Transcript Highlights:

• Management vendors or HOAs to add more data or show more data.
• I'm also a certified community association manager and have managed communities throughout California
• I know opposition. how much the fees pay for a third party management.
• Um, because we don't have fee revenue to hire a management company.
• Because we don't have fee revenue to hire a management company.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1091, which would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Program within HCD to help nonprofit developers, community organizations, and local governments acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. The author and supporters from Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups argued that acquisition-preservation is a proven, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. There was no opposition testimony. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the bill is intended to be supported through the housing bond or other appropriations. The committee voted the bill do pass to Judiciary, with broad support and no recorded opposition. The committee then took up SB 904, which would codify and expand the wildfire rebuilding coordination and permitting streamlining used after the Los Angeles-area fires, including HCD-led review of permitting and code barriers and reporting on recovery lessons. The author said the bill is meant to speed rebuilding after future wildfire disasters and avoid repeated delays seen in places like the Camp Fire. Members raised concerns about the cost and repetition of requiring multiple agencies to produce reports after each disaster, and about e-permitting mandates for smaller jurisdictions. The author responded that the bill is meant to capture lessons from different fire contexts and that some concerns could be addressed with amendments. The bill was moved do pass to Emergency Management and was reported out with sufficient votes, though kept on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1007, which would change HOA assessment rules by tying annual increases to inflation rather than allowing up to 20% increases, and would require clearer annual budget disclosures and evidence for fines. The author and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while opponents from community manager and HOA industry groups warned it could underfund reserves, force larger special assessments, and add duplicative paperwork. Several senators expressed support for the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the inflation cap, the need for flexibility for insurance and maintenance costs, and the visual-aid disclosure requirement. The author said amendments are forthcoming and that the bill will look different in the next committee; no final vote is reflected in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or PBMs. ...practices by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, practices that are leading to an increase
• You're doing more wildfire recovery bills than I think those of us who represent the wildfire areas.
• You're doing more wildfire recovery bills than I think those of us who represent the wildfire areas.
• I'm the senior manager overseeing California state and local government affairs. Good morning.
• That's exactly what we need to do when it comes to the wildfires and rebuilding California.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• District 28, J manager. Good morning. D.
• </c> still roughly 15% below uh pre- Wildfire still roughly 15% below uh pre- Wildfire uh<01:03:41.839
• are too high for the case managers to do any real integrated case management.
• to do any real integrated case managers to do any real integrated case<04:50:22.320><c> management</
• </c> should come up with a case management should come up with a case management plan<04:56:51.440><c

Summary: The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology. Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break. After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The largest single hurdle to developing additional Certified Insured Prescribed Burn Managers (CIPBMs
• The lack of insurance and limitation on Texas' ability to reduce wildfire risk has come to a head, and
• As we all know, Texas has a wildfire problem.
• We also have a fuels problem that's contributing to the wildfires.
• That it wasn't aware of wildfires caused at its sites.

Bills: SB410 , SB795 , SB2510 , SB728 , SB2689 , HB143 , HB143

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• There are 47 bills on the Senate floor without floor managers.
• managers to request that your bill...
• That are on the Senate floor that already have floor managers, please encourage your floor managers to
• Item 187, SB 1079 by Senator Stern to the Emergency Management Committee.
• space, fuels management, evacuation and wildfire planning, and community education, reduce risk and

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a long daily file and concurrence agenda. Early procedural actions included withdrawing AB 1555 and AB 2221 from engrossing and enrolling, suspending rules to move SB 813 to second reading, re-referring several bills to committees, and approving committee meeting notices. The chamber also adopted a rules waiver for chaptering-out amendments and handled several other procedural motions before turning to floor votes. On the Senate third reading file, members approved a wide range of bills covering housing, health care, education, transportation, energy, public safety, taxation, and local government. Measures discussed included EV charger liability in HOAs (SB 1267), local public benefits authority (SB 1099), special needs trusts under Proposition 19 (SB 974), infant formula tax treatment (SB 1151), mutual water company rate transparency (SB 1417), Alzheimer’s treatment coverage (SB 950), protections for mental health professionals in correctional settings (SB 993), development fee transparency (SB 1014), climate literacy in schools (SB 1048), illegal dumping enforcement (SB 1218), homeowner repair timelines for unpermitted work (SB 1272), EV charging station permitting (SB 1283), nonprobate asset distribution (SB 1288), DCA sunset cleanup (SB 1311), wildfire and disaster-related measures (SB 742, SB 904), nitrous oxide sales restrictions (SB 936), PrEP access (SB 1023), early math assessments (SB 1067), firearm restrictions for certain serial-number offenses (SB 1220), and several licensing, education, and health-related bills. Most measures passed with strong margins; a few drew notable opposition, including SB 993, which failed, while SB 222, SB 1037, SB 1220, SB 1255, and SB 1279 passed with narrower votes. The Assembly then took up concurrence on numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. Among the bills concurred in were AB 2075, AB 431, AB 1153, AB 1328, AB 1486, AB 1573, AB 1591, AB 1617, AB 1738, AB 1749, AB 1789, AB 1802, AB 1818, AB 1820, AB 1829, AB 1877, AB 2010, AB 2011, AB 2160, AB 2178, AB 2262, AB 2310, AB 2349, AB 2422, AB 2481, AB 2504, AB 2580, AB 2640, AB 1705, and AB 1793. These concurrence items covered forestry, aviation, illegal dumping, Medi-Cal, climate resiliency, housing, health professions, hazardous waste reporting, domestic violence protections, mental health parity, lactation support, community college programs, air quality response, student aid, beverage containers, teacher credentialing, state mandates, privacy, cash payments, and more. The transcript ended while the Assembly was beginning consideration of SB 1412 on remote parent-teacher conference participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a whole piece here around wildfire spending.
• It's a mechanism that's been used previously for wildfire mitigation, wildfire liability, and other purposes
• It's a mechanism that's been used previously for wildfire mitigation, wildfire liability, and other purposes
• Wildfire liability and making sure that victims of wildfires are paid should take precedence over other
• We have to tackle the wildfire costs, right?

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we talk about vegetation management, when we talk about these priorities that we all may have
• And then I have one other question; it's on wildfires.
• Approved in regards to the response and recovery for the LA wildfires through special sessions.
• And then the climate bond had a total of $1.5 billion for wildfire-related activities.
• Lost due to the wildfires.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• California continues to face wildfires, heat waves, severe storms, and floods.
• As we know, California is prone to wildfires, and wildfire smoke poses significant health risks such
• As we know, California is prone to wildfires, and wildfire smoke poses significant health risks such
• To this day, management acts like it's a non-union warehouse.
• The Los Angeles and Ventura wildfires... ...and Ventura impacted by the 2025 wildfires.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Summary: The committee heard several labor and employment bills, with most of the discussion focused on worker protections, collective bargaining, and reentry programs. AB 1424, by Assemblymember Rodriguez, would require climate resiliency measures in CDCR facilities and direct Cal/OSHA to propose extreme-temperature rules for correctional workplaces. Supporters, including NELP, WorkSafe, and formerly incarcerated workers, described dangerous heat conditions in prisons and argued incarcerated workers deserve the same health and safety protections as other workers. There was no opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1340, by Assemblymembers Wix and Berman, would give rideshare drivers the choice to unionize and collectively bargain. Supporters, including many drivers and labor organizations, said drivers face low pay, deactivations without due process, and lack basic protections; a UC Berkeley researcher cited data showing very low net earnings. Opponents from TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs and reduce service. After committee debate over legal authority and state-action immunity, the bill passed to Appropriations with bipartisan support. AB 288 would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB cannot timely resolve labor claims, in response to federal labor board dysfunction. Supporters said California must protect workers’ organizing rights if federal remedies are unavailable, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 746, a prison cooperative program bill, would let incarcerated people form worker cooperatives and direct a share of earnings to a Green Reentry Cooperative Reserve; it passed to Public Safety with no opposition. AB 1104, on commercial solar projects, drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and would help reverse a steep drop in commercial solar applications, while opponents warned about over-the-fence power sales and unclear scope. The bill was held after committee members requested further clarification. AB 858, extending hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies, drew strong labor support and business opposition; the committee voted it out to Appropriations, but it remained on call after a no vote from one member.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current law still refers to crisis management plans.
• White said, I'm the assistant manager for the David Raines School-based Health Centers.
• I'm the assistant manager for the David Raines School-based Health Centers.
• I'm the Adolescent School Health Program Manager for the Louisiana Department of Health. Rep.
• I'm the Adolescent School Health Program Manager for the Louisiana Department of Health. Okay.

Bills: HB624 , HB1022 , HB1203 , SB82 , SB206 , SB305 , SB376 , SB441

Committee: House Education

Keywords: school safety, emergency operations plan, crisis management, active shooter, drills, training, classroom security, primary health services, behavioral health, school health providers, medical necessity, student health care, education, school week, instructional time, public schools, performance score, student athletes, cardiovascular health, sudden cardiac arrest

Transcript Highlights:

• manage in-house.
• So currently they're managed through the treasurer, and the treasurer works with Vanguard.
• manage in-house.
• And that's the only fund we manage in-house.
• And that's all we're... ...how it's going to be managed.

Bills: HCR14 , HB201 , HB218 , HB352 , HB626 , HB636 , HB738 , HB749

Committee: House Education

Keywords: Department of Education, federal overreach, education policy, Tenth Amendment, local control, fine arts, high school diploma, arts education, capstone project, academic achievement, student recognition, Louisiana education, food insecurity, hunger, student hunger, school meals, free lunch, community eligibility provision, McKinney-Vento, homeless students

Transcript Highlights:

• more alarmed about the contaminants that are happening because of our ability to municipalities to manage
• So I just want to get out of the municipality's way and allow them to start having the ability to manage
• This talks about a lot of fees and recycling and managing.
• But What we want to do is make it so if they can allocate a cost of the waste in managing the waste,
• I also learned about waste management and the things that they are working to do to become zero waste

Bills: SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: zoning, municipal compensation, property rights, financial impact, reversion ordinance, solid waste management, municipal authority, regulatory fees, waste reduction, environmental impact, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants, racially restrictive covenants, housing discrimination, Fair Housing Act, plats, subdivision plats, residential additions, county clerk, municipal ordinance

Transcript Highlights:

• it provides that state agencies must report to the Office of Equity and the Office of Financial Management

Bills: HB1759 , HB2417 , HB2632 , HB2249 , HB2574 , HB2309 , HB2235 , SGA9066 , SGA9246 , SGA9268 , SGA9267

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: designation, commemoration, December 12, local observance, cultural significance, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trusted as the last line in medical management between life and death for our community every day
• But the way the bill is written, where it says if you have any utilization management or steps on an
• say, I apologize—on behalf of the Arizona Association of Health Plans, which represents the Access managed

Bills: HB2408 , HB2434 , HB2725 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2732 , HB2733

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: controlled substances, prescription monitoring, opioid crisis, healthcare regulations, patient safety, prescription drugs, opioids, healthcare, pain management, utilization controls, AHCCCS, Department of Economic Security, social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation, employment services, developmental disabilities, Arizona Revised Statutes, occupational therapy, board regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you talk about oversight and how this is managed, and yet we're opening the doors, welcome, come
• mean, I'm glad this measure's going to move, but there's just some questions for oversight and management
• But there's just some questions for oversight and management.

Bills: HB10 , HB12 , HB34 , SB130 , SM21

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: physician assistants, interstate compact, medical services, licensure, cross-state practice, military families, regulatory authority, physical therapy, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare, military spouses, criminal background check, HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• Member's questions, manager, please. Mr.
• than 85 million elders will come around by 2050, which needs palliative care and chronic disease management
• Thank you, Manager. Dr. Heap, are these prosthetic devices not already covered by insurance?
• This is manageable.
• My mom works two jobs, and managing my prosthetics has become another full-time responsibility.

Bills: HB2176 , HB2333 , HB2435 , HB2447 , HB2617 , HB2683 , HB2686 , HB2725 , HB2726 , HB2906 , HB2953 , HB2958

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• First, background, the Growth Management Act is the comprehensive...
• The Growth Management Act is the comprehensive land use planning framework for cities and counties in
• Thirdly, it's very important to add, I think, a new element to the Growth Management Act to proactively
• Predictability is what our state's architects, developers, project managers, and property owners need
• Predictability is what our state's architects, developers, project managers, and property owners need

Bills: HB2517 , HB2480 , HB2588 , HB1529 , HB2223 , HB2006 , HB2573 , HB2141

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: municipal permitting, transit projects, high capacity transit, infrastructure, urban development, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, county ferry district, ferry district, passenger-only ferry, passenger ferry, Puget Sound, Vashon, Seattle, Southworth, county transportation, local taxing authority

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning next to House Bill 2267 concerning urban forest management ordinances.
• would provide that agrovoltaic and pivot corner solar energy facilities are deemed under the Growth Management
• Right now, we do have an ordinance for our city to manage our trees.
• We are here today because local governments need the right tools to manage critical transportation assets
• But ridership and fares are not keeping up with escalating costs of managing ferry systems.

Bills: HB2451 , HB2298 , HB2566 , HB2267 , HB2530 , HB2388 , HB2588 , HB2094

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: tax increment financing, local government, economic development, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, urban forestry, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, public facilities district, regional aquatics

Transcript Highlights:

• accordance with the statewide comprehensive management...
• I think any bill that elevates the role of emergency management is absolutely worth hearing.
• It sounds like there'd be a requirement for... ...and emergency management planning.
• With the Military Department, I've had many conversations with them and with emergency management.
• is a wildfire, flood, earthquake, tsunami, anything.

Bills: HB2186 , HB2351 , HB1170

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: economic development, federal funds, state funding, infrastructure, grants, local government, emergency responders, emergency response, disaster response, obstruction of law enforcement, gross misdemeanor, public safety, incident command system, emergency operation zone, emergency management, law enforcement restrictions, warrant requirement, search and seizure, civil liberties, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• Rebuilding homes and apartment buildings as a result of these devastating wildfires, it will also provide
• It's both a housing crisis, a wildfire crisis, and a climate crisis.
• The wildfires have shined a spotlight on that.
• package. with Speaker Revis and as part of the Speaker's wildfire response package.
• Prior to the January wildfires, Los Angeles County already faced an affordable housing crisis.

Summary: The committee heard a series of housing and wildfire-recovery bills, with members repeatedly framing the package as a response to the Los Angeles fires and the state’s broader housing affordability crisis. AB 306, by Assembly Member Schultz, would place a six-year moratorium on new residential building-code updates and local code modifications except for health-and-safety emergencies. Supporters argued it would reduce costs and provide certainty for rebuilding and new housing production, while opponents from environmental, clean-energy, and labor groups warned it would freeze beneficial code improvements, delay innovation, and limit local control. Despite those concerns, several members said they would support the bill while seeking amendments, and the committee voted it out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 301, which would require state agencies to follow shot-clock style deadlines for reviewing building permits, and AB 253, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to conduct certain post-entitlement permit reviews if local departments take more than 30 days. Supporters said both bills would reduce delays, lower costs, and speed rebuilding and housing production; some members emphasized that safety reviews must remain intact. AB 301 passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations, and AB 253 passed 8-0 to Local Government. AB 462, by Assembly Member Lowenthal, would exempt accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles County’s coastal zone from coastal development permit requirements, with the goal of speeding ADU construction for disaster recovery and housing supply. Supporters said ADUs are a proven tool and that the bill would help displaced residents and future coastal disaster areas; one member of the public opposed the bill, arguing ADU proliferation can change neighborhood conditions. The committee sent AB 462 to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote. The final bill discussed, AB 299, would let disaster-displaced families stay in hotels, motels, and short-term rentals for more than 30 days without triggering landlord-tenant rules, mirroring an earlier homelessness-related law; the transcript ended as the author began presenting the bill and its support.

Transcript Highlights:

• that are really, if a homeowner wants to make an investment in their home and reduce the risk of wildfire
• We, in my community and across Washington, know that we're at increasing risk of wildfire, and this is
• And one vulnerable home can put an entire community at risk as far as concerns wildfire, and hopefully
• WSCAI strongly supports efforts to harden homes and communities against wildfire risk as wildfire threats
• increase across Washington. ...and communities against wildfire risk.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two housing-related bills. Senate Bill 6054 would prohibit common interest communities, including HOAs and condominiums, from banning fire-hardened building materials that meet health and safety standards, while still allowing reasonable rules on design, placement, and appearance. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help homeowners reduce wildfire risk without forcing any resident to make changes, and staff explained that it would apply retroactively to conflicting governing documents. Testimony was generally supportive, including from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Community Associations Institute, and HOA United, though the American Wood Council asked for narrower definitions so wood products could still qualify under other standards. Senate Bill 5938 would revise the $80 foreclosure prevention fee created last session. Staff said the bill expands exemptions to include reverse mortgages for borrowers age 60 and older, chattel loans and retail installment contracts for dwellings secured as personal property, and limits duplicate charges in certain state-supported homeownership programs. It also removes the option to pay the fee from borrower cash at closing, allows financing through loan proceeds, clarifies disclosure and Commerce’s rulemaking authority, and directs Commerce and the Housing Finance Commission to study creating a state homeowner assistance fund by July 1, 2027. The sponsor and supporters said the changes would stabilize foreclosure prevention funding, prevent multiple charges on the same transaction, and help homeowners stay in their homes. Testimony on SB 5938 was strongly supportive from the Washington Homeownership Resource Center, the Washington Build Back Black Alliance, HOA United, and the Northwest Justice Project, with speakers emphasizing foreclosure prevention, housing stability, and the need for assistance for seniors, first-time buyers, and HOA homeowners. At the end of the hearing, the chair announced that the committee would likely take executive action on the bills early the next week and asked members to submit amendments by the stated deadlines.