Video & Transcript : 'prompt pay' :
Page 365 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on State Government (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:05:29.759><c> be</c> these other groups are going to be these other groups are going to be paying
- the statutory contribution but paying the statutory contribution but there's<00:05:32.520><c> also</
- He said they can earn up to a maximum of 75% of the pay they had.
- She said the other piece of it that she hopes they can address is teacher pay, because their starting
- because we are address is teacher pay because we are our<00:15:43.360><c> starting</c><00:15:43.759>
Keywords:
Consideration of HB 73 02:23
Consideration of HB 441 07:24
Consideration of HB 462 18:44, 958, all
Summary:
The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression.
House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression.
House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026
Elections & Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I know myself, I think I've had like one or two cycles where I had to pay a little bit of a fee.
- I know myself, I think I've had like one or two cycles where I had to pay a little bit of a fee.
- The other homes are required to pay only county taxes.
- The other homes are required to pay only county taxes.
- The other homes are required to pay only county taxes.
Bills:
HB344
Keywords:
campaign finance, elections, transparency, political committees, reporting requirements, enforcement
Summary:
The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee heard several election- and campaign-related bills. House Substitute 2 for House Bill 155 would make Public Integrity Commission reports publicly available on the commission’s website, add a specific travel-expense reporting category, and remove the FOIA requirement for accessing reports; Senator Richardson said he supported the transparency measure and asked to be added as a co-sponsor. The committee also took up House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would create state protections against voter suppression and vote dilution, expand language access, prohibit intimidation and deception, and allow court remedies for violations. The bill drew strong support from advocacy groups including YWCA Delaware, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, and the Legal Defense Fund, and several senators voiced support and interest in moving it quickly.
House Bill 430, a constitutional amendment proposal, would make explicit that only natural persons may vote in Delaware elections, including municipal elections, in response to concerns about corporate or other artificial-entity voting in some towns. The discussion focused heavily on Fenwick Island, where the mayor testified that the town’s charter has long allowed certain artificial entities to vote in local elections and said the system is limited and has worked for years; other speakers argued the bill was needed to prevent corporate dilution of residents’ votes. Senator Richardson expressed concern about restricting entities with a local stake, while Senator Hoffner and others emphasized the principle of one person, one vote.
Senator Townsend presented House Bill 344, which would tighten campaign finance rules by requiring Delaware bank accounts for candidates and committees, recurring training, better documentation of candidate loans, longer record retention, automatic filing extensions, and inactive status for noncompliant committees; one public commenter opposed the bill on cost grounds. He also presented House Bill 448, which would allow campaign funds to be used for reasonable security expenses for candidates and elected officials, with guardrails, and a commenter suggested allowing electronic security systems without a cap. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 472, a local de-annexation measure for Noble’s Pond in Cheswold to remove scattered residential lots from town boundaries and resolve uneven tax treatment; Senator Hoffner noted local law enforcement supported the change. The committee adjourned after hearing no further public comment on HB 472, and the vote to adjourn was unanimous.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- In Colorado, consumers could pay nearly 15% in taxes on a turkey sandwich.
- Turnpike debt has been fully paid off, yet drivers in Central and Western Massachusetts continue to pay
- Turnpike debt has been fully paid off, yet drivers in Central and Western Massachusetts continue to pay
- highway maintenance, but only certain regions are asked to pay tolls on top of those costs.
- system in which the users of these roadways who benefit from state investment and maintenance help pay
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a range of bills focused on transportation funding, governance, and equity. Supporters backed proposals to create a North Central Massachusetts intercity passenger rail fund tied to a possible new gaming license (H. 3680/S. 2363), local parking assessments (H. 3756), third-party delivery fees (S. 2356/H. 3774), broader roadway pricing and congestion management measures (S. 2353/S. 2354), tolling equity and regional transit authority advisory boards (S. 2400/S. 2401), and Steamship Authority oversight reforms including board term limits (S. 2395). Testimony in favor emphasized new dedicated revenue sources, commuter rail expansion, regional equity, improved oversight, and better transit access for riders and communities that rely on public transportation.
There was also testimony in opposition to the third-party delivery fee bills from Chamber of Progress, which argued the fee would raise costs for consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers, could reduce demand and jobs, and might not achieve the intended environmental benefits. Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts opposed H. 3633, a transit expansion, electrification, and resiliency bill, specifically objecting to its mandatory project labor agreement requirement and saying it would limit competition and disadvantage non-union contractors and workers.
Several witnesses spoke in favor of the Steamship Authority bill, saying term limits would improve transparency, accountability, and board turnover. The committee also heard detailed support for the North Central rail proposal from a legislator, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and a transportation advocate, who described the bill as a way to generate long-term bonded revenue for rail infrastructure. After testimony concluded and no questions remained, the chairs entertained and received a motion to adjourn.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- A prime example is that we pay a nurse practitioner less than we pay a physician for the same CPT code
- But I think the question that I would like an answer to is: if you intended to pay this $1.5 million
- We obviously approved this legislation, so our intent was to pay the other 700 dentists and spend that
- So you cannot pay those dentists for this service until that language is fixed.
- I will say the one comment that we received regarding not paying higher rates: we did not change the
Summary:
The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas Medicaid and Department of Health rules, many implementing 2025 acts. Early items covered presumptive eligibility and Medicaid policy updates, including adding a definition of fictive kin for foster children and changing the disability onset age for ABLE accounts from 26 to 46. Another rule clarified that continuous glucose monitors may be billed by both pharmacies and durable medical equipment providers, with committee members questioning prior authorization timing, system lag, and a fiscal impact estimate of about $3 million over two years; the rule was reviewed, but members requested additional cost breakdowns. Other Medicaid-related rules addressed an RSV vaccine administration fee increase, an ET3 telemedicine exemption for ambulance treat-triage-transport services, a dental rate increase under Act 1025, expanded physical therapy access, and the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies package covering doulas, lactation consultants, remote monitoring, and expanded prenatal testing. Most were reviewed without objection after brief discussion or no questions.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Oh, I guess I wasn't paying attention to you this time. I guess you owe me one.
- Oh, I guess I wasn't paying attention to you this time. I guess you owe me one.
- She says data centers should pay the full costs they impose on the system, including existing capacity
- good, but utilities are not asking data centers to pay for the increased generation.
- Arizona should not be incentivizing data centers to be here while the people pay for it.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Apr 13th, 2026
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll still have to pay what it. That are out-of-state.
- We'll still have to pay what it was set in there before.
- Right now, they’re paying a $5 fee on that.
- Right now, they’re paying a $5 fee on that.
- Right now, they’re paying a $5 fee on that.
Bills:
SB3, SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB259, SB1191, SB1246, SB1314, SB1439, SB1613, SB1930, SB1976, SB330, SB2069, SB2095
Keywords:
industrial hemp, program licensing, agriculture, cannabinoids, state regulation, water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield
Summary:
The committee took up a long agenda of agriculture, water, energy, wildlife, and licensing bills, often adopting policy committee recommendations or full committee substitutes as working drafts before hearing brief explanations and questions. Several measures were described as request bills from agencies or industry groups, including bills on hemp/THC limits, groundwater and aquifer management, brine water use, dairy and milk regulation, livestock transport accidents, unpasteurized milk sales, egg sales, outfitter licensing, LP gas, DEQ permitting, and an elk population study. Members raised recurring concerns about water rights, landowner protections, enforcement authority, and whether certain bills would affect private property or due process.
Among the more debated items was SB 3, which narrows Oklahoma’s hemp definition to align with the federal standard and was framed by the author as a way to keep intoxicating hemp products away from children; it passed 14-0. SB 1439, which would limit certain climate-related lawsuits against energy producers, drew constitutional and due process questions and passed 10-4. SB 1930 on brine water and iodine production passed 14-0 after discussion of landowner compensation, and SB 259 on aquifer management and five-year averaging for permitted water users passed 8-6 after extensive questions about metering and water allotments. Other water-related bills included SB 1346 creating a water infrastructure loan program, SB 1509 on well spacing, and SB 1314 increasing an indemnity fund cap for well-drilling contamination incidents.
The committee also advanced SB 2117 clarifying authority for stop-sale or destruction orders, SB 2127 creating an advisory council on product classification, SB 1191 dissolving an unused low-energy/low-carbon board, SB 2110 expanding direct sales of ungraded eggs, SB 2134 setting procedures for livestock transport accidents, SB 2028 authorizing unpasteurized milk sales with a higher monthly gallon limit, SB 269 prohibiting baiting for migratory birds, SB 2095 requiring certain out-of-state outfitters to be licensed and insured, SB 1613 as an LP gas industry mirror bill, SB 1246 to speed DEQ permitting, SB 1976 phasing in surety bond requirements, and SB 330 directing a comprehensive elk study. Most bills were reported out do pass, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided, and the meeting adjourned after the final bill.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Local Government Apr 1st, 2026
Local Government, Elections and Pensions
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, it's the consumer is the one that's going to have to pay for it. Right.
- you know, sometimes you feel like you train firefighters and police officers for other communities to pay
- Right now, Missourians across our state pay 57 to 58 percent of their household income goes to some form
- Peters in terms of what they pay elected officials. They're paid very handsomely.
- My handsome pay was $2,000 a year.
Summary:
The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which replaced Senator Black’s version with Representative Farnan’s bill. Members discussed that the controversial community-agreement language had been removed and that related community paramedic language had been moved to another bill. The committee then voted 16-0 to do pass the substituted bill.
The committee next considered House Bill 3496, dealing with county officials’ salary schedules and county classification issues. Representative Reedy explained the substitute added election authorities language, incorporated another bill on sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys, and changed the title and substance to address county valuation rules for certain fourth-class counties. Members discussed the impact on county classifications and the inclusion of abated and tax-exempt property in valuation calculations. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted 15-1 to do pass the bill.
In public hearing, Representative Sharp presented House Bill 3028 as a Lewis County fix to allow more at-large members on a county board instead of requiring one from each township; a retired Lewis County commissioner testified in support, and no opposition appeared. Representative Thompson presented House Bill 2431 to let Lexington ask voters for a public safety sales tax after a major gas explosion; supporters said it would fund police, fire, and ambulance needs without reducing current budgets, while an opponent argued against new taxes and special laws. Representative Violet presented House Bill 2732 to raise the voter-approved cap on water service line repair fees from $12 to $24 annually; St. Peters officials said costs have risen and the program helps residents avoid large repair bills, while an opponent said existing programs are solvent and opposed the increase. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We are facing a massive judge shortage in Idaho because we don't pay them enough, but we also live in
- a tax or pay a fee or register to vote or whatever.
- One side is the property tax increase on citizens to pay for completely reconfiguring the security in
- Trent Tripple: All of these folks are mingling with citizens who are paying their taxes or showing up
- All of these folks are mingling with citizens who are paying their taxes or showing up for jury duty.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I was like, if I don't get that money back, and that would be part of the law, if I pay that in, which
- is what they pay forward to pay other teachers, if I leave that in the retirement system, I hadn't caused
- But with reference to the teachers, do you change the amount that they have to pay for insurance just
- But with reference to the teachers, do you change the amount that they have to pay for insurance just
- They are invested; they are paying into the system. So, you know, it's a compromise.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 04:01 pm
Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The first section directs the Department of Human Services to pay licensed child care program subsidy
- The first section directs the Department of Human Services to pay licensed child care program subsidy
- wellness reimbursement program as a self-insured plan that issues a contract to provide services and pay
- B&O taxpayers would be authorized to pay their taxes using this system.
- the municipal fees for such things as fire and police are contemplated as such properties' duty to pay
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If you pay with cash or check, they want you to pay electronically.
- And if you don't, and if the renter doesn't have that access, then they have to pay a $25 fee for that
- Is there any sideboard in this legislation that would restrict the fees so that, okay, I'm paying $1,200
- on these communities, you cannot then charge something from the tenants for what the tax credit is paying
- For example, we're paying— —we pay for, uh, a—we paid $15 million in general fund money for a water project
Summary:
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 5, 2026, and first reordered its agenda to move RS 33471 to the end. The committee then introduced RS 33580, a proposal from Rep. Charlie Shepard concerning sales tax “sales price,” which he described as a fix for a recent Tax Commission practice of going back several years to tax and penalize businesses that had followed longstanding practice. The motion to introduce the RS passed without opposition.
The committee next heard House Bill 760 from Rep. John Weber, which would create an optional county property tax exemption for workforce and affordable housing projects. Testimony from Dominium’s Austin Vanderhaden explained that the bill would allow Idaho-based nonprofit and for-profit partnerships, require rents at or below 60% of area median income, require annual county certification, and leave the exemption entirely to county discretion. Supporters from the Boise Metro Chamber, Idaho Realtors, and the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry said the bill would help address housing shortages, support employers and workers, and provide a local tool for communities. The committee voted to send HB 760 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; Representatives Monks, Ehlers, and Razor requested to be recorded as voting no.
Finally, the committee considered RS 33471 from Rep. Jeff Ehlers, a DOGE Task Force recommendation to phase out general state funding for the Commission on Hispanic Affairs beginning July 1, 2028, while leaving the commission intact and shifting it toward private funding. Members debated whether the proposal would undermine the commission’s mission and whether it was appropriate to remove the commission from a list of charitable contribution options in the tax code. A substitute motion to return the RS to the sponsor failed, and the original motion to introduce the RS passed, with Representatives Birch and Gannon recorded as no votes. The committee then adjourned.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- And pays for a universal use of one.
- They pay for their own.
- Would pay for that.
- But the state wouldn't pay for that because it...
- They would just have to pay for that themselves.
Bills:
SB1290, SB1332, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1386, SB1390, SB1428, SB1584, SB1696, SB175, SB1778, SB1794, SB1806, SB1836, SB201
Keywords:
2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Feb 26th, 2026
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not happening on your campus, and they're not paying tuition to do that, or it's a much-reduced
- The other side of that, though, is that we expect students to pay tuition as a part of that as well.
- And so things like building maintenance, paying your staff, Things like building maintenance, paying
- staff, how do I pay my faculty, how do I keep the like.
- Administrative skills, how do I pay my staff? How do I pay my faculty?
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education met to hear an informational presentation from the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development on Missouri’s higher education funding model and related workforce trends. Commissioner Bennett Boggs described the department’s mission, its data and workforce partnerships, and the need to better align postsecondary education with Missouri’s labor market, noting projections that 65% of jobs in the 2030s will require education beyond high school. He emphasized that the current “base-plus” funding approach dates to 1992 and no longer reflects demographic, technological, or economic changes, and said the department wants every institution to remain healthy and serve its region.
Deputy Commissioner Leroye Wade outlined a proposed cost-based, performance-informed funding framework with four main parts: fixed costs, variable program costs, performance measures, and a mechanism for targeted legislative investment. He said the model is intended to be data-driven, transparent, and more responsive to enrollment changes, program mix, completion outcomes, workforce needs, and collaboration among institutions. He also reviewed the history of the effort, including a 2022 legislative appropriation for a study, a 2023 report, and subsequent interim and bill activity. Committee members asked about educational attainment goals, the P20W longitudinal data system, persistence and completion rates, and how the model would account for mission differences and student outcomes.
Representative John Black, sponsor of the bill discussed, said the legislation is meant to move Missouri toward a 21st-century higher education funding system by tying appropriations more closely to state goals and institutional performance rather than continuing automatic across-the-board increases. He said the department’s work and the bill are intended to prompt continued refinement of the model, and he warned that declining enrollments and tight state finances make reform urgent. No votes were taken; the committee heard the presentation, allowed brief public comment, and then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Feb 24th, 2026 at 09:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- As you no doubt are probably aware or are also paying attention to right now, there's a hearing on an
- And so to bond on a significant project like that and potentially be paying for it long after it may
- And you could pay down the debt, or you could cap liability, or you could do a whole lot of different
- a nutshell, it would change payments so that they're more closely tied to attendance rather than paying
- They can't pay for it, and once we look past 2029, we have a billion-dollar price tag outside of this
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with repeated criticism of Democratic budget proposals and several policy bills. They said they were especially concerned about an environmental crimes bill they argued would impose excessive penalties for workplace mistakes, as well as bills they described as anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to police face coverings and sheriff qualifications. They also discussed a proposed income tax, calling it unconstitutional and urging that it be sent to referendum if it advances.
A major topic was the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. Republicans said the operating budget relies on one-time fund sweeps, raids the rainy day fund and pension assets, and assumes future income-tax revenue while cutting Medicaid, child care, schools, and other services. They said the transportation budget has some positive emphasis on road preservation but criticized ferry funding and the proposed sweep of the Public Works Trust. On the capital budget, they were less specific and described it as generally bipartisan.
The lawmakers also addressed reports of fraudulent or duplicate sign-ins on the income-tax bill, saying any abuse should be investigated but that many duplicate entries may have been accidental rather than malicious. They said the system should be improved with better verification, but maintained that more than 100,000 unique people had signed in opposition. Other issues discussed included opposition to using pension funds to balance the budget, criticism of a Sound Transit proposal for 75-year bonds, concerns about a bill requiring arbitration before lawsuits against the state or local governments, and objections to child care budget changes they said would hurt rural and property-poor communities without broader regulatory reform.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- As you no doubt are probably aware or are also paying attention to right now, there's a hearing on an
- And so to bond on a significant project like that and potentially be paying for it long after it may
- And you could pay down the debt, or you could cap liability, or you could do a whole lot of different
- a nutshell, it would change payments so that they're more closely tied to attendance rather than paying
- They can't pay for it, and once we look past 2029, we have a billion-dollar price tag outside of this
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with most of the discussion centered on budget proposals, a proposed income tax on high earners, and several policy bills they oppose. They criticized the operating budget for relying on a new income tax, using one-time fund sweeps and pension-related financing, and drawing down the rainy day fund, while saying the capital budget was more bipartisan and the transportation budget had some positive emphasis on road preservation but still included concerns such as Public Works Trust Fund sweeps and ferry funding.
A major topic was allegations that sign-ins on the income tax bill included duplicates or fraudulent entries. Republicans said they took the issue seriously, supported verification improvements, and argued that even after removing duplicates the bill still drew over 100,000 unique emails opposing it. They rejected claims that their side had manipulated the process and said the Legislature should fix the sign-in system, possibly with more IT safeguards, while also arguing the bill should lose its emergency clause so voters could weigh in through a referendum.
Republicans also criticized bills they described as anti-police or anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to face coverings and sheriff qualifications, and they opposed a bill requiring arbitration before claims against the state or local governments can go to jury trial, saying broader tort reform is needed instead. They said the state’s liability problems stem from harm done in areas like juvenile rehabilitation and child welfare. On the budget side, they objected to cuts to Medicaid, child care, transitional kindergarten, rural school funding, and other programs, while also warning against using pension funds to balance the budget and against a proposed 75-year Sound Transit bond, which they called financially irresponsible. No votes were taken in this media availability.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 5th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Alone in California, nearly 1.7 million Californians are seeing their monthly premiums double, paying
- They will either be forced to pay unaffordable premiums or go without health insurance altogether, care
- Why should we be price gouging through your regulations, your mandates, Californians to pay four times
- People who have no ability to pay, they seek care.
- to pay for health care but seeking the medical health care at hospitals and the Republican Party in
Summary:
The Assembly convened in Sacramento, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. After routine procedural motions, members voted to withdraw SB 106 from committee for third reading and to suspend the rules so AJR 25 could be taken up immediately. AJR 25, authored by Assembly Member Bonta, urged Congress to restore and extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that expired on January 1, with supporters arguing the lapse would sharply raise premiums for millions of Californians, including veterans, working families, and other vulnerable residents. Opponents, led by Assembly Member DeMaio, argued the resolution blamed federal action for California’s high health care costs and said state mandates and spending choices were the real problem. The resolution was adopted 58-4, and Assembly Member Addis was added as a joint author.
The chamber also took up H.R. 76 on affordable homeownership, presented by Assembly Member Schultz and supported by Assembly Member Wicks, who emphasized the importance of homeownership for wealth-building and noted ongoing efforts to expand programs such as CalHome. H.R. 79, by Assembly Member Valencia, recognized February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month; supporters highlighted the large amount of unclaimed property held by the state and encouraged residents to search for funds owed to them. Both resolutions received broad support, with co-author rolls opened before final adoption. The second-day consent calendar, including ACR 127 on National School Counseling Week, was adopted 64-0.
Members also heard a lengthy adjournment in memory from Assembly Member Soria honoring Pablo Rodriguez, a Central Valley organizer and civic leader remembered for his work with United Farm Workers, Communities for a New California, and AB 1441 on the Merced County Independent Redistricting Commission. The Assembly observed a moment of silence for Rodriguez, welcomed his family and colleagues, and then adjourned until Monday, February 9, at 1 p.m.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- own, some Typically, ILA students pay for these expenses, things like technology and internet service
- So to bring all this together, I want to explain how ILA used savings on staffing to pay their education
- on profit or nonprofit, but if it's a volunteer staff that everything's going back in or are they paying
- ...that everything's going back in, or are they paying six-figure salaries to administrators, if you
- the supplemental learning, you know, without paying those fees, you know, the transaction of money?
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- removed so that financial institutions no longer need to meet the threshold in order to be required to pay
- They're going to be the ones paying this.
- Right now they're paying a lot right at the beginning and then very little at the end, and what we're
- be paying won't have sort of fallen off a cliff with others holding the bag.
- Thank you. ...pay won't have sort of fallen off the cliff with others holding the bag. Thank you.
Summary:
House Finance met on Friday, January 23rd, and heard three bills. On House Bill 2194, staff explained that the bill would allow a county and a city within that county to both impose the cultural access sales and use tax at the same time, with the county providing a credit for the city tax. Representative Parsley said the change would let more jurisdictions support cultural, arts, science, and school-related programs. Olympia and Thurston County officials testified in support, describing grant funding for cultural organizations, free programming, and school access benefits; a committee member raised a question about how the change could affect county bond obligations.
The committee then heard House Bill 2089, which would narrow a B&O tax preference for first mortgage interest by removing the requirement that a financial institution be located in 10 or more states, and direct the resulting revenue to the wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account. Staff said the bill would raise significant revenue and have implementation costs for the Department of Revenue. Representative Scott said the bill was intended to restore wildfire funding and limit the preference to community banks, while opponents from the Washington Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Washington warned the bill could harm community banks and mortgage lending if not drafted carefully. The Department of Natural Resources and a public employee representative supported restoring wildfire preparedness funding.
Finally, the committee heard a proposed third substitute for House Bill 1960, which would replace property taxation for new or repowered large renewable energy facilities and battery storage systems with a state and local excise tax structure, while also creating a local investment distribution account and a tribal capacity grant program. Staff and the sponsor described the bill as a way to reduce property tax shifts onto nearby taxpayers and provide more stable, predictable revenue for local governments and tribes. County officials, assessors, treasurers, and some clean energy and conservation groups supported the concept but asked for clearer definitions, payment timing, and rate adjustments; utilities and renewable developers said they supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted because of concerns about the rates and the treatment of centrally assessed utilities. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings on all three bills.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Jan 20th, 2026 at 09:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- So again, how are we helping affordability by making drivers pay a new fee to the state for every tire
- The bill says that it's illegal for the seller of tires to tell customers that they're going to pay this
- of not just affordability to the patient, but affordability to everybody else who, you know, has to pay
- folks don't pay, they either have to file for charity care or ask for payments.
- If you certainly if you pay your bill on time, but even if you protest it, or if you arrange payment
Summary:
Senate and House Republican leaders held a joint media availability focused on affordability, budget concerns, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. John Braun and Drew Stokesbary said Washingtonians are still struggling with the cost of food, gas, housing, child care, and health care, and argued Democrats are not advancing bills that would ease those pressures. They criticized a draft income tax proposal they said would function as a small business tax, especially because it would disallow loss carryforwards and could discourage investment in housing and other capital-intensive sectors. They also objected to a proposed tire fee and a bill they said would prevent tire sellers from telling customers about the tax.
The Republicans said they planned to raise budget and tax concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, and Stokesbary said he had introduced a budget-savings bill to consolidate University of Washington investment management with the State Investment Board. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify citizen initiatives, calling it anti-democratic, and said they want stronger oversight and legal reforms related to DCYF and state liability in child welfare cases. Braun and Stokesbary said they were open to discussing tort reform and a civil claims process, but emphasized the underlying problem is state failure in protecting children.
On health care, they said they were still reviewing a bill to eliminate interest on medical debt and a separate 340B drug-pricing proposal, warning both could have unintended effects on hospitals, patients, and drug innovation. They also said they support the idea of protecting children online and in schools, but want any social media, AI chatbot, or cell phone-related bills written carefully to avoid First Amendment problems and unintended consequences. On public safety, they expressed concern about a bill restricting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, arguing law enforcement needs such tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with the Republicans reiterating their opposition to tax increases and their focus on affordability.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So again, how are we helping affordability by making drivers pay a new fee to the state for every tire
- The bill says that it's illegal for the seller of tires to tell the customers that they're going to pay
- ..in terms of not just affordability to the patient, but affordability to everybody else who has to pay
- folks don't pay, they either have to file for charity care or ask for payments.
- And without any sort of incentive to work to find a way... ...to pay it off, I fear that you're going
Summary:
Republican legislative leaders used the availability to focus on affordability, budget pressures, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. They criticized a circulating draft income tax proposal as a de facto small-business tax, arguing it would hurt LLCs, S corporations, housing investment, and the broader economy. They also attacked a proposed tire fee, a possible cigarette tax increase, and other tax ideas as regressive or hidden from consumers, while saying Republicans would not support any tax increases and urging budget cuts and spending restraint instead.
The leaders said they planned to raise these concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, along with questions about his budget and how he reconciles prior opposition to a wealth tax with support for an income tax. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify initiatives for the legislature, calling it anti-democratic, and said the majority was ignoring or undermining voter-driven policy efforts. On child welfare, they criticized DCYF oversight and supported stronger accountability, including a bill to fix the state’s “imminent harm” standard and another proposal to stop the state from collecting certain federal disability and survivor benefits from foster youth.
Other topics included tort liability reform, where Republicans said the state’s repeated failures in child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation are the underlying problem, not just the cost of claims, though they were open to limited reforms such as disclosure of litigation financing. They also discussed the 340B drug pricing program, saying it is complicated and could affect hospitals, FQHCs, patients, and pharmaceutical innovation. On public safety and technology, they expressed cautious support for bills regulating kids’ social media and AI use, but stressed First Amendment concerns and the need to avoid private rights of action; they were more skeptical of a bill limiting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, saying law enforcement needs effective tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with Republicans reiterating that affordability was their top priority.