Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed setback of 500 feet from dwellings is too close for adequate fire safety and erosion control
• The national statistics say that 3% of land is needed in the United States to cover solar.
• They don't want to see it from their home, from their dwelling.
• agreements or the community benefit agreements that they negotiate is that, hey, if you've got occupied dwellings
• , you need to put up a viewshed blocker to block that from the occupied dwelling, make sure that the

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• O God of heaven and of the earth, whose spirit dwells in the hearts of all people, make us conscious
• Whose spirit dwells in the hearts of all people, make us conscious of your presence as we bow in prayer
• We finally felt free and safe in the United States.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the ninth day, Thursday, January 22, 2026, by roll call vote of 125 ayes to 4 nays. The chamber then moved through several points of personal privilege, including a lengthy remembrance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a moment of silence for the speaker’s family history and Holocaust victims, a moment of silence for a five-year-old child who drowned, a birthday acknowledgment for a member’s father, and a tribute to several longtime community leaders from Pagedale that was honored with applause. Members also introduced several special guests and interns, including a University of Missouri student interested in agriculture and public policy, a Liberty High School student shadowing for the day, a Mizzou student serving as an intern, and leaders from Jewish Vocational Services in Kansas City, which was recognized for its work resettling and supporting refugees and other new arrivals. The House then received first readings of House Bills 3097, 3098, and 3099, dealing respectively with a tax credit for youth police initiatives, funding for behavioral health services, and authority for advanced practice registered nurses. The Speaker appointed members to the Escort Committee for the State of the Judiciary Address. Announcements followed about the St. Charles County Municipal Showcase, committee meetings on crime and public safety and transportation, and a mandatory training after adjournment. The House then adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• other to comply: either all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling
• other to comply: either A, all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling
• Either A, all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling where that
• products on the market, the non-FDA-approved nicotine devices, which are currently sold all across the United

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments and passed as amended. The bill revises Department of Lottery powers and duties, updates bid/proposal information requirements, adds definitions related to ball machines, and gives the department more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines. SB 204 also passed favorably; it increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful. Testimony on SB 204 included support from Florida Gaming and soft opposition from a veteran organization that wanted clearer language and more cooperation on electronic bingo-type games. The committee then took up a combined proposed committee substitute merging SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and residential properties. The merged bill requires certain rental properties near water bodies or with swimming pools to have specified safety devices, such as exit alarms, self-closing/self-latching locks, pool fences, pool covers, or pool alarms, and allows DBPR enforcement for vacation rentals. Supporters emphasized the bill’s goal of preventing child drownings, citing Florida’s high number of fatal drownings and the disproportionate impact on young children and children with autism. The combined bill was reported favorably. SB 980 on nicotine dispensing devices was amended with a delete-all amendment creating the Florida Agegate Act. The substitute bill restricts advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in retail settings accessible to those under 21, sets escalating penalties, directs fine revenue to enforcement and youth prevention, and authorizes inspections and warrantless searches tied to retail permits. Members discussed whether the bill would effectively curb illegal and counterfeit products and how enforcement would work; the sponsor said the measure is intended to reduce youth access in light of limited enforcement resources. The bill passed favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement also passed, removing a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for licensed veterinarians while keeping other qualifications intact to help address veterinary shortages. Finally, SB 680 on electric vehicle charging taxation passed with a strike-all amendment creating a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, provided it is separately metered and properly documented. The committee adjourned after noting additional support forms and inviting members to a later K-12 speech and debate bill presentation.

Bills: SSB3113 , SSB3128 , SSB3135 , SSB3153 , SSB3172 , SSB3175 , SSB3134 , SF2029 , SF493 , SF2024 , SSB3008 , SSB3009 , SSB3114 , SSB3136 , SSB3138 , SSB3148 , SSB3152 , SF310

Committee: Joint Local Government

Keywords: law enforcement services, county sheriff, city police department, 28E agreement, intergovernmental agreement, shared services, police consolidation, police outsourcing, municipal policing, small cities, cost comparison report, public safety, property tax impact, collective bargaining, law enforcement contract, ordinance enforcement, sheriff contract, regional policing, local government, Iowa Code 28E.30

Transcript Highlights:

• Even if they are not lawfully admitted into the United States. For example...
• Versus Board of Education decision that desegregated schools in the United States.
• number one in the United States in a 10-year period, isn't that a?
• to be when our American founders instituted public education in the United States.
• people from across the state, but unites Democrats. with Republicans, even MAGA moms.

Bills: SB2 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117 , SB503 , SB2 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB 124 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• It would include chattel loans or retail installment contracts to purchase a dwelling where the dwelling
• Additionally, if the borrower is purchasing residential real property of up to four units and the purchase
• United, Homeowners of America United. I'm a homeowner. I live in a condo.
• For the record, my name is Raylene Chafano, co-founder of HOA United, and I'm here in strong support
• I'm a staff attorney with the Northwest Justice Project's Foreclosure Prevention Unit.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• driver's license issued to the voter that indicates the voter has not presented proof of the voter's United
• to the Committee on Elections, HB 312 by TER relating to the eligibility of a person who is not a United
• ongoing criminal activity and the public health threats, and the establishment of the Border Protection Unit
• 371 by Bum Garner relating to the admission to public schools of child unlawfully present in the United
• relating to establishment of limitation of the total amount of advoum taxes is that certain taxing units

Transcript Highlights:

• Nearest occupied dwelling when we have construction was something that we needed to highlight because
• He asked about the description of an occupied dwelling and why that word was being used for this aspect
• The response explained that an occupied dwelling is a dwelling that someone lives in.
• He suggested that perhaps the language should refer to a foundational dwelling, something that has a
• I think, though, we also need to look at more than just the occupied dwelling.

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• that are affordable to people with very low incomes, Reduced availability of units that are affordable
• One is a minimum dwelling unit size, so that's under the National Building Code.
• So statewide, we will address the minimum dwelling size. The second one is emergency shelters.
• So the residential code, as you might know, it only addresses single dwelling units, you know, and duplexes
• So the residential code, as you might know, it only addresses single dwelling units, you know, and duplexes

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard a series of abbreviated presentations focused on housing supply, transit-oriented development, and redevelopment of underused commercial land. Urban Institute researcher Yona Fremark discussed Washington’s transit-oriented development efforts under HB 1491, saying the state has made progress but faces major feasibility challenges from rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and uneven market conditions. She recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market transit areas, adjusting MFTE/affordability requirements to local conditions, expanding affordable housing resources in high-market areas, tightening density requirements near transit, allowing more joint development on transit agency land, and creating a stronger system to track housing, affordability, demographic change, and access outcomes over time. Senators asked about AMI calculations, labor and immigration effects on construction, and the role of developer input. Dave Anderson of the Department of Commerce outlined implementation of HB 1491, including local government responsibilities for station area designation, zoning, anti-displacement policies, and MFTE updates. He said Vancouver and Spokane are first to implement, with Puget Sound following later, and described Commerce’s timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking. He also demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, a live statewide mapping tool showing zoning, overlays, and station-area geographies, which Commerce said can support analysis by agencies and the public. The committee then heard from Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and James Rolf on commercial-to-residential redevelopment, who argued that converting vacant or underused commercial sites could produce a large amount of housing, increase tax revenue, and support transit-oriented growth. They identified barriers such as zoning requirements, affordability mandates, infrastructure costs, building code complexity, private covenants, and slow implementation of new laws, and urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster implementation of housing reforms. The State Building Code Council provided an update on its code cycle and legislative mandates, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, single-exit stairs, and multiplex housing. Council staff said the single-exit and multiplex work is nearing completion and will produce prescriptive solutions, while members discussed whether future legislation might address smaller elevators or more performance-based code approaches. Finally, Dr. Stephen Barrosa of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research reviewed housing affordability trends, noting that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced homeownership affordability, flattened prices in major cities, and lowered single-family permitting and completions, while apartment vacancy rates have returned to more normal levels. The last presentation came from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission on the Covenant Home Ownership Program, which reported strong first-year results: 547 homebuyers assisted by June 2025, more than $60 million loaned, homes in 22 counties, and nearly 1,000 families assisted by the time of the hearing. The commission also reviewed program eligibility, outreach, and recent legislative changes to income limits and loan forgiveness that were not yet reflected in the first-year report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, not dwelling on the past, but looking toward the future.
• Air Force, serving in Vietnam, Europe, Western Asia, and the United States.
• And the United States.
• A rare disease is a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.
• United on this topic.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It would include chattel loans or retail installment contracts to purchase a dwelling where the dwelling
• Additionally, if the borrower is purchasing residential real property of up to four units and the purchase
• United, Homeowners of America United. I'm a homeowner. I live in a condo.
• For the record, my name is Raylene Chafano, co-founder of HOA United, and I'm here in strong support
• I'm a staff attorney with the Northwest Justice Project's Foreclosure Prevention Unit.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't get down there in your unit. Can you come down here?
• But in this case, what we have is there's 88 units, 55 of the units are owned by someone outside of the
• they own more of the units that are in there, so they set the rules.
• And all of the units are, you know, rented out as Airbnbs.
• Say, for example, if a Tier 1 sex offender was staying in one of the units, the other units are, you

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where House Bills 3012, 2997, and 3058 were combined into a House committee substitute and then voted do pass by a 17-0 roll call. House Bill 2868 was set aside for further work on a substitute. The committee then moved into public hearings, beginning with House Bill 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” which would increase penalties for intoxicated driving cases involving injury or death and expand ignition interlock requirements, including for high-BAC offenders. The sponsor and family members of victims described the bill as a response to fatal crashes involving loved ones, while law enforcement, MoDOT, prosecutors, and MADD supported the measure as a prevention tool and cited data on recidivism and fatal crashes. Members asked about BAC thresholds, whether the bill would cover drug impairment, fiscal impacts, and the relationship to existing sentencing and parole rules. No vote was taken on HB 1740 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bills 3049 and 368, described by the sponsors as technical cleanup bills to resolve conflicts in Missouri’s sex offender registry statutes after court rulings and to reorganize and clarify the law. A prosecutor testified in support, and members discussed registry tiers, age-of-consent issues, and how the changes might affect people whose offenses were tied to older laws or unusual fact patterns. The bills were presented as consistency and cleanup measures, and no opposition testimony was offered. Next, House Bill 2311 was heard, proposing to raise the age of consent to 18 and reduce the close-in-age exception from four years to three. The sponsor said the change was intended to align the law with recent marriage-age changes and avoid mixed signals. Members raised concerns about criminalizing high-school relationships and about consistency with existing law, but there was no testimony in opposition or a vote. Finally, House Bill 3105, a revised Second Amendment Preservation Act-style bill, was heard. The sponsor said it would remove unconstitutional language from the prior law, bar state and local officials from knowingly violating law-abiding citizens’ firearm rights, and preserve cooperation with federal law enforcement. Supporters, including sheriffs, argued it protects constitutional rights while allowing officers to act against dangerous criminals and people in crisis. Opponents, including gun-rights advocates, argued the bill still lacked a meaningful deterrent to federal overreach and raised concerns about vague language such as “danger to self or others,” which they said could function like a red-flag law and be misused. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 3105.

Transcript Highlights:

• So within that, we have quite a number of different units that do different things.
• And the reason is because those need low dwell time.
• We have more than 7.5 million people in California living in multifamily units of 10 or more dwellings
• Inside those units was everything from retail staples.
• How do we incentivize 50 units or more to put in EV charging in their buildings?

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are about 100,000 units short for our current population.
• They would have a need for more units.
• They would be committed to a portion of those units Being affordable housing for a set period of time
• Properties and to build more housing units overall.
• Because they're outside the United States and they're not here, that wouldn't be a part of this type

Bills: SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing

Transcript Highlights:

• Precious Heavenly Father, we gather today in the shelter of your presence, trusting that those who dwell
• As the psalmist declared in Psalms 91:1, he that dwells in the shelter of the Almighty, he that dwells
• under the shelter of the Most High shall abide under the He that dwells under the shelter of the Most
• May they dwell close to you, seeking your counsel, as we work May they dwell close to you, seeking your

Transcript Highlights:

• Precious Heavenly Father, we gather today in the shelter of your presence, trusting that those who dwell
• As the psalmist declared in Psalms 91:1, he that dwells in the shelter of the Almighty, he that dwells
• under the shelter of the Most High shall abide under the He that dwells under the shelter of the Most
• May they dwell close to you, seeking your counsel as we work May they dwell close to you, seeking your

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long list of bills and substitutes being signed by the Speaker. The transcript reflects procedural action on numerous House and Senate measures, including House Bill 1699, 1696, 1740, 1827, 1839, 1840, 1867, 1871, 1940, and many others, along with several conference committee substitutes and Senate substitutes. No debate or testimony is recorded in the excerpt; the focus is on formal enrollment and signing of legislation. Later, the Speaker signed a second large group of Senate bills and related substitutes to the end that they may become law, including Senate Bills 834, 835, 863, 890, 905, 913, 916, 937, 938, 953, 973, 1000, 1019, 1033, 1067, 1119, 1135, 1233, 1408, 1421, 1470, 1544, 1553, 1554, 1572, 1629, and related joint resolutions. Members were also asked to check in with the clerks for attendance. The session concluded with an announcement that the House of Representatives of the 103rd General Assembly, second regular session, would stand adjourned sine die at midnight on May 30, 2026, in accordance with the Missouri Constitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you have more than 100 units, let's say 300 units, I think you're going to disincentivize those
• unit, or circuit.
• rental housing units.
• We have operators that have one unit.
• and the inclusion of saddle units as an alternative.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• 35 and 36, there is reference to having no similar homestead exemption in any other state in the United
• Is there an existing process for searching all the rest of the United States to determine if someone
• In Idaho Code, a homestead is a dwelling that is only occupied by the claimant.
• It is used as the primary dwelling place, and you can have up to one acre of property surrounding it.
• inappropriate benefit from this are perhaps in a position where we can ensure that only Idahoans who are dwelling

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• An example would be a dwelling that has a cesspool.
• An example would be a dwelling that has a cesspool.
• ><c> owner</c> McCay, condominiums, unit owner McCay, condominiums, unit owner responsibility<01:21:53.440
• </c> Compliance Unit, Establishment. Compliance Unit, Establishment.
• </c> that former president of the United that former president of the United States<02:15:14.719><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I see the definition of group of one or more individuals who dwell together within the same dwelling
• </c><00:34:33.599><c> together</c> more individuals who dwell together more individuals who dwell together
• within<00:34:34.399><c> the</c><00:34:34.639><c> same</c><00:34:35.119><c> dwelling,</c><00:34:36.240
• ><c> but</c><00:34:36.480><c> it</c><00:34:36.720><c> says</c> within the same dwelling, but it says
• within the same dwelling, but it says here<00:34:38.399><c> household</c><00:34:39.119><c> gold.

Bills: HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354 , HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response, contract locator