Transcript Highlights:

• We have a work session, a public hearing, and an executive session.
• What this bill does is designate the Traffic Safety Commission as a public health authority to promote
• It authorizes the commission, as a public health authority, to collect certain health care information
• That closes our public hearing on Senate Bill 6131.
• That closes our public hearing on Senate Bill 6155.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for work sessions, public hearings, and executive action. In the work session, WSDOT briefed the committee on the U.S. 12 corridor near Walla Walla and the North Spokane Corridor. Brian White said U.S. 12 is an eight-phase project with seven phases complete, and phase eight would finish the corridor, improve freight mobility and safety, and include a jurisdictional transfer of the old highway back to Walla Walla County. He said the project remains short of full funding, including a gap between the $350 million corridor cost and the $110 million federal Rural Surface Transportation grant, but WSDOT hopes to build smaller independent-utility pieces and begin construction in summer 2027. Charlene K. then reported that the North Spokane Corridor is seven of eight highway miles open, with major remaining work on the I-90 connection and related interchanges, bridges, and trail segments. She described the project as on track for design completion in 2027 and construction completion around 2030, while noting risks tied to federal approval, tight construction space, labor and contractor availability, utilities, and community impacts. The committee also heard from Karen Messmer of the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council, who summarized the council’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities. She emphasized that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remain unacceptably high and urged a safe-system approach focused on safer speeds, roads, road users, vehicles, land use, and post-crash care. She highlighted recommendations including safety-based performance measures, better speed management, more local safety planning support, improved driver education, attention to micromobility and large vehicles, and faster toxicology and crash-data processing. In public hearings, the committee heard Senate Bill 6131, which would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority, designate it as a public health authority for limited access to health information, and create a confidential fatality review committee. The sponsor and Traffic Safety Commission said the bill would help identify common contributing factors in all fatal crashes while protecting confidential information; a media representative testified that the bill preserves public access to records already open and supports the goal of improving safety. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6155, which would extend disability parking placard renewal from every five years to every 20 years and remove the need for a health care practitioner’s signature at renewal; supporters said this would reduce burdens on permanently disabled people, while opponents warned it could increase fraud and misuse of placards. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6238, which would raise the minimum tug escort horsepower for oil tankers in restricted waters to 3,000 horsepower or 5% of tanker deadweight, whichever is greater; the sponsor and Board of Pilotage said the change would align statute with current practice and newly adopted rules. Testimony was mixed, and the hearing closed with two people signed in pro and two con. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed Senate Bill 5746 on EV charging infrastructure property crime, Senate Bill 5824 on fifth wheel travel trailer length, Senate Bill 6110 on e-bikes and e-motos, Senate Bill 5839 on county ferry district passenger-only service, and Senate Bill 6148 on regional transit authority bond terms, all with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. An amendment to SB 6110 adding several state agency leaders to the e-moto work group was rejected. The committee adjourned after signing committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, public testify.
• Services Commission to support...
• We were surprised to learn that the Health and Human Services Commission does not maintain a records
• Commission.
• Authority for the Purchasing Pool from the Comptroller's Office to the Health and Human Services Commission

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair now opens up. public testimony I there's no one has signed up for public testimony is anyone here
• Chair now opens up for public testimony. There's no one signed up for public testimony.
• public tax appraisal roles.
• The chair now opens for public testimony. There is no public testimony registered.
• The chair now opens public testimony, showing no one registered for public testimony.

Bills: SB330 , SB663 , SB1020 , SB1152 , SB1164 , SB1896 , SB2111 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2797 , SB2798 , SB2371

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue that can help fund essential public services without raising taxes on working families.
• </c> advancing compassion and public health. advancing compassion and public health.
• </c> formation of a study commission. formation of a study commission.
• organizational commission.
• miss commission miss commission miss commission um<01:30:29.120><c> and</c> um and um and [clears throat

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we have terms like public service.
• </c><01:18:46.159><c> That's</c><01:18:46.320><c> why</c> terms like public service.
• That's why terms like public service.
• </c> a commission. a commission.
• We added boards of cooperative educational services to the definition of qualifying public property.

Transcript Highlights:

• on public charter schools.
• To testify, P.J. for Public Charter School Commission. Yes, in place of P.E.J.
• I am the executive director of the Public Charter School Commission, and we stand on our written testimony
• ><c> um</c> public engagement public discussion um public engagement public discussion um and<00:10:27.200
• </c><00:15:33.360><c> and</c> office of student support services and office of student support services

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Rights Commission Rights Commission this<00:18:00.440><c> case</c><00:18:01.039><c> it</c><00:18
• Liquor Commission: we had a fairly significant change to the Liquor Commission in that we removed the
• Public defender: so the public defender is Judicial Council, and the public defender, that's a group
• defender so the year okay um public defender so the public<00:23:56.120><c> defender</c><00:23:57.120
• defender is judicial Council and public defender is judicial Council and the<00:23:59.080><c> public

Summary: The Finance Committee met to review Division One of a very large budget package, with the chair explaining that the budget was being analyzed in three divisions over multiple days. Members first discussed procedure, including when amendments and line-item votes would be taken, and agreed to proceed with the division’s presentation before questions. Representative Maguire then outlined the division’s approach as a series of tradeoffs to close a large budget gap, emphasizing cuts, some revenue changes, and a focus on overall spending levels as well as individual reductions. The presentation covered a wide range of agencies and policy areas. Major proposed changes included cuts or eliminations to several boards and commissions viewed as costly or duplicative, such as the Housing Appeals Board, Board of Tax and Land Appeals, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Aging, Office of the Child Advocate, and the Personnel Appeals Board, with some functions consolidated into other boards. The division also proposed back-of-the-budget cuts to the Information Technology Department, Judicial Branch, Justice Department, Retirement System, Corrections, and Environmental Services, along with fee increases in several areas. Other notable items included ending marketing for Paid Family Leave, reducing job advertising and tourism promotion, defunding the Arts Council, moving liquor enforcement functions out of the Liquor Commission, and shifting some funds such as the College Savings Commission money to Division Two. Several members questioned specific cuts, especially the elimination of the Council on Aging, the reduction in regional planning commission grants, and the large cut to tourism advertising. Maguire defended the choices as necessary budget tradeoffs, arguing that some programs duplicated work done elsewhere, that regional planning grants were not among the most essential items, and that tourism promotion was a form of spending he viewed skeptically. He also explained that the public defender’s budget was partially restored after a credible claim of a governor’s budget error, and that the committee would continue refining corrections-related cuts because the House was only halfway through the budget process and further changes could still occur in the Senate and conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• From science to the arts, business to public service, Black Americans have profoundly influenced every
• as chair of the Lawndale Planning Commission.
• His tenure reflects more than 22 years of dedicated public service, having served as a district representative
• Public service is never an individual journey, as we all know.
• service continued to blossom.

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum call at the start, then proceeded with Black History Month observances, including a libation ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks emphasizing remembrance, ancestry, and the importance of honoring Black history. The chamber also handled routine procedural matters, including dispensing with the journal, re-referring certain Senate budget items to the Budget Committee, and allowing guest introductions and other unanimous-consent requests. The main floor action was on Assembly Concurrent Resolution 134, recognizing Black History Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the historical contributions of Black Americans, the ongoing effects of slavery and segregation, the need to protect voting rights and education, and the importance of solidarity across communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 74 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 132, declaring February 28 as Rare Disease Day. Members shared personal stories about ALS and other rare diseases, described barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and insurance coverage, and called for more research and support. The resolution received broad bipartisan support, with 71 co-authors added before adoption by voice vote. The chamber then recognized a series of Black History Month Unsung Heroes honorees, including community leaders, health professionals, advocates, and public servants, and later heard additional guest introductions. The meeting concluded with adjournments in memory of Peyton Trilling and John Jackson, followed by announcements and adjournment until February 26 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But Service One has a program that does community paramedic service, so when we get patients that are
• We go all over the service areas that we're adjacent to. I have five counties.
• We provide 911 emergency services too, but we do go into other areas.
• But what happens when a county salary commission meets, they can set it at 100% of this.
• But I think it's important always to note that when the salary commission meet...

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on Senate Bill 975, which dealt with ambulance district mergers and community paramedic/mobile integrated health services. Supporters said the merger provisions would help rural districts combine resources, reduce costs, and improve patient care, while community paramedic programs have been effective in reducing emergency room use and supporting early hospital discharges. An EMS chief described situations where neighboring services cooperated and one where a service refused access to community paramedic care, arguing the bill should address those jurisdictional barriers. Opposition from the Missouri State Council of Firefighters focused on concerns about the Senate-added jurisdictional language, saying they did not oppose the underlying bill but wanted the jurisdictional issues resolved so services could continue in rural areas. No vote was taken, and testimony on SB 975 was closed. The committee then took up House Bill 3496, which updates county official salary schedules and assessed valuation ranges. Representative Reedy said the bill is intended to modernize salary minimums that have not been changed in about 45 years while preserving local control through county salary commissions, which can set pay below the maximum based on what each county can afford. Missouri Association of Counties staff testified in support, explaining that a task force spent about two years developing the proposal and that the updated schedule and growth factor were designed to reflect current county economics and avoid abrupt salary jumps. Committee members asked about alternative training options, coordination with other salary legislation, and whether the bill could create public misunderstandings about pay increases. A county commissioner also testified in support. The hearing closed without any vote or other action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a public hearing and all Public record.
• Some work was done because there was a commission, a prior commission, that commission actually did a
• Some work was done because there was a commission, a prior commission, that commission actually did a
• commission.
• It matters whom we choose to honor; public recognition reflects public values.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of bills, with substantial testimony on commemorative days and several local development measures. Early testimony focused on competing proposals about Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Senator Comerford and others supported redesignating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while several Italian American legislators and advocates opposed changing Columbus Day and instead urged a separate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on August 9 or another date. Committee members noted the long-running debate, discussed the state flag and motto review process, and emphasized that any changes would require legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard strong support for a Fred Korematsu Day bill, with testimony from advocates, legal organizations, community leaders, and Korematsu’s daughter. Witnesses described Korematsu’s resistance to Japanese American incarceration during World War II, argued that his story remains relevant amid current immigration and civil liberties concerns, and said the designation would help educate students and the public. A separate bill to designate September as PCOS Awareness Month drew testimony from Senator Miranda and health advocates, who described the disorder’s prevalence, frequent misdiagnosis, fertility and pregnancy risks, and the value of public awareness and education. Other bills discussed included a Domestic Workers’ Rights Day proposal, supported by Representative Garcia and Representative Sousa, who spoke about the invisibility and vulnerability of domestic workers and the importance of recognizing their labor. The committee also heard support for a veteran suicide awareness and remembrance day, a Boston branch library and affordable housing project in Dorchester, and a Fall River waterfront redevelopment bill transferring land to the local redevelopment authority for a major mixed-use project. In addition, Senator Miranda testified in favor of a memorial portrait for former Representative Doris Bunty, highlighting her pioneering role in the legislature and Boston public housing. The hearing was hybrid and lengthy, with the chair repeatedly asking witnesses to be concise and noting that testimony would be public record.

Transcript Highlights:

• My other question is on public safety.
• We will have public comment on our agenda too.
• Each tribe has its own gaming commission.
• Each gaming commission, each casino, has its own house rules that reserve the right to refuse service
• I am the former president of the New Mexico Public Health Association and a longtime public health advocate

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that you will continue to listen to all ...the public officials as we talk about public education
• But if a student wants to go to a public, let's have them transfer inside our public system.
• They provide services to approximately 1,600 member libraries of all types, including public, school,
• your services to your community.
• services.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't for for public use.
• </c> is already considered by the commission is already considered by the commission in<00:36:09.440>
• </c><00:37:14.240><c> that</c> actually come to the commission that actually come to the commission that
• :01.840><c> the</c> public facing disclosure is the public facing disclosure is the appropriate<01:31
• </c> not be an obstacle, but um, for public not be an obstacle, but um, for public policy<01:32:13.920

Bills: SB2982 , SB2367 , SB2818 , SB2944 , SB2022 , SB2240 , SB2986 , SB2547 , SB2401 , SB3031 , SB3035 , SB3032

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 2982 on campaign finance, which would prohibit foreign entities and foreign-influence businesses from making contributions and expenditures. The Attorney General’s office testified first, followed by the Campaign Spending Commission, which supported the bill but asked for clarification on constitutional review authority and additional implementation time for certifications, forms, and procedures. Common Cause also supported the measure, arguing it would help protect elections from dark money and foreign influence. No vote was taken. The committee then took up SB 2367 on a state boating facilities lease program for the Ala Wai small boat harbor. DLNR supported the bill, while UPW opposed it, warning about privatization of a public asset and possible job displacement. Several members of the public supported the concept but urged amendments to protect public access, affordability, youth ocean programs, and state employee jobs. Committee members questioned DLNR about the scope of the lease, the role of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and whether public access and existing concessions would remain protected. DLNR said current leases would remain, the board would retain approval authority, and employees would not necessarily be displaced, but members indicated more discussion and possible amendments were needed. For SB 2818 on boating penalties, DLNR testified in support and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 2944 on conservation, which would require wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to NOAA guidance and reporting requirements; DLNR said it stood on its written testimony. SB 2022 on water code penalties drew support from DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management, which said the bill’s two-tiered penalty structure would preserve deterrence while keeping the current $5,000 penalty for first-time or non-harmful violations. The Board of Water Supply submitted comments, and Ulupono Initiative supported the measure as a needed enforcement tool. Committee members discussed whether the higher penalty ceiling should be phased in and asked for stakeholder input on the amount of the penalties. Finally, the committee began SB 2240 on land use, which would require water availability certification from the Commission on Water Resource Management before a district boundary amendment proceeds to the Land Use Commission. DLNR supported the bill and said it often reviews project documents that lack sufficient information on water needs and availability, so the measure would allow earlier review and comment. The committee also indicated it would seek amendments and further feedback on the water penalty bill before it moved to the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we will do public comment.
• And they not only make an investment, but they demonstrate to the Public Regulatory Commission, both
• One is that level of oversight from the Public Regulatory Commission.
• Carlos Lucero, with Public Service Company of New Mexico.
• And the second is, because there is that oversight from the Public Regulatory Commission, we know that

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 55, which would expand New Mexico’s solar market development income tax credit from 10% to 30% after the federal solar credit expired, raise the per-credit cap from $6,000 to $15,000, and keep the existing overall $30 million cap with a sunset in 2032. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would help stabilize the residential solar sector, protect jobs, and support consumers, small businesses, small agriculture, and tribal communities. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, though some members raised questions about fiscal capacity and the bill’s impact. The committee passed SB 55 on a 7-4 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 267, the Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Act, on a committee substitute. The bill would require utilities to file and maintain wildfire mitigation plans, obtain PRC approval, and receive a rebuttable presumption in civil actions if they substantially comply; it also includes access provisions for mitigation work on private and public property, cost recovery, damage limits, and a one-year statute of limitations. Utilities and co-op representatives supported the bill as a way to reduce wildfire risk and address rising insurance costs, while insurers, OSI, and wildfire-victim advocates opposed it, arguing it overly limits liability, shifts losses to homeowners and insurers, and does not fully compensate victims. Several committee members expressed concern about the liability standards, deemed approval, access to property, and the short limitations period, but the bill ultimately passed on an 8-3 vote after the chair corrected the motion and revote. Next, House Bill 320, the Industrial Carbon Reduction Act, was presented. It would create production incentives and capital grants for industrial materials made at least 40% cleaner than the industry average, with clawbacks for underperformance and competitive review by EDD and Environment. Supporters from the gas company and chambers of commerce said it uses performance-based incentives to encourage cleaner manufacturing, attract investment, and create jobs. One member raised an anti-donation clause concern, but the sponsor said the bill’s performance requirements and clawbacks address that issue. The committee passed HB 320 on a 10-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, a follow-up to last year’s wildlife agency reform bill. It would replace vetoed language by creating a process for a governor’s removal of a wildlife commissioner that includes notice, a hearing, and direct review by the New Mexico Supreme Court, while keeping the governor’s removal authority for cause. Ranching, angling, outfitter, and conservation groups supported the bill as a bipartisan fix that adds accountability and avoids political retaliation. Members asked about the removal process and direct Supreme Court review, and some who had initially been skeptical said the testimony changed their view. The bill was moving forward with support at the end of the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you turn off the power, you also cut off cell service, internet service, and phone service.
• Oil services, very active in the San Juan Basin.
• Such improvements will enhance the public safety, public welfare, and public health of these entities
• With prioritization falling with the Interstate Commission.
• Community service order.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The California Health and Human Services Agency will convene a Blue Ribbon Commission to study these
• Thank you, Jim Revis, member of the public, in support. Thank you.
• This is to conduct the study on the commission.
• Terry Friedman, IATSE Local 80 craft service worker in film and TV.
• We know that we have to continue to operate day-to-day service. while also providing service for all

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• or adding services to those wraparound services.
• About support services to students.
• But the support services, the wraparound services, Services, we said let's up that dollar amount to over
• amongst public entities.
• The California Student Aid Commission has the California Dream Act Service Incentive Program as well,

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> entity pass along its debt to the public entity pass along its debt to the public it<01:16:12.280
• </c> children in need of help and services children in need of help and services are<01:45:23.000><c>
• Services till today, we don't have services on our side of the island when the road shut down.
• Services till today, we don't have services on our side of the island when the road shut down.
• ><c> deserves</c> set public testimony the public deserves set public testimony the public deserves a

Transcript Highlights:

• the consensus of the of the commission the consensus of the commission<01:34:17.159><c> is</c><01:34
• </c> a dilit terious effect on the services a dilit terious effect on the services that<01:42:11.639>
• There's the commission.
• drinking and against laws against public drinking and against public public public congregation<04:17
• that need service.

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar. The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 749 directs the California Health and Human Services Agency to convene a blue ribbon commission to
• Jim Revis, member of the public, in support. Thank you.
• This is to do the study on the commission.
• Secret Service. is going to be a part of this, as well as the U.S.
• We know that we have to continue to operate day-to-day service while also providing service for all the

Summary: The committee heard AB 749, which would create a blue ribbon commission to study equitable access to youth sports and recommend a statewide framework, including coaching standards, PE modernization, and funding models to reduce barriers for families. The author and supporters, including youth sports advocates, educators, coaches, and former athletes, argued that sports improve health, school engagement, and long-term opportunity, while noting racial and income disparities in participation. One member raised concerns that a new commission could add cost and regulatory burdens, but the bill was framed as a study measure rather than immediate regulation. The committee also took up AB 549, aimed at coordinating state and local security planning for major upcoming sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic and Paralympic Games. Supporters said the bill would improve interagency coordination, protect visitors and communities, and help prevent human trafficking and discrimination during mega-events. Members discussed the need to avoid over-policing and to center community values, but the bill advanced on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 1291 addressed ticket purchasing for concerts, sports, and other live events by requiring electronic proof of purchase and allowing it to be used for entry if a ticket cannot be accessed through no fault of the buyer. Supporters said the measure would give consumers more certainty and help address problems in a monopolized ticketing market, while opponents from venues, sports teams, and entertainment groups warned it could undermine anti-scalping tools, create security problems, and burden venues with duplicate or fraudulent proofs of purchase. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended basis to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with the roll held open for absent members. The consent calendar item, AB 644, was also approved.