Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is do pass to Senate Natural Resources and Water. Please call the absent members.
• Motion is do pass as to Natural Resources and Water. Please call the absent members.
• Motion is do pass to Natural Resources and Water. Please call the absent members.
• The motion is do pass and send to Natural Resources and Water. Please call the absent member.
• And send to Natural Resources and Water. Please call the absent member. Senator Blake Spear. Aye.

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll see over in the Oklahoma Water Sources Board a $35 million for a revolving loan fund to be
• You talk about over $0 million dollars going to a water infrastructure need here in the state of Oklahoma
• that exceeds $34 billion today, coming from the Oklahoma Water Resource Board.
• This is a budget that we've worked Extremely hard on 82% of the new spending in this budget is water,
• education, and healthcare. 82% of the new spending in this budget is water, education, and Health care

Bills: SB1177

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are exhorted to fast and pray unto Almighty God for abundant moisture to replenish our state's vital water
• supplies, that our mountains may be crowned with snow and our rivers flow with life-giving waters.
• We all know the importance of water in this state and across the country, and we know what role our agricultural
• Representatives, House Bill 676 by the Resources and Conservation Committee, an act relating to geothermal water
• , to revise provisions regarding applications to appropriate water and change of point of use.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill does is say that law enforcement, in order to stop you while you are operating your boat on the water
• have reasonable suspicion when they're checking for things, because for a boat to be legal on the water
• .. ...reasonable suspicion when they're checking for things, because for a boat to be legal on the water
• They don't need to stop you on the water unless they see you pounding beers driving your boat.
• Arguably, now they are not inspecting every boat that's on the water.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The House State Affairs Committee heard and introduced several RSs and one bill, with most of the discussion focused on election administration, agency structure, business privacy, and parental notification around gender-related issues. RS 332-31 would require in-person canvassers to be qualified electors and wear name badges, with exceptions for volunteers, campaign workers, and phone banking. RS 333-75 would lower the threshold for ballot name rotation from political entities with more than 100,000 voters to those with more than 25,000 voters. RS 334-29 would merge the Office of Species Conservation and the energy and minerals coordinating agency, and members asked for more information later about preserving each agency’s mission. RS 334-38 would allow LLC filers to use an Idaho commercial registered agent address instead of a home address, while still requiring the residential address and consent from the registered agent. All four RSs were moved to introduction and approved by voice vote. The committee then considered RS 3349, a revised version of a bill restricting what the sponsor described as social transitioning of minors without parental knowledge. The sponsor said the changes narrowed the civil cause of action and shifted any recovered funds to the state general fund, but members raised concerns about the breadth of terms like “appearance,” “dress,” and “social transition,” possible conflicts with confidentiality duties for educators and health providers, and the risk of litigation. Despite those concerns, the motion to introduce the RS passed, with Representatives Church and Haas recorded as voting no. House Bill 548, a Fourth Amendment bill, was then debated and sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The bill would require reasonable suspicion before law enforcement can stop and board a boat on the water, while still allowing safety and related inspections at boat launches. Supporters said it protects constitutional rights without preventing inspections, and the motion passed by voice vote. Finally, RS 33-408 was returned to sponsor at the sponsor’s request, and the committee ended by thanking its page and adjourning for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those diversions could impact the account's ability to fund water, sewer and wastewater, and solid
• And those diversions could impact the account's ability to fund water, sewer and wastewater, and solid
• And then now Kevin Waters was able to successfully why it was initially set up through Public Works Board
• And then now Kevin Waters was able to successfully And then now Kevin Waters was able to successfully

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held public hearings on several bills. On Substitute House Bill 2236, staff explained changes to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including allowing direct mortgage loans for multifamily housing, clarifying it is not a retail mortgage lender, extending bond counsel terms, removing a notice requirement before bond issuance, and repealing outdated statutory provisions. Representative Zahn and commission staff said the bill modernizes the agency and would help finance affordable housing without using state general funds. Testimony was generally supportive, with questions focused on higher interest rates, down payment assistance, and equity for borrowers of color; the commission said it works with banks, administers programs such as Covenant Home Ownership, and aims to support both homebuyers and developers. The chair then closed the hearing on SHB 2236. The committee next heard House Bill 2273 on reducing embodied carbon emissions in buildings and building materials. Staff described requirements for the State Building Code Council to adopt phased embodied-carbon standards for large projects, with reporting, a public database, and Commerce educational resources; the fiscal note showed operating and capital costs. Representative Duerr said the bill responds to rising energy demand and could help lower building costs while supporting innovation, including Washington wood products. Supportive testimony came from environmental justice advocates and an architect, who said embodied carbon reductions are already feasible and often cost-neutral. Opponents, including the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill could raise costs, create sourcing and delay problems, and should not exempt schools. The hearing on HB 2273 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5188, which would let the Public Works Board issue loans for broadband infrastructure repair and replacement. Staff said the bill expands the existing broadband service expansion program to cover repair and replacement of middle-mile and last-mile infrastructure, with Commerce fiscal impacts noted. The Association of Washington Cities testified with concerns that the bill could signal further use of the Public Works Assistance Account, which has already seen sweeps and could affect future water, sewer, wastewater, and solid waste funding. A question from Representative Dye raised whether the program should instead be tied to the Curb Board; staff and the witness agreed to continue that discussion. The hearing was then closed. In executive session, the committee took up House Bill 2353, House Bill 2420, and House Bill 2470. HB 2353, which raises the predesign threshold for capital construction projects from $10 million to $15 million and indexes it to inflation, was reported out of committee 18-0 with one excused. The committee then adopted and reported out the proposed substitute for HB 2420, which increases the small works roster contract limit and changes the effective date to January 1, 2027, also by an 18-0 vote with one excused. Staff also briefed members on a proposed substitute for HB 2470 concerning school construction assistance for on-base schools, but no vote was taken in the transcript. The chair announced another hearing and executive session for Friday and asked members to submit amendments by the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stonier, Street, Steeby, Taylor, Ty, Tharinger, Thomas, Timmons, Valdez, Volz, Wellman, Walsh, Walsh, Waters
• May they get enough sleep and drink enough water.
• pack-heavied step over sandhoppers and weed-slicked rocks, through driftwood scatters and the chill of tide waters
• the otter's tail as she rises and dives into clear shallows, a pliable needle threading us and them, water
• found themselves in life-threatening situations, in the dark of night, at a home suddenly filling with water

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The joint session of the Washington Legislature convened to receive Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address, with the House and Senate roll called and a quorum confirmed. The chamber recognized Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, tribal leaders, consular corps members, and other guests before the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem by the Wapato High School Choir, a prayer by Reverend Indiana Driver Gimmer, and a poem by State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield. The governor opened by thanking those present and highlighting recent flooding as a major test of the state’s resilience, praising first responders, National Guard members, WSDOT crews, and local leaders for their response and recovery efforts. In his address, Ferguson said Washington’s economy remains strong but argued the state must make major investments in transportation, ferries, housing, and affordability. He proposed more than a billion dollars for bridge repairs, $164 million for road paving this summer, another billion dollars for three new ferries, and a $244 million housing investment. He also called for a millionaire’s tax to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credit benefits, tax relief for small businesses, more K-12 funding, and affordability measures such as utility bill credits and expanded energy assistance. He criticized federal immigration enforcement tactics and changes at the CDC, urged action on a bill limiting masked law enforcement, and said Washington should rely on science-based public health guidance through state-led efforts. The governor also highlighted several bills and proposals he said he would support, including expanded early learning for military families, modular housing standards, reckless driving changes, improved crash data access, wildfire air support for local fire departments, fee refunds when agencies miss processing deadlines, and a campaign to improve FAFSA completion rates. He said his administration has already reduced processing times for several licenses and wants government to be more responsive. After the address, the joint session was dissolved by motion and vote, and the House then adjourned until January 14 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stonier, Street, Stearns, Taylor, Thai, Tharinger, Thomas, Timmons, Valdez, Volz, Walen, Walsh, Walsh, Waters
• May they get enough sleep and drink enough water.
• pack-heavied step over sandhoppers and weed-slicked rocks, through driftwood scatters and the chill of tide waters
• the otter's tail as she rises and dives into clear shallows, a pliable needle threading us and them, water
• found themselves in life-threatening situations, in the dark of night, at a home suddenly filling with water

Summary: The joint session of the Washington Legislature convened to receive Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address, with the House and Senate, Supreme Court justices, statewide elected officials, tribal leaders, consular representatives, and other guests formally introduced. The meeting also included the Pledge of Allegiance, a performance by the Wapato High School Choir, a prayer by Reverend Indiana Driver Gimmer, and a poem by State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield. In his address, Governor Ferguson said the state remains strong economically but faces major challenges from recent historic flooding, aging transportation infrastructure, ferry reliability problems, the housing shortage, and affordability concerns. He proposed major budget priorities including more than a billion dollars for bridge and road maintenance without raising taxes, another billion dollars for ferries, and a record housing investment. He also called for a millionaire’s tax to fund expanded Working Families Tax Credit benefits, tax relief for small businesses, and more support for K-12 education, along with utility assistance and early learning expansion funded in part by a large private gift. The governor also criticized federal immigration enforcement practices and changes at the CDC, urged action on a bill to prohibit masked law enforcement and require identifying information, and backed shifting vaccine recommendations to the state health department. He highlighted several bipartisan proposals he said he would sign, including expanded early learning for military families, modular housing standards, reckless driving changes, crash review access to medical information, wildfire air resources for local fire departments, and fee refunds for missed agency deadlines. After the governor’s remarks, the joint session was dissolved by motion and the House adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• requested an environmental health and safety officer staff position due to some challenges with the border water
• due to some challenges with<00:08:08.720><c> the</c><00:08:08.879><c> border</c><00:08:09.280><c> water
• </c> with the border water contract for that. with the border water contract for that.
• It's another water bill that's in the budget, not this one.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's enough to fund a potable water source at a trailhead.
• </c><01:02:38.920><c> quality</c> Services protecting water quality Services protecting water quality
• source at a trail head it's enough water source at a trail head it's enough to<01:05:21.440><c> fund
• My name is John Waters.
• Waters. Any comments or remarks?

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, Senator Waters. Grady. Grady.
• </c> Senator Waters. Thank you. Senator Waters. Thank you.
• I'm Senator David Waters, Chairman.
• </c> questions for Senator Waters. questions for Senator Waters.
• Pease is a joint un-muddy the waters.

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Public Authorities Law in relation to establishing a time limit to challenge the New York City water
• This bill provides a Any water board fees, rent, and other service charges?
• than six years to any fee, rate, rent, or service charge for the use of services furnished by the water

Committee: Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee met on February 10 and considered five bills. Senator Claire’s SB 2458 would set a six-year limit on challenges to New York City water board fees, rates, rents, and other service charges, and it was moved and reported to the floor. SB 2555, also by Senator Claire, would require explanatory statements for property disposals to identify all beneficial owners and be made publicly available; it was also passed and reported to the floor. The committee then approved SB 6017 by Senator Baskin, the Food Retail Establishment Subsidy for Healthy Communities Act, which would provide loans, guarantees, interest subsidies, and grants to support food retail in underserved areas. Members noted the need for better food access in underserved communities. The committee also took up SB 6165 by Senator Skoufis, which would extend open meetings and FOIL requirements to certain local development corporations and related not-for-profit entities; there was some discussion about how these entities are used by municipalities, and the bill was reported to the floor. Finally, the committee approved SB 8839 by Senator Garnardt, authorizing the Dormitory Authority to provide financing for the New York Climate Exchange’s construction and facilities. All five bills were advanced, with no recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned after the last bill was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a problem in another community that the limestone could supply water to if they had a treatment
• My experience was water county. You know, they were six-year, and mine was four years.
• Rogers will run out of water. >> And yeah, we're having... Well, well, I think I've got a group.
• </c> &gt;&gt; My thing experience was water &gt;&gt; My thing experience was water county.<00:54:55.760
• Rogers will run out of water. Rogers. Rogers will run out of water.

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I appreciate the comments about the river and the water issues. We help.
• The comments about the river and the water issues.
• Your water rights, you will have no water. We know this because we educated ourselves.
• And I say that because water is the big issue.
• No, that water don't belong to me now, you know, send it that way.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

Transcript Highlights:

• residents must also be used for a homestead by the owner, and the property must be adjacent to public waters
• adjacent owner and the property must be adjacent to<00:02:49.120><c> public</c><00:02:49.360><c> Waters
• </c><00:02:49.680><c> or</c><00:02:49.800><c> state</c><00:02:50.040><c> Trails</c> to public Waters
• or state Trails to public Waters or state Trails administered<00:02:50.879><c> by</c><00:02:51.000><c
• There's less than 600 resorts left in Minnesota from our high-water mark of 3,000, and so many of these

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what it aims to do is, now that the city is taking on more responsibility of the Sewerage and Water
• I think the sewer and water board bill is going to be okay.
• Where we've changed procurement rules, but the Sewerage and Water Board didn't change.
• something did happen, you see what I'm saying, where we've changed procurement rules but the Sewerage and Water

Committee: Senate Local & Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, how much water does red cedars use per day? I would be going off of memory.
• that these red cedars throughout rural Oklahoma are a fire danger and are also using up our critical water
• everyday Every day in the state of Oklahoma, they are drawing millions and millions of gallons of water
• Every tree along that river is drawing 40 gallons a day, affecting the water in Oklahoma City as well

Bills: HB3406 , HB2975 , HB3977 , HB3263 , HB2988 , HB3404 , HB1770

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: agriculture, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, HB3977, State Veterinarian, Oklahoma veterinary license, food animal veterinary practice, livestock, animal health, State Board of Agriculture, veterinary qualifications, appointed office

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Yeah, something about the water. >> Senator Albritton would say it's beautiful people born in that
• 00:08:47.279><c> something</c><00:08:47.519><c> about</c><00:08:47.680><c> the</c><00:08:47.839><c> water
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yeah, something about the water. &gt;&gt; Yeah, something about the water.

Bills: HB97 , HB407 , HB435 , SB361 , HB97 , HB407 , HB435

Committee: Senate State Governmental Affairs

Keywords: absentee ballot, voting, elections, voter registration, electoral process, defective affidavit, voting rights, local redevelopment, tax payments, transient occupancy, state revenue, authority powers, economic development, tax abatement, incentives, Alabama Jobs Act, Accelerate Alabama, NAICS, North American Industry Classification System, 2022 NAICS codes

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allowed for an inspection to make sure that the water resources and the electricity sources are
• </c><00:02:55.400><c> sure</c><00:02:55.560><c> that</c><00:02:55.840><c> the</c><00:02:55.959><c> water
• </c> inspection to make sure that the water inspection to make sure that the water resources<00:02:57.000

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on the growing number of data center proposals in Minnesota and the concerns they are raising in communities such as Eagan, Hermantown, Farmington, and Rosemount. The senator described data centers as having evolved from small server rooms into large industrial-scale facilities that support data storage and AI systems, and said the main issue is not whether they are needed, but where they should be located. He argued they should be treated as industrial uses and placed in industrial zones away from residential neighborhoods because of potential impacts on nearby homes, including concerns about property values, utilities, and the character of the area. The senator also discussed Senate File 607, a bill he introduced last session to address data center placement. He said the bill would require data centers to be sited in industrial areas and include an inspection to ensure adequate water and electricity resources are available. He said the bill had been scheduled for a hearing in State Government but the hearing was canceled, and he hopes to bring it back for a hearing this session. He noted that the issue is becoming more important as data center development expands and that lawmakers are still catching up to the change. A second major topic was the use of nondisclosure agreements in data center development. The senator said local governments should not be required to sign NDAs before discussing projects with constituents, especially when those agreements prevent public disclosure until projects are already far along. He said NDAs may be appropriate in limited cases, such as tours of controlled facilities where trade secrets are involved, but not when cities are buying property or rezoning land. He expressed support for efforts to ban or limit NDAs in this context and said the issue is bipartisan but also politically difficult in a closely divided legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• Willoughby will temporarily replace Representative Taylor on the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water
• House Bill 2113 is withdrawn from the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water and additionally
• House Bill 2113 is withdrawn from the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water and additionally
• Speaker Pro Tem, your Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee will meet after the floor, or at

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized Dr. Gary Figgi as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced guests and read a proclamation honoring the Arizona hotel industry for efforts to prevent human trafficking, with remarks emphasizing hotel training, law-enforcement partnerships, and a recent trafficking sting that led to multiple arrests. On the floor, the House handled several procedural items, including committee substitutions and bill referrals. It then took up third-reading votes on HB 2091, HB 2122, and HB 2138, all of which passed and were transmitted to the Senate. HB 2091 passed 47-11 with 2 not voting, HB 2122 passed 48-10, and HB 2138 passed 54-4 with 2 not voting. The House resolved into the Committee of the Whole and recommended do-pass on HB 2792 and HCR 2043. HCR 2043 drew brief debate about a congressional term limit convention, with one member noting opposition to the measure and concern about its broader implications. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and HB 2792 and HCR 2043 were referred to engrossing. The House then heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCR 2006, environmental, natural resources, energy and water.
• The Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water is assigned as primary committee for House Bill
• HB 2400, motor fuel tax holiday; Natural Resources, Energy and Water.
• HB 2696, commerce authority gas prices prioritization; Natural Resources, Energy and Water.

Keywords: 1182, all