Transcript Highlights:

• One is called ground-based cloud seeding.
• The other is aerial-based cloud seeding.
• The other is aerial-based cloud seeding, which is essentially deployment of that aerosol through manned
• The ground-based generators aren’t as efficient because you’re sort of relying on that seed to be taken
• They're based on basins and watersheds... ...so there is some science associated with it.

Bills: HB2024 , HB2053 , HB2097 , HB2116 , HB2117

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• school asphalt with green areas, including native trees, plants, and pollinators, and to have nature-based
• funds being used for the new crisis that we all recognize we have, which is that we need to up our game
• We still are scoping out sort of how the funds will roll out based on the requirements for Prop 4, but
• There must be an anticipated game plan in terms of how fast you think you can do this.
• Or move your notes up onto the base of the thing. There you go. Whatever works, right? Sorry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather than being treated as the skilled<00:28:52.720><c> health</c><00:28:52.960><c> care</c><00:28:
• 53.200><c> professionals</c><00:28:53.760><c> we</c> skilled health care professionals we skilled health
• They made decisions based on a corporate model, which is a problem, and as Senator Grunhagen pointed
• on the needs in the community not based on the needs in the community which<00:42:20.319><c> is</c><
• They made decisions based the hospital.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• we're</c> Members, in a time when we're cutting state spending, the bill represents an $80 million base
• Without the base funding, the improvements that are so critical in this bill would not be possible.
• We do not want that, and it violates one of our base pension principles, which is that our retirees not
• Because teachers have skin in the game in this bill. It's not simply the state funding.
• </c> Because teachers have skin in the game Because teachers have skin in the game in<00:27:47.440><c

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the programs are science-based programs. We have Concordia Language Village, St.
• They were in the base funding last year; they were taken out of the base, but they had an appropriation
• So 11 of those students, 11 of the 145, were awarded North Star Promise base awards.
• base base awards<01:26:39.639><c> that</c><01:26:39.800><c> total</c><01:26:40.119><c> was</c><01:26
• </c><01:39:21.239><c> and</c> developing critical skills and developing critical skills and approaching

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• on RCW 42.52.50. appropriate penalty and/or sanctions based on R.C.W. 42.480.
• McKinley based on his oral argument? If so, you're welcome to ask questions at this time.
• McKinley based on his oral argument? If so, you're welcome to ask questions at this time.
• conflict with the proper discharge of her duties based on the involvement with the proviso.
• And that at this stage, that's enough based on the facts that we've provided to the board.

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Representative Tara Simmons, docketed as Legislative Ethics Board case 2025-5. The hearing concerned Simmons’ motion for summary judgment in an ethics complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.52.020 (conflicts of interest) and RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges), based on her work involving an EEC proviso, her employment relationship with EEC, a campaign surplus donation connected to AEJG and Jerry Stone, her involvement in an AEJG-EEC subcontract dispute, and related text messages with Anthony Powers. No evidence was taken; the session focused on legal argument over whether the alleged facts, if accepted as true, were sufficient to establish violations as a matter of law. Simmons’ counsel argued the complaint was legally insufficient because the alleged actions benefited her employer or others, not Simmons herself, and that existing board opinions allow legislators to support employers absent a direct personal benefit. He also argued the board was effectively trying to adopt a new bright-line rule prohibiting legislators from funding employers, which he said would be an improper retroactive change. Board staff, through Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, opposed summary judgment and argued the facts were enough to show Simmons had an indirect financial or other interest in EEC’s funding, that her job duties and legislative actions created conflicts, and that her actions around the donation, subcontract dispute, and text messages could be viewed as using her position to secure special privileges. A board member asked whether the allegations themselves were sufficient and whether the standard required assuming the facts as alleged; staff responded that the motion failed because the record contained sufficient facts to proceed, and that any factual disputes should be resolved at hearing. After rebuttal, the ALJ closed the oral argument and turned the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Board for deliberation. No ruling was issued during the hearing, and the board was to decide whether to grant the summary judgment motion or set the case for an evidentiary hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a long overdue Improvement the base it's a long overdue Improvement the<00:41:27.480><c> sales<
• so uh number rate and expand the base so uh number one<00:41:38.520><c> is</c><00:41:38.880><c> it</
• Personally, I really don't prefer to broaden the tax base.
• I come more from broaden the tax base I come more from the<00:59:21.599><c> line</c><00:59:21.920><c
• </c><01:10:33.600><c> into</c> broadening the sales tax base into broadening the sales tax base into

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Defense's schools having been born and raised on U.S. military bases overseas and so I
• Yeah, I think the problem is we can't base it on the.
• We currently have 16 EV buses and have 30 paused and progressed. based on federal EPA dollars.
• It offers school structure choices ranging from full-day restrictions to schedule-based policy.
• Development Consortium of Los Angeles, or CDCLA, a community-based non-profit organization.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 38, the Wyoming Gaming Commission.
• Section 38, the Wyoming Gaming Commission.
• Section 38, the Wyoming Gaming Commission.
• </c> Section 38 on the Wyoming Gaming Section 38 on the Wyoming Gaming Commission.<01:37:18.480><c> On
• </c> based off of, you know, Alaska has 90%. based off of, you know, Alaska has 90%.

Transcript Highlights:

• resources, energy, and land by AI data centers that put strain on the communities and counties they are based
• So I believe that it should be based, like, on a county-by-county basis. Wouldn't you agree?
• Arkansas leaves the game.
• Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas leaves the game, and our economy suffers, and then we suffer, and our children

Committee: All BOYS STATE

Summary: The Arkansas Boys State House convened with a quorum, heard opening remarks from legislative leaders and guests, and then considered a series of bills focused on rural services, education, taxes, and zoning. House Bill 1001 would have increased rural health care funding through a 10% tax on individuals earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, long-term funding, and whether it would drive away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed by a vote of 24 yeas, 51 nays, and 1 present. House Bill 1002 would have limited the number of subjects rural teachers could be assigned and offered sign-on bonuses to recruit more teachers; supporters said it would reduce burnout and improve specialization, while opponents questioned funding and whether it would worsen inequities. After immediate consideration, it passed narrowly, 38 yeas, 36 nays, and 2 present. The House then debated House Bill 1003, which would regulate AI data centers through county zoning authority and a 10% tax on corporations to fund conservation efforts. Supporters said counties should be able to decide whether data centers fit local needs, while opponents warned about lost jobs, higher costs, and federal-state jurisdiction issues. The bill passed 62 yeas, 7 nays, and 3 present. House Bill 1004 would have reduced motor vehicle registration fees to offset high fuel costs, but critics argued it would reduce highway and road funding and strain the state budget; it failed 20 yeas, 46 nays, and 4 present. The chamber then took up Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits to encourage healthier food purchases and address food insecurity and obesity; supporters framed it as a way to improve access to healthy food, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas and 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in middle school and state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and implementation. It passed 67 yeas, 6 nays, and 1 present. Senate Bill 3 would cut individual and corporate income taxes to promote economic growth and ease cost-of-living pressures; supporters cited prior tax cuts and business attraction, while opponents said the benefits would mostly go to wealthy corporations and CEOs. It passed 53 yeas, 15 nays, and 16 present. Senate Bill 4 created a mixed-use zoning grant program funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax to encourage affordable housing and downtown redevelopment; it passed 51 yeas, 7 nays, and 13 present. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• energy, and land by AI data centers that put strain on the communities and counties that they are based
• So I believe that it should be based, like, on a county-by-county basis. Wouldn't you agree?
• Arkansas leaves the game. And our... ...Missouri, Louisiana.
• Arkansas leaves the game, and our economy suffers, and then we suffer, and our children suffer.

Committee: All BOYS STATE

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Arkansas Game and Fish, we have Corporal Landon Mills. Please make them welcome.
• We have a $6 million faith-based initiative that was supported by a letter from the governor.
• When you broaden the work base, you can get it accomplished much faster.
• But that’s just the game of economic development. Follow-up. You’re recognized.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is aimed at commercial and larger-scale projects where these payment games are most commonly played
• So when the bill was presented, it was based on legislation that was drafted for, I believe, West Virginia
• as if though even the gentleman who came up prior and opposed it is willing to, you know, be in the game
• of the committee, Fred Drilling today, representing the Builders Association at Chapter of the AGC based

Committee: House Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• an insurance fund with go-forward that is the combined insurance pool of three different ratepayer bases
• It is possible that they would be on paper, like essentially based on the assumed losses or projected
• And there is this theory of two-level games by Robert Putnam; I did my master's thesis on it.
• And this is a classic theory, like a two-level game problem.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy first heard SB 254, a major utility affordability and wildfire-liability package authored by Senator Becker and coauthored by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris. The bill combines wildfire mitigation oversight, $6 billion in securitized financing for future fire-mitigation capital work, a public ownership/transmission accelerator program, tighter scrutiny of utility profits, clean energy permitting streamlining, and a successor wildfire fund to replace the current fund after the January Southern California fires. Supporters, including the Governor’s office, TURN, labor, clean energy groups, utilities, and fire victim advocates, said the measure would lower bills, stabilize utilities, protect victims, and speed grid upgrades. Opponents from large energy users and agricultural interests argued the bill did not go far enough on affordability and that the wildfire fund’s volumetric charge would disproportionately burden business customers; counties also raised local-control concerns about permitting provisions. Committee members focused heavily on the wildfire fund structure, the role of ratepayers versus shareholders, and whether the bill creates enough incentive for utilities to reduce future wildfire risk. Authors and supporters said California’s inverse condemnation framework leaves ratepayers exposed without a fund, that the new continuation account would be split roughly 50/50 between ratepayers and shareholders, and that the bill includes a report on long-term sustainability. Members also discussed the clean energy permitting provisions and local consultation, with authors emphasizing that local land-use review and consultation remain in place. The committee then voted 16-0 to pass SB 254 to the floor. The hearing then shifted to an informational hearing on AB 825, which would enable California to participate in a West-wide electricity market. The authors and supporters said the regional market could save ratepayers up to $1 billion annually, improve reliability by widening access to wind and solar across the West, reduce curtailment, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Support came from environmental groups, labor, utilities, community choice aggregators, large energy users, and business groups. TURN opposed the measure, warning that last-minute changes removed safeguards against California ratepayers subsidizing out-of-state coal plants and other costly fossil generation. Committee discussion on AB 825 centered on governance, exit rights, and legislative oversight. The authors described safeguards including market rules protecting California policies, consumer advocacy and market monitoring requirements, annual reporting to the Legislature, a delayed 2028 start date, and the ability for California or other members to exit without penalties. Members also raised concerns about the CPUC’s constitutional independence and local consultation, but the authors said the bill preserves local input and gives the Legislature ongoing oversight. No vote was taken because the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Check my technology skills here. All right. We have your presentation up.
• It also varies based on state statutes and state policy. ...included in their reviews.
• Knowledge bases: do our professionals know the things they need to know?
• The challenge is these are really low base-rate events. Because you've asked for my opinion.
• The challenge is these are really low base-rate events.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> water, what the water quality is based water, what the water quality is based on<00:13:32.000><c
• That's something that's better achieved if you're proactively planning based on regionalization.
• So, um, operators can learn some of those management skills, and in those management skills is that facility
• And show and demonstrate that they have that knowledge base. >> Yes.
• </c><01:22:12.080><c> Yes,</c> "Expand that customer base."

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• looking for within the workforce to answer some of the ongoing questions that we see nationally about skill
• 31.679><c> about</c> questions that we see nationally about questions that we see nationally about skill
• 18:33.440><c> um</c><00:18:33.679><c> alignment</c><00:18:34.640><c> and</c><00:18:35.039><c> u</c> skill
• attainment um alignment and u skill attainment um alignment and u building<00:18:35.520><c> a</c><00

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:

• Oklahoma only has three limited exceptions for gambling: lottery, horse racing, and Class III tribal gaming
• It does not impact games like Candy Crush or other entertainment games.
• It does not impact games like Candy Crush or other entertainment games. Move to adopt.

Bills: SB372 , SB1224 , SB1232 , SB1264 , SB1330 , SB1381 , SB1441 , SB1450 , SB1589 , SB1618 , SB1936 , SB1980 , SB2011 , SB2030

Committee: House Criminal Judiciary

Summary: The committee first handled several housekeeping items: SB 1330 was withdrawn, SB 1381 was laid over, and SB 1618 was transferred to rules. It then heard a series of bills, mostly criminal justice, public safety, and regulatory measures, with members repeatedly moving due pass recommendations after brief explanations and little or no debate. SB 1589 would strengthen penalties under Oklahoma’s sweepstakes law and extend coverage to entities profiting from illegal gambling, while not affecting ordinary entertainment games. SB 1441 would make it a crime to fly a drone in the airspace of, or make contact with, designated critical infrastructure facilities such as refineries, power stations, telecommunications sites, and manufacturing facilities, with exceptions for recreational use and authorized law enforcement. SB 1224 would require clemency-related hearing notices to be sent to victims by email as well as mail, and SB 372 was described as a cleanup bill clarifying where firearms may be carried. Other bills addressed theft, domestic violence, expungement, fraud, and impersonation. SB 1232 would create a felony and raise fines for copper theft; SB 1264, after an adopted amendment, expanded the definition of great bodily injury to include concussions, brain bleeds, and injuries affecting more than 10% of the body, making domestic abuse causing such injury a felony. SB 1450 dealt with consistency in fines and fees across counties and prompted discussion about county-by-county obligations and court revenue impacts. SB 2011 would treat assault and battery against OJA contract employees the same as against employees, SB 2030 would delay implementation of the Clean Slate expungement automation initiative to 2027 and backlog processing to 2029 without expanding eligibility, SB 1980 would protect against gift card fraud after an amendment changing the mental state language to “knowingly and willfully,” and SB 1936 would make falsely impersonating a law enforcement officer a D1 felony. The committee reported the bills out with due pass recommendations, with votes recorded on several measures, including unanimous or near-unanimous approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:26.400><c> on</c> bit of editing and massaging based on bit of editing and massaging based
• </c><00:09:04.000><c> out</c> administer the grant and it's based out administer the grant and it's based
• We look at our evidence-based science. We look at the<00:17:32.640><c> data.
• </c><00:24:23.840><c> on</c> the chart is beginning in July based on the chart is beginning in July based
• Uh, based on that, the sheriff's probably have a higher transport record.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. It then received an update from DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver on the department’s rural health transformation grant submission. Weaver said the grant was submitted ahead of the deadline, reflected input from communities and providers statewide, and would now enter a CMS review and negotiation phase. She explained that the governor’s office will oversee the grant with DHHS, that some proposals may be limited by federal parameters, and that the department may need to hire some staff to administer the grant, within the grant’s administrative cap. Members also discussed DHHS budget pressures and staffing. The department’s CFO, Nathan White, reviewed the agency’s budget mix, noting that DHHS accounts for a large share of the state’s operating and general fund budgets, and explained projected general fund lapse estimates, which he said are currently just under $20 million for the department. He also described why lapse projections are difficult to predict in DHHS because many costs are driven by utilization and because some funds are statutorily non-lapsing. White reported that vacancy rates have risen, citing about 400 unfunded positions in the current biennium and the department’s hiring freeze, while emphasizing that direct-care positions are being prioritized. Committee members raised concerns that back-of-the-budget cuts and weak revenue collections could affect the department’s ability to manage lapse projections. The committee then heard from Division of Public Health Director Ian Watt on vaccine policy and federal changes. Watt said New Hampshire continues to support access to safe and effective vaccines, including through the universal purchase program and seasonal respiratory virus guidance. He explained a recent CDC change regarding the MMRV vaccine, which now discourages the combined shot for the first dose in children under four because of febrile seizure risk, while still allowing it for the second dose. Watt said New Hampshire’s school and child care vaccine mandates remain stable, with nine vaccines required for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, and that the state continues to review federal recommendations cautiously. He also said there have been no supply or funding disruptions affecting vaccine access, and that childhood vaccine funding through commercial insurers remains intact. Finally, the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias presented its annual report. The subcommittee said it met about six times, heard presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and began work on updating the state’s Alzheimer’s plan, which had last been updated in 2015-2016. To gather more direct input, the subcommittee formed a needs-assessment work group to develop a survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers. It recommended integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease, aging, and public health outreach; embedding cognitive health into systems of care and the state health improvement plan; adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS; and continuing partnerships with aging and advocacy organizations. Members praised the report and suggested it should clearly identify the subcommittee and include page numbers in future versions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for the 2024-2026 budget was based on. for the 2024-2026 budget was based on.
• Based on we had to submit our budget.
• </c> forecast for this current biennium based forecast for this current biennium based on<00:48:49.160
• Can we limited based off that biennium.
• </c> skills and those types of opportunities. skills and those types of opportunities.

Summary: The meeting opened with the pledge and prayer, a roll call established quorum, and members announced a Veterans Caucus meeting to follow the session. The committee also recognized distinguished veteran Joe Mash Masterson of Bardstown, who was praised for his Army service, long-time advocacy for veterans, and leadership in the American Legion and local veteran organizations. Masterson thanked his family, the American Legion Post 121, and the VA staff, and several members offered remarks honoring his service and the committee’s practice of recognizing veterans. The committee then briefly addressed a referred administrative regulation, 017 KAR 001 030, which leadership described as technical updates to existing policy; no vote was taken. After that, members heard testimony from KDVA and Finance and Administration officials on the ongoing HVAC replacement project at the Radcliffe Veteran Center. Officials said the system had been problematic for years, that design work began early to accelerate the project, and that the work was complicated by the need to replace the system in an operating nursing facility. They explained that the project was bid in March, awarded to Less Mechanical, and that protective measures, shop drawings, and equipment orders were underway. Committee members pressed officials on why the problem had taken so long to resolve, why the original system had been installed, whether the issue had been communicated regularly, and whether the state should be paying for a replacement in a relatively new facility. Officials said the original system’s components and warranties had failed, that they had tried to replace parts before moving to a full replacement, and that the system’s manufacturer and quality differed from a similar facility in Glasgow that had not had the same issues. They said the current phase one contract was about $6 million, with the remaining funds held for phase two to restore full occupancy; phase two design was nearly complete and could be bid later if funding is approved. Officials estimated phase one completion around January 2026 and full completion around March 2027, depending on funding and scheduling.