with Copart saying the change would reduce delays and could allow a faster, largely electronic settlement process. Members asked about county impacts, and Copart said counties would only see a different form with no added cost or electronic integration. HB 1680, requiring county finance directors to notify agencies through a centralized system for vehicle transfers, drew opposition from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services and one individual in support. HB 2516, raising helmet requirements for electric foot scooters and bicycles and requiring helmets for high-speed or Class 3 electric bicycles, received support from DOT, DOH, AAA Hawaii, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. HB 193, allowing deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation visible to law enforcement, drew support from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, the Hawaii Disabilities Rights Center, and an individual who suggested amendments to broaden the bill to deaf and hard of hearing individuals and adjust the proof standard. HB 2442, increasing required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in larger parking lots, was supported by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Disability Rights Center, which said the bill would address shortages of accessible parking and may need technical amendments to align terminology with the ADA.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, just, um, I believe it was just about two weeks ago, they discovered another illegal Chinese
• Chinese bolab in Las another illegal Chinese bolab in Las Vegas.<00:10:27.279><c> Um,</c><00:10:27.680
• bolab in California running an illegal bolab in California in<00:10:37.600><c> late</c><00:10:37.920
• It was very clearly an<00:10:45.760><c> illegal</c><00:10:46.160><c> underground</c><00:10:47.120><c>
• Chinese</c><00:10:47.839><c> bow</c> an illegal underground Chinese bow an illegal underground Chinese

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:46.559><c> funds</c> authorizes HHFDC to transfer funds authorizes HHFDC to transfer funds
• </c> relating to restrictions on the transfer relating to restrictions on the transfer of<01:01:59.040
• </c><01:02:04.400><c> of</c> 2011H HRS which exempts transfers of 2011H HRS which exempts transfers of
• homelands from transfer Hawaiian homelands from transfer restrictions<01:02:06.319><c> for</c><01:02
• </c> 1920 as amended as any such transfers 1920 as amended as any such transfers shall<01:02:32.160><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.

Transcript Highlights:

• in any deficit um to the would transfer in any deficit um to the education<03:13:40.720><c> trust</c
• I think there was a $2 or $1.9 million dollar whatever it was transfer that the governor didn't pick
• I've included it in the Division 2 transfer that's already occurred.
• </c><03:19:49.840><c> that</c> dollar whatever it was uh transfer that dollar whatever it was uh transfer
• </c><03:20:04.600><c> that</c> 1.29 million doll Surplus transfer that 1.29 million doll Surplus transfer

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries. Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows transfers into the Housing Development Fund and states that money cannot be transferred out
• It<00:06:36.200><c> allows</c><00:06:36.760><c> transfers</c><00:06:37.440><c> into</c><00:06:37.720>
• <c> the</c><00:06:37.800><c> Housing</c> It allows transfers into the Housing It allows transfers into
• out of the Housing transferred out of the Housing Development<00:06:42.840><c> Fund</c><00:06:43.240
• . legislature when making a transfer.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on House File 1141, the Omnibus Housing Finance and Policy Bill, reviewed the fiscal spreadsheet and policy language for the agreement. Staff explained the major funding items, including appropriations for greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured home park infrastructure grants, family homelessness prevention, supportive housing, a tenant hotline, and housing infrastructure bonds, along with a cancellation of unused Tyler settlement funds and a reallocation of Housing Development Fund earnings. Staff said the package was budget neutral over the forecast window. The policy walk-through also covered provisions on livestreaming Housing Finance Agency board meetings, limits on administrative retentions for new grant programs, restrictions and reporting on Housing Development Fund transfers and earnings, clarifying language for local public housing, an exemption related to lived-experience engagement, and access for legislative fiscal staff to agency accounting information. Members then considered several amendments. The A12 amendment, allowing certain local governments to invest long-term funds in housing-related investments, was adopted after a roll call showed support from all three caucuses. The A16 manufactured housing bill of rights amendment, which would have addressed park-owner practices, purchase opportunities, enforcement, and rent increases, was not adopted. The A18 amendment to allow additional flags in HOAs and other areas was also not adopted. The A17 amendment to limit private equity ownership of single-family homes to 100 units was not adopted. The A13 amendment to preempt local rent control was not adopted. Members on both sides said some of the rejected issues warranted further discussion in future sessions, while supporters argued they were needed to address housing affordability and ownership pressures. In closing discussion on the bill as a whole, members from both chambers praised the bipartisan process, the staff work, and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s collaboration. Supporters said the agreement would help build thousands of homes across the state, assist vulnerable Minnesotans, and improve transparency and accountability in housing programs. They also noted the bill’s mix of single-family, multifamily, manufactured housing, homelessness prevention, and policy reforms. The committee expressed intent to move the agreement forward to the House floor and ultimately to the governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think there’s a lot of things, transferring credits.
• I would like to see that transfer to general revenue. That's about $110 million.
• So you're transferring $64 million from the Blind Pension Fund and moving.
• Yeah, I just mean the Pension Fund transferred to public education. That's new.
• We did reduce the transfer for the veterans homes.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all