Transcript Highlights:

• </c> formula to inflation universal meals. formula to inflation universal meals.
• ,</c><00:20:01.360><c> and</c> United States and of this state, and United States and of this state,
• in Washington.
• </c> across our state. across our state.
• </c> Schools across our state are in crisis. Schools across our state are in crisis.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• state.
• We were a very big export state.
• Washington state has a record of being one of the best tree-growing countries in the world.
• Washington state has a record of being one of the best tree-growing countries in the world.
• We agree Washington State has been a leader in aviation, and this improves the bill in Washington State

Summary: The Environment and Energy committee met for executive session on four bills. Staff briefed House Bill 2416, which would replace Climate Commitment Act no-cost allowances for the Spokane waste-to-energy facility with a separate regulatory scheme requiring emissions reductions, reporting to Ecology and Commerce, and enforcement provisions; members discussed whether emissions accounting included biogenic emissions and confirmed the reduction measures would need to occur on-site. House Bill 2537 would direct Ecology to recommend a future allowance schedule for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed facilities and require biennial reporting and periodic plans, while House Bill 2575 would reduce several Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy reporting requirements for utilities and Commerce. House Bill 2322, as amended in a proposed substitute, would delay alternative jet fuel tax incentives until July 1, 2031, remove capacity thresholds, tie eligibility to life-cycle rather than direct emissions, and drop a Clean Fuels Program carbon-intensity change. During executive action, the committee debated the policy impacts of the waste-to-energy bill, with supporters saying the Spokane facility is unique and needs a separate framework, and opponents arguing it would create costly disincentives and raise ratepayer costs. The EITE bill drew support from members who said it would help identify facility-specific decarbonization options, while opponents warned about competitiveness, job losses, and industry leaving the state. The reporting-reduction bill was described as a streamlining measure that would save utilities money and remove duplicative or outdated reports. The alternative jet fuel substitute was presented as a clarification and simplification of the incentive structure, and members praised the changes. All four measures were reported out of committee with due pass recommendations. House Bill 2416 and House Bill 2537 each passed on 12-9 votes, House Bill 2575 passed unanimously by voice vote, and the proposed substitute for House Bill 2322 also passed unanimously by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• State.
• State.
• Since I've been in this body, I've been hearing about how Washington State has not invested as much as
• Since I've been in this body, I've been hearing about how Washington State has not invested as much as
• The intent, my intent there, was to make sure that all five refineries in Washington State can participate

Summary: House Finance held a bill briefing and executive session on a large set of tax and revenue measures, with staff outlining proposed substitutes and amendments for bills affecting grocery store incentives, insurance premium/B&O tax treatment, tobacco taxes, financial institutions, lodging taxes, fire district levy rules, local tax increment financing, limited equity cooperatives, tourism assessments, and sustainable aviation fuel credits. Members also heard brief summaries of bills on nonprofit assembly hall property tax exemptions and a city levy adjustment related to fire protection districts. Two bills scheduled for public hearing were not reached and may be rescheduled after House of Origin cutoff. In executive session, the committee adopted or rejected several amendments before voting bills out. HB 2297 on grocery stores in underserved communities advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the property tax exemption; the bill was reported out 9-5-1. HB 2487 on insurance tax treatment advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove retroactivity and clarify annuity treatment; it was reported out 8-6-1. HB 2382, which raises cigarette and other tobacco taxes and changes tobacco tax structures, adopted amendments redirecting some revenue to health accounts, excluding nicotine-free vapor products, and restoring current-law treatment for modified-risk tobacco products before passing 8-6-1. HB 2451 on tax increment financing, HB 2590 on limited equity cooperatives, HB 2325 on a tourism self-supported assessment program with a tribal opt-in amendment, HB 2278 extending a lodging tax charge, HB 2224 adjusting levy rules for fire protection districts, and HB 2322 on sustainable aviation fuel tax credits all advanced, with some by voice vote. During debate, supporters generally framed the bills as targeted incentives or clarifications to support food access, wildfire mitigation, tourism promotion, housing affordability, or clean fuel investment, while opponents raised concerns about tax shifts, affordability, retroactivity, and whether dedicated revenues should instead come from the general fund. Several members noted that some measures still needed further work before floor action, especially HB 2487 and HB 2382. The committee adjourned after reporting the listed bills out with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seoul-Raw State University, and Central Interdisciplinary de Investigation for El Deserallo Integral
• and in the United States.
• Senator Creighton said the state would continue to support those goals through support for Tier One universities
• and university systems.
• case in the United States?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks. The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:39.920><c> would</c> We find it ironic that the state would We find it ironic that the state
• </c> After living in Oregon and Washington After living in Oregon and Washington for<00:44:45.760><c>
• >> Not to the state. >> You saw that as a benefit to the state. >> Saw it as a potential benefit.
• 38:46.159><c> the</c><01:38:47.199><c> electric</c> the state energy or the electric the state energy
• </c> leases throughout the state right now. leases throughout the state right now.

Bills: HB2284

Keywords: energy assistance, low-income households, electricity costs, Hawaii home energy assistance program, energy efficiency, 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing covered House Bill 2284, which would create the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program in the Department of Human Services to help qualifying households pay energy bills and direct the Public Utilities Commission’s public benefits fee administrator to provide information and assistance to recipients. Testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, DHS, and the Public Utilities Commission was in support. A committee member asked about how the program would interact with existing TANF-related energy assistance and whether rules could be adjusted to avoid duplicative benefits; DHS said logistics would need to be worked out and that the agencies would make the rules. The committees noted the bill’s $1.5 million appropriation and moved it forward with amendments, including blanking out amounts and noting them in the committee report. Both committees voted to pass HB 2284 with amendments, with the recommendation adopted. The committee then heard House Bill 2486, relating to plug-in or balcony solar. DCCA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and the Public Utilities Commission stood on prior testimony in support of the bill’s intent. Multiple advocates and organizations, including Carbon Cashback Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Bright Saver, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, testified in support, arguing that plug-in solar would lower electricity bills, expand access for renters and condo residents, and reduce emissions. Several speakers urged the committee to remove or avoid registration, reporting, feed-in tariff, interconnection fee, and other requirements they said would create barriers. Bright Saver testified that the systems are safe and would not back-feed during outages. No vote was taken on HB 2486 during the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1568, which would prohibit the importation or storage of LNG in the state and the construction of related infrastructure. State agencies including the Consumer Advocate, Hawaii State Energy Office, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill, with the Energy Office arguing LNG would perpetuate oil use on Oahu and expose the state to price volatility. Supporters included Life of the Land, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Earthjustice, Our Hawaii, and others, who argued LNG would lock Hawaii into another fossil fuel dependency, create major infrastructure costs and safety risks, and undermine the state’s renewable energy goals. Several testifiers cited climate and affordability concerns and urged the committee to reject LNG. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1568, before any committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> glad I got here in time I'm state glad I got here in time I'm state senator<00:03:38.439><c> Mary
• Cloud State University. I retired from St.
• Not all states have CVSOs.
• </c> the state and we Advocate at the state the state and we Advocate at the state and<01:31:48.639><
• </c> he would be willing to provide a state he would be willing to provide a state state<01:42:29.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Curtis Steinhauer, with the Washington State Association of Counties and the State Association of County
• Washington State was one of two states. Authority to cities, counties, and ports.
• Washington State was one of two states at that time that did not have this economic development tool.
• Travis Dutton here representing the Washington State Association of Counties in support of 2451.
• Travis Dutton here representing the Washington State Association of Counties in support of 2451.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee waived the five-day notice rule and then took up two House bills. HB 2418 would tighten and expand permit-review timelines for residential projects, including requiring “procedural completeness” determinations, adding excluded time periods, extending timeline and refund requirements to certain fee-charging state and local entities, creating review deadlines for special purpose districts and public utility districts, and requiring local governments to designate a permit responsible official and a single point of contact. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve predictability and reduce delays in permitting; builders and housing advocates strongly supported it, while sewer and water districts and county representatives raised concerns about incomplete referrals, staffing shortages, business-day versus calendar-day deadlines, and the cost of implementing the new contact requirements. The committee heard testimony but took no final vote on the bill in the transcript. HB 2451 would revise Washington’s local tax increment financing program. Staff explained that the bill adds guardrails and transparency, changes notice and hearing requirements, adjusts the assessed-value cap for increment areas, adds public safety facilities to eligible improvements, requires more detailed project analyses and annual reporting, and creates a negotiation/mediation/arbitration process for impacts to taxing districts. The sponsor said the measure was a carefully negotiated compromise intended to address junior taxing district concerns without creating an opt-out. Supporters from the Port of Tacoma, fire chiefs, cities, and counties said the bill improves the earlier TIF framework by strengthening the but-for test, notice, and participation rules, while counties still expressed concern about cumulative impacts and asked for future opt-out discussions. No final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that uh creates the university that uh creates the university system<00:06:05.440><c> and</c><00
• So the University System, including the UNH Foundation, Keene State has a small foundation.
• This goes back to my time, even as State Treasurer, even before I was State Treasurer.
• into the state from Fidelity.
• </c><01:02:03.920><c> our</c><01:02:04.079><c> state</c> in between this and the state our state in between

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that could be five states, all of them smaller, or one very large state could be a triggering mechanism
• We are the tech center of the world, or at least of the United States.
• state.
• I, you know, I'm going to be a no today, and I'm going to be a no because I think Washington state should
• of Washington.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to energy, environmental regulation, and utility policy. House Bill 2436, on escort tug horsepower requirements for oil tankers, was described as a technical cleanup measure and passed unanimously. House Bill 2605, which exempts low-level naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials in aggregates, asphalt, and concrete from certain asbestos-related labeling, use, and inspection restrictions, also passed unanimously. House Bill 2301, expanding the paint stewardship program to additional paint products and adjusting collection standards, passed 19-1 after members noted it was industry-driven and popular with constituents. The committee also considered House Bill 2296 on meter-mounted devices and portable solar generation devices. The portable solar section had been removed in the substitute, leaving meter-mounted device provisions; two amendments were offered, one making utility cost recovery mandatory and another restoring local government authority to prohibit installations, but both failed. The substitute bill then passed 14-7. House Bill 2496, requiring government-to-government consultation with tribes during site certification reviews and exempting those consultations from the Open Meetings Act when no deliberation occurs, passed 15-6 amid comments supporting tribal consultation but raising concerns about public meetings and process details. House Bill 2212 on microfiber filtration requirements for washing machines was briefed with a proposed substitute and amendments, but no action was taken on it during the meeting. House Bill 2515, addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers and cryptocurrency facilities, drew the most debate over fees, taxation, energy use, water impacts, and economic development; despite concerns from some members that it was not ready or could discourage investment, the substitute passed 11-10. The committee then adjourned after reporting out the bills noted above with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill, House Bill 2429, relates to implementation of the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan for
• Washington Thriving.
• I'd like to thank everyone who's been working on Washington Thrive and this whole effort for the last
• This is an important part of our life and our use in Washington State.
• We need to make sure we're doing it right, and I think that the work that's put into this Washington

Summary: The committee met in executive session on four bills. HB 2230, which limits DHS to one annual routine review of community residential service business providers and requires better coordination and record-sharing, was amended with Harrow 796 to clarify that Adult Protective Services investigations are not limited by the bill. The amendment and the substitute bill were both adopted and HB 2230 was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote. HB 2364, which renames and revises the Legislative Executive Workforce Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force, had no amendments. Members discussed the long new title and expanded membership and duties; the bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation on an 8-3 vote. HB 2389, dealing with juvenile offender sentencing and juvenile rehabilitation capacity procedures, was considered with a proposed substitute that made multiple changes, including midpoint review rights, programming participation, capacity reporting, and transfer/release rules; the substitute removed an emergency clause and was reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 7-4 vote. HB 2429, implementing the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan for Children and Youth Behavioral Health, was amended with Wickham 846 to adjust leadership council and work group membership and add two tribal representatives nominated through the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council, while preserving tribal consultation requirements. The amendment and substitute were adopted, and the bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote. The committee then noted upcoming executive session deadlines, with amendment requests due Monday at 10 a.m. and released by 4 p.m., and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no RTA tax in other Washington counties.
• RV dealers agree with me this is again a loss of sales tax for Washington State.
• sales tax for Washington State they'll buy a trailer or camper instead RV dealers agree with me this
• is again a loss of sales tax for Washington State if a van is purchased by an owner who lives in Pierce
• rights organization in the state of Washington.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills on February 2nd. House Bill 2305 would exempt travel vans from the motor vehicle excise tax by distinguishing them from motor homes; staff said the Department of Revenue saw no fiscal impact, while the Department of Licensing estimated a $129,000 one-time system update cost and an indeterminate revenue impact. Representative Keaton sponsored the bill, and the lone testifier, Dennis Rhodes, argued that travel vans should not be taxed like motor homes and said the current tax unfairly applies to accessories and interior build-outs. House Bill 2601 would create a new motorcycle weight-fee category with a $15 fee instead of the current $35 fee. Staff estimated about 190,000 annual transactions and roughly $3.8 million per year in lost revenue to multimodal transportation accounts, plus about $20,000 in Department of Licensing programming costs. Representative Richards described the bill as a fairness issue for riders, and the only testifier, Larry Walker of ABATE of Washington, supported the measure as more equitable because motorcycles do not weigh anywhere near 4,000 pounds and the implementation date would give the state time to adjust. House Bill 2604 would remove notarization requirements for certain vehicle title-transfer documents used when an insurer totals a vehicle, allowing electronic or printed signatures for those limited transactions. Staff reported no fiscal impact from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner or the Department of Licensing. Representative Richards said the bill would reduce burdens on people in rural areas and others without easy access to notaries or transit, and testimony from Copart representatives and Robert Foley supported the bill as a consumer-friendly way to speed title processing and payment after total-loss claims. After closing public testimony on the last bill, the committee adjourned and moved to caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we had to go and get outside funding in order with Colorado State University to provide that mental
• So, we worked through Colorado State University through their AgWell program, where they've done a lot
• However, under state law, if they go in under state law, which they can do, they can use our state law
• So what can the state do?
• And we are a dairy state.

Transcript Highlights:

• our community colleges to state colleges.
• State the point. Mr.
• And as we know, we are the Free State of Florida. We are the great state of Florida.
• If we're the Free State of Florida and we're trying to bring business to the state, why would we insist
• That deters investment in this state.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Joseph Di Alessandro, the Pledge of Allegiance, and announcements confirming a quorum. Members also adopted the special order report and recognized several guests in the gallery, including former Speaker Dan Webster and law enforcement and civic visitors. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar of bills, mostly on third reading, with several measures passing unanimously or by wide margins. Among the bills considered were measures on civil procedure and estates, including C.S. HB 1407 on commencement of civil actions, HB 895 on trustee settlement and discharge, C.S. HB 1337 on estates, HB 131 on curators of estates, and C.S. HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations. The House also passed C.S. HB 441 on conservation lands, which would lengthen notice and increase transparency for land swaps involving conservation property, and C.S. CS HB 919 on commercial service airports, which created a statutory definition for major airports and preempted local naming authority for several airports. HB 919 drew extensive debate over the proposed naming of Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald J. Trump, with amendments to delay or alter the naming failing before the bill passed. Other bills approved included HB 409 requiring K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, CS HB 461 allowing certain students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, CS HB 1115 creating grants for genetic counseling education, HB 569 revising forensic client services, CS HB 505 regulating virtual currency kiosks to address fraud, and HB 271 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers. The House also passed HB 191 on re-employment assistance eligibility verification after extended questioning about its effects on benefits, appeals, and suitable work standards. One bill, CS HB 243 on electric bicycles, was temporarily postponed, and CS HB 1073 on school districts was also postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Washington, coming from different perspectives.
• And over the last 10 years, the state budget roughly... How much money does the state need?
• challenge for Washington than it is for most states and for most industrialized countries around the
• beyond the United States.
• I think this can be a benefit to victims as well as to the state and to state taxpayers.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the session’s fast-moving cutoff period, the supplemental budget, and several major bills moving through committee. They said they had advanced a number of Senate bills, including the face mask bill, a bill on access to abortion medication, a bill on mobile devices in schools, and upcoming measures on driver privacy and IRS tax issues. They also said the House Finance Committee had held a hearing on the proposed millionaire’s tax, and that the budget would continue to emphasize food, shelter, health care, and continuity of government services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-driven remote sign-ins and testimony on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote participation has broadened public access and they do not want to shut it down, but they acknowledged the system may need interim tweaks to improve accuracy. They said the issue appears unprecedented, that they learned of it through a complaint to the House chief clerk, and that legislative tech staff and Senate operations leaders would review possible changes after session. They also stressed that sign-in counts should be treated cautiously and are not the same as votes. The lawmakers also discussed the proposed income tax on high earners, defending it as constitutional and necessary to fund state priorities. They argued that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, McCleary-related school funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. In response to questions about tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill is unlikely to move further this session, though the issue will continue to be worked on over the interim. They said the state needs to reduce liability through prevention and alternative dispute processes rather than through unconstitutional damage caps. On the millionaire’s tax process, leaders said the House Finance Committee is expected to add more tax reductions than the version heard that morning, with a goal of reaching roughly 25 to 40 percent in reductions and likely avoiding a conference committee if the House and Senate can concur. They said the bill may still include a sales-tax-on-services change, but that the final package is still being negotiated. They also said they do not support extending the tax to incomes below $1 million, and that no decision had been made on a possible governor-backed sales tax holiday.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Washington, coming from different perspectives.
• And over the last 10 years, the state budget roughly... How much money does the state need?
• challenge for Washington than it is for most states and for most industrialized countries around the
• don't want people to get hurt by the state, right?
• I think this can be a benefit to victims as well as to the state and to state taxpayers.

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the late-session agenda, including the House policy cutoff, a supplemental budget, and the House Finance Committee hearing on the proposed “millionaire’s tax”/income tax measure. They said several Senate bills had moved or were moving quickly, including a face mask bill, an abortion medication access bill, a mobile devices in schools bill, a driver privacy/personal safety data protections bill, and a West Coast Health Collaborative bill. They also said the supplemental budget would emphasize food, shelter, health care, continuity of government, and other core services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-generated remote sign-ins on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote testimony and sign-ins have broadened public participation, but misuse of the system is a problem that will be reviewed over the interim. They said the goal is to preserve easy public access while improving accuracy, and that the sign-in numbers should be treated cautiously because the system is informational rather than equivalent to voting. They also said there had been no direct contact with state Supreme Court justices about the tax bill. The leaders defended the need for the income tax proposal by arguing that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, the McCleary school-funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. They said the Legislature is trying to balance the tax code and that they do not support taxing incomes below $1 million, though they would not rule out future legislative changes decades from now. On tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill has advanced the discussion but is unlikely to move further this session, and that broader liability reductions may require constitutional changes or prevention-focused investments. They also discussed long-term care workforce pressures, saying Washington is better positioned than many states but still faces an aging-population challenge. On the millionaire’s tax process, they said the House Finance Committee is expected to increase tax reductions in the bill, with leaders aiming to resolve differences with the Senate without going to conference if possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, there are no rural emergency hospitals designated in Washington.
• Chair Ormsby, Representative Kuture, for the record, Lisa Thatcher, representing the Washington State
• We don't have anything to recognize that in our Washington state law.
• state law currently lacks the framework to handle REH Medicaid claims.
• Washington state law currently lacks the framework to handle REH Medicaid claims.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6103, which would make Medicaid payments for services provided by rural emergency hospitals subject to appropriation. Committee staff explained that rural emergency hospitals are a federal Medicare provider type created in 2020, that they may provide emergency and limited outpatient services but not general inpatient care, and that Washington currently has no designated rural emergency hospitals. The bill would update state law so these facilities can be recognized in the Medicaid statute; staff said the fiscal note showed no fiscal impact. Public testimony was entirely in support. Lisa Thatcher of the Washington State Hospital Association said the bill is needed to align state law with the federal designation, allow cost-based reimbursement similar to critical access hospitals, and preserve eligibility for SNAP-related payment treatment. Todd Nida, CEO of East Adams Rural Health Care, said his facility is seeking to become the first rural emergency hospital in Washington and warned that without the bill, conversion would reduce reimbursement and threaten financial viability. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the public hearing on SB 6103. The committee then announced upcoming budget release, hearing, amendment, and executive action dates, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically all that's doing is it's taking all of the fuels that propel vehicles on Washington State
• The fuels that propel vehicles on Washington State highways are used for transportation purposes, whether
• Representative Dye: "...here in Washington State for the jobs, the economy.
• the economy, we want to make sure that, here in Washington State for the jobs, the economy.
• I think it's pretty clear that we're seeing enormous innovation in Washington State.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SSB 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by removing the separate definition of alternative fuel and broadening the definition of motor fuel to include gaseous products and fuels used for transportation purposes. The Washington State Department of Agriculture testified that the change would let weights and measures staff test a wider range of fuels, including hydrogen and other clean fuels, and Douglas County PUD supported the bill as necessary to help regulate the state’s first hydrogen fueling station and future hydrogen infrastructure. A question clarified that the bill concerns the purity of the final hydrogen fuel product, not certification of the production process. The committee then received a briefing on three amendments to SB 5982, which expands Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to additional entities. Amendment 170 would remove a requirement tied to affected market customers consuming the same or greater share of non-emitting and renewable electricity for the same end uses; Amendment 171 would exempt electricity used solely for emergency backup purposes; and Amendment 173 would similarly exempt backup generation using de minimis fossil fuels and related load from CETA compliance. Members discussed whether the amendments were needed to protect cogeneration facilities and emergency backup systems, while others argued they could weaken CETA’s clean-energy goals. In executive session, SB 6013 was reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation by a 21-0 voice vote. On SB 5982, Amendment 170 failed, Amendment 171 failed, and Amendment 173 passed. The committee then adopted the amendments into a striking amendment and voted 12-8 to report Substitute Senate Bill 5982 out of committee with a do pass as amended recommendation. Members supporting the bill said it levels the playing field and preserves exemptions for backup power and existing cogeneration, while opponents argued it could undermine CETA and allow continued fossil-fuel use or create loopholes.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they're getting special privileges to leave the state jail system, it has to be within Washington
• The state jail system. It has to be within Washington State.
• It needs to be in Washington State.
• This amendment says, basically, if we're going to let you out on this program, it's in Washington State
• If we're going to let you out on this program, it's in Washington State, not at a beach in Hawaii.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in executive session to review several bills, with one bill on the DCYF Oversight Board (SB 5942) held until the following week so additional stakeholder input could be incorporated. Staff briefed bills on escorted leaves for incarcerated individuals (SB 5873), extraordinary medical placements (SB 5895), financial stability for youth in DCYF care receiving Social Security benefits (SB 5911), an extended foster care housing pilot (SB 5940), changes to the persistent offender definition and resentencing (SB 5945), adding positions to the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee (SB 5957), and medically tailored meals for Apple Health enrollees (SB 5966). Several of these bills had multiple proposed amendments, many offered by Senator Christian, addressing eligibility limits, monitoring, location restrictions, time limits, liability, victim notification, and funding contingencies. In executive action, the committee adopted only the chair’s technical amendment to SB 5873 and rejected the other proposed amendments, then advanced the bill as a proposed substitute to the Rules Committee. SB 5895 also moved forward as a proposed substitute after most amendments were rejected and one was withdrawn; the committee sent it to Ways and Means. SB 5911’s amendment clarifying protected accounts for youth benefits was adopted, and the bill was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5940 was also advanced to Ways and Means after adoption of the substitute. SB 5945’s proposed substitute was adopted and the bill was sent forward, while SB 5957 and SB 5966 were briefly discussed in briefing but not acted on during the portion of the meeting captured here. The chair noted that any remaining executive bills not completed would be taken up at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also have a state-supported network of it comprises multiple states around the country that Jeff's
• </c> The blue lines represent our state The blue lines represent our state supported<00:02:08.160><c>
• </c> mileage between Washington and Boston. mileage between Washington and Boston.
• </c> Birmingham, Washington, and New York. Birmingham, Washington, and New York.
• </c><00:05:13.759><c> that</c><00:05:13.919><c> we</c> given state of the 46 states that we given state

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, January 14, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:38.000><c> and</c> collaborative funding for state and collaborative funding for state and
• </c> and the welfare of all within our state. and the welfare of all within our state.
• </c> United States, but in the western world. United States, but in the western world.
• </c> Are they running towards universal care? Are they running towards universal care?
• </c> other state. other state.

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house